1. Prologue
I shut the trunk of my Red Ferrari and turned to face the deep, dark blue ocean. I was heartbroken when I realized that the next time I wanted to gaze at the sunset over the water, I would have to travel all the way from Riverside, New Jersey to here.
A drop of water hit the tip of my nose. I glanced up and saw an ugly, gray cloud covering the pink, orange sky. It reflected my mood since the incident. I sighed. California was my home. How could I just run away from it? 'You have to,' I answered myself, 'or you'll always be reminded of him and what he did to you.'
I was going to miss the way the waves crashed against the shore; the way the wind blew my hair around my face. I could see myself standing there in my mind, on the beach, in a loose skirt that flows against my legs and out in front of me; my eyes as dark and cold as the Arctic sea, staring out into nothing – like in an old movie.
I stripped down and walked forward, then started to run across the beach, darting into the ocean; diving deep down under the water; feeling the sand scratch my feet as I swam back to the surface. My head broke free and cold air filled my lungs. I forgot what it felt like to have no problems, no past, and no pain. I needed that again – which is why I was leaving. I stumbled out of the water, then spread out on the sand and let the rain splatter on my face.
By the time I got back to my car, it was late and I was soaked from head to toe. I grabbed my clothes, not caring who saw me because I always felt exposed, even with clothes on. I hopped in the driver's side and pulled away from the curb. "Goodbye California," I whispered to the air.
I drove away, leaving everything behind me. My life, past and all memories. Riverside was going to be my life now, and California never happened. A drop of water hit my nose again, but this time it was a tear. And I knew it was only a matter of time before I really broke down and the rest came pouring out.