"Well, that was the last box."

Dad tumbled down the porch stairs and joined me under the blistering sun. It was a lovely house, the white-picket-fence type. With three floors and a basement, a modest backyard and many windows, Mom would have adored it.

We took days to unload everything we carried across the country in a U-Haul. Oakwood was so remote and close to protected habitats that we couldn't count on much help.

I'd expected different to some degree, but this was next level. All these silent trees, the acres of dry wilderness... like in rich people resorts except for the anxiety. I've never felt so trapped in such an open space.

It was for the best. My father had a great job opportunity in the big city nearby. He was a former Navy Seal and engineer. He just got a deal with this local company to improve security systems.

Dad ruffled my hair. "We're going to have a grill tonight to celebrate."

"Grilled pizza with extra bacon?"

"Just because we moved doesn't mean we have to change our family traditions. Now, we'll need to buy actual food if we want to have a grill party..." He eyed me intently and fumbled for his keys.

My father disliked any kind of shopping except for hardware and sports, so when we were together, the task often fell on me. I started for the SUV in the driveway and caught the flying set of keys.

"Sure, Dad," I said and sat behind the wheel.

"Drive safe, Riles. And don't forget—"

"Your blueberry muffins, I know!" I completed at the driver's door.

Thanks to the GPS, I found the market in a reasonable amount of time without asking for directions. I crossed fields of plantations and chickens. I saw cows, too?

I was so not a countryside girl.

I grew up on the shore, surfing and drawing in the sand at low tide. It seemed like nothing could ever take those things away until life happened. And it had a funny way of throwing you off course. Two thousand three hundred fifty-two miles off course, to be precise.

I found everything I needed and browsed through a bookstore. I'd get into classes in two days. The mere thought of it caused weird jitters to run down my arms, but I took the opportunity to buy some material.

Fast-forward to two hours later, I came back with bags of goodies. Dad and I made three round trips to stash the food in the near empty fridge.

I ran upstairs to organize my new prized books with my old ones on the shelves. Tonight, I was finally sleeping in a real bed.

Soon after, the enticing smell of grilled meat and cheese beckoned me out of my new room.

Dad was grilling the pizzas and sprinkling bacon while whistling his forever favorite from The Beatles. I watched keenly from a distance. I liked my dad when he was this carefree. Moving here was so that we could spend more time together, after all.

When Mom got custody after the recent divorce, Dad caught up with work and traveled abroad for missions. Even though they weren't on great terms, I'd missed him and all the fun we had together. Mom wasn't happy that I chose to live with him in the middle of nowhere. I hated hurting her feelings, but her mind was elsewhere anyway—in Australia with this friend.

Dad noticed me in the doorway.

"Almost ready, Riley. You can dig up the radio and sit down."

I did as he said, then plopped down with a stunning plate of all-dressed pizza grilled to perfection with a generous amount of bacon on top. The meal was repulsive from a normal standpoint, and it must clog arteries like straight butter, but I figured it didn't count after several days of hard labor.

Dad joined me at the glass table and slid the fries between our plates.

"So, having actually moved in, what do you think of this place now?"

I picked a fry. "Not bad. I like that it's calm and... down-to-earth, I guess."

At least I got to see more of the world on our road trip. I'd usually be moody if someone didn't let me sleep when I was exhausted, but staying out in Albuquerque and Nashville had been worth it now that I resided in this teeny town at the edge of the West Virginian border. Its population was just under twenty thousand.

"Are you okay with the room you picked?"

I nodded between bites.

"And school? How do you feel about that?"

I set down my pizza slice. God, I wasn't ready for that. I'd been home-schooled my entire life. This whole fresh start thing? Not exactly liberating.

As corny as that sounded, my dad was my best friend. And no, it didn't embarrass me the slightest. He was the coolest guy ever—the kind of father to take me skydiving as a birthday present.

The experience had been incredible. Mom found out eventually, but because it was belated and we landed in one piece, she couldn't get too mad. Lunatics, she called us.

"I don't know," I said.

Confronting hormonal pre-adults of all shapes and sizes and intellect in one place? Yikes.

"Try not to worry too much, kiddo. High school... I won't lie, it can be rough. Just know that you can always talk to me." He poked me with the back of the fork. "But my daughter is too awesome and she'll rule her senior year."

"You don't know that!"

"Oh, but I do know. Assholes are everywhere, but don't let them get to your head. I'm sure you'll make tons of friends." He got back to slicing his food. "Which reminds me," he added thoughtfully, "in case you... you know, talk to guys and all, just remember no boys are allowed in your room or in the basement—"

"Got it. We don't need to do that again. Grades are the priority, right now."

"That's good to hear, and you're not missing out on anything at this age. Trust me."

He then went back to discussing house plans, where we should place some of the furniture we'd placed in temporary areas. I threatened to sell the noisy treadmill on Ebay if it went above the basement.

I was not on board with hearing this man's incessant hamster wheel ritual while I tried to do homework across the room.

When I was done eating, I announced that I wanted to go explore on my own.

Minutes later, I breezed through the door and the pizza rested happily in my stomach. Dad gave me a lot of freedom. I've never partied hard, did drugs or brought a guy home, never gave him a reason to watch me closely.

This year had been rough, and I hadn't been on my best behavior, but my parents figured these adjustements were the solution.

My circle of people was limited to my parents, a couple of their coworkers and dock friends. I used to work for a small surf shop owned by a couple who knew me since I was five. I helped new customers choose a board or gave lessons. No siblings, uncles, aunts or grandparents. In a way, it could seem dull, but I wouldn't trade the people I had for anything else.

"Be back by sundown!" Dad shouted from the backyard.

"Yup!" I yelled back.

I ventured away from our house and followed the lone road dividing the mountaintops. Ahead of me, smooth asphalt stretched for miles and lush greenery flourished like I'd never seen before. 

✩ 

Hi! I've been a reader on WP for the longest time because I love books and I like to write a little myself (though always in private), then I've kinda let the app fall into forgetfulness for a while. I wrote on my own during that time, and I've always been told to post it here. It took me a year to come back to WP and post the story I've been the most dedicated to. 

Enough rambling, let's head on to chapter two for some action

- No