"Make a wish, take a chance, make a change, and break away"
Elaina Carter's mother had whispered to her each night as she tucked her in.
"Do what it takes, 'till you touch the sky"
Her father had told her these words each morning
This was all before the devastating fire that struck, causing Elaina to move to Michigan to love with her grandparents. Elaina had never called them that though.
Even in her young seven year old mind, Elaina knew that a grandparent was someone that loved you un-conditionally. Someone that you could go to when all- else fails. Someone that told you silly stories about your parents at a young age, or what things were like "back in the days". Elaina knew that these people, Joan and Robert, weren't anything like that.
Elaina knew that Joan and Robert were cruel and brittle people. Who came home late night to eat the food that she has freshly prepared, to their liking. Quickly followed by them trudging on to the back porch to smoke and complain about their factory jobs.
Over the years though, Elaina has adjusted. Now sixteen years old, she was used to the routine.
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"Elaina! Get out here!" Joan yelled, even across the house, Elaina cringed. Entering the living room, Elaina noticed Joan holding out the home phone to her. As she approached Joan, the over powering aroma of cigarette smoke filled Elaina's nose.
"Who is it?" Elaina asked "You think I know?" Joan snapped. Elaina's fingers lightly grasped the phone and Joan stomped out the back door.
"Hello?" Elaina questioned, bringing the phone to her ear. "Elaina?" a woman asked "Yes" Elaina slowly replied. "You don't know who this is, do you?" the woman asked "No I don't" Elaina shook her head, even though she knew the woman couldn't see her.
There was a quick pause and the woman took a deep breath. "Elaina, my name is Kimberly Knight. I'm your aunt." the woman spoke softly and seemed to hold her breath after finishing her sentence. "Excuse me?" Elaina squinted "Sweetheart I know you probably don't remember me. You do remember when you lived in Minnesota though, right?" she asked.
Truth is, Elaina barely remembered living in Minnesota.
She remembered small bits and pieces. Warm words from her mother, encouraging words from her father, her father teaching her to ride her bike, and her mother gently singing as she taught her to cook.
"I remember living there, yes" Elaina replied "Wonderful!" the woman exclaimed.
A knock rang out through the silent house. "Excuse me for a minute, someone's at the door" Elaina began to put the one down when Kimberly stopped her "Wait! I know who's at the door. It's your legal manager. Regarding your living arrangement. When he leaves, please call me". Elaina pondered the thought for a minute and brought the phone back to her ear "Okay".
The phone clicked off and Elaina walked to the door where sure enough was Eddie Brant, her legal manager.
"Eddie! Hi!" Elaina smiled. Eddie returned a small grin, meaning that he was here on simply buisiness, not a check up on the teen's conditions. "What's going on?" Elaina asked. Eddie called Joan and Robert in from the porch in to the living room where he sat across from them and Elaina remained standing.
"I'm here to discuss the future where- abouts of Elaina." Eddie began "What about her?" Robert spat. "I've recently come in to contact with Elaina's aunt Kimberly, who currently lives in California and wishes to have custody of Elaina." Eddie explained.
Joan and Robert's eyes widened in exitement as they shared quick glances as Elaina stared with wide eyes at Eddie hoping that he would continue.
"What do you think about that?" Eddie asked Joan and Robert "That's a wonderful idea!" Robert exclaimed, jumping from his seat. Joan quickly nodded and a look of shock came across Eddie's face.
"Really?" Eddie asked "Of course!" Robert nodded, next Eddie turned to Elaina. "What do you think Elaina?" he asked, she thought for a quick minute and nodded "Sounds good".
Eddie began to pull stacks of paper out of his briefcase and sliding them across the table to Joan and Robert. After three tall stacks, Eddie brought his attention towards Elaina. "Elaina, you only need to sign twice on those papers. In the meantime, why don't you start to pack your suitcases. I assume it'll take a while to pack everything from your room considering you will be permanently living with your aunt. I'll be here at 4 a.m tomorrow to pick you up. Your flight leaves at 5 thirty." Eddie explained, she nodded and quickly ran to her room.
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After four hours, all of Elaina's belongings were packed in to two suitcases, one duffel bag, one back pack, and a small box for a snowglobe given to her from her parents only a month before the fire.
Before leaving Eddie had made sure to have Elaina sign her name, giving consent to live with her aunt, and assure her he would return the following morning.
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Elaina rolled over in her small bed as her phone began to vibrate. Looking up at the clock, her eyes widened in exitement. 3:32 a.m. "I'm leaving" she breathed out.
Being as quiet as possible, not wanting to wake Robert and Joan across the hall, Elaina crept out of bed and to her bathroom. Elaina brushed her teeth and straightened her ash blonde hair.
The night before, Elaina had laid out her clothes. A pair of faded skinny jeans, a white long sleeved shirt, cherry red Vans, a black beanie, and black and red gell bracelets.
Elaina smiled at herself in the mirror and brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eye. She checked the clock one more time. 3:56. "Yes!" Elaina whispered as she grabbed her two suitcases and slung her back pack over her shoulder.
Once having all of her belongings on the porch, Elaina sat down on a suitcase and began to wait for Eddie.
As promised, Eddie pulled in to the driveway at exactly four a.m. "Eddie!" Elaina smiled "Are you ready?" Eddie asked, Elaina eagerly smiled and nodded her head. "You already say goodbye to your grandparents?" Eddie asked "No" Elaina mumbled "Elaina." Eddie looked down at the small girl and she shrugged. Rolling his eyes, Eddie helped Elaina place her things in the trunk of the car.
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After a silent car ride and a warm smile from Eddie, Elaina boarded her plane and was off for the adventure of a lifetime.