Seam Route

chapter one

Daisy

Summer has always been my favourite season for as long as I could remember. Something about summer just equated to happiness. Little boutiques, ice cream shops, sunscreen and swimming were my religion.

I've lived in Southampton since I was a child. In my humble opinion, it's the most pretty little beach town you could find on the east coast. Ever since I was a kid, I longed for the clock to wind down from the day school started till we were free for those glorious three months.

Even now at twenty-one, I still count down the days I'd finish my semester of college, even though I was doing it online too in the comfort of my home.

 And I know Hades would miss me if I left for college. Okay, maybe that was a lie. I would miss Hades way more than he would miss me but whatever.

I lean down to scratch Hades under his jaw, it's his favourite. Hades' pillow is by the window, he loves watching the leaves on trees when the day is windy. On the other hand, I watched the moving truck employees lug some huge things into the house beside mine this past week.

A year ago, the Goodells sold their house to be near their daughter and grandchild in Delaware. It was odd seeing the 'sold' sign in their house considering they've lived there for as long as I could remember.

Finally, the new owner—or owners— has moved in. I haven't caught a glimpse of them yet, and I plan to give a warm welcome because the moving truck finally left yesterday.

I grabbed my canvas bag filled up with all the essentials a girl could ever need. And by 'essentials', I mean everything imaginable. Sunscreen, cheesy smut novels, packages of fruity gum, crumpled pieces of paper from fortune cookies, three different coloured lip glosses, a small bottle of sriracha, sketchbook, makeup, bear spray–I've never even seen a bear in real life— and a shit ton of other things too.

I'm thinking I'll make the new owner's mixed berry pie. I mean you can't go wrong with pie. Pie is for the people. I make my way out the front door, there's no cars parked in the driveway.

The only thing sitting on my driveway is my baby pink and yellow bicycle. It's quite a sight to see, and it even has a small wicker basket.

 I love my bike. I love biking everywhere. I love the serotonin I get while pedalling. I love the wind brushing my skin.

 I saddle up and take one long look at the house beside mine.

It's huge, way bigger than mine and has that natural beach house look with the white and baby blue details of the exterior. I know the house even has a boardwalk straight to the beach because the Goodells let me use their boardwalk multiple times when they used to live there.

The back of my house doesn't have a fancy boardwalk leading, you have to go through multiple sandy-grassy hills. But I never minded that much anyway, having a house that leads to the beachfront made up for it.

My parents bought this house before I was born because it seemed like the perfect place to raise a family and live out married life together. 

Three years after I was born they got a divorce. 

Don't worry, it was the type of divorce that was good for both of them. Mom remarried a few years ago and is travelling abroad learning different cultural foods to add to her repertoire.

Dad works as a high-profile surgeon in Manhattan. Work has been so busy for him that he's bought an apartment there because the commute there and back from the hospital is less exhausting.

I squint at the sun in my eyes, and with my semi-blocked view, I see downtown.

 It's just about noon and the farmer's market closes at one.