Learning To Fly

Chapter 1: Ready to start a new adventure

"Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so."

                                                                                                                                                                                - Unknown

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Chapter 1

There are things that happen in our life that define us.

Twist.

Things that most can never forget and keep going back to.

Turn.

And my past is most certainly one that I will never forget.

Extend.

Especially now that I'm not the only one I have to look out for.

Pose.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2 years ago, when I had just started my sophomore year in high school,  I had just turned sixteen when I had my first drink. School had been stressing me out to the point where I let some girls I had just met take me to my first party. I didn't think anything of it when a guy walked up and introduced himself. I had forgotten his name instantly but smiled and told him my name.

He had offered to get me a drink and I accepted. I ended up spending the rest of my night with him, both of us getting really drunk. I had noticed throughout the night that he pretty much didn't have any friends. I still remember how he said he wasn't from around here but had come to Cali to visit some family. 

The rest of the night was pretty hazy. That next morning, I had woke up in a very unfamiliar room, my clothes and his strewn across the room. It didn't take long for me to put two and two together.

I had cried for hours afterwards, realizing I had lost the only thing I had left to a stranger I had only just met. Weeks passed afterwards. Soon I would wake up sick, throwing up everything I ate. After a month passed, my dad finally took me to the doctor where I found out some news that changed the rest of my life.

I was one month pregnant.

My dad had put me on house arrest, angry with the news that he was going to be a grandfather at the age of thirty - eight. My dad was more understanding than most which I was completely thankful for. Most parents would have kicked their child out but my dad was there for me every step of the way.

I got homeschooled throughout my whole pregnancy, only leaving the house with my dad to buy everything we would need to be prepared for my baby's arrival. I had to work double time to make sure my grades didn't slip and that I was going to be able to take care of this baby when the time came.

By the time my baby was ready to arrive, I was home alone. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

* "Please call me back, Dad. I -" I sucked in a deep breath as another contraction hit. They were coming so fast, I had no time to breathe in between each one. "I need you, Dad. It's happening. D-dad. I-I'm going in to l-l-labor." I squeezed my eyes as my ragged breaths came harsher.

I tried to stand, only for another contraction to hit me causing me to fall backwards. I called the only friend I had, my options dwindling down.