Dandelion - H.S. AU

Chapter 1

Dorrance, Kansas
Population: 223

That was what the sign read as she stepped into the place she would soon refer to as home. A suffocating, small town hidden behind a veil of orange dirt . She could already tell this wasn't anywhere she'd ever choose to live. It was too little to compare to her big aspirations, and she feared the mindset of those who lived here would rub off on her. Before even steeping foot into the city she assumed this town was filled with small minded people, and now she was even more sure her theory would be proven correct.

Her stomach turned at the thought of this being where she might spend the rest of her life, forced into an unavoidable reality she wanted in no way to partake in. Married to some redneck imbecile whose only use for her was to cook him meals, rub his feet, and pump out his kids. This lifestyle may prove satisfying for someone with less ambition than she, but deep down she was sure that her future was going to be worth more than any lowlife in this town.

Visibly shuddering at just the thoughts circling around her always buzzing mind, her younger brother, Lloyd, took notice and shot her a quick glance before attempting to be of some comfort. Lloyd was always like that, real selfless and understanding. He might not have been the smartest kid in the crowd, but he had a heart so big it could crush the whole town, and in her eyes, that's all that ever mattered.

"What's wrong Dee?" he asked lightly before placing his hand on her shoulder. Pulled quickly out of her anxiety ridden trance by the sudden contact, she blinked and  hesitated for a few seconds before stumbling out a quick reassurance to her brother. "N- nothin' Lloyd. I'm alright. This place just doesn't sit right with me, that's all." She shook his hand off of her shoulder and took it in both of hers before giving him an obviously fake smile. She may have been two years his senior, but that didn't mean he wasn't old enough to notice a bluff when he saw it.

"Dee, I've known ya for my whole life now. You can tell me when somethin's botherin' ya, trust me, I'll listen." He said returning her fake smile with a genuine look of concern. "Golly Lloyd, you need to calm down, I'm perfectly fine." She returned his concern with yet another fake smile.

Rolling his eyes at her stubborn nature, Lloyd just shrugged his shoulders before recollecting his suitcase in his palms and continued walking towards their grandfathers house, situated on the slight hill overlooking the tiny town.

Pushing her restless thoughts into the back of her mind, she quickly grabbed her bag holding her possessions and ran to catch up with the others. She ruffled the mop of greasy hair on the top of her 4 year old brother, Jack's head before quickly planting a kiss on the cheek of his twin, Alice. Those kids always knew how to get her out of a rough patch. With their big, childish grins and their beautiful spirits, she could cheer up by just hearing a soft giggle pierce through their tiny lips. In need of a little pick me up, she turned on her heel and let her face break into a mischievous grin. "Race you up the hill!" she quickly yelled, turning to see the two toddlers gaze at her in confusion before erupting into laughter and quickly chasing her up the slight incline.

After an intense race, she made it up the hill, breathless and laughing as she paused to take in her surroundings. A beautiful, setting sun peeking over the tops of distant trees and fields nearly brought tears to her eyes. Hues of poppy pink and pale peach whipped across the sky in short, watercolor strokes, all flowing over an intense ball of golden honey barely visible over the distant woods. The sparkling view and the fire in her eyes caused the kindling of a breathtaking blaze in her pupils, that one could only read about in romantic books or see in an entrancing silent film.

"Dee! What have I told you about roughhousin' like that?! You aren't a child anymore, you're nearly a grown woman and you need to start actin' like it!" Her mother yelled suddenly.

As soon as the words of warning toppled out of her mother's mouth, the fire in her eyes extinguished like a flame in the wind. For just a moment, the world got a little colder, and the sun all but vanished under the skyline at its lack of her hearts enthralling warmth. She sighed quietly to herself and turned away from the sky, the once golden artwork suddenly fading to melancholy shades of dusty blue and midnight purple under her watchful eye.

"Dee, let's go see grandpa." muttered a soft voice behind her before quickly latching their pinky fingers together. She turned to see her 9 year old sister, Clementine, looking at the ground nervously while scuffing her feet across the dirt. Clementine was a sweet, but quiet girl, who never really latched onto people other than her family. Back home in Charleston she used to sit underneath the clementine tree in the backyard, which she referred to as her "sanctuary", therefore earning her the nickname Clementine. Nobody called her by her real name anymore, and even if anybody dared to utter those 3 syllables, she'd cover her ears and ignore you for weeks on end.

"Sure Clem, just give me a quick second." Clementine nodded her head, and with her eyes still trained on the ground she took a few steps away from her. "I'll be looking for a new sanctuary." Clementine quietly slipped away and left her to ponder over her thoughts, that like clockwork started absorbing her psyche and making her frantic for the thousandth time that day. She hated seeing people she loved in pain and she didn't even want to imagine her grandfather, the man she'd normally seen as a representative of strength and carefree spirit, suddenly confined to a solitary spot in a bleak room. Just the thought alone made her feel helpless. But she was going to do what she felt like she so often did, swallow her own misery so that others wouldn't have to suffer alone.

Drawing in a deep breath, she called for Clementine and together they walked up the steps of the large, earthy brown, salt box style home they would soon be staying in. "This house looks sad." Clementine stated plainly, staring up at the large walls and rough timber lining the sides of the house. "Maybe that's why we're here. To cheer up Grandpa's house while he's sick." The innocence in the timid voice Clementine used brought a sad smile to her face.

"Yes, maybe that's why."

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sooooo...whatcha think? first chapter is done baby! hope you're liking it so far! don't forget to comment and vote! again i love you from the bottom of my heart xx