Confidential: A Jc Caylen Story

Chapter Two

I stared up at the clouds as I laid in the front yard, the grass tickled my arms and I could feel ants crawling up my legs, though I didn't care. This was the first time I had been relocated to an area with such nice weather, I was planning on taking every advantage I could to soak up the sun. In the distance I heard the sounds of plastic wheels on the pavement of the street. I sat up, thinking back to my very first skateboard and how proud I was of myself when I finally nailed a kick-flip. A boy with a muscular build, slowly skated by. His skin was a perfect caramel color, his hair though tamed under a beanie poked out just enough to show the thickness and dark color. He turned and smiled, it was then I realized that I was staring.

"Olivia!" I heard my aunt yell but I ignored her. Not on purpose but simply because it took me a second to realize she was speaking to me. With every new location came a new back story, new name, and new life. Sometimes it was hard to keep everything straight. I laid back in the grass staring up at the sky once again, taking in a deep breath, closing my eyes for only a few moments. For the first time in a long time, I let myself calm down and take in this location. However I quickly snapped back to reality when I heard a car blare its horn at the boy on the board. Jumping up and heading inside, laughing at my stupidity for trying to take a moment for myself. When you're in the witness protection program there are no moments for yourself. You always have to be on guard and aware of your surroundings. I slammed the door, locking it, back to reality.

Aunt Marsha had lived about twenty minutes from LA for fourteen years, when I heard I was being relocated here I demanded that I be allowed to see her even if it was only for a moment. I was lucky enough that they gave in, though she was only there to help me get settled, it was comforting knowing she was in the same house as I was. "Sorry I needed a minute." I said rounding the corner and stepping into the kitchen.

"It's fine, I know how hard these moves must be on you." She said putting away the last box of cups and bowls. "I took the liberty of unpacking the downstairs for you! I think I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself!" Her beaming smile reminded me of my mothers, and her laugh seemed to be an exact copy.

"Thanks, it looks fabulous!" I smiled looking around, it truly did, it felt so much more homey than my other locations.

"Well I better be heading out, they didn't give me much time." she frowned looking down at her watch. "I wish I could stay longer." A car horn let out three short beeps, they were here. Aunt Marsha hugged me long and tight. "Bye baby, I'm close if you need me just remember that. Love you Skylar." Tears streamed down her face and mine. No one had called me Skylar in a long time, I missed hearing my name more than anything, I missed being me. I watched as Aunt Marsha walked ever so gracefully to the hulking black SUV sitting outside the house, got in, and drove away. I was alone. Something that no matter how often it happened, I was never quite used to. I plopped on the sofa staring out the bay window in the living room, out at the yard and street. The sunlight shining through the window and on my face felt warm and somewhat comforting. I took a deep breath in and laid back, listening to all the noises the house was making. Taking in every sound, I shut my eyes as if to better focus on them. This house was quieter than the rest, only the humming sound of the A/C echoed through the bare walls.

I sat up and made my way to kitchen counter, a single folder laid sealed shut. I was supposed to have this memorized already but I found myself overwhelmed with excitement of seeing Aunt Marsha that I didn't care as much about my back story. I slide my finger in the crack of the folder breaking the seal and turned to page one. Olivia Richards, 19, from San Diego, CA. I looked down at my naturally tanned skin and dark hair, I guess I could pull that off. Same type of boring back story as always, moved away from her parents in hopes of becoming independent, blah blah blah. I didn't have to finish reading to know that the story was nothing like my real life. It hurt knowing that I may never be able to be Skylar Grace Carson ever again. That I may never get to travel, act how I want, do what I want, without being kept under close surveillance. Maybe this was real life for me now. I rested my head on the cool granite of the counter top, closing my eyes for a moment, I wasn't quite used to the time change yet. I let myself fall into a light sleep for a moment, taking in the sounds once more.