Unexpected Dangers

Chapter 1 - Sucky Beginnings

Have you ever had a feeling that your life was going to change? Well, I had that feeling the day I decided that my life needed to change, and my life would never be the same again. Before I go any further you are probably wondering who the hell I am. My name is Jessica Josephine Matthews. I am 19 years old and have long curly brown hair and blue-green eyes. I have seven piercing in one ear and eight in the other. My tongue is pierced and I have two tattoos, one on the inside of my left wrist, a Latin inscription that means "accidentally on purpose" and a Celtic trinity knot on my stomach below and to the right of my belly button ring. I am about 5'6" and of average build. I was seen by all of the guys as "the Hot One". They don't care that I have a personality, and brains, all they care is whether or not they can get me into bed. The girls see me as a bitch, most don't even bother to talk to me. I have friends, I just don't know how many are really friends. I decided that I needed a change, a new start, a place where no one knows me. I thought of the perfect place, the City of Angels, LA. How bad can a place named after Angels be after all, right?

So after I decided this I needed advice. Who better than your best friend you were in diapers with to give said advice. That person for me is Rose. Most people picture her as completely harmless, I mean if you saw a woman about 5'2", 110 lbs (soaking wet), always in heels, and medium brown hair always styled, would you think that she could be your worst nightmare in ten seconds? Well that would be your first mistake. She is the best at giving you the absolute truth, whether you want it or not. So sitting in her living room I decide to just come right out and say it. "IwanttomovetoLA." I blurted out while we were listening to random songs and eating Ben & Jerry's, way to quickly to be understood .

"Huh?"

"I said, I want to move to LA."

"What, when, why?"

"When, I don't know, just soon. Why, because I need change." I replied vaguely

"What kind of change?" she was starting to sound like a shrink. I hate when she does that.

"I want to be seen as more than "easy". I want to go somewhere where no one knows me and just start over."

"You have a life here, Jess, a good one. You have a job, friends, and not to mention a very tasty hottie that has been interested in you, since, forever. Are you just going to throw all of that away? For what? You have nothing in LA."

"Yeah, I have a job at my uncles garage, running the counter greeting the four customers a day that pays a measly $2.50 an hour. The supposed friends would stab me in the back the second I turn around, and Riley? He is an asshole, has no personality and sleeps with anything that moves." I replied. Riley James. The local superstar, every guy wants to be him, all girls want him, except me.

"But.."

"That life sounds like a fairy tale. Why on earth would I want anything different?" I interrupted sarcastically.

"You don't have to get snippy. I am just trying to understand." she said, hurt. We were silent for a while, thinking, when suddenly she looks up at me, her eyes a blazing topaz and says, " Do you really think that about me? That I think so little of our friendship, that I would stab you in the back?" Uh oh, she was pissed.

"I didn't mean you! I didn't come here to fight, Rose. Please." I pleaded.

" Why did you come, then?" She was still mad but not as much.

"I wanted to explain. Get advice."

"You want advice?" I nodded. "If it will make you happy, and you know what you are getting into, I support you. Just as long as I can visit when I come back."

I smiled "Of course you can visit, idiot." Then the last part hit me "Back from where?"

"I am going to Thailand with Matt. I'll be back in September." Matt is the boyfriend, and one of my true guy friends since kindergarten.

"September?! That's three months!"

"You're the one that's moving! Plus, I'll call whenever we are by a phone."

"Fine." I was now sad but Oh, well, I'll get over it. We said our goodbyes and both went to pack.

Four days later, after packing a million boxes and bawling my eyes out when I said by to my true friends, I was on a plane, thirty thousand feet in the air, and still crying. I guess I never thought how much I really would miss my home. It seems really weird and scary to think that I won't be there tomorrow. But at the same time, it's exciting. I can't wait until we land and I go see what my new apartment looks like.
A piece of advice: NEVER rent an apartment without looking at it first. NEVER! My new place is horrible! The building is really pretty on the outside and in the hallways, old and homey. Not cluttered or anything, but not bare either. So with an outside like that the apartment can't be that bad. WRONG! I walked in and get hit with a strong dog pee-mold-old people-and something I don't even want to know what it is-smell. To make things worse it was furnished...with a cough that looks like a three year old decided to paint on it. My boxes were everywhere. I dropped my bags and decided to be brave and look at the rest of the place. The kitchen wasn't that bad if you liked frogs. Yes, frogs. Huge green ones all over the walls and a puke green floor, the table was small and had 3 chairs, all the same green. The appliances were newer and in good shape so at least I could cook once I get my appetite back. Next, the bedroom. The only normal room in the place. It was fairly big and painted a cream color. The carpet was old but clean, I wasn't afraid to walk on it. The bed was a queen and the mattress was fairly new and relatively clean. There was a huge closet on one side and a small dresser on the other. I was now in better spirits as I started to unpack.

A few hours and about 50 boxes later I felt like I was home. I was exhausted and sweaty (who knew California was so hot!) I decided to take a shower and go to bed. Walking past my bedroom, I opened the bathroom door and was shocked. It was bright yellow! after the initial heart attack factor, I looked around and saw that other than the color, it wasn't bad. I reached in and turned on the water, and immediately wanted to go back home and never leave, the water was brown and smelled like sewage. Great! I turned off the water and left. I'll call the landlord tomorrow. Right now I need a good nights sleep.

Walking past the window in the hall I thought I saw a man in it. Must be my eyes, I thought, I'm on the second floor, who could scale a flat brick wall? I need sleep. I went into the bedroom and changed into sweats and a tank top, crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep looking at the clock that read 12:35. Little did I know, someone was watching me the whole time.

Authors Note: Hey all! This is the second first chapter. (That sounds weird.) Personally, I think I did better on this one. I added more detail and changed a few things, like Rose doesn't completely hate Jessie in this one. I also think I made Jessie into who I wanted her to be in the first place. If you could please review and tell me which one you like the best, that would be great. I really hope this one is better. Thank you to all those that did review, and thanks to all the great writers that have inspired me to write. Remember I review those that review me!

Laters,

Carly :3 )

Disclamer- I don't own Ben & Jerry's. If I did I would be so happy, and probably .