Two Stars- An Auslly Fanfiction

Prologue

I know my life is different from most sixteen year-olds. I know that while my mom has taught me nearly every tidbit of knowledge I have, most kids just sit in classrooms, surrounded by other students. I know that while I like to run deep into the woods, sing to the trees, and hear my voice echo back softly, most sixteen year olds just go to the mall.

I knew I was different. I knew that no one else would understand my way of life. But I didn't realize just how different I was.

My sister is named after a city. I got lucky, with my very average, four letter name. But I kid you not, my sister is named Raleigh. Capitol of North Carolina. With a name like that, I almost don't blame her for leaving us once she turned eighteen, a year ago. But I know that the real reason she escaped Summer Grove was to find my dad.

I have memories of him. But such meaningless ones, eating dinner, watching early-morning cartoons. We moved here, in with my mom's parents, eleven years ago. Every day for more than a month after we pulled into the driveway that first time, boxes big and small crowded into the minivan, I asked my mother,

"Where's Daddy?" And she'd answer with,

"He's on his way, Ally." The same thing every day. The same false hope. The same false answer. Eventually, I stopped asking. I was five, not stupid. I wonder what she'd tell me if I asked now.

It's a good thing we had my grandparents business. They owned acres and acres of orchards; cherries, peaches, plums. Now that my grandmother is dead, my mom owns it. Someday, I suppose, it will be passed on to me.

Grandpa used to help down in the orchards, but he's too old now, his back too stiff. He stays inside, managing all of the boring paperwork, regarding where our fruit gets shipped, who pays for it, stuff like that. We have workers too; they do the majority of the picking. I help on most days, sometimes taking some fruit for myself to eat. No one stops me, everyone knows me.

Our home is perfect. Nestled in a corner of the Grove, it's like a hidden place, just for my family. My grandpa built it himself, fifty-five years ago. There are bedrooms enough for four people. Grandpa, Mom, me (Raleigh used to share my room), and my ten year-old brother Eli. He also managed to avoid my parents "Let's Name Our Child after a City" phase.

Once you come to Summer Grove, there's little chance of getting out. My sister literally biked her way to freedom. Five days a week for four years, she'd pedal a few miles to the nearest actual town, where she had a job. When she had enough money, and was old enough, she left. She was bored with our home, I guess. She writes once in awhile, taking pictures, telling me about the things we can't have here.

But seeing as I don't have a bike, and I'm not nearly as athletic as she was, as far as I'm concerned, I'm staying here.

It's not like I mind or anything. Ninety-nine percent of my best memories are here. This is all I've ever known. There's routine. I truly love organization. Maybe that's why I love the rows and rows of trees, all planted precisely where they belong. And I'm simple minded. I'm frightened to even think of life outside of this place, the center of my happiness.

Then my cousins showed up.

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Yeah, so new story that I'm actually happy with! Yay! I'm actually kind of scared to start this, because I'm just worried no one will read it, that it won't be as good as my other story, but here goes nothing, I guess. Anyways, please tell me what you think in the comments, and vote! By the way, I'm sorry if this bores you for a few chapters, but Austin doesn't come in until chapter four, so bear with me.