Skatepark

Chapter One - The Journey Home

     The large palmetto trees swayed in the late autumn wind, dancing to the rhythm of the atmosphere. A beautiful cobalt blue sat on display in the sky above. Autumn was on the way out, and winter was subsequently on the way in. Not a cloud was in sight, and the air was cool and crisp. The slight breeze complimented the clear blue above. The weather was always nice in early December. The sun hovered in the sky, feeding the solar panels of the homes in Egret Hills, South Carolina.

     Life in Egret Hills was considered to be paradise, filled with wonderful people and amazing weather. It was a small golfing community that sat along a river, with plenty of spots to kayak, fish, and relax after a long day. Egret Hills Country Club was one of the most beautiful golf courses in the country, used regularly by the professionals. The small town had a lot to offer, including a historic downtown area, a large outdoor recreation park, and a large high school that housed students from all over the county. 

     Veronica and Allison were walking home from school, both wearing the maroon-colored school hoodie and jeans. They were the best of friends and had known each other since elementary school. They essentialy grew up alongside one another, and were now in their senior year of high school. It was the middle of the afternoon on a Tuesday, and school had just let out for the day. The two of them were walking down the newly-paved road that ran adjacent to the high school, the football stadium and the recreation park. 

     "Hey, can we stop by the convenience store at the intersection up here? I'm in need of an afterschool snack!" Allison asked Veronica with a smirk, tugging at the sleeve of her hoodie.

     "You say this every day... why not. I've got my wallet on me today." Veronica told her as she facepalmed, stifling a laugh and smiling. The duo continued to walk down the road up until the intersection, where they arrived at "Big Joe's Corner Store", a small shop near the high school that served various snacks and drinks. Upon arrival, Allison noticed the window was halfway open, and loud snoring could be heard from within the shop.

     "Can't be closed, not today. It's a weekday. JOEY!!!!! JOEY WAKE UP!!!!! I just KNOW you're either asleep or readin' one of them weird magazines." Allison shouted as Veronica stood with embarrassment. The sound of movement coming from a creaky rocking chair echoed as the man himself stood up. He coughed and yawned as he walked towards the windowsill to take the girls' orders. 

     "G'afternoon Allison. You as well, Veronica. Sorry for the delay, I was up in the office taking a small nap. Checkin' my eyes for light leaks. Whatcha want?" the man at the window spoke as he sat down. The shop was run by one of the town's most legendary locals, Joe Christeson. He was an old man with a long silver beard and short grey hair, knocking on his eighties yet was still able to run the shop. He had opened the corner store in the 1970s, right after the high school had opened. The whole town loved and respected him, and whenever he emerged from the confines of the shop, every member of the Egret Hills community gave him the red carpet treatment. He had multiple nicknames from the town. Joe, Big Joe, Joey, Uncle Joe, the list went on and on. Allison opened her mouth to place her order.

     "Well, whaddya got on sale? Anything enticing?" Allison spoke with a thick southern accent that she exclusively used with family. 

     "Nope, nothin' much. Actually... you might be in luck today. I got the cookies going for fifty cents a pop." Joe replied.

     "Ooh! With that in mind, could I get one of the Arizona Teas, please! Lemon if you've got it, that's my favorite flavor! Veronica will have a bottle of water. Make sure both of those drinks are as cold as the Arctic, or I'll sue ya! And why don't you add two of those chocolate chip cookies please! They're probably my favorite out of the ones you've got!" Allison blurted out through the window into the mostly-vacant store.