Chapter 1

Maria grew up living an active life in the countryside, always outside playing with her friends. Using the woods as their playground, they would go horseback riding, swimming, or playing games. Being only a handful of kids, they grew up becoming family. So when Maria was told they would be moving to the big city due to her Dad's job, she was anything but happy. She had tried to convince her parents to let her stay, but they refused. They thought it would be a good experience for her.

Being her first time in the big city, she felt like a bird stuck in cage, even more so as they went into the high rise apartment building they were moving into. Her parents tried to cheer her up by showing her the view. But now looking out the window, instead of the woods beyond the open space together with her friends there was nothing but a sea of concrete full of lights and tiny objects below, referring to the people and vehicles.

She was grateful her mom was able to bring her to school a few times before it actually began so she could get a feel on how to get to and fro using the public transportation.

Her first day of Highschool as a freshman went by in a flash. All the running around in the country came in handy as it seemed she was constantly running here and there the whole day.

After a week went by, she had gotten used to her school. After a few months she stopped taking public transportation and began walking everywhere. Her parents didn't mind since their daughter did nothing but go to school and study at home, they agreed it would be good exercise for her. On one of her walks she came across a public pool. She learned that the best time to use it would be on the weekends in the early morning.

Waking up early was never an issue with her as she would always do so with her friends, but for school as well. Her parents were glad that she found something to do other than be at home or at school. Now all they hoped for was for her to make some friends in the city instead of constantly talking or writing to her friends in the countryside.

Since Maria didn't have any plans with anyone in the city, her parents asked if she would like to visit the countryside during her summer vacation, which of course she said yes, right away.

By her Junior year, she was known throughout the school as the "Lone Ranger''. Throughout the years fellow students tried to befriend her but couldn't keep up her pace. Being city kids, they were accustomed to using public transportation and going to arcade rooms or hanging out at the malls or movies especially during the summer time. But she would decline taking public transportation and would always chose the sea of trees and clear blue lake rather than the sea of chaos in the city during the summer.