Chapter 1

Our living room was quiet as Casey and I waited for Sammy, her grandma, and my dad's girlfriend, Lady Lana, to arrive. Dad and Lana said they had something important to tell us. Dad started pacing around the room until the bell rang. He rushed to the door and opened it, while Casey and I eyed each other thinking, what in the world is going on here? Lana stepped inside, followed by Sammy and her grandmother. Casey moved away from me to make space for Sammy, who squeezed in between us thankfully. She smiled at me kindly for the first time in her life, and I returned it, knowing that my father's gaze was upon me. I noticed that Casey's legs were touching Sammy's, but I didn't make a big deal of it. The room was tense as Dad cleared his throat.

"Well, Lana and I are getting married. Tomorrow," he said, looking at us for a reaction. Sammy's grandmother was the first to react.

"How could you set this up without telling us? Lana, can't you think about what Sammy is in for? Heather is her archenemy and Casey..." her voice trailed off. "It would be a nightmare for Sammy!" she finished. Lady Lana looked at her and said,

"What were you saying about Casey?" Now, I didn't mean to stand up for Sammy, but it was better than telling this annoying lady all about Sammy's huge crush on my brother.

"It's not your buisness, it's Sammy's!" I snapped. Warren stared at me like, this is no way to behave to your stepmother young lady!, but I didn't care.

"My daughter is precious to me! I should be aware of her feelings!" Lady Lana exclaimed, looking hurt. At this Sammy exploded.

"If I was precious to you, you wouldn't be doing any of this to me! You left me illegally in Grams' apartment to become a movie star. On top of that, you lied to me about my age and you won't tell me who my dad is! I saved your life in Hollywood and this is your way of saying thanks? Grams, I'm going to Hudson's!" She got up, stormed out of the house, gragged her skateboard, and left.

"You know what, I'm going to the park," Casey said.

"Count me in!" I said, jumping up. "Anywhere's better than here in a room full of maniacs!" Casey and I grabbed our skateboards and rode off to the park. Casey sat down on a bench near the ball fields and buried his head in his hands. I, on the other hand, spotted Tenille making her way over to me. Tenille practically worshipped me, and though it had pleased me in the beginning, I was really getting irritated now.

"What's wrong?" she asked, seeing my upset face.

"Warren's marrying Sammy's mother. The wedding is tomorrow!" I told her.

"What! That's terrible!" she cried. Then, seeing Casey, she asked, "So if you guys will be step siblings, Casey won't have any crushes right?"

"Does it matter? He would never choose you!" I snorted, pushing past her. I felt real sad for Casey because as much as he was annoying, he was my brother. I sat down next to him and said,

"Casey, listen." he looked up at me, and I could see streaks of tears rolling down his cheeks. I took my bandana and wiped them gently. "I'm really sorry. I know you like her." He sighed.

"I don't know if I'll ever really get over it. It's just... she's a great girl. I know you hate her, but I can't help it. She's smart, cute, sweet, and hot." the last part, he whispered, but I had heard him.

"What?" I screamed. He looked embarassed.

"Heather, shut up!"

"I promise I won't tell anyone," I assured him.

"Thanks Heather. I, I don't know what got into me."

"If you like her so much, why don't you kiss her Like, right now." I asked. He stared at me like I was crazy and I continued. "It's your last chance."

"Are you sure Heather? You hate Sammy!"

"Well of course I do!" I answered. "You always chose her over me. You always defended her form your own sister. Of course I hated her. But you guys were made for each other and you know it! So what are you waiting for?"

"I'm not going to do it. To make you happy." he said. I squealed as he suddenly hugged me. "Your not a bad person Heather. You just have huge grudges."