Chapter 1

Last day of school, We were given time to clean out our lockers and throw away anything unwanted but there was one issue with me. Everything inside the tiny space I wanted to keep! I only have one more year in high school and at the end of it is Graduation. Finally picking through the useless papers and the actual important ones I sorted each into two piles; reaching for a paper on the top shelf I ended up spilling others everywhere. I picked up almost all of them searching to see if I missed any—only one. Grabbing it and unfolding the parts I notice it isn't mine but it looked like a note.

Closing my locker and grabbing my stuff I walk out the school to the park with the note still in my hand. I sat against the fountain pondering who the note belonged to; only one way to find out.

May; I lay in the warm air awaiting rain to fall but sadly another month without a drop to coat my face in this hot weather. My parents call me from inside but I ignore them lost in my own thought of the wonderland I've always wanted. The magnolia tree blossoming with flowers all year, a view from a mountain top that would take my breath away, my love next to me whom understands me like I would her. Sadly I do not have a love or a breath taking view, not even a tree that blooms all year—only a humid breeze against my skin under the flowerless leaves. To whomever finds this and when they find it: save this and on the 3rd May a last letter will be written.

I almost wanted to crumble the paper up and toss it into the nearest trash can but then I figured why not save it and see if it's true. I folded the paper into each crease and placed it in my jacket pocket before running home to my southern old plantation home. Miss Amelia, our maid waved to me as I dashed through the door and up the stairs dodging every person that passed. I ran into my room shutting my door and dug under my bed to find the shoebox I kept there; it had an interesting design so I thought I would keep every letter in this box specially hidden. I place the letter inside and conceal the box for now.

I have summer school for this school year that starts the beginning of June. I'm not looking forward to it but maybe it won't be so bad since it is only for a couple weeks. Bustling people and my mamma talking on the phone can be heard clearly on the other side of my door although everyone could be down stairs. Since my daddy died the house has been empty except of family friends wanting to help out with the upkeep of the land, Miss Amelia of course, and what's left of mamma and I. Some would call me the Southern belle because my family owns one of the last plantation houses in Savannah but honestly I am just a girl without a father in a very large house and empty house.

Thomas, a good friend of mine that lives down the road comes to visit sometimes to keep me company but lately I haven't seen him at all since he now has a girlfriend. I used to tell Thomas everything about love or pain that I felt and now I have nothing.

"Miss Sarah? Your mamma is callin for ya." Miss Amelia said opening the door slowly to be polite. I smiled and got up from my bed to fallow Miss Amelia down to the kitchen; Miss Amelia motioned that momma was out on the porch before returning to her housework. I stepped out onto the porch to find mamma sitting with a glass of sweet tea; I sat next to her leaning my head on her shoulder as she looked out onto our land.

"How was your day, sweetie? I heard you came in pretty quick this afternoon." She laughed lightly before taking a sip of her tea. I shrugged saying it was fine but mamma always knew the truth. She let it slide this time though which surprised me. "So…School starts again in a week for you missy, is there anything you need Amelia to get for you?"

"No ma'am I'm okay but can I have some money to go get a notebook tomorrow, please?" I asked facing her with puppy dog eyes. Mamma looked at me with an amused face and nodded.

I ran off the porch through the yard towards Thomas's house a moment later. The grass was freshly mowed when I arrived in his front yard; Robert, Thomas's lawn keeper greeted me as I ran through the pile of shavings getting my pants all dirty. Mamma wouldn't be pleased I stained my good pair of pants again. Robert called to me and I turned around to face him halfway up the yard.

"Miss Sarah, Hello! If ya looking for Thomas try upstairs in the old library I think I saw him through there a short while ago." I smiled to Robert and called back a thank you before running the rest of the yard, up the porch steps and into the house. Thomas's Momma Mrs. Wells was not so pleased to see the way I entered but she didn't scold me for it; she smiled a soft hello and motioned that Thomas was upstairs where Robert said he was. I thanked her as well and quickly walked up the stairs and into the library to find Thomas sitting with his atlas.

"Amelia? What brings you by here?" Thomas asked me as I approached him closer then I saw his girlfriend on the other side of him. I smiled a fake smile to her and a friendly one to Thomas before answering.

"I-I c-came to s-see y-you" I panted trying to catch my breath. Thomas got up from his girlfriend's side and asked me to sit; I refused saying I could only stay a minute but I knew that was a lie.

"Do you have to go so soon?" James still asked although he heard my excuse loud and clear.

"I-I do, mamma n-needs me back h-home." My breathing slowed as I stood still longer. "I should go,

Good afternoon Tommy." I smiled saying his old nickname, we were southern after all. These little names would still with us for the rest of our lives. I left the room before Thomas could say another word or I could get another dirty look from his girlfriend.