Chapter 1

Aubrey's POV

At last the school bell rang indicating that school was over for the day and damn was I happy.I mean it's not like I had someplace better to be at like a party or hangout with friends since I didn't even have any friends.But school drained me in every aspect socially mentally, emotionally name it.I mean I don't know who gave parents the idea that sitting all day having our heads pumped with absurd philosophical and scientific ideas would give us a good future. School was a pain in the ass.Not that I suck at studies but still I don't like it.More properly I hate studying.I mean who the hell in their right mind loves studying (eye roll)

Anyway that's not the main reason why I hate school.As you would expect from girls of my age dressing up , being attractive ,getting a boyfriend , becoming a socialite and being recognized by the juniors is the main highlight.I on the other hand am not a social bird and my focus is elsewhere.No actually scratch that I am not even social.Being around people drains me because it makes me overly sensitive about how I dress , whether they consider my walking style normal or weird are my arms swinging the right way or awkwardly.Are people staring and what are they even thinking.I become too self conscious and I overthink to a very unhealthy degree which makes me feel weird.My therapist called it introvert fever coz technically I spent most of my time indoors.And before you ask I'm not some psycho or anything like that.That is if Asian guys are not included.Im a sucker for those guys^_^

The reason I actually see a therapist is because my childhood hasn't exactly been a fantasy land where I am a princess who rides on her beautiful unicorn or where everything is made of cotton candy. Now that I think of it that's so silly. Reality hit me at a real young age so it's accurate to say I kinda had a disturbed childhood.Kinda contributes to my current personality.It all started when my parents separated when I was five.There was a dispute over who would get to keep me so the case was taken to court.They did not trust each other to take care of me.And so while the case was in court I wasn't allowed to stay with either of them.So I was taken to a children's shelter.My stay there was not very pleasant.The kids there were mean and would always say mean things like how my parents did not love me and that they would never come back to pick me and I would be left there forever.I would cry every night and wish for my parents to come and take me away from that place.

I was a lonely child until one day a little cute girl with short brown hair and grey eyes approached me.She handed me a not too big book and ran off.I quietly opened the book after reading it's cover 'Hunchback of Notre Dame'It seemed quite interesting especially the pictures. That kinda contributed to my current love for books. The girl came back again with more books and we got used to each other.Her books were really interesting especially the pictures.I was amazed at how they were drawn.Thats what sparked my interest in drawing.All these things took my mind off my current problems and allowed me to bask in a little happy place with my new friend.I asked how she ended up here and she said that her parents were divorcing.Both wanted their custody so the case was taken to court.She and her brother however loved their mother and did not want to be separated.I assured her that their mother would win.She seemed unsure but nodded obediently that was just so cute.One day as we were sitting at our usual place the swing deeply focused on the books in our hands I was currently reading Snow-white.I was fascinated by snow-white's beauty and the old hag's ugliness. It made me cringe at the sight. A big boy came up to us and snatched our books roughly.What was his problem like really (eyeroll).He threw them on the ground and stepped on them.My little friend started crying and I couldn't watch that and before I even realized what I was doing I was already facing the big bully."Oooh such a brave child defending her friend that's so cute"he used a sweet mocking tone."But too bad you're too little to do anything and you will get stepped on like these books"he then stomped on the books real hard and that completely ticked me off.Just because he was big and strong doesn't give him the right to do that.I was going to lunge at him with everything I had despite my small body but I hit something with my nose and fell back on the ground rubbing my nose.Before I could speak someone else spoke "How dare you hurt my sister you scumbag"Another boy not as tall as the bully was standing face to face with the bully.Then in a swift move that I can't even explain the bully was kneed in the stomach and he fell then the other boy climbed up on top of him and started punching him.That was awesome my brain yelled and I know I should not be doing that in the middle of a fight but still awesome moves need to be appreciated (grin). Where did he even learn to do that.

The bully was beaten up pretty bad before the shelter's management found out and they were both punished.Too bad only the bully should be punished.The boy who saved me came over and hugged the little girl who sniffled in his embrace."Don't you ever do that again you dummy "she warned cutely but he only smiled and ruffled her hair."I will always defend you no matter what you say"he ruffled her hair.My heart was practically threatening to burst due to cuteness overload.I also always wanted a sibling to protect and love and keep me company.But I guess that it was not possible because currently my family was breaking up. I started picking up the books which had been trampled on.Her brother then came up to me and pointed to my nose "Does it hurt" I hadn't actually noticed my nose had turned red from the earlier impact of hitting his back.He then stared into my eyes and chuckled "Should I call you little red riding hood or what?"I widened my eyes wondering where he was getting all this then I looked down at the book I was holding. "The little red riding hood" it read."You haven't answered me yet?"he probed."I don't know"I blurted out.He smiled and then walked away leaving me puzzled about what was funny."I haven't told you my name yet I'm Alicia" the little girl who was definitely nicer than her brother said "Aubrey"I said."He's Hayden by the way he isn't that social"I nodded.I know I said I'm kinda antisocial but this boy was on a whole new level.He didn't speak with anyone but his sister.Apart from that one time he willing spoke to me he never did again.I tried reaching out to him but he would ever say was 'mmmh' I never really got discouraged by this and I was determined but my time at the children's shelter ran out.

The court had finally delivered a verdict and my mom was given my custody.I know that from a child this sounds really weird but again I've never been a normal child.Every child loves their mom but my case was different.I once overheard my parents arguing and my mom told my dad they should have never had me that I was just a burden to both of them holding them back from achieving their dreams.She even recounted that she had been contracted by a huge company when she found out she was pregnant with me.I didn't even want to hear the rest.I rushed into my room and cried so hard but I swore to never seek for love from her ever again.Even before I overheard them I was never really close to her because she was always working never having time for me.So when I found that she had my custody I begged dad to take me away from her but he said he could not go against the courts orders.

Living with my mom was no fun at all.She couldn't be there for me so she hired a nanny.She would go on long business trips and I didn't see her much which I was thankful for.The young girl who was assigned as my nanny was called Kelly.She was sweet and fun to be around.I had so much fun with her at least much more than I'd ever have with my mom in a lifetime.Dad would facetime me everyday and sent me presents every week.And on weekends I would go over to my granny's place with Kelly of course.Grandmas food was the best ever.Sometimes dad would come over and I would have the best weekend ever being around people who really loved me and cared for me.

However it's like I'm jinxed to never lead a happy life.One day Kelly was preparing me to pay a visit to Grandma when my mom who was actually around for once suggested to come over.That totally ruined my mood but what happened the moment I arrived at grandma's place totally killed any remaining hopes I had of a happy life.Maybe I'm being too dramatic but that's how I really felt.I saw dad the moment I arrived and I ran towards him and hugged him.

"Babe" I heard a feminine voice call out.A black haired woman came out of the house and gave him a peck."Ooh babe I forgot to introduce you guys.Sally this is my daughter Aubrey.Aubrey this is..."I didn't let him finish"Daddy how could you do this"my tears welled up in my eyes.I couldn't believe dad was having his own family.Was I not sufficient for him that he had to start another family.

"Why daddy you don't love me anymore?"I asked pouting my lips."No baby daddy loves you alot"he said caressing my cheeks."Princess your da.." it was Sally who spoke and boy was I hoping to give apiece of my mind because she was the one taking my beloved father away from me. I immediately cut her off "You , you want to take my daddy away from me.You are the evil stepmother I read about I hate you"I said releasing all my anger."Aubrey that's not how you talk to older people" my dad warned."She wants to take you away and make you forget me" I then started sobbing and flashed my dad my blue eyes welling up with tears those were his weakness.He hugged me and said that he would never leave me.

"Now now what's with the commotion" my grandma came and broke the tense atmosphere."Grandmaaaa" I ran towards her and hugged her.Even I surprise myself wity mood swings one minute I was angry then the other minute I was being adorable. Anyway the rest of the day went on with me shooting daggers at Sally aka evil stepmother acting as if my mom didn't exist and acting all adorable while dad and grandma were around.Everything was going well and grandma and I were gardening in her backyard.She was telling me to go easy on Sally and that she isn't an evil stepmother as I believed.I nodded of course promising myself to hate her more.As if grandma knew what I was thinking she chuckled."Grandma I.." when I turned towards she was clutching tight onto her chest as if she was having difficulty breathing."Grandma are you okay" I immediately called for help and she was rushed to hospital.

"Daddy will she be okay" my dad assured me she would be.But I kinda didn't believe him."She promised to cook delicious stew tonight" I sobbed."She will baby she will" my dad assured."Did she get sick because of me because I argued with Sally" I whined."No baby grandma was sick okay and it's not because of you" he gently wiped my tears.

The devastating news however about my grandma dying when it finally came made everyone breakdown.I cried till my eyes were swollen.I kinda blamed myself for her death because I reasoned that everyone who loves me is always taken away by fate.I refused to go back home with mom and went with dad instead.

After grandma's funeral however mom insisted I go back with her and Sally supported her which didn't please me at all.The feelings I had been bottling up for so long suddenly burst out.And for a five year old I sure had alot to say.

"Why do you want me to go back with you when to you I'm a burden.You are a bad mother and guess what I hate you..."