Hi everyone :D Friday I was in a writing kind of mood and I went to work on this story, but let me tell you, this was probably the hardest to write so far. I'm not too proud of my descriptions in this chapter and I kept rewriting it. I didn't want to wait any longer because I know it's frustrating. But I needed ideas and thoughts to connect the beginning to what I have planned for oh I'd say... chapter 5? or 6? They're not even written yet, but I have a whole web planned out xD haha. Anyway, sorry for the wait and don't worry, I'm not giving up on anything. It has just been a bumpy ride so far and I hope everyone sticks with me! (:

Review please!

Warning: Some strong language

Chapter 3

{"Open the goddamn door, Karla."

"You're not coming back into this house."

"Just fucking open the door!"

A loud bang erupted through the hall.

"I told you to come home three hours ago. YOU decided to sit on a barstool with your drunken friends because they're so great. Go stay at their house so they can put up with you, asshole."

"The only asshole is you! Fucking open the door."

The echo of hostility roamed to my room.

"Get off this property or I'm calling the cops and they'll drag your ass out of here."

The banging and shouting got louder.

"You fucking cunt!" }

My alarm clock rang to break the silence of Monday morning. I sprung from underneath the covers and slammed my hand on the snooze button. I've spent two weeks in this house and all I've done was wake up from these nightmares. I was in a cold sweat and needed to take a moment and tell myself that it was only a dream, one of which I had often. However, it has been a while since I had one like that between my parents. Days may go by, but your past always seems to haunt you. I shot out of bed, praying that I'd be in a better mood soon because it was the first day of school. Normally when I start my day, I feel like I can take on anything. Right now, the memories of my childhood burdened me. I just try and ignore most of it when I think of them, for the sake of staying sane, but some days, I never felt sane. I had feelings bottled up inside me for so long that I no longer pretended that everything is okay. I couldn't tell you how I felt now. I had no emotion in me toward that part of my life.

In a matter of a half an hour I was perfectly readied with curled blonde hair and the same old polo and pant uniform that students were required to wear if they attended Coalton Area High School. It didn't take long once I was fed and out the door to start my car. I walked close by and ran my slim fingers across her glossy, onyx body. Oh how I've missed Betty. It was a tradition to name our cars. Black Betty seemed appropriate. She resembled a Batmobile sports car but in Pontiac Grand Am form. She had chrome rims and LED lights that illuminated the darkest spots at night. Two scoops, in the shape of a snake's nose, emerged from the hood. This was my baby. I revved up her chilled engine up and backed out into the bare side street that sat out in front of my new home. I took off slowly, passing the trees that were desperately wanting to change color. The road was lined with older houses, some bungalow, others colonial. There were many with for sale signs stuck into the front yard. As I came to the end of the street where the stop sign stood, I pulled out onto Main and continued toward town.

When I walked through the doors of Coalton Area Junior/Senior High School, it felt like I had never left. There were still the dumb jocks that pushed around the smarter kids, the stuck up cheerleaders that thought they ruled the school, the sluts, the players, the stoners, and finally, the most awesome people you could ever meet, my friends. I was glad to see everyone because I haven't spoken to half of them since last fall. They were still the same though, loud and obnoxious as ever. In between classes, I had a lot of teachers ask how my year long trip was and I lied right through my teeth. It didn't take much to make me want to go back to Scotland.

The day was hectic as kids ran throughout the halls to get to their new classes on time. As seniors, no one increased their pace because we didn't care if we came into the classroom a few minutes after the bell, and frankly, the teachers couldn't give a shit either. All everyone thought about now was graduation. The first half of the day wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, however. I had most of my classes with my friends and that was enough to just kick back and tune out the world for a moment. I was rudely disturbed as the teacher started to address the class.

"Hey guys, I think most of you all know me, but I see a few new faces. I'm Mr. Greenbrich and I'm your history teacher. Your syllabus is on your desk as well as a few other helpful guidelines to follow. I hope to have an interesting year with all of you. Let's start off with the cheesy 'what I did on summer vacation' description." His mid-thirties figure stood tall with dark, curly hair and tanned skin.

Mr. Greenbrich taught the seniors as well as a few sophomore classes in the afternoon. He was someone who put a little interest in the curriculum and it helped other students pay a little more attention, but that wasn't saying much…

"Brittany, you're turn. Come up and tell us how you spent your summer," he said while sitting at the edge of his desk and crossing his arms.

My turn already? How long have I been daydreaming?

I stood behind his wooden podium and began to speak. I hated the churning feeling I had in my stomach. "Well, as many of you know, last year I traveled to Scotland to stay with my aunt and uncle for the year."

"Oh that's right!" Mr. Greenbrich interrupted. "How was that? We're going to be learning more about Scottish culture later in the year."

"Well, it was pretty interesting. Everyone is very nice there and the views are amazing. I spent the summer with my boyfriend and friends that I met there."

It wasn't much of a description, seeing that I couldn't tell more than half of my story. However, I think the vampire thing could have gone over well. I gave a nod and left for my seat in the back row behind Savannah.

"Excellent!" Mr. Greenbrich smiled. "Mr. Thomas, come up and share your summer vacation."

After about forty five minutes of "I spent my summer vacation doing blank," I was ready to rip my hair out. If I didn't hear it all in one class, I never will. Some kids played videogames all summer, slept, learned karate, blew soap bubbles from their mouth, went on a road trip, went to rehab, hiked, and the best, became a ninja. I don't know if some were serious or just trying to humor the situation. By the time our lunch bell came, I didn't waste a second to get out to the halls. I was closing my locker when Savannah walked up next to me.

"Well, Calculus will be a joke this year," she smiled as she gripped her brown lunch bag.

"I look forward to it then. I want senior year to be a breeze," I said while we walked to the cafeteria.

"Oh I'm sure it will be."

"History seems like it won't be that bad either," I continued.

"I know. At least now I get to look at a good looking teacher," Savannah said as she clutched her chest in the place of her heart.

"Really?" I laughed sarcastically.

"Yes really, oh, and did you see everyone look up when you mentioned you had a boyfriend?" She asked as she elbowed my arm.

"No, not really." I shook my head as we walked into the noisy lunch room.

"Jeremy definitely did."

"What else is new?" I laughed.

Savannah pulled out a chair at our table near a large window and sat down. I did the same and searched my lunchbox to find a sandwich, pudding, and juice.

"Kick-ass lunchbox," I heard Kelli say.

I agreed with her. It was kick-ass. Hell, it was Batman! Who doesn't like Batman?

"What are we doing for your birthday this Wednesday?" Monica asked, who took a seat next to Savannah.

"I was actually thinking about having a party at my house over the weekend. Obviously everyone at the table would be invited."

There were quite a few people who sat with us at lunch. Most of us knew each other since sixth grade, others, even longer. There was Jeremy, who had a crush on me for five years and probably still does, but I'm not supposed to know; Kaci, who was Jeremy's close friend, they knew each other since, like, birth; Addie, who was the shortest of us all, but the most kind hearted; Maggie, who was a genius and had the ability to remember anything and everything; Kelli, who always complained; Monica, who I knew since we were young; and finally, Savannah, my oldest and best friend.

"I think a party would be awesome. Yours are always fun," Addie said.

"I think we should have a little cake for Wednesday though," Savannah added.

I wasn't going to object to cake. That's what we usually did at our table. School finally let out and I returned to the desolate road that led to my house. I opened the large door and continued through the parlor, down the hallway, and to the kitchen. On the other side of the wall, were muffled voices. It sounded like there were a few people in the room, but I couldn't figure out who they were. They sounded so familiar. As I entered through the swinging door, my eyes lit up.

"Uncle Bob? Aunt Dottie? What are you guys doing here?" I set down my bag and rushed to give them a warm embrace. I turned and Tony was sitting at the kitchen table across from my mother. "Hey squirt!"

He waved hello and darted from his seat to hug me. "Hey Brittany!"

"Well, our company finished the job at McAshton's mansion so we had to return home. The castle was only temporary," Uncle Bob said as he sat back down and sipped his coffee. Aunt Dottie did the same.

"So, you bought a house here?" I asked, wanting to know more by grabbing another chair and pulling it to the table.

"Yeah," Aunt Dottie smiled. "Bob knew that his work was coming to a close, so we started looking for listings around the area and there was a colonial down the road where Oak Street meets Cherry. Coalton has many opportunities for Bob and we thought we needed a break from San Diego."

"Brittany, why don't you take Tony up to your room now?" My mom commanded, rather than asked.

I knew what she was doing. She always did this when she wanted to rant and vent about my father. I took my bag from the ground and showed Tony to my room.

"Well what do you think?" I asked as I opened the door.

"This place is cool," he said, amazed as he looked around aimlessly.

"Did you guys just get here?"

"No. We came just after you left for school. It was a surprise."

"Well I definitely was surprised, kiddo." It felt awkward talking about it, but I needed to know. "So, uh, have you talked to Rudolph or anyone?"

"I talked to Gregory last night." Damn, he must know me too well.. "He said that he misses you."

"Oh." I uttered, while taking a seat on my bed.

Tony shuffled around, observing every inch of my room. "It's hard leaving them again."

"I know. We just got them back," I sighed, falling back into the comforter.

My phone buzzed and I searched my pockets swiftly to retrieve it, but it wasn't from who I expected. It was from someone much, much worse.