Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost Boys or any of the characters. I only own my OC.

A/N: PLEASE READ BELOW.

This is my third and hopefully last time revamping this story. Last time I got major writer's block again and for the life of me could not continue writing Cheryl's story. It made me really sad and I debated just deleting the story for good. However, lately I've been getting a lot of motivation to continue her journey because I re-watched The Lost Boys over again, and I finally figured out a proper story line. It's not exactly the same as before, since I have taken time to really edit and change the story. The story takes places a little bit before the main events of the film though. I will be hopefully adding my OC to the main story line when the time comes.

Also, after some debating I found a new face-claim for Cheryl Rivers and it's the actress Madchen Amick during her young adult years. She fits the updated description perfectly. If you guys have any questions just ask me in a review or visit my Tumblr. Anyways...happy readings...again.

Summary: Cheryl Rivers' life hasn't been going so well. After the passing of her parents and younger brother she goes to live with estranged great aunt in Santa Carla. She's expecting the worst moving there but sees a silver lining when meeting the mysterious Star. Maybe things are finally looking up for her...or maybe not. Marko/OC.

"I may have not gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." ― Douglas Adams

Chapter 1: Welcome to Santa Carla

I wish I could go back in time.

Cheryl Rivers miserably thought to herself. The sixteen year old was currently inside a taxi. The inside of the vehicle appeared to be more damaged and worn out than the outside. The smell wasn't that great either. The brunette suspected that was all the taxi driver's doing but she didn't say anything because she didn't want to anger him. She could tell he was a grump.

The way he threw her bags in the trunk clued her in on how he had a short temper. She'd been trying her best to keep her mouth shut since entering the taxi, along with stomaching the gross taxi smell. Cheryl was really surprised by how the taxi was still running. Since picking her up from the airport the taxi had been letting out strange noises. Cheryl had to keep reminding herself that everything was fine, and that the ride would soon come to an end. She was nearing her Great Aunt Josephine's house.

"Be there in a few." The taxi driver told her. His voice was rough and did not sound friendly at all.

Cheryl merely nodded her head.

It made Cheryl feel relief to hear that she was reaching her Great Aunt Josephine's house. Despite the relief she also felt nervousness. Her stomach was churning because she hadn't seen her great aunt for quite some time now. Try about five years.

They'd done the civil thing like talking over the phone during the holidays, and Cheryl even received birthday cards from her. But the last time Cheryl remembered seeing her great aunt was when she was eleven years old, and that had only been a short visit. At the time, Cheryl didn't think much about it, but now she was curious as to why her great aunt even visited. It wasn't like she didn't want her to visit, but she was just thoroughly puzzled as to why she graced them with her presence. Now things were different because she was now going to live with her Great Aunt Josephine due to unfortunate circumstances.

Those unfortunate circumstances being that Cheryl's parents, and her ten year old brother Alex, had passed away from a car accident. A car accident that altered Cheryl's life.

That's why she wanted to go back in time. She wanted to stop her parents and her little brother from going out to the grocery store on that rainy night. She wanted to convince them to stay home with her and finish the lame comedy movie she had been watching on TV. If she had done that they would still be there with her.

But life wasn't like that. There was no reverse button. Her parents and little brother were gone, and now she was going to live with her estranged great aunt in Santa Carla. A place she had never been to before.

Her life sucked.

Cheryl's gaze was stuck on the beach now that they were nearing. Briefly she thought about the amount of sunscreen she would need to put on now when going out in order for her skin to not burn. She didn't have to worry about her sensitive fair skin when living in Seattle. But she wasn't in Seattle anymore.

Her blue eyes shifted to the welcome sign the taxi was now passing. There in bright letters it read: WELCOME TO SANTA CARLA!

There was nothing interesting about the sign until she saw what was written behind it. Her blue eyes widened with what she saw next.

MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

That was definitely different and alarming. Murder capital of the world? Was that true? If so, why in the world did her great aunt live here?!

So many questions were running through her head that she was startled when the taxi took a sudden sharp turn. The urge to make a comment to the driver about how careless he was being almost took over but she quickly pushed it away. Cheryl took a deep breath before she looked outside the window again. The sixteen year old began to notice how different Santa Carla was from Seattle, along with its residents.

I am not in Seattle anymore.

Growing up in Seattle made Cheryl aware of the different people around her. But the people in Santa Carla were in a whole over level. Almost strange looking. Or perhaps unique would be a better word. A lot of the people she saw appeared to be homeless. That wasn't anything new for Cheryl, since she saw a bit of that in Seattle.

What she wasn't used to, and what made her stomach drop, was the bulletin board she briefly saw near the boardwalk they passed. She already knew that the boardwalk must be the most popular hangout in Santa Carla. It had a bunch of rides and businesses there. But it was also where she saw the bulletin board that had all the missing people posters. It made her wary of going near there.

Cheryl managed to forget about her wariness for the time being as she passed by other small shops. Most of them were clothing, jewelry, and tattoo shops. By the looks of it the people here in Santa Carla were very into fashion. In their own way.

When it came to Cheryl her everyday outfits were considered simple. Even her shoe choice was simple since she preferred wearing sneakers. And her flannel of course. A style she had picked up from her father. She had a variety of cozy jackets but she doubted she was going to wear them as much as she used to. She was in California now.

All these shops had her thinking. She was no fashion expert but she found herself thinking about going into one of those clothing shops. Maybe she'd find something interesting worth buying.

The taxi took another turn and Cheryl was grateful it wasn't as careless as the other one had been. They had turned into a sandy road. The road only led one way and further down Cheryl saw a greenhouse. From inside the taxi Cheryl could already tell the house, even with its distance, had a great view of the beach.

The taxi came to a stop once reaching her destination. The taxi driver immediately got out and Cheryl did the same. Although she was a bit more hesitant in doing so. Even though she was glad she no longer had to be in that smelly taxi, she was nervous about meeting her great aunt. Sighing, Cheryl made her way towards the trunk where the taxi driver was taking out her stuff.

The man put the last bag on the ground and without saying a word stuck his hand out. Cheryl, already understanding, paid him. He gave her a short nod before returning to the taxi and then driving off.

So long Mr. Taxi driver.

Cheryl's blue eyes looked at the green house in front of her. It was two stories, and although old looking, it was in no way run down. She thought the porch swing was nice. The whole house had a certain charm to it.

The brunette closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Finding the courage she needed, Cheryl proceeded with the next step. With her bags in hand, Cheryl walked to the front door and knocked on the door before she could chicken out. She didn't have to wait long for the door to open.

As it turned out, five years of not seeing her great aunt didn't affect Cheryl's memory of her. She instantly recognized the older woman from the last time she'd seen her. Josephine looked the same as before. Well, not exactly the same. She looked older but in a gracious way, one could say. She was about the same height as Cheryl, standing at 5'6.

Josephine had shoulder length light brown hair with a few grey hairs. She was wearing a yellow dress with a white apron over it. The apron had paint splatters and dirt stains. It was an unusual combination that had Cheryl questioning what her great aunt had been doing prior to answering the door. Yes, her overall outfit was weird, but she oozed kindness. Her smile and her soft hazel eyes showed that. Her appearance made her feel less nervous.

"Hey, Great Aunt Josephine." Cheryl greeted awkwardly.

Josephine reacted in a positive way that almost had Cheryl jumping in place. "Oh! Cheryl! Look at you!" She proclaimed with a smile as she brought her into a hug. Cheryl dropped her bags, not at all expecting that. Her reaction came a bit slower. She eventually found herself returning the hug. "You're here! How you've changed!"

It'd been years since she last saw her. Of course she looked different. Cheryl though kept that comment to herself. Her great aunt didn't need her dealing with her teenage angst attitude. Not when she had graciously taken her in.

When the hug ended, Josephine stood back and really looked Cheryl over. Her hazel eyes softened in a melancholic way. "You look just like Julia. Such a beautiful young lady you're turning into."

That was true. The part about looking like Julia...her mother.

Cheryl inherited her mother's brunette hair and blue eyes. Blue eyes, that according to some people, even looked to be green. A lot of people in the past had complimented her on her features, and although the teen had thanked them she never could quite see herself as beautiful. Her mother had been beautiful, but she? Not really. Her mother's hair had been more curly, and her own hair was straight. Cheryl thought she didn't have the wow factor that her mother had. As for the color of her eyes...well, that was the only thing she liked about her features.

What her great aunt said had Cheryl's emotions acting up. She kept her voice from shaking. "Thanks, Great Aunt Josephine."

Josephine sensed her mistake and went in for the apology. "Do forgive me, child. I...I know that's a sensitive topic." Her voice was soft, caring. "The whole passing away thing, and the after effects with loved ones has never been something I've been good at. Maybe that's why I never married!" She tried to joke there at the end, as if to make things light again.

The whole first part she said was strangely something Cheryl did know about her Great Aunt Josephine. Even before her parents and little brother died she had known about her great aunt's strange reaction to death thanks to her father Calvin. Apparently from what her father had told her, Josephine didn't like going to funerals. She'd never gone to any of her friends that had passed away. As for the whole marriage thing...well, her father had never been shy to say how much of a basket case her great aunt was.

Julia thought differently. But Cheryl supposed that was her mother trying to defend a family member. Even one she didn't have a close relationship with.

So it hadn't been a huge surprise when Josephine didn't attend her family's funeral. Which actually didn't hurt Cheryl. That had to do with the fact that they weren't close to begin with...but they were still family. Taking the teen under her care was Josephine's own way of making things up. Not only with her, but also with her parents.

"Also, sorry for how I look right now." Josephine continued on saying. She threw her arms out and then did a half spin. She now faced her with a smile again. "I knew you were coming in today, but I guess I lost track of time. The flowers will do that to you."

Say what? Cheryl furrowed her eyebrows, bemused. "The flowers?" She asked, puzzled.

Josephine's face lit up. "Yes! I was taking care of my garden. I get into it and then I lose track of time. Silly me, I never learn."

Cheryl needed a few seconds to comprehend what she said.

So she likes flowers? Big deal...that's not weird.

"Right." Cheryl replied, trying her hardest to sound unfazed.

Josephine's hazel eyes widened in realization. "Heavens, I'm sorry. You're still outside. Please, come in."

Cheryl, although bemused by her great aunt, entered the house. Once inside her eyes widened. "Wow." The teen commented as she took everything in. She set her bags to the side as she walked further into the house. Her Great Aunt Josephine was sure into art and flowers. There were all sorts of paintings hanging on the walls, some brighter than the others. There were flower vases everywhere filled with different kinds of flowers. It appeared that roses and sunflowers were her great aunt's favorite.

Now it wasn't like the whole decor wasn't nice, it was just a lot to take in.

The record player she had in the living room though was pretty cool. She wondered what kind of music her great aunt loved listening to.

Josephine took the way she was quietly eyeing everything as a good sign. She smiled brightly. "I know right. Don't the flowers make the whole place a lot warmer? Inviting? As I always say, a home isn't a home without a few art pieces and flowers."

A few?

Cheryl blinked a few times before she was able to speak.

"Uh, yeah, totally."

She didn't sound one hundred percent convincing, but lucky her great aunt either didn't notice or care.

"Why don't you go upstairs and settle in." Josephine suggested with a light tone. "Your room is the last one down the hall on the right side."

Cheryl thought she was going to give her a speech about how things were supposed to be around here and the house rules. She supposed that would come later. She grabbed her bags and started walking to the stairs.

"Oh, sweetie!" Josephine suddenly called out. Cheryl turned to look at her with a confused expression. "Do take off your shoes when going up and down the stairs. Don't want to have an accident on your first day now, do you?"

"Uh, no?" Cheryl answered her.

Josephine nodded her head. "Good, then take off your shoes. Stairs can be quite the enemy."

Stairs can be quite the enemy? Is she for real?

Apparently she wasn't kidding around because her great aunt was actually waiting for her to take off her shoes. With a sigh, Cheryl took off her shoes and held them in one of her hands.

Happy, Josephine smiled. "Great! Now go ahead and unpack. I'll be in the backyard. Some of the flowers still need some love and care." She made her way to where the backyard was behind a screen door.

A lot of things were going through Cheryl's mind. The main thought being about how odd her great aunt was. From what she remembered her great aunt had always been an oddball before but this reunion took the cake.

Perhaps her father had been right...maybe she was a real basket case. Cheryl immediately shook her head. That was rude, and her great aunt deserved to be treated with respect after everything she was doing for her. She didn't have to take her in but she had. That alone proved how selfless Josephine was.

As Cheryl walked up the stairs, she couldn't help but think of what other odd things she would encounter now that she was in a new and unfamiliar place.