Chapter One

Summer was ending quickly. The moving trucks would be here later today. Everything I owned was packed in boxes scattered around the house. I slept in late this morning and dad most likely gone already. He mentioned last night that there was still so much to do at work before he left. I showered, then fed our german shepherd, Dakota. I found a note on the kitchen counter as I went to make breakfast.

Ava,

Lots of business to tie up at work. Movers will be at the house at noon.

Sorry to bail on you again. Take my card and have a fun day with your

friends.

Love dad

I shook my head and tossed the letter down. His credit card was laying on the counter next to the note. This was our last day in Oregon. The last day in the town I grew up in. It felt wrong leaving mom behind like this, but dad's company was moving him to some small town in Wisconsin. It was unfair. There was an unsettled anger that was rising inside me.

A horn honking outside pulled me from my thoughts. I herded Kota out into the yard. Swiping dad's card off the counter, I grabbed my wallet and headed for the door. Outside there was a black sedan waiting in the driveway. The driver waited by the back door to open it for me. I climbed in with a muttered thanks. Dad went a little overboard sometimes.

"Hey Girl!" Amber squealed before my door even closed. She half hugged me. "Your dad called me this morning. Told me we were having a shopping day and to go nuts!"

"He bailed. Again." I muttered.There was a moment of silence. Since I was little he didn't have much time for me, didn't have much time for anything. Shoving my disappointment aside, I smiled. "Let's go nuts!" Amber squealed again, bouncing in her seat and clapping her hands. He blonde wavy hair bouncing around her face petite face.

"Where to Miss Avery?" The driver asked. As usual, I didn't recognize the driver. They were different every time. Did my dad's company really have that many drivers?

We made our way through the city, stopping at almost every store, even the ones we didn't particularly like. When we were done I would have an entire new wardrobe for the fall semester. I told the driver to take a break while we ate lunch. I kinda felt bad that he had to deal with two teenage girls all day.

He dropped us off at our favorite diner and said he would return in an hour. This diner brought back good and bad memories, and some that I wanted to leave behind. This place, this town, was all I had known and I didn't want to give that up.

"So you ready to leave this all behind and start over?" Amber asked "New home. New School. New Friends.." She trailed off, looking down at her plate. Amber wasn't going to say it, but she thought I would forget about her. I could hear the sadness and expected disappointment that crept into her voice.

"Doubtful. Everything is going to be different. I'm moving halfway across the country." I said just as disappointed. "The only friend I'll have is Kota."

"You'll make plenty of friends you just need to put yourself out there."

"Right because I'm so good at that." I pushed my chair back. "Are you ready to go?" She frowned at me but didn't say anything.

When I got back to the house all that was left was the things that would be traveling with me. I gathered my bag and suitcase and loaded them into the sedan. I took in one last, long look at my childhood home.

"To the airport?" The driver asked.

"Yeah" I said with a sigh "To the the airport." Dakota jumped into the back seat with me right behind her.

The next week went by in a blur. I settled into the new house, unpacking all the boxes. Which took a lot longer than I thought it would. This house was way too big for just me and dad. Dakota even got her own room, more so a playroom than anything. She always slept at the end of someone's bed. My bedroom had its own bathroom and a walk-in closet, something I never had before. We weren't rich, but dad definitely had a lot of money. Dad was preoccupied with work stuff, again, so I didn't see much of him. School would be starting in a few weeks. Amber called twice, asking if I made any friends or met any cute boys.

Amber could tell I wasn't happy here. I hadn't really ventured out much since the move. This town was tiny and didn't have much to do. It was a half hour to the next town over, which didn't have much other than a movie theater and a semi-nice restaurant. I tried to decorate the house like mom would, but it just didn't seem right. I didn't have her touch.

It was a bright sunny day. Temperatures in the high eighties. I found a little yellow sundress that Amber had picked out for me. It wasn't something I would normally wear, but it felt like having a small piece of her with me. Finding a pair of flip-flops to match, I headed for the door. There was a little coffee shop not too far down the road. It was a short walk and I enjoyed every moment of it. I had heard about Wisconsin winters and wasn't looking forward to it. So for now, I was going to enjoy the summer heat.

The Cafe was busy for a Saturday morning. I ordered a Mocha and paid. After receiving my drink I searched for an empty table. There was only one in the far back. I made my way over to it and sat. I was hoping for less of a crowd.

"What do you think you're doing?" A tall, blonde girl had stopped next to the table, hands on her waist. She was wearing designer jeans that looked a size too small and a sparkly tank top that I'm sure had an expensive price tag. Her long hair - clearly dyed to a bleach blonde shade - was loosely curled around her face. "This is my table freak!"

"Sorry" I mumbled and got to my feet. "I didn't know" All this grief over a table? I had found the popular girls of the town for sure, if this town was big enough for that.

"Well now you do, so run along." She made a shooing motion with her hands. I grabbed my mocha and went to leave. Three girls blocked my path, laughing. They were all dressed similar to their leader, but not as sparkly.

"What a freak!" The brunette in the middle pushed me backwards, dumping my cup over the front of my dress. "Watch it!" She yelled as coffee splashed towards her. She stomped her heels backwards, popping her hands on her hips. All four erupted in laughter. I pushed past them and made a run for it.

Someone stepped in my path. I crashed into them. There was three more girls surrounding me, but they seemed much nicer. They ushered me into the bathroom, despite my protest, two waiting outside the door.

"I'm Miranda" The girls that came in the bathroom said. She had short black hair that just barely touched her shoulders with a bright red streak down the left side. She had on a tight leather tank top, laced down the back, that stopped a few inches above her red plaid skirt and tall leather high heel boots. "Are you okay?" It took me a moment to recover and nod.

"Yea" I looked down at my dress, it was totally ruined. "My dress isn't though."

"That's Monica for you, the blond one. The brunette barbie is Brianna, she's a real nasty one, does all of Monica's dirty work if you know what I mean."

I grabbed a paper towel, wet it, and tried to get the coffee off my dress.

"It's no use" Miranda said. "That's as set as stone. Don't worry Nathan is getting spare clothes from my car."

"I'm Avery" I said. "And thank you"

The door opened and one of the other girls came in with a black duffle bag. "Here" She handed to Miranda who pulled out two items and held them out. I took them as she waved me towards the stall. The clothes she gave me was a tight black shirt with red skulls on it and a black jean skirt. I pulled them on and exited the stall. I had the yellow dress in my hand and, giving it one last look, tossed it in the trash.

"You look much better" One of the two girls outside the door said as we exited. "I'm Jadyn" She had dark brown hair that curled all the way down to her shoulder blades. "This is my sister Jaylin" Her sister was a twin as it turned out, only with straight brown hair, and no-so-friendly brown eyes. While she didn't seem to dislike me, she didn't seem to like me either. "And that guy is Nathan"

And he was a sight. Tall, short dark hair, brown eyes, and boy was that a lot of muscle. He had a black t-shirt and jeans on and he made that look really, really good. His arms were crossed over his chest, leaning against the counter.

"Everyone all decent?" He said with a smile. A smile that could melt hearts.

"Very much so" Miranda lightly punched him in the shoulder. "Quit staring." It was only a murmur but I heard it.

He was staring, I realized, at me. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks as I looked down. He mumbled an apology, but didn't look away.

"Come on" Jadyn said pulling me along. We made our way to a new table and sat. Jaylin and Jadyn pulled Nathan with them to the counter.

"Don't worry bout him" Miranda said. "He's just fascinated by the new girl, we all are." she had a playful smile that made me nervous. "We don't get a lot of new people around here. We, uh keep to ourselves out here."

"I can see why" I said. She gave me a very shocked look. "Ya know, it's so peaceful here. I can't wait to get out in the woods-"

"No!" Her hand clutched my arm tight. "I mean, why would you wanna go in the woods? There's bugs and stuff out there." She was trying to laugh it off as a joke, but I could tell there was something else. She left a red mark on my arm when she pulled back.

"It was one of my mom's favorite things to do" I said quietly. "For years we went hiking in the woods, spent the night camping under the stars. We always went when my dad was working over the weekend."

"And now?" Miranda's voice was soft and comforting. So different from just a moment before.

"And now, I do it so I can feel close to her." I felt the aching in my chest.

"I didn't mean…"

"It's alright, it was a long time ago." I said patting her hand.

"Did you ask her?" Jadyn asked as she sat down, passing me a cup.

"Ask me what?" I said taking a tentative sip of the drink. It was the same Mocha that Brianna had spilt, only sweeter.

"There's this party tonight, it's a back to school beach bash." Jadyn said with all kinds of excitement. "Everyone is gonna be there. You have to come!"

"Totally, you have to come." Jaylin chirped.

"I don't know" I said, fidgeting with my cup. "My dad doesn't like me staying out late." There was a moment of silence. Then they all burst out laughing. "What's so funny?" Jadyn and Jaylin were doubled over in hysteria. Miranda put her face down to the table. Nathan had his arms crossed again, chuckling more so than laughing. I sat there awkwardly waiting for them to explain.

Nathan regained himself first and leaned forward on the table. "Look, you don't have to come if you don't want to. Rule number one of the falls is to not let anyone push you around. I have a feeling it would be a lot of fun with you there though." He slowly smiled, pushing off to lean back in his chair again.

"Alright, I'll go" The girls squealed with excitement. Which only made me more nervous.

"Fantastic! Do you know how to get to the beach?" Miranda asked. I shook my head. "Then you can just hang out with us till we head over there. Sound good?"

"Sure, I should go home and change first though." I felt out of place wearing her clothes. Dark colors weren't my style. "I'm sure you want your clothes back"

"Nonsense! You look fabulous darling!" Miranda said. "You can get them back to me later. Can I have your phone?" I nodded and handed it over. She typed a few thing quickly then gave it back.

"What-" She cut me off with a laugh.

"Our numbers silly. How else are we gonna find you? You've been here a week already and this is the first time we're seeing you."

"Right" I said with a laugh. "I guess I don't normally get out much."

"Well that is going to have to change!" Jadyn smacked her hand on the table. "I don't let my friends sit at home and mope."

It was nice to now I had friends even if I didn't really know them yet. I felt safe with them, like I could trust them. Part of that scared me. The last person I trusted so easily, was not so trustworthy.