CHAPTER 1

Preface

...

My name is Julia Elizabeth McGrath. I just turned fifteen towards the end of June. My best friend Anissa and I met at the orphanage when we were four. Ever since that day, we've always been by each other's side. Wherever she went, I went. Moreover, wherever I went, she went. We were like sisters, but different in looks.

I had light brown/dirty blonde hair that curled. It hit a few inches below my shoulders. I am shorter than Anissa by an inch or two, but my legs are a little longer which makes me look a little taller than I am. I have dark blue eyes that are lighter in the sun, but in the middle are the colors gray and green. I get blue and gray from my dad and the green from my mom. I always keep a picture of them. I had pale peach skin with a few freckles on my nose and cheeks. My pants were black, and they hit a few inches lower than my ankle, so I roll them up. My shirt was a silky material, and it is a light pink. I also wore a black vest unbuttoned, and black suede ankle booties.

Anissa was a few months younger than me, her birthday landing on September 23rd. She is 5'4, with pale skin, and dark curly brown hair. Her eyes were dark blue. She is Puerto Rican, and she is very sassy and never talks to the other kids as much as me. She wears brown pants that are below her ankle, a long sleeve purple shirt and she also wears black ankle boots.

When a person sees or hears about an orphan, the first thing on their mind, or the first thing that should be on their mind, is what happened to their parents. Not every child knows, sometimes, the social worker, the workhouse owners, or the foster parents can lie to keep it a secret, or maybe they don't know themselves.

When I was ten, I asked one of the workhouse owners what happened to my parents. She looked at me since I never actually talked to her and said, "You're mother died of something, no one knows what. It was about two years after you were born. No one knows about the father. Some people say he left, and there are others that say your mother has a problem and left him, never being faithful to anyone. You can guess the rest, can you?"

I don't know anything about my parents, but I have a picture of them on their wedding day. I can say that I resemble my father a lot, but I can tell that I have my mom's hair color and skin tone. The first day I came, I was, and I never talked to anyone, none but one, and that person is Anissa. She came up to me and introduced myself, and we clicked like that. I think it's because we can agree on almost anything, but we also have different personalities. I'm more quiet and passive aggressive while she's a smart Alec and always getting herself into trouble.

Anissa and I share a room, away from everyone else because we don't want to be near them. The wall is a grayish color. There's a closet, two dressers, a bathroom and two beds about two feet away from each other. The two of us were in the bedroom that we share, talking about running away. We've wanted to leave for the longest time. I can't believe that we're taking the risk to flee. Many kids have tried to go, but they've either been beaten and brought back or given away. I can't bear the fact that I can be caught and sold to someone else for God only knows what.

"I hate this horrid place." Anissa sighed, "It does no one good."

"Isn't that why we're running away?"

"If we run off, where are we going to go?" Anissa asked.

"London."

"Julia, that's a week away!" She exclaimed.

"That's why we're going to sneak into a carriage. It's better than walking."

"We have to be careful, Julia," Anissa warned.

"Why?" I asked her.

"I hear that Fagin lives in London."

"Who is Fagin?" I asked.

I've never heard of the name Fagin before. Anissa reads more while I'm more of a write. She'll read anything, even if it's old and boring. That's just how she is, but she's brilliant with books, while I am knowledgable and logical. Anissa allows her emotions to get in the way.

"A criminal who has boys steal for him. He's had a few girls, but only some."

"Anissa, don't believe everything you see or hear. This Fagin guy could live anywhere."

"I'm just warning you."

"How will we know it's him?" I asked.

"He is a Jew. It said that he has blonde hair. However, he probably aged, so no one knows what he looks like now. The police never discovered his whereabouts."

"How do you know all of this?"

"The paper, Julia."

Of course, she reads those boring newspapers. It's probably an old newspaper that she found.

"That could fit anyone's description," I pointed out. I have never heard of this Fagin guy, but he could be dead. Plus, many people have blonde hair.

"Not every blonde haired person is a thief," she crossed her arms.

"Anissa, he's most likely dead. Relax; everything will be fine," I hoped.

All of a sudden, two boys walked in, Chad and Lawrence. They are both Sixteen years old, a year older than Anissa and I. They both have brown eyes, similar in shade, but Lawrence's eyes are a little lighter with a tiny tint of green.

Chad's wearing blue pants with a puffy white shirt. His hair looks gelled back. Lawrence, on the other hand, is wearing black pants and a puffy blue shirt. His hair looks a little messy. I forgot to mention that they have crushes on us. Chad closed the door behind them.

"Oh, great," Anissa groaned, getting off the bed, with me following in her footsteps.

"Hello, ladies," Lawrence leaned against the wall, giving me a quick wink. I rolled my eyes.

"What do you two want?" Anissa asked, annoyed. Chad likes her while Lawrence likes me.

"Just letting you both know that we are always here to assist you," Lawrence smiled, sheepishly.

"Are you still hoping that we'll like the both of you back?" Anissa rose a brow.

"Your dreams will never come true," I added, and Anissa snickered.

"Hey girl, I know that deep inside you feel the same way I do," Lawrence said, making kissing noises.

"I know that deep inside I hate your guts." I snarled, and Anissa looked away, laughing because of the desperation from the two boys'. If they want a girl, they should go to Chloe. She'll date anyone for attention.

"We'll see," Chad replied.

"I thought you liked me, Chad?" Anissa turned around and looked at him. "Now you're hitting on my friend?"

"That's right, you tell him, Anissa," I defended in a high pitched voice.

"You should know that my eyes are on you," Chad turned to her and smiled.

"And you should know that my eyes aren't," Anissa sassed.

I am so proud of her. The only person she back talked was Chad and a few other people. She always ignored Lawrence, though, as he never spoke to her.

"We've never been treated with such disrespect," Lawrence got closer to both of us. "All the girls want us. They envy you both. You two should consider yourselves lucky."

"I consider myself disgusted." I rolled my eyes and placed my hand on my chest to over exaggerate a little bit.

"I consider myself in a relationship," Anissa snorted, sarcastically. She was probably hoping that the two would go away and leave us alone, but she was wrong.

"Oh, so that's why you don't like me," Chad replied.

I smacked my forehead. "Boys."

"I know, when will those two learn?"

Chad and Lawrence looked at each other confused, and then they turned to look at us, getting closer. A little too close for my liking.

"What did you mean by that, Schreiber?" Chad crossed his arms. I turned to see the look on Anissa's face. Uh oh. She's going to say something that will get her into trouble.

"Anissa, you should stop."

"No, Julia, I want to see what your friend has to say," Chad stared at Anissa.

I turned to Anissa who smirked. Here we go. "Have you ever heard of sarcasm?" She asked. "I figured you did. Then again, I can't expect anything logical from you, now can I?"

I giggled a little bit because that comment was funny. Lawrence gave all of his attention to me. I stopped laughing, waiting to see what would happen next.

"I didn't expect to hear sarcasm from you, sweetheart," Chad said sternly.

"Don't call me that! I may have a heart, but it's not all over you," She chocked.

I looked at her in shock. I never knew Anissa could get so mean. That's what happens when someone gets her and me angry, though, I'm calmer.

"Ouch," Lawrence tightened his eyes closed and opened them up, smiling at me. "Well, I guess there's still a chance, right?"

"Let me think about it: no," I replied flatly.

"You aren't her type, anyway."

"Hey, I heard her say to you that she likes bad boys."

"You aren't a bad boy. You're a wannabe. Also, she likes boys that have a little bit of a bad side to them but are sweet and funny. You, sir, are none of those things. So take yourself and your annoying, love-struck friend and get lost."

"You need to act like a lady," Chad grabbed her wrist. Lawrence grabbed my waist and held me close to him.

"Chad, let go of me!" Anissa struggled. I am not fond of this at all. I guess this isn't going to get interesting.

I also struggled since Lawrence is mighty. They're both tall, at least six feet. Okay, I'm exaggerating a little bit. Chad and Lawrence are both 5'8.

"If you don't let me go this instant, I'll kick you so hard in the stomach. You'll puke up a month's worth of disgusting, workhouse porridge!"

Ouch.

"Kick me. I dare you."

She went to kick him, but he grabbed her leg.

"Get off of me!" She shouted, getting ready to punch him at any minute.

Lawrence stroked my hair, and both of them laughed. So, they like seeing girls being bothered, eh? Well, I'm about to prove them wrong. My womanly instincts kicked in as I slapped Lawrence across the face, hard. He's just lucky that's the only thing I did. He looked at me, holding his cheek, Anissa looked with an amused face while Chad looked shocked. I glared at Lawrence whom then let go of me.

"This isn't the end of it," Lawrence glared at me. "I'll make sure you love me, and you can't stop it."

"Keep on dreaming," I replied, a matter of factly. "By the way, be happy I only slapped you."

He glared at me. "I know you'll feel the same way I do."

"Wash your soul, and when you do, use some cleaner."

Anissa burst out laughing as the two boys stared at me.

"Don't think the both of us are finished with you two. Especially you, girl." Chad pointed at me, "You've lost your luck. You're quiet; since when are you so bold?"

"And since when are you so handsome? Why's the grass green? Why's the sky blue? I know the answers to all of those three questions, but someone as brain dead as you won't be able to figure them out."

Chad glared at me and went to walk over to me, but Lawrence put his arm out to stop him. "Don't hit her."

"I wasn't going to hit her. I was going to tell her to have manners."

"Then why don't you say it from your spot?" Anissa jumped in, crossing her arms.

Chad didn't answer her question. He nudged Lawrence, and both of them walked out of the room and closed the door.

"Wow, Julia, excellent reflexes. Most of all, nice attitude," Anissa complimented.

"Thank you, Anissa."