Back Where It Started
Season 1 - Chapter 1: Back Where It Started
The town of Bellamy Falls hadn't changed.
Same little coffee shop on the corner. Same grocery store with the faded blue little sign. Same streets that somehow made everything feel smaller than I remembered.
She stared out the passenger-side window as her mother drove through town.
"You're awfully quiet", her mother said.
"I'm just looking."
"At what?"
"Everything"
Her mother glanced at her before returning her attention to the road.
Kim wasn't going to explain that she was looking for one particular person.
Someone she hasn't seen in two years.
Someone she had promised herself she would never think about again.
Jace Carter.
"Your room is exactly how you left it," her mother said." I even kept those ridiculous fairy lights"
Kim laughed quietly.
"Those were cute."
"They were hanging halfway off the ceiling."
For the first time that afternoon, Kim smiled.
But the smile disappeared when her phone buzzed.
BRIELLE
GIRLLLL, Don't tell me you're actually back.
Kim rolled her eyes.
KIM: "unfortunately, yes.
BRIELLE: UNFORTUNATELY?? Girl, I'm coming over. We have TWO YEARS to catch up on.
KIM: You haven't changed.
BRIELLE: Neither have you. See you soon.
Kim put her phone down
At least one thing about coming home didn't feel so complicated.
Or so she thought.
By seven that evening, Kim had unpacked half her clothes and decided she needed fresh air.
She threw on a pair of jeans, a white top and grabbed her keys.
"Where are you going?" her mother called from downstairs.
"Getting something to drink!"
"Don't stay out too late!"
"I won't"
The little gas station near downtown was still open, just like it had been every night when she was growing up.
Kim walked inside, grabbed a drink from the refrigerator, and headed towards the counter.
"That'll be three dollars."
She reached into her purse.
"Didn't think you'd come back."
Kim froze.
She knew that voice.
Slowly, she turned around.
Jace.
He was standing near the entrance, wearing a black hoodie with his hands in his pocket.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
He looked older. Different.
But those eyes were exactly the same.
Kim swallowed.
"Didn't think you'd notice."
Jace gave a small laugh.
"Trust me. I noticed."
She looked away and paid for her drink.
"How have you been?"
"Good."
"Just good?"
"What do you want me to say, Jace?"
He looked down for a second.
"Nothing, Just asking."
Kim shook her head.
"Well, you asked, I'm good."
She walked towards the door.
"Kim."
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"I didn't know you were coming back."
"Well, now you do."
And with that, she left.
What she didn't see was Jace pulling out his phone after she disappeared into the parking lot.
UNKNOWN: Is she back?
Jace stared at the message.
Then he typed:
JACE: Yeah. She's back.
A second message appeared.
UNKNOWN: Then we have a problem.
Jace locked his phone.
For the first time in two years, he realized that Kim coming home might bring everything back.
And some things were never supposed to come out
END OF CHAPTER 1
