Prologue

Corina climbed out of her bed. She took off her pajamas to reveal the clothes she was wearing underneath. She quickly scribbled a note to her family. She grabbed the backpack she'd packed earlier and headed for the window. On second thought, she went back and wrote another note:

Brian,

Hey. Well, by the time you're getting this, I'm gone. Don't think for a SECOND that it's your fault I did this. The choice was mine and mine alone. I still love you, and I always will. Good luck in the future, I know you'll have a great one. I'm not planning on seeing you ever again, so this is goodbye. Well, you know I'm not very good at saying goodbye. But I have to leave. I just can't take it anymore. I've been planning this for awhile, so our fight wasn't the reason, I swear. I have no idea what's going to happen to me now. I know where I'm going, but after that, I'm playing it by ear. Yeah, it's a big risk. But I'm a survivor. You know that better than anyone, cause you know me better than anyone. And no matter what happends to me, I'll always be your best friend, and I'll always love you.

Love, Corina

She left it with the other notes, grabbed her bag, and opened the bedroom window. With one last glance at her room, she climbed out the window and hurried away from the house. When she was far enough, she started running. She ran and ran, trying to put the past behind her. 'Don't look back,' she told herself. She continued to run until she was out of breath, then she started walking along a highway. It didn't take long for her to get a ride. At 17, she was attractive, with long wavy blonde hair and emerald green eyes. She was about 5'5" and had a slender figure. Soon a car with a couple of guys in it pulled over and rolled down the window.

"Where ya headed to?" one of them asked.

"Orlando," she answered.

"We're goin to Atlanta, we'll give you a ride to there."

She nodded and jumped in the car.

'Goodbye Lexington, hello new life,' she thought as the car drove off, heading south.

Chapter 1