Chapter 1: Sera

    The world was utterly drowned out as Sera made her way home. The muffled sounds of the cars as they drove by and the barely audible chatting of people passing by only slightly made it through her headphones, where her music was blasting in her ears. She only had a few more blocks until she reached her childhood home, which consisted of the 'American Dream' of the white picket fence and an oh-so-loving family. The Jameson family was well known for their generosity and kindness outside the baby-blue home, but inside, it was like a messed-up fairy tale movie. Her mother and father were well-known in the community and had a knack for always being the 'perfect couple.'

    Sera scoffed if only they knew how they were on the inside. Cold and calculating, but that was only for their eldest adoptive stepchild. Sera turned on the corner of the street and made her way down the newly paved sidewalk where she could see her house in the distance. She twisted her wrist to look at the time to make sure she wasn't getting home too early from her run. The little display screen said 5:22 pm, but she noticed a little red dot on top of the screen. Curious, she flipped her phone out of her back pocket and clicked the power button. The screen on the phone had been shattered by her stepsister Marie, throwing it across the room in a tantrum that Sera wouldn't buy her alcohol for the party she was having about a week ago.

    She flipped on the screen, typed in her code the best she could, and swiped down to her messages. When she saw her friend Scott text her, she was slightly jolted. He's been the only person in her life who didn't blame her for being born, and he's also the only person who ever bothered to wish her a happy birthday.

    "Hey Baby, Happy birthday! Can't wait to celebrate later tonight with you! Remember 8 pm sharp." She smiled down at her phone and wrote a quick reply.

     "Thank you! And don't worry, I remembered to be there at 8. See you then, and love you." Smiling, she slid her phone back into her pocket and jogged home. The piano music played in her headphones sounded brighter than before.

    She made it down to her house and pushed open the white gate. She gently shut it behind her and clicked the lock in place. As she turned, she took in the home one last time. The freshly coated blue paint and the white shutters with perfectly carved square bushes sat next to the stairs leading up to the porch and screened-in front door.

    After tonight, she hoped she would never have to step foot in this place again. After tonight, she would move in with Scott and finally know what it is to be loved and cared for in a home.

    She allowed a little smile and made her way to the front door. She carefully pulled the door open and stepped inside as quietly as possible. All she had to do was make her way up to her room, and she would be able to get ready to leave for tonight.

    She heard a movement in the kitchen as she shut the front door and quickly made her way to the stairs right next to her. She made it all three steps before she heard someone clear their throats behind her.

    "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Sera grimaced, turned around, and smiled at her mother.    Clearly, she had just gotten home from work; her red heels and white dress said as much. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and this godawful red lipstick smeared across her mouth.

    "I'm just headed to my room to shower quickly, Mother." Sera clinched the stairwell rail and watched her mother's face frown.

    "Why haven't you done your chores yet? You haven't cleaned today; you didn't prepare dinner. Did I raise such a lazy slob?" It was Sera's turn to frown. The house had been cleaned, and as for dinner, Friday was the one day they all went out to eat.

    Sera took a deep breath and made sure to speak softly. "But mother, I have cleaned, and Friday night is the only night I am not required to make dinner because it's the family's relaxation night." Her mother scoffed and shuffled forward, her heels clacking on the floor until she reached Sera, shoving her manicured nail in her face so fast that Sera almost toppled over from backing up quickly.

    "Lose the tone, you little brat. Did it ever occur to you to ask if we were eating out tonight, or were you too preoccupied with your little life to even do such an essential thing?" Sera stayed silent; she was used to this, and speaking up worsened it in the long run. "I put a roof over your head. I took you in when nobody wanted you, and this is how you treat your family; it's so selfish."

    "I'm sorry; I'll start making dinner right now." Sera conceded. As she began to step down the stairs, her mother scoffed in her face.

    "There's no point now. It's already too late for that. I made a reservation for tonight. Don't let me see your face until tomorrow, young lady." She paused, "Better yet, I think it's about time you found another place to sleep tonight. I don't feel like dealing with you right now."

    Sera nodded numbly and walked up to her room. Thankfully, she didn't pass anyone else on the way there. She made it inside and clicked the lock on the door behind her. She smiled to herself. Her mother didn't know that after today, she would never have to see Sera again if everything went according to plan.

Hello Everyone! I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter of the new book. I appreciate that you took the time out of your day to read a humble author's work. Let me know if anything is grammatically incorrect or if you have any comments. I can't wait to continue this journey; even if nobody ever reads it, I am willing to take myself on a journey! Thank you again, and I hope to hear from you!

~E.C.