Beacon of Secrets

Andrew Armstrong

"We are running out of places to go. Why don't you understand that you just can't keep getting kicked out of school? Your education is important," I still remember the speech my father gave me before he decided to move to, yet another, town. This has been our seventh move, and apparently still counting. No matter where we went I always ended up 'getting into trouble' as my principals always called it.

* * *

"You need any help, dad?" I asked as I ran down the stairs, almost out the door before hearing an answer. "Not so fast, young man. Where do you think you're going?

"On an adventure," I said sarcastically with a roll of my eyes.

"You got that from your mother," he stated with a chuckle as he shook his head, "just... be careful, Andrew... and don't get into trouble" I nodded my head nonchalantly before walking out the door. Almost immediately after I ran out the door, I walked into a girl; I immediately reached out to grab her before she fell. "Watch where you're going!" She exclaimed, her breathing rapid at the sudden collision. "I'm so sorry..." I trailed off, waiting for her to give me her name.

"Lydia," she murmured, "have we met?" She asked as she looked up at me.

"I, I don't think so," I shrugged slightly.

"You seem... familiar"

"I just moved here," I explained

"Hm, alright, I've got to... get going," she murmured as she looked around quickly before walking away.

I decided to simply go for a walk. A store caught my eye and I went in to take a look. I was turned around looking at a leather jacket, I felt something or someone run into me, and I turned to see who it was. A young-looking girl had turned to look up at me. "You okay?" I asked softly. She nodded her head but didn't speak. "Um," I began, unsure of how to continue, "I'm Andrew" I said softly. Before I knew exactly what was happening she grabbed my arm and wrote her number down quickly, her name 'Effy' written above it, and walked away. I think I'm beginning to grow fond of this town, it hadn't exactly been a bad first day... so far.

* * *

I decided to head home since it was getting a bit late. I was greeted by the smell of cupcakes as I walked in. My dad was looking at a photo album, and I took a seat next to him, looking at the picture. "That's you and uncle Nick, right?" I asked softly.

"Yeah, we were kids. Things were so much easier back then," he murmured under his breath.

"They're not exactly easy in this day and age either," I said with a soft chuckle. "I'm going to bed," I said as I got up and walked up to my room.

Honestly, I couldn't help feeling like I was a disappointment to my parents. That's what I fell asleep thinking about, how much of a disappointment I was.