Hi there this is the author! I'm sorry it took so long to update but I've decided to rewrite a bit of this story so I'm starting at the beginning. I hope to have any rewrites/edited versions finished by the end of this week and then start churning out new chapters soon as well. Thanks for waiting for me.

Chapter 1

Carter, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, America

The last day of school has officially drawn to a close and I had managed to make it home without incident; this alone led me to believe that I might be able to enjoy the rest of my evening. School was rough, Diane had started a rumor that I had slept with the whole football team, they didn't seem to deny it, in fact they supported the claim by slapping my ass, pinning my to lockers, and making snarky comments. Last night, Chase threw me down the stairs when I looked at him the wrong way. Other than that they had left me alone, it was Paul whom I was truly worried about, Paul came back last week from Boston College but at the moment he was preoccupied with meeting up with old high school buddies. So far the most I've gotten from him was a shove or two and some angry glares. However, I know that eventually I will do something stupid and disrespectful and Paul would decide to teach me a lesson but I hoped to be able to make it to Hawaii' before that happened.

"Freak! Freak! Get down here! The weirdo is here for you!" Diane shouted up the stairs. I quickly got up and ran down the stairs to see what she wanted; I'm actually surprised I heard her at all since I was half way up to my room in the attic. When I first came to live with Anne and the rest of the family Anne gave me a room on the second floor where Chase and Diane slept, however, a few weeks later Diane started to make my life a living hell. I had no idea why but for some reason I knew that if I asked Anne if I could move to the newly remodeled attic that the teasing/bullying would stop and it did. . . for about a month. Then Paul decided to step in and teach me proper manners and readily allowed Chase to join in. When both of them ganged up on me Diane was only too glad to help.

It did no good to broad on the bad, if I did I would become sullen and that would piss Chase off which never bodes well for me. In fact, I should be worrying about what would happen to me when I went downstairs to see whatever Diane wanted from me. When I was halfway down the staircase to the main area I saw Jamie and Jace, my two best friends and my adoptive cousins.

"Evy! How are you? It's been so long since I last saw you," Jamie shrieked as she tackled me. It's been a year since we last saw each other, she only came from England to meet up with us before we left for Hawaii', but we got along so well that it would always seem as if no time at all had passed and that we had just seen each other yesterday. I took a quick in take of breath as she gave me a bear hug, aggravating all the bruises on my side and back. I smiled at her before turning to wave at Jace. Aunt Joy tended to kick them out of the house during long holidays because she can't deal with anything that doesn't meet her odd standards of perfection; the only two kids she liked were Diane, Paul, and Chase. I have no idea how someone could like those three but then again stranger things have happened.

It was hard to imagine that Jamie and Jace were related to Chase and Diane, usually you can see some sort of family characteristic that is present in families but it seemed to be completely absent when it came to comparing Jamie and Jace with Paul, Chase, and Diane. Dark brown hair and dark brown hair runs in the Smithstone family but Jamie and Jace seemed to have not gotten that gene; Jamie had blonde hair while Jace had dirty blonde hair and both had blue eyes. In fact, I think one of the reasons that Diane hates Jamie is because Diane always wanted blonde hair; in eight grade she tried to dye her hair blonde and it turned out to be a complete disaster.

"Could you not get your freak germs all over my house?" Diane asked as she glared at Jamie. Diane hated Jaime, I think the only person that Diane hates as much as Jaime is me. . In fact, I think one of the reasons that Diane hates Jamie is because Diane always wanted blonde hair; in eight grade she tried to dye her hair blonde and it turned out to be a complete disaster. That, and Jaime chose to be friends with me instead of her. Unlike me, Jaime never just stood down and took whatever Diane throws at her. Jamie turned around fixed her a glare and placed a hand on her hip.

"Last time I checked Evy lived here too. If she wants me to stay than I can," Jaime piped. Jace shook his head at her, he hated it when Jamie and Diane got into it cause he somehow managed to stay friends with Chase while being friends with me at the same time; how that managed to happen is beyond me. On the hating me scale Chase ranked just below Diane.

"Come on. A new frozen yogurt shop opened up in town, it's called Red Mango. It's supposed to be the best of the best. I can do with a nice frozen yogurt that has some rainbow sprinkles on it," I said as I grabbed Jamie's hand and pulled her to the front door. I needed to get her away from Diane or I would never hear the end of it. We had made it to the patio when we encountered Paul and James, his best friend.

"Where are you going?" James asked as he grabbed my hair. I frowned and glanced at Paul. James gave me a bad feeling and my feelings are always right, like if I was placing a bet I would know what side to take before placing the bet. James tugged my hair a bit bringing me back to the situation. Sometimes Paul would let James help with lessons because he was practically family. Two of them together always meant trouble for me, two hawk-eyed people with a vendetta against me always meant the smallest infractions where punished and harshly.

"Out," I mumbled.

"No your not. Mom wants to talk to us. She's going to be home from work soon," Paul said.

"Anne said I can go out with Jamie and Jace today. I called her on my way home from school," I replied with a bit more force than I meant to slip into my statement. For the past week I've been making more forceful comments towards everyone and I have no idea why, it was bound to come bite me in the ass and soon. Paul glared at me and yanked my by my arm back into the house before slamming the door shut in Jamie's and Jace's face. Shit, shit, shit. He's mad and since I talked back and if James is still saying than James is helping with lessons.

"Say bye to your liddle friends Evy," James cooed as he shoved me further into the house, Paul was still holding onto my arm and the shove caused it strech out of the socket a bit. I was lead by my arm past the staircases and to the family room where Paul proceeded to throw me down onto the floor while every one else took seats on the couch. I knew better than to move into an empty seat on the couch. One of the first lessons that I was taught was that I don't deserve to be comfortable that is only a privilege, when I'm rude I don't get that privilege.

"Maybe mum will say that she's kicking you out. No one needs a whore like you in the family," Diane commented as she threw he legs over an armrest. Me a whore?! Well excuse me miss I slept with nearly every popular gay in my grade.

"Wait, so your taking about yourself right? " I snarled as I stood up and started pacing. What the hell was wrong with me? I'm being extremely rude. Paul glared at me and I swallowed. Shit, I think I'm going crazy. I've been getting these periods of restlesness and anger and fuck I'm going to get it tonight.

"Sit down Evelyn and remember your manners," Chase ordered as he fixed me with a stare. Chase was more likely to try and sternly guide me into behavior before resulting to sheer physical violence. I turned around and sat down on the floor by James' feet right as Anne walked in. Sitting by James' feet would make him happy and that might lessen anything that would happen tonight, I'm thinking simple lecture and maybe a small beating?

"Well, I have some great news!" Anne chirped as she clapped her hands together.

"I was hired to head a clinic in London! We'll have to leave in two days time though. This is a very last minute placement but it would give me a raise and an opportunity to work on the things I've always wanted to," Anne said as she turned around to look at everyone, Diane in turn glared at me.

"It's all her fault! If you're embarrassed of her just ship her off to England! Leave us out of it!" Diane shouted. Oh God, I'm really in for it now.

"I'm sure mother isn't embarrassed by our dear Evy. This is just a great career opportunity for her and we should be glad that she got it. I took the opportunity to organize a going away party for us all, including Evy," Paul said as he glared at Diane and Chase, telling them to follow his lead, Paul was always in control. And this party had me nervous, if he had planned the part for all of us that meant something was now going to be planned for me and I'm not too sure I liked the idea.

**** (Four hours later)

I have no idea why I'm at this party. I never go anywhere expect for family functions with Diane and Chase and whenever I did it was because I was dragged there against my will. The lights were dimmed and everyone was jumping up and down to whatever the hell they were listening too. I bit my lip and turned around, ready to dash up the stairs and hide out in my attic, my safe zone, no one would go to look for me up there and even if they did they wouldn't be able to get up there if I closed the door on the string. Hopefully, James, Paul, and Chase will forget about my bad behavior and be too drunk to correct my behavior tomorrow. Paul never corrected me long after the bad behavior was performed because he believed that waiting for to correct behavior would lessen the effectiveness of the lesson.

"Where are you headed?" James asked as he put an arm in my path. I looked up, startled. Why the hell did he care where I was going? And where the hell did he come from, last time I saw him he was getting drunk in the kitchen? I was screwed; I was going to be corrected during the party. I was so fucking screwed. James tended to come up with the most humiliating and perverted lessons. Now he's drunk and mad at me, who knows what he will come up with now.

" I-I-I w-was looking, for . . .. a . . . Drink," I answered as I spun around and took a step towards the kitchen. James grabbed my hand and pulled me back.

"I hate parties too. How about I grab you something without alcohol and we can go hang out upstairs," James said as he headed towards the kitchen. Before he truly left he turned around letting out a stern, "Wait for me." I nodded in response and just stood there and waiting like a 'good girl' for James, pulling on the hem of my shorts and fiddling with the sleeves of my pale yellow sweatshirt. Why was he being nice to me? He should be lessoning me; James and Paul never missed a chance to lesson me. James came pack up behind and grabbed my hands and pulled me up the stairs and out of my thoughts.

"W-w-why don't we just sit on top of the stairs and watch the party? I find that drunk people can be quite entertaining," I commented as James pulled me into a guest room. He smirked and then twirled me around. I froze, I was scared shitless, if James had me in a room that was "off limits" to the rest of the party guests meant that no one would be able to help.

"I've been waiting for this you know. Ever since I first came over and saw you," James said as he closed the door and locked it. Fuck, where did he get a key? I don't even have a key to the doors on the second and first floor and I live here. Well I did have one once but then I locked myself in a spare room to avoid a lesson and Paul took it away from me.

"W-w-what are you doing?" I asked as I stepped backwards. James took another step forward and held his hands up. Shit, if James does anything Paul will take it to mean that that would be my lesson. Once when I slapped Paul and told him he was a bastard James took my clothes off and beat me. After that he told Paul that I should spend the week in my undergarments to teach me my place as well as some humility. He also made me make it up for them by giving them both a hand job. But then again that was ages ago, ever since then he never came up with anything . . . perverted. Plus they were sixteen when that happened, teenage boys just coming into there sexuality.

"Come on Evy, be a good girl. I'll have to tell Paul if you aren't," James said. Oh my sweet Jesus! James always creped me out since that one time but I always managed to excuse what he did. Now I know why my bad feelings stuck with me. Shit, I'm so screwed. If I'm bad James still gets to do what he wanted and Paul punishes me even more. However, I'm quite certain that Paul would never allow James to take advantage of me the way I'm believing he plans to.

"Paul said this can make up for your bad behavior earlier," James cooed as he took another step towards me. Some odd feeling went through me and I just panicked. I couldn't do this, I would take the most extreme form of punishment over this. James took another step closer and I just snapped. I tossed my drink at his face and ran for the door. Banging on it with the flat of my hand and shouting for someone to help me. I knew no one would help me because of the music and the fact that no one was allowed upstairs but I still felt that I had to do something, anything. James grabbed me from behind and tossed me onto the bed.

"Bad move. Continue acting like this and I'll have to tell Paul. And he'll be very, very upset," James growled. I sniffled and started crying, Paul couldn't be letting James do this. This is just so wrong. James started kissing my neck and I turned my head away as he started to pull my sweatshirt off, leaving it around my neck and tangled around my arms.

"A white sports bra, really?" James asked as he nipped my ear. I squirmed around a bit more but James put a hand down on my shoulder and proceeded to harshly chomp down on my shoulder. I yelped a bit and stopped wiggling, figuring that was the message behind the bite. Maybe if I just laid still James would sit up a bit and I can wiggle my way out from underneath him, under the bed would be a great place to hide for awhile. One of his hands slowly started to creep under my bra. I gasped and then tried to get my knee up to his groin, quickly stopping when James twisted one of my nipples.

"Be a good girl and just stay still Evy," James murmured as he kissed my collarbone, leaving a trail of kisses down my arm before eventually coming to my breast. I whimpered and arched my back so I could try and twist away from him. What the fuck was he doing, he never did anything like this before. He growled and then moved forward so his face was just an inch above my face.

"Didn't I tell you to stay still? Now if that was a movement of passion then by all means continues, but I highly doubt that. If you don't stop moving I'm going to tie you up. Would you like that?" James snarled as he grabbed my hands and pinning them above my head with one of his. I shook my head no quickly, who knows what he could do if he tied me up. Plus, if ties me up I won't be able to get way.

"Answer with your voice," James ordered. I looked up at him to see if I could gain a little leeway, but didn't see anything in his facial expression that would give me some leeway.

"I won't move anymore," I whispered as I shut my eyes. I didn't want to look at what he was doing to me. I concentrated of my breathing, like I had to do for yoga, lying there and just trying to calm down. All of a sudden this humming sound made its way into my mind and it just seemed to fill me with this warm, tingly feeling. This wave of power washed over me and I snapped; I will not take this any longer. I had lied still enough that James had removed his hand from mine and I reached up with one hand and placed it right on his face. Three seconds seemed to flew bye before James started screaming, rearing back and holding his face; I notice that where my hand was now burnt. Did I do that? Somehow that question seemed redundant because suddenly I knew that I had power and that I could use that power to protect myself.

I rolled out from underneath James and yanked my sweatshirt back on, dancing out of the way of his reaching hands. He growled at me and lunged at me but I held my hands out in front of me and concentrated on that fire feeling again, this time he got two burn marks on his chest and it even singed through his shirt. I turned and quickly ran towards the door and yanked on the knob before I realized that it was still locked. Shit, shit, shit. Ok, I need to calm down and think.

"Sweetie, I didn't know you were this dumb. I locked the door and I still have the key, if come here right now I promise not to punish you for burning me. If I have to come get you you'll have the worst punishment of your life before we carry one. Now be a good girl and come here," James stated. I heard him take a step forward and I started panicking even more. I needed to get out of here and in order to do that I needed to unlock the door. If I could burn people with my hands if I thought about it then maybe I can unlock doors as well. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, concentrating on the lock mechanism of the door just turning over so it would open for me. When James took another step toward me the door clicked and I knew it was open. I smiled and yanked the door open, prepared to sprint up the stairs and lock myself into my attic. That plan went to shit though because as soon as the door opened I saw Paul standing there; well shit.

" I don't recall telling you rape my sister, James. Get your ass out of my house before I call the cops. Please realize that if I ever see your face again I'll make sure everyone knows you take advantage of underage girls," Paul calmly explained as he stepped into the room and pulled me to the side, tucking me under his arm. No one dared defy Paul and James all but ran out of the room. Next thing I knew Paul was tilting my head back and examining my face.

"I knew you would wake up before anything truly happened, I'm glad I was right. Now, lets get you to bed so that you can get a good nights sleep. I took the liberty of packing some clothes for you, you won't need much but it'll last until then," Paul said gently as he led me to my attic.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I asked as I looked up at Paul. He just laughed and pushed me towards the room that housed my attic door.

"Every family has secrets," He replied before he shut the door behind me and left to join the party.