CHAPTER 1 The News

A small figure curled up in a queen-sized wooden bed that could be seen inside a dimly lit room where the only source of light was the gentle rays of sunlight reflecting through the tiny space that the thick and vintage curtains hung on the double door window missed covering.

Her fiery mid-waist hair was strewn across the soft pillows—a stark contrast to the grey cotton linens.

She let out a low groan as she slowly awoke from her deep slumber. Her heart was pounding as though she carried the weight of the entire world on her shoulders.

Genova's groggy, sapphire blue eyes took a moment of adjustment to realize she was back in her bedroom. A slight frown graced her smooth and youthful brow as she wondered if the events of the day before were all in her head?!

Could she have merely dreamt of all that happened on her sixteenth birthday?

She shook her head to organize her thoughts, but the pounding in her head was too loud to ignore. Her reasoning and focus were becoming erratic as a result.

She had migraines on a regular basis, but never to this extent. And she was certain it had something to do with last night. Her mind couldn't have made up all of that!

'How did I get home, though?' She was perplexed.

'I think I made it back before I completely blacked out!'

Or perhaps, the dreadful experience on her sixteenth birthday was indeed just her imagination. Otherwise, how else could she explain how she had managed to get out unscathed from a situation that almost ruined her life?

Genova hoped her parents went to bed early because she didn't want them worrying about her any more than they already were.

A sad sigh left her throat as she slowly yet gingerly crawled out of bed. So much for her much-anticipated 16th birthday celebration, which of course, was a complete flop.

Thank God, there wasn't much damage! But why was her memory so disorganized? Why is it that she can't remember anything after she blacked out?

Genova made a mental note to stay away from pubs at all costs. She didn't want the same thing to happen again in the future. For the time being, she will push back all the negativity that her dream/last night's deed had instilled in her and concentrate on the life that lies ahead of her.

Genova was overjoyed because it was Sunday. That being the case, she should try to get a little more sleep because her body was begging for it.

She looked at the time on the nightstand and realized it was still early. The antic golden alarm clock she'd received from her father for her fifteenth birthday and had kept beside her bed since then showed it was only 6:58 a.m.

There was no need for an early rise today because she wasn't required to be at work or school. The advantage of weekends!

With that, she laid down and soon drifted back to sleep.

It was 11:25 am when her eyes fluttered open again.

Her eyes fluttered open again at 11:25 a.m.

And with the burning sensation in her stomach, she knew she needed to eat something quickly before it got worse. She was starving!

Her previous throbbing headache had also subsided significantly, much to her relief. So Genova got up, showered, and went downstairs for brunch.

When Genova entered, her mother Mary was sitting alone on the kitchen couch with a cup of tea in front of her.

"Good morning, honey!" Mary smiled warmly at her daughter.

"Good morning, mom!" Genova smiled back and leaned in to kiss her mother on the cheek. "I hope you got a good night's sleep?" She added as she drew away from the older woman.

Mary chuckled. "My night was well rested, honey. I could say the same about yours; I came to inform you of breakfast earlier but found you deep asleep."

Genova's mind took a quick spin to the night before and she unknowingly pursed her lips. She was still unsure exactly what had happened or if her parents were aware of anything. But looking at her mother right now, the woman appeared relaxed, a reaction which contradicted how it would be should her mom had found out about her unanswered questions.

She was snapped out of her reverie when she heard, "Come, sit while I fix you something to eat." Mary signaled her daughter to come closer by patting the space beside her.

"Hmm." Genova hummed and sat down beside her mom.

Mary drew a new teacup from the tray and poured a pinkish-reddish liquid into it. "Here, have some tea while I prepare you brunch."

"Mom, have I told you how wonderful you are?"

"I'm not sure... but I'm always happy to hear," Mary winked.

Genova chuckled while bringing the cup to her lips and sipped the hot liquid. Her eyes shut close as she hummed in satisfaction.

"I could never get tired of your cooking and tea-making abilities, Mom. No one can beat you in these, I tell you," she commented while grinning from ear to ear.

Mary shook her head and laughed quietly. "You and your father are the most important people in my life. And, as they say, "the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach." And that includes you, my dear!"

Images of her dad's face and how he always made such delightful sounds which always came off annoying to her mom whenever he ate, flashed through Genova's mind. Her head couldn't help but tilt back as she reverberated in a burst of laughter.

Mary's smile broadened. "I know what must be running through that head of yours. The fact that you immediately started laughing after my remark about your father... It can only be about him."

"You know me too well, mama."

"Indeed I do. You are my child after all!" Mary stated while walking back to the dining table with a bowl of lentil soup and three slices of flat bread.

"Thank you so much, mom," Genova said gratefully. She then took a soup spoon and began digging into her food. But as she did so, it occurred to her that she had not seen her father anywhere.

"Where is dad?" She inquired.

"Oh, he's out! Should be back soon, honey."

"Ok!" Genova said nothing more as her attention returned to her food.

Mary refilled her teacup and kept tapping the table with her fingers while watching her daughter eat.

Genova became aware of the older woman's unusual behavior. "Is there anything bothering you, Mom?" She asked, her eyes narrowed.

Mary came to a halt as she realized she had been tapping the table while her mind wandered away. She forced a smile with, "Nothing to be concerned about, dear. I'll tell you after you've finished your meal."

Genova became even more tense. She took the soup bowl and gulped the liquid down her throat with one goal in mind.

"There, I'm done!" She said, showing her mom the empty soup bowl and urging the woman to begin.

"Indeed!" Mary sighed. "Well, your father and I decided to have you move in with your aunt in Wooddale." She went on to say, "You are aware that your chances of finding a good job are better in larger cities. A small town like Roseville has nothing to offer a girl like you."