Chapter 1

My insides were numb .Life meaning over .I sat at my mothers grave .She had left so suddenly I never imagined I had so little time left with her. She never told me about her illness. Life is like that one moment you are with that person laughing, crying and the other moment that person is gone. I tried to cry but my eyes were dry. I felt a hand on my shoulder "Come keira its getting dark. Getup" Julie tapped on my shoulder .she was my best friend and whom I needed the most during this time. "Change" she ordered pointing at my clothes which were covered with moss and dirt when we reached her home. Your father will be here any moment. Father I repeated cynically The word was alien to me my so called father had divorced my mother just two months after I was born .My mother then raised me single handedly .My father was married to another women for some years and was happy .I only had met him once or twice in my entire life. Yes he would send me gifts as a token of love and here I was going to live with him that very idea scared me.

"Now dont you start that again please" I nodded and got up You will call me EVERYDAY. Got that keira .No excuses. Julie said crying .I never imagine that parting with her would be so difficult. I nodded and hugged her goodbye. My bags were in my dad's car. He opened his car door for me and I got into his Mercedes. I wished I could scream .I calmed myself then two years just two. I would go to college and be done with him and his family. "I am very sorry about your mother you know" Dont be. I snapped just keep your consolations to yourself I would appreciate that very much" He seemed taken aback and then "Whatever happened between me and Judith is past but now I think we should have to keep our difference aside." I simply turned my head away and he concentrated on his driving. My dad didnt prefer living in big cities so he had settled in a small town near

Washington made his fortune there by starting up a marble factory. I closed my eyes ready for whatever awaited me there. We are here he slowly said I got of the car and looked around the weather was relatively cold .I wrapped my arms around myself and shiver a little. "The house is a little old probably build in 1960s but we have renovated in to keep the latest accommodations .You will be quite comfortable here." Yeah he is right it is old but not the type that give you scares The car passes through lush green lawns and finally into the garage." "Come" he said taking my bags out of the car. I entered the door into the hall .Everything about this house is extravagant .floors carpeted hallways lit, fine wooden polished furniture, So here is your room he says I cross my room to the other side and open my window I hate having it closed .and then I turn around to inspect my room You could do whatever you want to your room to meet it up your taste he says still standing at the door I will give you some privacy now get fresh and changed eyeing my clothes and meet my family at dinner he smiles and leaves

That moment he leaves I fell at ease. I take off my shoes feeling the soft carpet beneath me and fell on bed which looks really comfortable. The next thing I know is that someone is knocking at my door .I opened it up Your father is calling you to dinner the servant girl said ah oh I curse myself and ran to the bathroom and bathed as fast as I could taking out the first pair of jeans and shirt that came into my hand .still I know that I am late .I follow the servant girl into the dining room and find four pairs of curious eyes trained on me. Hi Hi dear a round face women kissed my cheek Emily my wife my dad says somewhat embarrassed. I make this decision at once she is not the typical stepmother I had in mind .Perhaps I have read too many fairy tails "Mark and Angela my dad gestured to the two Hi. Its good to meet you Mark smiled and greeted me Then everyone of us is looking at Angela with her headphones in her ears she seems quite absorbed .Mark pokes her in the ribs she suppresses a cry of pain and I a laugh.

Hi she said and I hi back. Jade my dad said pointing to a girl about four or five sitting on her mothers lap smiled at me and then hid her face in her mothers lap. Mark and Angela were children from my stepmother previous marriage. Mark was abut 19 or 20 and Angela same as my age 17.but she had put on so much makeup that she looks a lot older than me .they both have blond hair and are tall and graceful. I that make people comfortable around them and Angela well I know she would be difficult. So keira what about school? I have enrolled you in and will be staring from tomorrow. My dad said Thanks I said I escaped to the safe shelter of my room as soon as dinner was over .I cleaned myself up and entered into the covers and I knew I couldnt sleep .I got up and closed the windows cause the wind howling makes me restless and return to bed .the bed is too soft I realize I then tumble over and suddenly I am crying I miss my life my mother my friends my little room .Julie and a lot of other things.

"Why did you have to die? I murmur

Chapter 2
I get up .I was lucky to get a few hours of sleep last night .I stared at myself in the mirror pale faced my cheekbones more visible than ever .My brown eyes sunk in and shine in them lost. I let my black hair slide to my back . I climbed down the stairs finding my dad waiting there for me. Hi he said Hi He handed me car keys and a credit card "What is this?" "Homecoming gift" he replied patted my back, wished me luck and left. Wow I said as I slid into my car. Unfolded the map which was folded neatly on the other seat .apparently my dad has put it there .the route was easy and I quickly folded it back. The high school was bigger than the previous one I went to .I parked my car and after twenty minutes I was able to find the office. I got inside.

Can I help you" the lady sitting behind the desk asked Umm sure. I am keira Watson..... "Oh the daughter of Mr. Watson late ...."She choked on her words '' I am so sorry" I said nothing .I felt like crying now Here is the time table and the map she smiled and handed me both I took both from her quietly. She wished me and I got out .I got out without even saying thanks. I felt dizzy. The memories of my mother I was trying so hard to lockup came back. With one sentence that women had shattered all my self control. I remembered her in her hospital bed pale and weak. calling out mostly my fathers name and sometimes mine .that I dont know why irritated me and when she would open her eyes she would hardly recognize me .I clutched my middle to dull the pain .fresh tears begin to drop from my eyes .I quickly rubbed them away swallowing the lump in my throat. I would not make a scene of myself in front of the entire school with my eyes and face all red. I got up from the sidewalk which was cold and was giving me chills and begin to walk around .I had ten minutes before my

first class starts . I kept my face emotionless something I was getting good at and walked in my first English class .people looked at me when I entered I studiously ignored them and placed my bag on the last bench. Those who were daring asked my name and where I was from and others simply looked. Mr. Akins whose name a girl told me entered and called the class to order. Day dragged on with me hurrying from one classroom to another. When lunch break bell rang I was nearly dragging myself. The cafeteria was enormous with white washed walls and posters hanging on them. Black tables and chairs filled with laughing, working and talking students. I stood there deciding which table I should occupy .I wasnt definitely thinking of sitting alone. I saw Angela sitting with her friends .she caught my eye and then turned away. Cleary I wasnt invited and I wasnt intending to join her either. "Can I sit here "I asked a group of girls I clearly liked. "Sure "a girl with red hair and blue eyes replied Thanks I said as I slid into the chair.

I am Susan black that girl said and gesturing to the other two "Lauren" a round face girl with dark brown curls smiled at me "Jordan the other girl spoke for herself with short blond hair and with a pretty face said "keira Watson introducing myself They seemed surprised and taken aback. So you are Angela's stepsister Susan inquired Since my dad married her mom yes I think I am So what is this place like? ahh the typical high school "Susan smiled the geeks , she pointed all along the way the musicians ,the singers, the scientists, the goths, the self centered clique group which included Angela too, the athletes and whats left of it are normal average people making a circle around us. Arent we the normal average people? Susan looked surprised as a boy slid into the chair beside her Normal average people dont scare the guts out of me by appearing out of nowhere.

He shrugged. So who is your new friend? He said looking at me "She's pretty' Jordan rolled her eyes Larry this is keira Watson .keira this is Larry steward He raised his eyes "Guys over here "he called waving his hands frantically. Three other boys approached our table .My heart beat stopped. He was tall, handsome with light brown hair and dark eyes and was moving with a grace that I wouldnt have managed. The three sat down "The table is a bit crowded but we can manage" Larry said "just cramp you in" "A bit crowded? I can hardly breathe" Susan complained "Then find a bigger table next time dear" The three raised their eyes when they saw me "Oops I forgot Larry said keira there are my friends Caleb, Ricky, Ned" Larry kept babbling for most of the time and all we had to do was listen .I was aware of him all the time more than anything in my entire life .he spoke a little only when necessary. He looked as if he wasnt there his eyes sometimes trailing

off into the empty space. I let my gaze slip to him sometimes So keira will you sit with us tomorrow? Susan asked as she walked with me to our next class "Sure" Because of Caleb huh? Well I noticed you noticing Caleb "I did not "I blushed ''you did and all the girls did too except he the mysterious, handsome guy who every girl wants but he's not interested in anything except himself consider yourself warned.Good luck girl" With that she left me dumbstruck standing where I was .

Chapter 3
First day was over and was totally exhausting and exciting. I turned around and found a small head peaking inside which quickly disappeared . I smiled .she was hiding behind the curtains .her little feet visible. Whoooooosh.. I opened up the curtains "Here you are

Embarrassed and nowhere to hide she hugged my legs. I picked her up and carried her to my room. How old are you? She raised her three fingers .I grinned .we immediately became best friends she was adamant on pleasing me showing me her books and dolls. "Want to go shopping with me? Angela asked Shopping? "It is okay if you dont want to go." "Remember the deal Angela" Mark said coming up from behind. "What deal?" Angela scowled "Mind your own business Mark" "Well I would love to go" Mark smiled and Angela scowled again. He caught my arm and whispered "dont push her any further. Your dad asked her to take you to shopping and he would raise her allowance