I don't think I should be here. In fact, I am scared to be here. Too many painful memories that I deserved are preserved in these places. It's like a horror film of guilt crashing into me as I walk out of the airport; Jetlag killing me over. Flashes of people, places, all exploring my mind as if they are detectives. A gunshot of a wound welding in my heart, as I breathe in the fresh air.
Putting my hand out for a taxi, my whole body shakes of anxiety. Calm down Hayden, my subconscious reminds me. A sigh of relief escapes my mouth as one pulls up next to me. I sling my bag up over my shoulder opening the door, memories flashing through my mind. I look up at the taxi driver, to see he is sucking on a sucker.
“Um just take me to the closest Starbucks, please?” He doesn’t speak, and just begins driving.
I pull my cracked Iphone out of my pocket, unraveling my headphones from it. A groan escapes my mouth as all I want to do is crawl up into a ball and sleep but no I have to go look for a place to stay, preferably get a roommate. Of course I am coming to Uni the second semester in the school year. I just really hope I don’t run into anyone I know.
I quickly bring my camera out, checking to see what I look like. My dyed blonde hair, curled at the ends. My fake eyelashes, exposing my hazel contacts that cover my blue eyes. A sigh of relief escapes my mouth, happy that I don’t look like how I use to. I am no longer Hayden Jenson, I am now Hayden Reed.
My nerves settle as Bon Iver, Lump Sum begins to play in my headphones. Laying my head on the head rest I stare out the window seeing buildings go by. The clouds holding a dark gloomy gray preparing a rain shower or even worse, snowing. I jump in my seat remembering I need to text my father that I got here safe. Quickly texting him, the taxi driver tells me that we have arrived and how much I owe him.
I pulled the money out of my pocket, handing it to him before exiting the Taxi. A smile forms on my face as I see Starbucks a few stores down. A scream escapes my mouth as my phone falls out of my hand. I drop to the ground picking it up to see more cracks. Curses run out of my mouth, stuffing the piece of crap in my pocket I stood up.
I am bewildered at a moment as hot liquid runs down my chest, as I am pushed to the ground. My vision goes blurry before I realize someone had just ran right into me.
My vision clears to see a girl with strawberry blonde hair, wide bright green eyes staring down at me. “OH MY GOSH! I AM SO SORRY!” She screams out frantically, holding her hand out for me.
I take her hand awkwardly getting to my feet. A curse escapes my mouth as I look down to see coffee down my white shirt. “I am so, so sorry!”
I look up meeting her frantic eyes, “Don’t be it happens all the time to people.” A sigh escapes my lips, knowing I will have to change now.
“No! I just ruined a perfectly good shirt! Please let me buy you a new one!?” I raise an eyebrow up at her shaking my head.
“No it’s okay I can just change, plus I am sure you don’t want to waste your money on a random stranger.” I exclaim, running my hand down the strap of my bag.
She put her hand out, before I took it still dazed by what is going on. “I am Abbie, you are?”
“A I am Hayden.” A perky smile forms onto her face.
“There now we aren’t strangers. Let me buy you a shirt.”
I roll my eyes shaking my head once again. “No, it’s fine besides I was going to go get me coffee any ways.”
Her hand went on her hip, a smirk tracing onto her face, “Well I need new coffee, and you need a new shirt. Sounds good for me come on girl.”
Before I know what is happening she is pulling me towards Starbucks. I laugh at how overly dramatic the girl can be. Seriously, I just met her and now we are going to get coffee and I guess you could say shopping? I don’t even think I have been this social with a person for at least a month.
When we enter the coffee shop, people stare at us completely wondering why I have a brown stain down my shirt. I hurry and button up my Camo flannel before more people take notice. I tell the barista my drink and force Abbie to let me pay for hers, if she is paying for a shirt of mine.
I bring my phone out as we walk to the waiting counter, seeing my dad had texted me back. “Hey you have spider man version!” A small chuckle escapes from me, looking to see she was staring at my phone with wide eyes.
“I haven’t heard that one before.” I tell her a smile forcing itself on my lips.
I notice that she is extremely pretty, when I see a couple of men staring at her.
I instantly take my white chocolate iced latte, when they call my name. I need this coffee! I take a sip, the bitter yet sweet taste of it filling me with tingles. I notice that Abbie is staring intently at me as I sip into the straw.
“What?”
She laughed loudly, “Your just strange yet again, I am too. Well let’s go to H&M it is right up the block.” I nod following her out the door.
Instantly I feel sprinkling rain. Great just great, not something I have missed for the past four years. I notice this block, instantly feeling upset. I need to get these painful memories out of my head, but they never will.
“So Hayden how old are you?”
I shrug looking up to meet her gaze, “21 only have been for a month.”
“Nice, I just turned 22 not to long ago. Got a boyfriend?”
I laugh shaking my head. I haven’t ever allowed myself to have on after from what I did. “No, not at all.”
A frown etches onto her face, but quickly recovers as we reach H&M. We enter in, having her interview me with a whole lot of questions. I answer them simply, though some still having a lot of meaning. Once I get my shirt I make up a fake lie saying I have to go meet my dad, but not before she insist I give her my number.
We separated apart as we left the store, letting me sigh in relief. I have never been asked so many questions in my life. Walking down the street I search for a newspaper stand. I need to look for some place to stay so that’s a good place to start.
I would stay with my dad but too many regrets are laced in that house. I don’t even think I would be able to stay in that house less than an hour. Many curses come from my mouth as it starts pouring rain. Yay just my damn luck, I note sarcastically in my mind.
I am relieved once I see a newspaper stand, making me run towards it. People in business suits begin taking them, covering there well done hair. It is interesting being back here, when I have spent the past four years in New York.
Once I get a newspaper I search for the residential areas near Uni. I don’t have a car, and still don’t dare to drive in one so I will have to walk. I scan places that are either two pricy, boy roommates, or to faraway. I smile seeing one that is only two blocks away from the Uni.
“Fun girl roommate! Sometimes parties, but will always include anyone. Just come by anytime, if not there I am getting coffee.”
I small giggle escapes from me reading the description of the roommate. I am not so sure about the partying but it seems pretty good. Covering my damp hair with the thick papers I start walking down the block, debating on what I should do. I will need some new clothes, and I will need to see my dad sometime today.
***
After buying several outfits that are super urban like, I make my way towards the café my father told me about. I am excited to see him but sort of not. He has always been making sure I am safe ever since the night of my mums accident. I don’t really blame him, but I am not that social of a person.
Born To Die, by Lana Del Rae blared through my headphones, making me want to sing it out loud so bad. It had stopped raining only giving it a cold effect outside. People kept giving me rather strange glances, most likely why a girl is carrying a huge bag walking on the streets of London. Honestly, I would think the same thing in New York.
I already miss New York, making me want to just go get onto a plane and live back in my dorm. I can practically see my old roommate Jessie studying away on her bed stuffing her face with popcorn. Or our other Jade who would be bickering out about how sexy Ezra is on Pretty Little Liars.
A smile formed onto my face seeing a familiar figure standing in front of a pot. His black hair slick, pushed off to the side. Polo shirts with khaki pants, fancy dress shoes covering his large feet. Dimples prominent as he looks around with his bright blue eyes like mine.
I scream out his name having his attention turn towards me. We both run to each other embracing us into a rather large hug. The smell of his musky cologne feeling my nostrils the settling feeling that I haven’t smelt what seems like for ages. I pull away from his warm embrace, seeing his wide smile.
“Sweetie you look so beautiful!” He tells me bringing me into another hug.
“Thanks dad. You look handsome yourself.” A stifle laugh escapes his mouth before leading me into the café.
The café is quite simple; the maroon walls holding little fancy artwork. Proper styles of furniture around with people typing away on laptops. Tables for two, lining up on the windows, brightness from the grey sky extending in.
A perky waitress walks up to us with a rather fake smile. “Hello lovelies! Where would you like to sit?”
My dad and I exchange glances before he speaks. I stay silent as she leads us to an empty table, near the corner of the café. I am glad my dad picked this part of town to come to. I barely went around here when I was in high school. It surprises me how stressed out I have been today, I soon will grow week and fall asleep.
My dad and I exchange a few words before ordering the same club sandwich. He seems so happy right now, noticing he is always glancing down at his phone; perfect lining of teeth showing into a wide smile.
“Dad you keep looking down at your phone. You seem rather quite happy… What’s up?”
His eyes instantly wide, looking at me with a pink forming onto his cheeks. “A… Well hun I meet a woman.”
My heart warms at his words. My dad use to be so depressed from my mother’s death. Not being able to bear getting up in the morning, to not see her face. He kept on telling me that he was too upset to go out or do anything. It surprised me when I went to New York and he called me saying he went out with his best friend Curtis.
I have accepted to let him date other women than my mom. Yes, he loved her and they were perfect for each other, but he can’t stay lonely for forever.
“Tell me about this fine lady who is having my father smile!” I insist wanting to know everything.
***
Thanking the taxi driver I get out of it taking a deep breath. My dad told me all about his girlfriend Karen, and how they met. It seriously seems like he was just telling a story of a Nicholas Spark’s film. They met each other when my dad went to our cabin up in the mountains with Curtis, going ice fishing. He told me she was ice skating on the ice when the ice broke. No one else was around so he jumped to conclusions saving her.
He also showed me a picture of her; she has chocolate brown eyes that look absolutely outstanding with her dark brown hair. Her bangs perfectly gut across, giving her face a cuter look to it. She is the same age as my dad, only a little bit of wrinkles by her eyes.
We made plans that I meet her soon when I come over for dinner at my dad’s; which in fact won’t be for a while. My dad made me let him take me to a hotel not too far from Uni, also forcing me to let him pay for my room. Now I was coming to look at the Condo that I am hoping is still available.
It was quite cute out her, all of the condos connecting six homes all put together. Beige, Green, blue, and red painted onto the town house like homes. Little porches with maroon painted doors, holding different decorations. Walking up to the farthest one at the end of the rows of condos, I noticed the pink chair sitting next to the window, porch light illuminating the color.
A bird house hanging from a hook next to the door. Grass surrounding up the side walk as I walk down it. Slowly stepping up the two tiny stairs, I notice the lights are on from the window covered by black curtains. I knocked on the door twice before hearing footsteps.
I am shocked as the door opens; a strawberry blonde girl staring at me back with disbelief.
“OH MY GOD!” She squealed pulling me into a hug.
Hey guys so I am sorry that I didn't publish the first chapter fast enough. My internet decided it should go down for a few days and I had already written half of the chapter. So I am sorry about that! Please Vote, and also comment what you think. If you like it please share?