Endless (Reckless #2)

Endless - Chapter One

Chapter One

Adelaide - January

The salty air whips a few stray hairs across my eyes.

Even though it was the beginning of January, summer seems ever present in the Sunshine State. The sun was still as bright as ever, and the beach was full of people. Even though the scenery was great, I couldn’t help but not feel anything.

I lost that a long time ago.

Or has it just been a few days?

I’ve lost track of time since coming back to my father.

Once the bus finally crossed the state line, reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I haven’t felt so impulsive in years - so utterly reckless. And when I walked back into my childhood home and saw my father no longer surrounded by heaps of empty Corona bottles… I still didn’t feel, even though I should’ve been bursting with joy.

In fact, when he came and wrapped his arms around me, I kept my face void of emotion. And nagging me in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but wish it were someone else there instead.

But when I made the decision to leave, I left everything connecting me to the past six months in Hudson. Hudson; with that thought, a shiver of remembrance passes down my spine. I wrap my cardigan tighter around my body and shield my face from the sunlight.

That’s when I realize I have a cardigan around me. I want to laugh so badly, but the reason behind the act mars a frown on my face instead. It’s nearly eighty degrees out here, but I can’t help but miss the bitter cold that winter is supposed to bring.

I’ve been away from warm weather for so long, yet I don’t miss it.

I longed for snow, and gray clouds that stretch across the skies. I wanted brisk winds to skim my cheeks, and force me to wear thick sweaters and comfy boots. But as I look up, all I could see was clear blue and cotton ball clouds.

Looking across the beach, I see the laughter of children and sunbathing adults. A sigh escapes my lips as I realize many of them would never see the beauty and wonders of a winter wonderland. All they would ever see is sun.

After standing on the beach for another few minutes, I finally force myself to leave.

Taking the familiar streets back home, I end up on my drive way in just a few minutes. That was what I used to love about living here - the beach was so close to home. It used to be my place of solitude and peace. I would go there every day after school - in a vacant part of course - and I would just think.

That was my routine after mom died; home never really felt like home anymore, and my father was always too drunk for me anyway.

Walking up the driveway, I notice a car parked to the side - my father’s car. It tells me that he’s still here.

After getting out of rehab a month ago, he’s really done a 360. There were still times of struggle, but he hasn’t relapsed into his alcoholism again - which is a relief. Since getting out, he’s gotten a job at a local grocery store.

It’s not exactly an ideal place to be, far different from his previous job as a mechanic, but it’s a start and that’s all that matters to me.

Allowing myself into the house, I see him slipping a baseball cap on - a part of his uniform. Giving him a small smile, I shut the door behind me.

“I thought you left already,” I tell him, folding my arms over my chest.

“I’ve got different hours today,” he says, picking up his set of keys off the table. “I won’t be back until late tonight.”