Bad Boy Stole My Heart Book 1

💫Chapter One: Life Change 💫

Mom's voice broke through my thoughts. 'Ready, Faith?' she asked from the doorway. 'Come into the room.' 'Yeah,' I replied, looking at my suitcase with a mix of pride and exhaustion. Last night was sleepless; I hardly got any rest while helping Mom pack. I'm ready to leave, but I'm going to miss this place, I muttered, gazing at the now-empty room.

Mom was busy organizing boxes. Each one she brought out seemed to stir up a mixture of good and bad memories. I glanced at my school supplies already set out by the suitcase. Mom had been eager, telling me about a great job offer she'd received. In just a few days, we'd be moving to a new town. I'd be the new girl at West High, even though I'd pleaded with Mom for homeschooling. Her response was firm: 'This is a new opportunity for you to start over.'

I hate moving. I just despise having to start anew. It took a whole year to build a reputation, and now it's crumbling. I used to be popular, but that doesn't matter anymore. My world seems to be falling apart; everything I worked so hard for is unraveling. Becoming prom queen and my hopes for a date with Isaac—everything's crumbling because of Mom's job offer.

The honk of the car horn snapped me from my thoughts. I closed the door behind me and settled into the car seat. The drive was quiet. Mom turned on the radio and sang along in an attempt to lift my spirits. 'Come on, Faith, this is your favorite song,' she said. 'Not now,' I muttered. 'Oh honey, I'm sorry,' she said softly as she turned off the radio. 'You know I can't resist a good jam.' She kept her eyes on the road.

'Mom, I know,' I began, playing with my hair. 'I'll make it up to you.' She gave me a reassuring smile. 'I'm not mad or anything; I just hate starting over.' 'You'll be fine,' Mom said. 'Life hasn't been perfect, even since I lost my job. It's been tough for us. Thanks for finding this job, Mom.'

I really miss my brother Josh; I hope he can come visit for Christmas. The idea of a new school churns my stomach. I don't want to be the new kid, and I certainly don't want to be the nerdy one. Mom tried to start a friendly conversation. 'Sky, you're going to love it here,' she said, glancing at me. 'It's tough on you, I know.' She continued driving, her eyes occasionally flicking to the rearview mirror.

'I doubt it,' I muttered, pulling out my phone and putting on music. It's only been a few hours since we started driving. I hope school isn't that bad. My friend Chloe has been texting me, but something seems off. I still need to unpack when we get to the house. I'm not sure if I'll like New York; I guess I should try to enjoy the chance to start over.

I can't believe I'll miss Chloe's birthday party. Everyone is talking about it. Chloe's DMs are already saying she misses me. I close the text and try to hold back my tears. Is everything okay? Dad's question echoed in my mind. 'Yeah,' I nodded, but I lied. We're almost there, Mom exclaimed, her voice perking up. I nodded again, pretending everything was fine.

Life is full of lies, especially when you're coming from a seemingly perfect life that suddenly flips upside down. I need to clear my head right now. Nothing's going to help. We arrive at our destination, and Mom parks the car. I look around, taking in our new home. The house looks nice. We get out and walk inside. The house is pretty, with vibrant colors that light up the space.

Mom points towards a nearby beach. 'Why don't you go make some new friends?' she suggests. 'We'll take it from here.' I nod and offer a smile. 'Sure, Mom.' She turns away, walking towards the beach.

I change into my beach party outfit. The outside feels great, not too cold, and there's a gentle breeze."

I walked down the sandy path, the sound of waves blending with the upbeat music from the beach party. Colored lights hung overhead, casting a lively glow over the gathering. Laughter and chatter filled the air, creating an exciting atmosphere.

The salty breeze played with my hair as I approached the heart of the party. Groups of friends danced on the sand, moving to the music's rhythm. Bonfires crackled, sending sparks into the night sky. Tiki torches lined the perimeter, casting a warm, flickering light that added to the party's vibe.

I glanced around, taking in the scene. A game of beach volleyball caught my eye, with shouts and laughter accompanying each play. Memories of carefree summer days flashed through my mind.

Near the water's edge, a guy sat on a piece of driftwood, staring out at the ocean. His dark hair danced in the breeze, and an air of mystery surrounded him.

I approached, curiosity getting the better of me. "Mind if I join you?" I asked over the music.

He turned to me, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before he gave a crooked smile. "Sure thing," he said, motioning to the spot beside him.

I settled on the driftwood, the sound of the waves creating a soothing backdrop. "I'm Faith," I introduced myself.

"Jake," he replied, his gaze returning to the water.

"Pretty wild party," I said, looking around.

He chuckled. "Yeah, it's alright. Seen bigger, though."

We fell into conversation, sharing stories and jokes like we were old friends. There was an easiness about him that I hadn't felt in a while, a sense of being understood.

The music shifted to a slower tune, and Jake looked at me with a mischievous grin. "Wanna dance?" he asked, extending his hand.

I hesitated briefly, dancing with a stranger sounding both exciting and nerve-wracking. But it was a chance to embrace the new beginnings Mom had talked about.

With a grin of my own, I took his hand. He led me to a spot on the sand, and we swayed to the music, the cool breeze and warm bonfire creating a makeshift dance floor under the stars. I couldn't help but laugh as Jake twirled me around, his moves self-assured and carefree.

As the song ended, he pulled me close, our laughter fading into a comfortable silence. We stood there, looking out at the moonlit waves, the party sounds blending harmoniously with the rhythm of the ocean.

"Thanks for the dance," he said, his voice soft.

"Thank you for making this night a little less daunting," I replied sincerely.

As the party continued around us, I realized that this unexpected meeting marked the beginning of my journey in the new town. Challenges might lay ahead, but for now, I was content to savor the present moment – the music, the laughter, and the intriguing connection I had found on the beach.

Author's Note:

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