Prologue

   My life began on April 17^th 1991. I was born to parents I’ve never met, and never wish to do so. Why would I when they gave me up as soon as I was out of my “mothers” stomach? Not that I care too much. I was adopted when I was five. I’d rather not go into the details of living in foster care for that amount of time. So I’ll just skip to the adoption.

   My parents never really gave me all the details of the adoption. And I’ve only asked once. They told me that they went to my foster home, saw me, and liked what they saw. They said that they saw spunk and character. I laugh about that now. I don’t really have either. But I will get to that later. A few weeks after that visit they were signing the papers and I was all packed and ready to move into a real home with my first real parents.

   I kept my old last name until I was ten. My parents made me. I won’t say what it was, because it doesn’t matter. Anyways, when I was ten I asked my parents if I was old enough to change it. They went on this long speech about making sure if it was what I wanted and blah blah blah. I finally convinced them it was, and they agreed. The next day we went down and changed my last name. I was officially theirs.

   When I was eleven we moved here to Chestwood. My father got a promotion and we got more money. More money means a bigger house and more clothes. It also means I got to go to a new school. That was okay with me. I didn’t really have any friends in my old neighborhood anyways. Now I had a chance to change everything and start new. Make new friends and be different. That didn’t work. I had two semi-close friends throughout middle school.

   Now I’m going to be a senior in high school. I’m still really good friends with those girls. I have a few others I hang out with now and again. I have good grades, and I already have a few offers of scholarships. But you know the saddest thing? I’ve only gone on three dates. Three! Can you believe that? Yes, I know I’m sad. Shut up and stop laughing. But, that right guy just hasn’t come along yet you know? Okay maybe I’m too much of a romantic, but give me a break. I’m a seventeen year old girl and I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’m allowed to have my dreams.

   There was this one time I thought I’d found the guy though… He was so sweet and charming, and I thought ‘Maybe, just maybe, he’s the one for me.’ I thought that for about a week until I found out he was stalking a girl online. Yea I dumped him and turned him into the authorities. Don’t worry I wasn’t too heart-broken. I didn’t even cry.

   So I’m still looking for my guy. Who knows if he even exists? I’ve been looking, but he hasn’t shown up yet. He might never show up. That’s a sad thought…

   How about I get my mind off of it and I’ll tell you a little about my town? Chestwood isn’t really a small town, because it’s spread out pretty far. But if you were in the main part of it, you would think it was small. Our town is right off of the river. It’s a semi-old town. But, not the nasty rotting wood kind of old. More like the elegant preserved kind of old.

   I live in a two story house. It’s a big house. Large enough for three people and a dog anyways. We have the typical rooms. A family room, living room, kitchen, dining room, office, three and a half bathrooms, and two bedrooms. Well actually we have three bedrooms, but we turned one into a music room. Yes, I play piano and guitar. I enjoy it; it serves as a pass time.

   We don’t live off of the river, but we do have a forest behind us. There’s a trail that goes into the forest from our back yard. I’ve followed it many many times, and have always found something new. But, the trail only goes in so far. After that, where you want to go is up to you. No, we aren’t the only ones with a forest behind us. There are about four other houses on my side of the street. It’s a nice neighborhood. Quiet enough for relaxation, and concentration. Just what I need when I’m doing homework or in the music room.

   My dad is a hotshot lawyer just to let you know. And my mom now works as a secretary for some big business dude. I keep forgetting his name. I don’t think it’s important anyways. I am currently working at the local bookstore. A ten percent discount on books? Pretty good deal when you’re a girl that loves to read. Am I right?

   Time to tell you about myself I guess. You pretty much know everything already. I’m seventeen and I have thick blonde hair. My eyes are green. And I don’t mean just any kind of green. I mean really green. Forest green is the right phrase for them. They’re dark, and since I have light skin, it doesn’t look very good. To me anyways. I’m not too tall, but I’m not short. I’m about five six. I enjoy a good romance novel and I love music. I am religious. I completely believe in God and I love Him with everything inside of me. If you hate me because of it, that’s your choice. I don’t care.

   Well tomorrow is the first day of my senior year. I might want to get some sleep. I don’t want the circles under my eyes to darken at all. God Bless and goodnight!