CHAPTER ONE

(CHAPTER SONG: BREATHING UNDERWATER BY METRIC)

When the roughness of this universe collides with the faithless actions of a broken soul, the results are wicked and sometimes the wickedness turns into pure euphoria.

CARTER DEGRAASI sat on a park bench in the never-empty central park of New York City. Her face devoid of any emotions but her mind swamping with thoughts that haunted her very soul. Life haunted her very soul and the world accommodated it so conveniently. It seemed as though this world accommodated anything that brings about misery. It had no problem tossing burden into the hands of the weak, the broken and the incapable, and for a soul as resenting and unforgiving as Carter's, it is beyond impossible to forgive the damages caused. Beyond impossible.

There was a time, not too far gone, when everything was simple and beautifully normal. Many times she found her mind drifting back to those memories, dwelling in the past and metaphorically crying over spilled milk. She would scold herself for such a letting but the honest truth was that she could not help it. She could not help looking back at how easy and peaceful things were. How wonderful her imperfect life was before it was ripped away by some unknown force. Before her pure soul was turned into a broken, faithless, revolting soul.

Carter released a sigh before standing up and making her way out of the park.

The central park was her escape hatch of some sort. She went there to think and most importantly to escape the dastardly reality. A bit ironic she should go to the central park, a park so well-known and visited by people all over the world, never empty, but it worked for her. Despite the amount of people there every day, she could still isolate herself from everyone and get lost in her thoughts.

Carter began to head in the direction of the coffee shop she worked at. It was small and somewhat homely but she liked it. Unlike the rest of New York it was quiet and not many people visited, maybe that was because it was located in a residential area but she liked it nonetheless. Her boss, Mr Alvin, was a very generous and humble elderly man who, like her, had a fierce passion for literature and art. They discussed it a lot; they never gave up an opportunity to discuss literature. It was one of the few things Carter and Mr Alvin had in common and since he was almost four times her age, she'd learned many things from him since she started working for him. He was a pleasant person to work with.

When Carter entered the coffee shop for her afternoon shift, she was immediately greeted by Mr Alvin who had a pleasant smile on his face as usual. "Good afternoon to you too Mr Alvin. I hope you're having good day?" she walked to the backroom to put on her apron while listening to Mr Alvin. "I am my dear although I enjoy it better when you're here to help me out." She walked out of the backroom and stood behind the counter where old Mr Alvin was drying coffee mugs. She grabbed a napkin and started drying mugs too. "Well I'm here now. How was the business today?" Mr Alvin sighed and shook his head. "Quiet as usual. How was school?" these were the kind of questions they asked each other almost every day. "Boring as usual except of course Literature. We uh, we actually started Jane Eyre today despite the fact that school will be closing in a week's time. 'Said something about preparing us for senior year."

"Ah and I take it you knew all the answers to all of Mr Wellington's questions?" The elderly man smiled as he saw her lips stretched into a knowing smirk. Mr Alvin knew how good she understood Literature and he admired her knowledge. She was too smart for her age. She read, observed, understood and thought like an adult. Unlike himself, who only developed a passion for reading as an adult, Carter started out early and maybe that's why her understanding was deeper.

"I took it easy on him though. Didn't want to embarrass him in front thirty judgemental, hormonal teenagers." she didn't.

Mr Alvin kept quiet for a moment before he spoke again. "You know darling, I was thinking of hiring a helping hand. I'm getting too old to be here all day and you'll need someone to help you out whenever I'm not around. What do you think?" They were now done with drying the coffee mugs and Carter moved on to wiping the counter. He always does this, she thought. It became a habit for him to consult with her for every little change he intended to make. It's very thoughtful of him but it kind of made her uncomfortable. What if he didn't like or appreciate her answer?

"It's your shop Mr Alvin and I'm but an employee. I must admit though, it won't be the same without you." Mr Alvin nodded. "I know young Carter but with you taking over my position, this place will do just fine." He smiled and tapped the tip of her nose like she were a little child. Carter looked thoughtful for a moment, pondering over what he just said. "You mean you would make me the manager?" She silently prayed that that was the case. "You're sure right I will. I wouldn't trust anyone else with this place. I know it's not a big busy place but it's been with me for a decade now."

Carter was warmed to hear that. She didn't know what she had done to earn his trust but she wasn't going to complain. "Now I know you won't be here all the time that's why I'll pick someone who's capable of handling things 'round here." He added and Carter nodded lightly.

This was her second year of working for Mr Alvin. She first started when she turned sixteen and things weren't going so well for her. She desperately needed a job and Mr Alvin had been kind enough to grant her one. He had been kind to her from the very beginning and she was grateful to him for that and many other things.