Autumn Mornings

Chapter 1

It was a crispy autumn morning here in my little small town. I lived in a small town called Dellmount somewhere in Virginia. I have lived here practically my whole life and yet I kind of resent this town. I felt as though it was stuck in the same time period all of the time and never heading towards any signs of advancing. Every morning I make it a point to take a jog around the town at 6 am, just before school starts. Since my school does not open until 8 am I go down to our local park and rest by the river. Sometimes I bring a book with me, sometimes I just like to listen to the sounds of the water before anyone in the town is awake.

When it is finally time for school I jog my way over to my high school, Dellmount High, for my first few classes. I am a senior this year, so my classes are few to any. I spend most of my time in the library prepping for what I am going to do about college. I want to escape from this small town, but what is the first thing I would know about living in the big city? Next to nothing.

I have always said I would love to go to a big school like Yale, not that I would actually get in of course. I would still be in Virginia but I thought about applying to Radford University. I hear the Arts program over there is to die for and I would give anything to walk through their galleries. I am snapped back to reality and look up from my notes when my friend, Caden, walks into the library.

"Here you are," he says.

"You always know where to find me," I say back to him looking back down at my college admission papers.

"You know, you could always go to Radford with me. You know, so we won't have to be apart," he says looking down at my papers with me. "I know, that will probably have to be my choice, no way am I getting into somewhere like Yale," I say with doubt. "Are you kidding," he rolls his eyes at me, "I think you doubt yourself more than you should. I wouldn't stop you from going to Yale but I can always use a roomie," he says as he finally sits down in a chair beside me. "I don't doubt myself in the least," I lie, "I just think I'd rather go to a 'small' school rather than somewhere like Yale after all." "Well, I wouldn't want to share an apartment with a stranger." he laughs. I laugh with him as I remember him telling me he doesn't want to live in a dorm room, so he can feel as though he has freedom. "Well, don't give it up to anyone else but me just yet. Let me head down to the guidance counselors office, so she can send it in for admission." I say grabbing my papers as I stand up. "I'll come with you. Don't be in such a rush to get rid of me just yet." he stands up as well. I roll my eyes at him as we exit the library and head down the hall.

-

"Ms. Scott, how can I help you?" our guidance counselor, Mrs. Dodson, says as we walk into her office. "Um, I'd like to submit a college application," I say walking over to her desk. "So early? I like it but you haven't even begun your second semester." she smiles as I hand her my application. "I only have a few classes next semester. I have completed all my essential courses practically." I smile back at her with confidence. "Right," she says looking down at my application. "It looks good! I will send it right after to Radford University. Are you sure there aren't any other colleges you'd like to apply to? With all your essential courses being completed and all. I am sure any school would love to have you," she beams. "No, that is the only school I desire to attend." "Alright then. Thank you, Ms. Scott and Mr. Knight." she glances a smile back at Caden. He stands in the doorway with his arm resting on the door frame above his head. He was looking down at his phone so at the time you couldn't see his honey brown eyes until he looked up to shoot a smile towards Mrs. Dodson.

As we walk out of the guidance office we make our way to the cafeteria for lunch. "What are we having today I wonder," Caden speaks up noticing I am lost in thought. "Um, I think it said something about fish," I say looking back down at my fingernails that I have been picking at since we left Mrs. Dodson's office.

"Gross, come on." he takes my hand and leads me to the stairwells. We escape out of the back doors underneath the stairwells and he leads me around the school to the parking lot. "Let's go to Anna's" he beams as he finally lets go of my hand. "Sounds fun," I smile as we rush for his pickup truck before we're caught. There's no security other than an officer on campus but the administration still doesn't allow for students to leave the campus. Something about our safety or whatnot. We hop inside Caden's truck and rush out of the parking lot. We head down the street and down the hill that leads us to the bridge that goes over the river. Just a few blocks and Caden turns into the parking lot to Anna's restaurant. We head inside and sit down at our favorite table by the window.

"Kids," our usual waitress, Sandy, says as she walks over to our table, "Your usuals?"

"You know us all too well, Sandy." Caden smiles at her as she dots her notebook and walks away.

"So, what have you been up to this morning?" he asks trying to get me out of my head.

"You know. Just jogged up and down Dellmount. Stopping at my usual spot at the park and listening to the river flowing." I say spiraling my finger around on the table. Just as Caden was about to say something else Sandy walks back over to our table with drinks.

"Dr. Pepper for the boy and sweet tea, no lemon, for the girl," she smiles at us, "Food will be ready soon."

"Thank you!" we both holler together.

Caden takes a sip of his drink and looks back at me. "So, are you going to the Fall Festival?" he asks. "I thought about it. Why are you going?" I ask. "I thought about it too so I was just wondering if you were going. We can walk the streets, visit all the vendors, and take some pictures." he smiles with confidence. "Sounds fun. When is it again?" "Saturday, so plenty of time to pick an outfit." he laughs. "I don't need that much preparation." I laugh.

Sandy brings out our food and places the plates in front of us. "Hamburger with fries for Caden, and chicken salad sandwich with curly fries for Ellie." she smiles and walks away again. I thought I saw a glimpse of Caden's small smile as Sandy said my name but I quickly look down at my plate and shove a curly fry in my mouth. I unhinge my jaw as the burning from the fry, fries my tongue. "Ooo, hot," I say in between the opening and closing my mouth. "You never learn do you, Ellie." he laughs.

We eat, leave Sandy a generous tip, pay our bill, and head back to the school.