The Ways of My Heart

Chapter One

There are many ways to the heart. Some say it's easy; some say it's impossible; some say it's the only reality in a world of fiction. What I think? A heart isn't an object. You can't reach a heart without using the one you have.

~~~~~~

The smell of apples filled my nose as I frowned. I opened my eyes to look at the apple trees all over the yard. I was going to miss those most. Spending time out here leaning an apple tree and just thinking. It was the best stress reliever.

I was already packed up and ready. I only needed a minute to say goodbye. Aunt Belle walked over to me and smiled sadly at me. I knew she was ready to go, we had quite the long drive ahead of us. I sighed and she wrapped her arm around me as we walked to the jeep.

"All set?" She asked me as I buckled up. I looked back at my old house. I wasn't going to cry anymore. I was done with unwanted tears and my heart constantly wanting to break. I looked over at her and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Let's go."

The ride seemed a like a lifetime, but it was only four hours. Leaving Dale was hard. I'd grown up there from birth. But when things happen, consequences come with it and you have to go with it. Life was cruel, but it was the way it worked.

We pulled up to her house in Spring Wood. It was a small town, a little bigger than Dale. It was home to a population of nearly 5,000. School was only two miles from her house, the school I'd be attending in two days. Home of the mighty Eagles. I was not an eagle.

"Dylan, if you need anything, you know you can ask me." Aunt Belle smiled as we unpacked my things into my new room. I nodded at her and smiled. I knew she was there for me. I was thankful for everything she's already done. Asking for anything else felt like I was taking advantage. I didn't need much.

Dylan is my name, and I am a girl. My mother had thought giving me a boy name would throw people off and she loved being different. So, here I stand with my long dark hair and light brown eyes, named Dylan Paxton.

Aunt Belle gave me the keys and told me to go look around town to familarize myself. I parked in a small lot outside of a grocery store. I tucked the keys away in my pocket and started off down the side walk through the middle of town.

It had quite a bit of places to go for as small as the town was. It had boutiques, small restaurants, and other little shops. The people were friendly and welcoming. They answered every question I had polietly and they never frowned. It was a soft place; a wam place.

"Kate, is that you?" Someone said from behind me. I turned around to see an older lady, maybe 55. I smiled sweetly, shaking me head.

"No ma'am, you've mistaken me for my mother." I told her. Pain filled my heart but I pushed it away.

"Oh my. You look just like her. I never knew Kate had babies. What's she up to these days? It's been ages." The lady talked. I frowned.

"I'm an only child, actually. So one baby. But she passed away around four months ago." I stayed strong, or I tried. It was getting easier as time went on but talking about my mother's death was always going to be hard.

"Oh, deary. I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers will be sent your way. Your mother was always a kind hearted young girl. Do know she was loved." The lady smiled sadly and gave me a hug. I thanked her and went on my way. A few tears fell but I wiped them away before they were noticed.

I walked into a small ice cream shop and sat at a table. A waitress took my order and walked away. I looked over the people who were sitting in there. There was maybe four full tables. It was only Saturday afternoon.