Mountain Air

Chapter One

My room was spotless. It was a miracle, really, something to be celebrated for weeks. Or until my floor was unrecognizable again, which was the more likely scenario.

The clothes staying were neatly folded and in my white-doored closet. I had two red bags full of supplies for the camping excursion, two less than Linley whom out of everyone was by far the most likely to become a hoarder.

I heard Sophia's voice float up the stairs to my bedroom. "Let's go, Quinn Marie! Why are you always so slow?"

Of all my friends, Sophia was the most impatient and I knew it was time to go when she used my first and middle name.

My name is Quinn Marie Von Neuem. I like my first name a lot. It's different and so far I haven't met anyone with the same name. The less confusion in my life the better. My last name means anew, which my grandparents are very proud of. They, for some reason or another, decided I must know that. It's been carved into my brain, if you'd like to see. I am opinionated, somewhat, and I believe I have a humorous side, but that may just be my ego speaking.

My best friend in the world - whom was introduced earlier - is Amanda Purgo. Sometimes I call her Mandy though, but I guess that just depends on if I'm too lazy to use that extra syllable. We've known one another for, well, forever. She's my number one confidant.

My other friends are Sophia Garcia and Linley Sheely. They're both amazing and unique and I would probably kidnap them if they tried to move away.

All together, we four have been a close knit group since we decided to kill ourselves running in eighth grade. That is, when we decided to stop being lazy and join the middle school cross country "team." It wasn't much of a real team then. Mostly we hung out and chatted on our runs. Once we hit high school things got serious and the real competition began.

Currently, it's the end of our junior year of high school.

Now, back to my bedroom.

I grabbed my two bags and turned off my bedroom light as I replied to Sophia. "Just calm down. I am walking down the stairs and we'll be on our way."

I got to the landing and saw Sophia pacing in the entryway while Linley and Amanda chatted.

Sophia glanced at me. "Finally," she smiled.

I stuck my tongue out. I was really mature, obviously.

Both of my parents voices' became clearer as they stepped into the entryway from the kitchen along with Linley and Sophia's parents. "Is everyone ready to go?" Mrs. Sheehy asked. She was Linley's mother.

"Yes ma'am," we all responded together. Sometimes I wondered if people thought that was creepy.

I was the only girl still needing to pack her bag into my parent's navy blue Jeep we were taking. Figures. The back thankfully wasn't too full so once we got outside and near the car I just threw my things there. The hard-side camper was already attached to the back of the car, so we only had to hop in and we could leave our parents behind for four days.

Thank goodness.

Like usual, the goodbyes were teary-eyed. My mom couldn't seem to keep it together, and neither could Mrs. Hender or Mr. Joe Garcia. They were just clutching onto us, as though we were leaving for college or going to the moon.

"Anna, the girls need to go." My father said in his deep voice. He forcefully took my mother's thin arms off Amanda and dragged her a few steps away from us.

I love my dad.

"We'll be back in four days," I said as I motioned for one last group hug for everyone. "You guys are so dramatic."