𝒮𝓊𝓃 𝓉ℴ 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℳℴℴ𝓃

01: Fresh Starts and Backstories

Do you ever stop to think, gosh, how did my life get to this point? Yep. That's me. I don't know when I started to cover my bruises, or when I started wearing clothing that hides my scars and burns. But here I am.

You know, sometimes life is funny. I don't know how I'm always so happy or why. I just know that if I keep going with a smile on my face, things will be okay. Right?

I sit in front of the mirror doing touch ups on any spots I might have missed with my concealer. I've always wanted to wear makeup because other girls are so pretty. They make it seem so easy. I tried a YouTube tutorial on how to do a smokey eye, but it just came out looking like I got punched. It's okay though because I know the basics: mascara and concealer. I curl my hair in loose waves.

I quickly push away from my vanity mirror to rummage through my closet. In movies they always say, 'I have nothing to wear,' but then they search the back of their closet and find something. Not me. Last time I tried searching the back of my closet, I found five baby spiders, a moldy half-eaten sandwich, and a sock with a hole. Nothing cute like crop tops or jeans.

I shuddered at the memory of how dirty and unkempt my room at my old house used to be. Now, I keep it spotless. Clothes on hangers, pants folded in drawers, shows on the racks, hats on shelves, coats hanging up. Not a crinkle in the bed sheets. (That's a lie, I just wanted to sound like I'm one of those healthy people that make their beds.) But at least my closet is clean.
I shuffle around in my closet a little bit longer, trying to find something that says, 'This is gonna be a good day.' I need the enthusiasm, considering I'm going to be at a whole entire new school.

My mom and her boyfriend Joseph thought it was time for a change of scenery. We moved to this small town, Milton Groves. I don't know why it's called Milton Groves. I'm assuming because the mayor's name is Milton or Milton founded the town.

Anyways, two years ago, my dad, Arnold, was diagnosed with cancer. He had a lot of money. It sounds funny, but it's true. We weren't rich but we were at least middle class. Sorry, I'm getting off track. Anyway, it turns out when my dad was dying, my mom was cheating on him with Joe, so he filed for divorce papers before he died. Don't ask me how he figured it out because I never asked him. It was a touchy subject for my dad to talk about because he really did love my mom. At some point it became clear she was using him for his money, so before he died he gave me the information to his bank account. His wish was that I took his money and used it for me, not for mom, not for Joe, me. Of course, he wanted me to also use it to help my little sister Olivia, but for the most part, that was implied.

When dad died, I was given all this money that I didn't want. All I wanted was my father back. I would give everything up to see him again.

But when my mom found out I was given all the money, she was furious. She found out I put it in an account only I can access. I don't purge it. I spend it on things I deem necessary. (I may have possibly bought a poster of a cute dog with a really expensive frame.) But that was one time! I'm smarter now! Sort of...