Shadows

Chapter 1: New Everything

About a week ago my mother, Natalie and I had moved from our home in West Virginia, to a small town called Hillsdale in Michigan with her new boyfriend Eric Summers and his son Nick. Personally, I didn't mind the change in scenery. Back home my alcoholic father would always try and get my mom to let him move in with us again, but each time he would always end up hurting her. Sure, I may have moved away from all my old friends, and my boyfriend Mason, who I had to break up with, but they understand. This is a good thing for me, a time to start over, make a better life.

Today was the day I was expected to go to school, get settled in with my courses, make new friends, meet my teachers, all that 'fun' stuff! I hop out of bed at five o'clock and toss on a slack pair of jogging pants, along with a tight Under Armour tank top. Since I'm starting over, I thought a morning run each day would be a smart idea, so I tangle my hair into a messy bun and head out the door.

The fall air nipped at my skin, piercing through me with every step that I took. I force myself to continue running, staying along the sidewalk as a few early risers drove past in their cars.

I still didn't know much about the town and where the roads lead, so I went exploring, turning down multiple streets.

A honking from behind startles me, nearly taking me off my feet in fright. I turn abruptly to see a couple of guys rolling in their Chevy truck next to me, whistling and cheering about my ass. God, can't people grow up already? I think to myself, rolling my eyes and swinging around to go back home.

The creepy guys followed me right to my house, leaving as soon as I shut my door with a middle finger stuck up in their direction. Let's hope all the guys here aren't like that. Hoping there will be some half decent people living in this town, I jump into a cool shower, letting the water flow cleanly down my body.

"Hey mom, did you see my hoop earrings?" I ask once I finish getting ready and go downstairs to eat.

Eric was pouring himself a glass of orange juice in the fridge, keeping an eye on an egg that he was cooking himself on the oven. Nick, was of course, acting like the pig that I realized he was, while he stuffed his mouth with a whole slice of toast, adding a few pieces of bacon in with it. Finally mom came down over the stairs holding my brand new silver hoop earrings that Mason had bought me as a 'I will miss you' gift the night before I moved.

"Here they are, don't be late for your first day of school sweetheart," mom kisses my cheek, smearing red onto my face.

I rub it off fiercely before rushing to catch the bus. I don't see why Nick couldn't just give me a ride in his vehicle, but he refused to take me. I guess his bitchy girlfriend Melanie, would get jealous of me hanging out with them.

I had met Melanie the second day I got here, she looked as if she came right out of a poodle puppy magazine, her hair was frizzy and blonde just like one. She stood up so straight I'm sure someone would mistake her as a barbie sometimes, with all her fashion clothes and make up. The day she came to the house with Nick, I knew I wouldn't like her the moment I saw her pink high heel poke through the doorway. She never greeted me like any normal person would do, just glared and chased Nick to his bedroom.

The bus came speeding around the corner, stopping sharply in front of me. I took a few cautious steps onto the rub-covered stairs, taking in the ton of people watching me. There were only a few seats open and I took the one in front, to avoid having to walk past the unfamiliar faces.

I sit quietly, listening to music on my phone, waiting impatiently to get off this riding hell. So far on this short trip, I got a paper airplane tossed to me from the back, with a note asking how my run was this morning. I took the time to see who threw it and regret it immediately, it was one of the guys in the truck I saw.

Finally! I made it to the school without freaking out at someone. That wouldn't have been the greatest first impression.

I walk calmly to the principles office, ready to begin my new, daddy free life.

"Miss Hill, I assume?" The secretary asks, looking me over.

"Yes, A.J Hill," I watch curiously as she scribbles a few things onto a piece of paper.

She hands it to me, "this is your schedule for the day, I will get it printed out for the whole week later on, but for now, just follow that."

"Okay, thanks!" I send her a kind smile, then attempt to find my first class, Physics.

The bell rings once and the hall that used to be scattered with people, goes silent. I stand here more confused than I ever had before, struggling to find my around this so called "school". Personally, I would think of it as a maze.

"You look lost," a male voice laughs.

This frightens me, making a swallowed yelp escape my throat. Since we moved away from my dad I have been so on edge, afraid he'll find his way to us and hurt our family. He was never a man to really care for people, he would hit me and my mom with no second thoughts.

"Yeah, maybe a little," I giggle.

"Need some help?" The guy takes a couple strides closer to me, peering over my shoulder at the paper in my hands, "great! Physics, that's the room across from where I'm going, follow me!"

I tag behind him a little distance, secretly checking him out. He was actually jaw-dropping sexy, the way he carried himself in a slow walk, his perfectly structured jaw, the loose blonde, slightly curled hair above the ears, even the clothes he wore was sexy!

"I'm Cody Foster by the way," he blurts, bringing me back from admiring him.

"A.J- A.J Hill," nervously, I smile at him.

"Well, it's nice to meet you A.J, your class is right there. I hope you have a good first day and be careful with who you become friends with, there are some sick people here."

"Thanks! And tell me about it..." I roll my eyes remembering the group of guys this morning, then gain the confidence to go into my first class.