Chapter 1.1 (Claire)

It’s the day of my sixteenth birthday, I guess I should be happy, but I’m not. I don’t like Florida, everyone’s so shallow. I feel like I don’t belong here, I’ve always felt like that.
Turning over in my bed, I glance at my bedside table. It’s barely 6 o’clock, but the sun is already up. Ugh, another thing I hate about Florida, the almost constant presence of the sun. I turn over again and close my eyes until I hear a few knocks on my door, probably my Dad.
“ Come in. “ I say, pushing myself up a little.
He enters the room, holding up a box. His face isn’t happy, completely different from how he usually treats me on my birthday. I think I like this attitude better.
“What’s wrong, Dad?” I ask, a little worried.
“This came through the mail a couple of days ago, I had to give it to you today, on your sixteenth birthday.”
To my greatest shock, a tear rolled down his cheek. He hurried closer and put the package on my bed. Immediately, I felt a burning desire to unpack it, something I never experienced with any of my gifts, even when I knew my Dad was giving me a pony. But the next moment, I was in my Dad’s arms.
“I love you, Claire.”
He sounded like this was goodbye. I didn’t understand.
“Start with the first one, don’t cheat.” His voice sounded strained.
I nodded and managed to wait until he was out of the door, but then I reached for the box and tore the paper off. Inside were letters, fifteen, if I had counted right.