Starting at Sunset Chapter 1

I could not believe what my ears were hearing. My parents were getting a divorce! I had to live with my dad, and I really did not like my dad. And I don't think he liked me much either. But I had to go and live with him in Montana. Montana was my favorite state; that's where I was born. But to live there permanently with my dad? I thought it was the end of the world coming early. I would have to leave as soon as the divorce files were put through. I officially hated my life.

A week later, I was on a plane to Montana. To the end of the world. I kept on looking back, hoping to see California and it's awesome lights. But all I could see was green. Nothing else. My dad kept on saying that I would love it in Montana. The house that we were moving to was a two-bedroom house with one bathroom and an incredibly small kitchen and living room. My dad said that I would also like the High School that he was planning to put me in. Apparently we were moving to someplace called Golden Valley, and I would be forced to go to some school called Lavina High School. I smiled at him, trying to look excited. I picked up my purse (it was actually just a small bag that I could just sling over my shoulder), and pulled out a picture of Jeffery, my ex-boyfriend whom I had to break up with because of this horrible event in my life. My dad looked at the picture and then looked at me.

"You know he still likes you Dani," he said in his glad to be rid of him tone. He used that tone whenever I talked about Jeffery. "I'm sure that you'll find someone new here."

"Yeah right."

"You never know."

I remained as quiet as I could for the rest of the flight. After we landed, my dad and I had a taxi take us to our new home and my new nightmare. As we pulled into the driveway, I thought that I was going to puke. In California, we lived in a huge house with our very own chef, who actually taught me to cook. But this house was the smallest thing in the world. I really wanted to scream.

We went inside, and I ran to the top of the stairs. The top floor was the smallest thing in the world. I found the little bathroom, and then I walked into this incredibly small room. I claimed it as mine. The mover guys brought in my bed and my desk.

I sat in my room until dinner was ready. My dad was an amazing cook. When I was home alone with my mom I always called him Tim. When I was home alone with Tim, I called my mom Sarah. So now that I was living with my dad, I would have to call my mom Sarah. I walked into the kitchen in my pajamas and took a seat. It was really quiet eating with Tim. Then finally I spoke.


"So when does school start?"


"Monday for you. If I was mean and abusive like your mother, I would make you go to school tomorrow."


I forgot about how powerful my mother's words were to me. She favored my boyfriend more than me. She usually liked to yell at me to see my reaction. She always said she loved me though. And I loved her, but she was too mean to me. Tim was different. He knew that I needed a better home. I didn't really like Tim at the time, though, so at first I wasn't too happy about moving to Montana with him. Now I felt like I was getting used to him.


"So, why can't I go tomorrow?"


"Do you want to?"


"Sort of. But tomorrow's a Friday, and it would be pointless for my first day to be on a Friday."


"OK, we'll wait till Monday."


I smiled at him and finished eating my soup. After dinner, I helped with the dishes and then sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. Tim joined me a little bit later. After an hour, I decided to go to bed. I had nothing else to do, so whatever.

In my room, I pulled out the book that I brought with me. A little while later, I turned out the light and fell asleep. And as soon as I fell asleep, I began to dream about the so called beauties of Montana.