The Waves

Chapter 1

Then

*

Gracie used to be perfect. Everyone said so.

Her life was perfect, uncomplicated. When her peers at school looked at her, all they could feel was jealousy. A pretty girl who lived in a perfect house, with a loving family. All smiles.

-"Can you imagine growing up like that?"- people whispered at school. "If my dad was that rich and I was that pretty... ugh. She's soooo going to be famous. She doesn't even have to try."

And it was true: her entire life she had been told how special she was, how sparkling her eyes were, how her smile could brighten the entire room.

Every day before getting out the door her mom would look at her and tell her how beautiful she was. She never even questioned it. Looking at herself in the mirror, she used to count her freckles and draw imaginary lines connecting them, she would smile to herself, stick out her tongue and laugh.

When she picked going to NYU, she felt her parent's heart breaking. She ruined everything. But that was way before even moving to New York. She ruined everything.

But she used to be the prettiest, the sweetest, the most talented. Her father was a famous writer and producer; California was all she new prior to moving to New York.

Her first boyfriend was her best friend, he would always make her feel as beautiful as her mom said she was. Caleb was sweet and honest, never felt like he wanted something more than being around her. A fantastic first boyfriend. A dreamlike friendship that evolved into something more because they just couldn't be away from each other, they figured they might as well be together all the time.

Every day they would pack their bags and head to her house, have lunch with her mom and her brother. Caleb would help her little brother with math, and they would all play video games once everyone was done with their homework.

By dinner time, they would help her mom set the table in their disheveled uniforms.

-"You have to take that off Gracie, I've told you!"- her mom yelled at her while she rinsed the dishes.

-"Mom, it's weird that Caleb stays in his uniform and I don't. I'll wear an apron I promise!"- she yelled back while fixing the dinner plates

-"Upstairs. Change. Now. And for the love of god, wear some slippers! Your socks are impossible to wash!"

-"Fineeeee..."- she jokingly yelled, taking her knee socks off as she was already half way upstairs.

Walking through the hallway, she removed her uniform, a peculiar experience, wearing a uniform in high school, yet her mother's fondness for the school and her connection with Caleb made it bearable. Notre Dame supposedly held more appeal for college applications than any other institution.

Upon entering her room, she tossed her jacket onto the mounting stacks of to-read books. Summer would be all swim and all read, she couldn't wait.

Sorting through her drawers, she retrieved her pajamas, fuzzy socks, and slipped into a pair of slippers before heading out.

Sitting at the dinner table, she heard a distant click at the door and saw her little brother light up with joy

-"It's daddy!"- the kid yelled while sprinting to the door to greet him

-"I don't think we should... yes but if the budget- hey!"- he laughed as the kid slammed into his knees.

-"I have to go, dinner's ready, we can review it in the morning... yes... morning Mathew, I'm home now."- he said firmly as he left his backpack and keys on the bench in the foyer.