Hometown Love

Chapter One - Change is the new black

Picture of Thea Jones on the side >

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Chapter One - Change is the New Black
















It's a well-known fact that writers nowadays have to struggle to get their work published. Yet, here I was lying to my publisher and telling her I was halfway through the book when I've just gotten started.




"I'll call you when I finish the next chapter, I promise." I told her and tried to convince myself I was being honest this time, because it was true that when I had the chapter done I would call her. I just didn't know when I would have it finished, especially now.




I heard her telling me how important it was that I sent her the chapters to see how the story was going and I pretended I was paying attention to her while I stuffed my bag with all the clothes I had in my closet. I was done with this apartment and I was done with this life.




"You don't have to go today." Carl said behind me and I turned around rolling my eyes at him. I thought I told him that I didn't need his pity but guess what? The bastard didn't get me.




I ignored him and ended my call with Jeanette promising her once again that I'd get in touch soon. Then turning to the guy seated on my bed, I managed to breathe slowly. "If you find something else that belongs to me, don't call." I told Carl trying to keep my temper down, then I reached for my back pocket and shoved him my keys to the apartment. "I don't plan on coming back here."




"Babe, don't be so drastic." He asked in his 'too-cool-to-care' look and I sighed, looking straight at him for what I wished was the last time.




"I'm not your babe, Carl." I warned him. "Have a great life." And with that I zipped my bag and carried it all the way to the corridors with him following me behind. It was as if he was finally realizing I meant it when I told him I was leaving.




"Thea!" I heard Carl call my name but didn't look back as I entered the rusty elevator and closed my eyes. Strangely all I felt was a wave of relief washing over me. After all that went down this couple of days, I guess that's exactly what I needed: change.




My 84 Alfa Romeo was waiting for me with a full tank in the parking lot. So I opened the trunk and with great effort managed to put my bags in there. For a minute or two I considered what I was doing but the final decision was clear in my head. I was going home.




It wasn't as if I didn't plan on visiting my mom soon. I just didn't know when and for how long. But after breaking up with my boyfriend of three years and leaving the apartment we shared, I found the perfect opportunity to go to Shelbyville.




As I turned the engine on I realized I haven't been home since I first moved out when my parents got divorced. They decided each one would have full guard of a child. My dad chose me and my mom chose Percy. And with that I was forced to move out of Shelbyville and went to live in New Jersey with my father.