Chapter 1 is up! Enjoy :)

Camden, Maine

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Angel collapsed on her couch as soon as she got in the door. Turned out to be a more busy day then she originally thought. Today, she was at the local Elementary School. She went to classrooms to provide environmental education facts to the kids. At first, she was sure if they would be all that interested. Considering a lot of kids nowadays rather have their noses buried in their I-Pad than show interests in the great outdoors that is nature.

Man was Angel surprised when she was pummeled with one question after another from the students. Questions she was all the more happy to answer. Turns out, kids today are still just as fascinated by wild life as she was as a kid. Working for the Fish & Game Department certainly had its quirks. Sometimes you never know what to expect when you come into work the next day. Either way, it was always something Angel found fascinating.

It wasn't just the kids either. Even the teachers had their own list of questions for Angel and her Colleague, Tim. They also enjoyed the short films on the smart board that were shown by them. By the end, they encouraged kids to help them keep the environment clean. It also promoted the schools participation in the next beach cleanup.

Both students and teachers alike were going out the following weekend to Laite Memorial Beach with garbage bags to collect whatever garbage was lying around the area. Something they were all looking forward to doing. Kids love doing things that many adults would do. This example is a valuable lesson in responsibility for them. It also teaches them how important the ecosystems are to both the wild life and people.

In the end, it was gratifying for Angel. Because she feels like she was able to reach out to a lot of people on the subject. Both her parents were scientists, biologists to be exact. Ever since she was a kid, Angel's parents always told her and her twin brother, Jack how important the world is along with everything in it. They laid down what was important and why. Her brother understood how important it was. But he wasn't full on into it like his sister.

The young woman didn't get to relax much longer. She felt the couch dip and then her face was assaulted by slobbery kisses from her 112lb Rottweiler, Finn. The big and heavy dog thought himself a lap dog. Who would always try and sit on his owner's lap. Of course, Angel would have to shove the huge dog off each time. Which was not easy. Unlike her large canine, Angel was very petite and was around the same weight, if not a little less than Finn. She started laughing and tried to shove him away.

"Yeah, I know. I miss you too. But your not a tiny puppy anymore, Silly. So you can't squeeze your big furry butt on my lap anymore. At least, not without nearly crushing me. Now get up, and I'll feed you." She told the overexcited pup.

At the mention of being fed, the large dog's ears perked up. He hopped down from the couch and made a B-Line to the kitchen where his food and water bowl sat. Angel smiled while shaking her head. Then she got up to feed the big, dopey mutt. She will miss him a lot when she goes away in a few days. But Angel knows her twin brother will take good care of him. She's dropping Finn off at her brother's house first thing that morning before she leaves for her trip. Angel is looking forward to the girl's trip she is doing with her friends.

Angel, along with three of her friends; Paige, Riley, and Jessie are going for a camping trip at Camden Hills Community Campgrounds. It's a four day trip with loads of fun things to do. She's even more excited because it's been a long while before she took time off from her busy work schedule. It also was perfect timing. She needed the distraction from everything currently going on in her life. One situation in particular she didn't want to waste time thinking about anymore. She caught her boyfriend of three years cheating on her.

As Angel prepared her dinner, her phone rang. At first she froze, thinking it was her Ex, Steve trying to contact her. After she caught him in the act with another woman. One she in fact knew quite well. Because she worked with said woman. He started bombarded her with phone calls and texts. But then, Angel remembered it couldn't be him. Because she blocked the asshole's number a while back.

When she picked up her iphone, she smiled. The caller I.D. that popped up said, 'Jack'. Knowing him, he was probably going to ask her for the one hundredth time how she was fairing. Even though Jack was technically younger than Angel by two and a half minutes. He tended to act like a protective older brother. Always has since they were little kids. As twins they looked out for each other, even now as a adults.

"Hey, blockhead what's up?" She teased. Angel hears a very audible sigh on the other end.

"Nice to hear from you too, Sis." Jack replies.

"It's either your calling to inquire how I'm fairing yet again. Or you want more details on pertaining to Finn's stay at your place." Angel stated. She hears him chuckling.

"Yes...to both. I know you initially said you were dropping him off on Saturday morning, around 8a.m. But how about you drop him off on Friday after work instead? Because knowing you, you probably have quite a few last minute things to do and pack before you go. Plus, let's not forget that Finn will just try and jump into your duffel bag while your packing. Like he did last year when you went away for one weekend in March. It was pretty hilarious when you had to dump over your entire duffel just to get him out. Then you had to pick up everything that fell out with him." Jack said with laughter in his voice.

Angel couldn't help but laugh at the memory. Finn didn't want to get left behind and wanted so badly to go with her. But unfortunately, the place she went to last year didn't allow dogs. So her big fur baby turned what was suppose to be a short task of last minute packing into a rather long one. Approximately thirty five minutes, and this is when she tried just about everything to coax the stubborn pooch out. She sighs and gives it more thought before answering.

"Yeah, I can work with that. I'm sure he will be thrilled to see you and Jamie. Plus, I'll be able to pack up everything in under a half hour this time. And won't have to worry about using up another lint roller on my clothes. Considering he got a lot of his fur on my clothes last time during my failed attempt at packing and getting ready." She told him.

Jamie is Angel's sister in-law. Her brother Jack just recently married her earlier that Summer. Angel found her to be a very sweet and well rounded woman. And it was clear, she loved Angel's brother with all her heart. She even had Angel for her maid of honor, which Angel felt really moved to be apart of her only sibling's wedding. Jamie's two brothers were a hoot too. Very funny and quite the party animals. Together, they were a couple of world class comedians.

"Ok, cool. You bringing him over or you want me to pick him up?" Jack asked.

"I can bring him over. I should be out of work no later than 3:30p.m. I'll load him up with his things as soon as I get in and bring him over. That work for you?" She asked, while taking her left over chicken out of the microwave.

"No problem. Perks of being a teacher. I'll be home and ready by then. You need help with last minute stuff? Jamie said she could help you out if you need it." He asked.

Angel smiled. "Nah, I'm good. It was nice of her to offer though."

There was a brief pause for a few moments. Before Jack spoke up again.

"I know you don't want me to ask. And I don't mean to act like Mom and nag you with the same questions over and over. But as your ever devoted twin. I must ask. You sure your alright, Angel?" Concern was laced in his voice.

She sighs as she finishes up with her salad.

"Yes, this is what now? One hundred and four times you asked? I'm fine, really. It happened, I cried, threw all of his shit in the garbage disposal, gorged myself on chocolate, cried more, and still possibly looking to get a voodoo doll of the jack ass...just kidding on the last part of that statement. But really, Jack. I'll be fine, I'm going away to spend some quality time with some of my oldest friends. There will be bonfires, s'mores, and wine. Of course, they don't have to be in that particular order. I may start with the wine first." Angel joked.

Her brother laughs at the last part. That was his Sis. Always joking, even when she wasn't in the best of moods.

"Just don't get drunk while near a bonfire. You don't want to spend the last part of your trip in the hospital. I'm glad Paige arranged this trip. You really needed it." Jack told her.

They chatted for a few more minutes before they said their goodbyes. Once Angel hung up, she let out a deep, audible sigh while rubbing the sides of her temples. Her long brown locks swung in her face, before smoothing them back. Then Angel turned her blue/gray eyes to Finn. Who was sitting beside her at the table. Probably hoping to get whatever food was left over on her plate.

"Forget it, you piggy. You ate all your food. Plus, I don't want to risk you choking on any chicken bones. And your not getting the corn either. Because last time you got ahold of some of my corn, you threw it all back up onto the carpet. Which was very fun to scrub out, might I add." Angel told her wayward Rottie.

Finn tilted his big head slightly and gave her the sad puppy eyes. But Angel wouldn't fall for that again. She leaned over slightly and pat his large head.

"I know it's been nearly a month and half since that whole ordeal with Steve went down. But, I still wish everyone would stop asking if I'm alright. Because whenever they do ask, it just reminds me each time of what happened when I'm just trying to get over it and leave it behind.

He did break my heart. But there is nothing I can do about that. I just need to remind myself every now and then, that it's not the end of the world. That there are other dating possibilities in the future. For now, I think it's best to concentrate on work and enjoy the upcoming trip." She stated.

Finn looked at her and whimpered. Angel chuckled at this.

"Yeah, I didn't forget you Finn. You've helped me out during these trying times too." Angel admitted.

The young woman shifted her gaze from her dog to the window. She watched the steady waves roll into the harbor.

"But I also want more than this too. It's just, what I want...I'm not quite sure of yet." She said, more to herself.

That's it for Chapter 1. Hope everyone enjoyed it. This chapter was more of an insight to my main OC's character development. So everyone has some idea on what Angel is like and what has gone on in her own life leading up to current events. What she's unaware of is that her wish of wanting more is going to come in full swing very soon. Something very life changing that involves familiar faces. Until Next Time ;)