A Fresh Start

Out Of The Woods

I ran as fast my legs could carry me. Away from the woods, away from heartbreak, and away from the boy I loved. I burst into my room, head spinning and legs throbbing from the run. How could I have done that, I was so stupid. 

He said he was sorry. I rolled my eyes at my gullible subconscious, I knew better than anyone how little words meant. He did have a pretty good explanation though, I had to admit that. I shook my head in an attempt to dissuade myself from running back to the forest. He had lied before, hadn't he? He targeted me where I was weakest, could I ever trust him again. I sighed, there was something about me that invited in liars. I bristled at my own assessment, for the first time since their death I allowed myself to fully reflect on what happened. My own parents had lied and deceived me for years, who could I trust if not them? 

Even if Sebastion was telling the truth I knew it wasn't right. He deserved someone without all this baggage, someone who could trust him, someone who could kiss him without running away. I felt a tear work its way down my face. I missed my mom, she had always been there for me, I depended on her. Tears started rolling down my face freely as I remembered our late nights talking and sorting out my problems. Now I was alone, an orphan whose parents made a business out of ruining lives. I wasn't even smart enough to figure out whether Sebastion was telling the truth, not that it really mattered. 

Suddenly the door flew open, revealing Janie decked out in ski gear, snowflakes littering her hair. I saw her eyes widen as she took in my tearstained cheeks and disheveled appearance. "Marie, what happened?" She said as she rushed over the bed. I was touched by her concern, her genuine worry lightened my heart.

"Nothing, just some boy problems." I lied quickly, hoping my stuffed up nose would hide any signs of deception. Thankfully Janie just nodded her head up and down, I braced myself for her inquisitive nature to take over but was pleasantly surprised when she simply embraced me.

"If you need anyone to talk to, I've got you," she said, her voice muffled by my heavy woolen sweater. I nodded my head in acknowledgment, afraid that if I spoke my emotions would take over once more. "I totally get how hard it is when boys are being asses, but lucky for you I know the cure." I looked up at her, suddenly feeling worried. "You, my friend, are going skiing." I groaned my dissent, but I could tell by the glint in her eye that she was not taking no for an answer.

As we walked towards the ski lifts I internally talked myself up. Everyone did this right? I mean how bad could it possibly be. My thoughts were interrupted by Janie's squeal of excitement.

"Look Marie, there's my favorite!" I looked up to see a towering mountain of snow and promptly froze, my legs refusing to move. I figured she'd start me on the kitty hills or something, but no this was huge, we had barely even practiced together, I was going to die. Janie seemed to sense my fear, "it's not as scary as it looks, my parents took me down it after I had the same amount of training as you." I looked at her in horror, what kind of people subjected their small children to this sort of thing. Janie dragged me off to the queue of people waiting for their turn on the lifts.

Janie, my friend, the one who was supposed to be reassuring me, was now talking to an admittedly cute boy ahead of us in line. I frowned and rolled my eyes, just wanting to get this over with. 

When we finally reached the head of the line Janie pulled me over to her. "Listen Marie, James just asked if I would trade places with the guy he's going on the lift with, that's okay right?" I imagined I looked something like a fish out of water, confused and scared for it's life, but what was I supposed to do? I slowly nodded my head, all warm and fuzzy feelings I had held in regard to Janie disappearing.

I peaked over to the lifts to see Janie getting on the lift as another boy walked off. A dark-haired boy with green eyes and a familiar-looking smile- oh shit. Before I could run away the guy running the thing pushed me into a lift next to Sebastion. Sebastion turned to me, his eyes lighting up with shock. Why did God hate me?