Each day the sun rises up over the horizon and starts a new day for us all. For some of us it is a day we will never remember, and for others it is a day we will never forget. It is not something we can plan ahead of time; we have no choice but to let the day unfold and see where it takes us.
I read this on the plane to Quillayute, agreeing with each and every word. I was a 16 year old girl with long, wild chestnut hair that fell over my shoulders, despite the clips on either side of my head. My hair framed my heart-shaped face accenting my deep blue eyes, or so I was told. I flicked my hair quickly behind my shoulder, clutching the book on my lap. "My name is Lor Jeriner, daughter of Joanna Hayworth and Bryce Jeriner." I was already rehearsing what I'd say when I got to Quillayute High School. Having divorced parents who resided in Florida and Quillayute meant I had to spend time in both places. It was from one extreme to the other. My mother was an overprotective busybody with too much to do, and my father was a police chief with too much time on his hands. In a town as small and boring as Quillayute, there wasn't too much need for police. My dad wasn't a super busy guy. I ran my decision through my head again: finish high school here to make my dad proud, and immediately after return to Florida and go to college there. I never wanted to have to choose where to spend the big parts of my life to make sure both my parents were happy, but now I had to. The only problem with this decision was the 2 years I'd be spending here. Everyone in Quillayute was very close and all the families knew each other, except for me. I would always be the odd one out, because I knew no one except for my dad. So, I would always be referred to as Chief Jeriner's daughter and there was nothing I could do about that. At least it was only 2 years. As the plane landed I dreaded what would be waiting for me outside. My dad would be there with flowers and god knows what else looking as excited as if he was being flown a diamond from Florida; not an awkward-looking girl with uncontrollable hair. I reached for my bag and slung it over my shoulder, standing up and crossing the seats to reach the aisle. My shoulder bag was all I carried as I strode toward the exit. Once out of the plane I nearly flinched at the sight of my dad, with brightly coloured flowers in one hand and a wrapped box in the other; just as I had suspected. He received look after look from the passing people wearing his uniform. They were obviously wondering why a police chief would be in an airport with such fluorescent gifts in his arms. I sighed and began making my way through the crowd. Once I had reached him, I realized he was not alone. Next to him was a girl around my age I presumed; only paler, much paler, and with a glow about her that was unavoidable. Her eyes were the palest shade of brown I had even seen, with skin as white as the clouds I had seen so frequently back in Florida. Her red hair ended shortly below her chin with a straight flare on the end. As I hugged my dad, I realized why she stood out so much. Her appearance was perfect. The perfect figure, the perfect face, the perfect hair, everything. When she spoke I realized that it wasn't just her looks that were perfect. Her voice was gentle and airy, almost silky; and her words flowed together like a stream.
"Hello, my name is Lily Krainer. I'll be attending Quillayute High School with you. My father is a friend of your father's." She smiled as she spoke.
"Uh, hi, I'm Lor." I said.
My introduction was nothing like hers. Mine sounded not only awkward after hers, but dreary and low for a girl. I could sense my dad scowling and I knew he would soon become annoyed with me. I hated being called Laurie, which is my full name, so I introduce myself as Lor, a name my dad hates.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you. I've heard so much from your father,"
Again she smiled. I blushed violently. Heaven knows what my dad had said.
"Shall we go? We'll have to take the cruiser though," My dad interrupted, abruptly changing the subject. "I have your new car waiting at home for you."
I nodded; smiling as best I could, attempting to hide my fear. I knew that Quillayute was a small, older town and that my car would fit in with the others. But I'd also seen my car and it was tired, old, and lacked all panache. Maybe a fresh coat of paint or something could fix it up. As Lily, my dad and I walked to the car, Lily struck up a conversation with me and I soon acknowledged what great friends we could become. Aside from the fact she was perfect, and I was far from perfect as humanly possible, we were incredibly alike. On the way to the cruiser, I decided that the next 2 years here might not be as horrid as I thought. But I was still positive they would be bad in some way. Maybe not socially, but I was certain that somehow something horrible would happen to me.