Vision Of Broken Things

Chapter 1

I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm ringing in my ears. Normally I would press snooze and go back to sleep, but not today. Today is the beginning of a new chapter. I am surprisingly excited for my first day at my new school. I had mixed feelings about moving to Portland but I would be lying if I said that I wasn't excited to get out of Dallas, it was only a few hours away but if a few hours away from Dallas is all I get to start fresh, I will gladly take it. No need to ask twice.

I walked downstairs for my first sip of caffeine for the day, I have no idea how people could survive without glorious coffee. I caught a glimpse of my mom throwing her phone on the kitchen counter.

My mom always reminded me of a deer, sensitive and she always had those – Oh no, headlights – expression. I giggled internally after imagining my mom as a deer.

''Everything okay?" I said as I walked into the kitchen.

She poured steaming coffee into a mug for me, strong and black – the perfect morning starter - and handed it over the marble kitchen counter.

"Yeah, everything is fine. Your dad just called, two more weeks if we are lucky.'' She sighed and leaned onto the glossy countertop.

My dad worked as a National Guard, so we learned to live without him always being around. It was never easy but we were all a team here.

"Did the first-day jitters sink in yet? '' She asked.

I inhaled a sharp breath and gave her a nervous smile before answering her.

  ''A little bit, I just want to make this year count.''

She walked around and wrapped her arms around me, she softly started her pep-talk.

"Mel, I know that there are still some open wounds from Dallas but you shouldn't be afraid to be yourself. Moving here is an opportunity to start over and I hope that you will do exactly that.''

She always knew exactly what to say. I hugged her tightly before getting up.

"Do you think Jason would have enjoyed it here?''

She smiled fondly, as she always did when we spoke about her eldest.

''I think he would have chewed our heads off about moving again.''

We laughed before I sharp pain started to sink in, quietness filled the room.

Jason's name wasn't mentioned often in this household but when it was it could either brighten or darken the atmosphere in the room, normally it would do both.

My mom looked at her phone and hassled me to get dressed.

''Finish up, you don't want to be late on your first day. As you know-''

I couldn't help but finish her sentence for her,

''-First impressions are critically important.''

She has said that since the day I could understand words.

I finished my coffee quickly, feeling a sting from the heat.

When I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth, I looked at the dark-haired girl staring back at me from the mirror.

I wondered if I was truly ready for this, this might be my last chance. High School doesn't last forever and college next year won't be anything like High School.

I bushed my teeth and threw on the first outfit I saw in my closet, when I made my way downstairs again, my mom was on the phone with my grandmother.

It seemed a little odd to me, because they rarely talk, special occasions mostly. I stuffed my blue lunchbox into my signature black backpack – better to blend in than stand out- and met my mom at the car.