Hey everyone! I wanted to let you guys know that this was my old story called Maximum Disaster. It had a lot of potential but I was really young when I wrote it and since then my writing has changed (and hopefully improved). So I deleted the old story and edited it. Now I have reposted it as New Beginnings. I renamed it that for obvious reasons and also because I thought it fit the story quite well. I have edited the story from it's original version. If you have read my old version then please know that the story is still the same. I just changed it to fit my writing style. I honestly think this one is a lot better. I really hope you guys like it!

Disclaimer: These characters belong to James Patterson.

I sang along to the CD I had made specifically for this road trip and tapped my fingers against the steering wheel. My playlist consisted of nothing but my favorite songs because I needed them to get me through the drive and take my mind off of things. I listened to the voices of my favorite artists and bands filling my car and telling me everything was going to be alright.

I followed the country road around a curve and suddenly the bright, midday light was shining in my face making me have to squint to see the road ahead of me. I reached into my middle console to get my sunglasses out. I slipped them on my face and once I had them on and the world was a shade darker I could see my mom's suburban in front of me. She had insisted that we all ride together and I could have my car towed to Virginia but I really needed the time alone in my own car to clear my head. Besides her music was prehistoric. Like the 60's, prehistoric. After my countless protests she finally agreed to let me drive my own car.

Further ahead a gas station came into view and I pulled out my cellphone and dialed my mom's number. I would've been more cautious about driving and using the phone but these back roads were deserted so I figured my recklessness wouldn't be too frowned upon. I turned the music down while it was dialing so Mom wouldn't think I was totally irresponsible.

"Max?"

"Hey Mom, I'm running low on gas. Can we pull into that Shell station up ahead?"

"Sure Sweetie. Your sister has to pee anyways."

"Cool." I ended the call.

I pulled into the gas station behind my mom and drove around to the pump. As I was pumping the gas, I watched amused as the passenger door to my mom's suburban swung open and my younger sister, Ella, ran inside.

"Max, honey!" My mom called from the door. "Do you want anything?"

"Something with lots of caffeine! Oh, and some Twizzlers, please!" I was feeling fatigued from the long drive and desperately needed some sugar in my system. As I waited for them to come back out I sat on the tailgate of my beat up, rusty truck and let my mind wander.

It was like watching a movie in reverse. In my head I saw myself driving backwards along the highway all the way back to our cheap Brooklyn apartment. I saw us walking backwards through the doorway and unpacking the moving van and putting all the furniture back where it went. Where it belonged. I watched us sitting around the small dining room table over plates of spaghetti with shocked expressions on our faces as Jeb, my mom's boyfriend, told us the news. Rewind some more and we're back at the start. When Jeb first bumped into my mom at the grocery store, also bumping into our lives.

I suppose I could have gone further back but I was too tired for it at the moment.

Besides I was pulled out of my reverie by Ella approaching with a coca cola and Twizzlers in hand. She tossed me the goods and announced, "I'm riding with you the rest of the way."

"Says who?"

"Says me. I'm riding with you, unless you want me to die. Death by 60's jams."

"Fair enough," I said after gulping down a sip of cola. I was grateful for the cold drink. The sun was beating down heavy, even though it was already September. "But this is only a pity ride."

We slipped into the car and followed our Mom out of the lot. I rolled down the windows to feel the breeze on my face. "Open the Twizzlers."

"A please would be nice."

"You're in my car, Goober. I don't have to say please."

She stuck her tongue out at me and opened the pack of candy. I went to grab one just as she pulled the pack out of my reach. Next thing I know, we're laughing and wrestling over the Twizzlers, while I was simultaneously trying to drive.

Ella's cellphone dinged and she read a text message. "Mom says to behave." I looked at the car ahead of us and I could see the silhouette of her shaking her finger at us through her back window. Which only made me laugh harder.

"Tell her not to text and drive."

"Oh hey. I like this song."

"Did I say you could touch my radio?"

"Get over it, Max. Your car's a piece of crap. It's a miracle you haven't broken down yet."

"Shh! Don't jinx her!" I scolded Ella. I caressed my dashboard and cooed, "She didn't mean that, baby. I love you and I have faith in you."

"Please pull over. I'd rather endure moms music."

The next hour consisted of harmless bantering and loud, obnoxious, probably very poor singing. I had a very comfortable relationship with my sister. She was only 14 but we got along well. I took care of her. I could probably even be credited for raising her. Things were hard sometimes. We managed.

We rode for a while in a silence that was the opposite of awkward when Ella spoke up. "So, are you ready to move in with our new Dad?"

"Ew, don't call him that. He's just Jeb."

"I take it you're not too enthralled with the idea."

"Are you?

She nibbled on a Twizzler for a moment. "No. But mom seems happy."

I watched the dotted lines on the road flashing by as we drove. Finally I said, "Yeah, I guess you're right. She hasn't been with anybody since Dad. She deserves it. I just hope Jeb's good for her."

"She isn't as uptight as she normally is. She needed to loosen up a little. So I think he's helping."

"Do you like him?"

"I don't really mind him. I mean I'm not like Team Jeb or anything but I'm not quite Anti-Jeb either… What about you?"

"I'm trying not to have an opinion about him. As long as Mom's happy, I'm happy. I don't want to ruin that."

"Yeah, I get what you mean."

"Are you going to miss home?"

We both looked at each other solemnly before bursting out into hysterical laughter.

We laughed it off because it was easier for us. But deep down we knew the truth. Our lives have been crap up to this point. This was a second chance. However, we were the type of sisters who communicate through sarcasm and we were known to make the best out of situations. Meaningful talks weren't really our specialty. Neither of us were good with words. It was easier this way. So we laughed.

The giggles died down and in the silence that followed we were no longer in my cherry ford pickup. We were in a home with cracked foundation, a broken thermostat, baths with cold water, and holes in the wall the sizes of fists. We were kids lying in bunk beds in a Brooklyn apartment, trying to sleep through the shouting in the kitchen. We were kids pretending to be asleep as a man stumbles into our room and tickles us with his stubble as he plants alcohol soaked kisses on our foreheads for the last time.

We were glad to leave.

I sighed, "Yeah, yeah, Jeb's our savior. Whatever. I'm just not sure I'm ready to live with the guy."

Ella's phone rang. Mom relayed some information to her over the phone. Ella hung up and said, "Well ready or not, we're almost there."

I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter! I would really love for some feedback. Let me if you liked it or not in the reviews. Feel free to message me or leave suggestions or opinions. I would really appreciate it! Thanks again. Don't forget to review! Next chapter will be up soon!

-cydthesquid07