3. Confessions

I stood there with complete shock on my face. I was an only child…what was she talking about? Neither my Grandmom nor my mom talked about having another relative, especially not of me having a sister. I was just the three of us like it had always been. Who is this Alice person? What did she want from me?

"S-sure." I spoke questioningly. I gestured for her to enter, it was somehow kind of hard to say no.

She glided across the floor, her movements so exact. It was like she was dancing, if it was even possible to walk like that. There was so much fluid in each step, I was quite jealous of her perfection. I led her into the kitchen and poured us both a glass of water. She denied gracefully.

"I know this seems very strange, Gracelyn-"

"Please, just call me Grace."

"Oh, okay Grace," Alice smiled, "Well, I honestly don't know where to begin. There's so much to tell you."

"Why don't I know you? What I mean is that if you are my..my long lost sister…how come I've never even seen a picture of you? Why show up at the worst possible time?" I leaned over the kitchen island trying to understand this strange woman's story that claimed she was family.

"Hm," she sighed and started her story, "I know this is very peculiar, and it seems right that Liz wouldn't have any pictures around. Our Grandmom and mom kept me a secret…from well, from everyone. Everyone except your father, he was the only other one who knew. I was an accident, you see. Mom didn't even really know who the father was. Everyone just thought that she had gotten a little fat, that's all. When I was born, she gave me up to a nice family who declared they would take the very best of care of me. In the hospital was the very last time I saw her, I never got to know her.."

I was far beyond astonished. A sister?! There's no way, I mean my Grandmom would never give up a baby. This just isn't true. It cant be! I was an only child, that's it. Me and only me my entire life. I had to get out of here, get my keys and bolt. Tonight. What was this crazy woman saying?!

"Please Grace, I know this is all very sudden and very surprising. But don't do anything rash. I'm here to help you. I can only imagine how alone you feel right now…" she spoke softly.

How did she know I was going to run away? This is all so confusing.. But she seemed sincere enough. A part of me didn't believe her, but she seemed so trustworthy. If she said she was my sister then I had to at least hear her out, right? Alice had a slight smile on her face.

"Your father called me as soon as he found out," she continued, "he was informed by the hospital about mom, and then tracked me down. He, well, I know this is going to hurt, but he asked if I could take care of you instead." She stared at her hands as she spoke, I knew this hurt her as much as it did me. Even after something as tragic as my own mother dying, he still didn't want me. What's so wrong with me?

"Oh," I muttered, speechless.

"If you need proof, I have the adoption papers to show you. I'm so sorry Grace, I know that this is really hard to grasp," Alice looked very sad, trying to sooth me was hurting her… I could see it.

"No, I believe you." It was true, as much as I didn't know her and as much as I wanted to scream leave me alone, her compassion was too pure to be a lie, "What's going to happen to me then?"

"Well, we need to get a few things sorted out down here. Then I figured you could come live with me…in Washington," the last word was merely a whisper. "I mean only if you want to."

Breathe, just keep breathing, I told myself. I hated Biloxi, I always had. The only thing that kept me here was my mother, and now that she's gone there's really no point in staying. And Alice seemed nice enough, she was my sister after all. Man, that was going to take sometime getting use to.

"You don't have to make a decision tonight. I just want you to know I'm here for you, always."

Alice's kindness was radiating. I still was astonished that we were half sisters, I mean there was no way I could begin to compare to her beauty. Her father must have been one gorgeous man. Underneath it all, you could see a lot of my Grandmom Cynthia, the same jet black hair and shortened height. I felt unbelievably self conscious around her. She was just so pretty. I must have gotten the short end of the stick. There was nothing really all impressive about me. I was five foot four with a slender build, semi-long dark brown hair, and a hippie chic style that was preposterous to much of the preppy student body at my high school. Maybe moving in with Alice would be a good thing. She looked so young though, she must be what? Eighteen? Nineteen? Twenty one at the most?

"How old are you?" I asked.

"I'm eighteen, a senior in high school," she giggled like it was an inside joke or something.

"Seriously? And you your parents are letting me just stay with you? They won't mind will they, because if they do I can totally find another place to live until I turn eighteen."

"No! No that's definitely not happening. Now that we know we're sisters I'm not letting us lose each other again. Anyhow, my parents work for an organization that's helps third world countries, they're both in Brazil for a couple months to help out a small village. My fathers a doctor and my mom, well, she's just a really good with kids. I spent most of my school years in New York, we just moved to Elwha at the beginning of this school year since it's a small safe town for me to stay alone in. My parents went to South America in September, they wont be back until the middle of the summer. They wont be around much since they're so busy with the organization," Alice explained.

"And you're sure they don't mind?"

"No, they are more than thrilled to have you become a part of our family," she said with glistening topaz eyes.

I looked around the kitchen. Our empty white fridge had pictures of my mom, Grandmom, and I on it. My third birthday party, the little mermaid themed. A trip to the beach when I cried because the sand got stuck in my bathing suit. And my favorite one of the three of us in the hospital the day I was born. There was no way I could stay in this house, alone, with all the hurtful memories. I made up my mind.

"When should I pack?" I asked.

"Oh my gosh! We can go right away. You don't even have to bring clothes, we can go to the mall on the way home from the airport and get you a whole new wardrobe! I'm sure Bebe and Guess will do for now!" she squealed, seemingly already planned our trip.

I took a deep breath and she glancing up she reached her small hand up to wipe away a tiny tear glistening on my cheek. Her hand was like an iceberg, but as smooth as marble on my skin, it made me shiver and she quickly recoiled it and folded them into her lap.

"Gracey, I'm so sorry. I know this is so much too take in right now," she said looking at the clock, "Geez! It's already twelve. You look really tired, maybe I should go, let you sleep. I'll be back in the morning with breakfast for you." With one quick liquid motion she was already halfway to the door.

"Wait!" I tried to get her attention, "Where are you going to stay?"

"Uhm, There's a little motel across town. I'll probably just sleep there for tonight."

"Can you possibly stay here with me instead? It's too quiet . I don't like being here all alone." I felt silly saying this, but I needed her for some reason right now. I might have only known her for a half hour but somehow her presence made me feel safe.

"Of course I will."

I showed her to Grandmom's old room, and we bid each other goodnight. I solemnly walked to my room and plopped onto my bed. There was no way I could sleep. Not after the night I had. A chill ran down my spine and I pulled the soft down comforter further over my head. How did this happen? One minute my biggest concern was staying awake in Biology and helping Liz try to sort things out, and the next thing I know my world is crumbling down only to be picked up slowly, piece by piece, by some girl named Alice who claimed to be my half sister. I shook my head trying to stop myself from thinking but it was no help. I turned over to face my window, a black night. That's how I feel. Empty and black, burned beyond repair and frozen from the pain. I missed my mother. As much as we didn't get along, she brought me into this world. It wasn't fair that the only person in this world I had left was taken away from me so soon. But, it wasn't exactly the only person I had left. The stranger in the room next to me seemed to love me enough. Maybe there was some good left on the horizon. With that thought, I quickly fell asleep.

A/N: I think i'm slowly getting the hang of this! Hopefully you all are enjoying my story! Thanks for taking the time to read!