The Love of Spectrum

Chapter 1: The Arrival to Gatlinburg

One could only see so many trees before it starts getting repetitive. Katie Rivera has been traveling so many times to learn that was all too true. She is a fifteen year old girl that has long dark brown hair that reached her mid back she had captivating brown  eyes she wore a white and black shirt, black shorts some blacks socks and white and black Nike Shoes.

The girl leaned her head against the cool window of her dad's truck, her hair swaying gently as she watched the trees blur into a green like mosaic as they sped down the highway the familiar sound of the truck's engine was a comforting background sound to her.
Her dad, Conner, was the driver of the truck his Marine cap on his head the brim of it casting a shadow over his face, serious and kind.

He had this sort of quiet strength about him, a presence that had made Katie feel safe, even when she was in the most unfamiliar of places. Conner was a tall man with jet black hair and brown eyes he was wearing a red and white shirt with black jeans and white shoes.
Beside him her mother Aurora had a roadmap in her hands she was a pretty woman who had blonde hair and blue eyes she had a orange shirt black tights and tennis shoes. Though Aurora had a roadmap Katie knew it was just for reassurance than necessity. Her dad was always a master of navigation, if anyone suggested that he use GPS he'd find that insulting.

Katie shifted in her seat trying make herself more comfortable in it though she was next a bunch of boxes and bags that crowded the back seat of the truck. It was quite the familiar scene to her. She honestly lost count all the times they had to move in the past fifteen years Henderson, San Diego, San Antonio, Heck even Pearl Harbor and  Okinawa. All of which and many others had all been a temporary home.

But this move was different. This time they were headed to Gatlinburg, Tennessee a place her dad had chosen to settle down for good. Conner had retired after getting The Medal of Honor which marked the end of a chapter and also acted as a prelude to a new one in Gatlinburg. It was a small town that was in the middle of the fabulous Great Smokey Mountains, which was a very big difference from the places she was used to. Katie's heart fluttered with excitement and a bit of anxiety at the thought of settling down, of staying in one place for more than a few years it was all she ever wanted.

She glanced out her  window again taking in all of the dense forests and rolling hills that was the Smokey Mountains. Gatlinburg was just a couple miles ahead it was a town nestled in nature it was a large contrast to the marine bases and costal cities she had lived in.

The idea of having a permanent home while comforting was kind of unsettling. She had grown used to the constant change, finding a stability in the instability. But that was then this is now and the thought of staying in one place for more than a few years was something she had to adjust to.

It wasn't to long till they finally arrived in Gatlinburg Katie felt awed at the sight of the town, She seen the pictures of the town online but... seeing it in person was a whole different story. The quaint town seem almost like a painting with it's charming streets, rustic shops and the ever-present backdrop of the mountains a world away the marine bases and landscapes she knew.

"Welcome to Gatlinburg," Conner announced as they passed the town's sign.

After a while the truck rumbled up the driveway of their new home, a cozy looking two-story home with a wraparound porch. It was surrounded by trees their leaves rustling gently in the summer breeze. Katie stepped out of the truck, stretching her legs and looking around. The air smelled of pine, a refreshing change from the salty sea breezes of their old homes.

"This is it,our new home." Aurora said her eyes twinkling with excitement as she and her husband got out to the truck.

"It took us long enough to find a permanent home,"
Conner said. Katie couldn't tell if her dad was serious or teasing. Things like that were always to tell with him.