Chapter 2

Lottie's POV

5 years before...

"Lottie!" I hear Mom yell.

I sigh and roll my eyes, shutting my notebook.

I open my door and a flash of gold slams into me.

"NICK!" I yell.

He looks behind his shoulder and flashes a 12-year old grin towards me.

"SORRY LOTTIE!" He calls, "THE BACON'S GONNA BE GONE IF YOU GET THERE FIRST!"

Bacon?

"NICK!" I threaten, running after him, "YOU BETTER NOT EAT ALL THE BACON!"

"THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM!" i hear his fading voice yell to me.

I run after him, and when I see him in sight, I jump.

I tackle him to the floor and he squirms underneath me.

"Jeez kids," I hear Dad's laughing voice say, "If I knew you wanted bacon so badly, I would have made more."

I jump off of Nick and race to the table and slide into a chair.

I reach for a piece of bacon, and a flash of gold slams into me.

Again.

"Sorry." Nick grins at me through a piece of bacon.

MY piece of bacon.

"You were sitting in my spot, "He explains, reaching for another piece of bacon.

I growl and jump up to launch myself at him.

Dad chuckles and grabs me before I can get him. Dad places me in a chair and grabs me a piece of bacon.

I glare at Nick as I place a kiss on Dad' cheek.

"Lottie." I hear MOm say.

I look up to her gray eyes and smile.

"Yes Mom?" I ask through a mouthful of bacon.

"Will you help me with-" MOm starts, but stops when I stand up, a blank stare on my face.

"Lottie?" Dad coaxes, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Nick." I say as if in a trance.

"Grab my art supplies, please."

He nods and runs off.

I crumple to the ground and Dad catches me.

He places me on a chair on the patio.

"Lottie?" Mom whispers.

"Blue...eyes..." I murmur.

"Yes. Blue eyes." Dad says.

He knows he needs to go to work, but he stays, just like all the other times this has happened.

"Blonde...hair..."I whisper.

Suddenly I scream and grab my head.

"Lottie!" Mom screams.

"PRIM, GET AWAY FROM ME!" I scream.

I jerk away from Dad's hand and run down to the fire pit.

Nick runs after me and sets up the easel.

He places a paintbrush in my hand and holds me when I sway.

I close my eyes and see a blonde girl watching me with her blue eyes through the flames.

And suddenly, I know what to paint.