Chapter One
"Stephen! Get back here!" Elizabeth Waters yelled loudly at her brother. He speeded down the long corridor with Elizabeth trailing behind. Holding the sacred book in his hand, he rushed into the empty bedroom and quickly locked the door.
Stephen laughed with an evil smirk on his face. "Don't worry, sis," he told her through the door. "Your diary is safe with me now."
Elizabeth groaned. "Please, Stephen…"
"Dear Diary: I saw Robert Landry today after school. He is so handsome and sweet. Oh la la!" Stephen read, laughing.
"Stephen! If you do, I'll tell Mother you're seeing that girl.." Elizabeth started, but the door opened and Stephen slapped his hand on her mouth.
"Shhhh, Elizabeth!" he whispered. "You're too loud," he sighed. He held out the journal. "You win."
"Don't I always?" she grinned, taking the diary and walking off.
"I still know you adore Robert Landry!" he yelled as she went into her bedroom.
She turned around. "You tell anyone, and I'll stab you with Mother's kitchen knife," she smiled and shut the door.
"Elizabeth! Mother says we have to go with her to the market," Stephen said the next afternoon.
Elizabeth grumbled. "Great, another outing with the family." She trudged down the stairs, only to be yelled at by her mother.
"Elizabeth Catherine Waters! Do not carry yourself in such a horrible posture! I did not raise a hoodlum for a daughter," Corinne Waters scolded.
"Yes, ma'am," Elizabeth muttered through her teeth.
"Speak clearly, darling. I can barely hear you when you mumble like that. And straighten your dress, it looks a wreck!"
Elizabeth looked down. Her mother was right; the dress was wrinkled beyond belief. She blushed and ran her hand across the creased fabric.
"Better," her mother responded. "Now into the carriage, you two."
The ride to the market was boring, as usual. Elizabeth and Stephen didn't dare fight in front of Mother, in fear of being nagged or yelled at.
Once there, Corinne Waters stepped out and told her children, "Stay here in the carriage. I'll only be a couple of minutes."
Once the door was shut, Elizabeth laughed out loud. "Ha! A couple of minutes. She'll be at least an hour."
"Why did she want us to come if she just keeps up locked up in here?" Stephen replied, annoyed. "If only Pa was alive. He wouldn't torture us like this."
"Don't talk about him, Stephen," Elizabeth frowned, laying back. Now was the time to slouch, now that her mother was gone. She was getting tired, being in a heated carriage and an enormous dress.
She stared out the window, dazing. She was about to close her eyes when she saw a familiar face out on the street. Who else, sitting there on the park bench, but Robert Landry? She hoped Stephen wouldn't notice-
" Eliiiizabeeeth! Guess who I seeeeeeee?" her brother teased.
"Stephen, don't you dare!" Elizabeth glared.
"Oh, Robert! I love you and think you're the loveliest man alive!" Stephen mocked.
"Quiet, you," Elizabeth grinned, then frowned. "If only he knew I existed."
"Then go talk to him, twit! That's the only way for him to notice you," Stephen advised.
"No, I couldn't," Elizabeth blushed.
"If you don't, I will," Stephen threatened. "And you know what I'll say."
"Fine, you win," she sighed.
"Don't I always?' Stephen laughed, quoting her.
"But what if Mother comes back when I'm gone?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'll lie for you, of course. You know Mother is a gullible idiot," Stephen chuckled.
"Stephen Mitchell Waters! Don't call Mother that!" Elizabeth scolded. Then she smiled. "Though it is true."
"I'm going; wish me luck!" she stepped out of the carriage, crossing her fingers.
She looked around for Robert, excited and nervous at the same time. This would be the first time she talked to him, even though they went to the same academy since their elementary years.
"Robert, how are you?" she practiced as she walked gracefully over to the divine park bench. "Remember me? We've sat by each other since I was ten. May I call you Robbie? Argh, no. That's not attractive, Elizabeth," she scolded herself.
Was this a bad idea? What if she made a dozen mistakes? As her mother always said, You never have a second chance to make a first impression.
Oh well. It was too late now.