CHAPTER 1
Hugging my jacket around myself tightly, I stepped off the airplane in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. You would think I would feel at home here, but it felt almost alien to be back. The sun was shining in an artistically beautiful way, even though it was raining lightly. I squinted into the sun with a feeling that could only be described as dread. It pained me to be back in L.A. after a long stay with Aunt Mimi, but I needed to come back. You couldn't hide forever.
Heading down the escalator, I caught sight of my parents waiting to greet me at the end of the terminal. I was expecting this, but I'm still surprised when I see them. I suppose the reason is because I was half-expecting my antagonistic, disagreeable half-sister to be standing there as well—looking stout mouthed and uncomfortable. But it was just my parent's standing there. My mother's cheeks were flushed and her round brown eyes, exactly like mine, were bright with tears.
My father stood beside her with a proud smile on his face. "There's my girl!"
I smiled back, throwing my arms around him. We only hugged a moment before he surrendered me to mom.
"Honey, I've missed you so much!" She wrapped her arms around me in a titanium grip. Reluctantly, I gave into her hug, breathing in the smell of her hair; like lavender and honey-suckle. Those thin arms curled around me like they were always supposed to. I'd missed her warmth and the motherly aura she gave off. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed her.
"Mom, dad," I choked, then smiled, trying to rein in my growing emotions, "Just… thank you. For being here, I mean. It makes up for the absence."
"Oh, sweetheart," my mom said, pressing a tender hand against my face. She patted my cheek, and then smoothed a lock of hair out of my face. "Naomi wanted to be here, but she has SAT prep and you know how hard she's been working to get into Berkeley."
"It-it's fine, mom. I wasn't expecting her to be here anyway, not really."
Naomi and I hadn't been on strong terms when I left. It was hard to believe she would still hold a grudge over what happened, but she's done worse.
My parents exchanged what they must have thought was an inconspicuous look, then she smiled softly. "Let's get you home. I'm sure you're tired after all that travelling. Harry, get her bags."
We waited for my luggage in silence. My parents' worry for me was obvious in the air. Our happy reunion was quickly souring as the minutes ticked by. I knew their thoughts were now consumed with Naomi, whether they were comparing us or not. We found our way out of the airport and into my parents' silver Lexus in no time. My father had already put my bags in the trunk and we were speeding through the hills, towards our home.
It worried me how exact everything looked, like the town was never changing. I know I wasn't gone that long but wasn't there a rule that things had to at least change a bit? I still felt trapped by the bright sky and the people and the crowded buildings. By what didn't happen between me and my boyfriend, Teddy Montgomery. I didn't know if that was the right word to use anymore; we hadn't talked since I left. It was my fault, mostly; I couldn't get over what happened. Normal people, or people like Naomi, would have basked in the after-glow of winning. I couldn't have gotten out faster.
I felt a strange apprehension that something was going to go horribly awry in my wake. It was a silly thought but it still made me wonder. Maybe I should wait to go home; being around my sister right now didn't seem like such a good idea. I still didn't know how she felt and we hadn't seen each other in a while, maybe it was best to let my parents warm her up before gracing her with my presence.
Or maybe I just wasn't ready to be home. I had thought being around my parents would be a permanent solution. I thought the shock and depression over what had happened would eventually fade but it didn't.
My parents were the same, too; my father drove and pretended to be mildly interested in what my mother was saying as she touched up her make up in her compact mirror.
"Annie, you've gotten so thin while you were away. Was Mimi feeding you alright?"
"You already know the answer to that one, Debs."
"I'm just trying to make conversation, Harry," my mom replied, and then they both chuckled like they just told an actual joke.
I decided now would be a good time to make my escape. "Would you be able to drop me off at Ade or Silver's? I've really missed my friends."
"I think you should be home right now, Annie," my mom announced.
But then my dad spoke up. "Oh, let her, Debbie. We still have things to do at home." He said slyly, and then looked back at me, "So, should we drop you at Adrianna's?"
I was almost offended that they thought I wouldn't catch on to that obvious hint at a Welcome Home Party, then I remembered the distaste my parents had shown for Silver's middle-class family. Suddenly I wanted to be as far away from them as possible.
"Yeah, Ade's is fine."
I wanted to point out that it was also 20 minutes further but held back.
A few moments later we pulled up to Tate-Duncan's; a sprawling light blue house with delicate white shudders, freshly cut grass and a white picket fence. The house was so 60's show home it made me smile; elegant and cheery. Just like Ade.
I stepped out of the car and grabbed my bag. Knowing I should, I stepped towards my mother's window and waved goodbye politely until they drove away.
How I wished my mother and I could just sit down again and have that good old one-on-one mother-daughter talks we used to before Naomi came along. Don't get me wrong—I welcomed Naomi into our home with warmth. Not everyone would after finding out about an illegitimate half-sibling. I just wish she hadn't destroyed things so much between me and my mom. Before I could come to her with everything; from a scratch on my knee to boy problems—now I could barely look her in the eye.
"Hey!" someone shouted, pulling me from my reverie.
I turned warily to see a guy walking down the street towards me. Maybe I had met him before I left and had forgotten? But as he got closer I seen his face and I knew I would never forget someone who looked like that.
He was a Greek god—then again I was probably a little biased; I had a thing for John Varvatos and this guy was wearing one of the leather jacket's from his Spring/Summer collection.
"Sorry to disturb you," he said, flashing a smile that somehow made him even more dashing. "I'm Ethan Ward, the new guy in town."
"H-hello," I said, sticking my hand out to greet him as an uncontrollably wide smile spread across my face. "I'm Annie Wilson."
He took my hand and smiled at me; I noticed he had perfect teeth. "Very nice to meet you—do you live here?"
Ethan's light blue eyes appraised Adrianna's house, giving me some time to study him. With that scruffy brown hair and adorable smile, it was clear this guy was going to be big at West Bev. God, he was beautiful. I just might jump on him now.
I shook my head, clearing it subtly. "I'm visiting a friend." It took a while for me to notice I was just standing there, looking at him. "I should—go. Yeah, I'm gonna go."
He nodded but stopped me. "I was actually looking for my dog. It's an American Foxhound."
I bit my lip; I didn't know what kind of dog he was talking about, but I knew they were really common in Virginia. "Uhm, nope, don't think I've seen it."
He chuckled and looked at me oddly with those smoky blue eyes. "It's white with brown spots, and it also happens to be my dad's most expensive, prize-winning dog so he would probably have an aneurysm if he found out I lost it."
I giggled stupidly; god, what am I doing? Out of habit, I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "Well, I'll look out for it."
"You do that," he said with a small smile, turning away. "Later, new girl!"
I watched him walk away, probably for too long because by the time his words sank in, he was more than a block away. I felt like shouting back that I wasn't new, that I had been here before him, and that I had a legacy, but there wasn't a point. I would probably never see the guy again.
As I skipped up the long white staircase of Adrianna's house, Ethan Ward had all but vanished from my mind.
Kind of.
.
A/N Hey guys! First of all, I would like to thank you for reading! :) I know it's too soon to determine but I feel like I'm onto something with this idea! Secondly, I ask you to please take some time to review and tell me what you think, no matter how horrible.
Oh, and if there's anyone interested in being my beta, please don't hesitate to contact me!
*P.S. Liam's making his first appearance in the NEXT chapter!
*P.P.S. This is a Lannie fanfic, not a Ethnie!
