Chapter one:

"Moving"

We were moving to Mascot, Phoenix. It's not that sunny in Mascot during this kind of season (it was August, which was fall), and it's a very poor city. Before we moved we were living in Tarellson, Arizona. It's always hot over there in every season, but only during the winter it would be cold, (but not that cold). I'd always wear tank tops, short sleeve shirts, and long jeans. I got used to wearing like that, but I would never wear skirts or shorts outside of the house. I do wear them in my room though. Besides I only have one pair of shorts that comes exactly above my knee.

Anyways we were moving, because Jack is job wasn't going so well, so he had to find a new job. Jack is an engineer in building, and he really doesn't like his job, but that's what he studied in University Of Arizona.

We were on the plane five hours flying and I did get bored. I didn't want to leave, but I had to. I didn't want to leave my friends, my school, and everyone I knew behind. I was missing them all this very minute.

After we got down from the plane I couldn't wait to see our new house, and my new room. I was exhausted and hungry but I didn't want to sleep. I wanted to sight see the city while we were driving towards our new home.

Coming to a stop, I looked at our new home. It was small, and it was a two-story house with a blue rooftop. It looked like it needed some fixing and gardening from the outside, but it seemed okay from the inside.

The best part of the house was the backyard. It had a huge, wide, clear, clean, spaced area where you can fix up a party which can fit at least one-hundred people in it. It was all green wherever your eyes stare at. There was a sitting area, and the ground on the sitting area had tile, and the tile color was beige. The sitting area was thirty yards square. Our backyard had a forest in front of it, and the image of it was beautiful. It had long thin, old, huge trees. I smelled the nature; the aroma of the old, musty trees, the air breeze that swirled nature scent all around me. It smelled remarkably fresh.

I took my suitcase up to my new room. I took the medium bedroom. I started unpacking first I took out my radio, and my CD case, because I like to hear music while I am doing something. It's a habit. I told mom (she's actually my step mom) I would come and help her unpack after I am done. She said, "Yeah okay that's fine."

I said, "Okay."

I gave her a kiss on the cheek, and went back upstairs to finish unpacking. Unpacking took forever, and I was tired (well at least I ate spaghetti for dinner).

Moving meant going to a new school, having new friends, and meeting new people (but I know Jack and mom have a couple of friends living here in Mascot).

I went to sleep after finishing everything, and I mean everything. There was a week left before school started, and that meant I needed to find a school that was close to our house, and buy new clothes, and school supplies. The problem is I didn't have a car.

The next morning I woke up, got out of bed, out of my room, and stared out of the window that was in the hallway. The day looked cloudy, and it looked like it was going to rain. I loved the rain. I love to walk outside while rain pours on me. Anyways, as I was staring outside the window I see a shiny car, and I was sure it wasn't ours. It was weird though, because the car was a Hummer, and the Hummer is one of my favorite cars. Also, its color was black, and had a color of blue flames around it, which these two colors were my favorite too. There was only one person in the family that knew what was right for me, and knew what my favorite things were, and that person was my step mom. I totally respected her, and loved her as my real mother. She respects, and loves me too. I wouldn't have survived without her leading me the right way. She is totally cool; to me she was a rock star.

I was talking with her about how I like my new room, and blah-blah-blah, while eating breakfast, when finally I asked her, "Who's that Hummer for that's parked outside?"

She said, "It's for you. I bought it for you."

"Why did you buy it for me? You know we're out of money, right?"

"Of course I do know we're out of money, I just bought it, because you're sixteen, and when you're seventeen you deserve a car, and you can take care of yourself. Well… At this age you start taking care of yourself. Besides I treat you as my real daughter, because you are the only girl I have, and plus you are responsible for your actions."

I was so excited. I said, "Oh my God, thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you so much."

"Well I am your stepmother, and I will always treat you as you're my real daughter."

"Okay I'd prefer you as my real mother, not my stepmother. Even though we don't have the same blood."

"I know sweetheart. Listen don't you want to go, and drive your new car?"

"Yes, I'm going to go change right now, and find myself a school. Bye. Love you."

"Love you too honey."

She looked happy when I flashed a huge smile across my face. She was the perfect mother for me. I went upstairs, and got dressed. I took one of my mixed CDs so I could listen to them in my new car; I took my purse, checked to see if I had my driver's license (just in case anything happens), took my cell phone, took some cash from my mom, took my new set of car keys, and started the engine. I was so happy. I finally had a car to drive.

I found a school that was fifteen minutes away from my house, and it was the only building that was on the block. It looked like it was only for high schoolers, because it was called Mascot High School. I parked my car, got out of it, and went inside the school (there were no fences around the school which was weird). Besides having fences, there were trees, and grass around the school. I saw a woman behind the reception desk. She assisted me into helping me enroll. She gave me papers to fill out so I could get in. I finished filling them out in an hour, and handed them back to her. I'm surprised they don't ask for a parent's signature.

As I was reading the paper for what I needed to buy for school, and walking for the door this guy comes in and I am so not watching where I was going. We bumped into each other really hard. I fell to the ground, but he didn't which was weird. Because I'm sure we both could've fallen from impact. He held out his hand. I placed mine in his, and as he was helping me up his hands were freaking cold (I didn't expect his hands be so cold. They were cold as an ice plate in Antarctica). My whole body shivered. The guy smelled really good though he smelled like a smell that was out of this world, no one has ever created. The air that shifted his scent toward me hit me like a train just moved through me it was too much for me to handle the sweet scent that came off his skin. Getting up real slowly, I was caught in his intense gaze. I wasn't staring at anything else; just his eyes. They were the color of sapphire with a mix of green that looked like flames around his pupil. They were really beautiful. His eyes were eyes I've never seen before. They were almond shaped, and not that wide spaced; just normal. Although it looked like he had very white, pale skin. He looked like he was…dead. He was staring at my eyes too, but not as much as I was. Somehow I had to snap out of it. He said, "Umm… Are you okay?"

I said, "Oh…Yeah I'm…I'm…I'm fine I…I…I was just thinking about something that's…that's all." I was talking way too fast, and I think I was stuttering. I couldn't even concentrate on what I was saying or going to say. I just spoke whatever came to my mind.

"Oh okay. Could you like be careful where your going next time?"

"Yeah sure, I can do that. I'll try to be careful. I'm really really sorry."

"It's okay. It happens all the time." His eyes were kind of squinting. He looked like he was smiling.

"Oh." I guess I'm not the first.

"Well okay I got to go. Bye."

"Okay bye."

He turned his back, and headed straight for the assistant. For this whole time, while we were talking I kept staring at his eyes and smelling his beautiful scent that he had on him. I was walking out of school, and he was going inside the school.

As I was in my car, I started talking to myself. I was telling myself for how stupid I was by only staring at his eyes for along time, but he was also staring at me too (but not as much as me). He smelled really good. I wonder though why he was so cold. I mean it wasn't that cold outside. I was wearing a short sleeve shirt for crying out loud. Probably he was cold from the air condition he had on in his car.

Anyways, I didn't want to go buy supplies, and clothes all by myself, so I called mom, and told her for her, and little Joey to get dressed, because we were going to shop together. As I came home, my mom, and little Joey were ready (of course Jack was at his new work as usual. Thank God I didn't have to see his face), and we first went to shop for supplies, and then we went to buy clothes. I bought five shirts and a couple of pairs of jeans. Mom and little Joey bought some clothes too. The clothes felt like good quality, especially for a very low price. Anyways, after that, we went to eat. We bought some food for Jack. While we were going home, I told mom everything what happened. She asked, "Was he cute?"

I said, "You know as I was saying I was staring at his gorgeous, beautiful eyes I didn't see his whole face, just his eyes, but don't worry though, I'll check out him out, and see if he's cute, if he applies for this school. And you know I think I'm going to like it here."

"Good for you."

When we came home, we were really exhausted. Little Joey of course was asleep while I was driving. Mom picked him up, which meant I had to hold Jack's food (ugh). As we came in Jack was home, waiting. I gave him his food. He said, "What the hell is this?"

I said, "Your food. Like what the hell do you think it is?"

"Smells like shit."

"No actually it's your favorite. Bacon Burger." I gave him an attitude.

"Ah yes indeed my favorite. Okay you could go now."

Thank God, I was out of there. I can't stand my father at all. I went to my room, and organized my things that I bought. After that, I went to sleep.

A week past, and it was Sunday, which tomorrow is going to be Monday. During the day, I was bored. I went outside to the backyard all by myself. I closed the door behind me, and stared at the forest. I took deep breaths, and smelled the nature that I was surrounded with. I walked inside it being careful not go in deep. I loved nature. It was beautiful. And as I said there were a lot of huge, long, old trees, but as I was walking something was running in front of me. Like really, really fast. It was like a blur. I tried to run behind it which was stupid of me to do (what was I thinking), but the more I ran, the more I was far away from home. So I stopped myself, and headed back. As I was going back, the person came right in front of me. He came very close to me. I saw his face, but it did not look normal. After five seconds he was gone. This guy is face was very white, like he was dead. He had blonde hair. His hair was short medium. He tied his hair in a ponytail. His eyes were the color of dark brown. His teeth were not ordinary or normal though. He looked like he had fangs. After he was gone, I headed back to the house shivering and all scared. If I said anything about this to my mother, she would go crazy and wouldn't let me go out there ever again (well not by myself). So I decided to keep my mouth shut.

The next day I had to wake up early I woke up at six o'clock in the morning to get ready for my first day of school in Mascot. I went down and ate breakfast, and then back up to get dressed. I wore one of my new long sleeve shirts that I bought, and one of my new jeans. I took my backpack, my purse, my car keys, and my cell. I was very nervous. I went in my car, started the engine, and drove off to my new school.

The assistant gave me my new schedule, and first period I had math (my favorite subject). The teacher's name was weird, he, or she is name is Jovovich (whatever). There were many students walking in the hallway, and I couldn't find the class, but eventually I did. I tried to find an empty seat, but they were all full, except one chair was empty almost all the way to the front. I went to sit down, and there was a girl sitting beside me. She had blonde hair, and her hair was straight, and long. We met. Her name was Teresa Jackson (she looked at my schedule, and we had two classes together).

First period was done. Next, I had History (ugh, I hate History. It's my third worst subject). The teacher's name is Holmes. Teresa how nice of her showed me the way to class. I told her, "Thanks."

She said, "You are welcome. Listen after this class finishes wait for me here in front of the class okay. Bye." She waved while giving her back to me, and rushing to her class.

She didn't even give me a chance to say later.

I feel like I always come late to class, because everybody is in class already (weird again). I tried to find a seat, and I did. It was beside another girl. We met, and her name was Angela. She was nice, but somewhat pushy. So after we talked a little I asked her, "Do you have any friends you know in this school?"

She said, "Yeah, my friends from last year. Look, it's a little town, and everyone knows everyone. I've known all my friends ever since the fourth grade."

"Well that's nice to know. I met Teresa Jackson in first period. She a friend of yours?"

"Oh definitely. Miss popular is so my friend. If anyone is a friend of Teresa, I'll be happy to be friends with him or her."

"I'm supposed to wait for her after class, so she can take me to my next class."

"I see. You two seem to have clicked then. Might as well tag along." She smiled.

Second period was done, next was English (number two worst subject). The teacher's name was Hilton (to tell you this, all my teacher's are women, except for Chemistry. I think). Me, and Angela waited for Teresa outside the classroom. Teresa came, and sent me to my next class, tagging along with us Angela. She said, "Meet me here to take you to lunch."

I said, "Alright."

"Okay bye."

"Bye."

Oh my God. People just kept coming to class early (were they all nerds?! I wonder). I saw an empty seat with no one in it. I sat down at the table, and then as I was sitting I find this guy sitting next to me. I didn't see him come in, neither did I see him sitting before I came. It was weird. I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't respond. I stared at him (I have no idea why) for a long time, then I notice it was the guy from the other day, the one I bumped into. I remembered him from the beautiful scent he had on him, and his eyes. I turned to him and said, "Hey, you're that guy from the other day. Remember you bumped into me?"

He turned around to face me, and said, "Don't worry. I know who you are. I remember."

"O…Kay… well why didn't you respond or answer me while I was talking to you?"

"I'm sorry. I just don't get along very well with people."

"Oh okay. Sorry to bother you." Rude self.

"It's okay."

The problem is when every time we bump each other's arms by accident his skin always felt cold. Cold the hair on my arms would start to stand up, and I would get goose bumps on my arms. After class finished, I wanted to ask him if he was always this cold, but when the bell rang after I could turn my face to him, he was gone. I muttered under my breath, "Man, he's gone."

I came to stand outside the class, because I was waiting for Teresa so we could go to lunch together. She came, and we went to the cafeteria. I hoped myself I would find the guy that was sitting beside me during third period.

Me, and Teresa bought food, went to sit down at the table where I saw Angela, and I guess Teresa's other friends. She invited me to sit with her. She introduced me to her other friends.

There were four guys. Their names were Mark Rickson, Luke Lincoln, Mathew Terrence, and John Brown. There were four girls too. Their names were of course Teresa Jackson, and Angela Peters, and then Cassie Cutters, and Julie Corner. Teresa's boyfriend was Mark, Angela's boyfriend was Mathew, Cassie's boyfriend was Luke, and Julie's boyfriend was John. I couldn't believe they were all together (except for me).

I found the guy that I was sitting with during English class. He was sitting three tables down. I asked Teresa, "What's that guy's name that's sitting at that table not eating anything?"

She said, "Who? Him? That's Tom, and his group. They always come to school not eating anything."

"Well…Does he have a girlfriend?"

"No, but his group they're all together. Don't even bother yourself to ask him out, he doesn't date. And to me I think he's gay."

"Well did any girl ask him out?"

"Well there was, and that girl was Julie."

" What happened? Did he accept her, or refused?"

"He totally refused. He told her she wasn't his type. She really liked him."

"That's harsh."

"Yea I know. Julie came crying to me, and I told her its okay you'll find someone else, and she did. She found John."

"Were there other girls that asked him the same thing?"

"Yea, like millions. Like all the girls that are in this school."

"Are you serious? And he refused?"

"Yea he even refused to go out with the hottest cheerleader, who was popular, because she looked like a girl that worked on the streets, and believe me she does. Her name is Katelyn."

"Have you asked him out?"

"No not really. I wanted to, but after he was refusing to all the girls I told myself why bother. Besides, I don't like him anymore, and probably he doesn't want a girl. Probably he wants a guy you know. So I just didn't ask."

"Oh." Awkward.

"But hey if he accepts a girl she's going to be very lucky, and I hope they'll be happy together. Or if he's into a guy, then go figure."

"He seems really lonely. But I don't think he's gay." I was trying to read him while I was staring at him, and as I was staring at him he stared back at me. I took my eyes off of him before he saw me and I started to blush.

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't know. It's just the way he acts, and the way he looks doesn't seem gay at all. He actually looks like a normal guy."

"Ohh I see your point. You have a crush on him."

I started to blush again. "No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"No. I. Don't"

"Don't worry. I know you're blushing. It's okay. It's not like I'm going to tell anyone."

"Better not. This is only between you and me."

"It's okay. You can trust me…Is it me, or did everyone just go to class? Oh crap. We're late. Let's go."

"Okay. Listen you go to class and its okay I'll find my way."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah I am"

"Well okay. Laterz!"

"Bye."

We started running. Next, I had Chemistry (my number one worst subject). My teacher's name was Jones. I was starting to have a headache, and class was like at the other side of the building. This meant I had to go outside, and walk to the other side. As I was walking, going outside, I came to the door. When I first stepped outside, I started getting dizzy, and light headed. I had to sit down. I know I had to get out of sight from the assistant, because if she saw me I could get in trouble. Anyways there was a bench out of sight from her. I was walking as fast as I can. When I almost got to the bench, I bumped into someone hard again. I fell to the ground unconscious, but I smelled that beautiful smell again, and I knew it was him. It was Tom.

After I woke up, I was lying in the backseat of my car. I saw someone sitting in front, and I knew it was Tom. He was staring at me when I was trying to open my eyes. I asked him, "What time is it?"

He said, "Well let's just say the day is about to be over."

"Oh crap."

I tried to sit up. I stared at him for a long time. He had bronze messy hair. It looked like he didn't care to fix his hair. It was messy, and tousled like the wind was so strong it messed his hair up. He said, "Hi again. My name is Tom Williams. Sorry about the other day, and today. I guess we started off the wrong way. And you seem to always end up in my way."

I said, "I guess so. Rose Peterson."

"Rose. Huh! You like roses?"

"Yes I do"

"What color?"

"Red."

"I see. Color of blood." He smiled. I wonder why that smile...A smile so stunning. "So who named you Rose?"

"My mom. She died when I was young. When I was just a baby like probably five or six months old."

"Oh. Sorry to hear."

"It's okay. So how did I come in the backseat of my car?"

"Well you fell unconscious, and I picked you up, and put you in the backseat of your car. Is that a problem?" he asked with a worried tone.

I blushed. He picked me up? Laid me in his arms? "Yea it's okay… God my head still hurts." I put my thumb and index finger on the side of my head, and pressed very hard on both sides of my temple.

"Maybe I should go."

"No it's okay. Please stay." I didn't want him to go.

"Okay we'll talk, and get to know each other better, if you'd like?"

"That would be really nice."

"So your mom died when you were young?"

"Yeah. I don't know how, or what she died from though. You see I live with my dad who's a psycho, and I have a step mom who's worth loving."

"Oh, well don't you ask your dad how, or from what your mom died from?"

"I tried, but he's an ass. He would tell me some things about her when I only ask about her, and I can only ask him one question about her, because every time I bring her up he gets very angry. So I just stopped asking him."

"Ah. How come you all are living here?"

"Well Jack, my father, he works as an engineer, and his job wasn't going so well in Arizona. So we came to live here, and till now I guess his job is going good. He comes home with no complaints."

"I'm getting a vibe that you don't like your father much, do you?"

I gulped. What is there to like about my father? He's bald with brown hazel eyes. And hands of an abuser. "We just don't get along much," was all I answered.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"Yeah I have a little brother. His name is Joey, but I call him little Joey. He's my step mom's son."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No. Why?" Why would he ask me that?

"Nothing personal, just curious."

I raised a curious brow. "Okay. Let's talk about you."

"Okay what do you want to know?"

"Okay….umm….have you ever gone out with a girl?"

"Never."

"Not even on a date?"

"Not a single one."

"Okay…. Have you ever gone out with…. a guy?" I felt stupid, and embarrassed asking him this question.

"You think I'm gay? Ha ha ha….No I never went out with a guy, and to tell you the truth I'm not gay."

"Well if you didn't go out with girls I think people might think you're…a queer!"

"Yeah people might, and would think that, but only in this school, and this whole little town. The problem is the girls they're just not my type."

"Okay…. I'm sorry…." I sincerely apologized. "I shouldn't have brought the subject up. So you're not gay! So…. if a girl comes up to you, and she asks you out, you'd… just refuse?"

"Humph. Only if my heart said, and felt that she was the right one for me."

"Aww, that's sweet. But how would you know if you don't get to know her first?"

"If my dead heart beats for her, then she's the one."

"I see. So what would you do if she was the right one for you?"

"Well I'd take her, love her for the rest of my life, because I know she's the right one for me, and always be there for her. I would promise myself and my life upon it."

"Aww that is like so sweet of you. You know you're not really a bad guy. I really like that in a guy. Whoever your heart chooses, that girl will be very special to you, and she will be lucky." We fell silent then. I sighed. And he looked at me. "Bored already?" he asked me.

I smiled. "No. I'm okay."

After a couple of extra conversations, we finally came out of my car, and walked beside each other (God he smelled so good). I started to blush, and I hoped he didn't notice. He was way taller than me. Maybe five foot, eight inches? He told me, "Nice car."

I replied, "Thanks. My mom bought it for me." I didn't even dare to look at him when I was red in the face.

"You mean your step mom?" he clarified.

"Yes my step mom." I smiled. "So I guess were friends now?"

"Uh, I don't think I can actually keep that promise."

My face fell. "Why not?"

He took awhile into answering me. "It's complicated."

"Oh, ok. Well, I guess see you around then?"

"Yeah."

I stayed standing against my car as he left me standing alone without looking back.

God he is so gorgeous. I felt like sinking down to the bottom core of the earth.

After school went out, I told my new friends I would see them tomorrow. I got into my car, and drove home. After I parking, I went through the front door, and into the house. I opened the door, and my mom was standing, waiting for me. She said, "How was your first day at your new school?" She asked excited!

I said, "You won't believe what happened today!"

"What? Did you make any friends?"

"Yeah I did." I told her. I didn't want to tell her about Tom just yet.

"Oh sweetie thats good."

"Yeah it's good I guess. Okay I'm going to my room now, and do my homework. Call on me if you need anything."

"Alright."

I am totally happy now.

I went to my room, opened my books, and started doing my homework. My mom called on me to go downstairs, and eat. I told my mom some adventures that happened today except the Tom topic.

After eating, I went back upstairs to my room. Now I know my window was closed, but when I came back up it was open. I went to close it, and locked it, making sure nothing could come in. But I felt a presence, a wrenching gut twist that someone was in my room while I was eating downstairs. A shudder rippled through my skin. I told myself that it was nothing when the deeper part of me was saying it's not.