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Chapter 1

Ok, before I even begin about my life, I'm going to say 1 thing; I didn't ask to come here, I don't want to be here, and it's pure torture just living here.

Now that that's off my chest, I can introduce myself. My name's Max, as in Maximum. I'm 16 and my parents are divorced and up until recently I was living with my dad, Jeb. He likes it if I call him that, cause apparently we're on a "first name basis". Don't get me wrong, I love my dad, it's just he can be really aggravating sometimes. Like last week for example. We're eating dinner, everything's nice and dandy, when poof! He tells me he's being moved all the way to Russia for business. I mean what the heck? Russia? REALLY? He can't take me with him because it's apparently "for business", which means I have to go live with my mom until it's over, which he has no idea when that is, just that he'll be gone a while; just perfect. I've never actually met my mom and sister; my parents split up when I was super little, and they split me and my sister up. But let me tell you one thing; my sister is nuts. Her name is Ella and she has enough perkiness to run the world. For example, on my birthday once, she sent me a card that said

"Happy Birthday Max! I hope you have an amazing birthday, and I hope you get lots of presents! J J"

That was like 5 years ago, but still, smiley faces and explanation marks? I mean what the heck who does that? Anyways the point is I have to live with her, which is going to be terrible. Right now I'm at the airport, waiting for them to come pick me up. I take off my jacket and drop it on my bags; I'm usually use to the heat of California, but since they live in North Carolina, I have to get use to the weather here.

I'm jolted out of my thoughts as I see a woman who resembles the lady on the photograph Jeb gave me.

"Max!" Yep, defiantly her.

"Hey." She pulled me into a hug and I awkwardly hugged her back.

"I'm so glad you're here. How do you like it so far." I look over and give her a "you've got to be kidding me" look. She sighs and picks up my bags.

"Just give it a chance; you'll love it here. O, this is Ella." I look over to her side and notice the girl standing next to her.

"Omigosh hey Max! You're finally here! Don't you just love it?" I narrow my eyes at her and sigh. God she's even more perky then in her letters; this is going to be a long stay.

We make our way to the car and (mom?) puts my bags in the trunk as I climb in the front seat and Ella gets in the back.

"So what should I call you, cause me and Jeb were on a first name basis." She looks startled but just nods and starts the car.

"Uh, I guess you can call me Valencia."

"Ok." I stare out the window as the trees pass by and we eventually pull up to a HUGE mansion. There's a big green yard around it with a set a double French doors at the front and neighbors on either side, but not that close. I notice they've already started walking up the sidewalk so I follow them, tuning Ella out as she babbles about her friends at school. We walk inside and into a grand hallway and Valencia starts heading up a grand staircase, motioning for me to follow.

"This'll be your room Max." My eyes grow wide as I look at the room; the walls are painted a sky blue, not the day sky, but what it looks like when it's about to turn dark outside, with a four poster bed in the middle of the room, wood flooring, a desk in the corner, and a white shag rug. The best part; a balcony leading jutting out from the wall, like one in the movies.

"Well, I'll leave you to look around." Valencia leaves and walks down the hall as I close the door and walk to the balcony. Well, at least I'll have a nice room to live through my torture.

I open the doors leading to the balcony and step outside, looking around me. Ahead I can see the back yard, filled with a pool, trampoline, huge tree house (the kind on the ground) another huge tree house (the kind in a tree), a bug deck with fancy lawn chairs, a zipline leading from the side of my window to another hidden tree house, and lush green grass. Christ how much money do these people have?

I looked over at the neighboring house and saw a guy my age sitting outside on a balcony, looking at me. He raised his eyebrows and smirked, looking at my shirt. I looked down and realized that I was only wearing a tank top with my bra peeking over the top. I smiled back at him before slamming the balcony doors closed and walking back inside. Great, I live next door to a perv.

I flopped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Why did Jeb have to leave and leave me in this place? I hate him right now. I'm so nice aren't i?

"Max! Time for dinner!" I sigh and walk down the stairs and into what I think is the kitchen. Inside Ella and Valencia were already sitting down plus another girl. When they saw me come in the other girl stood up.

"Omigosh! You must be Max it's ssooo good to meet you Ella told me you were coming and I just couldn't wait to meet you! By the way my name's Nudge and I go to school with Ella and I'm going to go to school with you soon, and I hope we can be friends-"

I started tuning her out and walked to grab my plate, which was piled high with some kind of chicken.

"Thanks." I went to the bar and sat down, trying to finish as fast as I could. Once I was done I got up and walked to my room, and then put on some shorts and sat on the bed. I groaned into my pillow, realizing that tomorrow was when I'd have to start school.

I leaned over and set my alarm clock, vowing to explore the yard tomorrow. Maybe I'll get lucky and get sick tomorrow and not have to go. One can only dream. I turned off all my lights and closed my eyes, dreading the next morning.

Hey guys! Please review, and I hope you liked the chapter! And if you didn't like it, just give it a chance.