Chapter 1 - A New Begining

I never did like the cold days of winter. You know, the days where that cold breeze is so powerful it can go through even the thickest of jackets and send a chill down your spine. Nope. I didn't like them. Not even when I was introduced to the frightfully cold weather of Alaska. On my sixteenth birthday my mother whom I hadn't seen in over ten years, greeted me by telling me that since she was granted custody of me we were leaving sunny California to move to Alaska. I don't know which was worse, having to leave my four year old sister with my father the drunk, or leaving the town full of people who had sheltered me from the harsh outside world. Many tears were shed that day but I was strong. I thought it was impossible to resent my mother who abandoned me at an airport more, but now I felt a hate that I thought would never be broken. As we drove away in the shiny new Mercades the people that I had always known were slowly getting smaller.

When we reached the airport my childhood memories came back. I remembered the small fragile basket that had held me inside. As we boarded the plane I couldn't help but notice the small charm around my mother's neck. It was a small silver heart. As we sat down I took a better look at it an saw it was a locket. I knew instintaniously that it had mine and my older brother's pictures inside. My brother Jacob hadn't seen me nor my mother for years. Just like me he resented her. The drive, like the flight, was silent. While observing the passangers on the plane I saw many faces, yet I knew not even one. I let out a sigh of dissapointment because of that reason. I fell asleep and was awaken by my mother.

"Hurry up. We're here." she said in an aggravated tone. As we left the plane we were greeted by a middle aged man. He had short brown hair and dark moss colored eyes. By looking at the features on his face I could tell he was probably in his late twenties or early thirties. He greeted my mother with a kiss and me with a hug.

"Hello I am Lucas. And you look like Amber." he said with a smile. I questioned how he knew who I was but only in my thoughts.

"Yes I am." I said in an uneasy tone. I managed to get the nerves to ask, "How did you know?"

"I saw your picture. Not to mention you can't have a conversation with Melinda without hearing her brag about your looks." he confessed while blushing. He then pulled out his wallet and flipped through it and pulled out a folded picture of me holding a bright yellow sunflower. As I saw the picture I realized that I hadn't changed much from then. My eyes were still aqua blue and my hair a dark brown. The only difference was that my once pale skin was now tan and the Italian side of me was showing more in my skin. "Hurry and grab your bags I have the car waiting out in the front." We hurried through the dreary airport in an attempt to get to the car before the airport security saw it. When Lucas opened the airport door leading to the outside all that could be seen, was a white blanket of snow that covered the gound.

"Where's your snow jacket?" my mother exclaimed in that well-known over protective motherly tone. Her face turned red like hot coal when I shrugged my shoulders. She started yelling and called my father and left a message telling him how he was a terrible father. I rolled my eyes and followed Lucas to his car. I had expected a black BMW but was shocked to see an old Mustang. Because of my obsession with old cars it was obvious to me what car it was. A Cherry Red 1968 California Special Mustang in mint condition stood in a small small parking space. To me it was almost an honor to be inside that beauty. We drove through the modern streets and soon pulled up to a beautiful two story white house. My mother still complained about my lack of proper Alaskan weather clothes but I ignored her to mezmorized by the beauitiful home I saw I would live in.

"Is this suitable for you taste?" Lucas chuckled. I smiled and laughed along with him. I ran to the door and went inside. As I went inside I saw a beautiful stone fireplace surrounded by old time furniture. The walls were a beautiful tan color which was brought out by the solid oak floor panels that ran throughout the house. I ran to the kitchen to see the granite countertops laying on perfectly crafted oak cabinents. The apliances which included a fridge, microwave, dishwasher, trash compacter, and stove were all in a shiny metallic color. The kitchen walls matched the living room. I went to the dining room and saw a beautiful oak table with six matching chairs sorrounding it. A crystal chandelier with ten candles on it lit up the room. Most of the rooms were decorated in a simaler fashion which fit my taste perfectly. As I was about to open the door to a mysterious room Lucas grabbed my arm. A stern look came upon his face, his eyes darkened into a dark black color, and he said in a contolling, almost scary tone, "Never. You never go in that room. Do you understand? The punishment for going in there is severe. I advise you to ask before you wander into a person's home." I pulled my arm away, and started shaking. His eyes returned to normal and he commanded me to follow him. "This is your room. Change it to your taste. I can provide anything you need for it. Try to stay out of the other rooms and you'll stay out of trouble." He closed the door and left me to unpack. I was still staring at the door and to my surprise when I turned around the room was empty. I hung up my clothes but had no clue what to do next.

I tied my hair back and reached through my tightly packed coach purse looking for a pen. As I unzipped the zipper pouch I saw a yellow Number 2 pencil and a box of Crayola colered pencils. In my plain black Jansport backpack I managed to find a piece of plain lined paper. I took my time as I drew up a design for my new room. I drew up a futon with neon polka dots covering the black exterior. Then, I drew a neon green fuzzy chair in the corner. After that I drew a a Welcome sign that was written in neon lights. The paint was black and the floor was checkered linoleum floor panels like in an old fifteys resturant. I drew in multiple paintings and other wall art. After adding a desk and a rug I decided my room was finished. I started to daze off from the hard work and then my will to sleep took over and I silently slept.

I didn't remember much from that night, but I did remember that I was amazed when I awoke. I looked around my room and found that it had transformed while I slept. Every detail I had wanted was there. I could hear my mother calling me to dinner and quickly ran down the hall to the kitchen.

"Someone looks like a kid at Christmas. How'd yah sleep kiddo?" Lucas giggled.

"Amber, do you still like fillet mignon? Lucas simply adores it and I thought it would be a good dinner meal."

I interupted my mother's sentence tripping over my tongue completely, " Yah. Sounds good. My sleep was amazing. How did you guys change my room!" I had to know. It was killing me.

"Hehehe..." Lucas chuckled. "Consider it a homecoming gift."

"Thanks Lucas." I said. I looked him in thye eyes saying, "I really appreciate it." He smiled and we ate our dinner in silence. I finished the last bite of steak before retiring to my room. I was full of happiness ad exitment but I was quick to fall asleep.