"Suitcases? Check. Bag? Check. Said goodbye? No check," I looked sadly at Dallas whose eyes were already shining with tears. Dallas pulled me into a hug and squeezed me tightly. She sobbed, "Don't forget me okay? I love you so much Jay," I would miss her calling my Jay even though my name was Jamie. Jay sort of stuck. I gave her a tight squeeze and buried my head in her shoulder as I whispered, "Thank you for being my only friend Dal. I'm going to miss you too." I pulled back and plastered a smile on my face as I wiped my eyes. Inside I was breaking. Dallas Bailey had really been my only friend in Fairhaven because she wasn't fake or mean like the other girls I'd slowly distanced myself from. She understood me and she actually cared about me which made me feel visible. "Hasn't John come to say goodbye?" She asked wiping her tears off her face. John was my ex-boyfriend and another relationship of mine that ended badly. I don't want to go into it other than I hate him.

I shrugged, "It doesn't matter. I don't care. Besides the only person I needed to say goodbye to was you." With that she pulled me into an even tighter embrace and we stood there for about ten seconds. We both pulled back as she sniffled, "After everything you've been through…" She shook her head, "Take care of yourself Jamie okay."

I promised, "I will and I'll come see you soon. At least once. I'll write too. We won't lose touch. I won't allow it."

"Neither will I," She slightly smiled. I started to get into my car and closed the door. For a moment, I looked back at the house I'd lived in for three years and felt very privileged that I was finally leaving hell's very own home. A lot of bad memories cropped up which I swiftly pushed to back of my mind but they, unfortunately, will always remain. I started the car and looked hopefully at Dallas as I waved her goodbye. I drove off down the street and sighed with relief. "Let's go," I whispered to myself as I turned the corner. Dallas was the only person I would miss but otherwise goodbye Fairhaven and good riddance!

The journey was long but it was sort of therapy for me in a way. I was in my black Mercury Comet which was my baby. My pride and joy and my only source of escape for when times got rough. When something bad occurred I would jump into my car and drive the pain away. Nothing felt better. The wind was gently whipping through my hair as the sound of music and peace filled my ears. Paradise. The roads were mainly quiet along the way. From what I'd read, Castle Rock, the town I was moving to, was a small town with a small population of 1,284 people which was exactly what I needed right now. Just peace.

I stopped at a sign that read 'Castle Rock' and stared at it. I was wondering how my life was going to change as soon as I crossed the sign and drove into my new environment. The reason I'm moving here is because I have no family left. My grandma Jane lives here and offered to take me in which I was very grateful for otherwise I'd end up in one of those dreaded orphan inches eating gruel and sleeping on thin mattresses. I took a deep breath and continued to drive into Castle Rock. As I drove through the streets, people who were mindlessly strolling through the streets were awoken by my presence. Maybe this town didn't get many visitors. I awkwardly met with some of their gazes and then started to drive faster to find Fenway View- the street my grandmother lives on. Eventually I did and drove slowly down Fenway to find house number 7. Right on the end of the road stood a white two storey house with a small staircase that led to an upstairs deck that went all the way around the house and by the door was swinging chair that I could see myself relaxing on watching the world go by reading a good old book. The door was painted white with a silver sign that was gleaming in the sunlight that read 7. The lawn was mowed with small daisies peering out of the ground. Joined to the house was as small garage with a drive way that led up to it. I gazed up at the house completely satisfied with it. I think I might like it here. But then again, anywhere was better then Fairhaven. Anywhere. I got out of my car and walked up the five stairs and little path to the front the door. I knocked it five times rapidly. I could hear footsteps and a cheerful sound on the inside. The door was threw open as my grandma gleefully welcomed me with a hug, "Oh Jamie honey I've missed you so much! Let me have look at you," she pushed me back gently with her hands on my shoulders, gave me a once over and cheerfully hugged me again, "You've grown into a beautiful young women." I hugged her and finally got a word in, "It's good to see you to grandma. In fact it's great." I squeezed her. I already felt at home. We both pulled back, "Come on let's get your bags in." She started down the stairs and started to lift one of my two suitcases out of the car. "No grandma I'll take them please you take my bag." The bag was light only carrying a few toiletries, money and a notebook. She asked, "Okay dear will you be alright taking those suitcases in?"

"Yes grandma there not that heavy," I lifted them and slammed them to the ground gripping my knees and breathing heavily.

Grandma asked, "You okay dear?"

I put a thumb up with a fake smile, "Fine. Fine." Then when grandma went in I breathed heavily. Eventually I carried them in one at a time. After that my grandma opened her empty garage and I parked my car in there for safety. I wouldn't let anything happen to my baby.

Grandma wondered around her kitchen cabinets asking "Are you hungry honey?"

"No grandma I stopped for food along the way about an hour ago so I'm fine thank you," I smiled but I was really starving. I didn't stop for food because I wasn't hungry but now I would even eat mud. Grandma ignored me and said with a serious face "Oh dear I'm making you something. An hour was a very long time ago and besides you need to fatten up." I laughed gently and went over to hug her, "Thank you for taking me in." I pulled back.

She stroked my cheek, "My little trooper. After everything that has happened you still manage to smile. Just like your mother," She started to drift off as a tear escaped her eye. She wiped it away with her finger and then said "Go freshen up. Your room is the right at the end of the hall dear."

"Thanks grandma," I wiped the tear that escaped my eye and walked up the staircase to my room. I walked to end of the hall and turned the corner and came to the door. I opened it. My eyes lit up when I saw another door leading to the balcony. I went towards it immediately and threw the door open and the view is beautiful. Even better! The mountains were very very very far off in the distance on the other side of Oregon overlooking the whole of Oregon. The tree in all their beauty that towered the small town were rich and full with green leaves. I could see little kids playing in the streets just before the small bit of open grassland that lay behind grandma's house. It was good to see freedom. I close the doors and start to wonder about my new room. The bed was against the wall opposite the balcony door and was covered in fresh new sheets. Right next to the bed was a dark mahogany set of draws with a lamp placed on top. Oh how I need to sleep. The walls were decorated with cream wallpaper and a mirror attached to a dresser opposite the bed against the wall. Next to the balcony doors was a dark mahogany wardrobe. All of this seemed really new. Like the room had just been decorated which I would be speaking to grandmother about. I didn't want her spending loads of money on me but I was grateful. I was grateful for the fresh start that she gave me. I plopped myself down on the bed and sighed happily, "Welcome to Castle Rock Jamie."