Chapter 1
1
Annabelle
My entire life has been a lie. I have always been confident in who I am, but over the last few months it has all fallen apart. Nothing I thought I knew is true, and I feel completely lost.
As it turns out, the parents I have known growing up, aren’t actually my parents. They are criminals who have ruined my life. I really want to hate them, but at the same time - they still felt like my parents, and I love them. But I don’t want anything to do with the two of them.
I try shaking it all off as I pack the last suitcase in my car, ready to leave and start over somewhere new. I sigh, closing the trunk and getting in the drivers seat. I take a quick look at myself in the mirror, noticing how puffy and red my eyes still look. I’ve been crying so much over the past few weeks, and it really shows. I look worn out.
Luckily, I have a couple of weeks left of summer before my new job begins, so I have plenty of time to get settled in my new home, exploring a new city, and getting acquainted.
I’m a teacher in elementary school, and can work pretty much anywhere. So when I found a job opening in Monterey, I jumped on it.
I’ve also found the cutest little house with an ocean view that I’m renting, fully furnished, so I needn’t bring anything. Which is why I sold everything I own, except my clothes and a few keepsakes. I want to start over, as much as possible, and never remember the horror show that has been my life for the past month!
I start the engine, put on my sunglasses and drive off, heading for my new home.
Monterey is only about five hours away from Los Angeles, so the drive wouldn’t be too hard. I blast happy tunes, singing along loudly, trying to imagine what life is going to be like now. I’ve always loved the coast, so moving to a small costal town like this feels perfect for me. Getting away from the hustle and bustle in LA, I plan on living a quiet life.
I’ll work - lucky for me I absolutely love my job - and maybe make a couple of friends, but I’ll mostly keep to myself. I’m not ready to be a part of something big, or make too many friends, so staying home with a cup of tea and a good book feels like a better option. But I do look forward to meeting everyone at the new school when break is over.
I’m singing along to Flowers by Miley Cyrus, when I’m broken out of my funk, by my car starting to ping, letting me know I’m running low on gas. I look at the GPS for the closest gas station and find one only a few minutes out.
I pull into the station, parking next to one of the pumps, and when I get out of the car, I take a big stretch, feeling the effects of the three hours I’ve been sitting still.
After I’ve filled the car, I walk into the small station, grabbing a bottle of water and a sandwich, sitting outside in the sun while I eat my small meal.
I lean my head back, feeling the warm sun gently caress my skin. I’m a California girl through and through, loving the warm weather and never ending sunny days. Just another good reason to get away from LA and the smog.
Apparently, I wasn’t born there, but I can’t remember living anywhere else. I can’t really remember anything, other than the people who raised me, and what they told me of my life as a small child. There weren’t any pictures of me before the age of six, and when I had asked them about it, they told me everything was lost in a fire at our first home. Liars.
Feeling myself getting angry again, I threw away my garbage and got back in my car, slamming the door a little too hard.
‘Keep it together, Annabelle,’ I try telling myself, hoping it will help calm me down a notch. Taking a deep breath, I start the car again, and take off.
Unable to fake being in a good mood anymore and listen to happy music, I succumb to my emotions and switch over to heavy metal. I don’t look like the type to enjoy this kind of music, with my big blue doe-eyes and long sandy blonde hair, but metal makes me feel alive, in a different way than any other music does.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Miley Cyrus, J-Lo and other pop icons, but give me Dragonforce, Nightwish or Rammstein, and I’ll just relax and enjoy myself.
Todays pick is Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray. It just fits my mood, with its dark moody melodies and different styles.
I start the album, immediately feeling myself relax into my seat. I crank up the volume and smile lazily at how much better it’s making me feel already.
The rest of the trip feels fine, and I’m in a much better mood when I drive over the famous Bixby bridge, heading in to Monterey. I look around me as I enter the city, and I am in awe of the beautiful houses, and the spectacular views. It feels like a dream being here, and I can’t wait to see my house.
I follow the GPS, and arrive at the house I’ve rented a little after five. I gasp when I see it, as the pictures did not to it justice.
It’s the cutest little costal one story house, painted in a cosy shade of white, with large muntin-windows and a grey front door, making a small contrast from all the white. The roof is dark, but had become visibly worn from the wind and salty sea, giving the house all the more charm.
There is a small garden surrounding the house, with flowerbeds filled with white hydrangeas all around. It is truly idyllic, and I am so excited this is my new home.
“Hi, you must me Miss Ayers,” a sweet, older lady greets me when I exit my car. She is short and round, with dark gray hair pulled back in a bun. Over her dress, she wears a green polkadot apron, which she is currently wiping her hands on.
“Hello, I’m Annabelle, yes. It’s nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand. She grabs it and shakes my hand warmly. Her hands are rough, like she’s spend most of her life working outside, but I feel like it gives her charm - just like the weather-worn house.
“I’m Liz,” she smiles up at me. I stand pretty tall, at five foot eight, but this woman can’t be more than five feet, and she looks so tiny. “Welcome to Monterey! I hope you’ll be happy here,” she beams, patting my hand.
“Thank you,” I say, looking up at the house, and down on her again. “I think I will be.”
“Well, as I told you in the e-mail, the house is fully furnished with everything you need, from furniture to towels and kitchenware, so just make yourself at home! You’ll be working over at the elementary school, right?”
“Yes, I’ll be teaching the new first grade class from this fall,” I smile, feeling excited about my job. I hope the kids will feel at ease with me, with me being new as well. Maybe they can relate.
“Such an important job! And I bet you’re good at it, too,” she winks at me. “Well, I better get back to my husband — Harold can hardly function without me!” She laughs happily. “I’m just down the road if you need anything,” she says, handing me the keys and pointing down the road, to a small dark wood house, almost completely hidden by a grove of trees.
“Thank you,” I smile again, and she waddles away, leaving me to get settled. I unload my suitcases from the car, still amazed that I managed to fit everything in my tiny Golf, and start dragging my two biggest suitcases to the door. I find it unlocked, and walk right in, putting my stuff down before going back for the rest.
Once everything is inside, I slip of my shoes and walk around, taking it all in. The house is light and airy, with vaulted ceilings, and plenty of windows. The kitchen and living space is open and connected perfectly, with a stone fireplace on one side, and the kitchen and dining table on the other.
Everything looks so costal, but also a little rustic, like most of the pieces in this house has been around for a while. I drag my fingers over the white marble countertops on the kitchen island, and sigh in contentment. This feels like home.
I tour the entire house, from the cosy, but classy bathroom, to the spacious and airy bedroom, with a gorgeous view of the ocean. There’s also a small guest room, with a built in window seat and bookshelves surrounding it, and a bed crammed into the corner. I might enjoy sitting here and read, I think to myself, smiling as I walk back out to the kitchen.
I open the French doors and step out on the patio. It’s so much better than anywhere I have ever lived before, and I love it. I sit down in one of the patio chairs and just soak it all up. I love it here already, and I almost shriek in excitement when I notice the cute hammock hanging between the trees. That is definitely going to be my favorite reading spot!
I get up and shuffle around the house for a while, getting to know where everything is, before I hear my stomach rumbling and know it’s time to find a store and get some groceries.
Getting back in my car, even though I don’t really feel like driving any more today, I used the GPS to navigate to the closest store, which was fifteen minutes away by car. I like that my new house is pretty remote, but it would be nice not having to drive everywhere. Oh well, I’ll give up walking distance for peace and quiet any day!
When I get to the store, the sun is setting, and lots of people are shuffling in and out, getting supplies for tonights dinner. I take a cart, grabbing everything, seeing as I have no food at the house.
As I’m standing in front of the bread isle, trying to pick a loaf, someone clears their throat, and I turn to look at who’s responsible for the noise.
Before me stands a sweet looking young man, with pale red hair, slightly tan skin and freckles all over.
“Hi. You’re Annabelle Ayers, right?” I’m stunned that someone already knows who I am, and struggle to find my words, so I just nod, feeling my heartbeat quicken.
“Sorry to disturb you while you’re shopping. I’m Reed Matthews, I work at the elementary school,” he smiles sheepishly and extends his hand. I take it, and manage to force myself back into reality.
“Pleasure to meet you,” I say, still trying to figure out how the hell he knows my name. The question must be apparent on my face, because he laughs, and explains himself.
“I’m sorry, I heard we were getting a new teacher named Annabelle Ayers, so I googled you,” he says, blushing profusely.
“Oh, I see,” I smile, feeling a little lighter now that I knew he isn’t some creepy stalker, just a curious colleague.
“I won’t keep you, but when I saw you, I just wanted to come over and say hi, and welcome to Monterey!” He smiles and I thank him, and he walks away, leaving me alone to figure out what kind of bread to buy.
