Fresh Start

  New York City, the city that never sleeps. Where everyone is always rushing to their destinations, and no one seems to stop and breathe. For everyone, life was chaotic and busy, but not for Christopher Melbourne. His life was different, just because he was different. 

   At his seventeen years of life, he had already gone through a lot. His father had passed away from cancer when he was just eight years old, his mother had divorced from his stepfather, and not to mention he was bullied and harassed at school, every single year.

   Christopher suffered from albinism, a genetic condition where the body cannot make a normal amount of melanin, causing his skin to be pale. His icy blue eyes almost disappeared under his white lashes and his pale hair made him the laughingstock within his classmates. At school they would call him many names. Milky boy, snow white and even the ice queen just to name a few. 

   He would spend his days alone inside his house, looking out the window, wishing for a better life. Christopher was about to graduate high school, but he wouldn’t finish it in the city. His mother, Grace, was transferred from her job as a surgeon to be a clinic doctor at a small town in Montana.

   It was a downgrade, but she was excited about trying a different atmosphere. They both needed it, especially him. Grace was packing the last of their belongings and they were ready for their new adventure.

   “What else do you need help with, mom?” he asked, picking up the last box from his room. The movers had all the furniture and their big boxes loaded in the moving truck. They were just waiting for them.

   “That’s all, sweetheart. We are good to go,” she replied, locking the door of their small two bedroom apartment for the last time. 

   It was an exciting experience, but a long ride. A thirty two hour ride by car plus whatever time would take them to stop for food and lodging. 

   Closing the trunk after putting the last box in, they were ready for their trip. 

   “So, they will have a house ready for us, and the school already has your information so you can start as soon as we get settled in. I saw pictures of our home and the town, and I am sure you will love it,” Grace mentioned as she took his hand in reassurance, noticing how quiet her son was. 

   “Mom, it could be the prettiest town in the country, but it won’t change. I am sure there are not many people with my condition there and it will all start over again,” Christopher replied, not looking at her, but at the rain falling outside of the window. 

   For him, bullying had always been a part of his life, and he was used to it but he would have to just ignore it if it happened again. Grace looked back at the road, and decided not to mention another word about their new home for the rest of the trip. 

   After eight hours of driving, there was still silence in the car. Only the music on the radio was playing, letting the noise fill in the air. Christopher loved to listen to rock and Grace put it on for him to enjoy. 

   They found a service plaza and made their stop to eat and use the restrooms. It was a long drive, but Grace wanted to drive as much as she could, to be able to make it to Montana in less time. 

   They arrived at a diner next to the gas station they stopped at, and when they walked in, everyone couldn’t stop staring at them. Grace figured those customers were regulars and were not used to seeing new people. Christopher was just thinking they have never seen anyone that looked like him.

   The waitress told them to sit down wherever they wanted, and she would stop by to take their order.

   “So, what do you want to eat?” she asked as they scanned the menu. Everything looked really good for Grace.

   “Nothing, mom. I am not really hungry,” he replied, playing with the ketchup bottle as he looked outside the glass window. 

   A heavy set lady approached them to take their food and drink orders, quickly giving the slip to the chef, who instantly made it for them. They both waited for their food while they sipped in their lemonades. 

   She was worried about him as he still wouldn’t say a word about their new life.

   It took them longer to arrive in Montana. Too many stops had delayed their trip, but they were finally there. Everything was new for them, and Christopher was already dreading going to school.

   “It is a beautiful town,” Grace said as they drove by. People were looking at their car, knowing they were new in town. Chris had scooted down in his seat, hiding his face from passersby. He was already feeling uncomfortable and wished he was back home in New York. 

~~~~~~

   “Palmer, breakfast is ready!” Daisy was calling her daughter for the fifth time. It was already seven thirty in the morning and Palmer was already late for the school bus. 

   “I’m coming, mom!” She yelled from her bedroom upstairs. She was trying to choose her outfit for the day, but she was still undecided.

   Palmer was not your typical small town girl. No cute dresses and no cowboy boots for her. She loved to be casual, and her style included ripped jeans, tank tops and leather or jean jackets. Depending on her mood, she would wear a baseball cap, but today she felt like wearing her hair down with a headband. 

   She was a beautiful girl, with a rounded face, full lips and freckled cheeks. Her brown hair would shine in the morning sun and her turquoise eyes had the boys at her school swooning over her. Typical boys. Something she hated. 

   She walked down the stairs loudly enough for the house to echo her footsteps.

   “Easy, you giant,” James joked when she walked into the kitchen.

   “Ha ha, very funny dad,” she said as she took an apple from the glass bowl in the middle of the wooden dining table and took a bite off it.

   “You’re not eating breakfast?” Daisy asked as Palmer started to head out of the kitchen, “and why are you wearing those clothes? Didn’t I buy you a cute summer dress?”

   “Mom, I love you and I am grateful, but you know I don’t like to wear those dresses. Too girly for me,” she replied, kissing her cheek and running to catch the school bus on time.

   “She will be the death of me,” Daisy muttered, but her husband heard it.

   “She reminds me of a certain beautiful girl I met in high school. Just as extroverted as her,” he replied while Daisy laughed, knowing it was true. Her daughter was no different than her.

   Palmer got on the bus just in time and sat next to Faith, her best friend. A girl with caramel skin and big hazel eyes. Her curly black hair would bounce at every movement, making her look like a cute, porcelain doll.

   “Good morning, sleeping beauty,” she said, knowing Palmer had slept in more than normal and choosing an outfit was always like going to battle for her; long and painful.

   “Morning!” She greeted with enthusiasm, “what’s new?”

   “Well, I just heard there will be a new student coming to our school this Monday. He comes from New York,” Faith said with an excited smile on her face.

   “What is up with New Yorkers wanting to move to this part of the country? I thought they loved their precious, polluted city,” Palmer said as she put the earphones on her cell phone and gave one to Faith to listen too.”

   “Maybe they want to escape the chaos of the city.”

   “I highly doubt that, they’re way too proud of it, they won’t want to live anywhere else,” Palmer scoffed. She always thought that people from New York were selfish and self centered. She had never liked them.

   “Well, I heard it’s just him and his mom. His dad passed away when he was a kid, and I heard he has been bullied his whole life, not sure why. Maybe they’re a nice family, if we can get to know them,” Faith mentioned. 

   “You sure know the town gossip, don’t you, my lovely friend?” Palmer said, pinching her cheeks as Faith slapped her hand away, making them both laugh. 

   They got off the bus, and had not even arrived at the school entrance when Gunner, the high school track star approached them. He was the typical jock, blonde hair with a surfer cut, blue eyes that had Faith drooling for him, and taller than most boys in school.

   “How are two of the most beautiful ladies in school?” he said while he put his arm around Faith’s shoulder. She looked at Palmer while biting her bottom lip. 

   Palmer smiled at how cute they looked together. If only he had the courage to ask her out. She knew Gunner liked Faith, but was too shy to invite her on a date.

   “We are fine, Gunner. Thank you,” Palmer replied.

   “Did you hear about the new guy coming soon?” He asked, and Faith looked at Palmer with a smirk. Seems like everyone knew about this kid except her. She shrugged her shoulder, not really paying attention to the conversation. 

    “I will catch up with you two later. Have to do something before class starts,” she said, not waiting for another word from them when she took off. 

   She was now wondering who could that kid be? She knew how small towns worked. Everyone was loving the gossip when new things happened. Her curiosity was now getting the best of her, and she couldn’t wait to see what the fuss was all about.