The Hart Game

Chapter One

LUKE 

California.

Other than the sun, beach and Hollywood, I don't know what else can be so great about California. But moving because your dad had a job transfer? I really have mixed feelings about it. I mean I can either be happy because it is California, or I can be miserable because I'm leaving my whole life here in Minnesota.

Either way I really don't have a choice. Plus I have to go where my parents move, I looked into it and apparently I'm struck with them till I turn eighteen. At least I have one more year and I'm off to college, away from my parents. Not that I don't love them and they're basically the greatest parents in the world, it's just sometimes I wish that they don't check up on me every two seconds. I get that losing one child is bad enough and a good reason to keep tabs on me but that was two years ago and I'm not my brother.

Anyways, I'm getting off topic but don't worry, you will hear that story soon enough. Actually this isn't even my story, I mean, well, half of it is my story but this is mostly about a certain girl that I happened to have met on the first day of my senior year at Morningside High School.

"Luke! Hurry up and get down here. Your breakfast is getting cold," My mom yells from the kitchen, trying to keep busy. To keep her mind off of what happened those years ago. "And you don't want to be late for your first day of school!"

Yeah, sure, cause I want to be late for my first day of a new school in a new town and in a new state. Why would I want to be late? I was in a whole new town that I was not familiar with and starting my senior year at a new place. I mean what sort of teenager wants that?

Okay, so maybe I was contemplating on pretending to be sick today. I mean who wouldn't? I know I probably sound like a teenage girl but in my defense, it was my parents' idea to move our whole lives across the country to a new city, right before what is supposed to be MY year of high school. I wasn't going to be spending it with everyone I knew since pre-school. I was going to be the new kid, at least trying to make friends. I guess I can try to make the most of it, I mean what's the worst that can happen?

After making my final decision on actually going to that place and actually getting ready, I grabbed my backpack and phone before heading down the stairs but not before responding to my buddies from back home who have been texting me nonstop since I stepped foot on that plane ride here.

As I made my way to the kitchen, I took a seat at the kitchen island, my mom was still standing over the stove cooking what smells to be bacon. Mmm bacon! My mother was in her late forties with no grey hair in sight. She was always flawless, fair skin that every woman her age craved for. Unlike my brother, I was the one that shared the same chocolate amber eyes with her. Eyes that were always so warm and full of love and light. And now every time you look into them, some of that light was gone.

"Is it too late to ask to be homeschooled?" I ask semi-serious as I stuff a piece of toast in my mouth. She laughs as she places the bacon onto a plate.

"I love you, Creepy, I really do, but sometimes a Mother just needs a break." Yeah, I really wasn't expecting for her to say yes and maybe I was being slightly serious but it didn't hurt to try. Nothing could get pass my mother. You have no idea how many times I snuck out of the house only to realize by morning she knew all along that I was gone and that I was grounded for who knew how long. I never understood how she knew. I asked her one time and all she answered was, "A mother just knows."

I don't get it either.

After breakfast - and believe me, I tried- I stalled the best that I can but unfortunately I lost to Her Majesty. She should just be known as the Evil Queen because she's making me go to this school. What the hell kind of name is Morningside? But I guess I can try to make the best out of it. I mean I can reconstruct my whole image and personality. Become a whole new me. But the problem was, I actually liked who I was and hopefully the people that I meet likes me for me too. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to not draw too much attention, and go my last school year without being noticed.