Growing Pains: Marcus Baker

one

navigating the unknown !
chapter one

✿

⎯⎯⎯ the one where the millers deal with the new move.

SHORT CHAPTER

✿

THE MILLERS WERE on the move once again. Sure, they despised Houston and weren't particularly fond of Kenny, but Ginny and River weren't thrilled about this latest relocation. Georgia, on the other hand, was her usual optimistic self, always ready for the next adventure.

Packing had been a breeze, especially for River, who had never really unpacked much during their time with Kenny. When the weekend rolled around, they hit the road, embarking on yet another journey in River's 15-year-long life of perpetual movement.

They cruised through the countryside, the convertible's roof down, and music blaring from the speakers. River had expertly tuned out her family during this journey, alternating between napping, playing games with Austin, or drowning herself in the world of her phone with the volume cranked up way too high.

With Ginny and Georgia at the wheel, they finally arrived at the picture-perfect town of Wellsbury. River watched as pedestrians strolled through the town in athleisure, walking their dogs, and sipping on iced coffees. She felt like an imposter, more so than ever before.

Impostor syndrome had been a lifelong companion for her, a stranger within her own skin. The town's subtle rejection sent shivers down her spine. River wasn't the typical clean-cut girl, and she wondered if she'd ever fit into a place like Wellsbury.

She swallowed down the rising bile, forcing it back as she battled her hyperventilating mind. On the bright side, Kenny was gone, and they'd left Houston behind. She chose to focus on that ray of hope instead.

Their new home awaited them, a spacious double-story, four-bedroom house. Uncertainty still lingered in River's mind about Wellsbury, but the thought of not sharing a room for the first time in her life, especially not with Ginny, was a silver lining she clung to. Ginny, as much as she loved her, could be just as exhausting as Georgia sometimes.

Amidst the hustle of unloading boxes from the moving truck, River's attention was stolen by a car parked across the street. A woman with short blonde hair emerged, accompanied by a tall boy around Ginny and River's age, his physique lean and features chiseled.

River stood, observing as the woman scolded the boy. "I want to know what you were thinking, smoking weed on the side of the road for everyone to see – neighbors, the cops... Seriously, I want to know what was going through your brain!"

A smile of amusement crept onto River's face as the boy responded casually, untroubled. "Well, it's legal now."

The lady's eyes widened in shock. "Not for you, it isn't. Get inside that house; you're grounded."

The boy remained in a daze until the lady snapped, "Acknowledge me, dammit!"

"Alright, I'm grounded," he replied nonchalantly, starting to walk away before pausing with a mischievous grin. "But when's dinner? 'Cause I'm really hungry."

River burst into laughter, dropping the box she held, capturing the attention of both the boy and the woman. The boy sent River a brief smile before heading to his house, while the lady waved at River and Georgia.

Maybe Wellsbury wouldn't be so bad, River thought as she entered the house, entertained by the amusing encounter.

In her room, River closed the door and began to unpack her essentials. Impostor syndrome and disconnection from herself and reality started to creep in. Her smile faded as she surveyed the room, exhaustion setting in.

She decided to leave most of her things in boxes; they never stayed anywhere for long, so what was the point? When her dad called, she sent him to voicemail, texting that the move had gone well and that she needed rest for the upcoming school day.

She climbed into bed, wrapped herself in blankets, and when her mom came in to talk to her before bedtime, River pretended to be sound asleep. Georgia whispered a soft goodnight before exiting River's room.

River had overheard Georgia talking to Ginny before entering her room, thanks to the not-so-soundproof drywall separating their rooms. As sleep eluded her and insomnia took hold, River couldn't help but replay the words she had heard her mother say. "It's me and you against the world, kid. Remember that."

What River had really heard, though, was, "It's Ginny and Georgia against the world, no Austin and no River." Just the two of them. She tried not to let those words define her, but her mind wouldn't let go. So, she spent the entire night with those words on an incessant loop in her head.

✿

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED