The Silver Lining

Chapter - 1 *Edited*

The long run was what I wanted, so I took it despite it being dark outside. The sky was not dark enough to scare me from taking nice jog along the sidewalk. The adrenaline was pumping through my veins; I ran through the streets, dashing past a darkened coffee shop on the corner and kept going until my lungs finally screamed, feeling the icy wind sweep beads of sweat from my face.

I stopped near the end of the street and decided to take a quick breather, so I popped my water bottle out of my side holder and chugged it. The water gave my throat a cold, wet rush. Beads of sweat dripped from my forehead, down to my neck, and seeped into the top of my shirt, soaking it completely.

Once I finished chugging the last remnants of my water, my phone buzzed. I picked it out of my sweat clad pants and checked to see the reminder that I had set over 75 minutes ago.

Haul back.

Running was like a breather for me, a gulp of fresh air; every time my foot met the concrete of the ground, it felt like I was stepping into a new dimension. A dimension that helped me view my mistakes and evaluate them in order for me to figure out where I went wrong. I enjoyed having to move at a faster beat than my music, which blared within my ears. I enjoyed the thrill and adrenaline rush that running gave me.

Running itself just made me feel alive as well as understand the concept of difficulty that life tended to put us humans through in order for us to become better and stronger. I've read somewhere;

If you look ahead at how far the run is, maybe you'll never begin. But if you just start running, there's a greater chance you'll finish. So don't over think it, love, just run.

As I ran through the streets and alleyways of my new hometown, I started to think of what moving here had taught me and how this punishment of mine has made me think about the outcomes I had to achieve in order for me to go back.

By the time the sun had started rising, I was already outside my aunts' doorstep. My parents thought moving me to Port Townsend, Seattle, was a good idea. It was a small place and was something that they thought I needed. I was going to knock on the door but then remembered the house key was in my left waist bag pocket. I felt around the outside of the pocket for it before unzipping the bag and fetching it. Inserting and twisting the key to the right, I opened the door and led myself straight into the long lobby of the downstairs.

I checked my phone for the time, and saw that I was home later than I thought.

Shoot!

I unlocked the front door to my aunt's house and silently shut it, though for me closing a front door quietly was what others viewed as loud.

"I see you're back from your run, Ash," said someone behind me, and I turned to see a flock of blonde sway my way.

It was my aunt Jenna.

She had the type of face that would never age. It was rounder than my own, but her cheeks were sharper and longer. Her cheekbones sat lower than my own, her olive skin melding into it, making her bone structure flat. She has a long feminine nose while mine is shorter and more button-like. And her eyes were dark, almond shaped jewels, that always looked proud.

"Sorry," I mumbled before trudging past her towards the stairs, which lead me straight to my room.

I wasn't sorry at all.

"Twenty minutes to be ready or prepare to walk," she yelled from the bottom of the stairs. I paid no attention to her empty threat and got ready with ease.

I stepped into the shower, toes flinching as they touched the chilled ceramic floor. I set the dial on warm before stepping into the cubicle.

As my mind faded into dullness and everything became a foggy illusion, the water dripped and fell down my body. The sensation of the steamy water calmed me; it took my mind off of things, just like running.

Then I sat on my dressing table stool which was square and wooden and looked into the mirror. In the mirror I saw a completely ordinary looking girl. My eyes were hazel, symmetrically shaped with long eye lashes and perfectly trimmed eyebrows. I was not too tall or short, with a height of 5'2 with a fair complexion.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're the same girl you used to be." My aunt said as I entered the kitchen. "You've really changed, Ash," she added with a soft smile gracing her lips.

I clenched and unclenched my fists at what she just called me, for it was the last thing I wanted to be called. Not paying much attention to her, I traveled around the kitchen island and began to search for my breakfast. Catching a quick bite of my granola bar, I headed straight for the door, bidding my aunt goodbye.

"Wait for me by the car!" she yelled as I slammed the front door.

I didn't want to vent my anger out on my aunt for calling me the nickname she just did.

It wasn't her fault it brought up unwanted memories.

***

The one thing that I didn't want while I was here was to become all buddy-buddy with my aunt. I was here due to a mistake I made, and I'd rather have things kept formal between us throughout my stay here in Seattle.

The whole building sends a chill down my spine and reminded me of something out of my nightmares.

I didn't want to be here, I thought and wrapped my arms around my chilled body; this was the last place I wanted to be. Unfortunately it was my fault I was here, my doing, there was no going back now.

I stared at the huge red building and let out a deep sigh. I've survived a whole month here without having any attention or trouble fall upon me; if it continues like this throughout the whole year, then that would be great.

"Have a nice day," came aunt Jenna's soft voice from behind me.

I turned and looked back at her before giving a quick wave of my hand. Then, I headed straight into the dragon's den in which most of us students called school.

After turning up the volume of my music, I placed my hood over my head and shoved my hands into my pockets. I silently walked passed everyone on either sides of the corridor. Nobody seemed to care about who I was, and nobody seemed to even notice me.

Good.

This was actually what I wanted.