Up In Smoke

Chapter 1

As a child, adults tell you not to lie, that it is always better, to tell the truth. That lying takes a lot of effort and can cause pain to those around you as well as have sometimes horrible or even irreversible consequences. This is where our story begins. One simple lie spiraled into a web that could not be erased and left the town shaken. Breaking apart a family and leaving one girl and her sibling's lives changed for forever. 

The sleepy town of Mystic, Connecticut on a crisp September morning was the start of a new school year for Kennedy Barns. Finally starting her Junior year, with a seemingly perfect life, 2 parents, an older brother and younger sister, good school, perfect grades, extremely athletic, class President, and the list goes on. Some may call her a perfectionist, others say she has a severe case of OCD. But despite all that most think that the Barns family is perfect, the definition of the all-American family to everyone.

At 6:15 am, Kennedy's alarm goes off, having already been awake for the last 30 minutes due to the excitement coursing through her veins from starting a new school year, just staring at the ceiling. It could be said that Kennedy is the only one ready to go back to school in the entire town. She practically jumps out of bed and turns on her radio to her favorite classical station. It was now time for her to get ready for the day and she starts off by making her bed to where it looks like she plucked it out of a pottery barn catolog. Her white comforter and light pink throw pillows laying perfectly on top of her bed with not a single wrinkle or missed placed pillow. She lightly hums along to the song playing in the background, as she continues getting ready. Most girls her age would leave their hair down or put it in a messy bun, not Kennedy, her long brown hair gets put into the neatest bun anyone has ever seen. Not a hair out of place, and her natural makeup applied, with everything neat and organized, she makes her way over to her closet. Looking at this closet you would think someone who worked a 9-5 job and had three kids owned it. Not a single pair of ripped jeans or crop top insight, no converse or vans laying around. Everything is color-coordinated and neatly organized, the shelves white and dust-free. Kennedy prides herself on the fact that she does not dress like the average teen, because why would anyone want to dress as if they don't care what they look like. With it being her first day she makes sure to pick out a perfectly ironed white shirt and a pair of grey slacks, as it will make the best impression on her new teachers, making sure to get the matching blazer and a pair of black heels. Around school, she is always mistaken for a teacher, many have questioned as to why she dresses more like a 25-year-old instead of a 17-year-old, and her answer is always the same " I'm not a child so I will not dress like one". While many believe that it was Kennedy who wanted to dress this way, it was more of a severe influence from her parents. They always pushed looking presentable and never dressing childish. Looking around her room pleased with its level of cleanliness, she grabs her purse, a perfectly organized binder with each class having a color-coordinated divider,  that she has had ready since July, phone, and keys she locks her bedroom door and makes her way downstairs to eat breakfast with her family.

The Barns children are not like your average teenagers, having not done many of the things kids their age would do. They have never been to a movie theater, the beach, traveled outside their small town, none of them have social media since all three of them have flip phones as they are used for emergencies only or to contact their parents or one another. Music played in the home was mainly classical but they are allowed to listen to any genre they wanted as long as it wasn't on the radio. Movies and TV were a common pastime in this family, since there was no cable, Netflix and Hulu were the Barns siblings saving grace. They have never been to a mall, the closest any of them ever came to shopping was Amazon. Internet access was limited to only being used for school. The only time the Barns children left the home was to attend school or any school-related activities. 

 Now Mr. and Mrs.Barns weren't your average run-of-the-mill couple either. Her mother, Linda, having been awake since 4 has done all the laundry, vacuumed the whole house, made her children's lunch, ran 4 miles, showered, prepared coffee for her husband, and made breakfast for the family. Her father, Eric, was in his office as usual dealing with matters regarding his company since 6 this morning. Behind those dark mahogany doors, was a complete mystery to the rest of the Barns family, as no one disturbs him or is allowed to enter his office. One of the many rules Mr. Barns has for his children, fearing their father's wrath they have never dared to break it.

As Kennedy comes down the stairs she sees her brother, Aaron, sitting at the breakfast table in his football jersey that looks as though he has never played a single game in it, reading the morning paper as always, sipping on his coffee. Another one of the Barns family that prides themselves on being mature and acting as so, with the similar influence from his parents.  In the kitchen with her mother is her younger sister, Grace, dressed in a pencil skirt and blouse, helping set everything out on the table. Grace being the youngest tries to be the most helpful in hoping that her parents will see she is just as mature as her older siblings. looking up to her older sister, Grace tries to take inspiration from Kennedy's wardrobe, hoping it will be one other thing her parents will see.

 As they all gather for breakfast, it is quiet. Not a single family member tries to initiate conversation. The last time they ever conversated at any meal was Christmas dinner over 13 years ago. Kennedy being so young then barely remembers it. The only noises bouncing off the white walls of their dining room are the clatter of forks hitting plates. As breakfast comes to an end, Mr.Barns asks his family for a rundown of their day as he has done for as long as his children can remember. As always he expects everyone home at 6 for dinner, another rule the Barns children would never break. As every child of the Barns family tells their father about their after-school plans, which usually involve football, cheerleading, and swim practice, the end to a seemingly normal day for this family will begin.