The Cliff

Chapter 1

I sat there on top of the cliff, feeling the breeze pass me by. I saw the lights from the building and the cars passing by. Everything looked so tiny and I felt as if I was a giant. I looked at the beautiful city and thought who would ever want to leave this place? I lay back and I felt the soft blanket touch my skin. The blanket was given to me by an old friend. Wishing they were here to experience this moment with me. The stars started to twinkle and the moon seems to shine a little brighter. I don't know what it was but something always seemed to draw me here. I felt safest here. My eyes caught a shooting star even though I'm not a believer. I wished for one thing to bring them back.

There I sat on the top of the bleachers with my cap and gown. I look at the grassy field and fondly remember the football games that we had. Everyone cheering and smiling on their faces. I stood up and there I saw the high school. Instantly remembered my first day there as a freshman and now I was walking out here with a diploma in my hand. I always thought that the day I would graduate would be one of the happiest days of my life. Though, there is no one to celebrate with. I walk down the bleachers and walk over to the parking lot. Where I see students and parents eagerly taking pictures. The only person I could think of was my dad. Dearly wishing he was here to celebrate with me.

As I walk over to my blue buggy, the first thing I tend to see is a red rose with a note.  I admire the red rose and smelled it. I held it close, roses were my favorite. Though red roses were the ones I love the most. I grab the note and open it to see the perfectly handwritten note. The note said, "I'm always here for you." I look around to see who left this note. Though there was no one there who seemed familiar. I get into my car, start the engine, and drove off. Naturally wondering who would have sent me this lovely gift. My heartbeat was a little faster at the thought.

Could it be him? Though why after all this time? My wounds had finally healed, and the thought of him was just a memory. Knowing that when I sat there last night I wished for him to come back but wishes like these don't ever happen. He told me that if it was meant to be then we will find our way back. I felt the water on my leg, and I looked down. I started crying, and I wanted to sit there to continue crying. Though that wouldn't have done me any good. I pull up to my driveway and got out of the car. I walked into my house, and all the lights were off.

"Surprise" there stood my entire family with the biggest smiles on their faces. My youngest cousins all running up to me. They were yelling my name and hugging my legs. I bend down and gave each and everyone one of them a hug and a kiss. They scrambled off mumbling something about cupcakes. I walk over to my couch and throw myself there. Knowing that in a couple of minutes, there going be a lot of questions. On what I wanted to do, where was I going to go to school, and when I was going get a boyfriend?

To be honest I didn't know the answer to any of these questions. What I did know was that I wanted to take a year off. I wanted to explore the world. I want to try new things. I want to live lavishly before I had to think about any of these things. How they were going to react was the scariest thing. They were either going to fully support me or they were going to hate the idea. Either way, I was going and there was nothing to stop me. I know I said the other night who would want to leave this beautiful town? I'm not saying that I won't come back, but I need to find out who the real me is. I can't do that If I'm here.

"Eliana, can you come over here for a second please," My father asked in a serious tone.

I got up and walked over to the kitchen. There he stands with a smile on his face. Though I knew it wasn't real. I knew something was off. I didn't know what, and I didn't want to know.

"Yes, father is there something wrong."

"I need to talk to you about something."

"So do I and I think I should go first."

"Go, head sweetheart, I'm all ears" Giving me his foolish smile.

"As you know, I just finished high school. I think it would be a great idea to travel as you do. Try new things, learn a language, and try new foods. Open my mind up to new possibilities. Meet new people and focus on what I want to do. I'm begging you Father let me take the year off. "

"Ok, you can have the year off."

"Are you serious, who are you and what have you done with my father ?"

"Honey, I don't mind but remember when I said I had to tell you something"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with me."

"I don't know how to tell you this without you getting upset."

"Just tell me, I will try not to get upset"

"You so beautiful darling and I love you. Your mother would have been so proud of the beautiful young lady you have become. You have been through so much and I'm sorry that I have to do this but I'm leaving for London."

"You promised me that you didn't have to travel anymore. That this wasn't going to be a problem anymore. How long are you leaving this time? Month? Three months?" A Dreadful silence filled the room.

"8 months"

"Eight months ?! Are you crazy? You're not going it is not up for discussion. If you go, I won't ever talk to you again."

"I don't have much of a choice darling. I have to I promise this will be the last trip and then I will work from home. I can't give up this incredible opportunity."

"Your work is everything to you ever since Mom died. You work so much you couldn't even show up to graduation. You know what go. It doesn't matter I won't be here anyway." I yelled at him with so much anger.

"That's the thing, darling, you can't go on your trip. You will be staying with a dear friend of mine in San Jose. She lovely lady, she is an amazing cook, she has three kids... I mean two kids. I will talk to her about letting go you out and explore."

"No, I won't go. That is not how I'm supposed to be spending my productive year off."

"How about two trips anywhere and when I get back you can spend four months left doing anything you want."

"Deal, get ready to be broke.'' he rolls his light brown eyes and smiles.

"I love you Dad and I just miss having you around."

"I love you too darling."

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Hello Readers. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of " The Cliff" I worked so hard on this story. So, hope you enjoy it. The amazing cover was made by my best friend. She always supported my writing and encouraged me to keep writing. Without her I wouldn't have kept writing so thank you.