Falling

Ryland

A/N: to clear up any confusion, this is what happened before Kenna and Ryland first meet

******

Last week of summer. Those words killed me to even think about. I was so tired of thinking. Thinking of how people, myself included had changed, and how people would see me. But at the same time I couldn't muster up the energy to care. Next week was my first week at a new school, miles away from my old one, and my old life. I would finally have a fresh start and the reality of this looked me in the face like a blank sheet of paper. The thought of making new friends and meeting new people scared me beyond belief. But, for my mom's sake I'd make it work, it's what she wants-and maybe even needs me to do- for me to take back my life and prove that I still had life worth living. Realizing I'd been laying in bed awake too long, I groaned and rolled my way out of the warm sheets.

The sun streaking through my window slanted across my cheeks, casting shadows on my floor. I had always loved the idea of shadows for some reason. It was as if no matter how broken and small I felt, my shadow was always whole. A bigger entity than my own imagination, all it needed was the sun to keep it going- if only the same was true for people.

I walked into my bathroom, cool tiles meeting my bare feet, and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I hadn't done that for a long time. I noticed the unfamiliar shape of my face, the jut of my cheekbones and the sharp curve of my jaw. I ran my hands through my sandy hair and blinked, trying to snap out of this post sleep grogginess. Thinking a shower was the way to feel awake, I started the water on cold.

****

I walked downstairs, feeling awake and alive, the sweet smell of fresh pancakes enveloping the air around me. A smile appeared on my face of its own accord as I continued my descent to greet my mother. In typical mom fashion, she enclosed me in a warm hug, holding me close.

I stepped back as she released me from her grasp and she smiled, blue eyes crinkling in the corners. Everyone made it clear that I got my features from her. She had the same shade of sandy blonde hair and eyes only a few shades lighter than mine.
"Good morning Ryland, I made pancakes," she said, stepping back over to the stovetop where she flipped the fluffy golden pancakes.

"I see that, they look amazing, thanks," I told her with genuine happiness. It seemed that maybe we could be happy here after all, we just needed to put in the effort.

"Son." My father acknowledged me with a curt nod, the closest thing to affection through his eyes and I returned the gesture.

After inhaling my pancakes, I decided to see if I could get out of this house and explore a little. No matter how large of a house my family lived in, I always felt confined if I remained too long in one place- probably due to the ADHD. So, with hurried goodbyes- and a last mouthful of pancake goodness- I let my parents know I was headed out. Before they could disagree I was opening the shiny black door of my new car, a surprising but greatly appreciated gift, and sped from our driveway.

***

Out on the road, I was getting my first taste of the California view. I put the top of my car down and let the warm air whip through my hair. Exhilarated, I continued my drive down the long road, palm trees swaying and rustling. The beach to my right and the palm trees to my left, I decided that I definitely didn't hate this. Making my way into the town and city, I began to explore. Suddenly I noticed a cluster of buildings that stood out from the rest. The brand new looking structures lay on pristine lawns, classic architecture looking slightly out of place in the gleaming city. I drove slowly past it thanks to the thick traffic; this gave me a chance to really look at it. From the looks of it, it was a high school. I noticed the expanses of sports fields and, was that a beach on the other side?