Chapter 1 - Starting Over

As Kiara Lawson knelt down onto the floor to pack her entire life into two suitcases and a duffel bag, a single tear rolled down her lightly freckled face. 

This is it, she thought. Today is the day I start over.

At only 21 years of age, Kiara had experienced many hardships throughout her life: her father died in a car accident on his way to her high school graduation, her only sibling committed suicide, and her boyfriend of 5 years broke up with her two weeks ago via a phone call for reasons Kiara did not understand. Kiara felt as though she didn't deserve all that had happened to her, but she never said anything and always kept everything to herself. 

Kiara knew that she needed to get out of the small town she grew up in where everyone she passed on the street looked at her pitifully with despair. She wanted to go to university to get educated and to make friends who didn't tip toe around her like she was made of eggshells. She wanted to meet new people and forget about Dario Lorente, the boy who threw away 5 years in the space of 5 minutes. So, two weeks ago in a frenzied state after Dario broke up with her, Kiara went online and found a good deal for an apartment in the heart of San Myshuno City. 

"Knock knock," a soft voice travelled into the room as the door opened. "Are you almost ready?"

"Almost." Kiara's eyes welled up as she peered into the hollow face that had replaced her mother's once plump and rosy cheeks. She felt guilty for leaving her mother behind. "I'm so sorry, mum."

Kiara's mum pulled the full grown adult into her arms like she was a little girl, stroking her hair whilst trying to put a cheerful smile on her face. "It's okay little girl. There's nothing to be sorry about - I know you should be out there living life, not stuck here with me in this dingy old town. I'll be fine, I've got your auntie here with me. Just don't forget to call your mama now and then, alright?"

"Of course. If you need anything, I'll be on the first flight back to Oasis Springs."

--- three hours later ---

"Hey!" called a loud voice. "Are you Kiara?" 

"That's me! You must be Jackson," Kiara smiled and waved at the tall jock, dressed casually in a sweater and track pants. 

"Well come on in, let me show you around the place!" 

"Damn, it looks better than the photos, it's so nice in here!" Kiara exclaimed, relieved that her decision to move in with two random people off the Internet was off to a good start. 

"Well I didn't have anything to do with how nice the place looks, that's all Jasmine. She put up all the art and fairy light. I just try and make sure I don't accidentally break anything," Jackson said. 

"Jasmine did a great job! So is she... your girlfriend? It wasn't clear on the advertisement." 

Jackson laughed. "No, she's just a good mate, practically like a sister. I've known her since kindergarten and my mum thinks she's a good influence on me."

"Oh, that's cool," Kiara hesitated, then continued to speak. "Look, I didn't want to ask this over the Internet but now that I'm here and seeing the apartment in real life, I just have to ask... My rent seems like it's quite low considering how nice the place is. Is there something wrong with the apartment? Did someone get murdered here?" 

Jackson laughed again, this time a little louder. "You're pretty blunt aren't you, I like that. Good news for you, there's nothing wrong with the apartment. My parents own the place."

Kiara wanted to ask more questions but the sound of the front door signalled the end of Jackson and Kiara's conversation. They went to greet their third flatmate, Jasmine Jordan.

"Hello!" Jasmine beamed, with a friendly smile plastered on her face. "It's so nice to meet you!" 

"Likewise. Jackson just gave me the tour, it's all very nice." Kiara said, suddenly feeling shy.

"Sorry I wasn't here to greet you when you arrived. I had a work emergency," Jasmine said.

"No worries at all, I ended up being a little early. Where do you work?"

"I work in marketing at Sims Airlines. You said you were working at a florist back in Oasis Springs, right? What brings you to the big city?"

"Oh that's awesome... Um, I guess I'm just looking for, I mean, I don't really know..." as Kiara's voice trailed off, Jasmine gestured for Jackson to go away.

"Let me take you to your room - I'll let you get settled in while I whip up some dinner for us, okay? Come out whenever you're ready," Jasmine said. She's probably feeling disorientated and a little frightened now, moving from Oasis Springs to San Myshuno City all on her own, Jasmine thought as she smiled at Kiara and squeezed her arm.  

As Jasmine walked away and left Kiara all by herself in her new room, she couldn't help but wonder if she had made a mistake to leave Oasis Springs. She began to hyperventilate when it dawned on her that she was now in a new city where she knew no one, had no money, no job, and no plan. 

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