Silver Lining

Silver Lining Chapter 1

 Chapter 1

Well, this is where my story begins. Hi, I am Krystal Gracin, and I am 12 years old. I live in a two-bedroom apartment on wall street. From the time I was four, and visited my first art museum, I wanted to be a painter, just like my idol, Elizabeth Nelson Adams.

But here's the catch... when I was two, I went officially colorblind. All I see is gray, and believe me, that's not how you want to see the world. To make matters worse, my own eyes are gray! My mother says they look like stars but I always protest.

My friend Mia thinks I'm the coolest and best drawer she has ever seen but I remind her it would be a lot better if I could use color. She agrees, but still says they look fine in pencil. I know she's just trying to make me feel better... but isn't that what a friend does?

Now you are about to jump into my story, the story of Krystal. You will experience the ups, the downs, the heartbreak, and the best, yet unlikeliest of friendships. But most importantly, how we all have a silver lining.

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"We're moving to Vermont!"

I gasped in surprise as Mom and Dad broke the news. It was honestly something I never had expected. I know it's probably because my WHOLE family lives up there, but still. This is where my dream and passion was born! Isn't that more important than a new house, or whatever?

"But mom!"

"I am sorry Krissy, but we don't really have a say in the matter either! Your father was offered a big promotion, he gets to train his own navy squadron, and I found a job as a chief surgeon, too! Sure, it will be a big adjustment but wouldn't you rather live in a house instead of a two-bedroom apartment?"

Mom had a point though. As I grew older, the apartment did get smaller, and smaller, but this is where I grew up! Mom and Dad couldn't just take that away from me because of a stupid promotion! Right?

"Ugh! Why is it when I finally start getting comfortable here, we have to move?!"

I complained, and flopped onto the couch dramatically. Mom and Dad rolled their eyes.

"Look on the bright side, kiddo! You are now only going to be 10 to 15 minutes away from your cousin, Lauren, not a plane ride!"

For the first time since the big news, I had remembered my cousin!

But then I wished I hadn't.

Memories had rushed into my head of when we were little. Lauren found Aunt Meg's cosmetics, and she decided to try them out on me. I remember her asking me which color eye shadow I wanted, but since they all looked gray, I picked the worst combinations ever! Like green with black, or red with yellow. And she always corrected me saying: No! If you want that color you should do it with this!

It was kind of annoying but I kept reminding myself she's the one that could see. We had a lot of fun until her mom caught us.

Yea....

I looked back at mom and dad and they realized what sorts of memories they could have put in my head. No offense to Lauren, she wasn't the best at understanding that I couldn't really see the way she did. Sometimes, she would call me dog eyes if I got mad at her. Apparently, dogs see black and white...

"Look honey, do you think that we want to do this either?"

"Yes."

I then regretted saying that. In the worst moments, I could be a real sassafras. That's why I will never have a speaking job. Mother always told me that when I was sassy. Then Mom and Dad exchanged a glance.