Chapter 1

I was alone on the bus on my way to The City of Republic, Washington. I'm going there to move in with my Uncle Craig and my cousin Tyler. Tyler's parents had gotten a divorce and he is living with his dad. His mom, off with some other guy; not carrying about his son. It's not like Tyler cared anyway, he never did like his mom.

The reason why I am moving in with Craig and Tyler is because my mom had died just recently. My dad had taken it really hard and comes home late at night. One day Craig and Tyler had come over for a visit and dad stumbled in like the drunkard he was. He blamed me for mom's death. He said if I hadn't needed a drive home from school, she wouldn't be dead. Craig and Tyler decided it was time for me to move away from dad until he got his act together. They were nervous that dad was going to hurt me.

I sat in my seat on the bus patiently. I looked out the window to see where we were and I saw up ahead two figures waving their arms as if they were about to fall off. I smiled widely and opened the bus window, waving back at my greeters.

"Irina!" One had called out. The voice sounded young and alive, obviously Tyler. My smile went wider when I began to see him jump up and down, then Craig smacking him upside the head saying something. The bus came to a stop and I grabbed my bags and jumped off. I first saw Craig when I got off so I greeted him with a hug.

"Irina! How are you? Sorry we couldn't take you with us when we came over. We brought the truck and there were only two seats." He said apologetically. I smiled and shook my head.

"Its fine I needed to pack a lot of stuff anyway." I said placing my bags down on the ground. Craig took my bags and headed to the truck to place them inside. I looked from the corner of my eye and saw Tyler smirking over at me. I turned fully toward him and walked over.

I had to look up at Tyler because he was so tall. Or I was just short.

"What's up squirt?" He asked. Seems he thought so too.

I smiled anyhow knowing he was joking with me. "Nothing much loser." I said making my own snarky remark. Tyler laughed and pulled me into a friendly hug. I returned it with a smile plastered on my face.

I let go of him and said, "Oh yeah, about that prank you pulled on me at the airport. What the hell? I'll be getting you back either way though." I said putting my hands on my hips smirking up at him.

He began to laugh, "That was so funny! You called me and yelled at me during lunch! Everyone was wondering the hell was going on!" He said laughing harder.

Back when I was at the airport getting a plane to Washington (I lived in England), I asked Tyler what gate I was supposed to go to. He told me gate four. I asked the lady at the desk when the plane would be leaving and she told me I was at the wrong gate. The flight to Washington was gate fifteen, on the other side of the airport and she also said that the flight would be leaving in twenty minutes. While running to gate fifteen, I called Tyler and I gave him a piece of my mind. During my argument with Tyler someone in the background of Tyler's phone said to shut up. I was silent for a moment before yelling loud enough for that person to hear and then hung up.

"Who was that guy anyway? " I asked looking up and Tyler questionably. Tyler of course began to snicker.

"Oh that? That guy's name is Desmond Lyndon. He looked pretty pissed of when you hung up." Tyler said smirking.

I looked the other way, secretly happy that I had gotten someone angry without actually being there. I looked back up when I heard Craig calling to us.

"The bags are inside the truck. If you want you can ride in the back." He said smiling.

I nodded eagerly and hopped in the back while Tyler slowly walked over. He slowly climbed in, taking his ever so sweet time. It had gotten me annoyed him taking so long. He seemed to notice and just laughed in off. When he finally got in Craig started the truck and we were off.

We drove into town and it was still the same. It still had the small little shops I loved to go through. There were even some people that I recognized from three years ago. Craig had to go into the bank for a moment and Tyler went along with because apparently, my company wasn't good enough. Or so he says. Every time someone would walk by, I would wave hi. They of course said hi right back. I was happy that the people in town were so friendly but a little nervous when the time came for school. The person I would probably only know would be Tyler and I didn't like the idea of following him around the school like a lost puppy.

That's when I saw him. He was walking down the street like any normal person would on a Saturday. He had short brown hair that was spiked up and coal black eyes. He was as white as a sheet and had purplish black lines underneath those dark penetrating eyes. It looked like he was sleep deprived.

He noticed me starring and starred right back. The way he starred back was penetrating. I wanted to turn away but I couldn't bring myself to. As he gracefully walked closer, I tried to recompose myself though it was not working. He noticed my attempts and he smirked. My breath was knocked out of me; there was no word to describe how beautiful he was.

At the very last moment, I took a deep breath and smiled. This seemed to take him off guard so I smiled more toward him. When he finally got close enough to hear me I spoke,

"Hi. My name's Irina Thomas. What's yours?" I asked reaching my hand out toward him to grasp.

He stared at it for a moment before grasping his hand into mine. It was like I had touched a pack of ice you use to bring swelling down from in injury. A shiver ran up my spine. He smirked again and replied my question.

"My name is Benjamin Lyndon. It's a pleasure to meet you." He said turning his smirk into a smile. I lost my breath for a moment.

I took in his name. It seemed like his name was for older times. Somewhere into the past but none the less I liked it. I saw him starring at me like he was waiting for an answer. I smiled and let go of his freezing cold hand.

"I like that name. Benjamin. Now if I ever have a child I'll name him Benjamin." I said laughing. Benjamin laughed along with me. His laugh was like an angel's bell. When I heard mine and his come together it sounded weird. My voice was nothing compared to his soft, smooth voice.

"Be sure to tell your child that you named him by someone you just met." He said smiling toward me. I laughed and nodded. "I'm very sure he'd love to hear that."

"I take it your new hear?" I nodded my head, my smile widening. "I have come down here from time to time to visit my uncle and cousin. But I haven't been over in a couple years" I said.

He was silent for a while as Benjamin thought about my words, and then he looked back up and smiled. "So I guess you'll be going to Republic High School." Benjamin said continuing to smile.

I nodded. "I'm kind of nervous. The only people I know are my cousin and now you." I said feeling a little embarrassed.

Benjamin smiled saying, "Don't worry once you meet everyone they'll be your friends I won't doubt that." He said laughing.

I gave him a look. "Exactly how big is the school?" This made him laugh more. "There are probably two hundred students in that school-well, two hundred and one now." He said smiling wider.

"Benjamin!"

I turned around to see who called out to him. Your uncle was standing at the door smiling widely at the gorgeous boy. Tyler stood behind him, seeming like he was glaring at Benjamin. I looked at him quizzically when he caught me starring. He just shrugged his shoulders and walked over to the side of the truck.

"Benjamin! It's nice to see you! How are you? Tell your I'll be in around five." Craig said smiling down at the boy. Benjamin smiled back.

"I will. I'm doing very well thank you." He said.

Craig turned toward me gesturing me with his hand. "I take it you've acquainted yourself with my niece Irina." He said. Benjamin smiled looking over at me.

"Yes. But she didn't tell me that she was related to you and Tyler. Now I know who it was who was yelling on the phone." Benjamin said, smiling more.

I felt my face go red. Knowing that this angel like boy knew about my temper tantrum over the phone, how many other people know? I shivered at the thought.

"Yes, I have heard about that. Who I heard it from it sounded rather funny. But the person didn't tell me why it happened." Craig said, smiling rather happily. "No Matter, I'll find out sooner or later from them."

Benjamin laughed then nodded. He turned to me and smiled. "I'll see you in school Irina."

I smiled. Knowing that there will be someone else I knew in the school made me rather excited now. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

He smiled again then looked over toward Tyler. Tyler still had a blank expression on his face. When he noticed mine and Benjamin's gaze he turned to look back.

"See you tomorrow Tyler. I'll be sure to tell Desmond hello for you." Benjamin said rather flatly. Tyler shrugged and looked the other way. I gave Tyler a 'you telling me what's going on later' expression before turning around to Benjamin. But when I turned, he was no where in sight. I looked left and I looked right but I didn't see him anywhere. Craig was already driving off when I finally gave up looking for Benjamin.

I turned and gave Tyler a look. He starred right back at me with a glare and I flinched. He seemed to notice this and snickered. I stuck my tongue out at him knowing that it was very childish of me. Tyler laughed some more before he turned to look the other way.

Knowing that I got him out of his bad mood because of what ever happened, I knew it would be safe when we would get home to ask him what his problem is with Benjamin. Benjamin seemed like a very nice guy. He was unbelievably gorgeous too. I could still feel the coldness of his hand on mine still and that made me wonder if all people were that cold. I shrugged it knowing that it didn't matter.

Then I remembered he said something about a boy named Desmond. Could that Desmond be the same Desmond as the one I yelled at over the phone? If so, I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw me come into the room and walk straight toward him with a snarky remark in my mind.

***

When we got to the house, it was the same as I remembered. It still had the light peachy color. With the giant poles surrounding it and on the side, there were stairs to get up on the second floor. I can never get over how big it is compared to mine. It makes me wonder why it's so big. But when I actually think about it, Doctors get paid really well.

We drove around the giant house and into the garage. The garage door opened automatically and Craig drove in. Inside there was a silver Mitsubishi Outlander and a black Volvo. But behind all those other cars, something popped up at me.

Before the car actually stopped I swung the door open and slammed it shut and ran toward the machine. When I stood only a foot away from it I starred in awe. There was a Black Ducati 749 in the garage. This Ducati was mine.

I heard someone shuffle up next to me but I ignored them completely. I was still starring at my bike. Wondering how in the hell it had gotten there.

"The day we decided to bring you here, we took the bike with us knowing that you'd miss it. We would've taken you with us right then but you had to pack your things." I heard Tyler said.

I continued to stare at my bike. After about five minutes I looked up at Tyler and smiled.

"Thank you so much."

Tyler sighed and looked the other way. "Don't mention it. We were lucky that we brought the truck with us is all."

I continued to smile at Tyler until Craig spoke up.

"Why don't you go take your bags up to your room? It's the same one as always. We just upgraded it a little." He said smiling.

I looked at him questioningly. "How much of an upgrade can you do over one night?"