COLD SUNRISE
Chapter 1: New town

I live, I die, I live again.

Most people spend their entire lives waiting for a change, a different world. Others accept life for what it is , we adapt to a system poised by series of activities, which are built under rules, a world of control, a world of unlimited hostility. We follow the steps of our predecessors confining ourselves to a prison built by our own mind. What a puzzled distorted lives we must live.

I’m going to talk about an experience in my life that still a wonder to me on how it’s possible I got involved in the. First place. I think its best I start at some point at the end, then the beginning, the rest continues from there.

My name is Nathan bale.

I’m bleeding out on the ground, a revolver in my hand, my face smeared by wet soil at dusk. I’m just seventeen way too young die.

Don’t be too quick to judge, normally there are two scenarios that would have led to this moment as an African american teen, either i pissed off the wrong set of people or I am casualty of rolling with the wrong crew.

Well, I wish it was any one of those, it would have been easier to process, and I wouldn’t need this journal anyway.

I used to be a regular kid once, my life wasn’t much of an interesting novelty to be written about. My mom Diane and I we moved around a lot when i was a kid, in Arkansas she met this guy Harvey, rich corporate lawyer. He was everything my mom dreamed about, she was crazy about him and eventually he became my step dad. he was a nice guy

he bought Diane a sport car and also more than able to take care of the bills they’ve been married for years now.

I had one more year to my senior year in high school, deep down I had never been satisfied on how my life seemed to have turned out, most guys my age all they wanted to do was party, get high and screw, I had nothing against that but I desired to experience something more. Harvey’s job always required more from him, He wanted to move to Texas agreeable with mom but me “No.“I couldn’t anymore. All I have done my whole life was move, I never got a chance to experience stuff on my own. I couldn’t keep up with it, so I decided to go stay with my grand folks in Louisiana, My birth place, I needed stability. I had already informed them few weeks ago, mom and I had an argument about it, but my decision was made.

On a Monday morning I hired a cab to the airport frank already had my ticket paid for, I didn’t get a chance to tell Diane I was leaving, it would have been difficult if did. Instead I left a note at home when she was out.

I knew the decision I had made leaving her to fend for herself alone, she will be fine I convinced myself, I mean Harvey is a really nice guy he’ll take good care of her.

I boarded a flight that flew to Louisiana, then another to New Orleans. I know how it’s sounds going on to live with my grandparents, but it beats moving to Texas, maybe I’ll get the chance to finally know more about where I was born, Mom never talked much about it, I only visited frank once when I was four spent a few days at his place that was a long time ago. I guess it would be sort of permanent now which is exactly what I needed. My grandparents seemed genuinely pleased about my decision, Judy had already gotten me registered in a high school, a fresh start for me.

A mild sunny weather welcomed me when I landed, a good first sign but I could tell it would be a completely different place. Frank waited for me at the airport with his old modeled ford truck early seventies or so, He’s been riding that thing for like forever though he was a mechanic. When I was little I went for drive with him one day he described his attachment to the truck as a mystical bond between man and machine. I remember him working on the engine which made me wonder how many times he’s had to rebuild that thing. The paint job still looked sharp and its body part totally unscathed, he embraced me tightly when I stumbled off the plane gazing at me astonishingly on how much I had grown over the years, to me he still looked the same his face never changed or wrinkled much just a couple of gray hair added to his dark hair, he’s steady brown eyes all the same including his scent that always faintly smelled of cigarette, I was already used to that.

“It’s so good to see you again Nathan, you’ve grown so much I could barely recognize you now, you look so much like your dad.” he said grinning at me as he helped carry my luggage’s to the trunk Frank loved calling me Nathan in full when it was simply just Nate, I mean preferred it that way.

“How’s Judy” I asked.

“She’s good, probably waiting to see you right now; she’s really excited you decided to come over.”

“And how’s your mom, what’s her take on all this “

“Mom’s fine, we argued about it though, you still haven’t changed a bit grandpa,”

“Same old me son, same old me.”

He easily fitted my things in the trunk. We exited the airport together. I know the question everyone must be asking, where the hell is my dad and how does he fit in all this. It’s a pretty long story I’ll try cutting short, he landed in a coma a few months after I was born. Franklinton is a small town seated in Washington parish Louisiana, as the story goes he used to be a doctor at the time, working at the towns hospital, until a seismic disturbance occurred on October 9 1997. Aaron bale helped evacuate as many patients as possible; he went in back alone to confirm everyone was out when the building came down on him.

“So how’s Arkansas?” frank asked.

“It’s Alright, Diane and I have been living there for five years that’s where she met Harvey. Now they plan on moving to Texas together because of his job, I figured I won’t be able to keep up so I thought coming here might not be a bad idea,” He nodded.

“You made the right choice, how about the Harvey guy is he any good?”

“Yeah we’re cool, I’m sure he can take good care of her.”

Later that day they discovered his body among the ruins he was still alive they say, at least part of him was. The doctors stated he suffered a severe brain damage along with his spine crushed from the neck down, he’s been in coma ever since, so much for playing hero.

I never knew him or seen him before except for photos back at the house, I did ask about him a lot as a kid which is only natural, I got older I understood he was never coming home, so I grew up. A few years later after the accident Mom left Louisiana to start over I don’t blame her either, she deserved better luckily for her this time she’s hitched her star on the right wagon.

“There’s this high school in town, Judy had you registered there. You’ll be starting when you’re comfortably settled hope you’re alright with that.” Frank announced when we reached Franklinton indicated by a side post. It was a calm beautiful town of course, new people to meet, good weather for now. But I’ll be honest, being new here trying to fit in and all that stuff it’s normally horrific no matter what city or town it is trust me I know, I have been on that path too many times.

“Sure, its fine frank.” I said.

I preferred to address him by name at times; it’s easier than saying granddad or grandpa all the time like 7year olds. We exchanged a few comment about the weather plus my former high school which I was a shooting guard at my basketball team before, I dropped out of the team this year after spraining my ankle, some weeks later the ankle got better but I just wasn’t feeling the need to keep playing anymore.

I stared out the window looking out the environment realizing how much I didn’t recognized about this place since It’s been almost thirteen years I lastly visited, a lot had changed over the years. We eventually made it to frank’s, he still lived in a four bedroom house quite old but still in great shape. He parked in front of the house where I got my Luggage’s out, I heard an approaching footstep when he hit the door bell, Judy opens the door she hug me tightly.

“My God! You look exactly like him.” she exclaimed.

“Who?”

“Your dad dear, your resemblance it’s uncanny just like when he was your age “she said.

“Well, honey you’re the second person saying that to him today.” frank mumbled, helping me move my stuffs inside. I was directed by Judy to the left bedroom upstairs it took me a trip to get the remaining of my things, the room seemed familiar, the yellow fresh walls and a long wall board filled with pictures of my dad when he was younger this used to be his room back then.

The wooden floor, the laced curtains all this was part of what he was like growing up as teenager. Close to the door was a desk with a reading lamp and a few books. I used to come here a lot whenever we visited. The room had a bathroom close to the closet, Judy left me alone to unpack. I moved my lap top to the desk opening the ward rope to fit in my clothes when I discovered a black leatherjacket that looked like one Aaron wore in one of his wall board photos, I pulled it out of its hanger examining it, shoving my hands in its pocket finding a couple of old dollar notes with a silver spear headed chain locket.

“Your dad used to wear that a lot,” Judy spoke from behind sighing deeply. I quickly shoved it back with the cash.

“you really miss him big time don’t you?”

“ of course, he’s my son I miss him every day “she replied glumly trying to add a smile, I guess my being here brings back memories for her.

“come downstairs, there’s something frank has for you.” I followed her down, frank led me to the garage rolling the collapsible gate inside was a car covered with a black hood.

“ Aaron always had a taste for cars like this, this was his first.” He said unveiling it.

“It’s a 67 G.T.O Pontiac, when I was told you decided to come I fixed it.”

I gently slid my fingers on the body feeling the smoothness of the aluminum on the back of my skin noticing the new rims and the shiny sky blue paint job it was glorious, a classic.

“She’s yours now, hope you’ll take good care of her.” frank handed me the keys watching the reaction on my face.

“wow, this is really nice of you grandpa I don’t what to say,“i was amazed i didn’t expect anything much from him this early, back at my old school I had a dirt bike, just got my permit last month Diane promised to get me car at my senior year, now I don’t have to wait that long anymore.

“Thanks, I really appreciate this.”

“No need to thank me son it’s rightfully yours, besides you’ll need that a lot around here for school and other stuff.”

“Go ahead turn up the engine “he said. I Inserted the key into the starter through the open window at the driver’s seat, it kicks heavily then ignites fully to life with a low roar.

“it’s sounds good,” I stated listening to the engine sound settle.

“She runs great too, I just want you to be comfortable here now you’ll be staying with us.”

He pats my shoulder heading back for the house. The day had totally turned out to be an interesting one I planned on starting school tomorrow, having a car had made the thought of the upcoming day less horrifying. Judy prepared pasta, steak and potatoes for dinner we had a long flowing conversation, I had a lot of catching up to do. My cell phone buzzed all night, I knew it was my mom trying to reach me. I wasn’t ready to give her an explanation for leaving abruptly, it was difficult trying to sleep either I stayed wide awake tilI′1:am.

thick fog covered the area when I opened my eyes looking out the window, it’s a cold morning . My alarm buzzed repeatedly I grabbed a small bag where I kept my toothbrush and bathing stuff to the bathroom I forgot to place them yesterday. I stared my pallid reflection on the mirror, I was brown skinned with bushy frizzled hair, Diane always urged about me getting a haircut, though it wasn’t looking that unkempt but you know how Mom’s behave, they’ve the natural inclination to make feel half of whatever you do or however you look is wrong.

Well, in my eyes I looked dope that’s all that matters. still I was definitely kidding myself if I thought I’ll be able to fit in school easily. I would be the new guy from Arkansas the big sprawling city a huge curiosity. While I I’m just another a drifter who’s been moving from city to city over the years which helped add not to make me much of a people person I mean what are my chances here, would I have to consider playing basketball again. After I took a shower I dressed up wearing a light floral shirt, a cap with dark pants, Judy had already prepared pancakes that morning we all had breakfast together. They wished me good luck on my first day you know the Usual I thank them leaving for the garage pausing to admire my new ride made wet by the morning dew, inside felt warm, nice and dry. Smelling faintly of cigarette which was franks, I revived the engine to life.

Franklinton high school had a total of eight hundred and ninety one students when I viewed the school’s brochure, My today there would be a bad practical joke gosh! I detest being odd and new plus also having to repeat this process over again and again. I dropped the brochure at the opposite seat close to my bag, I drove out.

Finding the school wasn’t difficult using a GPS the street it was located in had a funny name, demon circle. the schools sport teams were referred to as the demons, I did a little bit of research on the school last night before I slept, their football team was cool. based on their record they went to the Louisiana superdome for the state championship for first time in nearly thirty six years, brought home the trophy as runner-ups. In the 2009 season, the school broke the record of the highest scoring football team in state history, I gently drove into the parking lot it had a wide premises. The dull morning weather began improving with a gentle sun ray, I left the car walking into the building. A staff directed me to the registration office, it was a brightly lit warm room with a waiting area, it had long wooden chairs, commercial carpet and flowers everywhere.

The counter filled with notices, trophies and a large clock that faced the exit door. A brunette in her thirties manned The desk behind the counter.

“How can I help you Mr.….”

“Nathan bale,” informed her,

" a weeks ago my grandmother Judy came and registered me here,” I tried explaining

“OH! Of course I remember you’re frank bale’s grandson right, how could I forget.” She remarked, opening her drawer digging through a stacked pile of documents she found whatever she was looking for.

“ I have your schedule right here and a map, ” she brought several sheets to the counter going through my classes and another slip to have each teacher sign to be later brought back to her at the end of the day, i used the opportunity to Memorize the map then purposely leaving it at the counter.

“Hey! You forgot your map you’ll be needing it if you want to find your classes, i would have asked someone to show you around but there’s no one right now so..”

“Don’t bother, I’ll be fine on my own.” I said leaving the office,, i crammed the routes in my head going back to the car and noticed other students had started to arrive. There was a long line of cars driving around school to the parking lot. I decided to stay put until everyone is settled before I could follow not to draw unwanted attention this early. Most cars were quite flashy, others were middle classed sedans, muscled and sport cars were driven by the cool kid’s football player with their Colorful jacket, the jocks like every other school, but I’m proud to say today my old shiny ride was in a class of its own. i winded down my glass a bit not caring what anyone might think, I simply adjusted my seat to a lying position before burying my face with my baseball cap. It was cowardly I know, I wanted the school premises empty before I stepped out again, I wasn’t ready to be spotted as a new face at least not now. I plugged in my headset listening to drake’s new album for like 30 minutes, that why love rap, it impacts in you the I don’t give a shit attitude. the lot became quiet and empty, students had moved over to their place of study. I readjusted back my seat looking at my reflection in the rear exhaling deeply “ I can do this ,” I convinced myself stepping out of the car, from the drive way I saw a red Colored ford Mustang headed my direction parking at the empty space next to mine, a light skinned long honey blond haired girl emerged from the car with a school bag ,she wore a brown leather jacket zipped close almost to the top with dark skinny pants and leather boots like a biker queen. Her face similar to the type of girls seen in covers of magazines, she was devastatingly beautiful. For a moment there I stood frozen by her glamour. she pressed the button on her key chain locking the doors walking past me without even a glance like my presence had gone unnoticed entering the school block, I followed keeping my distance stepping into the hallway she vanished probably mixing with a few students trying to find their classes. Luckily I was still able to remember the routes like somehow I knew where I was going, crossing series of classrooms and labs exactly how I expected the environment to be brown tiles bright sky light and all, I located my first class for the morning which is English, at the last room on the third floor walked into a busy class directly and handing the slip to the teacher. an average heighted fair skin bald headed man with a horned rimmed glasses balancing on the midsection of his pointed nose like those you see in cartoons. He had a name plate on his desk identifying as Mr. Hoch, he gawked at me when he saw my name on the slip.

“hmmm,I see frank bale’s grandson finally returns to Franklinton.” he muttered to himself still gawking at me through those glasses again.

“Alright class this is Nathan bale from Arkansas, he’s new here and he’ll be starting with us today, do well to make him feel comfortable.” he announced then allowing me to locate a seat I found an empty desk at the back seat close the window, I could feel my new classmates eyes staring at me like my damn cloth had caught fire. I sat down dropping my bag close the chair slipping out a jotter from in keeping my eyes down to make sure I didn’t spot any gazing faces the teacher continued in his few remaining minutes before the next period. The bell buzzed for the next class I left the room a tall slim dark haired boy pursued from behind maneuvering his way in front of me.

“Hey, you’re Nathan bale aren’t you?” he looked like the nerdy eccentric type.

“yeah,”

“uhhhm I’m Allan, frank made me promise to help you fit in, we are neighbors I live close to your house, so where’s your next class,” he asked politely.

“okay, I think I have chemistry with Mr. Resnick on the second floor,” I replied looking at my slip to be sure.

“let me see,” I gave him the slip

“hmmm, luckily we both seem to be having same subjects at the same period today that means you’ve officially gotten yourself a tour guide.” It felt easier having him around I couldn’t look anywhere without meeting curious eyes, he showed me the route to our next class.

“ I guess Franklinton wasn’t much of what you had expected huh?”

“Not really, every school I have been to are practically the same, I won’t say I was expecting any different here.”

“so why did you leave Arkansas in the first place? “

“i have my reasons, can’t really explain it,” I said vaguely as we marched to the second floor entering the chemistry lab, Mr. Resnick was an easy going person he simply signed the slip and let me in. the rest of the morning passed in about the same fashion, after a couple of classes, I was able to recall several faces in each class. I got introduced to most people by Allan, some more gutsy than others introduced themselves mostly girls asking how my first day was going.

“it’s alright actually,” I lied He sat next to me at the classes we had together I didn’t have to worry about getting lost, then we left for the cafeteria Allan was a useful guy to have as a friend he was funny and popular than expected even if he’s few inches shorter than I was let’s just say for a nerdy guy he had his way with words.

We sat at the end of a full table, with several guys who were basketball players, Darrel, Wade,

Mike, Carl the tall guy with the dreadlock and a few girls Scarlett, Cherry, Melissa some others I couldn’t remember their names, it slipped from my head immediately they spoke them. Cherry tried starting up a conversation, I glanced around to find a blond haired sitting alone at the last table corner in the lunchroom. An untouched soda in her tray she was listening to music on her i-pod, surely I recalled she was the same girl I saw at the parking lot this morning who drives a mustang, but in that moment it was as if I was seeing her again for the first time. It was unusual for someone that hot to be sitting alone, I figured her to be some sort of queen bee, a girl friend to the captain of the football team girls love rolling with high-placed guys craving for absolute popularity at all cost, people like that definitely do not sit alone, Or maybe I got all wrong here. she seemed kind of different from everyone else I could tell, apart from being prettiest girl I have seen today at school there’s just something about her, Something that has made me curious to learn about somebody for the first time today. It was safe to gaze at her because she wouldn’t look back.

“Who is she?” I asked Allan, as he looked to see whom I referred to, suddenly her eyes meet with mine like she knew I was talking about her.

“Oh, that’s raven Lansdale, the prettiest girl in Franklinton high,” he said smugly.

“Shut up Allan, she’s not.” Said the other girl beside me in Embarrassment taking a quick glance at her, Allan cleared his throat.

“Okay, maybe she is,” she admitted.

“but is not like everyone is dying to talk to her or wants be friends with her anymore,” the blond haired girl shifted her gaze towards the cafeteria door when a group of boys walked in.

They were three of them, the first two looked tall, well built with shiny-curled golden hair almost like twins except one wore a dark leather gloves, the other one was taller, lankier, light skinned with an untidy dark hair, including his eyes darker than the rest he was scarily handsome. They had a prominent presence that drew attention to them, I mean how could they not, their faces and stature were kind of god-like for a bunch of guys. I’m sorry if I sound like I’m over exaggerating but that’s best description that fits they sat at the table with the blond girl.

“now the Lansdale’s are complete, you can’t talk about raven without talking about her brothers,” Allan said.

“The blond boys are Chris and Adam then other one Lock i think he’s adopted. the Lansdale’s are known to be the rich and well respected members of this town. They are indeed classy, drive very expensive cars change them frequently their father is the town’s billionaire Michael Lansdale, their ancestors have lived in this town for generations. ”

“He is the soul benefactor of Franklinton whose actually rumored to be blind but walks perfectly normal like he’s not, only a few people have seen him actually before, But don’t let their good looks fool you, they enjoy isolation from everyone else.” I shifted my gaze to their table, the boys seemed quiet listening to what the blond girl had to say slowly taking a bite from her apple, the blond twins nodded in agreement before popping their sodas as she tossed her frizzled hair from her face. damn! she’s a real looker, the thought in my head.

“ I remember when they first moved here a few years ago from California, every girl in school drooling over the boys and most guys dying to get a chance to go out with miss pretty over there, she turned them all down. and as for her brothers they were never really interested in anyone.” said the girl named cherry.

“ the Lansdale’s feel they are superior to everyone else being rich, good looking and all that, I think that’s why they don’t mix with people even if it’s impossible not to notice them, they are always the talk of the town.” I watched the dark haired boy mutter something almost silently to the rest and suddenly turned watching me, their faces were curious except the blond girl that looked away uninterestedly. But the expression of the dark haired boy was different, hostile, like I was some kind of oddity, a misfit. He looked scary, so I pretended not to notice. A few minutes later they all stood up together gracefully leaving the cafeteria.

I left the lunch-room to my next class, when Allan caught up with me.

“Dude what hell was that!” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Did you see the way lock Lansdale was looking at you,have you done anything to offend him or something”

“No, but I’m new here so I understand getting different weird looks or expression from people comes with the package,” I replied airily.

“No! Not from people like him, he’s Lucifer junior the scary one amongst his siblings which means bad news. people avoid him like a plague and trust me he should be the last person on earth you Want to have a problem with” Allan sounded freaked out, I didn’t expected the strange stare towards me by lock Lansdale to be that obvious or much of a big deal, I have no problem with the dude all I did was look at his sister a little bit which I’m sure he didn’t see either no harm done.

“So, he’s some sort of a bully huh?” I chuckled.

“He sure as hell doesn’t look the part.” slim tall lanky dude that looks like he doesn’t sleep much with the dark circles under his eyes, I bet I could take him in a fight if he tries something funny around me just saying.

“It’s no joke Nate, the last guy he had an encounter with was a senior and a football captain CARL RENDEZ nicked named LUCKY ARM a perfect thrower, he got his ribs smashed in and his elbow badly dislocated along with some of his buddies in a locker room fight last year against lock before he graduated. They didn’t even stand a chance, he single handedly beat the living crap out of them , now Carl will never be able to throw as perfectly as before for the rest of his life.” Allan said catching his breath.

“he showed so much promise, he was going be a football star and lock ruined his future damaging what he valued most, his buddies were hurt pretty bad too.”

“Wow! What did they do to set him off?”

“They tried messing with him, after the incident he got suspended before his dad with deep pocket stepped in.” We entered the next class together, I walk down to the teacher introducing myself and handing over the slip for him to sign. Mr. Shaw signed the slip giving me a book and then ushering me in to find seat, the class was full and the only open seat seemed to be the one close to the pretty blond girl from before raven Lansdale whom I didn’t expect to be having the same class together and her scary brother may already have serious resentment towards me on my first day, I do sure know how to make friends I mocked. Left with no other choice I had to seat there avoiding the straying unwanted pair of eyes in the room that gawked at me when I did. my heart kind of raced a bit I felt nervous I had to admit , I tried not looking at her face or minding her presence.

I exhaled slowly placing my book on the table stylishly glancing at her from the corner of my eye before slipping out my jotter, she sat quietly with her head tilted against the wall gently tapping the edge of her pen on the desk. Her long honey blond hair formed a curtain between us, she kept her attention pinpointed to the teacher as the class began the topic was on statistics which I’m already familiar with back at my old school. Though I hated math as a subject and all the damn topic that came along with it even if it’s somewhat important to the modern world. It’s just as boring as watching C-span on TV on a hot summer afternoon, it isn’t worth any attention I’ll rather watch old people cook on food channel. But I can’t act on those thoughts right away which would normally mean resting my head on the table and crash till the end of the period or skipping it the class entirely, I had to blend create a good first impression. I felt like jotting down a few things as Mr. Shaw droned on I opened my bag surfing for a pen, pencil or anything, couldn’t find any i must have misplaced it somewhere between my last class, I sighed deeply zipping up placing the bag close to my seat.

“ here,” said a soft quiet musical voice beside me, I noticed she was speaking to me offering a pen, her dazzling face seemed friendly for the first time I had seen today open with a slight smile on her flawless red lips. She had an exquisite sky blue eye, attractive and at the same time cold totally different from every blue eyed person I had ever met.

“Thanks.” I accepted the pencil gently, clearing my throat wasn’t expecting any of that all. She turned away focusing her attention still tapping her I other pen, the class appeared to drag longer than usual maybe cause the day was finally coming to a close, raven seemed weary I guess the class began to bore her also. She placed her head gently on the table, her arms wrapped around her face, neatly did her blond hair curl on her shoulders, the moment the final bell buzzed she quickly rose grabbing her books leaving before I got the chance to give back her pen and introduce myself. Most people had the gym class next, I considered it to be unimportant wasn’t ready to partake in any form of sport yet. I left the school block to the head office to return my slip, I walked through the door handing the paper over to her, she grinned at me.

“So how did your first day go, dear?”

“Trust me ma’am, you don’t want to know” I answered watching her face lose its grin, it felt refreshing and for the first time I was being honest.

“Thanks anyway” I Left the office, unexpectedly coming across Allan and one his basketball buddy who I recalled with the name Wade,

“YO! Newbie what’s up, plan on bailing out of school already,” he said hollering at me.

“Yeah, the thought crossed my mind, I’m not into sports for now”

“ come on lets go sit at the gym you don’t have to participate if you don’t want to, I don’t dig sports much too you know, and there’s no way in hell you’ll be able to drive out this early not with the lot crowded like that,” Said Allan.

“He’s right, you’ll just have to wait, “I sighed deeply nodding in agreement when I found my car on the third roll along with the mustang and no space to drive out

Allan and I sat at the gym watching the basketball court while wade went ahead to join his team

“Now Nate how about you describe to me how your first experience in cherry-creek had been”

“you know what , I’m really sick of people asking that,” I replied humoredly.

“That means not bad,, it’s a good sign shows you’re adapting quickly.” he patted my left shoulder. my eyes wandered across the room to the top bench to find the Lansdale’s watching the practices , the blond twins chatting together, raven was quiet listening to music on with her legs crossed. Lock on the other hand uninterestingly folded his arm, his eyes shut while facing the roof, like was talking a nap.

“they don’t dig sports too I guess,” I asked Allan as he glanced towards them.

“No they don’t, just to make sure they don’t get to mix they avoid any form of co-operative activity at all cost except maybe during class,”

“That’s weird,”

“yeah it is, the Lansdale’s are a social hazard people learn to stay out of their way.”

A few minutes later the gym class was over we both left for the parking lot cars students began driving out creating spaces for my own departure, Allan had promised to come over to my place maybe we could hangout during the weekends. He left for his ash sedan. I saw the red ford mustang close to my Pontiac leaving the lot along with a silver colored Mercedes which appeared to be very expensive, raven and lock in the mustang then the blond twins in the silver car. They were rich kids what could they possible want they don’t already have except for acceptance by most people which is clearly stated to be their desire. I entered my car looking at my face in the rear, today wasn’t so bad after all.

The next day seemed easier, I knew what and what not to expect this time. It was the a cold morning the clouds were dark blue like it’s about to rain heavily, I took a rain coat just in case it did after I had a swift breakfast with Judy while frank left for his auto part shop a little bit earlier. I met Allan and the girl named cherry in the locker room, It got a bit more comfortable, this time people didn’t get to stare as much as they did yesterday which is in my own word was “perfect.” I felt at ease. we had literature class together at the first period when we were told about studying the novel the crucible by Arthur miller. We got separated to different seats, I preferred staying at the back close to the window it’s private and gives a good survey of the school premises. Everyone got settled and the class was about to begin I glanced around to notice raven Lansdale wasn’t in class this morning I found myself curious about her presence, I half way glued my gaze towards the window waiting for her car to arrive at the parking lot. Some minutes later a black cruiser and a silver Mercedes makes its way into the school premises, she walks into class seconds later wearing a white turtle neck sweater and a sleeveless jacket looking as pretty as ever.

“why late to school this morning miss Lansdale?” Mr. Hoch cleared his throat asking waiting for an excuse.

“I unfortunately followed a longer route to school sir” she answered immediately, without a choice nodded and let her in, there was an empty table close to mine she walked right over and sat down. Exhaling deeply her face seemed a bit stressed than yesterday, Mr. Hoch continued while she surfed her bag for a writing tool I figured this as an opportunity to return her pen and maybe introduce myself I mustered up some courage to talk.

“I believe this is yours, you gave it to me yesterday” I said handing back to her.

“Thanks,” she replied swiftly, grabbing her pen away and turning her attention towards Mr. Hoch.

“Uhhh…I’m Na……”

“ look, I know your new here and all but I’m sorry I don’t really care what you name is?” she said frostily quickly cut me off. Damn! that was not very nice my ego probed “ ouch! what a bitch” I said in my head, that’s way too direct my feelings got hurt I wished she would have just ignored me and said nothing. it was mean maybe that too its runs in the family that’s why people thought about them the way they did.

“Wow that’s harsh, I was just trying to be polite.” I scoffed. She didn’t even flinch and I got my wish she pretended I wasn’t there at all. I sort of took it personal and never said anything till the end of the class, It almost did ruin my day.

Whenever I saw her in class again I kept replaying her response to me in my head, I made sure I stayed clear away from her. Once the prettiest girl I have seen in my head now topped the most irritating, a snob.

“Dude, what’s bugging you?” Allan asked cautiously as we entered the parking lot together when it was school over, I was astonish he could tell I have something on my mind I thought I always kept a poker face.

“Oh! Nothing really” I gave a fake smile.

“Come on, you’ve been playing quiet on me all day, I know there’s something,” he pressed.

“Alright, its raven Lansdale she sat beside me this morning and I tried talking to her and she just blew me off before I could get a word out of my mouth.” Allan chuckled.

“ so that’s what got you moody all of a sudden, let me guess you not used to getting blown off like that and when it happened you took it a bit personal, don’t sweat it most guys have got worse, that’s raven Lansdale pretty in face dark in the soul.”

“ jeez! What’s with her and the attitude, it’s not like I was trying to hit on her or something’’

“ what do you expect, like I said the Lansdale’s are a social hazard welcome to the world we live in brother” he replied reaching for his car door and exiting the lot.

I arrived home later, picking up the keys from the flower vase at the corridor were Judy usually left it, she told me in the morning about going to town to shop for groceries and stuffs needed in the house that she may not be home when I get back so she told me about the keys.

I unlocked the doors shutting it behind me, hanging my raincoat back which I probably never needed for today anyway. I took my bag upstairs got to my room slumping my weight on the bed exhaustedly looking up my phone to find a voice mail from my mom, imagined her to be furious I hadn’t called or e-mailed her since I arrived.

“Honey,”

I’m sorry about the argument we had earlier, didn’t know you felt that I was ruining your life by moving around so much. Hope Frank and Judy are okay, couldn’t have guessed you’d feel comfortable around them, Harvey and I plan on moving to Texas soon HE MISSES YOU SO MUCH and me too, call me as soon as you get this, Mom. said the warm familiar voice.

I guess she’s doing alright, she was always against coming back to this place, I had to force my way. Ignored the message for now promising to call her by day’s end, rested a bit before starting my homework. When I was done I grabbed a cookie from the jar downing it with a glass of milk then walking into the living room turning on the TV-set to first meet the towns News channel it seemed serious today when they announced an incident in the woods due to a fire outbreak which left charred remains of unidentified bodies discovered by Washington parish police detectives, they stated that the cause of the outbreak seemed to be yet Unknown.

“weird, Franklinton isn’t a boring place after all.” I commented Tuning over to the Sci-fi channel that previewed the movie dark skies, I feel asleep later on the couch.

Later hearing a knock at the door I opened my eyes realizing it was already dark outside, I looked at the clock indicating 7:30.

“Nate honey, it’s me open-up” the voice from behind the door said, gosh! Its Judy I must have over slept and lost track of time, I hurried to the passage opening the door to also find frank with her she hugged me lightly frank came in stepping out of his boot as I helped Judy unload the groceries from her car. A few hours later she had prepared spaghetti with apple sauce, steaks and salad. Frank and I helped set the table we ate in silence for a few minutes frank seemed uncomfortable by the quiet so he broke it.

“how’s school today Nate, have you made any friends lately” he asked.

“yeah, Allan’s been helpful a lot, he introduced me to everyone”

“and now your fully settled right?”

“yes thank you , Allan mentioned you told him to keep an eye out for me before I arrived”

“sure, your welcome son.”

We lapsed back in to silence, I needed to say something anything I chose the first thing that pooped in my head.

“what do you know about the Lansdale family frank?” I said almost hesitantly,

Frank and Judy paused for a second staring strangely at me.

“ do you know them?” he returned the question

“No…..not personally, but I noticed they seem a little different from other students in school.”

“Of course they are, their father Michael Lansdale is a wealthy well respected billionaire of the town. Their family has existed in Franklinton for several generations, his children were living in California until their mom passed a few years ago and they decided to return home.” almost the same description Allan gave.

“ your father and The Lansdale’s were in very good terms, Aaron was a brilliant doctor who could probably work in any hospital on the globe but he chose to remain in Franklinton over an entire world of opportunities. Mr. Lansdale acknowledged him as a valuable asset to the community, in fact he used to be their family ’s doctor,”

“ I noticed they desire isolation from everyone else.”

“They indeed have good reason to, don’t pry stay away from them they carry a dark secret.” Frank warned.

“what do you mean?”

“just avoid the Lansdale’s for your own good like everyone does.” He didn’t say another word until we were done eating, Judy cleared the table

“listen to your grandfather Nate, darkness stalks that family .” Judy added taking the dirty dishes to the dish washer, frank left for the living room to the Tv-set to watch a big game. I was puzzled, couldn’t grasp their meaning and reason for what they had said but at least I knew broaching the topic again wasn’t such a good idea, I went upstairs to my room sitting in front of my laptop on the reading desk I decided to mail my mom instead of calling her.

“Mom,”

Everything is great here, much cooler than I expected. Frank and Judy have been real nice to me, they even gave me dad’s old car for school and I also occupy his old room now. It’s much more comfortable than my old one, I’m happy you and Harvey will be moving soon say “hi” to him for me and I sort of miss him too love you.

Nate.

I sent the message as I kept gazing on my computer screen, I found myself eye’s heavy so I put to rest slumping on my bed.

The rest of the days began pushing forward swiftly than I anticipated, my first week in Franklinton was uneventful I got used to my routine classes, less anxious to stare at raven Lansdale not because of what my folks said, but because I got my ego hurt. At least I was glad for one thing maybe I’m finally getting a hang of this place.

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