Pages of You

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I wish my 10-year-old self knew that 15 years later, I would cringe re-reading the pages of my diary. I flipped through the pages until I landed on the first page and started reading with bated breath.

Dear Atlas,

I can't believe this is my first diary entry!! My name is Rosalind Reyes, but friends call me Rosie. I am Filipino-American, ten years old, and I live in California! I've never had a diary before. Since I will write to you whenever I feel like it and spill my secrets, I hope we'll be besties.

You're probably wondering why I'm calling you Atlas, not Diary. You have a map of the world drawn as your cover, so I think naming you Atlas is good because of the maps and stuff hehe. It's always been a dream of mine to travel the world. Ugh. I gotta go. I'll write to you later!

Love always, Rosie (October 1st, 2007)

I grimaced, snapping my diary shut and placing it on my bed with my other books and diaries. The 25-year-old me was not impressed with my 10-year-old self; I was such a dork. I'm currently unpacking all my stuff and can't believe I held onto my old diaries. A part of me is saddened that I stopped writing, though. I wish I had written down all those memories during college, but I've probably forgotten some of them already.

I heard a light knock on the door and turned around to see my friend Adeline peeking her head inside the room, wearing a grin. Adeline Sylvan was my old college dorm roommate from years ago. I wanted a break from my family, so I jumped on it when I saw Adeline had posted on social media that she was looking for roommates. 

I loved hanging out with her during our college days. She knew when I needed time, and she was there for me. Sure, she now lives in Maine in a town I've never heard of, but that'll make the move even more of an adventure! I reached out to her, and now I'm here in Seaboard Haven, Maine, just a few minutes walk from the beach.

"All settled?" Adeline asked, striding into the room and throwing herself on my bed. She picked up one of my diaries and skimmed it curiously. "Oooh, you kept a diary!"

I snatched the diary from her hand with a laugh, "Not since after high school." With a sigh, I threw the diary over other boxes before turning to her. "Anyway, thank you for letting me room with you, Adeline. Seriously, you've no idea how much of a nightmare it was looking for an apartment here."

Adeline waved dismissively, "Girl, don't even mention it. Do you know how stressed I was when my old roommate told me she was moving out? I was scared of having to find a new roommate because of that selfish bitch."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Oh yeah. Selfish of her for getting married and wanting to move in with her husband."

"Exactly!" Adeline scoffed, a teasing grin on her face. She exited the bed and walked to my door to leave. " Are you almost done? I'm hungry and want to show you around your new home. A new quick-service restaurant just opened in front of the beach."

As soon as she mentioned food, I felt my stomach grumble slightly. So I let her take me to this new restaurant, and now we're sitting in their chairs, staring at the beach in front of us and listening to the seagulls flying around and the waves crashing. I glanced at Adeline and reached forward to poke her arm teasingly.

She turned to me with a frown, rubbing her arm. "What was that for?"

"Thank you," I said with a content sigh before turning my attention back to the beach. "You have no idea how much I appreciate you, girl. I needed this."

Adeline reached over to grab my hand with hers and gently squeezed it, making me look up at her again. "I know you, and I joked around a lot and caused shit during our years in college. I know you moved out here for a reason, and I won't ask why until you are ready. lookedI just want to remind you that I am here." She reassured me before squeezing my hand again and letting go.