This book is dedicated to my kind-of-cousin and best friend, who I am unfairly not allowed to see anymore (her name starts with 'L', and she has an older sister too). If she's reading this: I miss you so much, and please review so I know it's really you. Just come up with a random name and say 'hi, it's me' or something. I miss you so much. It was unfair that the fight the adults had is keeping us apart.
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Chapter 1
My earlier panic escaladed to extreme heights as I attempted to sooth my rapidly beating heart. Staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I ran a hand through my long brown hair as my breathing deepened.
Suddenly, I heard my Dad's deep voice "For heavens' sake Christiana, you look like you're about to face an army instead of your uncle" he said with a small laugh. I nodded slowly, still uneasy, as I turned back to the mirror. My uncle wasn't the one who I was afraid of…it was his new girlfriend Lisa. Well, actually, I hadn't met her yet, and I wasn't even too scared about meeting her. No, it was who she had coming with her that I was afraid of meeting…her kids.
You see, I was really awkward and nervous around new people. I wanted to make a good impression on these kids, since they would most likely be my future cousins. Terrifying thoughts of our first impressions of each other, raced through my mind, twisting and suffocating me until some rational part of me reminded my consciousness that I hadn't even met them yet. With shaky speech, I told myself "It probably w-won't even be that bad."
I moved around my room at a fast pace, nervously wondering two things: one, when Uncle Cameron was going to arrive, and two, what Lisa's kids would be like. I clutched two fistfuls of my hair in my small, pale and doll-like hands, and froze in my tracks as another possibility crossed my mind "What if they don't like me?" I thought. Me, a 12 year old girl with a slim, pale body, awkwardness, and thin-rimmed glasses that I have to wear constantly.
I sighed heavily, collapsing onto my large double bed and stared randomly. My eyes fell on the many posters around my room…and half of them were of 'The Penguins of Madagascar'. It was one of my ultimate favourite shows, and I even had the Nintendo DS game. My favourite character was Marlene, since we were both kind of awkward.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I finally felt my heartbeat slow. Hyperventilating in front of the guests would not make a good impression. Grabbing my iPod from the bedside table, I put my headphones over my ears, and listened to 'Ave Mary A' by Pink, which happened to be one of my favourite songs. Without realising it at first, I began to sing along to the woman…and then realised how absolutely terrible I sounded.
Suddenly, a particular sound broke through the barrier of my headphones…the honk of a car horn. Quickly taking off my headphones and shutting off my iPod, I literally jumped off the bed and half-ran outside. They were here. My uncle, with Lisa and her kids.
As soon as I reached the front door, I stopped in my place. Uncle Cameron got out of his jeep (more like dismounted actually, because it was so huge), and Lisa stepped out with him.
I wasn't sure how I felt about Lisa, other than she was good for Uncle Cameron. She was pretty, with long blonde hair and dark blue eyes, and whenever she smiled, her cheeks would wrinkle. She was about 20-something, and was tall and slim like me, and always smelled of perfume.
But, nobody could ever say that she wasn't friendly. She smiled when she passed me "Hey Christiana" she greeted kindly, giving me a hug. I took a deep breath, calming myself down for the hardest part…meeting her kids.
I turned around and smiled pleasantly, although I was shaking with fear and nervousness inside "Hey, I'm Christiana" I said. Two girls stood on the single step leading to the door, and one was taller than the other. I remembered Lisa saying that Sarah was 13, and the other one, Lucy, was 11. 'One age either side of me' she had joked at the time.
I turned to the tallest girl, and I realised how much she resembled Lisa. In fact, the only real difference between them was that this girl had long red hair and dark brown eyes. She smiled lopsidedly "Hey, I'm Sarah" she answered.
Trying to recall what I knew about good grace and modern manners, I led the girls inside. Before I could speak, the shorter girl, obviously Lucy, asked "Oh, is that your room?!" and gestured to the first room on the left.
I nodded "Yep. Do you want to see it?" I offered.
Sarah answered for her. She shrugged and said "Sure."
Once inside, Sarah was immediately drawn to my stack of Nintendo DS games "Cool…!" she picked up 'The Penguins of Madagascar- The Game' "I've been looking for this everywhere!"
"You like P.O.M!?" I asked in surprise and relief.
"P.O.M?" she repeated, confused.
Lucy answered for her "It's short for 'The Penguins of Madagascar'."
Before I could stop myself, I hugged Sarah "I'm so glad I found another fan" I said.
Then, over her shoulder, I noticed Lucy…like, really noticed her. She stood at the doorway tentatively, her long brown hair (which was dark enough to be almost black), hid her face like a curtain when she turned away. She had slightly darker skin then me but not really by much, a slender body, and eyes that were so dark that you could hardly tell the irises from the pupils.
I let go of Sarah and walked over to her "Hey Lucy…" she looked at me "Do you want to hang out?" I asked.
She nodded "Yeah, that would be nice" she answered.
Her sister walked out "I'm going to see Mum" she said, shutting the door behind her.
As I looked at Lucy, I never realised that what would happen after that would change both our lives forever.