SilverOaks

Driving for miles and miles past many rows of trees inviting me to my new home.

I look ahead and see the town's sign. On the sign a full moon, a forest and a cliff welcomes me to the town of SilverOaks in Maine.

I'm starting a new job as a lubrication technican at a paper mill nearby. I drove past it on my way here.

Once I past the sign a feeling of butterflies in my stomach reminds me of my nervousness.

I sigh and listen to the directions being given me to my new home.

I look around and see many beautiful houses and the houses nice and spaced out from each other.

That will be nice. It seems like I'll get to have some privacy.

I hope me being black will give me more. Please who am I kidding.

I turn the next street and I'm being informed that I am near my destination. Three houses ahead I see an old white lady waiting outside a house.

I look at the address and see I am the right house. I slowly stop and switch of the engine.

I sigh heavily. I hope there is no awkwardness. I open my door and get out. Once I'm out and shut my door.

The old lady turns to me and smiles warmly, "Nevaeh Williams?"

I smile and nod, "that's me. Mrs Campbell?"

"Mabel please. Welcome to SilverOaks. How was the drive?"

"It was beautiful seeing the trees and so much greenery." I say.

"Yes it is..."

We continued with small talk. We entered the house I was renting from her and I fell in love with it.

It was small Cape Cod home. It had everything I needed and I was lucky that I could rent it furnished.

Mabel and showed me around and we spoke about admin in regards to the payment of utilities, etc.

She took me on a tour around town to show me the shops and various places for entertainment.

SilverOaks is surrounded by a forest but it's also a coastal town and I know I will love walking on the beach.

We drove past the beach and she pointed to an area that was privately owned and warned that no one was allowed there.

I frowned at that but I'll take heed of the warning.

After being familiarized with the town. We headed back and I started unpacking.

I'm starting my new job in two days time.

I do however need to buy some things I see are missing. I saw a pub as well and I'll go visit soon.

~~~~~

Three weeks later

Nearing the end of my shift. I lubricate the last machine with oil. I close the lid and make way to climb down the steel ladder.

I see my one of my colleagues Kyle watching me. Once I reach the floor he starts climbing up the stairs to check my work.

With a frustrated sigh. I hear him say, "all checks out." I walk away shaking my head. He's my equal not my superior. I don't need him checking my work.

I know my skills will always be questioned, underestimated second-guessed or because I am a woman but this is really getting old.

At my other places of work. After the first week only my supervisor would check my work because I had impressed everyone with how well I did my job but here.

It has been so frustrating. Lucky for me I had my first weekend off and I was planning on enjoying it.

Whenever I go into town I see a pub by the name of Silvermoon. It seems everyone in town meets up there and I think it's about time I meet and greet the townsfolk properly.

People do know of me and I had one of the weirdest experiences when I went into the supermarket the first time.

I was expecting looks of mistrust and suspicion on their faces. At first I thought yes it's cause I'm black.

But contary to popular belief. There were many black folks in Silvermoon.

And to be honest. Certain black folks were looking at me strangely.

There is definately an In-group situation going and they were the majority.

There was a minority of folks that seemed to be friendly enough with me.

However I realised that we were treated like Outsiders.

After cooking some dinner. I left the extras in the pot as I will definately be eating it later.

It's full moon and I decided to take a walk in the woods behind the house.

I'm walking the trail that I've become familiar with. I stop at my favorite tree a huge Oak tree. I sit down and reach for my lighter and the joint I rolled a few minutes ago.

I light and inhale and exhale slowly and repeat.

Not long I start to enjoy relaxing feeling and I just listen to the sounds of nature.

~~~~~

It's Saturday night and looking at the Silvermoon sign and at the parking lot.

There are alot of bikes and cars meaning alot of people. My nerves are working and I reach for a cigarette and inhale when I light it.

I exhale the smoke and look trough the glass door.

No there's too many people.

I turn to leave but then I see my colleague Jared heading my way and smiling.

"Hey Nevaeh I saw you stalling from my car. I hope you weren't thinking of leaving now." He says.

I smile weakly, "actually I am." I scratch my head, "I'm not ready there's too many people and I haven't received a warm welcome so I don't know."

He nods, "I get it but how about we go together. I'll introduce you to some folks and show you a good time."

I bite my lip, "I don't know..."

"No strings attached."

I nod, "okay."

He does however walks closer to me and whispers in my ear.

"You'll notice that there is a big group that keep to themselves. It's actually weird if you ask me but just ignore them and pretend they're not there. That's what they do with us so whatever."

I frown but nod.

We head inside and I welcomed with the smell of beer and cigarette smoke.

Everyone looks up and I can see the divison. THE GROUP were all sitting on the right-hand side of the bar and had the most people there.

We were given a look but they looked away and we went to sit on the left-hand side.

We ordered two beers and once it came a took a huge sip.

What in the modern day segregation shit is going here?

Looking at everyone. No one seems to bat an eye at this shit. It aint even a race thing because there's white and black on both sides.

I take another sip and realise my beer is finished however. The Bartender see's I'm done. He brings another one.

"Thank you..."

"Connor." He says with a beautiful smile.

I turn to Jared to say something but the frontdoor's bell goes off and turn to look.

My heart almost stops at the man who walks in.

He's tall, muscular, dark brown hair and if I'm not mistaken he has blue or is it grey colored eyes.

He's dress in dark blue jeans, a leather jacket and boots. I look at his hands and he had motorcycle gloves on. He must've come on motorbike then.

From where I'm sitting I feel a commanding aura around him. He has two men one each on both sides of him as he enter the bar.

But then the weirdest thing happens and everyone in the IN-GROUP stands up and start clapping for him.

From what I hear people are complementing him. Asking him how was his journey. Some saying they are happy he arrived back safely. He was missed.

Few people surrounded him and asked what he needed. When he was done telling them. One of them went to the bar the other left the pub.

He was taken to his seat and was pampered and waited on.

"What the actual fuck?" I whispered.

But it seemed like he heard me and turned to look at me.

He stilled and justed stared at me. The guy next to him was shaking him. He ignored him. However his eyes turned to a deathly glare.

My heart jumped at that and I looked away.

"Nevaeh! Are you ok?"

I felt a hand on mine and pulled my hand away in fright. I looked at the hand and sighed in relief when I saw it belong to Jared.

I shook my head and blushed, "Sorry I was a bit caught up in... whatever that was."

He nodded in understanding, "yeah that was my first reaction as well. You get used to it."

"Who is he?" I asked him.

"Challen Sandalio. He's one of the town's leaders."

One of the town's leaders. He looks about 32 or so. A bit too young for a town leader.

I needed the bathroom and excused myself.

Once I was done and exited the bathroom. I bumped into something hard.

I felt hands grab my upperarms and a feeling of lightheadness caught me.

"Whoa." I said.

I looked at the white clothed chest infront of me and looked up and stilled when I saw two grey eyes looking at me.

In the deepest voice I've ever heard he said, "Finally! We meet My Mate!"

A/N

Hi everyone this is a new story let me know what are your thoughts so far?