Parallels

One:

The sun shone down bright on the beat up, old, powder blue piece of shit 1986 Ford Festiva as it trudged down the road with a struggle. The engine grumbled and grunted as if it was in pain. Aiden; a tall, skinny, dark haired, Blue eyed boy with a face that could pass as a sponge with as many acne scars it bared, sat behind the wheel encouraging the death trap to keep going as he pressed his foot against the gas pedal. Next to him sat a short, dishwater blond, girl with freckles and oversized hipster glasses that were held together by tape and glue in the middle from her clumsily dropping them in the past. The girl's name was Harmony, an ironic name as she couldn't hold a note to save her life, and she laughed softly at her high school sweet heart as he desperately pleaded with his car to get them to Haden safely. The two grew up in Haden together, their families never left. Hell they wouldn't have either if Harmony's mother had anything to say about it. It had been a few months since either had heard from their families so they figured a surprise visit and a camping trip was in order.

"You know Aiden, we have enough money by now we could get something a little safer." her soft smile curled into a smirk as she patted the dash. "I know she was your first love and all but, she ain't what she used to be."

Aiden rolled his eyes and laughed. "So if you start acting up and need a little work should I trade you in for a new model?" he teased and shook his head.

"Ouch, alright, I see how it is." her laugh brought a smile to the other's face and she knew how crazy he was for her. A love story strait out of the movies if you asked her. Aiden would agree with a goofy grin plastered on his face.

Haden was the typical small town, everyone knows everyone, mom and pop shop paradise. Bingo on Wednesdays, karaoke every Friday and Saturday night, and church on Sundays. The kids were never religious and their families never really made them go but most of the town was pretty active in the church. Aiden's brother became the pastor after they graduated and he and Aiden fell away from each other. Harmony was an only child, her parents tried for years to have more but Harmony was all they could produce. Broke her mother's heart when she told her that she and Aiden were moving to New York for school and to start a life in the city. Aiden was an engineer, Harmony was a therapist. Both made good money. Their families were proud however they all grew distant, it was just Harmony and Aiden against the world and no one could stop it.

The Festiva creeped into the town and Harmony smiled. "Home sweet home." her voice was sarcastic yet playful.

Aiden however wasn't as cheerful. A slight shiver went up his spine as he looked around, something was off but he couldn't tell what. A forced smile fell onto his face and he nodded in agreement before parking in front of his parent's house. The windows were dark, no cars out front and no lights on. By now it was late afternoon on a Thursday night, and in a small town like this there wasn't much for an old couple to be doing this time of day. "wonder where they went.."

"Lets just go to my parent's, maybe yours are getting groceries or something?" Harmony hummed as she clicked her seatbelt off.

After 2 short minutes they were a block and a half down in front of Harmony's parents house, her mother Pam, sat on the porch swing reading a book, and her father Ace sat in his chair reading the paper. Her mother noticed first and excitedly got up, and as quickly as a 53 year old woman could speed walk, she was at the car with a few tears in her eyes as she babbled on about missing her baby and how its been too long. Aiden got out awkwardly and after Pam finished with Harmony it was his turn for the smothering. "Pamala, dear, let the boy breath! You'll break him." her father yelled from the porch. Harmony ran to her father for a hug and they talked for awhile before Pam herded them all inside for dinner and tea.