Disclaimer: This will be an eventual Boyd/ OC pairing. If you don't like original characters put into stories then you don't have to read it. There will also be a fifteen year age difference between the two of them so if you aren't comfortable with large age gaps in romances then I also invite you to not read this. That being said, I hope if you do decide to read my fic that you enjoy it. I'm only in the middle of season two so I'm not sure if I'll get everyone's characters down pat. If they seem off let me know so I can change them. Reviewing is greatly appreciated. Enjoy :)
******** Chapter One********
"Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form." - Vladimir Nabokov
Antonia Owens was thirteen years old the first time she set eyes on Boyd Crowder. That day sat vividly in her mind, even all these years later. It was her second day living in Harlan County. Coming from a small island off the coast of Massachusetts, it was quite the adjustment. She longed for the ocean almost instantly. The feel of the wet breeze upon her face and the sound of the crashing waves had always been a source of comfort for her in times of distress. Well, she had been distressed, but there was nothing like that in Harlan. The greenery and trees were a serene sight, but the over all energy of the place suggested something of the sinister just under the surface. However, there had to have been a spot unspoiled by man. Some place she could call her own amid the turmoil.
She was determined to find such a place. She peeked into her sister's room to ask if she wanted to come as well, but she was on the phone with someone. A guy. That part was beyond obvious. But that was just Kylie's way. She was always in the perpetual cycle of either having a boyfriend or on her way to achieving that goal. She was personable and enjoyed the attention members of the male sex showered upon her. Antonia never faulted her sister for that. If she had more self confidence or perhaps if she were a bit older she would revel in such pursuits herself. But she was a scrawny new teenager and just wanted to find a safe place in their new home. So, with a sigh she set off for the world outside.
It took her the better part of an hour, but Antonia did eventually find the solitude she so sorely desired. The trudge through the forest had been a welcome change of pace from the grassy plains she was used to. A small clearing in the trees had piqued her interest. The remains of a burnt out car long forgotten had garnered her attention even more. It seemed she had been pulled to the spot by destiny. She didn't remember climbing atop the car and pulling out her leather bound journal, but she had been writing down something when she heard a twig snap under someone's boot. She looked up from her scribbles, but found no one there. Voices soon followed. Male voices. A more astute person to these parts would have never found themselves caught anywhere near this particular location. It was known for housing unseemly activity. Antonia found herself unable to move as the men got closer. She simply stared in their general direction.
"What the hell you doin' out here?" one of them spoke. He looked as if he hadn't washed in quite some time. Antonia felt like sinking into herself, but still said nothing. "I asked you a question.", his voice got louder, more aggressive. Antonia opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by another voice.
"Leave the girl alone." he spoke softly, but with power. He was shorter than the man unwashed man, but it was clear he was the one in charge. He looked her in the eyes and her heart skipped a beat. He wasn't good looking, not in the conventional way. But there was something about him that sent a shiver up her spine. "She's just a little girl. Do you really think threatening her is necessary?" he asked. Antonia came to her senses then. Snapped her journal shut and crammed it along with the pen she had been using into her bag. "Didn't your parents warn you about coming out to places like this?" he was addressing her again. Antonia shook her head, 'no.' He smirked ever so slightly at that.
"I just moved...here." she spoke in a small quiet way.
"Hell of a place they chose." he responded. He stared at her a little while longer. As if he was contemplating something. And then,"Go on get outta here. Don't ever let me catch you in these parts again. Next time who knows what might happen." The man with him raised his eyebrows, but he seemed to ignore that. He stuck his hands in his jacket pockets looking as disinterested in the situation as possible.
She didn't wait for a second warning. Just hopped off the car and sped away in the direction she had come. When she was far enough away, she glanced back at them and found the shorter man still watching. He gave her a small nod before both men turned and continued on in whatever they had been doing. It was only a small gesture, one not to be taken any more serious than a polite wave. But Antonia was just thirteen and her adolescent mind took it to heights of fantasy the likes of which she hadn't seen before or sense. She didn't even know his name and yet she felt as if they were now connected on a galactic level. She, stupidly, returned to that very spot hoping to spot him out there again. But he never showed. She quit going after only a few months. Feeling increasingly stupid and creepy with every visit. He slowly left her mind as silly whimsical crushes often do. It wasn't until Antonia was sixteen and well accustomed to life in Harlan that she saw Boyd again. Believe me when I tell you that nothing could have prepared her for the course set in motion the day they crossed paths again.
