The Greene Family Legacy

I put my fingers in my ears and wiggled them for no particular reason–well, there was a reason, I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. Ever since moving out of my abusive foster parents’ home, I’d been scared to death of life in general. Bob and Amanda pretended to be conservative, faithful church-goers, but only their foster kids knew what they really believed in. But despite their shortcomings, I still had a home to live in, a bed to sleep in, a kitchen to eat from, and enough to get by. Now my solitude was beginning to frighten me.

Riverview was my hometown, the place where I’d grown up. I had no idea what Sunset Valley would be like–the people or the buildings. Would I be able to find a satisfactory job here? How would my life turn out in this strange town? To distract myself, I stuck my tongue out an inch further and glanced around my new home.

It was a sweet place to start out, I decided. Decorated with a mostly pink and brown color scheme, it was small, but cozy. I’d bought it furnished, relieved I’d have less to bring. The furnishings were more than enough for one lonely teen–no, I was a young adult now–to get by. (I’d had to change into a young adult so I could escape from Bob and Amanda, or the police would be suspicious.) I’d definitely upgrade it once I got a job–maybe even move out–but that was a thought for another time. In the meanwhile, I hadn’t had an ounce of food since hitting the road and escaping from Bob and Amanda, so I poked around in my new fridge and pulled out some ice cream I’d taken from my old foster parents’ fridge. I sat down at the small table and took a bite.

After finishing my ice cream and cleaning it up, I took a quick nap to refresh myself.

Not too long after that, some neighbors came around to welcome me into the neighborhood. The fact that people in Sunset Valley cared enough to do that warmed my heart, and I greeted each of them with my friendliest smile.

Despite the fact that I was in my sleepwear, I felt at home with my neighbors. Much to my relief, there were no sparks flying between me or any of the neighbors who’d come over to welcome me. I wasn’t in the mood for a relationship–turning into a young adult just recently had shaken me. I still thought of boys as playthings to have crushes on, magnificent statues I couldn’t touch because I wasn’t popular enough. Just the thought of marrying someone sent a shiver through me. I wasn’t ready for that sort of commitment yet. Knowing that, I eased into chatter with Boyd Wainwright.

And then, right as we were in the middle of the conversation…it happened. I felt an irresistible tug towards this mysterious, older man, with his relaxed blonde hair and easygoing smile. His personality was wonderful, full of a contagious charisma I couldn’t help but catch. But before I could chide myself for even thinking about that, I found myself asking if he was single.

Boyd just gaped at me, totally in shock. When he recovered, his face was contorted and he looked angry. I gulped as his reaction played out over his features.

“Are you kidding, Lexa? Do I look single to you? And even if I was…sorry. You’re young, full of naive optimism…I like people grouned in reality. Women who’ll always stand their ground and know firmly where their feet are planted. You’re not even close.”

I managed a smile, even though I felt as if my heart had split open–not of sadness, but of embarrassment. How could I have humiliated myself so badly? The tug of attraction I’d felt earlier was gone now, vanished completely. It was replaced by a sense of shame. I felt moronic for even asking that, but instead, I changed the topic so abruptly I startled Boyd himself. “Well, how was your day?”

Boyd looked at me as if I was crazy. The only friend I’d managed to make, aside from the other neighbor who’d welcomed me to the neighborhood by the name of Dustin Langerak, thought I was insane. Well, that was nice. Before I could say anything to mend the conversation, though, Boyd blurted out, “I think I’d better leave now. You enjoy your stay in Sunset Valley.”

And with that, he left before I could say goodbye.

Well. I steeled myself and said goodbye to Dustin Langerak as well. No sense having a party with only one other person, especially since Boyd had ruined my mood enough already. Instead, I smiled at the easel I’d bought on my way from Bob and Amanda’s to Sunset Valley. I had a half-finished painting on it, and I decided I’d complete it. I could use some therapy right now, anyway.

Not too long after, my painting was done, I was tired, and those two things led to the end of my first eventful day in Sunset Valley.

The Greene Family Legacy

Temporary Hiatus (Please read the post!)

Chapter 1.1 — Arriving in Sunset Valley