Chapter 2

Avery had just finished her last class of the day when she saw the group of bullies waiting for her by the exit. She tried to walk past them, but they blocked her way.

“Hey, slut,” one of them sneered. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Avery tried to ignore them and push through, but they grabbed and pushed her against the wall. She struggled to get free, but they were too strong.

“Get off of me!” she yelled, but they just laughed.

Eva and Brent were standing nearby, watching the whole thing with smirks. They had been egging on the bullies for weeks, encouraging them to make Avery’s life miserable.

“Come on, guys,” Brent said, grinning. “Let’s see what this little tramp is made of.”

They started to punch and kick her, and Avery fought back as best as she could. She managed to land a few hits, but there were too many of them, and they quickly overpowered her.

The fight only lasted a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity to Avery. When the bullies were done with her, she was bruised and battered, with a black eye and a split lip.

Eva and Brent high-fived the bullies as she stumbled away, congratulating them on a job well done. Avery felt sick as she realized her supposed friends had encouraged the abuse.

Once she got home, she tried to hide her injuries from her parents, not wanting to worry them. But when her mother saw the purple bruise on her face, she immediately knew something was wrong.

Avery walked into the kitchen, her face swollen. Her father gasped in horror when he saw her face.

“Oh my God, Avery! What happened?” her mother exclaimed, rushing over to her.

Avery winced as her mother’s touch made her face throb. “I got in a fight,” she muttered, trying to avoid her parents’ gaze.

Her father’s face turned red with anger. “Who did this to you? We need to call the police. This is unacceptable.”

Avery shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No, Dad, please. It’s not worth it. They’ll make it worse.”

Her parents exchanged a worried look, and they knew that Avery had been struggling with bullying at school, but they never thought it would escalate to this level.

Her mother pulled her into a hug, trying to comfort her. “We’re so sorry, Avery. We should have done something sooner. We’ll make it right.”

Avery sniffled, feeling grateful for her parents’ support. “It’s okay, Mom. I’m just glad to be home.”

Her father cleared his throat, his expression serious. “Avery, we’ve been talking. We can’t let this continue. We’re quitting our jobs and looking for work opportunities outside town. We want to start fresh and give you a new beginning.”

Avery’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? Really?”

Her mother nodded, a small smile on her face. “Yes, honey. We want to give you a chance to be happy again.”

Avery felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had always wanted to leave this town and start over somewhere new.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Her father reached over and took her hand. “We’ll make it work, Avery. We’ll find a new home and community where you can thrive.”

After the incident with the bullies, Avery’s parents were more determined than ever to find a way out of their current town and the toxic environment it had become for their daughter.

It was not an easy task, as they had both been established in their current jobs for a long time, but they were determined to make a change for their daughter’s sake. They spent countless hours researching different areas, considering factors such as job availability, cost of living, and quality of schools.

Finally, after weeks of searching, they stumbled upon an ad for different job openings in the Pacific Northwest that seemed to be what they were looking for. The country offered job opportunities in both fields and had a great reputation for overall satisfaction and community involvement.

Avery’s parents were both excited and nervous about moving so far away from their current home, but they knew it was the best thing for their family. So they immediately started applying for the jobs and were thrilled when they both received offers within a few weeks.

With their jobs secured, Avery’s parents began arranging the move. They started selling off their belongings and packing up what they could, making sure to involve Avery in the process as much as possible. So they took the time to explain to her why they were moving and how it would be a positive change for everyone.

Throughout the entire process, Avery’s parents made sure to emphasize the importance of family and sticking together, no matter what challenges may arise. They knew the move would be difficult, but they were confident they could make it work as long as they were together.

As the day of the move approached, Avery felt a mix of emotions. She was sad to leave behind the few friends she had made in her old town but was also excited for a fresh start in the Pacific Northwest. But, above all, she was grateful to have such supportive and loving parents who were willing to go to great lengths to ensure her happiness and well-being.

With excitement and anticipation, Avery and her parents boarded the plane to the Pacific Northwest. Looking out the window, they marveled at the beautiful scenery below them. The green forests, sparkling rivers, and snow-capped mountains took their breath away.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful here,” Avery said, looking out the window.

“I know; I can’t wait to explore this part of the country,” her father replied.

Their flight was smooth, and they arrived at their destination on time. As they exited the airport, they were greeted by the fresh, crisp air of the Pacific Northwest.

“Ah, this air feels amazing,” her mother said, taking a deep breath.

They rented a car and began their road trip to Moon Ridge, where they would be staying. They stopped at various small towns and asked for directions along the way.

“Excuse me, can you help us find Moon Ridge?” Avery asked a passerby.

“Sure thing, just keep driving on this road until you reach the highway. Take a left, and you’ll see the sign for Moon Ridge,” the friendly woman replied.

As they continued driving, Avery couldn’t help but admire the stunning scenery.

“Look at those mountains! They’re so majestic,” she said, pointing out the window.

“I know, it’s breathtaking,” her father agreed.

As they approached Moon Ridge, the scenery changed from towering mountains to rolling hills covered in lush greenery. They drove through winding roads, passing by quaint cottages and farmhouses.

“This town is so charming,” her mother remarked.

Finally, they arrived at their new home, a cozy cabin nestled in the woods. Avery couldn’t contain her excitement as they unpacked their belongings.

“I can’t believe we get to live here,” she exclaimed.

“I know, it’s a dream come true,” her father said, smiling.

As they settled in, they took a moment to admire the view from their cabin’s porch. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the surrounding trees.

“This is our new home,” Avery said, taking a deep breath of the crisp air. “I can’t wait to see what adventures await us here.”

Avery’s parents eagerly gave her a tour as they arrived at the cabin. They led her through the front door, and she was immediately struck by the cozy living room atmosphere. The walls were made of warm, knotty pine, and a crackling fire roared in the fireplace. The room was filled with comfortable-looking furniture, and a soft, plush rug adorned the floor.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Avery?” her mother asked, looking around the room with a smile.

“It’s amazing,” Avery replied, still taking in all the details.

Her father stepped forward, gesturing toward the kitchen. “And check out the kitchen. It’s fully stocked, and I even found a cast-iron skillet.”

Avery’s mouth watered at the thought of all the meals they could cook together in the kitchen. She followed them through the house, marveling at the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Finally, they reached her room, and Avery’s parents beamed with pride as they showed it to her. The room was spacious, with a large bed and a cozy comforter. The walls were painted a soft blue, and a small desk sat in one corner of the room.

“What do you think, Avery?” her mother asked.

“It’s perfect,” Avery said, her voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you so much for finding this place for us.”

Her father put a hand on her shoulder. “We just want you to be happy, Avery. And we think this is the perfect place for us to start over.”

As they continued exploring the cabin, they chatted excitedly about everything they wanted to do in their new home. Avery’s parents discussed their plans to hike the nearby trails while Avery dreamed of exploring the town and making new friends.

As they settled into their new home, Avery couldn’t help but feel grateful for her parent’s hard work and dedication to making a better life for their family. So they came here to help her overcome the hurt that befell her in their former home. Ever since then, she had begun to look at her parents in a different light.

After settling into their cabin, Avery’s parents decided to cook a homemade meal for their first dinner in Moonridge: sweet potato curry soup with chicken and freshly baked bread. Then, as they sat around the table, Avery’s father began to talk about his new job.

“I’ll be the factory manager at the local manufacturing plant,” he said, beaming with pride. “It’s a big responsibility, but I’m excited for the challenge.”

Avery’s mother said, “And I’ll work at the library. It’s a small town, so it won’t be too busy, but I’ll get to meet many new people.”

Avery nodded, taking a bite of her food. “That sounds great,” she said, genuinely happy for her parents. “What’s the town like?”

Her father smiled. “It’s a small town, but everyone knows each other. People are friendly and always willing to help out. It’s like a close-knit family.”

Avery’s mother added, “There’s so much natural beauty around us. Forests, lakes, and mountains surround us. It’s like a paradise.”

Avery looked around the cozy cabin, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging. “I can’t wait to explore the town and see everything it offers. Hopefully, things are different here.”

“Well, for one, that nasty girl Eva is not here. I can’t see what could go wrong,” her mother said with a relieved smile. Avery and her father smiled knowingly at Cathy’s hidden spite for Eva.

Her father reached over and ruffled her hair. “We’ll take you on plenty of adventures, Avery.”

“Dad! Watch the hair,” she mocked.

Avery sat on her bed, surrounded by boxes and bags of her belongings. She let out a contented sigh, finally feeling grateful to have her own space. Her parents were still unpacking in their room, but Avery couldn’t wait any longer to start organizing her things.

She pulled out her favorite posters and pictures from home and hung them on the walls. As she admired her handiwork, her mother poked her head in the door.

“Hey, kiddo. How’s it going in here?” her mother asked, a smile on her face.

Avery beamed at her. “It’s going great, Mom. I love my new room!”

Her mother walked in and sat down on the bed next to her. “I’m glad to hear that. Do you need any help with anything?”

Avery shook her head. “No, I think I’ve got it under control. But thanks for offering.”

Her mother nodded and looked around the room. “It’s coming together nicely. I love all the pictures you have up.”

Avery grinned. “Thanks. They remind me of home.”

Her mother smiled and stood up. “Well, I’m going to finish unpacking. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”

Avery nodded and continued to hang up her things. As she was finishing up, her father walked in.

“Hey, sweetie. How’s the unpacking going?” he asked, sitting beside her mother.

“It’s going well,” Avery said, admiring her work. “I’m almost done.”

Her father looked around the room and smiled. “It looks great, kiddo. You’ve made it your own.”

Avery beamed with pride. “Thanks, Dad; I’m excited to be here.”

They chatted a bit before calling it a night and getting some rest.

As Avery lay in bed that night, listening to the sounds of the forest outside, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for her parents and the new opportunity they had given her. She drifted to sleep, excited to see what adventures lay ahead in this small, close-knit town.