1 Chapter 1

Dad should have been home. Dad was always home when us kids arrived. He would be sitting in the kitchen with an after-school snack for us, before mom arrived later to cook dinner.

"Dad?"

There was no sign of him. I knew he was home because his car was in the driveway. I went to his study, papers lay scattered on the floor. The closet door was slightly ajar and the light was on.

Something was wrong.

Dread filled me as I neared the door and reached for the handle.

Horrified, I stared into his bulging, bloodshot eyes. His face had a blue cast to it. A rope snaked around his throat, standing out against his pale skin. 

After the initial shock, all I could think was that I had to save him. I wrapped my arms around his legs, trying to lift him, trying to make him breath again.

His lifeless hand brushed against my cheek. So cold. I felt for a pulse and found none.

My dad is dead!

Why? What had we done that would cause him to do this?

Waves of shock and dispair washed over me as I reached for the phone. My hand shook, my mind went numb. It took me a few moments to remember the numbers to call. I hit nine-one-one and closed my eyes. I remained calm and collected trying to not worry Vincent who was in the room next to my dad's office.

After the phone call, I couldn't even remember all they had asked since shock still was overcoming me. My next thought was to call mom. I knew she was at work and asked us kids to never bother her but this was different, this was an emergency!

The phone rang and rang until finally right before going to voice-mail my mom picked up the phone. 

"Can this wait?" My mom asked in a hushed tone. 

I could hear the sounds of music and drunken men in the background.

"No, mom. This most definitely can't wait. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to say this. I don't know what to think--." I said my lip quivering. My mind had a million thoughts going through it and I didn't know how to tell her what was going on.

"Mom? Dad is dead!" I said.

"He is what?" She said out loud, "No...no...no, you can't….no...I'm coming home right now."

I could tell my mom was in as much shock as I was. I could tell from the sound of her voice that she was trying to hide back tears. They had been married since before I was born. They had been going on 20 years and now this. 

Moments had passed by and I heard the sound of the emergency vehicles showing up at our house. My mom pushed past and caught my glance as I opened up the door and started falling to the ground in tears. My mom had asked what was going on and I could hardly speak. I replied only saying dad...dead. I instantly saw eyes fill up with tears and start streaming down her face. I had never seen my mom cry like this. By then the police and medics were already in the house.  Just then I saw a stretcher with a black plastic bag with a rather large long bulge. I still could not believe it was our dad. They carried him out to the ambulance. Then I noticed Vincent standing there without any emotion and without saying anything. Part of me knew that he already knew. The medics left and we gathered in a group hug all crying.

Life would never be the same. I watched out the back window as our childhood home grew smaller and smaller.

This happened in the early part of December and it was now February. I tried bringing up the conversation with my mom several times and she would always retreat from the conversation. She went through a deep depression where we would come home to find her passed out with a bottle of wine spilt on the carpet just below her outstretched hand. We knew she was struggling more than we were. Even though this move was gonna be hard we knew it was the best for mom to get away from it all. To be honest, mom needed help and we hoped being in a new city without constant reminders of dads death would help her. I would help mom get into therapy and would go with her the first couple times till she was comfortable talking about things on her own.

"Welcome to your first day at Blue Mountain High School," someone said behind me while I was examining my schedule with my locker wide open. As I turned to see who it was, I came face to face with a short girl with wavy red hair that fell past her shoulders. 

"My name is Jessica Tyler. Let me know if there is anything you need help with. I would be glad to help," She said with a smile, "Your mom was here yesterday to grab your schedule from the secretary."

"Well, Jessica I was scanning my schedule and I could really use some help finding them. I'd get lost.  Thanks for your help." 

"You're very welcome," she said with a half smile and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Let me see your schedule so I can help you find your first class."

I handed her my class schedule. She grabbed it and it wrinkled it in her hand as the right side of the paper lowered and she shook it to check my schedule.

"Oh biology," she said, "Same class as me." Jessica handed my schedule back to me and looked down at her phone. "We're gonna be late, Victoria." She started darting down the hall.

I sprinted after Jessica while my backpack shook on my back and my books dug into ma

. She stood near the door lightly and opened it for me and waved me inside. Both of us walked in and I walked down the aisle and grabbed an empty seat at the back corner of the room next to this boy with short black hair and a neatly trimmed goatee.

"Welcome Miss Victoria to our class, she is from Miami," said a man with thick-rimmed black glasses and a balding head. 

Everyone stared at me and I felt like I wanted to disappear as I anxiously slumped down in my chair. A girl in the seat behind me leaned up excitedly and whispered "Welcome to our school, new girl." I glanced behind me to see a girl with short black hair tucked behind her ears and her hair swayed forward while she leaned.

"My name is Mr. Jefferson, I am your biology teacher for the year. Today we are learning about evolution," Mr. Jefferson grabbed a green marker and started writing on the whiteboard and the pen squeeked: What exactly is Evolution? Then he set it down and started giving his lecture in a monotone voice. I started yawning and kept sliding down in my chair trying to stay awake. The class seemed to drag on forever until we were dismissed. The bell sounded loudly, making me jump.

Everyone got up from their seat and the girl with the short black hair came up to me again. "My name is Raven, I was new last year," she said in a soft voice, "I can give you a tour at lunch if you want."

 "Thanks, I would appreciate that."

She seemed very welcoming and made me feel included.

Jessica came up behind us and asked, "How was your first class? Want help finding your next one?

She acted as if Raven was not even here and I wondered why. I knew I needed help so I looked at my schedule and made a sour face. "World history," I said glumly.

 "Ah, not your favorite subject is it, Victoria?" She inquired.

"No, not exactly," I replied.

 "I can take her," Raven said as a smile spread across her face, "That's my next class." 

 "Well, I'll catch up with you at lunch," Jessica said ignoring Raven again as she walked away. 

"Follow me," Raven said to me.

I followed her while glancing around at the paintings on the white walls. I admired the beautiful multi-colored abstracts. I noticed the ridges of texture they brought and was amazed at the handiwork of the artist who made them.

 "Victoria, watch---,!" Raven shouted. Without noticing, I walked right into the door and my books went flying out of my hands as I fell backward onto the floor. I could hear the pages flutter as my books hit the carpeted floors behind me. My hair shook in front of my face and I could hardly see. My hip spasming and my left arm and hand hurt because I tried to catch myself. I brushed my hair back with my right hand.

"I tried to warn you," Raven said.

I started collecting my books as a large hand outstretched to me. At first, I felt reluctant about accepting help.

I looked up and it was the boy from my biology class. He was tall and lean and his muscular arms were bulging and his eyes were a rich blue like the waters of Hawaii. I stared at him like a deer caught in headlights.  I started questioning why was he helping me? Did I look helpless or something? Without saying anything, I just stared at him dumbfounded as I grabbed his hand with my right since my left hand was still aching from my fall. He gripped my hand firmly and I could tell how strong he was while his muscles flexed. He walked away without say anything. 

"Thank you, " I called after him. But he was already gone.  I started brushing off to straighten my clothes. 

I looked at Raven, glanced in the direction that he left in shock, and then turned back Raven. I could hardly believe what just happened. Raven handed me my books and said "Sorry about my brother, believe me, if you knew what he was going through you would understand."

Immediate questions started popping up in my brain. I wondered what his backstory was but I didn't want to seem nosey. Why did he help me when he doesn't even know who I am other than I'm in his biology class. 

Raven and I walked into class and I could feel all the eyes on me as I took my seat. A tall slender man stood up from his desk and walked to the front of the class and smiled warmly. He began talking to us students about what we were going to cover for the year. 

I noticed that he didn't welcome me to the class and I was overjoyed that I didn't get pointed out again by another teacher. I had enough embarrassment from my first teacher, I didn't need it from another. I was one of those shy girls that when called on I'm class would barely stuttered the answer to the question because usually my mind would go blank even if I knew the answer. 

The teacher asked us to open our history books where I saw a bright-colored continent labeled South America. I was deep in the pit of despair as I settled in to endure the most boring subject. Out of all my classes history was definitely not my strong point. My memory was the worst so trying to remember dates of things happening in history was almost impossible.

The teacher started his lecture and I took notes grudgingly. I thought this class was never going to end. I hoped he wouldn't assign homework on my very first day of school.

Finally, the class was dismissed and the bell yelled again and I jumped out of my skin. I got up from my seat relieved as I headed for the door. Raven rushed to my side. 

"You ready for lunch?," she asked eagerly. 

"Yes, I am famished. I didn't eat breakfast this morning," my stomach grumbled.

"I'm hungry too, new girl. Come on, I'll walk you to the cafeteria and we can eat before I give you a tour of the school."

As we walked to the cafeteria I could smell a delicious odor of garlic.

"My goodness, what's for lunch It smells delicious." I said as my stomach snarled furiously and my mouth watered. 

"Spaghetti and meatballs along with garlic bread and ceasar salad," Raven said.

I jumped for joy and yelled, "That's my favorite." 

Raven looked at me in embarrassment. "Shhhh, not so loud. Everyone is looking at us."

I felt myself blush as I noticed everyone was staring at me like I was crazy or something.

"My apologies," I said repeatedly. 

Raven giggled and turned a shade of pink. "That's alright."

I could tell she was forgiving but I knew at the same time she wasn't pleased with my reaction.

We walked into the lunchroom and just as we got in line to grab our food I noticed Jessica waiting for me against the wall in front across the room.

"How was your other class?" Jessica said as she stood in line with Raven and I.

"Boring just like my first two classes," I relayed.

"That bad, huh?"

"It's alright. It's lunch time now and I get to hang out with you two."

I glanced around the lunchroom and saw Scott sitting at a table and his plate was filled with today's lunch. He was eating slowly and talking amongst a few students. 

He stopped talking and set down his fork as he noticed I was looking in his direction. I quickly turned my eyes towards the ground. 

"Are you looking at my brother?" Raven said, intrigued. 

"Well, he did help me up from the floor earlier. I can't get him out of my mind now," I said as I giggled to myself. 

"Girl, if you want to meet my brother, I can invite you over after school. He is more apt to talk to you," Raven said.

"Uh-uh. Yeah, I guess I'll come over to your place sometime but my mom wants me home today," I said as I began to feel my face get warm and I kept my eyes on my food. 

I started thinking to myself. Would he even talk to me? I'm klutzy and awkward.

I finished my food and dumped my tray as I knew Raven was excited to show me around the school. She flashed to my side in seconds with a smile on her face and I noticed she had dimples on both sides of her cheeks and her teeth were gleaming white like a movie star. 

"I think I'll head to my next class. See you later Victoria," Jessica said as she hurried off into the hallway. 

What is between Jessica and Raven that makes Jessica so standoffish to Raven?

"Let's start looking at your last three classes of the day," Raven said.

I glanced at my schedule again and noticed I had art and a huge smile spread across my face as I knew this was finally something I would enjoy. It was a billion times better than my first three boring classes. I may have been clumsy, but my art was one thing I took pride in. 

"Art is my next class," I said excitedly to Raven.

"You enjoy art?" She questioned.

"Yes, it's one thing I excel at."

She was so observant. I wondered how she could read my tones so well. I finally made a good friend. I enthusiasticly followed Raven into the art room which was full of portraits on the walls and half finished pottery on the middle table. There was every size paintbrush I could ever imagine and so many different colors of paint to choose from. I grew even more jubilant just looking at the art. I knew I was finally in love with the classroom. 

"Well, new girl, what's your last class of the day?" Raven said to me. 

Just as she said this, I saw a short rounded guy with a full head of thick auburn hair walk in. "You must be Victoria, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Mr. Smith, and I will be your art instructor this year." He held out his hand and I shook it with excitement. 

"Let's go find your next class, Victoria before the bell rings to indicate the end of lunch," Raven said in a hurry. 

I looked down at my school schedule and my last class was English. Ugh, I thought. Another boring class. "I have English," I groaned. 

"Victoria, that's one of the subjects I excel at. Don't worry, I'll help you through it." 

I smiled gratefully as I knew she would be in another class of mine and it wouldn't be as boring as I thought. 

"Well, that's your schedule for the day," she said as the final bell rang to indicate the end of lunch, "My next class is weights, so I'll see you in English Victoria." She hurried away and I was grateful to know I wouldn't get lost in the school my first day. 

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be to transfer to a new school my junior year. I mean at least I made two new friends my first day.

When the final bell rang at last. I sighed in relief that my first day was finally over. I grabbed my backpack and slung it over my shoulder and hurried off to the bus. As I was about to get on the bus, I caught sight of Scott and my heart dropped. Raven waved at me and waited in the front of the bus for her brother. Then they both walked up the stairs and found a seat. 

I hurried up the stairs of my bus to find a seat. I was glad I was not sharing my seat with someone. I grabbed onto the seat in front of me and slid into my seat.The driver turned on the bus and I heard it grumble to a start and then idle for a moment while each bus pulled away. The driver shut the doors of the bus before pulling out of the lot. I took a deep breath and relaxed.  I started thinking about Scott again and what Raven had told me about his rough life. I wondered whether or not if Scott and I would even be friends, let alone talk. I was intrigued to find out the reason he helped me especially since Raven was right there.