Chapter One: Leaving

The rain gently drops onto my head as I sit on the sturdiest branch in the tallest tree in Bluebell. Sometimes life has a way of stopping when I'm in these trees. I love to climb into them when it rains. I've lived here with my sister Lillian for 4 years this fall. It's been okay, I guess. I've gained a reputation, and its not a great one. "Annie Hill, I hear that girl has commitment issues. That must be why she's dated and broke the heart of every eligible bachelor in the region." Thats what they all say about me. It is partially true, I have been in several relationships in these last four years. Dirk was my first real boyfriend. He was sweet and energetic, but lacked a certain passion. The break up was easy for the both of us seeing as neither of us were particularly attached. Kana was my second and lets just say that I thought that his obsession with horses was a bit….strange to say the least. Hiro is somewhat too passionate. he's sweet and gentle, but heaven forbid I climb a tree or go for a swim. That brings me to Cam. He's everything I could ever want, but he decided that we would be better friends than lovers. This is all quite irrelevant, but I believe it is blackening my sisters reputation as well. Her marriage is suffering because word about town is that she cheated on Ash with Mikhail. I personally suspect Nori came up with this rumor, I've always had a bad feeling about her. No one can be that perfect.

Here I am, hours away from moving to some far off town, rambling about guys. This is why I have to leave. I need an adventure of my own. I got a flyer in the mail a week ago and I've been communicating with a woman named Veronica about a small farm in the town. What I find most intriguing about the town is that vendors from far off places come to visit and sell exotic items. I'm also excited to start fresh. No one will know my name here and that will a nice change.

"ANNIE?" Crap. I've already said goodbye to everyone and I do not need this right now. Sure I may have forgotten to say bye to Nori…..and Cam. His was going to be too hard. Well it looks like its now or never.

"I'm up here Cam." I yell down to the forest floor.

"I had a feeling you'd be up here." I feel the tree tremble slightly and moments later he's in front of me. I refuse to look up at him. I feel his hand under my chin as he tilts my head up. "You forgot to say anything to me. Not even one last 'I hate you'"

"I could never hate you Cam." I try to laugh, but it comes out as more of a cough.

"When is the buggy coming to get you?" This time he looks down as he settles into the branch next to me.

"At 7:00 tonight." I say quietly.

"I'm leaving too." I start to say something in protest, but he stops me. "I'm going to travel the country and then settle down in my parents home town. I remember the flowers that grow there being like nothing I've ever seen before."

"Well, I wish you the best." I find the strength to smile.

"You're still not going to tell anyone where you are going?"

"Only my sister and Ash know." Shut up Annie! Everyone knows Ash can't keep a secret. Look at him and see that smirk painted across his face the moment I mention Ash.

"I love you, Annie." Where the hell did that come from? You're going to confess your undying love for me moments before I move away? That is a dick move Cam.

"Cam.." He takes my hand and cuts me off.

"Let me finish." I bite my lip to keep my thoughts from escaping. "You're my best friend. I'm never going forget all of the fun times we had over the last few years. I want to apologize for any pain I may have caused you."

"It's okay." I reply quietly. What else am I supposed to say?

"And who knows, I may come across you in my travels." He laughs and looks at me with those big green eyes that I still have a soft spot for. Is he leaning in? Nonononononononono! AHHH!

"It's stopped raining." Wow Annie. I can just pull away if I don't want to kiss him. Why am I not moving. He is literally centimeters away from my face.

"Goodbye, Annie." His lips press gently against mine. I feel his hands grab my face and pull me even closer. My hands involuntarily wrap around his neck. This doesn't feel right. I pull away and just look at him. This isn't how it's supposed to be. I'm supposed to get butterflies in my stomach and feel happy.

"Goodbye, Cam." I climb down and run as fast as I can to Lillian's house. I know this is what I'm meant to do. I reach the steps of her Bluebell house. I stop when I hear the voice of my best friend inside. Reina is unlike anyone else I've ever met. She knows how to make me laugh without even realizing it. I turn the handle and walk in.

"SURPRISE!" Ash screams at the top of his lungs. There Reina is, standing in the middle of the room with a huge suitcase in hand.

"Whats going on?" I groan.

"I got a job in Oak Tree town and I'm coming with you." I expected myself to be annoyed and angered by these words, but instead an over whelming sense of comfort washed over me. I broke into a huge smile and ran to hug her.

"How did you find out that was where I was going?" I asked

"Ash told me." Reina said turning towards Ash. I looked at him and crossed my arms.

"Don't worry! I won't tell anyone else! My lips are sealed from this point forward, I swear." He said. I gave him a quick hug a punch on the shoulder.

"Annie, I just got a call from Veronica and she said that two young men from the town will be here a little earlier than expected. They will be helping you with any big items that need moving." Lillian said as she walked into the living area. "You've grown so much since mom and dad passed. When you came here you were a 14 year old mess, then two years later you got yourself into some trouble with all the boys in town….but now…. you…" Her voice began to crack and a single tear ran down her cheek. "You're a beautiful young woman who is going to go make something of herself. I love you, Annie Boo." I practically jumped onto my and buried her face into my shoulder.

"I love you too, Lilly Billy." I pulled away and smiled. "I'm only going to be living within a days ride. Come visit me when ever you are able to."

"Annie! I think they are here!" I turned towards the window Reina was looking out of and saw a huge cart and two men walking towards the door. "They are rather attractive, so please hold yourself back." I glared at her. The knock at the door was followed by the entrance of the two. The first to walk in is a younger guy, about 25, who has messy light brown hair and striking blue eyes and a warm smile. The next man was anything but warm. He was older than the first and extremely tall and had a slim and muscular build. He had black hair and subtle green eyes.

"Good day everyone, is there anywhere I can water the horses? They are quiet tired after the days journey." The tall one said. His voice was smooth and soft. "Oh, where are my manners? My name is Klaus Gables. I create perfumes back in Oak Tree."

"What my friend here means to say is that his unemployed and living off of a very very large inheritance." The younger man stepped forward with a big smile on his face. "I, on the other hand, have a real job. I own the local restaurant in town. I just so happened to be off today so I decided to come help this old guy out with anything you needed." He jokingly put his hand next to his mouth and said "I wanted to make sure he did throw out his back."

"I don't think that will be much of an issue. Reina and I don't have much in the way of furniture." I said smiling and putting my hair behind my ear. "I didn't catch your name."

"Raeger Paul. And yours?" He held out his hand.

"Annie Hill." I replied, taking his hand. "This is my sister Lillian, her husband Ash, and my best friend Reina." DON'T BE A FLIRT ANNIE. Sure he's super cute and funny, but you've only known him for five minutes.

"I can show you to the barn Klaus if you would like to rest your horses there, or there is a horse breeder in the nest town over if you think they need a quick check up." Ash said walking towards the door.

"I think a quick drink would more than suffice, thank you. Ladies" Klaus tipped his head and walked out the door behind Ash.

"Would you care for a quick drink Raeger? I have everything from teas to any type of wine you could think of." Lillian said rushing towards the chef.

"I'm fine, thank you. We really must be on our way at your earliest convince. I know that we weren't supposed to be here till tonight, but there is a big storm building to the north and it would be best if we tried to avoid it." Ranger turned towards me smiled "Now, whenever you are ready I can help you with your bags."

"All I have is this one. I think I can manage it by myself," Reina looked towards me and gave me her signature smirk "Annie on the other hand is a bit weaker and could use some help." She winked and gave a slight giggle. "I'll just go put my things in the buggy then." And with that she was out the door, leaving me alone with Raeger and Lillian.

"My room is just this way." I said leading him down the hall. "I really don't have that many things, but, being a small person and all, things can be a bit cumbersome."

"I understand…"He paused a moment, trying to remember my name. Should I help him? Nah, he can figure it out "Abby?" I shook my head in response. "I am positive it started with an A. Is it Anna?"

"Very close." I said, handing him my suitcase.

"Anne?" He gave a nervous smile.

"Even closer." I said. I refuse to give in! I can see the wheels in his head turning.

"Annie!"

"We have a winner!" I said jumping up and down.

"What's my prize?" He joked, as I handed him another bag.

"What do you want it to be?" I asked getting a little closer.

"Uh….um…"He started to get red "I-I-well….I'm good for now." He quickly turned around and bolted out the door. I stood there fro a second laughing before Lillian walked in.

"What in the world did you do to that poor boy?" She said putting her hands on her hips.

"I didn't do anything!" I sat on my bed. Maybe I am over bearing. I barely know this guy, and here I am ready to throw myself at him. "Lillian, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, you know you can tell me anything." She sat down beside me and started to braid my hair.

"Am I a slut?" I feel her pause for a moment then continue to finish the quick braid before answering.

"I don't think you're a slut. I think that you use boys to cope with losing mom and dad at such young age." She puts her arm around me a squeezes softly. "When I look at you I see a beautiful, smart, kind, loving, and passionate woman. I just wish thats what other people would see too. I have a challenge for you; get to know everyone in town and make friends with every single one of them. Don't ask someone out so you can get to know them, instead get to know them to see if there is more than friendship there. Can you do that for me?"

"I can try. Its kinda impossible to be friends with everyone though, not even you can do that."I rest my head on her shoulder. I wish my mom was still here. I wish dad would still come barging through the door every day and pick Lillian and me up and spin around. Lillian grew up the day they died. She took me in and cared for me in the hardest years of my life. She is good in every single way, yet people can still find faults in her.

"I know I've had issues with people in this town, but I know you wont have a problem making friends where you're going. People think I'm perfect and thats something no one wants to come near. I was too busy trying to make my plastic life that I didn't stop to look at the beauty of nature. Ash has brought me down and humbled me." Lillian stood up and brought me up with her.

"How do you know when you've found the one Lillian?" I ask innocently.

"Don't look for a man who says you're perfect, but one that knows you aren't and loves you anyway."

Please review and give me and suggestions or critiques! I will be updating the story weekly in the very least. Thank you for reading!