Chapter 1

As I packed my books in a box, the love of my life, Christopher Tanner, walked into my room. “Hey, cutie.” He said; I smiled, placing the last stack of books in the box,

“Hey,” I said, kissing his cheek, “have you come to help me pack?” I asked, but he held me before saying,

“I’m hoping to talk you out of leaving.” I sighed, 

“Chris,” I said, “we’ve been over this. I want to go to New York to pursue my dream of becoming an author.”

“You can be an author here!” Chris snapped, which made me jump back. Chris took a deep breath before saying, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get upset.” I nodded. Since his father died, Chris has had many anger issues. I confessed my worry to his mother. She had noticed his aggression too and planned to confront him about it. If she ever did, I didn’t know. 

Chris pulled me into another hug and hugged me even tighter than before. “It’s okay, Chris,” I said, rubbing his back. I knew he was right; I didn’t have to move to New York to become an author, but it was something I felt I needed to do. 

When Chris finally released me from his strong arms, I stared at him for a moment. His dark hair hung on his face, and those electric green eyes sent chills down my spine each time I looked into them. I always had to fight the urge to bite my lip when I stared into them for too long. His lips, the soft touch of his lips on mine, only teases me for a moment, making my body yearn for more each time they meet.

Chris helped me pack some more boxes. We had my Mom’s car almost complete. The movers were coming tomorrow for the oversized items and whatever else we couldn’t manage on our own. I sighed, watching as the last box was moved into the living room. It was hard to believe that the space I grew up in was almost empty. Mom leaned on the door frame, placing her hand over her heart before fixing her gaze on me,

“Are you sure you want to leave, Sophia?” She asked for the thousandth time since I told her I was moving out. I walked over to her and hugged her as we looked at my bedroom; I sighed then answered,

“No, I’m not.” I sat up, taking a deep breath, trying to act confident enough so she wouldn’t worry, “But I know I need to.” Mom smiled and nodded; she was already fighting back the tears. We stood there for another moment when Chris placed his hands on our shoulders, 

“Hard to believe it’s all gone.” He said, but I turned to him and smiled,

“The things may be gone,” I said, “but the memories are still there. You have to remember.” Chris and my mother smiled at me; Mom hugged me, followed by Chris, who kissed the top of my head. After a while, Mom broke the hug. 

“Why don’t you two have dinner together tonight?” She suggested; I raised a brow,

“Are you sure, Mom?” I asked; I had planned on spending time with her tonight since it was the last night until I moved, but she nodded, 

“You’ll get to spend the whole time with me while we get you settled. Go have fun with your man.” She gave me a wink, and I wanted to die; why was my mother so weird?

“That sounds like a great idea.” Chris chimed in, “I’ll meet you at the diner at five, okay?” He asked; I smiled,

“Sure, I’ll meet you there.” And with that, Chris left the house.

I looked at myself in the mirror to see how I looked. I picked out a light blue sundress that hung off my shoulders. Mom French braided my long strawberry hair, and I put on a tiny bit of makeup. I borrowed my mother’s tan sandals and grabbed my wallet and keys off the table before turning to Mom, twirling around to show her the entire outfit. “You look beautiful.” She said in tears. I kissed her cheek,

“I’ll be back by seven,” I told her as I headed for the door; she teased me by saying,

“Enjoy your date!” I fought a chuckle as I yelled back,

“Love you too!” And I was out the door. 

I pulled up to the diner, reaching for my wallet and phone, when I saw Chris from the corner of my eye. I was about to wave at him when I saw him kissing another girl…. I wanted to confront them, but I stood there frozen. My heart was shattering. I’m not sure why we weren’t together, but why did I have an urge to go slap him, then her. Instead, I took a picture of them and left. 

I walked over the small bridge in the park; I wanted to be alone. I had sent Mom the picture and told her not to say anything until I was gone. Chris was blowing up my phone so much that I was fighting the urge to throw it into the stream. I took a deep breath and began to cry; I felt hurt, betrayed, and angry. The more I thought about it, the stronger my emotions became. 

I was home by seven, but Chris was sitting in the driveway the second I got there, making his way to my car. I got out and went past him, “Sophie, what’s wrong?” He asked, pretending nothing had happened. Mom opened the door, but all the emotions I was feeling were finally starting to boil over. “Answer me!” Chris yelled, and that’s when I lost it.

“Sophia,” I heard Mom say, but it was too late; I was going to let him have it.

“No,” I said, “you don’t get to come to my home and yell at me.” He seemed stunned by my sudden outburst,

“Sophia, what’s going on?” He asked. I scoffed and pulled up the picture of him and the girl; his face went white,

“That’s what’s going on.” I told him, “My only question is, for how long? How long have you been with someone, knowing I loved you?” I was pissed and in tears as I spoke my heart, “How long have you been with her while acting as if you loved me more than a friend?” Chris didn’t utter a single word, and I didn’t care. Those electric green orbs that a few hours ago made me want to bite my lip made me sick to my stomach,

“Sophia,” he managed, “I’m sorry….” I looked at him as if someone had told me that robots were taking over, 

“You’re sorry?” I muttered; I shifted from foot to foot, then looked him in the face, “Get off my property.” 

“Soph,” 

“NOW!” I yelled, cutting him off. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say; I watched as he left and went inside. Mom sat me down on the couch, brought me a small tub of cookie dough ice cream, and then sat with me as we watched a movie. 

I woke up the next morning feeling terrible. Still, today was the day I was finally moving out of our small town of Evergreen Heights and was finally going to live in a big city! I went to the bathroom and changed into my leggings, a sports bra, and a tank top. We began loading the heavy items when the movers pulled up to the house. Once everything was on the truck, we put what was left in my car. I hugged Mom, “I’ll see you there, okay?” Mom said, trying hard not to cry; I smiled as much as possible and then got in the car, hitting the road for my new home. 

Five hours. That’s how long it took to drive over here. My legs were sore, my back hurt, and I was ready to crawl to the tub for a hot bath. The movers brought in the furniture, and Mom brought up boxes. While I was trying to figure out where everything was going. After the furnishings were in their designated areas, I started to help Mom bring up things in her car. We stood in the kitchen washing my brand-new dishes and trying to get some of the house situated. And, of course, Mom had to ask, “Have you spoken to Chris?” I dropped the plates,

“No,” I said as I placed the plates in the cabinet. Trying to keep myself busy, I told her, “I don’t want anything to do with him.” Mom looked at me, 

“Is it possible that it’s a misunderstanding?” I thought about that for a moment but shook the thought, 

“It doesn’t matter. I was moving to New York anyways.” I told her, “It was a little crush; I wasn’t in love with him.” I knew she was giving me a look, but I didn’t pay her any attention. 

With Mom’s help, we managed to get my new home situated in three days. I loved spending these three days with my Mom. We laughed and cried, and she tried to talk me into moving back home at one point. On the third day, Mom brought me Chinese! We sat and ate and watched a movie. After dinner, Mom helped me clean up before getting ready to leave. I hugged Mom at the door, “I love you, Sophia.” She told me, 

“I love you too, Mom,” I said; her voice was starting to crack as she spoke,

“If you decide you don’t want to live out here and want to come home, call me. I’ll call those movers, and we’ll move you right back home.” I laughed at my crazy mother, 

“Okay, Mom.” She hugged me once more before heading out. I sighed and got a glass of wine before grabbing my laptop and sitting on the couch to work on my novel. I started my first day of work as an assistant editor at Patrick Davidson Publishing on Monday. I had one more day to relax and prepare for the big day! I hope this was the right decision….