Running on River

©

5th August 1989 ～somewhere in the United States

Alizée' s pov

Just woke up. A ray of sunshine beaming through the window and onto my face woke me up at around 10:00. Turning my face on the other side of the bed, I try unsuccessfully to fall asleep again.

*Being my birthday,I could stay a while longer in bed I guess*

Opening completely the curtains, allowing the heat of the sun to strike my face, I take my Stephen King book and start reading, slowly, dazing off while waking up completely. After an vague amount of time, I decide to close my book and show myself in the kitchen, dreading for my usual morning cup of coffee. Immediately as I entered the living room, both my parents greeted me with a huge smile and a warm hug, welcoming me into the world of being 17. They've already wished me Happy Birthday when midnight stroke, but it was always nice to wake up hearing it again. 'Well, look who is up at dawn!' My dad said with a funny tone, to which I laughed because he was right; during weekends, there was no way I woke up before noon. 'Happy Birthday sweety, I wish you the best to come because you deserve it! We love you so much and we are so lucky to have you as a daughter, we couldn't wish for more!' my mom said with her lovely voice. She looked me in the eyes. I have a truly amazing relationship with my parents, and I am so glad it's that way, I know not a lot of teenagers do.

My parents have always wished to prepare a huge birthday party, with family, friends and props we could use to have fun. We didn't have any of those. My parents have an awful relationship with my grandparents and, honestly, I do too. My grandma has this 'power' of always seeing the negative side in everything, no matter what you tell her.

'Hey, did you hear the neighbors got married a week ago?' 'Well, jokes on them, they will soon understand what a dreadful thing marriage is'

I am not even exaggerating, that's how my grandma would answer. As for my grandpa, he always talks about money: how much our cousin invested in his house, how much a friend of his makes per year,... It's impossible to listen to. We visit them once a month to check if they are doing fine.

As for friends, I guess I have just this one girl from school, her name is Lorna. It's a weird friendship though, the kind of friendship where you are so close at school, always sit together, even during breaks; but once passed through the school's main doors, it's like we don't know each other any more. We still call each other sometimes during the weekend, but never to go out for a coffee. Once, she was ill and needed to catch up on some lessons. The second time, I was ill and needed to catch up. I might call her before school starts and try to get a coffee with her. It's my last year of high school, I might as well try from my side.

My parents and I live in an adequate house, not too big, but not too small either. It's perfect to host three people under its roof. We have a small garden in front of the house too; during sunny days we would lay down on the grass. We moved here 3 years ago, to start my new high school here. We moved from Paris, because my dad's job as a hotel manager required us to move abroad. I don't mind it here, although, one of the things I miss is the amount of things you could do in your free time. Back in Paris, there was plenty of activities you could do depending on how much free time you had. In the afternoon, I used to go to the bumper cars, or on the Ferris Wheel if I had more than 2 hours free. On Saturday, we used to go to the cinema and watch these movies; some that came out recently, others which were classic. Here, there is one cinema, a couple of bars and restaurants, some vinyl stores and the town's main middle school and high school. Not much more.

'So, what do you want to do today? Want to go for a ride? We could go downtown and get a milkshake, what do you say?' My dad offers excitedly, I agree. I haven't had dinner yesterday, neither breakfast today so I guess that will do.

'Why don't you come with us, mom? It's been a while since we got to hang out together' I say to my mom, hoping she would agree to come along. 'You go ahead, I am meeting Louise for a coffee at her house, she told me she has some gossip to tell me!' My mom answered with a mysterious and excited tone. Since we came here, my mom has been really attracted to the drama that went on in town. She wasn't used to it back in Paris. But since coming here, she finds it particularly satisfying to know what's going on in other people's lives. I guess it can be fun. I don't enjoy it particularly.

Arrived to the little café on the corner of the main street, we attach our bikes to a stop sign and enter in the bar. 'One double chocolate milkshake for me and a coconut blend for my daughter please.' my dad said to the cashier. Once the cashier delivers our drinks, we take a seat on a table that is outside, close to the sidewalk. We both just sit there, tasting our drinks for a good minute before talking. That's when you know you have found somebody really special. When you can just comfortably share silence. 'I know I don't say it often, but I really cherish those moments we spend together' dad told me, initiating the conversation. 'I appreciate it too dad! Don't take this the wrong way please, but can we have a lighter conversation, since it's my birthday? You know how emotional I am!' I tell him, knowing he wouldn't get offended. 'Ooh okay I get it, I am not being melancholic or anything' my dad said with a laughter. 'It's a pity mom couldn't come, I really was hoping for us to be together' I say with a lower tone in my voice, which made my dad feel kind of sad that my mom had to miss this opportunity. 'I know sweety, she will definitely join us, though, in an hour or so. Louise really stroke her interest when she told mom about this curious family that just moved in town last week. They have some history, that's why they moved here.' my dad said trying to justify the situation. 'Yes, I mean, I know how mom feels about gossip, so I guess it's understandable' I say, still wondering what my dad meant by saying 'curious family'. 'Don't think about it Alizée, let's enjoy the moment as it is okay?' I nod my head. From now on, we continue to make small talks about school, things that happened over the summer, while sharing laughs. We are really having a nice time, but I can't help asking myself what is about this new family that makes it so curious?

Who are they?