Clara Ackles
It is officially time to start feeling sentimental.
Three months ago I graduated from high school and summer went too fast for me to be comfortable with. Yesterday I said my last goodbyes to my friends. So the last step is to finish packing for college. I take a look around my half-packed room. It is unreal. This has been my room since I was five.
Tears start to form in my eyes remembering the memories me and my siblings shared. From the times we stayed up all night playing games and going to school exhausted the next morning, to fighting over stupid things like who ate the rest of the fruit snacks.
Just as my tears began to fall unwillingly my family walks in with matching expressions. My mom, leading my siblings, walked toward me with a small cake. Undoubtedly carrot cake, my favorite.
"It's officially real now," my mom said while choking back her tears. "Your father would be so proud" she continued.
My dad, Aiden Ackles. He has been in the hospital, in a coma, for as long as I can remember. He got in a car crash when I was four. Mom always tells us stories about him to keep us connected to him.
"I will visit you every chance I get" I promised while I took the cake from my mom and put it on my desk.
"You better!" Ashley blurted.
My baby sister. Ashley. She is the craziest and most daring person I know.
"Yeah don't leave with these crazy women" Jace jokingly groaned
Jace is my twin. We are basically the same person. We look exactly alike in looks and we act pretty much the same. He is a little more of a joker than I am though.
"Well, you could always come with me. You graduated too, Jace" I said pointedly
"You know I will join you next semester" he argued
Everyone went silent.
Mom broke the silence.
"Well on another note you leave in two days and you only have half your room packed?"
"Don't judge me! I was taking my time I am going to miss everything about living here."
"Fine, we are going to leave you alone so you can finish packing." Mom replied
"Alright, I love you guys" I responded
"We love you too" Jace butted in
They all filed out of my room so I could finish packing. Instead, I eat my cake. Packing can wait.
____________________________________________________________________________
Ryder Rivera
I can't wait to leave. This town is a constant reminder of all the things I want to forget. I want to get away from here as soon as possible. The constant gossip. The isolation. The middle of fucking nowhere. The past. The present.
College is a fresh start. Across the country. SCU is the college I have wanted to go to. It isn't Harvard or anything but it is far enough away from this town. Away from the man I call my father.
Right on cue, he stumbles into the living room with the all too familiar smell of booze. He stares down at me while I am simply sitting on the couch. I stare at the ground to not make him falsely intimidated.
"Get up and go to get me a bottle boy" He grunted while handing me forty bucks
"The store is closed" I whispered back
"WELL GET ONE FROM ALEX THEN DUMBASS" he shouted back
Alex is the town's bootleger and my Aunt. She uses selling liquor as a way to pay for her house. She always gives me looks of pity when I show up at her door. Knowing full well why I am there. Alex tried to win custody of me when I was 12 but lost in court because my father brought in evidence of her past drug use.
She was sober at the time but the judge had very little trust in her and deemed everything she said was said under the influence. Small towns. Gotta love them.
"I will be back soon," I said as I got up and walked toward the door
"You better be"
Of course, this drunk bastard wanted more. He can never have enough. I have had enough I am keeping the money for food. I walk to my childhood friend's house. Liam Anders.
Liam's family has always been the ones to let me stay the night when my father got too drunk. They feed me whenever I was starving. They saved me countless times. I owe them my life. I turn down the street and Liam's house comes into view.
Walking down the street I start to remember all the mischief me and Liam caused. A smile makes it way to my face as I walk up to Anders's pouch. I knock on the door and Mrs. Anders greets me with a warm smile.
"Hello Ryder!" she beamed and ushered me inside
"Hi Mrs. Anders" I replied
"Cole is upstairs and I am cooking dinner right now" she stated
"Alright thank you!" I shouted while rushing up the stairs.
I turn the corner and head for Liam's room.
YOU ARE READING
Falling For Him (New Version)
RomanceClara Ackles and Ryder Rivera, both first-time college students, can't stand each other. As they navigate through college they face the unexpected problems college has to offer. What will become of their hatred for each other under the overwhelming...
