Finding My Girl

Chapter 1

"Good morning New York City! 6:45 this Tuesday morning.Today's date is October 18 and you know what that means..."

I had been awake by then. Today was not an important day at all. The guy on the radio station always makes a big deal out of Tuesday's because it wasn't Monday anymore, but in my house it was pretty important. Today was waffles, and day old cake for breakfast. My phone buzzed. Lighting up every couple of minutes with text messages. Each one from people that haven't spoken to me in years. Throwing on my retro band shirt and my ripped skinny jeans, I slipped on my sneakers and brushed the curly mess out of my blue eyes.

"Hey kiddo, today it's the big day! How does it feel to be 18? I'm sorry I messed up things this morning, but hey the cake is still good!"

My dad was standing over the sink with the water running over the waffle press. He was wearing black shorts that had a rip halfway up his leg, and the shirt he had on was one of his old band shirts mom spilt paint on years ago. Things haven't been the same since mom left. I never understood what was going on i just remember seeing everyone dressed in sad Sunday clothes looking over her while she laid there so still.

"I'm not really hungry at the moment." when really I wasn't ready to eat birthday waffles mom wasn't able to make.

"You sure kid? I can stop somewhere and get us some on the way to school. If we leave now we'll have time."

"I think I'm just going to walk to school" I opened the door to let my dog out. Blue had been sitting at my feet waiting, I'd trained her to push the elevator buttons to get to the dog yard out back.

"Ok just remember Mrs. Johnson does not enjoy when you kick your soccer ball by her apartment so you'll have to pick it up around there." He started to pull a box of fruit loops from the pantry.

There was a knock at the door, then suddenly it flew open. "Hey party people!" he threw his bag on the counter and slid his skateboard behind the bushes. Wearing that crazy dark grey shirt with "It's not my problem" written across it. The jeans he had on were the black ones he wore by mistake to the state park, ripping a hole in the knee. "What's for breakfast today?" I forgot I'd given Tyler a copy of our house key.

Tyler Yates had been my best friend for as long as time. I don't remember a day he wasn't sitting at the bar waiting for the first plate of bacon to be put out. "So the big number 18, now you're able to vote! In my opinion I'd wait 4 years. I mean like who wants a Woman in office or someone with that hair running our nation?"

"Thanks for trying this morning, I think we'll just head out."

"What I just got here." Tyler grabbed a rather large piece of cake and his bag. The pins he had gotten over the years clanged together as he flung the straps over his shoulder. I'd bought most of them because they made him happy.

"Alright kiddos, better not be late today."

I kicked up my skateboard and walked out the door, tripping over Blue. It had been 7 years that I've had her. My mom and I got her when we lived in a one bedroom apartment outside the city. Dad wasn't around much then. Truth is he adopted me when I was 13. They were married for a while, but momma became sick when i was 14 and everything changed.

"So has it come in at all yet?

Tyler and i had been waiting for my 18th birthday since the 3rd grade. At the age of 18, one in every ten males have to go get a microchip implant. Each one linked to the person they will end up with. This microchip will turn into a birthmark and you can scan the chip to find out how far away he or she is.

"My dad called in last week to see if they would have it ready by next week, but I don't think it will be ready then."

"Well just remember that no matter what happens it's all for a reason"