PROLOGUE

Damn. New school. Sweet Amoris High, apparently.

"Honey, please." A middle- aged woman sat beside me in the driver's seat, one hand on the wheel and the other holding a map. Her gaze flickered from the road to the crinkled piece of paper, then back again. "I heard the school has amazing teachers and peers."

"That's what every god damn school claims to have, woman." I snorted. I rolled down the window in hopes that the traffic will shut her up. Nope.

"Rain, my love. The air conditioner's on." She rolled up the window. "And call me Celeste." I groaned, face-palming myself continuously. We drove for another ten minutes until she sharply swerved our black car into a parking lot. I glanced outside. Students were filing inside a light blue building with what, five stories?

"Oh, joy," I commented sarcastically. "Stairs." The blonde woman looked at me and sighed. I stuck out my tongue childishly and opened the car door. I stepped outside, trailing behind her. We roamed around the courtyard, Celeste smiling sweetly at everyone. I put on my best bored look.

"Kill me now. Kill me now. Kill me now," I muttered. I rolled my eyes as Celeste approached a random brunette and introduced herself.

"Hi there sweetie. My name is Celeste." She waited for a response. The poor girl looked around for help, but the only person was a red-headed guy who just glanced at them with minimum interest, his eyebrow arched. In exasperation I shoved myself in front of Celeste to glare at the girl.

"I wonder what this mom and this new girl is doing at the school. Oh maybe they just came to eat lunch with the principal," I spat impatiently, making sure to emphasize the mom part. I tapped my foot in annoyance, waiting for the stupid brunette to pick up the point. All she did was stare at me, her eyes wide. I sighed. "Please, just pick up the hint already... Actually, never mind. Where's the principal? Oh, and no. I'm not having lunch with her. And stop looking at me as if I grew a second head, I-"

Celeste grabbed my wrist and pulled me back before I could continue.

"Honey." She said sharply.

"Sorry, I don't think this school sells that." I pulled my arm away from her. I marched straight towards the school, but mid-march I turned on my heel and headed back towards the car.

"Rain! We are NOT going home!" Celeste yelled. She apologized to the girl, and instead focused her full attention on me.

"Shut up! You're not my mother!" Oh yeah, that's right. She's the woman my biological father cheated with. It just so happens I'm stuck with her while my dad is following my mom around the globe to ask for forgiveness. Did I mention that?

"You know what? I'm closer to being your mom because I'm actually HERE!" She shrieked. I stopped walking. I turned around slowly, laughing insanely to myself in my mind as I saw her flinch. I marched right up to her and slapped her across the face. Twice.

"One for claiming MY house as your home, and another for having an annoying face." I responded calmly. I looked into her brown eyes and thought deep and hard. "Actually, let's make a deal. I'll go to this school, but you have to leave me alone." I waited for her to calm down.

"Exactly how am I supposed to leave you alone when we're living under the same roof?" Before I could reply she held a finger up to my face. "And no. You are not living with that crazy aunt of yours. She made you a colorful sweater by ripping apart six of mine!" I heard a stifled laugh near us. That redhead. Viewing my life drama like a comedy show.

"Oh, I'm not." I smiled sweetly/devilishly at the amused boy standing behind Celeste. I skipped up to him cheerfully and said in the most energetic voice I could fake. "I'm staying at his place."

Well, whoever he was.