"Why do you always have to do this to me? It's not fair."

"You know that your father and I have a very important business trip."

"You guys are always traveling… And every time you decide to leave you leave me in a new boarding school."

"Oh, Lorena please, you know we're sorry… but our company has to be represented by its owners," said my mother in a bored tone.

I couldn't believe it, it was the tenth time my parents traveled… in only two months. They were never at home… They never paid any attention to me. Usually, I'd hang out with Melinda, our maid to put it like that. We were very close, she was only four years older than me… and she and I always went shopping together… but when it's about going to a new boarding school it's hard to make friends… I'm not a very social person, you know.

"They are impossible."

My parents' eyes went blank. I got out of the car/limousine that I hated. Mike, the chauffer, got my bags out and I turned around, facing the new boarding school my parents were dropping me of at. Sword & Cross. Georgia. Last month we were in California. Change… I hated change. I knew this boarding school was for problematic children and with social issues. Who knew? Maybe I did belong here. I'll never forgive myself for what I did. I'm simply…guilty.

"Great," I murmured.

"Mike will pick you up on Christmas. I'll call Melinda so she'll be alert for the phone in case you need something. We love you."

"Mom, please… don't do it," I pleaded.

"Goodbye, Lorena."

Mike got in the car with my parents inside and left through the main gate.

"I love you," I whispered to no one. I turned around to face my death. I walked to the office with two carry-ons in my hands and dragging a wheelie behind me. There were many teenagers outside, almost all of them 'emos'. The only normal looking teens were studying on cement tables in the quad. That meant I had to study with teens that intimidated me… awesome… in fact, more than awesome! I walked through a glass door and saw a girl; she was mid-height, had curly brown hair and wore purple eyeglasses.

"Hello!" the girl said cheerily. I smiled and she walked over to me. "You must be Lorena Gill, right?" she asked and I nodded.

"I'm Pennyweather Van Syckle Lockwood."

My eyes got as wide as plates, I tried not to do it but that name was suicidal… How the heck was I supposed to learn it? The girl saw my expression and burst in an attack of laughter.

"I know, I know… Please, call me Penn," she said and I sighed in relief.

"Ok, Randy told me your parents filled in all the forms. I tell you classes start at nine o'clock…Sharp. I recommend don't be late unless you want to get really busted. There are security cameras everywhere, as in they can watch your every move, so take care. You're not taking meds, are you?"

"No."

"Alright, the only thing left is your room," Penn started searching in the computer that for what it seemed it was the student register.

"Okay, here it is… room 125B… second floor. Want me to take you?"

I thought about it for a second and I refused.

"No thanks… I want to familiarize myself with everything."

"Oh… alright."

I left Penn and walked up the stairs she indicated me to. Okay, I was on level B… all that was left to find was the dormitory. Ehhh… 119…123…125! Here I am. Before I entered I gulped in some air. I was really nervous… I didn't know how things would go in this new school. In the past, Mike had to come pick me up early… Not counting the time we had to drive to the hospital because a girl in home economics let drop a butcher knife and had slashed my whole forearm. They had to sew fifteen stitches on me. Since then I don't use that many knives. Well… it's now or never. I started hearing laughter, from inside the room. Okay, I knew I was going to have a roommate… but she was laughing… alone? Whatever… I grabbed the doorknob and turned it. There were two people inside a girl and a guy. The girl had reddish-brown hair, long and wavy. Her eyes were a light caramel and her skin was slightly tanned. The guy was long and lean. His hair was black and his eyes were a very intense green… very charming. Both of them stared at my image in the doorway.

"Uh, sorry… Wrong room…" when I turned to leave that place the girl stood up.

"You're Lorena Gill, right?" she asked me.

"Uh… yes," the girl didn't show any display of affection and went back to sit on one of the beds. The guy kept staring at me and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable. I didn't know what to do… had I confused dormitories or what? I couldn't tell. The guy stared at the girl and made a gesture then the girl sighed and stood up again.

"Ok, this is your bed. Fine?" she signaled to where the dark haired guy was sitting. Okay, so I hadn't confused dormitories. The girl looked me up and down like I was something she was going to buy and then turned to the guy who winked at her and stared at me which made me avert my gaze.

"I hate this so much," said the girl to herself. "My name's Rebecca Ross and I am your bunkmate if you hadn't noticed which also means that I have to be with you twenty-four seven with you on Monday. I hope you don't give me any problems," she said and with that she sat again. The guy stood up and walked up to me.

"Cam Briel."

"Lorena Gill," I said. I turned around to grab my bags but Cam insisted on taking them inside. I accepted and entered the room. When I turned around I saw that Cam had a tattoo on his neck; it was black and in the form of a sun, a sunburst… That's what they called them. Okay, I admit it. Cam was hot. I turned hastily so he couldn't notice my obvious staring.

"And well… what are you in here for?" asked Rebecca. I really didn't like to talk about this but I couldn't possibly be the worst case here. So I decided to talk before they forced the words out of my mouth.

"I killed a man."

Rebecca's eyes got as wide as an owl's and Cam stopped abruptly. Okay… so maybe I was the worst case here.

"You what?" asked Rebecca.

"It was self-defense… they were going to mug me in an alley. That was how I reacted. I don't know how but a dagger appeared in my handbag so I didn't think it twice and… I defended myself with it. Of course it wasn't my intention to kill anybody, I was only using it to scare him into backing off but in the blink of an eye it was through his chest."

Rebecca sneaked a peek at Cam and I knew what she was thinking. "I know. I'm sorry… I'm an abomination."

"What? No…" said Cam.

"Seriously, Cam?" asked Rebecca. Cam stared daggers at her and she sighed. Rebecca relaxed and looked at me with what seemed like almost… pity. I think I relaxed too. Apparently, Rebecca was not the kind of person you'd like to mess with.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled. I smiled and sat on my corresponded bed. Cam stood still… staring at us.

"And… why are you guys here?" I asked. I thought it was fair enough o know their crimes giving they knew mine. Cam and Rebecca locked gazes. They seemed to be thinking what they were going to say to me and what not. Rebecca sighed again and turned to look at me.

"Very well, I'm gonna be precise. We burned down my dad's auto dealer," Rebecca turned to Cam and chuckled. "We burned my dad's BMW auto dealer to be exact. My father didn't pay any attention to me. He lived working… I was nothing to him… and now? Even less. I destroyed each and every one of those precious cars of him. Nothing was left… and… and Cam helped me."

"What about your mom?" I said and I regretted it as soon as the words escaped my mouth. The look on Rebecca's face changed completely. Her eyes fell from sadness and she went totally silent. I saw Cam and his face told me that I had messed up big time.

"My… mom… died when I was seven, cancer. She contracted it when I was five but she died two years later. Honestly… I never understood the stupid reason of why my father basically left her when she needed him the most. He wasn't even there when she died… neither was I.

"Ri, it's okay… you don't have to—" interrupted Cam.

"No… it's fine…" I looked down to the floor. I felt really bad for making her relive all those awful memories.

"On my sixteenth birthday… he wasn't present… he had a business trip. He couldn't even tell me himself instead he sent that hypocritical assistant of his. She called me that same day when we were preparing the place for the party. The next day… Cam and I burned the dealer. When my father returned he found a disaster of his precious dealer he worked so hard for. The whole place was a total loss. God… all those gorgeous cars… ugh, Cam. How come we didn't think of keeping some of them? I loved that red one—"

"Ahem, Ri… you're getting side tracked," said Cam.

"Oh… yes… right. Well, two days later my father sent me to Sword & Cross, great decision. Why pay a fine when I'm only his daughter? So he decided that I enjoy this fabulous five star resort. I've been here for two years… which means that I know this place like the palm of my hand, basically.

"Rebecca… I'm so sorry I opened my mouth. I didn't want you to rel—"

"Don't worry… its okay."

I was very relieved to hear this. My cell phone began vibrating in my pocket so I took it out and saw that I had a new text message, but before I could read it Cam snatched it from my hands.

"No cell phones allowed here. Randy didn't ask you for it?" asked Cam.

"Er… no?" I looked at him with an expression that said it was obvious Randy didn't ask me for it…Duh. Cam gave me a half smile… for the love of God he was attractive. But his gaze soon turned to Rebecca.

Ugh.

"Uhh… Ri it's Friday. So you're… coming, right?"He asked.

"Of course."

"Lorena—" began Cam.

"Lena," I interrupted him. I hated being called by my real name.

"Alright… Lena would you like to go to a party tonight?" Yes after hearing Cam's charming voice. I looked at Rebecca who was staring at us murderously. I ignored her and turned to look at Cam who had my iPhone in his hands and I nodded with a small smile on my lips.

"Perfect."

Rebecca sighed in frustration and Cam walked up to her, I looked at them from the corner of my eye. He whispered something in her ear and kissed the crown of her head. I averted my gaze before they saw me staring. Then Cam stepped away from her and walked to wards the door. He opened it and before leaving he looked at me and with a very sexy smile said:

"See you tonight… Lorena Gill."