Chapter One / Introduction

"You will marry him it will mean great honour to this family" said Jarred Shallows as he glared at his daughter. Jenna Shallows was at the young tender age of eighteen and had been promised to marry Endymion Shields II. He was the heir to Shields Enterprises.

"I can't, I love Tyson father. He asked me to marry him and I said yes" said Jenna who was almost in tears as he father came toward her with powerful force that had her almost fleeting to another room to get away from the giant she called father. He had always favoured her brothers over her. Joel, her oldest brother was always bragging that he was going to get the estate. Jefferson was certain he was going to be this big time lawyer. No one ever expect much of her, but it was over. She when she had first met Tyson she had looked down on him but soon she realised that he was the one for her. The way he held her, undressed her. Made love to her that time in the garden shed when no one was around. Tyson was worth everything anyone could give her most of all, she loved him with all her heart.

"He never came for my permission and I will not let you have a marriage with some Middle-class son. The Shields are a powerful family, don't you know what it means "he sneered.

Tyson Morasca had been hired a few years back to help with the outside jobs, having just been kicked out of the foster care system after turning eighteen. Immediately he had seem the attraction the boy had for his than fifteen year old daughter but he had assumed that all young men and even older had that reaction and whilst that was all true he didn't expected her to return the feelings. To ensure nothing happened he arranged an agreement with Endymion Shields I, one of his closest friends. He agreed that his son would marry his daughter and as he found out soon after that Endymion II was in agreement as well. He was a friend of Joel and Jefferson, his two older sons, both inline to own the Shallows Estate unfortunately one person in the situation didn't agree.

Jenna looked up at him with fury knowing she had to stand her ground, she wanted to be with Tyson and nothing would change that. "I don't care what it means. I will not become someone's wife if I don't love him. I'm leaving and not coming back" said Jenna as she picked up her two rather large suitcases and a handbag that sat over her shoulder she turned to walked out.

"Jenna when that door closes it will never open for you again" said Jarred.

Jenna stopped and turned her head to look at him but soon continued out the door. After it shut she heard a loud crash against the door, knowing that he had thrown something at it during his fit of rage. Jenna knew he would be angry but she had decided no matter what she would leave and be with Tyson. She loved him with all her heart. Endymion was rich yes, he was handsome in every way possible but he did not ignite the flames of passion that Tyson did within her. She had dated Endymion before she meet Tyson. But she long realised what they had was not love. It was a physical lust that he had for her and that just wasn't enough, running out to the cheap car that Tyson was in. She had already sent over all her other things and car with him to his house in the west side with the help of her best friend Lily. Tyson got out of the car to help her. He had wanted to be there with her when she left, to tell her father but she had insisted that she needed to do it alone. That and Jenna knew that if Tyson walked into the mansion telling her father all of this, she was pretty sure a shotgun would be involved and there was no telling what her brothers would do. They always despised him. Her brothers and Endymion had even taunted him whilst she watched in disgusted at her brothers and Endymion for what they were doing. They kissed and got in the car. "Lets get out of here" said Jenna, she turned to look at the place she had once called home.

It was behind her, she was so happy it was.

….

Serena Morasca was born three years after Jenna Shallows and Tyson Morasca eloped to West Jubann, an area that existed within the Tokyo city regions. After her parents married, Tyson had managed to get a good job in a telemarketing Company. Jenna had won a scholarship to finish her Collage education, she worked part-time at a café to help pay for extra finances. Soon after graduating, she started her own Multimedia business that later had several branches of public relations, management and event planning. Tyson had since left his job to work with his wife at Morasca Consultants. The business had since grown and so had their Clientele list. They now did many corporeal parties and represented high profile figures. Serena now at the age of sixteen had grown up with much love and care from her parents, however she didn't know about how they had come to be married.

"Serena come on you gotta get to practice; Avery is going to tell us who got captain. Remember" said Molly Lowe. Serena to look up and smiled at her good friend Molly. Serena had known her practically all her life. "I just know you are going to get it Serena and when you do we are going to be the best ever" Molly said proudly linking her arm with Serena pulling her in the right direction. "Thanks Molly but I think anyone could get it at this point" answered Serena, but she was hopeful that she would finally be captain of the cheer squad. "Serena's right, it could be me" giggled Diana Chancellor, who had ran up beside them. Serena's other best friend.

"Diana, my greatest rival" said Serena with a serious tone but all three girls soon burst into laughter. It was clear that it was either going to be Serena or Diana who would get the position but for some reason it had not made tension between the two friends whilst Molly was in support of Serena. Diana was a good friend to her to but Molly had said from first day of High school, Serena would get the captain spot.

"Well may the best Cheerleader win but in the end our friendship is stronger" said Diana who had not stopped with the jokes. "Very true but I still think Serena's gonna get it" said Molly firmly.

Diana smiled knowing that she had nothing against Molly saying it she still wanted support from her "Can I get some support from you as well please I mean I could be the captain" said Diana as she waved to someone in her science class. "You know I love you both and because I love you that much I'm not voting so I don't end up being some deciding vote now new subject please" begged Molly who was angry that she had bought it up in the first place.

"Okay but first we actually have to find out" said Diana in agreement as they watched Yaten and Taiki, fellow cheerleaders walk by and joined them. "Diana still trying to outdo Serena honestly get over it" said Yaten. Diana just scoffed at him looked to Taiki "How is it that you are so charming and your brother is a jerk"

"Sorry Diana, I swore from day one he was adopted" said Yaten but his twin brother didn't take it seriously. Yaten looked to Serena. "Seiya called, he said that he misses you." Molly elbowed him and Yaten cringed in pain. Seiya Kou, Yaten and Taiki's older basketball playing brother and Serena's ex-boyfriend. They had dated for a year. It was never serious in anyway and when it was time for him to go to college, Serena broke up with him. She wasn't in love with him and saw no reason to continue to be together.

They all walked to the gym to change and get ready for practice. Entering the change rooms they got their things out and in of their lockers getting their red practice uniform they put it on and heading into the gym for the final vote. "So did you hear about Beryl Wesson making captain for the East High squad, shocked much." said Diana as she tied her hair up in a high ponytail to keep it out of her eyes and re-applied her lips gloss, it was definitely a bad habit of hers. "Yeah Kuri told me about that, she heard that Raven Shields was in the running but pulled out when Beryl start turning bitch on them. Really you should never mix friendship with business even if its fake." said Molly.

"Out of all the people they could have chosen anyone could have been better than Wesson, even the Shallow Cousins would have been better." replied Diana.

"It's Shallows, Mina and Lita have some skill so it's not like there brain dead, just more of they spend too much of daddy's money. The only other person they could have chosen was Amelia Cusack but she apparently just joined the squad for extra credit." said Molly as she had just finished changing into the practice uniform. "You know way too much about that school and there politics, have you been stalking"? Joked Diana again she took out her lip gloss. "No I am not, and I am not a stalker, Serena will you give me a ruling on this one"? asked Molly turning to her quiet friend that have not said a word since entering the girls locker room. Serena had spaced out thinking about the event that she had promised she would help her mother plan. She had a desire to join the company when she graduated but for now it was good learning as much as she could.

"Yeah that's great" said Serena not listening at all

They both rolled their eyes. "The only good thing about East Jubann High is that Darien Shields, you know, Shields older brother. He is FINE" said Diana

Serena heard the world Shields from her mother briefly. "Never trust Shields, that's what all I know" said Serena and she walked to the gym. Diana and Molly took a moment before they followed her out to join the group. Avery stood looking at her clipboard looking at notes she had obviously made. When she looked up she saw Serena and smiled to which she did as well. Kuri walked up to Molly, Diana and Serena to talk. "Oh my god you guys, isn't this exciting. New leadership and all" said Kuri.

"Yes Kuri, amazing" said Diana, who was so focused on searching for information about who would be the captain that she didn't realise that she was being rude to Kuri. "What have you heard?" asked Molly.

"I have no idea. Avery has been completely lock and key about it. Oh did you hear about East Jubann? Beryl has them all doing some lame ass routine so we could royally suck this year and still beat them"

"Kuri you are just like Molly, you know too much about the enemy". Molly rolled her eyes but was unable to comment because Avery called them all to order. Kimiko, the vice-captain was checking in with everyone to be sure of their votes.

"I have been so grateful that I have been able to be your cheer captain and it is one of the highlights ever. Many people stepped up last year. Girls, Diana and Serena. Boys, Yaten Taiki. But overall I am proud of every single one of you. It is my honour so introduce your new captain. Serena Morasca" Molly and Kuri hugged her in joy. Diana smiled and did the same knowing that she couldn't begrudge her friend.

…...

"We have a big corporeal event coming up. It's an anniversary for a company" said Jenna. Serena smiled as she helped to sort all the pages out. Her mother whilst very talented but was not always the most organised at things that was where she and her father came in since they were the complete opposite. Serena had jumped into her car straight after practice to get home to tell her mother that she had made Squad Captain. She was so proud but had insisted that they still had work to do. After they had finished business for the day she sat with Serena in the dining room. "How was school"? Asked Jenna as they eat referring to what else had happened that day, since her father was running late for dinner they decided to start early.

"Good you know, the squad is finally getting better and I think we can totally take on any squad this year including East High" said Serena ( not being able to not mention something about the squad), Jenna notably flinched, which was something she had seen her do many times before. Just when she was about to ask her about it, her father walked in the room. He took care of the legal side of the company, surprisingly he was very good at it considering he had not gone to Collage or studied it in high school. He put his case down and smiled at Serena and Jenna. He talked to Jenna before reached down to kiss her to which she responded. "Hello, get a room, I'm trying to eat" said Serena with Sarcasm. They stopped immediately and Serena spotted the deep blush on her face, thinking she must have been The Virgin Mary in another life because she was easily turned a crimson red with simple conversation sometimes. "Hey dad" said Serena and she smiled at him. Strangely enough to many people she had a good relationship with both her mother and father for some reason, even if she did tease them constantly with their public displays of affection. He joined them at the table and asked Serena the same question she had just been asked. "How was school Rena"? using her old nickname.

"Great I finally made Captain and we are taking on East high soon, it's going to be awesome" said Serena, again she saw her mother flinch slightly. "Mom, why do you always tense up when I say East High"? Jenna looked at her daughter in surprise. "I do not tense Serena" said her mother trying to brush it off. "You do, whenever I say East High, See you did it again" said Serena making eye contact with her. Breathing deeply and then replied " Well I actually went to that school back when I was a teenager" she said quickly.

"You got to be kidding me, oh my god. You know they are rivals to West High" said Serena in shock at this piece of information. "Well there was a time when they weren't, just remember that" she sensing his wife's distress as she always was when she was forced to talk about her life before her marriage and made the move to end the conversation. "Yes well that's not important, now finish your dinner and get that English report done" he said. Serena flashed off the subject immediately, he knew about that project and how it was running late and she had asked for an extension on it. She looked at him childishly and responded "Is there anything you don't know" said Serena stubbornly at her father.

"Not much" he replied with forced seriousness

"Well than you would know about the rivalry between the West and the East. Anyway the squad are totally going to take them out. Right now Beryl Wesson is captain but Diana says the real power behind it is Raven Shields." said Serena.

"Serena you really shouldn't get caught up in all this politics, besides any Shields shouldn't be trusted so its no wonder they made the Wesson girl captain" she said simply than quickly rose and left the room. "What did I say" said Serena , as she sent a worried look to her father after seeing her mother's hurt reaction. "Nothing Sere- why don't you get a start on that school work" he said and Serena looked at his serious expression than left the table and went up the stairs but instead of going to her bedroom she stayed on the lower steps covering by a wall to hear the conversation. Usually she wouldn't do this but knowing something was wrong she had to find out. They both re-entered the dining room. "Jen, Serena isn't ready to know all of this." said her father as he took her in his arms, Serena peeking her head only just around the corner, catching the spectacle.

"I know but one day we will have to tell her, but no matter what my family - She paused to breath- they would never accept her. My brothers are animals and my father is worse, the day you came into my life was the day I felt saved"

"As I did as well but one day Serena will have to face all of them, but we will be with her Jen. I love you and our daughter and I won't let anything happen to either of you"

Serena curled herself up, she had always wondered about her mother's family, knowing that her father's had died many years ago. She took off upstairs. There was always tension in the air when the subject of her mother's family was bought up. She really didn't know anything about them. She wanted to go back out to them and demand an answer but she knew it would be like getting blood from a stone, not likely. Serena left to go upstairs to her bedroom. She open the door and picked up her phone to call Diana and Molly. "Hey Sere " answered Molly.

"Hey Molly, I'll just get Diana" said Serena and they three-way called.

" Girlies, what's up" said Diana, entering the conversation.

"Okay guys serious crisis here, my mom went to East high" said Serena, waiting for their shock.

"Really damn, how did she end up on the west"? Asked Molly

"Yeah totally shocked" added Diana. Whilst both Molly and Diana were in surprise at this piece of information, it wasn't like they saw her now as some kind of traitor.

"Yeah well worst of all I started talking about the squad and how we are going to take them down, than about the Beryl and Raven thing and she just broke, I don't know what I did." said Serena with concern and her words slightly scrambled in away.

"Maybe she had a bad experience at East High, god knows I know I would, honestly the school is all social statue and money" replied Molly.

"Once again how do you know this stuff Molly" ? asked Diana.

"Any place that people like, Beryl Wesson, Raven Shields, Mina and Lita Shallows, Darien Shields and his little bad boy group go to learn is bound to be all about that" said Molly defending herself.

"Okay, okay but the point is that you know all of this, its kind of weird" said Diana.

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer that's all I'm saying now moving on please Diana this is not about East high, okay go on Serena" said Molly switching the conversation back onto Serena, who was waited for her friends to stop arguing.

"I mean you guys know how they are always saying never trust a Shields well I don't know she wont tell me anything" said Serena in frustration.

"Serena, maybe she doesn't want to talk about it because something really bad happened with her family like I don't you, use your imagination" said Diana

"Okay lets think about it what do you know"? asked Molly.

"Well she also said that her brothers where like animals and her father was worst. Never trust a Shields and…." as she was about to say more there was a knock on the door. "I got to go okay I will tell you more later" said Serena. Molly and Diana suspecting parental invasion said goodbye and hung up.

"Come in"

Serena watched her mother walk in to her room and close the door behind her. "What's up" said Serena casually trying to ease tension that usually didn't exist between them.

"Sere, we love you. Your father and I. But there are something's I just don't think you're ready to know yet" said Jenna.

"Will you tell me one day"? Asked Serena getting straight to the point.

She sighed and nodded in agreement knowing she would have to anyone at some point. "Before I met your father everything seemed incomplete in my life and its something I never want to relive again but yes I will tell you one day" she said.

…...

"Okay everyone we want this tight, Molly I need you to nail your backhand-spring. Yaten don't favour one side make it even" said Serena there first day of practice as a captain. They were testing a new routine. Trying it out for size and fixing any flaws in it. Avery, the former captain had given her a few tips for leadership for which she was grateful but then she was on her own. After sticking the routine they took a quick break. "We are going to kill this" said Molly with confidences.

"Serena when I turn do I do this or turn to this section" said Mimmet. She was one of the schools gossiper and whilst she definitely had talent she was not the most diligent with everything and was known to have a blonde moment or two. Than in walked principal Jenner and an unknown person was following her. "Serena Morasca" he called out. Serena looked at her two friends than stepped out of the group, thinking if she had done something against school policy. When she couldn't find anything she waited to find out from him. "Mr. Jenner, have I done something wrong." Serena said trying to confirm what rule she had broken. "No you haven't. Serena I'm sorry to tell you this but your mother and father were in a car crash and didn't make it. I'm sorry. This is Prudence Hallows, she is a social worker"

Serena looked at both of them and fell hard to the floor in shock. "No" she in a low forced voice.