Chapter 1: Home
With the windows rolled down, I'm driving sixty down the highway. My shoulder length brown, curly hair is blowing in the gently yet chilling breeze. My name is Alissa, Lissa or Ali to my friends and I'm going back home. It's almost nightfall. I've been driving almost nonstop since god only knows when. The only time I would stop was for gas and to catch some sleep when I felt as though I was going to pass out. It's been a long drive from Chicago to Charming, California but it was a journey I had to make. I didn't want to be going back home but I need to escape from everything for a little while and to get away from everyone. Matt, now my ex-boyfriend is the reason for this. He fucked up as soon as he slept with one of my best friends. He's also the reason as to why I keep my phone on silent. He wants me back but I don't want him back. Well, at least I don't think I do. I just need to clear my head.
I've not been home in almost four years, not since I graduated high school. I was 18 then but now I'm 22. I left straight after I graduated and followed my best friend Tara to Chicago. She studied medicine there and is now a doctor in St. Thomas Hospital in Charming. She went back a year ago when her boyfriend at the time started become obsessive. I was the first one that she turned to. I studied childcare and I'm hoping to open up my own day care sometime down the line; I love kids Growing up, we had always been close even although she is three years older than me. Wherever she went, I went. I like to think of her as the big sister I always wanted.
I never liked being an only child; I had to look after my mother on my own. She was and probably still is hooked on drugs, crank mostly. That is probably the reason why me and Tara grew so close; our parents both had problems. Her dad was a drunk but at least he wasn't a violent drunk. My mom was the complete opposite. She would always hit me, yell at me or throw me out of our apartment when she was high. She would never remember doing it the next day; she would be back to her normal loving self. You could say that was one of the reasons for me leaving Charming but there were others.
Charming is a small town where everybody knows almost everyone. I wouldn't say that it was a close knit town because that would be a lie. According to Tara the town hasn't changed that much since I've been away. I didn't think it be that different. From what I can remember a lot of people living in the town didn't like the idea of change, mostly SAMCRO. I can't really tell much about the group except that they wear these strange but kind of cool leather cuts that had a skeleton with a scythe on the back and they always travel on motorcycles. I can't be too sure but I think they're Harleys but I never did pay that much attention to the club, Tara did. I only knew two people that were involved with it at the time; Jax and Opie. Jax and Tara dated for a while but she ended it when she left for Chicago. It broke his heart. I grew quite close to Opie and his girlfriend at the time, Donna because Tara would always go with Jax while I was left with the other two. I remember how awkward it was at first, to be with two people that you've just met but in time we all became good friends. I didn't see much of Jax the year that Tara left. I never did like to be around the other club members; they made me nervous and Gemma, Jax mum scared the hell out of me.
As I finally pass the welcome to Charming sign, I get out my cell phone and call Tara. It rang for a while before she finally picked up.
"Hello" she answered. I noticed by the tone of her voice that she was tired.
"Hey it's me. You told me to call you when I finally got into town"
"Oh yeah, I remember. Are you coming straight to the house or are you getting something to eat first? She asked. At this I had to weigh my options. I am hungry but I'm more tired than anything else.
"Em, I think I'll just come to the house. I'm absolutely shattered to be honest"
"Ok, do you still remember where it is?" she teased. It's true I do have a very bad memory and while we were living together in Chicago she found it hilarious.
"I think I'll be fine" I retort whilst hanging up and throwing the phone back onto the passenger seat. As I drive, I hear the faint rumble of motorcycles. It was a sound I got accustomed to when I was younger.