The Fire Within

Chapter 1

Christian lets go! You are gonna be late! my father yelled through my bedroom door.

I will be right there! I replied.

I stood in front of my mirror. Looking back at me was this brown haired, tall, and slightly muscular, 16-year-old boy. The only out of the ordinary thing about me was the scar across my right eye, not a good memory. I was in the 9th grade and getting ready for the homecoming dance. Wearing a blood red button up shirt with a black tie and slacks, I tidied myself up. My black blazer was lying on the bed beside me, ready for the night.

I was taking Kate Allen, the most beautiful girl in the school (in my opinion). We had been good friends for a long time, always flirting. We had never tried to pursue a serious relationship, in fear of losing our good friendship. I was planning on changing that tonight. I was going for broke and asking her to be my girlfriend. I had already asked her parents, and my dad was on board with it. All that was missing was the yes.

I turned my eyes from the mirror and focused my attention on a ring on my bedside table. I walked over carefully, as if walking towards a cornered animal, ready to bite. When I reached the table, my confident smile was gone. I gingerly picked up the golden ring. My hands were shaking as I rolled it between his fingers. I read the inscription across the band.

Life. Love. Happiness.

Those words I can never get past them.

I stared into my hands for what seemed like hours, reading those words, before my vision began to blur. My cheeks are wet when my dad knocked on the door.

Christian, lets go! We still have to pick up Kate! he said impatiently.

I quickly wiped the tears off of my face. I slid the ring on my finger and picked up my jacket. Before opening my door, I took one last look at the mirror. That smile was back, my eyes slightly red, but not enough to be obvious. I threw the door open and raced down the stairs two at a time, until I reached the living room. It was nothing fancy, just a couch and a recliner behind a coffee table. A flat screen TV hooked to the wall. My dad was on the couch. He was still in his work clothes, a dark blue polo and khakis. Charles Sanders was stitched to the pocket of his shirt, next to logo of his car company.

My dad was a burly man, slightly shorter than me. His hands were scarred from the many machines he operates. He had no hair; it was a clean shave across the top of his head. His face however, not so much. His mustache connected to his goatee. I always teased him about looking like a Walter White impersonator.

Hey princess, you done with makeup? he said with a smile, it quickly dropped when he saw the ring, as well as my eyes. I will never know a time where I could hide something from my father. He got up and pulled me into a hug. We stayed like this before he whispered,

I know its hard, you cannot let it control your night. Try to push it out of your mind

We pulled apart as he looked up slightly at me with an encouraging smile.

Go get your flower; I will start up the truck.

He stepped away to get the keys as I walked to the kitchen. It was the same as the living room, nothing special. Fridge, stove, microwave, oven, everything a basic kitchen needed. I opened the fridge to grab a plastic box. Inside it rested this red corsage with a black wristband.

I rushed through the living room to the front door that Dad left open and raced to the truck. It was a beat up, black pickup.

I hopped in the passenger side of the truck, and Dad pulled out of the driveway. The ride was a silent one, the only sound was the radio playing some rock n roll music. We were pulling into Kates neighborhood when he asked,