Chapter 1

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Sandy Harris is an only child of officer Davis Harris. She has grown up with the comfort of both her parents under the same roof all her life.
Now however after a threat has been made against her father her parents pack her up and force her to move the an entirely different country with Davis' brother and his wife in the Tennessee town of Memphis.

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Hitching my bag higher on my back I Stepped off the plane and was hit with a wave of hot wind that I have never experienced before, glumly I look around, but much to my dismay all the other departing travellers are taller than me. Deciding to just follow the others I slowly began wandering, looking for my uncle Laurie and his wife Fay. Soon "Sandy, over here" reaches my ears, so I follow the sound. Coming upon my family.
Uncle Laurie greets me first, with a hug and an acknowledgment of how much I've grown in the some 10 years since I've seen him. I myself marvel at the southern twang that laces his voice, no one would have known this man grew up in Australia. Next I turn to my aunt Fay, I have not seen her since I was little so do not remember her however her face is nothing but that of a kind aging lady.

After our greetings Laurie grabbed my bag from me and the three of us headed towards the car park. Once in their Cadillac I let myself relax and was lulled to sleep.

Waking up to a constant knocking I rolled over and dug my head deeper into the pillows. Admiring how soft the bed I was sleeping on was, at that moment I shot up, where was I and how did I get here. Hopping up I ran to the door opening it wide and coming face to face with Laurie, he told me that it was dinner time and that he had carried me up to my room earlier.

After promising I'd be down in a moment I closed the door to look around the room that was now mine for the foreseeable future. To my surprise it wasn't half bad, nice and spacious and my own bathroom. As well as a big window looking out onto the backyard.

Dinner was going great, like any normal affair with my own parents. It was just as I finished and placed my utensils down that that changed.

Uncle Laurie started off "Sandy, just before you head up to your room, I thought you might like to know that school starts back up tomorrow from summer"
Frowning I asked why I had to know,
he soon follows with "well Fay and I have enrolled you at Humes high school, it's real close by and we think you should start tomorrow with all the other students"

My jaw dropped, not even in this country for 24 hours and already I'm starting school tomorrow. "Bu.. but-t" I stammer

"No buts about it Sandy, you're starting school tomorrow. I expect you up by 6:30 to get ready, I'll drive you tomorrow but after that you'll have to walk".

Sensing defeat I trudged back up stairs and to my room. Wanting more than anything to put a record on to drown out my thoughts and nervousness of tomorrow, but all my things are still back in Australia.

Soon I readied myself for bed knowing if I wasn't up early in the morning there would likely be consequences.

6:30 on the dot I jumped out of bed, I dashed to the bathroom for a shower before dressing for school, taking careful consideration of how I looked. Regardless of wether I wanted to be there or not I have to make sure I looked presentable. Deciding on a pale blue flowing knee length dress and wearing my hair down even though that wasn't the norm.
7:17 I walked down the stairs to greet my aunt and uncle, Laurie being at the table reading the paper, no sooner had a joined him than a plate of eggs and bacon was placed in front of me.

The contemplation of food made me feel queasy, showing both myself and my family how nervous I was for school, Fay sympathetically patted my hand saying I would need to eat. After eating maybe half the plate uncle Laurie announced it was time to go.

Waving good bye to my uncle I had no clue how I was gonna get through this day, he told me to go to the office but I don't know where the office is, idly I just followed other students until I ran into an adult.

"Err excuse me sir, I'm new here could you please tell me where the office is" I asked him

Turns out luck was on my side as mr Elliot was going to the office as well. Along the way we made small talk, obviously he asked about where I'm from because of my accent, he then mentioned he teaches math, I hope he's my math teacher, god knows I need all the help I can get in that class.
Before I knew it we were at the office where I was given my class timetable. I have seven classes all up and to make it worse apparently because it's the first day I have every one of them.

First - English lit, room B12
Second - math, room A3
Third - music, room A22
Fourth - French, room A12
Fifth - science, room B6
Sixth - legal, room D14
Seventh - history, room B18

Checking my watch I realised I had 6 minutes to get to English lit in room B12, I contemplated trying to find it myself but getting to class late was not an option, I looked around and targeted a nice looking blonde girl around my age "excuse me" I asked her, "could you tell me where room B12 is".  After I asked her eyes lit up making me think I had done something wrong but to my relief she replied "no way! English lit first up? That's what I have I'll take you there, I'm Lilly by the way" she exclaimed. Along the way we chatted and I am happy to say I think I have already made a new friend.

English lit flew by, so did second, third and fourth. It was now time for lunch. Something I have been dreading. So far Lilly is the only person I've really met but sadly she doesn't have lunch break at the same time as me.

Grabbing my lunch tray I walked towards the seating area scanning my options, everywhere I looked was full, slowly I began walking towards the side door thinking I'll have to eat in the hall, however before I made it the loveliest deep voice I'd ever heard caught my attention.

"Honey, hey honey, you can come sit over here with me if ya wanna"

Following the voice I looked to my right to see an empty table all but one boy sitting there, although I could hardly call him a boy, he was a man. What first caught my attention was the guitar in his arms, and the strong fingers that held it showing signs of real use. I then proceeded to look at his head, a pile of brown hair was slicked back atop his head and one side of his mouth curled up into a smirk. It was then that I noticed his eyes, the most mesmerising clear blue eyes I had ever seen, which were watching me intently.

Quickly diverting my eyes I felt myself blush but still being drawn to the man like a moth to a flame. So I walked on over and sat opposite him, not knowing what to do I began rearranging my tray before realising I should thank him for the seat, "thank you" I almost whisper looking up.
Once again I was met with those eyes watching me, but instead of the smirk I was awarded a genuine smile.
"No worries, I was the new kid once upon a time to, I know what it's like" he explained.
"I'm Elvis by the way Elvis Presley" "Sandy Harris" I returned.
"Well Sandy Harris it's a pleasure to meet you" Elvis said
Whilst I was still watching him my eyes once again drifted to the guitar and building up my courage I asked
"So you play guitar?"
"Sure do, I do a little singing as well" he responds
Having my interest further piqued I couldn't help but ask "and what kind of singer are you"
Almost immediately his lopsided smirk returned "I sing all kinds" he said.
Feeling confused I couldn't help but ask "well who do you sound like". What he responded was something I would soon find out to be true alongside millions of others in time to come,

"why honey I don't sound like nobody"

Burning love ~ Elvis Presley ~Where stories live. Discover now