One - New Beginnings

New Beginnings

The year was 1988 when Abbie moved to Portland, Oregon. This wasn't unusual for her; her mother, whom she considered her trusty companion, never enjoyed staying in one place for long. Because of that, Abbie had been just about anywhere, from East to West.

From the backseat of the car, she watched the landscape shift outside the window, a blur of trees and pavement. Her mom had painted a picture of this place as vibrant and exciting, but as they pulled into their new neighborhood, Abbie felt more tired than thrilled. The excitement of a fresh start was dimmed by the weight of her ever-growing collection of cardboard boxes and memories of places she had left behind.

Peering out at the two-story brick house, she couldn't shake the familiar feeling of displacement. How many times had she settled into a new place only to pack up and leave again? Abbie longed for a sense of permanence, a wish she hoped her mom would finally share.

With a deep breath, she pushed open the car door, the cool Oregon air brushing against her skin. It smelled different here—fresher, with a hint of pine and something earthy that made her feel both uneasy and curious. She stepped out, glancing around at the neighborhood, noting how different it looked from Tampa, their last place.

Navigating through the clutter of movers carrying furniture inside, she made her way to her new room. As she entered, Abbie was greeted by the sight of boxes stacked high, some labeled with her name, others haphazardly marked. Most of her clothes were still packed away, and a sigh escaped her lips as she felt a wave of defeat wash over her.

She had begged her mom so many times in Tampa to stay put, to build roots rather than uproot their lives every few months. Once upon a time, she relished the idea of new adventures, of meeting new people and exploring new places. But over the years, that excitement had dulled. Abbie realized she didn't really have friends anymore; she was too preoccupied with the thought of moving on to invest in anyone. The few friendships she had formed vanished with every relocation, leaving her feeling more isolated with each new address.

Abbie let herself fall onto her bed, the weight of the day pressing down on her. She stared at the ceiling, willing herself to relax. Tomorrow was the first day of school, and she needed to muster up whatever energy she had left. But for now, she closed her eyes, hoping that this time, things might be different.

In the morning she quickly picked through the mess of the boxes and grabbed a pair of Levi's and an MTV t-shirt she had found at a garage sale back in Wisconsin. Her well-worn Converse shoes completed the look, their battered state showing the many miles they had traveled.

After taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Abbie headed downstairs. The house was quiet. Her mom had already left to tackle errands, leaving behind a sandwich and a glass of water for her. As Abbie finished her breakfast, she felt a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling in her stomach. She slung her backpack over one shoulder and stepped out the front door, inhaling the fresh morning air. The neighborhood was waking up around her—birds chirped, and the sound of distant lawnmowers filled the air.

Walking to school, she took in the sights. The houses had a cozy charm, with colorful gardens and porches adorned with rocking chairs. As she strolled, Abbie couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was watching her, assessing the new girl in town. Her heart raced at the thought. Would she fit in? Would anyone even notice her?

The school loomed ahead, a sprawling brick building that seemed more intimidating than welcoming. Abbie hesitated at the entrance, her breath catching in her throat. Students walked around, laughing and chatting, forming tight knots of friends. She felt like an outsider, standing on the edge of a cliff, unsure if she should leap or retreat.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed through the doors and entered the bustling hallway. The noise was overwhelming—lockers slamming, voices rising and falling, the sound of sneakers squeaking on polished floors. Abbie clutched her backpack tighter, scanning the sea of unfamiliar faces.

"Just find the administration office," she whispered to herself, trying to muster some confidence.

It was a small office located near the entrance. Abbie stepped toward the administration office, her heart racing as she pushed the door open. It had a grim look and was covered in stacks of papers. Behind the desk, two ladies were working. One was a younger woman and had big permed hair. She was wearing a bright red oversized blazer with black ripped trousers, which made her look like Joan Collins. The older woman was well into her 60s and wore a long skirt with flower patterns and a white blouse. The familiar scent of paper and ink filled the air, mingling with a hint of something floral from the older woman's perfume.

Abbie felt a wave of anxiety wash over her as she approached the counter, where the younger woman with the permed hair looked up, her expression shifting from concentration to curiosity.

"Can I help you?" the younger woman asked, her voice bright and welcoming.

"Uh, I'm Abbie. I just moved here and need to register for school," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Welcome to Portland High, Abbie! I'm Judy," the younger woman said, her smile widening. "And this is Mrs. Henderson." She gestured to the older woman, who nodded, her warm eyes twinkling behind her glasses.

"Nice to meet you," Mrs. Henderson said in a soft voice. "How are you finding the city so far?"

"It's... different," Abbie admitted, glancing around the cluttered office. "I just hope I can figure things out here."

"Don't worry. It takes time," Judy reassured her as she began typing on her computer. "Let's get you registered. What grade are you entering?"

"Eleventh," Abbie answered, the weight of her age sinking in.

"Perfect! We have some great programs for juniors," Judy said, clicking through the screens. "And don't be afraid to get involved. There are clubs and activities where you can meet people. Trust me, you'll make friends in no time."

Abbie nodded, her stomach fluttering at the prospect. "Thanks, I hope so."

After a few minutes, Judy handed her a stack of papers. "Here's your schedule, and this map should help you navigate the school. You'll find it's not as big as it looks. Just remember, everyone feels a little out of place at first. You'll settle in."

"Thanks," Abbie said, relief flooding through her as she took the map and schedule. "I appreciate it."

"Anytime! And if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask," Judy added, her demeanor reassuring.

Abbie left the office, the map crinkling in her grip. She took a moment to gather her thoughts in the hallway, studying her schedule. First period was English, and according to the map, it was on the second floor.

As she walked through the halls, she tried to memorize her surroundings. Lockers lined the walls, decorated with various stickers and magnets, each one a small window into someone else's life. Abbie couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy; each locker seemed to belong to someone who had roots and history in this place.

Finally, she located her classroom and opened the door, peeking inside. Students were chatting, some already seated and engrossed in conversation. Taking a deep breath, Abbie stepped in, scanning for an empty desk. She spotted one in the back corner, away from the groups.

She made her way to the desk, trying to ignore the stares from a few curious eyes. Just as she sat down, a girl with curly red hair turned to her, a bright smile on her face.

"Hey! You're new, right? I'm Harmony!" she said, her energy infectious.

"Yeah, I'm Abbie," she replied, grateful for the friendly gesture.

"Cool! If you need help, just ask me! This class is mostly discussion, so you'll fit right in," Harmony assured her, already turning back to chat with her friend. Abbie felt a spark of hope at the brief interaction.

The teacher entered, a tall woman with glasses perched on her nose, exuding an air of authority. She introduced herself as Ms. Callahan and immediately commanded the room's attention. As she began outlining the syllabus, Abbie forced herself to focus, trying to absorb as much information as possible.

As the class went on, Abbie felt her initial nerves start to ease. She even found herself participating, sharing her thoughts on the book they were discussing. With each word spoken, a sense of belonging began to weave itself into her heart.

By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, Abbie felt a little lighter. As students gathered their things and shuffled out, Harmony waved her over. "Want to walk to your next class together?"

"Sure!" Abbie replied, surprised by how easy it was to connect with someone.

As they navigated the bustling halls together, laughter echoed around them, and Abbie felt her spirits lift with every step. The weight of uncertainty slowly began to lift, giving way to a sense of possibility. Lost in her thoughts and daydreams, she suddenly bumped into someone. "Watch it—" she said, ready to be annoyed, but when she looked up, she was met with the gaze of a gorgeous boy. His short brown hair framed striking blue eyes that seemed to hold a depth of emotion—almost as if they were a little vacant. He wore dark, nondescript clothes, but his black combat boots stood out boldly against the sea of sneakers and loafers.

A playful grin spread across his face, and Abbie found herself staring a moment too long. Heat rushed to her cheeks as embarrassment washed over her.

"I'm sorry, I—" she stammered, feeling flustered.

"Clumsy," he teased, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

Her heart raced at his words, and she felt the heat of her awkwardness. Without meeting his gaze, she mumbled an apology and hurried away, eager to disappear into the crowd.

Her heart raced at the thought of him. "That's Kai Parker; you should look out for him," Harmony mentioned as they walked to their next period, her voice dripping with concern.

Abbie's stomach twisted with a mix of curiosity and anxiety. Was he trouble? She felt drawn to the idea of him, even as a voice in her head warned her to be careful. The thrill of meeting someone like Kai was intoxicating, but it stirred a deeper longing within her—a desire for connection in a place that felt so unfamiliar.