A New Beginning

Chapter One:

I stepped out of the airport and examined the area. I was back home for the first time in years. The light was bright in my eyes and it was definitely a lot warmer outside than in Nebraska. I stood, scanning the airport for my father, who was supposed to be picking me up and driving me back to his house. I smiled as I spotted him getting out of the same old red ford pickup he had owned since I was a child. I pulled my suitcases torward him and waved. He stopped me and pulled me into a long hug.

"Dad... I missed you so much." I leaned my head on his chest I spoke.

"I missed you too, Kid. Wanna go home before we do anything?" He asked, obviously noticing the bags under my eyes.

"Yeah, I do. I need to take a nap... And then make plans with old friends." The only person from Hunington Beach that I had really kept contact with was my best female friend, Harlow. I hadn't seen her in over a year. I was excited to be able to hang out with her like old times.

When I arrived home, I put all my stuff in my dresser and examined my room. It was exactly the same as it had been when I had lived there four years ago. I went to the bathroom with another set of clothing and stripped down. The long flights here had left me feeling utterly disgusting. I turned the water on hot and stepped in. The water beating down on me felt amazing on my stiff muscles.

When I finished making myself decent, I picked up my phone and called Harlow. I quickly made plans with her to meet down at the mall. When she arrived at the mall, I pulled her into a long hug, and we began filling each other in on our lives. She was engaged to the same guy she was dating when I left, Matt Sanders. Apparently he and a few of his friends (my former friends) were in a band and they were quite popular around the country. She didn't dare bring up Brian, though. She knew he was a touchy subject with me. She babbled on about how excited she was to get married and how I was going to be her Maid of Honor, and I couldn't help but feel extremely jealous of her.

I told her about my work as a professional tattoo artist and piercer and showed her some of my work. She was amazed that I became as good as I was. When I had moved I was mainly sketching out random ideas and fantasy's. A lot of my own tattoos were of things representing events from our childhood, such as the concerts we went to, the music we listened to, and all of our stupid schemes. When she asked if I had found anyone special, I just shook my head. Brian Haner Jr was the love of my life, and I chose not to find anyone else. He was the only one for me, and he hated me... So I guess I was going to die alone or with cats or something.

"So," She started. "Any hobbies other than tattooing and piercing?"

"Yes," I said smiling. "I have actually taken up guitar playing again." Her eyes widened. I had sworn I'd never play guitar again. "I'm happy I did, honestly. It passes time, and music is a great way to get my mind off of things."

"That's good." She commented, smiling. "Do you wanna go out to eat at a special place I call Ming's Chinese...?"

"Hell yes!" I squealed, not very much unlike a child. Ming's was always our place to go out to eat.

We got into her car and sped down across town to the chinese place of my dreams. Four years without it was a long time. I was unbelievaby excited, and all the teenage memories flooded back into my mind. When we arrived, a small asian man placed us at a booth next to a window, and handed us our menus. It was just as I remembered it. Small, calm, and dark. After a few minutes a small waitress came back and took our orders. I got the Sweet and Sour Chicken, while Harlow ordered the Brocolli Beef. After a few minutes, I noticed that Harlow was suspiciously texting someone. I chose not to ask who, though. A few minutes later our food arrived. We ate quickly, and then Harlow paid the bill as a welcome-home gift.

On our way out, I spotted a handsome man that appeared to be around my age. He looked vaguely familliar, and I just figured that he was someone that I had gone to high school with. I examined him from afar and than let myself into Harlow's jeep. She was silent... I asked her why, and she said nothing. I looked back over my shoulder and realized something as my heart skipped a beat and then stopped. The handsome man I was admiring had been Brian Haner Jr.