ROSEHAVEN

Chapter 1

ANNA EDWICK

Graduation day, it’s finally here.  I can’t believe it.  I’m sitting outside, in the hot sun, on the football field, listening to my principal call our names in the same monotone voice he always uses.  It’s so hot that I can hardly breathe and I feel the sweat trickling down my back.  I look two rows behind me and search for my best friend Adam.  When I find him, he smiles at me and gives me his usual two thumbs up.  I can’t even imagine not being able to see him every day.  He doesn’t know how I feel about him, and I don’t intend to tell him.  I smile back at him and return my attention to the stage.  I can feel my hair sticking to my neck and wonder why I even took the time to blow it out this morning.

Principal Colson is done with the Ds, so my row starts to stand.  As I move closer to the stage, my heart starts to beat faster and my hands begin to tremble.  More sweat runs down the back of my neck.  I’m finally about to receive my diploma.  This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for during my four years at Clove Central High.  Not only am I eighteen years old, but I am graduating high school, I’m finally an adult and my uncle can’t tell me how to live my life anymore.

“Anna Edwick,” Principal Colson calls out my name on the microphone, and everyone starts to clap.

“Way to go, sexy!” Adam shouts in the background.  I hope everyone thinks my cheeks are red because it’s so hot and not because I’m blushing from Adam’s comment.  I walk toward Principal Colson and shake his hand.  He gives me a pat on the back and says, “A job well done, Ms. Edwick.”  Then he gives me my diploma.

I walk off the stage feeling like a new woman.  I feel braver than I’ve ever felt before.  The rest of the graduation is a blur.  I’m so engulfed in my own thoughts that I miss Adam getting his diploma.  I don’t think he noticed though, because he gives me a giant hug after the graduation ceremony is over.  I love it when he hugs me.  He’s the kind of person that gives sincere hugs, the ones that make you feel like you are being suffocated.  My daydreams consist of those hugs and more.

“Isn’t this awesome, Anna?” asks Adam.  I can tell he’s been sweating the whole time.  His shirt is completely drenched, but I don’t care. 

“Yeah, it’s really awesome.”

Adam is still holding me when I hear someone clear his throat behind me.  I don’t need to see him to know who it is.

“Hi Mr. Edwick, how are you today?” Adam asks as he cautiously lets his arms fall from my shoulders.

My uncle Martin looks at me, ignores Adam completely, and says, “Are you ready to leave, Anna?”

I can’t believe that even on my graduation day my uncle can’t fake being polite to one of my friends.  “I haven’t said congratulations to everyone yet.”

“Well, I don’t have all day, Anna! It’s 96 degrees out here,” my uncle snaps rudely.

I look down and start to play with my ring and Adam knows I only do that when I get frustrated.

“I can take her home sir… if you don’t mind.”  I shoot an ‘are you suicidal’ look at Adam.  No one can make my uncle do what he doesn’t want to do, and he likes to make my life miserable.

“Anna, I’ll be in the car,” my uncle says in annoyance.  “Don’t keep me waiting.”

“Okay, just give me a minute.”

As my uncle walks away, I remember that things are going to change very soon and he’s not going to be happy about it one bit.

“So did you tell him that you’re leaving soon?” Adam asks.