•Chapter One•

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The wheels of the plane touched down on the runway, jerking me out of my light sleep and bringing me back to the cramped cabin.  Long aisles filled with people stretched out in front of me, and I shifted awkwardly in my uncomfortable seat, careful not to elbow the man next to me.

The green light signaling we could remove our seatbelts flashed on, and I quickly unclicked my belt before reaching up to the storage units above, grabbing my two suitcases and lugging them down.  One of the edges clipped the armrest of the man sitting beside me, and I sucked in a breath as he shot me a murderous glare.

I forgot how polite people are here, I thought wryly, giving him an apologetic shrug before turning to leave the plane.  I shuffled behind the people in front of me, itching to leave the small quarters of the plane and greet the wide open expanse of the outside.  I finally reached the terminal and gratefully slipped past a slow-walking couple blocking my way.

My fingers gripped the handles of the suitcases tightly, dragging them along with me as I made my way through the crowded lobby.  Intercoms clicked on, the saccharin sweet voices of the stewardesses lilting out.

I couldn't reach the entrance doors soon enough.  I had been on that plane for what seemed like an eternity, squashed beside a short-tempered man whom I was careful to avoid.  The journey had been quiet and uneventful, thankfully, which gave me time to mull over my next move.

I stood on the wide sidewalk outside, a soft breeze tickling my skin and lifting my hair.  It was bright out, about mid afternoon, and the sun warmed my tilted face.  I folded my arms across my chest, blowing out a sigh as I debated where to go.  I had, of course, planned out where I needed to head once I arrived, but now that I was actually here those plans dissolved inside my mind.

After a long moment of internal debating, I grabbed my suitcases and walked over to the edge of the cement.  My arm raised high to hail a taxi, and one of the dented yellow vehicles rolled to a stop in front of me.

"Where to?" the tired driver asked, his tone bored and uninterested.  I clamored into the backseat, positioning my bags next to me and closing the door with a light slam.  I pushed a lock of brown hair out of my face, and forced a smile in an attempt to soften his mood.

"Wagner Street," I spoke evenly, surprised that I had come to that conclusion.  I was tempted to say another address, but just thinking of it sent a dagger of pain through my heart.  The driver grunted his approval and sped off, leaving me to collapse back in silence.

I was so exhausted.  The past few weeks had drained me of any energy I had left, the long plane ride here absolutely devouring me.  My mind never ceased in its whirling, often giving me a pounding headache from lack of rest.  My heart was still aching, from a countless number of heartbreaks I could no longer keep track of.  I hardly recognized myself as I gazed out the foggy window, sinking against the seat.

Familiar buildings blurred by outside, and I felt recognition flare in my mind.  This was where I grew up, where I spent the majority of my life.  I had known it like the back of my hand before, but now it all looked a bit strange and surreal.

I looked away from the window.  I would have enough time later to reminisce, and right now I needed a clear head to plan out the foreseeable future.  Unfortunately, the driver had just turned down the road I instructed him to stop at, and as he slowed to a halt I threw money at him.

"Hey!" he called as I stepped outside and took my bags.  "This is too much."

I shook my head.  "Keep it."  With that, I took the handle of my suitcases once more and started down the sidewalk.

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