The way the tide goes.

Chapter 1

My journey began on the long drive to Mavril, Massachusetts. A small town off the coast of cape cod, also where my grandparents live. Hence, why I am going. It's only a week, I replay in my mind the four-hour drive. They had a house just off the coast, and a boat too.

"Estelle!" My mother yelled a little bit louder, I come to my senses and realized we were outside of a tall white house that was next to a mansion. I don't remember my grandparents being rich.

"We're here, get your stuff." my father finishes. He unbuckles his seatbelt and leaves the car. I admire the house while getting my slippers on and exiting the car. I look next to the house and miles upon miles of whitish-yellow sand cover the ground. I slide my light pink backpack on my shoulder and follow my parents up to the front door.

My mom tossed her curly blonde hair into a tight ponytail, and my dad straightened up his shirt. Are we at my mom's parent's house, or the white house?

My dad rings the bell, which I can hear ring through the walls. We wait a few seconds, which turn into moments. A minute later, the door swings open excitedly. My grandmother stands on the other side with a broad smile spread across her face.

"Oh, my babies!" She squeals grabbing my mom by the neck, she nearly suffocates her under her strength. After a few seconds, my mom lets go and then she runs to me pulling me into a tight hug. I repeatedly tried to get out of the hug, but she tightened her grip.

"Okay, I'm done. Come, come." She waved to us finally letting go. I regained my missing breath and followed them inside. "Go upstairs and choose your room, Estelle." She smiles and points to the long white staircase with a white banister. I look at my mom and she nods her head. I shrug and make my way up the staircase.

1...

2...

3...

I counted the stairs on my way up, 29 I counted. I wish they just had 30 stairs, would have cured my ambitious mind. I look at the seven doors at the top of the stairs, all with a golden doorknob. I walk to the first door, and it opens with a slight creak.

Inside was a treadmill, dresser, small day bed, and a mirror. I close it quickly, I'm going to hope the other rooms aren't like this.

The next room was bigger and had a small blue double bed leaning next to the window overlooking the sea, a vanity with a small stool in front of the mirror, and a white dresser. I drop my bag on the ground. This is my room. I close the door behind me and sit down on the bed. I expect a creak to follow, but it seems the bed is brand new.

The walls were colored a small seashell blue, one of my favorite colors.

"I knew you would like this room." My grandfather smiles walking inside. His cane clacked against the wood floor, he looked weaker than he ever did. His gray hair faded to a complete white, and I saw my mother's eyes in his.

"How are you, Elle?" He asks. He remembered my nickname. I can't help but smile, he has a terrible memory.

"Good, you?"

"Eh, glad to have some young folk in the house." He croaks gladly. He throws his hand at me raggedly. "Dinners soon, you can't miss the sunset." He winks, and he clicks his cane out shutting the door entirely behind me.

I glance out the window and see white seagulls flying carelessly and gawking at the sight of a fish jumping out of the ocean. The sun was beginning to set, and the sky turned from a blue to a small yellow haze.

"Dinner!" I heard from the bottom of the stairs, I could hear that it was my mom by memorizing her voice. I get up off the floor after being on my phone. I had unpacked everything. I ran quickly down the stairs, and into the modern-looking kitchen.