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Emma

It’s been almost two years, and the air smells exactly the damn same

I tilt my head and letthe essence of a place I never thought I’d return to

It smells like salt and sunshine Like heartbreak and… home

Shaking off the sudden rush of emotions that choke my chest, I open my eyes and crouch down to chainlot The sun is war off the polished chro my pale arms look even paler I was never California tan, and my time away has only made my ivory skin stand out more

God, I think I missed this place Is that even possible?

I missed the sunshine anyway, after Dad and I h school As relieved as I was to get away, to escape the constant torture and daily heartbreak, I missed the sun that shone in Clearwater

Dad is always chasing the next best job, which means we never stayed anywhere for houtwith losing the love of his life when I elve years old A car accident took Morew up in two months later, as if he just couldn’t stand to live around so many memories of her

Dad’s work is what brought us to Clearwater in the first place It’s what took us away

And it’s the reason I’m back now

Walking across the laard the prestigious Clearwater University, I can’t help feeling a tinge of pride I may have arrived on a bike instead of in a Bentley, but I earned a place here just as much as anybody else