CHAPTER 1

As I slowly opened my eyes, I found I was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. It was not the same ceiling that was in my room; no… this ceiling was made of glass, and I was looking out into the night. Where was I? I didn't remember how I got there. I felt much too comfortable. My head, though aching felt as if it were on a pillow. I felt a scab on my head, as I slowly sat up, and examined the room. I was sweating, and my long brown hair was damp on my neck. The wall facing the outside was also made of glass. What I could make of the view was a river, surrounded by heavy forest. The bed was pushed to the far left of the room which it dominated. The frame of the bed was metallic and black. On the opposite wall to the bed, there stood an enormous CD collection. I looked towards the door, and thought about making a run for it. The problem was, I didn't know who or what I was running from. I looked back to the glass wall and noticed a black leather couch pushed up against it. There on the couch lay a boy. He seemed about thirteen, maybe fourteen. He was asleep from what I could tell. His skin illuminated by the moonlight. I couldn't remove my gaze from the beautiful child. I saw his eyelids flicker, and he met my gaze.

"You're finally awake!" He practically screamed. "Took you long enough… I know you probably have a TON of questions but those can wait. Are you hungry? Do you want me to get you anything?" The boy was right, I did have a lot of questions, but I couldn't seem to find my voice to ask them. "Let me get you some water." He exclaimed as he got up and walked (more like glided) to the door.

"Wait…" I managed to croak out. "Where am I? Who are you? How did I get here?" my voice was starting to sound frantic… my mom had always said I was prone to overreaction.

"I'll explain everything later." And with that he was gone. I leaned back against the backboard of the bed and let out a deep sigh. The most surprising thing was that I wasn't scared (well I was scared, but not as much as I thought I would be, gathering the situation.) Before my sigh had ended, the boy was back with a glass of water. He turned on the lights, which were on both sides of the bed.

"Here." He handed me the glass. "Now, let's clarify a couple of details first." He said as he sat down at the other end of the bed cross-legged. I took a sip of the water and waited for him to continue. His voice sounded of wind chimes, how beautiful it was. His hair black as night, as were his eyes. His face was at the point of losing its roundness and becoming more masculine. "Firstly, my name is Julian. I'm about to give you a quick background check before I tell the rest of my family that you have awoken. I live with my three brothers and am the youngest. The first of my brothers is the eldest William. He's the one I consider the peace keeper around this house. He's twenty five years of age. Victor the second eldest is the one who usually likes to be the centre of attention. Though he also is the one most prone to violence. He likes to fight, gamble and so forth, he is nineteen. Last but not least my brother Jesse. This is his room. He was the least in favour of keeping you here, but he's not that bad once you get to know him. He is eighteen. I am thirteen by the way. Enough about us though, what's your name?" I was so distracted by the beautiful young boys' voice; I had forgotten my own name. I stumbled for words.

"My name is Mia, uhm… I'm eighteen. How did I get here? Where am I anyway? I just want to go home!" I practically screamed.

"It's alright Mia… there is no need to be frightened. Do you remember anything before you came here?" Julian asked, trying to calm my hysteria.

"No, that's what I've been trying to figure out!" My voice still frantic.

"Then the news I have to carry isn't pleasant. Now, I would appreciate you let me speak, and ask questions when I finish." He waited.

"Alright…" I said, fear spreading through my body instantly.

"Let's start with how you got here… I carried you. Why you are here, because I couldn't leave you unconscious at the side of the road. Why would you be at the side of the road you may ask? I say this with a heavy heart Mia… I was running along my usual path, when I saw your car flip and set on fire… I was only able to manage to retrieve you, and am extremely sorry to tell you that both your parents have passed." His eyes dropped as he said that last sentence.

"My p…parents are d…dead?" I stuttered. I felt my throat tighten, and water well up in my eyes.

"Oh please don't cry! I didn't mean to upset you! I'm sorry! I knew I shouldn't have told you yet! " Julian exclaimed frantically, trying to calm me. I burst into a fit of tears. My bangs fell and covered my tear-filled eyes.

"I just need some time to be alone please." I said my voice cracking. He left me alone then, and I cried for a couple of hours, until I couldn't cry any longer. I drifted away into sleep.

I was cold, but didn't have the strength in me to pull up the covers myself. A couple of hours past, when I felt someone pull the covers over my body. I opened my eyes slightly, only to see the most gorgeous creature I have ever seen walking across the room. He was bare-chested as he rummaged through some drawers. He turned and locked gazes with me. His eyes gorgeous, though just as black as his brothers. His dark brown hair messy, but he still looked like a model out of a catalogue.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to wake you." He said, in the most hypnotizing voice I had ever heard. I sat up almost automatically.

"It's alright, I was awake." I lied, while trying to keep my voice coherent. "I…I'm Mia." I stuttered, still breathless from his gaze. He continued to look at me. He approached the bed, and my heart stopped. As if he had heard my heart skip a beat, he smiled. His smile was the single most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I blushed automatically, as he extended his hand.

"Jesse," he said, shaking my hand.

"I…I'm sorry I took over your room." I said, craving to hear his voice again.

"It's no problem." He grabbed a shirt from the drawer and headed for the door. "If you need anything I'll be downstairs." He said, not looking back at me, as he left the room. I wanted to say 'I need you', but that would have been MUCH too embarrassing. I sat at the edge of the bed, when Julian came into the room.

"Did he wake you?" He said, trying to sound tough… it made me laugh a little.

"No, no. I was awake." I told him, trying to hide my giggles. I felt my stomach make a loud rumbling noise, which caused me to blush.

"I almost forgot! Ha-ha, are you hungry?" It was like he had just recited the cure for cancer. I answered him with a smile. He led me down a spiralling staircase, toward a great big foyer. The floor was cold, and I was bare footed. He gestured for me to sit on a sofa, where I saw his other two (also gorgeous, but not quite as gorgeous as Jesse) brothers.

"Oh hello, I'm William," one of them said, extending his hand toward me. He didn't have black eyes like his brothers, no. His eyes were a strange gray/silver color.

"Mia," I said as I shook his hand. The other one—who I presumed was Victor—did not acknowledge me.

"Pay no attention to my brother Victor here, he's just hungry." William said, while Victor threw him a glance that would make any other guy pee his pants on the spot. With that, Victor got up and left the room. I turned my head only to find Jesse standing right behind me. His eyes were piercing into mine, and knocked the breath right out of me. He removed his gaze from mine and turned to William.

"I'm going out." Jesse said flatly.

"When will you be back?" William asked, suddenly a worried tone in his voice.

"I'll be back when I'm back." Jesse replied, as he walked out the door.

"What was that all about?" Julian asked, as he walked out of the kitchen carrying Kraft Dinner.

"Ugh, just Jesse being… Jesse." William said, obviously agitated. Julian handed me the bowl of KD and I started eating.

"So Mia, do you have any other family you can live with?" William asked, trying to be polite.

"No… both my parents are…were only children and my grandparents (on both sides) passed before I was born." I heard my voice crack as I corrected my sentences.

"Well you can stay with us of course, but do you need to retrieve your belongings from home perhaps?"

"I don't have any belongings at home… we were moving and all my things were in the car…and the car is…" I couldn't bear to finish the sentence.

"Yes well… I'm sorry about your parents Mia. As for your things, as soon as Jesse comes back he will take you to buy a couple of new articles of clothing, just so you don't have to wear those jeans and t-shirt for a week." He said, trying to sooth me.

"But…I don't have any money..."

"Do not worry about that, it will be taken care of. The only problem is when Jesse will be back." William said his brow furrowing. "But no matter, you should go get some more sleep… it will be a long day tomorrow." I hadn't noticed, or even looked at a clock for god knows how long. Though when I finally did, the clock read 10 p.m. Where had the days gone?

"Um Julian, how long have I been here?" I asked, suddenly confused.

"Well, you were asleep for two days straight, so about three days… why?"

"THREE DAYS?!" I screamed in alarm. I suddenly felt light headed, maybe I could use some more sleep.

"Julian, take Mia upstairs and give her one of Jesses shirts to sleep in." William said, ignoring my outburst.

We walked back up the stairs, and Julian ran to the drawers at the other end of the room. He quickly rummaged through, throwing shirts and boxers all over the room. I sat on the edge of the bed in confusion… what was he looking for?

"Found it!" Julian screamed, throwing a Ramones shirt and chequered boxers at me. I held the shirt away from me, looking at it. I actually liked that band, so I shrugged and put it down beside me. I held out the boxers and felt myself blush. Jesse wore these boxers. He wore them without anything un—no, I was so not just thinking that. I looked back at Julian and he was putting a pillow and blanket on the couch.

"Uhm, Julian… who's sleeping on the couch?" I assumed it was me, and I didn't really mind.

"Jesse is, if you don't mind. Though if it bothers you, he can sleep downstairs?" He asked questioningly.

"No, it's fine. I could sleep on the couch too… I don't want to be a bother. I'm already grateful for all that your family has done for me."

"Don't be absurd!" He laughed at me. "Now, I'm going to leave you to get changed. If you need anything just call. My room is just down the hall, the red door on the right," he said, as he left the room closing the door behind him. I collapsed on the bed and let out a deep, long sigh. I lay on the bed for a while, gathering my energy to go change. After a while, I got up and walked to the bathroom. I changed and went back to sleep.

I started tossing and turning, as my eyes opened. I had had a bad dream, though I couldn't remember it anymore. I looked at the alarm clock, sitting at the bedside table. It read 3:30 am. I stretched, let out a little groan, and sat up. That's when I froze.