Before I jump into it, I’m going to start something new. It will be called Short Story Saturday. Each short story will be like a chapter or two of a novel, and they will flow together to create one novel length story. I hope you enjoy them. Feedback is greatly appreciated. For now, enjoy chapter one: The Beginning.
“Adam, let’s go! We’re going to be late.” Sixteen year old Adam Ness grabbed his backpack and exited his bedroom. His family had just moved to a new town and he was not looking forward to being the new kid. “Adam!” Grabbing his wallet off the kitchen table, he rushed out of the door, locking it behind him before climbing into the passenger seat of his mother’s Mercedes Benz. She pulled out of the driveway and they were off. Adam stared out the window, not wanting to talk. His mom had other ideas. “So, are you excited for your first day of school?”
“Meh.” Adam felt his mom smack the back of his head.
“You’re old enough to use your words. Stop sulking. You hated the last school anyway. Why not be excited to have a fresh start?” Adam rubbed the back of his head, turning to his mom.
“I hate being the new kid all the time. Why do we have to move so much?” Now it was his mother’s turn to go quiet, something flickering in her blue eyes. She looked like she was about to say something, but changed the subject.
“I’m really worried about this new job. How do I look?” Adam sighed. He should have known. It was like this every time they moved. He asked why and his parents changed the subject.
“You look fine mom. I don’t see why you’re nervous. You’ve been a waitress in the last five towns and you always get the most tips. You have the best customer service and I’m sure you’ll do great at this diner as well.” She smiled.
“Thank you. I wonder how your father is getting on at the garage. Maybe you should join him sometime, let him teach you about cars.” Adam shook his head. Cars were not his thing. He was more interested in computer games, much to his parents disapproval. Well, unless he started asking questions about why they moved so much. Then they encouraged him to get lost in a computer game. He couldn’t quite place it, but he knew that something had to be up. Why else would his parents keep it a secret? When he was younger he would imagine that his parents were secret agents who saved the world. As he got older he grew out of that fantasy, and began thinking that his parents were actually criminals.
*
They pulled up to the school and Adam got out without saying a word to his mom. Pulling headphones out of his backpack, he connected them to his phone and put on some music, drowning out his mom wishing him a good day and telling him she loved him. Keeping his head down, he walked towards the school, trying to avoid all the curious stares. He wasn’t sure if there was any way he could ever avoid them. He walked to the office to get his schedule, expecting to be told where to go for his first class and then be left alone. Apparently this school was different. After getting his class schedule, he turned and almost ran over another student. He tried not to laugh at the boy in front of him. Adam was six feet tall and this guy couldn’t have been more than five six. His stripped t-shirt was tucked into his pants, which were pulled up so high Adam wondered if the kid had just been given a wedgie. His brown, curly hair sat like a mop on his head and his brown eyes were behind large rimmed glasses. When he smiled, his teeth were covered with braces. The boy screamed nerd.
“Hello, I’m Miles and I will be your guide for your first day of school. I’ll make sure you get to all your classes and answer any questions you may have. Let’s begin the tour.” He turned and started to walk away, leaving Adam staring after him, dumbfounded. He turned back to look at the secretary, who merely smiled as she pretended to stare at something important on her screen. “Adam, are you coming?” Sighing, Adam followed him. He could almost feel a target being placed on his back. He wasn’t worried about bullies, he always handled himself well. He just didn’t want to have to be this guy’s bodyguard and have Miles mistake him as a friend. It was going to be a long day.
*
Adam looked at his watch, frowning. School had ended nearly an hour ago and his mom still hadn’t come to pick him up. That never happened. Was she asked to work overtime? Pulling his phone out of his pocket for the tenth time, he was met with the same result. No missed messages or calls. He had tried to call her and text, but no luck. Selecting a playlist on his phone, he shoved it back into his jeans pocket, put on his headphones, grabbed his backpack and headed down the street. He guessed the diner would be closer than his house and headed in that direction. As expected, the first day had been a disaster. Bullies had revealed themselves quite quickly and tried to make him a target. Miles had scurried away, leaving him alone. Adam had tried to ignore the bullies, but as soon as the first one pushed him, his fist seemed to have a mind of his own. The principal wasn’t happy about having to explain to a hysterical mother how her son’s nose got broken. The bullies avoided him after that. So did Miles. Other kids looked at him with admiration, respect, fear, and curiosity. One girl had looked at him with lust in her green eyes. Adam was sure to avoid her the rest of the day. He wasn’t interested in getting involved with anyone. After all, he could be moving in a month for all he knew.
*
Adam frowned, his blue eyes not sure what to make of what was in front of him. What kind of diner closed at four in the afternoon during the week? He pulled out his phone and was about to dial his mom’s number when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. Spinning around, he found himself facing a girl from school. He had noticed her in his math class. She was pretty with brown eyes and long brown hair, a slender frame, and she gave him the impression that she was confident in herself. She didn’t wear makeup, which was what Adam noticed the most. She was pretty and didn’t need to paint her face to try. He pulled off his headphones.
“Hey.” She looked at him, confusion on her face.
“Hey? Really? What are you doing here? You didn’t seem to be a drug kid earlier.” Seeing Adam’s confused look, she pointed to the diner. “This place is a popular drug hangout. The sheriff gave up on trying to kick them out.” Adam looked back at the diner, then turned back to the girl. He couldn’t remember her name.
“Is there another diner in town?” She shook her head.
“No, just the bar at the end of town. Why?” Adam ran a hand through his short, sandy blond hair. This couldn’t be right.
“Are you sure?” She nodded, looking at him like he was crazy. “What the heck is going on?” He dialed his mom’s number, getting her voicemail again. “Mom, where are you? Call me.”
“What’s the matter?”
“My mom said she got a job at the diner.”
