Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own Summerland or anything affiliated with the show. I do, however, own this story line and all original characters. Also, I don't own the song Paper Bag by Anna Nalick.

Spoilers: This story is a future fic, but it's also AU. So, basically, I'm not quite sure yet what from the show has or hasn't happened in this story yet. But, if I had to guess, I would say that everything up to when Bradin started school at Playa Linda has happened. After that, everything is subject to change.

Summary: I'm gonna just let you guys read and discover the plot for yourselves (that basically means that I haven't figured this out entirely myself).

Author's Note: The idea for this story just kinda popped into my head one day so I decided to write it. I know that many of you who are probably reading this story have also been reading my other Summerland stories. For those of you who are fans of "Incomplete," don't worry, the next chapter is underway and should be posted later this week or next week. How often I update this story will depend on two factors. 1. How many reviews I get. If a lot of you are interested in seeing this story continue then by golly I will have more incentive to update. 2. Writer's block. It's a pesky thing that I sadly suffer greatly from. There is no known cure for it, but researchers are working on one as we speak. Now, enough with my rambling. Please enjoy this story.

Paper Bag

She don't run from the sun no more
She boxed her shadow and she won
Said I can see you laugh
Through these bottle caps
And this wire around my neck aint
There for fun

But someday we'll all be old
And I'll be so damn beautiful

Meanwhile I hide my head
Here in this paper bag
Cause if I cant see you
Then you can't see me
And it'll be okay
Fly little bee away
To where theres no more rain
And I can be me

Yeah they talk about her
She smiles like shes so tough
She says
"hey can you talk a little louder,
I don't think my heart is broken enough"

But someday we'll all be old
And I'll be so damn beautiful

Meanwhile I hide my head
Here in this paper bag
Cause if I can't see you
Then you can't see me
And it'll be okay
Fly little bee away
To where theres no more rain
And I can be me

Some days I wait in the indigo
Singing that song on the radio
I blame these puddles on the rain
You know I gotta keep these cheeks dry today
Gotta keep my cheating strategy
And baby I'm gonna have it made.

So I'll hide my head

Here in this paper bag
Cause if I can't see you
Then you can't see me
And it'll be okay
Fly little bee away
To where theres no more rain
And I can be me

Prologue- Beginning of school: 2004

As usual in Playa Linda, California, the sun was shining and the light blue sky was devoid of clouds. It was perfect weather: sunny and clear with only a slight breeze coming off the ocean. But for Edwina Branwell, the day was anything but perfect.

The stares and the whispers were as usual for Edwina as sunny weather was for California. Over the years she'd learned to ignore them, but, sometimes, she still cried herself to sleep at night over some especially cruel comment. Usually, however, the mean-spirited remarks were all the same. After all, she'd been going to school with the same kids since kindergarten. And, since they all had generally low IQs - their brains having been sun-baked to death what with all the sunbathing and surfing they did- it wasn't that surprising. Then again, Edwina always had considered herself brighter than her peers. That, however, was only because she had no one to spend her free hours with and thus spent all her time studying.

But things were different when a new person entered the school. With a new student came new stares, new whispers, and new and original comments. Edwina always feared new students. They forced her to relive the bad things that were better left buried. They made her life hell.

Standing in front of Playa Linda High, Edwina stared at the brick building with a sick feeling of dread growing in her stomach. She gripped the straps of her bookbag tightly, her knuckles turning white with the strength of her grip.

A group of girls walked past her, whispering behind their hands and giggling like hyenas. Edwina looked down at her scuffed shoes as their eyes passed over her, never really seeing her. Their snickering rang in her ears long after they'd gone inside the school.

She hated it. She hated it all: school, people, home, life. Why couldn't it all just end?

Edwina closed her eyes, fighting to keep tears at bay. She couldn't cry now, not when more and more people were coming towards the school. It would be the worst thing that could happen to her to have all these people see her break down. They would only gather more fodder to fuel their insults.

The bell was going to ring soon, but she couldn't seem to find the strength, nor the will power, to move her feet.

Just do it, she mentally chastised herself. Get it over with.

Don't go in there, spoke the small voice inside her head. If you go in there they'll only beat you down.

She paused, her eyes glued to the sidewalk. With a sigh she turned. The voice was right. If she entered the school she would regret it. She would only cause herself more hurt. She took a step away from the building, and that was when she saw him.

With the sun reflecting off his golden blond hair, he looked like a god that just stepped off Mount Olympus. He wasn't like the others, Edwina could see it in his eyes, his beautifulgreen eyes. The way he moved, with such confidence, seemed to glue her eyes to him. She wanted that confidence. He looked around as if searching for someone, and his eyes met hers. Edwina gulped, no one had ever looked her directly in the eyes before. And it scared her that he would do so. He smiled and nodded his head in greeting. Edwina looked behind her, her heart breaking as she realized that he couldn't have been looking at her. No one ever smiled at her. But there wasn't anyone behind her. Her eyes flew back to his, her pulse racing.

Perhaps this year won't be so bad. She thought.

Little did she know how wrong she would be.

>>>>>

Sorry this was so short. But it's a prologue, what did you expect? I promise you that the next chapter will be a great deal longer than this one. You have my word. Now I will stop talking and allow you to press that tiny little purple button that is calling your name. Lol.