CHAPTER 1: FRESH START

New York City, the city that never sleeps. Where everyone is always rushing to

their destination, and no one seems to stop and breathe. For them, life was chaotic and

busy, but not for Christopher Melbourne. His life was different because he was unique.

At seventeen years old, he had already gone through so much. His father had

passed away from cancer when he was just seven years old, and his mother had

divorced from his stepfather, not to mention they were bullying and harassing him at

school every year.

Christopher suffered from Albinism, a genetic condition where the body cannot

make an average amount of melanin, causing his skin to be pale. His icy blue eyes

almost disappeared under his white lashes, and his very light blond hair made him the

laughingstock with his classmates. They would call him many names—Milky boy, Snow

White, and even the Ice Queen, to name a few.

He would spend his days alone inside his house, looking out the window, wishing

for a better life. Christopher was close to graduate high school, but he wouldn’t finish it

in the city because of his mother’s job transfer as a surgeon to be a clinic doctor at a

small town in Montana.

It was a small downgrade, and she was excited about trying a different

atmosphere. They both needed it, especially Christopher.

Grace packed the last of their belongings; they were ready for their new

adventure.

“What else do you need help with, Mom?” He asked, picking up the last box from

his room.

The movers had all the furniture and big boxes loaded in the moving truck. They

were just waiting for them.

“That’s all, sweetheart. We’re good to go,” she replied, locking the door of their

small two-bedroom apartment for the last time.

It was an exciting experience—a thirty-two-hour ride by car plus the time it would

take them to stop for food and lodging. Closing the trunk after putting the last box in,

they were ready for their trip.

“So, they will have a house ready for us, and the school already has your

information so you can start as soon as we get settled. I saw pictures of our home and

the town, and I’m sure you’ll love it,” Grace mentioned as she took his hand in

reassurance, noticing how quiet her son was. She shook him gently to get his attention.

“Mom, it could be the prettiest town in the country, but it won’t change anything.

I’m sure there aren’t many people with my condition there, and it’ll all start over again,”

Christopher replied, not looking at her but at the rain falling outside the window.

For him, bullying had always been a part of his life. He was used to them doing it,

but he’d have to ignore it if it ever happened again. Grace looked back at the road and

decided not to mention another word about their new home for the rest of the trip.

After eight hours of driving, there was still silence between them in the car. It was

surprisingly comfortable. The music on the radio was the only thing playing, letting the

noise fill in the air. Christopher loved to listen to rock, and Grace put it on for him to

enjoy.

They found a service station and made their stop to eat and use the restrooms. It

was a long drive, but Grace wanted to get as many miles as possible to make it to

Montana in less time.

Grace parked her Jeep, and they both headed to the diner next to the gas

station. When they walked in, she figured they were regular customers as they watched

her son, their eyes wide open while the room suddenly went quiet. The waitress greeted

them with a big smile and invited them to sit down wherever they wanted before she

would stop by to take their order.

“So, what do you want to eat?” Grace asked while they scanned the menu.

Everything looked good to her.

“Nothing, Mom. I’m not hungry,” Christopher replied, playing with the ketchup

bottle as he looked outside the glass window.

A heavyset lady approached them to take their orders, giving their ticket to the

chef right after, who quickly made it for them. They both waited for their food while

sipping on their lemonades. Grace worried about him. He still wouldn’t say a word about

their new life.

It took them longer than expected to arrive in Montana. Too many stops had

delayed the trip, but they were finally there. Everything was new to them, and

Christopher was already dreading going to school.

“It’s a beautiful town,” Grace said as they drove through. She noticed the

townsfolk were staring at them, thinking they were new in town or just passing through

as they have never seen them in their quaint little town. Chris scooted down in his seat,

hiding his face from passersby. He was already feeling uncomfortable and wished he

was back home in New York.

~~~~~~

“Palmer, breakfast is ready!” Daisy said, calling her daughter for the fifth time. It

was already seven-thirty, and Palmer was late for the school bus.

“I’m coming, Mom!” She yelled from her bedroom upstairs. She tried to choose

her outfit for the day, but she was still undecided.

Palmer was not your typical small-town girl. No cute dresses and cowboy boots

for her. She loved to be casual. Her style included ripped jeans, tank tops, leather or

jean jackets. Depending on her mood, she’d wear a baseball cap. Today she felt like

wearing her hair down with a headband.

She was a beautiful girl, with a rounded face, full lips, and freckled cheeks. She

had brown hair that shone in the morning sun. Her turquoise eyes had the boys at her

school swooning. So typical of them. It was something she hated.

Walking down the stairs, loud enough for the house to echo her footsteps, she

made her way into the kitchen.

“Easy, you giant,” James joked, making Daisy chuckle.

“Haha. Very funny, Dad,” Palmer said, taking an apple from the glass bowl in the

middle of the wooden dining table, sinking her teeth in the red, juicy fruit.

“You’re not eating breakfast?” Daisy asked as Palmer rushed out of the kitchen,

“and why are you wearing those clothes? Didn’t I buy you a cute summer dress?”

“Mom, I love you, and I’m grateful, but you know I don’t like to wear dresses.

They’re too girly for me,” she replied, kissing her mother’s cheek before she rushed out

to catch the school bus.

“She’ll be the death of me,” Daisy muttered. Her husband heard her words with a

smile.

“She reminds me of a certain beautiful girl I met in high school. Just as

extroverted as her, too,” he replied while Daisy laughed, knowing it was true. Her

daughter did not differ from her.

Palmer got on the bus just in time. She was sitting next to Faith, her best friend.

A girl with caramel skin and big hazel-brown eyes. Her curly black hair would bounce at

every movement, making her look like a cute, porcelain doll.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” she said with a grin.

Knowing Palmer had slept in more than usual and choosing an outfit was always

like going to battle for her, long and painful.

“Morning,” she greeted with enthusiasm, “What’s new?”

“Well, I just heard about a new student coming to our school Monday. He’s from

New York,” Faith said with an excited smile on her face.

“What’s up with New Yorkers wanting to move to this part of the country? I

thought they loved their precious, polluted city,” Palmer sighed as she put the

earphones on her cell phone and gave one to Faith to listen to as well.

“Maybe they want to escape the chaos.”

“I highly doubt that. They’re way too proud of it. They won’t want to live anywhere

else,” Palmer scoffed. She always thought people from New York were selfish and self?centered. She’d never liked them.

“Well, I heard it’s just him and his mom. His dad passed away when he was a

kid. I also heard they had bullied him his entire life. Maybe they’re a nice family if we

can get to know them?” Faith mentioned.

“You sure know the town gossip. Don’t you, my lovely friend?” Palmer said,

pinching her cheeks as Faith slapped her hand away, making them both laugh.

They arrived at school and got off the bus. The girls did not make it to the

entrance when Gunner, the high school track star, approached them. He was the

popular jock, blonde hair with a surfer cut, sharp jawline, and blue eyes that had Faith

drooling for him. He was also taller than most boys in school.

“How are two of the most beautiful ladies here?” He greeted them while putting

his arm around Faith’s shoulder. She looked at Palmer, biting her bottom lip nervously.

Palmer smiled at how cute they looked together. If only he dared to ask her out.

She knew Gunner liked Faith but was too shy to invite her out on a date.

“We’re fine, Gunner. Thank you,” Palmer replied as he looked down at Faith with

his dimpled smile.

“Did you hear about the new student?” He asked. Faith looked at Palmer with a

smirk on her glossy lips. It seemed like everyone knew about this kid except her.

Shrugging her shoulder, she wasn’t paying attention to the conversation.

“I will catch up with you two later. I have to do something before class starts,”

Palmer said, not waiting for a reply from them when she took off.

She wondered who that kid could be? Folks in town loved the gossip when new

things happened. Her curiosity got the best of her, and she wanted to see what the fuss

was all about.