Daybreak

Chapter One: Baggage Girl

Chapter 1: Baggage Girl

"Good morning and welcome to New York!" The too-cheery airline hostess announced. "It is 39 degrees and raining. Thank you for traveling Jet Blue, for those visiting with us, welcome to the Big Apple, and for those returning, welcome home."

Home, I thought, as I exited the plane.

Home. Never in my life had I been so jittery and apprehensive. I had only met my Aunt Winnifred once when I was much younger since we lived so far away, and now I was living with her.

I was searching for a map when my phone vibrated.

Aunt Winnifred: Has your flight landed yet, dear?

This is it, I thought. The start of my new life. Hesitantly I typed out:

Me: Yes. Where are you?

AW: I'm outside the Jet Blue terminal.

Finally managing my way outside, I saw her. With her blue eyes and light brown hair she looked nothing like my mother, but she had the same kind face I had always seen in pictures. It wasn't just kind, but an honest face as well. I sighed, it'll be hard to lie and pretend I'm okay to such a kind and honest face.

Pushing through the crowds of people at LaGuardia was a challenge. Is this what New York's like? I wondered. So many people, all trying to get to the same place. The pushing never stops. I guess I wasn't paying attention because before I even realized it, my foot caught on the carpet, and I ended up on the ground. The stampede continued on, unaware of the broken girl on the ground. All of the sudden I felt a hand on mine, lifting me up. I half expected to see Alice smiling back at me, laughing. This wasn't Alice at all though. This was a boy. Seventeen, maybe eighteen. Tall and dark, with bright blue eyes that looked right into your soul.

I didn't have time for this.

"Hey... Are you alright?" he asked. He looked concerned. It suited him.

I chuckled darkly at his question. Am I alright? Definitely not.

"I'm sure I'll be fine," I ended up saying. It was more of a mutter, actually. I haven't been able to hold myself the same way since the crash.

He stepped closer and reached out his hand . There were colors all over his fingers. "Do you need help--"

"Nope! I'm fine. Just... Please stand back! Do you people even believe in personal space in this city?" He was too close to me, and it was making me uncomfortable. Back at home, the old Clara would have basked at the opportunity to flirt with a hot boy in a foreign place. The new Clara couldn't care less. None of that mattered anymore. I didn't even know how I should react.

I brushed off my dress. Looking around, I noticed that no other girls were wearing dresses and high socks like we did a lot at home. Most girls wore sweaters, leggings, and Uggs. Welcome to New York.

"Thanks anyway," I added quietly. The boy looked completely at home in this crazy environment.

"Are you visiting family?" He asked. "Is anyone here with you?" There was something about his pronunciation that was not quite American. He looked a little out of place with his button down coat and Burberry scarf.

I swallowed hard. "Nope. I'm alone". All alone.

And I hated it.

"Oh," he said. He had calculating eyes. They never missed a beat. "I can walk you to--"

"No, I'm fine. Really." I walked straight passed him, ignoring his voice continuing to call after me.

AW: Where are you? Are you lost honey? Do you want me to come get you?