Chapter One: Her
"This isnt what I want." I whispered, hoping they would understand, after all my future was on the line.
"We think it's for the best look, I mean look at the campus. It's beautiful, affordable, and you can get in the honors program with ease." My father stated, sliding over a brochure across the glass coffee table.
"Plus, we can visit you anytime since it's barely an hour away." My mum tried to reason but her attempts to calm down the tension were failing.
I stared at them, unsure what to say. I wanted to fight back and scream at them. This was my future, not theirs; they may be my parents, but they can't control me forever.
Without a single glance at the piece of paper, I passed it back to them, "Thank you for your concern but I think I'm going to concentrate on NYU."
I was about to stand up and head to my room; a long nap was needed to get rid of this nightmare. "Lucas." Due to my father's stern tone, I stayed in place.
But since I am my father's own son, I raised my eyebrow at him, challenging him to speak against me.
"Lucas, NYU is a bit far for your mother's and my liking. You really need to rethink your college choices. Washington could really-"
"No!" I exploded not even wanting to hear the rest of his reasoning. I didn't mean to be disrespectful to him and I certainly didn't mean to make my mother flinch but my temper was short and always got the best of me. "I don't have the slightest interest in this school! I'm not going!"
My father's face instantly turned shades of red."I will not have any disrespect in my house. Young man, you know how hard your mother and I work to have food on the table. So don't think for a second you will get away with that." My dad growled, "Do I make myself clear?"
When I didn't reply, he snapped again, "Do I have to repeat what I just said?"
"No dad, I understand." I admitted defeat partly because I didn't want to start a fight and partly because the sight of mother terrified somehow eased my anger.
"We just want you to consider this school. It's doesn't have to be final." My father shot my mom a look to which she ignored, "But please, we really want you close to home honey."
I carefully gripped the brochure, it felt like unwanted pain on my fingertips. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I stood up, not waiting for another confrontation and skidded toward my room.
The door roughly shut and the paper that held a facade of a future landed in the waste bin. I flew toward my bed; they never understood, no matter how hard I tried to convince they didn't understand my dreams. They always wanted me to be the picture they conjured in their minds, a successful business man, top of the class, perfectly fake.
I glanced at the alarm clock on my bed stand, it was barely four. With undesirable weight heavy on my shoulder, I grabbed my phone and earplugs, sauntering out the house.
My parents never asked where I went, they just cared about my academics. "You have to be on top, always on top Lucas." I spat at the ground, while blaring music filled my ear drums.
The cold rustle of typical Washington weather, felt cool against the heat of my skin. I let the beat of the drums guide me toward a path I knew all too well.
Blue spread at me when I finally arrived, hardly anyone was around which was good, I need the silence to allow me to escape.
My shoes left imprints near the wet dirt, the sight of the lake soothing my temper, making me forget the stress and worry. I took out my earphones, wanting to hear natural sounds, letting my thoughts run free.
I made it fairly far along the shore when I noticed someone else was here. Her long brunette hair was covering her face and from the way she was holding her knees, she looked like she was upset.
Without thinking, I found myself next to her. She must of felt my presence because she slowly lifted her head and turned to the side to meet my eyes. The breath in my throat hitched, her eyes were simply captivating and I found myself staring at an ocean that I could het lost in forever.
"H-hi." I stuttered out, good one Luke.
"He-hello." She croaked, her voice slightly weak. It was at that moment that I noticed that her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were wet.
"Are yo- are you okay?" I choked out. Clearly she's not okay Luke if she's crying! My internal critic slapped me for stupidity.
With the sleeve covered hand, she tried to wipe some of the moisture off her face. "I've been better." She admitted and I feebly attempted to smile. I should have honestly thought this through instead of making a fool of myself.
"I'm sorry, I have no idea what I'm honestly doing. It's just that I saw you looking upset and I felt bad and I didn't want you to be upset anymore. So I sat here and now I'm trying to make you feel better but obviously it's not working, you don't even know my name. And oh my, I'm rambling aren't I?" I scratched at my chin. I really should have thought this through.
But somehow my awkward demeanor had made her laugh. And oh God, would I be okay if that was the only sound I was able to hear the rest of my life.
"It's okay, it really is." She bit her chapped lips, "Thank you though."
"I'm Luke." I blurted, totally smooth Luke, totally smooth.
"Cayden." She nodded, unsure of what to say.
There were two options I foresaw: one, I could get up and leave and totally forget this ever happened or two, I could stick around and find out why this girl was already making my insides turn when she has barely spoken a sentence to me.
I choose the latter.