As I rode up to Arco High in my new truck I saw her right away. She stuck out like a sore thumb. Everyone was wearing their new Carharts and shiny belt buckles. But not her, her skin tight black jeans gave her away in a heartbeat. Wearing mostly black attire was the first clue she wasn’t from here. But before I could catch up to her, she disappeared into the school. I parked my truck and found Tucker and Chase. When the one minute bell rang I knew I was probably going to be late for gym. I spit the last of my chew from that morning onto the pavement and walked inside towards the locker room. When I came out in my AHS swim trunks I was surprised to see her sitting on the bleachers. Once I got closer I noticed the eyeliner, nose piercing, and cross tattoo between her thumb and pointer finger. Her thin blonde hair looked as if it belonged on an angel and she seemed skinny enough that I could pick her up and break her like a twig. She was clearly from out of town. But seeing her sitting there alone I couldn’t stop staring. She was beautiful. Not in the way Jane or Sarah was, but in a new, darker beauty. We just had a pool built in over break and we would be starting the swimming unit right away. All the other girls giggled and laughed while checking out everyone’s new suits but still she sat in her black skinny jeans, skin tight grey tank top, and black cardigan. I slid up next to her on the bleachers. “ ‘scuse me miss, hope you don’t mind me asking but why aren’t you dressed for class?” turning on my charm. “It’s my first day, I didn’t expect I would need a swim suit.” she blatantly stated as looking away, clearly ending any chance of talking to her.
Seconds later Mr. Kline walked up her. “Hi! You must be Miss Tiffany…Burke? I’m happy to welcome you to Arco High School. I hope we can fulfill your journey of high school in the great state of Idaho!” he said with a bright cheery smile. “I assume you wear a size small suit?” Her only movement was a small shake of the head, yes. “Okay...here is a suit; you can change right through that door over there.”
I was in the middle of my third lap when she walked out. She looked amazing and the bikini revealed she had more tattoos then at first sight. On her hip bone were the name Stephen and two dates. There was also a huge scar across her ribs the length of my forearm. I wanted to ask her about it but I still had to do 7 laps before I could stop and I was worried our next conversation would end just as quickly as the first one. She began doing water aerobics with the girls and I decided it would have to wait until at least lunch.
Time seemed to pass slower than ever and it felt as if every time I looked at the clock it had moved backwards. When the lunch bell finally rang, I sprinted to the cafeteria to begin my search for Tiffany. I found her within seconds, and made my way through everyone, hoping I wouldn’t lose her. “Hi Tiffany, I didn’t get to introduce myself earlier but I’m Mike, are you new here?” I asked hoping this would spark a conversation. All I got in response was a glare, I waited. “Obviously I’m new dim-wit, can’t you tell I’m not from here?” She started to walk away but I followed her. “Do you want to come eat with my friends and me?” I tested. “No thanks, I’d rather just sit here.” She chose a table off to the side with no one at it, so I sat down next to her. “So, where are you from?” I stared at her until she answered, “New York City.” I felt an over powering sensation to find out everything about her that I could, her past life that she left behind in New York but I simply asked, “Why’d you move here when you could live in such a huge town like New York City, the big apple, everybody’s dream adventure?” I could tell she was no longer listening and looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here. “Where’s your next class?” “Pearson, Chemistry” she answered, her mood lightening. “Perfect! I do too so I can walk you there!” I said smiling brightly. “Thanks.” She replied, showing a smile for the first time that day.
We left lunch early so I could show her where all her other classes were and almost all of them were my classes. We had a pretty good conversation going and I figured it was the right time to ask her about her scar. “So what gave you that huge scar on your ribs?” I asked trying to slip it in the conversation. Tiffany automatically shut down and I knew I was done. “Nothing.” She mumbled as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry Tiffany I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings! Please forgive me. Can we go out for something to eat? My treat, as an apology.” I practically begged. She shook her head yes, reassuring me I hadn’t messed everything up. We didn’t talk the rest of the day other than when it was for class but I was so excited for after school I could hardly contain myself. When I found her by her locker I nearly jumped on top of her. We both rode in my truck down into town, 20 minutes away and headed to a little café where I knew they served the best coffee; I figured if she’s from New York, she must love coffee. After getting our orders we sat down and at first she just stared at me and smiled out of the corner of her mouth. “So, is Stephen like you’re ex-boyfriend back home or what?” I asked with a wink. She stopped smiling, “No, that’s my brother.” “You guys must be really close, does he go to Arco High?” She hesitated, “No, he died 4 months ago.” I was hit with a wave of shock. My throat tensed up and I felt speechless. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea. I would have never asked if I would have known!” “No it’s fine you had no way of knowing, and I had no means of telling you but I needed to talk to someone, everyone in this damn town is either riding horses or making pie, no one is realistic. We were supposed to come here for a fresh start and all its doing is making it worse. I don’t know anybody and all my friends back home have already forgotten about me.” She paused, “his death was my fault too. It was my fault we were in the car. He was driving me to a dance class because I refused to drive myself. I should be the one in the ground, not him. He didn’t deserve that. That’s what the scar is from too, a semi ran right into us on his side and the steering wheel crashed into my ribs. But, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have dumped all this on you, I should really be getting home.” And before I could stop her she was already out the door walking, “Wait! It’s a long walk back to school, at least let me drive you home.” She stopped and calmly got in the truck. The whole ride home was silent. I wanted to speak up and say something but I just couldn’t put the words together right in my head and I would end up making her even more upset. When we got to the school her BMW was the only car in the parking lot. “Thanks for the ride Mike; it was really nice to meet you.” And those were the last words I ever heard out of Tiffany Burke’s mouth. I thought they were a little odd at the time but it never came across my mind what the real meaning was. All night I tried to come up with things to say to her, things she might think were funny so I could hear her laugh. But nothing seemed good enough. I fell asleep trying to master a Brooklyn accent, waking up to the sound of my mom yelling for me to get up. I got ready and headed down for breakfast. I noticed the television was on, like always and I saw a picture of Tiffany. “Can you turn it up Ma?”
“Tiffany Burke’s parents have yet to say if they know the reason behind the young teens suicide but reports have been made that the family recently suffered a loss and that may be the cause. Further information on the case will be disclosed after the final reports are made. I ran to my car and drove until I saw a bug, beautiful house that was not there a month ago. It had to be her house. I drove up the long, steep driveway and didn’t stop until I was almost in the front door. When her father answered he almost slammed the door in my face. “Wait, sir, I knew Tiffany and I just wanted to know if she left a note or anything saying why she did it.” He walked inside and I carefully followed. He handed me a piece of paper and Ii immediately recognized the handwriting.
Mom and Dad,


I know you thought moving me away from where it happened would help but it really just opened the wound farther. I haven’t been able to dance in months, everything reminds me of Stephen and I just can’t do it anymore. I met a boy today, you may meet him. He was very sweet and he treated me like I was normal, that is until I told him why I was here. Then he was just like all the others, pitying me and not knowing what to say. How am I ever going to get over this if no one can treat me like a normal person? I guess I will never know. I know this is going to be hard for you, but I need to do something for myself. This is the only solution and I hope that one day you can forgive me for Stephen’s accident. I know it was my fault and I blame myself. Honestly I just hope I can forgive myself. Please don’t forget about me like everyone else.
Forever and Always
Tiffany Burke

That was it. That was all that was left of her. I met her for one day and I lost her just as quickly. I felt as if I was losing myself over someone I had just met. My heart was pounding and I felt like I was going to throw up. But in the back of my head I was angry, angry at myself for not saving her, angry at her for leaving me so easily. But the more overwhelming emotion taking over my body was sadness. Tiffany was too innocent to do this to herself. She didn’t deserve this, I didn’t deserve this. I left the note on the table and got in my truck and slammed into gear. I went home, the house was empty. I packed a bag, grabbed my savings and jumped in my truck. I didn’t even think twice. I knew what I had to do and no one was going to stop me. I drove and drove until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I didn’t stop until I could see the Statue of Liberty. If I couldn’t have Tiffany, I would find her within the city she grew up in, The Big Apple.
As soon as I got there I knew it was going to be a struggle. Before I even got out of the car I was verbally insulted about my huge, “gas-sucking” monster. No one here reminded me of back home, but maybe that was good. I needed something new and different. As I was walking I felt my phone vibrate, my brother was calling me, again. I already had 7 missed calls from my mom , 4 from my dad and 3 from Tucker. I turned off my phone, thinking of my mother sitting in her room, crying. I really missed them but I couldn’t go back there, not yet at least. I knew they would start looking for me but they would never guess where I am. I didn’t even have a chance to talk to them about Tiffany, let alone where she came from. There were so many emotions running through my head, mainly where I was going to stay for the night. It was the middle of winter and by mid-afternoon I needed my winter jacket. For tonight my car would have to work as a hotel. As I tallied up all my belongings I had $5,492.81 saved up. Mowing lawns all my life had really stacked up. That should be enough to get me by for a while; maybe I could find a cheap apartment while I look for a job. I fell asleep while trying to read a magazine but I was abruptly awakened when a homeless man knocked on my window asking for spare change. I drowsily answered no and he slowly walked away. I turned on my phone and right away my mom called me, I shakily answered, “Hello?” My mom choked out, “Oh MIKE! You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice! Where are you?! It’s been 3 days since I saw you! Everyone was worried that you were kidnapped. Where are you?!” “Mom! Calm down, I’m fine, I’m safe.” I quickly answered hoping to stop the crying I could hear in the back of her throat but I couldn’t. She broke down on the other side of the line. My father took the phone from her hands and I could hear the worry in his shaky words. “Son, you need to get home, right now ok? I don’t care where you are, who you’re with, or what you’re doing. I want you home and your mother wants you home. Everyone was on the verge of seeing your murdered body on the side of the road. Mike, I’m not happy with you but I am so glad to hear your voice I don’t even care. Now just get home.” I paused before I replied, “Dad, I’m not coming home. Silence was all that came from the end of the phone, and I knew inside I was slowly growing up. Nothing could hold me back. Before he could reply, I hung up. My heart broke in half but I knew in order to feel better, I had to forget about it for now. And that’s exactly what I would do.