Near or Far

Chapter 1

This story is a little different to what I normally write for a few reasons: 

One, it's set in Canada (both in a small town on Manitoulin Island and in Halifax, Nova Scotia), and it was super exciting to write as a Canadian who is used to basing her stories in the United States. 

Two, it was created because I was asked to pitch a TV concept to CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and I thought the idea of a set of twins finally pulling apart from one another was an interesting concept to explore. 

Three, Near or Far was selected as one of the top 10 pitches given to CBC, and one of these concepts will be chosen for adaptation into a TV show for CBC Gem (the company's streaming service).

It's crazy to even think I had the opportunity to pitch to CBC, let alone be one of the ten finalists, and I'm so thrilled you guys get a chance to read about Sadie and Lauren's journey, as I know you'll be able to relate to the situations they face in one way or another! So, for now, happy reading and wish me luck!

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S A D I E

It's been said the years spent at university are the best years of a person's life. Where you gain the knowledge and experience needed to step into your dream career. Where you find your independence, form lifelong friendships, and discover more about yourself than at any other point in your life.

But I didn't believe it.

In high school, I'd been an average student and couldn't imagine spending another four years in a classroom. I learned best by doing, not by listening, and the minute I'd been accepted to the apprenticeship program at a local garage, I knew that's what I was meant to be doing.

I didn't need to leave Manitoulin Island to find out who I was, especially knowing my family was here and most of my friends were sticking around.

My twin sister, Lauren, however, was not. A social butterfly in our small town, she was ready for a change, and had surprised everyone when she'd announced she was heading to the east coast for her freshman year. To Dalhousie. And while I was happy for her—truly I was—I also couldn't imagine living without her.

Yet soon enough I would be.

And even after last night, when my parents had gathered all our friends and neighbours into the empty barn at the back of our property for Lauren's official going away party, I couldn't seem to process it. I'd spent most of the night keeping to the sidelines, plastering a smile on my face whenever someone approached me, and overall, had managed to avoid saying goodbye to my twin.

Because if I didn't say it, somehow, I thought I could trick myself into believing it wasn't happening. That Lauren was staying.

Though in my head and my heart, I knew she was leaving.

So, when morning had come, I'd gotten up with the sun and had headed for the stables before anyone could notice I was gone. After tossing and turning most of the night, I needed to clear my head, and wanting to prolong my goodbye a little longer, I saddled up my horse and headed for the water.

With the sun kissing my skin and the familiar lake breeze on my face, I felt like I could finally breathe again. This was what home was. Trotting through the dew-drenched grass in the early morning and hearing the choppy waves rolling onto shore. Swatting the mosquitoes away while admiring the way the bees migrated to the dandelions. The grasshoppers. The birds overhead. Even the mixed smell of soil, fresh air, and manure—which, admittedly, took some getting used to.