Chapter Six - Drowning

Hey guys! So, after some thought and the fact that she got more votes, I decided that Nan's and Alex's daughter will be receiving a chapter from her perspective before Kiara. Don't worry though. I promise Kiara will get one soon, so long as it's voted. cx Hopefully you guys are excited to see what on earth is going on with that whole family!

Evx : Haha, always the best time to read fanfiction and write reviews, right? xD I'm glad you love it! c: And I'm glad you loved Teague's anger. I wasn't sure if I did it correctly or not, so I'm glad it was good! As for Raven, well, we'll have to see the path she takes. And as for Mina, well, we'll just have to see what happens with her too. cx And here's Nan's daughter's perspective! Sorry this update took so long!

E.M. Grims : I'm glad it was really good! And aw, thank you! I really want to be a writer, I've just been having issues finding my muse when it comes to writing an actual book though. I figure that since I not only enjoy fanfiction but also can use it to practice and develop my writing more, it'll help me get better so that one day I can try and publish a book.

LZ18 : It's good to see you back! Thank you for the compliments on the story, I'm super happy with it so far! Wow, I can't believe my writing was that good! I'll take it as a compliment that you are so obsessed. ^-^ Here's another update for you, because I'm sure I've kept you waiting long enough! Haha, if this story is the next Blank Space, then I'm definitely sure there will be lots of crying. :3 But there will be more characters than Blank Space, which means more shipping, which means double the fun and heartbreak! As for Spotlight, well, you may just find that that has made a reappearance...c;

My goal is totally to take over the front page with my updates, or at least the top of the front page. xD All you other fanfiction writers had better get cracking and update! Mwahahahaha. ;p

Sierra's Point of View

I walk into the art room, and I'm slightly pleased to see I'm the first person here, besides Mr. Zimmer of course. Then again, I wasn't expecting much else, seeing as I'm one of the only kids that actually takes art seriously.

"Hello Mr. Zimmer!" I say, giving him a smile that makes my heart ache a little, because I don't feel like smiling.

He looks up from his desk and gives me a smile in return. "Ah, Sierra! It's so nice to see you. What project do you feel like pursuing today?"

That's one good thing about this class. It's independent art, so I can do whatever I want so long as I finish the projects in time.

"Well, I was thinking maybe I could do some painting?" I ask, and he grins a bit wider.

"Of course! I'm sure you know the drill by now, so I won't bore you with the instructions." I nod at his response, quickly heading over to the paint area.

There are already easels up since this is fourth period, and I grab a medium-sized canvas to paint on. I stand, looking at the paint selection, as the rest of the class comes in. After some thinking, I decide to go with acrylic and grab some basic greens and blues to use for the background once I get a rough sketch idea down. It's better to grab some paints in case I get past the sketch, just in case everyone else grabs some paints.

As I sit down on the stool in front of my easel and canvas, a pencil in hand, the door swings open, and in walks a boy that I've never seen at this school ever. He's got chocolate brown hair messed up in that typical way that makes it look like the boy didn't even try. There's a smile on his face that shows he's used to getting his way, but also say that he doesn't try to abuse that. And his eyes. Are they even real? He's got eyes that are the type of blue that make you feel like you are drowning in them, and that beg for you to do what he asks you to do. But they've got these golden speckles in them that all seem to glint, as if they're gold.

More like fool's gold.

This boy makes my heart start beating twice the speed that it was originally, yet I haven't even heard his name. I don't even know what he's like. He's the kind of guy that I always imagined only existed in stories or paintings. Yet, here he is, and my hand itches to draw him myself. But then my mental, sensible, warning bell goes off in my head.

This boy is the exact kind of boy that my mom warned me about. "Anyone who appears to be too perfect are generally the opposite of perfect." And she was speaking from experience. I don't want to get into the same situation she was in. This boy definitely appears to be too perfect. And that means that he's the type of boy I should avoid. Even if my heart says otherwise, and beats so fast that I'm afraid I'm going to die.

"Is this independent art?" He asks, and my resolve to listen to my mom's advice melts a little at the sound of his voice, even though I know this boy will be trouble.

Mr. Zimmer narrows his eyes, and for one of the first times ever I see him angry. He pulls his glasses off his desk, putting them on so he can examine this new boy better. They slip down his nose a little, making him look even angrier as he looks down slightly at this boy.

"Indeed it is. But I'm not sure who you are, or why you're late if you're supposed to be here." Mr. Zimmer folds his arms, still glaring down at this boy.

He takes a deep breathe. "My name is Joshua, sir. And I'm so sorry for coming to class late. You see, the girl showing me - Kiara Carmichael - around has every period with me except for art, and her class is on the other side of the school, so she wasn't able to show me this place." Mr. Zimmer mutters a little bit at the mention of her name, and I grumble inwardly about the fact that she gets to show this boy around even though I should be glad, as it means he won't be anywhere near me for the most part. Joshua doesn't seem to notice our teacher's muttering though, and continues, "She tried to give me instructions, but I was kind of clueless. It took a few tries to get here, because I'm new. Like I said, I'm really sorry. I tried to get here as quick as possible, but there is only so much I can do."

There's honesty shining through in his eyes, and he shrugs in a sort of helpless manner.

Mr. Zimmer sighs, giving Joshua one more look over before taking his glasses back off and setting them on his desk. "I suppose I can't hold that against you." There's still something in his voice that I can't figure out, and a silent message seems to go between the two of them. "As you stated when you came in, this is independent art, so you'll be doing several projects of your choice for this class. Pull up a chair and I'll explain more in detail." He glances around the room, and seeing that all eyes are on him and the new student, says, "What are you all staring at? Get back to work!"

I force myself to tear my eyes off him, spinning back around to face my canvas. I try and sketch ideas, but I can't seem to come up with anything. My head is filled with thoughts of the new student, Joshua, and how fascinated I am by him. I decide that I'm not going to get anything done if I keep thinking about him, and force myself to think about the first thing that comes to mind that isn't him. That isn't too much better though, because I end up making myself think of this morning, before school.

I stand at the top of the stairs, standing against the banister as my parents bicker downstairs. Jimmy has his arms wrapped around me, eyes scrunched tight as I cover his ears with my hands. He's crying, and I make sure I don't to try and comfort him a little more. It reminds me of when he was younger, and he'd have nightmares. I'd hug him then too. If only this was a nightmare though, instead of reality.

"Alex, you're never at home anymore!" Our mom's voice is raised as she says the words. "I'm surprised our children even know who you are!"

I wince a little. I mean, it's sort of the truth. Our dad is never home. His career as an actor always keeps him busy, and if he's not doing his job he's off hanging out with his friends or going off to some event or another. I barely ever speak to him, and it's always too polite and distant with me. He doesn't even feel like my dad.

"That's not my fault, Nan. You know I'm busy." His response is stupid to me, but I don't want to admit that.

I can almost imagine my mom bawling up her fists as she says, "Our children need a father. Jimmy needs you to be a good, adult, male role model for him, and Sierra needs you to show her that you aren't going to let her be with any guy who will make her second best."

"I'm doing a fine job as their father now." I wish that was the case, but I know it's not.

"That's not true!"

"What do you want me to do, Nan, quit my job? We need money, and my career as an actor gets us quite a bit of that." There's something in his voice that suggests that he's almost reminding her of this.

I hear a bit of a sob in my mom's voice. "If you would let me start acting again instead of insisting that I be a stay at home mom, money wouldn't be a problem and you wouldn't have to be so busy."

"Do you really want the children to have to be traveling all the time, or never have either of their parents home? Because that is what would happen if we did that."

"Alex, I miss having you at home." Now my mom is crying, and I let myself imagine that they're hugging down there, even though I know they aren't.

"I'll try to be around more, okay? I promise." An empty promise. He promises it every time, but it never happens. I don't understand why my mom even buys it anymore.

There's a slightly higher pitch to my mom's voice as she says, "Okay."

"You make sure the kids are awake and getting ready for school, alright? I'll make some quick breakfast for them, and then I have to get off to work." I hear him kiss her on the cheek - or is the other way around? - and then my mom's footsteps as she comes this way.

I blink my eyes to force away the tears that were starting to well up there. That was the worst thing that could've possibly happened. I focus on the white canvas, realizing I've done literally nothing, but then I'm reminded of the walls of my room. My father promised we'd paint them together sometime, and told me to wait for him so we could do it together. They're still white today.

I'm afraid I'll find myself drowning in tears if this keeps up. Shaking my head to try and rid me of the feeling again, I stand up, grabbing the canvas and paints angrily. I spin around to put them away, growing frustrated with myself, and run right into someone. And that someone happens to be Mr. Perfect himself, Joshua.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." He grabs my arm to steady me with one hand, rubbing his forehead where we bounced into each other with the other. "That was completely my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going." It definitely wasn't his fault, but I'm too upset to say anything to correct him. Plus, I'd like to talk to this boy as little as possible. "Are you okay?"

I don't respond, shaking his hand off my arm and hurrying off to the supply table. I allow myself to look back as I set the paints and canvas back in their spots, and he stands there, hands at his sides and eyes narrowed in a confused manner. Is he confused that I reacted the way I did, rejecting his charm instead of falling into the trap? Or is he confused as to why I was being so rude to him when he apologized and took all the blame for something I did? I feel like it's the latter, but I have myself believe it's the former anyways.

I walk over to Mr. Zimmer's desk, taking a deep breathe. "Can I go to the bathroom, Mr. Zimmer?" I'm relieved that I manage to keep the upset quiver out of my voice. Turns out the acting classes have been paying off.

He glances up from a project he's grading, and nods as if he's not really listening. "Yes, yes. Of course. Take the pass." I probably could've asked him if I could go to China, and he would've said yes.

Of course, I don't need to go to China. I just need to go somewhere where I can hide my tears that seem unstoppable today. The bathroom is the most logical place, because it's not a place that you have to have much of a reason to go to. Most of the time, the reason is kind of guessable.

I grab the pass from its hook on the wall by the door, and hurry off to the bathroom. This is definitely going to make the 'Worst Days of My Life' list. Of course, most days have been making that list recently, but there's not much I can do about that. I rush down the hallway for the closest bathroom, hoping that my tears can be held off till I reach it.

Well guys, that's Sierra for you. She's actually kind of sad to write about, seeing as her life isn't exactly all rainbows and butterflies. I promise, we'll delve more into the story of what's up with her parents and why Nan and Brody aren't together as time progresses. For now though, hopefully that satisfies you guys.

What did you guys think of that chapter? Was it good? Bad? Ugly? What did you think of Sierra's reaction to Joshua's compared to Kiara's? What did you think of Sierra in general, or her parents' relationship? Any specific reactions to the chapter? Predictions?

Who would you guys like to see a perspective from next?

a. Kiara Carmichael (Brody's and Savannah's daughter)

b. Joshua (Mina's and Teague's son)

c. Abigail (Mina's and Teague's daughter)

d. Anthony Carmichael (Brody's and Savannah's son)

e. Raven Goldmine (Annalora's and ?'s daughter)

Let me know your answers (if you're up for it) and who you'd like to see a perspective from next in a review! See you guys at my next update, depending on which story it's at. c: Remember, if you want an update for a particular story, please review it! The more reviews a story has, the more likely I am to update that one next (although I do try to make sure I update all four).

My ownership of the first page of An Unfortunate Fairytale fanfiction continues. :3

~ Dagger