Chapter 13: Smiles and Frowns

Michelle bounced into the room grabbing the paper and sitting on the chair, turning on the camera,

"Hey! Michi here! Aunt Brooke told us to talk about our hero and this paper. So-my hero is my dad. And my mom. Basically my parents," she said. "They are totally in love and get through any obstacles they came across. They're strong, and I guess…my parents are just them," Michelle tried to conclude, with a confused face on, "Anyways. My Aunt Brooke decided to make us pick these things, and I got…family. That's perfect," she smiled, an identical smile to Haley. "My family means everything to me. My mom and my dad are people that I feel nothing but love and admiration for. And my little brothers, I feel that it's my job just to protect them. My cousins Clarissa and Jenny are my best friends. My Aunt Peyton, she's great," she paused and smiled, "I always go to her if I need someone to help me, and then my Aunt Brooke-if I need someone to talk to- I can run to her. She's been going through a tough time lately. Clarissa hates her fiancé and I know Aunt Brooke is probably just so upset that my cousin is upset. If I could wish one thing, it would be for her to be happy. And my uncles. Jake is funny, he always cracks me up. And my Uncle Luke-he spoils me, since my mom and him are best friends. I guess what I'm trying to say is that family just means love," she paused, "and happiness."

"Hey, future sister! Or brother, I'm not picky." Jenny said walking in, "Michelle you're turn's up! Let me go," Jenny said making Michelle roll her eyes.

"Go Jen," Michelle said.

Jenny smiled at her, and sat on the chair.

"You know. My Aunt Brooke is crazy. But this is the most brilliant idea, ever. My hero would be my mother, well…my adopted mother-Peyton," Jenny paused, "She started dating my dad, knowing I was around. But-yet..she waited for him to return, from chasing my real mom to get me…" Jenny stopped thinking. "She took on a family that wasn't even hers. And I'm not sure I'd be able to do that, and for that…I love my mom. She's my hero."

Jenny smiled and picked up the piece of paper.

"Friendship," Jenny smiled. "That's the most precious thing in the world, Auntie Brooke," Jenny smiled, and laughed. "Friendship is like having two sisters, that know everything about you, even what you don't have to say. My best friends are my cousins, actually. Well, their cousins, we're kind of cousins. Michelle and Clarissa Scott. They are a year younger than me, and they're great. The two of them come from two opposite dads," and she paused to think, "and from what I hear, moms, too. But the two of them love each other a lot. And I know real cousins really have this bound, and they let me in it. Friends are like stars, you can't always see them, but they're always there…" Jenny smiled genuinely and walked out.

Clarissa walked into the room, and took a seat.

"Hey cousin," Clarissa spat. "My mom had this crazy idea that us talking to you in the past-will help you understand your family. So, you want to know about your cousin, Lissa?" Clarissa smirked, a famous Scott smirk.

"I don't have a hero. It used to be my mom, having me at 16, and raising me, my dad being there, but the two of them never really being together. That all changed within the last few weeks. Being born into the Scott family is like a curse that never goes away," Clarissa said wiping a few tears, "My dad was the child my grandfather didn't want. My uncle took drugs to increase his performance. My uncle got emancipated cause he didn't want to be with his parents. He got married at 16, to have his wife leave him and go on tour for 3 months, and then when she came back, pregnant, might I add, he left. My dad and mom used to date when my dad cheated on my mom with her best friend, and then my mom found out she was pregnant. My uncle was just accused of being a baby's daddy, and my aunt was accused of sleeping with my dad. And you see, my parents are in love, but are too damn stubborn to ever get together. So, as you see it-the Scott family is a trap. There's no way out. Like I was saying, my mom isn't my hero anymore. Because if she was as strong as I thought she was-she would overcome her fears and forgive my dad."

Clarissa quickly opened the paper, and scoffed.

"Siblings," Clarissa rolled her eyes, "I wouldn't know. I don't have any. And I never will."

And with that, Clarissa walked out, angrily.

Up next: The wedding..