Taking Risks

Chapter 1

Chloe

I entered my new house, looking around at all of the modern designs that went into it. I had picked the designs myself but I had done it without really thinking it through. It still looked good though.

My mind was elsewhere, but I tried to think only positive thoughts. New house, new town, new start. This was my chance to put my past behind me.

Enough of the past, time to think of the future. I had moved all of my stuff in already, I really didn't have much as I bought the house brand new with it being completely furnished. I only had my clothes, electronics, and personal belongings.

I sat down on the couch, firing up my laptop. Time to find a job. My parents may have helped me get this house but I still needed to support myself. Besides, I couldn't just sit here and do nothing.

I needed to make some friends and start a social life. I missed my best friend, Rachel. I unfortunately had to leave Rachel behind but she promised she would come visit. I left my family too.

I left everything behind.

Hot tears slipped down my cheeks as the realness of my situation came crashing down around me. I was trying not to think about the past, but how could I not? I was all alone in this town.

I gave in and let the tears pour out of me, shaking and sobbing until I couldn't cry anymore. I took a deep breath. Okay that was out of me, now time to focus.

I had done everything I did for a good reason. My parents said they would come live here when they retired. I was an only child so I had no siblings to fall back on and they promised they would come to me.

I had a degree in early childhood education; I used to help run a daycare back home. I loved seeing young children blossom right before my eyes. From young infants, all the way through pre-school, it was a joy to see the little people they grew into to.

I hated leaving the daycare back home, all of the little faces so sad to see me go. I was Miss Chloe there, short for Miss Chloe. It was definitely a hard back but I left with awesome referrals, a strong degree, and a clean record to get myself working at a new daycare. I couldn't wait to throw myself into work.

I searched on my computer for some jobs around the area and luckily, a daycare not too far from here, was hiring. I sent in my resume, along with a couple of other job listings and hoped for the best.

I poured myself a glass of wine, throwing in some fresh strawberries.

Thank God I stopped at the liquor store.

I sat outside on my front porch, enjoying the fading afternoon sun. It was a warm, beautiful day for May and I knew the summer was just going to get hotter. Here in North Carolina, I heard the summers could be quite brutal but at least the winters would be nice. Back in small town Minnesota, the winters were beyond cold and snowy. But the summers weren't too bad. This was definitely a switch.

I heard a door shut and a woman come out onto the porch next door. "Fucking men. When will they ever learn?" She muttered to herself, loud enough for me to hear. I looked over and there stood a gorgeous woman, long brunette hair running down her back, a tank top and skirt hugging all the right curves. She looked to be my age as she smoked her cigarette, pounding out a text on her phone.

I had to meet her. She was my type of girl.