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(Sorry for any errors the story is still being edited. Please vote and comment let me know how your liking it as it goes. Thanks for reading my story)

My name is Stormie Knight. I am 16, and I live in a quiet little town outside of Portland, Oregon. Where nothing ever happens... like ever. I have one older brother named Derek. He is 18. We are not super close. Ever since my mom passed away, things have been different. My dad works a lot. He is the chief meteorologist at our local news station. So my brother kind of takes on the parent role.

FIRST DAY AFTER WINTER BREAK

My alarm starts ringing. I glance at it. 6:00 am. I groan, not wanting to get up. I force myself to get up, making my way to the closet. I grab a black, long-sleeved shirt and black jeans. I make my way to the bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror. I decide to just wear my hair down. Nothing special. Everyone here has known me since Kindergarten anyways. I grab my brush and brush out my long black hair.

I put on a little make-up. "Stormie, breakfast is ready," Derek calls up to me. "Down in a minute," I call back. I finish putting my eyeliner on and run downstairs, taking a seat at the bar. "Dad asleep?" I ask. "Yeah, with the snowstorm coming up he will be working a bit more," he says, putting a plate in front of me.

"Thanks," I say. He just smiles and goes to the living room. I honestly don't know what my dad and I would do without him... that makes me feel selfish though. He should be leaving off to college next year and getting out of this town but now my dad needs his help. Suddenly I am not hungry anymore. It has been about four months since my mom died... he blames himself.

Derek was driving the car. He and my mom were really close, they did everything together. Kind of how my dad and I used to be. They were driving home from a concert when a drunk driver ran a red light slamming into the passenger side. She died on the way to the hospital. I sigh. I take a bite of the eggs before getting up and throwing it away. I put my plate in the sink.

I head towards the door, grabbing my back bag. "Umm... Stormie"? Derek says. I look at him. "Yeah?" "You might want to put shoes on," he says. I look down at my feet. "Oh... right. I guess I forgot that part," I say, grabbing my boots and putting them on. "Are you ok?" he asks. He has a concerned look on his face. "Yeah.. just tired I guess," I reply. He doesn't look convinced. "You know... you can talk to me right..." he says, sounding uncomfortable. "I know," I say with a smile. "Want a ride to school?" he asks. I shake my head. "I can take the bus," I reply. He nods. "Well have a good day" he says.

With him being a senior, he has the first two classes of the day off. Lucky.

I make my way to the bus stop. I stand awkwardly off to the side. I am kind of a loner. Everyone knows me because of my brother. He is popular. He is on the football team. I am not popular though. I have a few friends. My best friend moved this summer. So now I tend to be alone. I watch as everyone talks to each other about winter break. The bus pulls up.

I make my way down the aisle towards the back where I have sat everyday since I started taking the bus in the 3rd grade. I realize there are two new kids in my seat. I freeze. Sitting in my seat is the most gorgeous guy I have ever seen. He has blue eyes, dark hair, and fair skin. Next to him is a red head, with the same captivating eyes. They must be related, I think. He notices me staring. He has a very stern look on his face. I don't know how to feel about the way he reacted when he noticed me staring. I slip into a seat a few seats up.

I can feel my heart racing. What is wrong with me, I think. I have only ever had one boyfriend and he dated me because Kayla dared him to. She has had it out for me for as long as I can remember. I have no idea why. I mostly try and stay out of her way.

FIRST PERIOD

I drop my backpack off at my locker before making my way to my first class. I get there just before the bell rings. I smile, my seat is open. I make my way towards it. It is the best seat in class. The far back left corner near the window. I get out my binder and wait for instruction.

"All right class, today we have two new students. I want y'all to welcome them and be nice. This is Jake and Emily," he says. I try not to stare. They are the kids from the bus, I think. He looks around the room before he stops at me. My heart starts racing again. He just stares. "Ok, y'all take your seats." There are two empty seats in front of me. My heart races faster knowing they have to sit there. I have got to get myself under control.

I have to try very hard not to stare at him. Even the back of his head is beautiful. He has amazing hair. OMG, Stormie, get a grip. "Alright class, tonight's homework is to right a poem based on a personal painful experience and you will read it for the class." Great, I think. "We all know what Stormie's will be about," Kayla says out loud to her army of followers. I try to ignore her. "That is uncalled for, Ms. Flowers," the teacher says.

The bell rings and everyone starts to leave. "Would the two new students and Stormie stay behind for a minute please?" I nod, getting my bag and making my way up to him. Well, they didn't know who this Stormie was til now. Thanks Mr. S, always saving the day, I think to myself. I am suddenly aware of the new kids' presence. "So I was checking how many classes y'all have with the other kids in class to help y'all get around, and Stormie here has every class with you all," he says.

They nod and look at me. Oh God, I have to see him every day, I think.

Lord help me. "Stormie, would you mind showing them around and all that fun stuff?" he asks. I nod. "Ugh sure," I reply. "Is that OK with you guys?" he asks. Emily smiles. "Yes, that's fine," she says, smiling at me. I smile back. Jake just shrugs his shoulders. "Alright, y'all better get going. If you're late, blame it on me." We head to the door. "And Stormie... don't let Ms. Flowers get to you... to assume you're going to write about your mom was uncalled for and I am sorry," he said. Great... now the new kids are going to want to know. "It... it's OK," I say before leaving.

They follow behind me. I feel awkward. I am not good at talking to people. "So... umm, do y'all need to stop by your lockers?" I ask, turning and looking at them. "No, I just have a binder. I never carry a bag," Jake says. It's the first time he's said anything. His voice does something to me. I steal a look at him and nod. "Yeah, same here," Emily says. "Are y'all twins?" I ask. She smiles. "Yeah," Emily says. "Hey new kid, come here," Kayla says. She flashes her 'I am better than you' smile my way.

I roll my eyes. They look at each other. I glance at her. "She means you, Jake," I say sighing. He studies me for a second before looking at her. "No," he says. She glares at me, like I had something to do with his answer. Great, something else she'll annoy me about. "Whatever... hang out with that loser if you want to," she says, before stomping away. "She is going to make your life a living hell," I say. He smiles. OMG, his smile. Lord, please help me.

"She isn't really the type of person I care to hang out with," he says. I nod. "You really shouldn't let her talk to you like that," Emily says. I know she's right but I am not good at comebacks. "Yeah... I tend to just make it worse when I try and defend myself" I say. She nods. "We should get to Ms. Rose's class, she is the worst when you're late," I say. We head towards her class. I tell them where and what things are as we pass by. We get to class just in time.

The rest of the day goes by pretty fast. We start heading towards the lunch room. "Y'all don't have to sit with me... You can, I don't mind, but don't feel like you have to. We can meet up after lunch," I say, feeling like I sound like such a loser, like please sit with me but I won't force you, but please. "We'll sit with you, we don't really know anyone else," Emily says.

Jake nods in agreement. "Stormie, wait up." I turn and see my brother running towards me. "Hey, what's up?" I ask. He pauses, noticing Emily. I try not to smile at that. Every girl goes crazy over my brother. He used to kind of be a player but ever since our mom he doesn't give anyone the time of day. "Oh yeah... this is Emily and Jake. They are new here. This is my older brother Derek," I say.

"Hi," Emily says. She smiles at him. He hasn't taken his eyes off her. Great, there goes our chance at being friends. "Hi," Jake replies, giving his sister a teasing smile. I smiled at that. "You wanted to tell me something," I ask, trying to get his attention

"Oh yeah, with the storm coming in, I think it's best I give you a ride home. I have practice til 4:30 if you don't mind waiting," he says. I sigh. Guess that means Dad won't be home. All of a sudden, I feel sad, no longer hungry. "Yeah, sure, I don't mind," I say.

"I can give y'all a ride too, it's supposed to be bad," he says. I look at them. Please say yes, I think. A chance to be alone with them outside of school. "Yes, that would be nice. Thanks," Emily said, her eyes flirting with him. "I am going to go get food. Find me when y'all are ready" Jake says. Before walking off, I stand there a minute.

OK, this is just getting weird. I head to the line. Jake waves at me to join him. I feel weird. Everyone is watching me make my way towards him. God, what if he wasn't waving at me but someone else, I think. You're too paranoid, I tell myself. "Decided to get out of that intense stare-down," Jake says laughing.

"Yeah, it was weird... but nice to see him interested in someone. It's been a while," I say. Jake looks at me, eyebrow raised. "Really... your brother seems like the popular type," Jake says. I nod. "He is popular. Every girl here wants him, some even so desperately they pretend to be my friend." I stop for a moment. Why did I tell him that!? I think to myself. "Anyways, but... he isn't like most popular kids... he..."

I stop, feeling the pain of the situation. He studies me a bit. "You can tell me that part another time," he says, giving me a smile. My stomach does flips. Emily comes up. joining us. "Sorry... about that," she says, blushing a little. "It's ok," I say. "So... I know we just met and we are not exactly friends yet, but I feel we could be. I just have to ask. He asked me out this weekend. Is that ok? I told him I had to ask you first," she says.

I stare at her, not used to that. "That's fine, thanks for asking, " I reply. She smiles. "So how old is your brother anyways? "Jake asks. I laugh at that. "He is 18. He just turned 18 last week," I say. He nods. We get our lunch and make our way to a empty table. I can feel someone's eyes on me. I glance around. Kayla is glaring at me. "Man, she really has it out for you," Emily says. Jake turns around and sees her. "Guess I didn't help that, sorry," he says. "Yeah... it's OK" I reply. "Why does she hate you so bad?" Emily asks.

"I am not sure. I think it has something to do with her ex-best friend becoming my best friend. I don't really know what happened between them but ever since that day she's been like this," I say. "Jealousy is a hell of a drug," Jake says. I stare at him like he has grown two heads or something. "You don't think very highly of yourself, do you?" he asks.

I hadn't ever really thought about it, but no. "You're gorgeous, you're kind, and her best friend picked you," Emily said. I nod. "She's jealous of you" Jake said. I stared at them. "And now she probably has already pre-planned our wedding and I said no to her so it might get worse," he said. I laugh.

"There isn't anything she can do that she hasn't already," I say. "Are you going to eat that?" he asks. I look at my food. "No, have it," I say. "I am going to go use the ladies room. I'll be back," I say. They nod. I make my way to the bathroom. I stare at myself. 'Gorgeous?' I think. Is she sucking up to me because she likes my brother? No one has ever called me gorgeous.

"You know he will never like you, you're too innocent. You can tell a boy like that isn't," Kayla says, entering the bathroom. I stare at her. I turn on the water washing my hands. "Loser, I am talking to you," she says. I sigh. "Leave me alone Kayla," I say. She laughs.

"What, are you going to cry?" She asks, mocking me. I stare at her. "You know, I am sure no one would have noticed if it was you that died and not your mom. Don't you think Derek would have been much happier?" she asks, a smile painted across her face. I feel tears sting my eyes. She isn't going to see me cry.

I pull my fist back and punch her. She stumbles backwards, nose bleeding. "You little bitch, you are dead!" she hisses at me. Emily walks in and looks from Kayla to me. She crosses her arms. She probably things I am unstable. "What did you do?" she snaps at Kayla. Kayla looks at her.

"Me, I didn't do anything. I am the one with the bloody nose. I just said your brother was cute and she lost it," Kayla says. I stare at her. I look at Emily. Please don't believe her, I think. Not realizing how badly I needed friends or how badly I wanted them to be them. I had felt so alone before they showed up. Emily looks at me. I can't make out what she's thinking.

I look away, feeling angry but mostly sad. Kayla's words stung, as much as I didn't want them to. I have thought that many times. So to hear someone say it... it must be true. I run out of the bathroom, trying not to cry. I run smack into Derek. Great, I think. "Stormie, what's wrong?" he says, a worried look on his face. Emily follows me out of the bathroom. "Stormie." She stops. He looks at her. "What happened?" he asks her. Tears fall down my cheeks now.

I look away. I just wanted to disappear. "I honestly don't know. I went to check on her and I walked in and Kayla had a bloody nose and... I..." She shakes her head. He widens his eyes. "You punched Kayla?" he asked. He and Kayla dated all 9th grade year until he found out she was the one who dared Kyle to date me. "That isn't like you, what did she say?" He asks.

I look him dead in the eyes. "It doesn't matter Derek. You... you can't fix everything," I say, before running off. "What's going on?" Jake asks. "I... I don't know," Derek says. "Just give her some space. It'll be OK," Emily says. He nods and smiles at her. "She isn't the type to hit people... don't..." he stops, feeling silly about pleading for them to stay friends with his sister. I knew she needed someone though. "She'd have to do a lot more than this to run me off," Emily said, as if she read my thoughts. I smiled. "I gotta get to class. See y'all later," he says. "Did she hit you?" Jake asked, confused. "No, Kayla" Emily replied. "Sh... should we go find her?" he asks. "Yeah".

I make my way outside. It is cold. I don't care. I run towards the woods behind the school. I sit down under a tree and cry. I feel so stupid. Why was I letting her get to me? I jump when I hear footsteps heading my way. "Stormie," Emily calls. I whipe my eyes. She drops down beside me, Jake across from me. "So... I have a funny feeling you're not obsessed with my brother. So why don't you tell me the real reason you hit her?" Emily says.

Jake looks at her, then me, than back at her. My cheeks blush. Luckily, the cold can be the reason for that. I sigh and play with a leaf I found on the ground. "She... she said every one would have been better off if i was the one who died and not my mom," I say, not looking up. They are silent for a long while. "You can't believe that... I can tell your brother adores you," Emily says.

I don't reply. Maybe, but he has to give up a lot because of me. Lost his first real girlfriend because of me. Now his best friend is gone. "I'd have hit her too," Jake says. Emily smacks him. I laugh. She smiles. "So beating my brother makes you happy?" she asks. He rolls his eyes. "I promise you... your family doesn't feel that way," Jake said. I look at him, something sad is in his eyes. "You must be freezing," he says, noticing I don't have a jacket on. I didn't feel cold until he mentions it. "A little, but I really don't want to go back in," I say.

They nod. He takes off his jacket, handing it to me. Emily looks at her brother. It's a look I can't read. "I'm fine, was actually getting a little hot," he says. I smile. "Thanks," I say before putting it on. "There is a tunnel under the bridge over there. I am sure it is warmer than here," Emily says. Jake and I agree and make our way to it. "Y'all's first day and I have y'all ditching," I say. They laugh. "Jake will be ditching starting next week anyways," Emily says, rolling her eyes at her brother. I laugh.

I sit down, leaning against the wall. It is still cold but not as bad. "So you're the bad one out of you two," I say. He shrugs his shoulders. "I guess. I just don't care much for school," he says. I nod. "I... I have actually never skipped," I say. They look at me."I guess we are corrupting you," Emily jokes. Jake doesn't seem to take that joke well. Emily is feeling the tension.

She gives her brother an apologetic look. "So where did y'all move here from?" I ask. "We... actually have always lived here. We were just home schooled," Emily said. I stare at her. "Really?Why start public school now?" I ask. "It... is complicated, Emily said. "Because of me... just say it, Em," Jake snaps at her. I stare at him. Something about how he looks right now makes me want to hold him.

"It... isn't... Can we not do this right now?" she snaps back. He folds his arms. We sit there in silence, everyone lost in thought. "Would Stormie Knight please report to the principal's office?" I hear. I glance at them, then back at the school. "I... I guess I should go. I'll catch up with y'all after school?" I ask. Jake looks at me and nods. I start to take his jacket off. "It's fine. Give it to me after school. It's colder out there than in here," he says. Emily smiles at me. I hear them start arguing. I can't make out what about. But I guess he did something to get them sent here.

I walk into the office. This was new to me. "Have a seat dear," the secretary tells me. I nod. The principal walks out. "Ms. Knight, come with me please," he says. I walk into his office. I notice Kayla and her mom. Great, I think. "Kayla claims you hit her," he says. I stare. "Y... yes sir," I say. "'Yes sir', like you're some good girl. You hit my daughter, you sicko. I ought to sue you and the school," her mom says. I feel nervous. My heart is racing. "I... I... I..." I can't get my words out. "Now Ms. Flowers, Stormie is one of our best students and until today she has never been in trouble," he says. Her mom shoots daggers at me.

"Now Stormie, this behavior is not allowed. I will have to call your dad," he says. I nod. Great, I think. "That's it, a phone call home?" Ms. Flowers says. "It is her first offense. We have given Kayla many chances," he says smiling at her. "Well I am taking her to get x-rays. I'll send your dad the bill," she snaps at me. Before leaving. The principal sighs. "Have a seat while I call your dad." I nod. He picks up the phone and dials my dad's number. I put my hands in the jacket pockets,, feeling anxious. There is a piece of paper. Curiosity takes over.

I shouldn't read it. It isn't mine to read. Maybe he left it there for me to read... to get to know them without having to tell me... Surely he thought about it being in there. Maybe he just trusted I wouldn't read it. "Hi Mr. Knight, sorry to bother you. This is the principal at your kids' school. How are you?" he asks. "Good. Unfortunately this isn't about your son this time," he says, before pausing. "Yes, Stormie. It seems she got into an altercation and punched another student," he says.

"Yes, I agree. She is sitting here with me now. I told her this is a warning since she's never gotten in trouble before. The girl's parent were very angry," he says. "Yes, you may speak with her." I swallow. I hate disappointing people, but especially my dad. "Your dad would like to speak to you. I'll give you some privacy," he says, before handing me the phone and leaving. I take a deep breath. "Hello," I say. "Stormie Lyric Knight, what on earth has gotten into you"? He asks. I can't tell him the real reason "I... I don't know. I guess I had had enough of her being a bully," I said. I hear him sigh. "Sweetie, that isn't how you handle things... I'd ground you but you're always home anyways. Just don't do it again," he says. I hear muffled talking and a women's voice. "Where are you?" I ask. "I am at work," he says.

"Here is your check, sir. Thank you for dining with us. Y'all have a nice day," I hear. "I gotta go, the boss is getting onto me." I hang up the phone, my heart in my throat. Was he on a date? I leave and head towards the bathroom. I lock myself in a stall. I play with the note. I shouldn't. I pull it out and stare at it. I open it.



My heart races... he was in love before...and he hurt her? Haylie Helped? I fold it back up and put it away. How do I pretend to not know? I doubt this is something he will tell me. My heart hurt in a way it hasn't. I no longer want to get close to him. I just lost my mom. The only person I was close to moved away.

I don't want to lose anyone else. The final bell rang. I make my way to the football field. Jake and Emily are already there. I sigh, making my way to them. "Hey, so how much trouble did you get in?" Emily asks. "A warning... I don't tend to get in trouble so... they let me off the hook. I did have to talk to my dad though..." I looked down after that. "What did he say?" Jake asks. I look at him.

"That he can't ground me since I am home all the time anyways and I can't do that," I say. I look away. "I... I think he was on a date," I say. Jake studies me. "Isn't that a good thing?" Emily asked. I shrugged my shoulders. I said it so softly. I was sure they wouldn't hear me. "My... mom just died four months ago." I feel a lump in my throat. They look at each other, a look I don't understand. "Oh... I see," Emily says. "So it is too soon...?" I ask. She looks down and nods. "I'd imagine so. How long where they together?" she asks.

Jake hasn't taken his eyes off me. "27 years, high school sweethearts," I say. Her face says it all. "D... don't tell Derek... he was closer to my mom and I don't think he could handle that," I say. Truth is I am scared it would be enough for him to leave and as selfish as it is, I'm not ready for that. Emily nods. We sit in silence for a bit. "Your brother is really good. Does he want to play in the NFL?" Emily asks. "He did. I don't know if that is still the plan," I say. She nods. "What does your dad do?" she asks. "He is the chief meteorologist at ABC 3, " I say. She looks at me.

"Wait, really? We watch him all the time," she says. "What did your mom do?" Jake asks. I look at him. His eyes are so intense. I am captivated. He makes me feel something I have never felt and it freaks me out. "She was a nurse," I say. "Our mom too," he says. "I wonder if they knew each other," Emily says. Practice ends. Derek runs over to us. "I am just going to shower real fast and then we'll go," he says, before heading to the locker room.

"Oh... you want you're jacket back? I am sure you're cold by now." Truth was, I don't want to re-read the note all night long. He shakes his head. "I am fine. You still look cold," he says. Emily looks at me. "Yeah, your face is red," she says. I nod. "I guess, I am still cold," I say. "So do y'all want to do something this weekend?" she asks. We look at each other. "Um. Sure, what do you have in mind?" I ask.

She thinks for a moment. "We don't really know each other yet. So how about we each pick a movie that describes us, and a food, so don't eat the day before," she says laughing. That actually sounds fun. I am curious to what he will pick.

"What if nothing we'd normally see is playing?" he asks. "We could rent movies and get food and watch them at my house. My dad normally works all weekend anyways. Y'all could stay over Friday," I say. "I like that plan better," she says. "What plan?" Derek asks. We fill him in. "I'm down," he says. This will be weird. We've never shared friends before. We drop them off at home. I meet their mom. She is beautiful. She looks just like Emily.

We exchange numbers. "You can tell where Emily gets her looks," Derek says. I nod. "Are you actually into her"? I ask. He doesn't say anything. "Look, I know the last girl I actually dated was Kayla... and my reputation hasn't been great, but I really do like her," he says. I nod. "So what did the principal want?" Derek asks. I explain what happened. We walk into the house. "Man, it is getting cold, guess dad is at work," he says. I nod, feeling guilty for not telling him. I sigh. "Derek..." I say. He looks at me. "Yeah?" he says, studying my face. "What's wrong?" he asks. I look away. "I... I think dad is seeing someone," I say. His face changes and he looks pissed. I knew I shouldn't have said anything. "Mom just died... how... why..." He shakes his head.

I can see the anger growing. Ding. My phone goes off. "Hey, we are bored. Can we come over?" It's Emily. I reply "Yes... I told Derek. I am sure he can use the distraction," I replied. "Hmm 😈 When will your dad be home?" She replied. "Honestly I don't know, why?" Ding. "🥂🍺🍻 Let's get white girl wasted, LOL JK, but I'll bring some drinks to help him either chill out or get his emotions out, both not a bad thing" she says. "I guess... I haven't ever really drank before," I say. "I gotcha, new best friend ❤." I laugh.

She's corny as hell but I think I like her. "OK," I reply. "Emily and Jake are coming over..." I say. "And?" he asks me. He knows me too well sometimes. It is freaky. We don't normally hang out much, but he can still read me like a book. "She is bringing drinks," I say. He stares at me for a bit. "You've never drank before right?" He asks. "No... she says, and I quote, 'I gotcha, new best friend'," I say.

He smiles and laughs. "Fuck it, why not... At least I'll know you're safe." I nod. True. "I am going to go change," I say. He gives me a look. "I don't know, I feel like I should change," I say. He laughs.