Chapter One: First Meet

                                                        (%) Elizah (%)

  "Alani, wake your sister up!" I heard my mother yell as she loitered around downstairs. We always had the same routine every morning. First, we eat breakfast with awkward silence. Second, my sister drives herself and I to school where we part our different ways, seeing we run in different crowds. I wish I could say that high school wasn't the cliché that everyone imagined but it unfortunately was. My sister Alani was the "popular " one between us, and I was her little freak of a sister Lizzie. Then school would go by slow as usual as I talked to my only friend named Korey Aspen. We met in second grade while at the playground during lunch. Korey is the exact opposite of me, form features to personality. I am average height with crow black hair and gray eyes while she is the typical blond and blue eyes girl. Our personalities, also, are as different as night and day. She is more outgoing and carefree while I am more close-mouthed, so to speak.

      "How was your weekend?" Korey asked as she sat in her designated spot in first period. At home I was not allowed on the phone. My mother considered me  disappointment compared to my sister, who got everything while I got hand-me-downs.

      "Okay. Nothing really happened. Mom and Alani didn't bother me. They stayed out most of the day," I replied, shrugging and taking a bite of my breakfast burrito.

      Korey shook her head." I think its really crappy that Karen lets Alani do anything while you barely get 7 hours of phone time a week."

      I nodded. It wasn't fair, but what Mom and Alani said goes.

      "Do you think they will let you come with me to the movies Wednesday night?" Korey asked as I got my books out as the bell rung.

      "We'll talk later," she promised as Mr. Grey strode into the room.

                                                         *_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

      "Remember to ask your mother about Wednesday," Korey said as she went to her car. The day had passed so frustratingly slow. I nodded, knowing I would not do it anyway.

      As I looked around the parking lot, I noticed I didn't Alani's car. I sighed. She had left me.

      Probably for her douchebag of a boyfriend, Brett Wilson. He was quarterback and really annoying. I knew he wasn't good enough for my sister because when he came to the house he repeatedly hit on me when Alani left the room.

      I pulled out my library book and started for the long walk home. I was somewhat gad that it was mid-August because the weather was rather more hotter than any other time of the year.

      Suddenly, I looked up as I heard the screech of gravel next to the sidewalk. All I saw was a 2011 Mustang next to me.

      "Need a ride?" I heard a voice call from the driver's seat.

      I ducked my head down to see a teen around my head smiling. He was different from other guys around who were conceited and flashy. He was handsome with his blond hair and green eyes, yet his smile was warm. Even though he seemed friendly, I knew I shouldn't take his offer. If Karen saw me pull up in someone else's car, I would be grounded.

      I shook my head. "No thanks."

      He cocked his head to the side. "You sure?" He asked.

      I nodded.

      It took some time to finally get home and when I did, I noticed the aroma of dinner which only meant someone was coming for dinner.

      "Elizah, why are you just getting home?" my mother demanded as she looked out from the kitchen. I knew that if I told her that Alani had left me, I would then be tortured by Alani for the weeks to come.

   "I had an assignment that took quite a lot of time."

      I don't know how she did it but she scowled and snorted at the same time. "Well you have 10 minutes to shower and put on something nice on and get your butt down."

      I quietly said okay and rushed upstairs. In five minutes I rushed back downstairs. I hadn't been able to take a shower because Alani was taking too long.

      "Girls, come on and meet our guests!" Karen yelled as I was reluctantly went downstairs. Before I reached the living room, a hand shot out and pulled me into the laundry room.

      "Listen here, during dinner you are going to sit and be quiet. No talking unless they talk to you. The Lucas are here to ask me to help them organize their first homecoming party in two weeks. While I am helping, I'm hoping that Alani can spark a relationship between their son and her. So don't mess it up or you will regret it, got it?" she furiously  whispered as she opened the door. "Now go and get the salad off the kitchen counter."

      As I scurried to do her command, I wondered, Did that mean she wouldn't be here for Wednesday? I made sure the bowl was secure and trudged my way toward the dining room. 

      "Need a hand?" I froze. I knew that voice anywhere since it wasn't that long ago that I had heard it. As I turned around, I pictured the smile I knew he would have on his face.

      "Why are you here?" I asked feeling my face scrunch in confusion. The only people Mom had invited were the Lucas and their son. Oh my gosh, the son was him! His next words confirmed it.

      "I'm Reece Luca."

                                                      ^*^ Reece ^*^

Dinner was going unbelievably slow. I felt a hand on my thigh. Why did they stick me next her? Alani Fane one of the two sisters I was to be introduced to. She'd been trying to grab my crotch since we sat down. I don't see why Mom and Dad made me come anyway; I wouldn't be working with the mother. The only highlight of the whole visit was sitting on the other end of the table, Elizah Fane. She was the quiet one between her and her sister, and, in my opinion, the prettier one. I smiled inwardly as I recalled her surprise in my name. I could tell she didn't know I was coming beforehand.

She was so beautiful as she sat nibbling on her piece of steak. I wished I could read her mind, but it was closed shut.

"So Reece what grade are you in?" the mother,Karen, asked her voice seeming nice and cheerful, but the underline was cold. Her mind was not a place I would wantt to spend time in. One thought I did catch was that she wanted me to be in a relationship with Alani. What I wondered is why Alani and not Elizah. As I dug further, I figured out she didn't like Elizah nor did Alani. They treated her like crap, like she was the maid and a prisoner.

"Reece, honey, Ms. Fane asked you a question," my mother said, her eyes voicing her concern. Are you okay? they asked. I shook my head yes.

"I'm a senior. I'm starting tomorrow."

Her eyes spoke excitement. "Alani's a senior too!"

I noticed she didn't mention Elizah. I turned around toward her and asked," What grade are you in, Elizah?"

She looked up to see everyone's eyes on her. She blushed and said so quiet, if not for my excellent hearing, I probably wouldn't have heard her answer. "Junior."

"Do you like the school?" I asked her, knowing that talking to her alone would anger her mother and sister.

She nodded and went back to her food.

I wondered why she wasn't as outgoing as her mother and sister, though I didn't want her to be.

"Elizah honey can you clean the kitchen while The Lucas and I talk in the living room?" Karen asked but since I was still in a corner of her mind, I knew it was a demand.

I looked back at Elizah to see her meek answer. "Yes ma'am."

"I'll help her," I offered.

Karen shook her head.

"I insist," I said, knowing she won't refuse me in front of my parents.

"Fine."

As they lft the room, I looked back at Elizah to see her eyes wide with confusion.

I shrugged my shoulders and smile. "I guess you're stuck with me."

Chapter 2

                                        (%) Elizah (%)

While we washed dishes, it was silent, but it wasn't an awkward silence I usually felt with anyone other than Korey.

"How long have you guys stayed in Mississippi?" He asked. I nodded. "We've stayed here my whole life." He chuckled. "My parents move a lot. I stayed in Louisiana, Washington, California, New York, and sometimes, we move out of the states to Africa and China." I was fascinated. I'd always wanted to leave this little town. I know that if I have good enough grades, I may be able get into a good college and finally leave.

"Where was your favorite place?" I asked shifting away from him. I wish he wasn't so handsome. I've been around guys who look like him, but they were never nice. They were never nice unless they wanted something from me. "What do you want?" I blurted spinning around to face him. "Guys are never nice unless they want something... and don't give me that 'I dont want anything' crap. I don't feel like being played with." My courage was quickly deflating.

He tugged on my hand. "Come outside with me. I just want to talk." I let him lead me to our swing attached to our tree in the backyard. "Sit," He persisted, nugging me into the seat, "I talk, you listen." I skook my head for him to continue. "First,"he uttered," I don't want anything from you. I just want to get to know you better. I like you. I know you don't know me well enough to trust me, but can you try?" 

No one besides Korey had ever tried to be my friend. The scars on my back were not seen often, but because of them, I was often the freak, weirdo at school and at home. I exhaled the breath I was holding in. Maybe he was being sincere, and if I found out he wasn't, I could just stop. One more year and I'm gone.

He stopped the motion of the swing and got in front of me. "Can I have a trial run?" He enquired. I could hear the teasing in his voice. I faintly smiled and responded yes. Then I remembered my mom.

"She wont let me see you. She wants you and Alani to be together. If she thinks I am interfering with that, she will send me to my uncle's house. He is even worse than her. I don't like the way he looks at me."

Reece growled under his breath. "Let me deal with her. Come on, we have to go back inside before they think we've run off."

I consented and hesintantly took his hand and followed his lead inside.

                                          ^*^ Reece ^*^

"Where have you been?" Karen asked as soon as we entered the living room, the anger simmering right beneath the surface. I could tell from her thoughts she knew I had taken an interest in Lizzie and she didnt like it.

"We went to take out the trash, and since I didnt know where your trash can is, Elizah can with me," I lied smoothly as I put my hand on Lizzie's back and guided her toward the empty loveseat. I coud feel the tremors running through her. She feared her mother, but she trusted me...at least more than she used to, I deemed smugly. 

"Oh well, everyone is waiting in the living room for you Reece," she grabbed my arm then turned back toward Lizzie," don't you have homework to do Elizah?" I knew she wasnt being polite. I could almost feel the menacing glare she sent Lizzie.

She nodded hastily and scurried toward the stairway.

When we got to the living room, she shoved me toward the couch with Alani.

"I got to pee!" I announced as I shot back up.

Karen narrowed her eyes at me. "Down the corner."

I went up the stairs, opening every door to I got to Liz's door at the end of the hallway.

I knocked softly. "Who is it?" she asked as I opened the door.

She was lying on her bed, listening to her Mp3 player.

I smiled. "I see you're comfortable."

She glanced to see me and blushed. "What in the hell are you doing here?" She asked, pulling a throw over her legs.

I slowly closed the door and went to sit in her chair next to the bed. " I came to see if you needed help with your homework," I teased. "Why are you up here if you really dont have homework. You can say you finished it and come back downstairs. Please," I pleaded. I didnt think I could handle more of Alani's crotch-grabbing.

"No, why would I go back down there? I dont have to listen and do what shewants up here."

I grabbed her feet and put them in my lap as I sat at the edge of the twin bed. I didnt see how her mother could treat her and Alani so different. I could even see the difference between their furniture. When I had glanced in Alani's room, it was pink and she had a queen size bed while Liz got the room with the lumpy twin bed and the white walls.

"Why are you up here anyway?" She questioned as she tried to put her feet out of my lap. We struggled for a good few minutes before she gave up and laid back against the pillows behind her. I could feel she was still tense so I started to massage her feet.

"I told your mother that I had to pee," I smiled as she moaned softly," and I wanted to check up on you."

"Why? If you stay up here too long, she'll think you came to visit me," She grumbled. She looked so sweet with her rumpled hair, and her scent drove me crazy; She had a natural fragrance that reminded me of summer. I couldnt believe it. Ive never been a guy for words, but she was so different that I couldnt find enough words to express her.

I reluctantly got up. "Hey what time do you have to be a school."

She looked warily at me." It starts at around 8:30."

I nodded." I'll pick you up at eight and we can go have breakfast."

"I didnt say you can drop me off."

"Well I am." 

"When you get here, I won't be here," she protested as I was about to shut the door.

I laughed silently. I knew she would still be here when I can tomorrow.

As I came down the stairs, I heard voices.

We were leaving.

Why are we leaving? I asked my mother telepathically.

She shook her head and gestured outside.

"Thank you for having us," My mother said out loud.

Karen smiled falsely.

I guess we wouldnt be coming back.

                                                   (to be continued)

 

 

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 18.07.2013

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Widmung:
I want to dedicate this book to my family...especially to my mother who would do anything for me.