Tombstone

Chapter One - In a lonely place

Senior year:

"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

I now live in one of those pretentious double story houses with the white picket fence; my outside fits in perfectly with the rest of the inhabitants here. Although all houses look the same on the outside, I wonder if they were the same inside. Is Tombstone really the ''Happy Preppy'' little town all the brochures claim it be?

I wondered what I should expect to see in the next hour when I arrive at Tombstone High School; are they all rich snobby kids? Do they all come from the same background? How well do they take to newcomers?

My brain swirled with these thoughts as I tried to decide what I should wear in order to fit in and blend into the crowd, what could help me camouflage myself into the walls of the Tombstone High? Is there even a point in it? I mean they've all known each other since they were born, they ought to know when a stranger is among them.

''Scar! Get down here already your going to be late for your first day at school!" Helena yelled cutting through my thoughts.

Helena is my aunt, she took me in earlier this year after my parents died in a car crash three months and 12 days ago. She's always been my favorite person, my idol. She runs a couple of business here in Tombstone, her most successful of course is the diner, ''Hel's Diner'' the irony of the name itself makes you want to go there.

As I descended the stairs the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the space around me breaking down the worry that I had filled myself with ealier.

''Morning,'' I muttered as I wrapped my hands around my steaming mug, '' there's no way I would've walked into unchartered territory without being caffeinated, is there more to go? You know for when I actually reach the lion's den?''

Helena sighed; ''You're so dramatic, it's just your senior year in a new school in an area you know absolutely no one.... '' she hesitated, ''....yeah okay that's pretty terrifying; I'll get you one ready to go.''

I picked up my belongings ready to make my way towards the car, '' I'll see you after school Helena, if I make It out in one piece.''

''Come to the Diner after school, not here. Good luck today!'' She yells from the kitchen.

___________________________________________

The drive to Tombstone High wasn't a long one, I barely got to finish listening to my third song when it's parking lot came into view; the reds and black of the school contrasted the towns white houses; it looked as if they decided to create the Shawshank prison replica. How comforting.

I was greeted by a never-ending flow of students as I got out of my car, not many have noticed my arrival thankfully but the word was spreading fast, I could see it. The new girl with every mans' dream car; maybe I should've taken the bus...

Ignoring the stares and murmurs coming from everyone I made my way to the front desk hoping not to get lost on my way; '' Good morning, may I..''

''Ah Scarlet Hood, our new transfer of the year. My name is Miss Honey; I'm head of administration, here is your schedule, your locker combination and a map in case you find yourself lost amid the maze we call our school. Good luck.''

It took me a moment to register all that, as it seemed though she knew the words by heart or she couldn't wait to get rid of me. I take another moment to look at her and judging by her appearance I'm going with the latter, a lifted skirt and smudged lipstick and not to mention noticing someone run into the back office would definitely make her want to get rid of me.

''Thanks, oh and enjoy your morning'' I reply with a smirk.

I easily make my way between the wave of students to my locker, going over my schedule I hear someone walk up behind me; ''Well if disappearing for 13 years comes with the advantages of returning so beautiful I cannot stay mad at you'' a deep sexy voice says from behind me.

''I don't know what your talking about, I'm new in town and if your smart enough you'd leave me alone and stay the hell away from me.'' I angrily reply, I don't have the time nor interest to waste on air for brains hormonal teenagers.

Then I hear his deep laugh, the hottest, sexiest sound I've ever heard.

''Well what if I'm not smart enough? Would you turn around then?'' his voice lased with amusement.

I slowly turn around, confused yet intrigued to as what the idiot behind me looked like and why didn't he just leave; ''Care to explain the difficulty you found in comprehending the statement I just made?''

Adonis ... he looked like Adonis.

''Don't you remember me?'' he asks genuinely confused.

''Like I said nimrod I'm new in town and if this is your way of flirting then may I suggest intensive lessons in that aspect coz you sure as hell need them. Now like I said leave me alone.'' I bang my locker shut about to walk away when he starts again;

'' Your Scarlet Hood. You're a senior and possibly in all my classes. My name is Travis Jones, we used to be neighbors back in kindergarten; you know when you used to live here.'' He says in one breath.

A ghost of a smile plays on his lips as he takes in my shocked features. How does this Adonis lookalike know who I am? And why don't I remember being not only friends but neighbors with him?

''I'm sorry I have no idea what you're talking about.'' I hastily say and rush off.

I always knew I had no recollection of my childhood up until I was 6 but never thought much of it, but this...this is way too puzzling.

The same eerie feeling I got when I arrived in town came over me again as I walked the hallways; I used to live here? Do others know me? Why can't I remember anything of this? This town or it's people?
I stood by one of the lockers that seemed less crowded, taking in the faces of everyone around me, hoping it would trigger some memory of mine, an inkling, anything at all, but all I noticed was that people around here did know me, I could see recognition flash across their faces as they passed me. Some faces held small smiles, others were blank and some had hatred and fury burning in their iris's.

I continued my way in search for my classroom; confusion clouding my mind, why hadn't Helena told me about any of this? Is this some small-town welcoming? Do they know who's moving in beforehand?
My thoughts are put to an abrupt stop when a tall fiery redhead stands in front of me, her hair cascading down to her shoulders, her freshly painted bloodred nails drumming on her waist and fury taking over her features.

''Well well well, look who came back after a decade of falling off the face of the earth; did you really believe coming back here after all this time would actually change anything?'' she seethes ''No one has forgotten what happened and I'll make sure no one forgets either. ''