Extraordinary, Extra Ordinary

Chapter One

I was born on June 28th, 2001, at 2:34 am, in the small town Anaconda, Montana. My mother and father were the most envied couple. Married strait out of college, happily, and expecting a child a year later. Me. They had no problems. Besides the usual, of course. My father adored my mother, and my mother adored my father.

But, that changed. That changed precisely two minutes and thirty seven seconds after my birth. At 2:36 am, Ariel Mckinley died from childbirth. My mother. After this, my father spiraled into one of the most intense depressions my aunt had ever seen. My father only ever did two things: his job, and sleep.

So, considering my father wasn't doing a very good job taking care of me, my aunt, April Connors, my mothers twin sister, took me to LA, California. My dad didn't argue... He was too brain dead to do so.

Honestly, it was like when my mother died, so did Harrison Mckinley. My father.

Even though April tells me often it wasn't my fault they are both gone, I still told myself it was. My mom was gone because of me, and because my mom was gone, so was my dad.

Sure, every now and then he would stay the weekend, or call. Sure, he said even less often that he loved me. But deep down, I knew he didn't.

That's why, when my aunt told us the news one night, he shocked us both.

"So, I got that safari job I've been dying to get," April said, while my father silently ate his steak. I was thrilled: but also afraid. Where did she plan I go while she was gone? The job started next month, and ended a year from then.

"So, Ariel," my father cringes at my deceased mothers name, "you will be going to stay with your Gramma, in Montana." April tells me, avoiding eye contact with Harrison.

I was about to open my mouth to agree, even though I disliked the idea of Gramma Connors strongly. But before I could speak, Harrison said, "Why don't Ariel just come stay with me?"

I dropped my fork, and April jerked her head towards Harrison.

"Uh... Harrison... Um... Ariel?" she stammered. "Would you mind that?"

I dropped my gaze to my plate. Part of me felt anxiety... The thought of living in the town my mother died... But the other part was thrilled. My father? Wanted me to come stay with him for a whole year?

I nodded my head enthusiastically. April, with a concerned look in her eyes, looked at Harrison. "Harry, I don't know if that's exactly a good idea..."

I shook my head at her, throwing her a pleading look.

Just try it out, I begged her with my eyes.

"Alright, fine," she sighed. I kept the grin from cracking my face in half, feeling a strong feeling of gratitude towards my aunt. This was something I dreamed about since I learned what a dad was.

"When are you leaving?" Harrison asked. I squinted at April, waiting for her response. She grinned apologetically.

"It was a short notice sort of thing... I leave Friday." I stopped chewing my food, dropping my fork again.

"But its Wednesday... That's two days from now!" I said, feeling the anxiety inching its way back. That would mean is be starting school in the middle of the year.

"I thought it didn't start until summer?" I asked, hoping she would just realize her mistake and then I wouldn't have to worry about a new school until school started up in fall.

"Well, it was going to... But I don't know, they booted the deadline up. I was lucky to have put in my application when I did. But, while you were out today with your father I packed your things. Of course your dresser and art and certain things are staying, but I packed the majority of your colder weather clothes and bought you a bunch of stuff. Its still winter there." April started in on her rambling, and soon I wasn't even listening anymore.

Harrison was looking down at his food, and to my surprise, there was the faintest of smiles lingering. This caught me off guard. I don't think I had ever witnessed him smiling around my aunt. Especially since she and my mom look so much alike. It probably pained him to sit around her like this.

"So am I going back with you when you leave tonight?" I asked Harrison. He shook his head. "Sorry, but if you're staying I gotta prep the house."

I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere.

Why did he suddenly want me around?