Chapter One: Unwelcome Burden

-A week ago, June 20-

Sunlight was streaming into my bedroom through the pink gauzy lace confection that served as my curtains for my bedroom window when I woke up. I felt around for my alarm clock on the bedside table on my right, worried that I had slept in. Just as my hand wrapped around it, it decided to ring shrilly. I groaned, trying to decide if tossing it at the wall would be justified. Before I could make up my mind, I heard the soft knocking outside my bedroom door.

"Are you awake, Kiara?" I gave a loud groan in response and went to roll out of bed when my aunt opened the door. When I stared at her, she just smiled. "Had to make sure you weren't trying to go back to sleep."

I threw my blankets back into place in what I'd deem as making my bed before walking over to the vanity table on the other side of the room. Picking up my hairbrush, I tried to get the short hair in place to look "tidy." As usual, it flipped back into a messy position as if my hair had a will of its own, which I actually believed it did.

Turning my back to the mirror, I got changed into a pair of denim shorts and a tank top. Pulling on a pair of socks, I glanced at the calendar and with a jolt, I noticed what today was. June 20 was Dad's death-day anniversary, this year marking nine years since he died. I rarely cried anymore, but I always felt a tightening sensation in my chest when I realize how much time has changed. As customary, I threw on my black beaded cardigan before heading downstairs for breakfast.

Auntie Sheryl was tipping bacon on a plate beside two eggs when she noticed me. Her eyes lingered on the black cardigan before she quietly observed my hair with a frown. I shrugged before sitting down at the table to eat. I heard my Uncle David trying to sneak up behind me and I glanced over my shoulder slightly.

"You'll never surprise me when you make so much noise." I held up my glass of orange juice in a mock salute. "But congratulations on getting to the doorway this time."

I felt the playful ruffling of my hair, and I noticed Auntie Sheryl smile slightly. Uncle David sat down next to me with a dramatic sigh before waiting for his plate. I knew he was going to ask the question soon, so I waited for the words that always made Auntie nervous.

"So, what time do you want to go visit your Dad?" As usual, Auntie tensed, but kept her back to us as she set her own plate on the counter. I couldn't blame her, my Dad was her older brother and from hearsay, they were very close. When he died, her and my Mum fought like cats and dogs when Mum said Auntie wasn't allowed to see me anymore. Auntie knew why and it took five years for Family Services to see it as well. But by then, Mum had already run off with her new boyfriend and I was placed under my Auntie's care. Mum tried to force herself into the house once but ran off when the police showed up, and no one has any idea where she is now. And to make this harder, Auntie can't have children so I'm the closest thing she ever got when it came down to raising a child.

"I get out of school early today, but could it be the same time as usual?" I glanced between my aunt and uncle. Uncle David nodded and went back to his breakfast and I finished eating in silence, before getting up from the table to put my plate in the sink. I noticed Auntie giving Uncle David a stern look, so I excused myself in order to go brush my teeth.

Glancing in the bathroom mirror, I took the time to properly assess my overall appearance. Short deep red hair that I had inherited from Mum went down to my chin and dove-gray eyes that seemed hereditary from Dad's side of the family frowned back from my reflection. Not many girls looked like me, but I knew I was far from being the most gorgeous by society's standards. I grabbed my toothbrush and went about my daily routine as if nothing was wrong.

After finishing with my teeth, I went back to my bedroom to pack my backpack for school. Textbooks were resting on a desk under my window and I threw them into place in the backpack before glancing out the window sharply, hearing the familiar running as someone raced up the porch steps. With a smile, I grabbed my backpack and went back downstairs as someone began to knock on the front door.

Auntie Sheryl had my lunch packed and set on the middle of the kitchen table and I could hear her talking to the person at the door. I packed my lunch before zipping my backpack closed and went to the front door to get my shoes. As usual, with his big dimpled smile and a hearty laugh, I saw my best friend standing with my Auntie. He gave a small wave and answered a question that Auntie seemed to have asked, his blue eyes flashing with unbridled mischief.

I pulled on my shoes and slipped on my backpack, making sure to keep an eye on my prankster of a friend. I had known him since second grade, when he defended me from a group of kids who had been throwing rocks at me. He has been there for me when the incident with my Mum went out of control, and my Auntie and Uncle approve of him. The sandy haired boy also happens to be our high school's heartthrob and his name is Sean Thomas.

I gave my Auntie my customary good-bye hug before walking out the front door with Sean in tow. He seemed to be in his usual good mood, with his hands in his pockets as he strolled leisurely beside me. I gave him a forced smile as he made eye contact with me, and his smile widened.

"So, how was the late night studying?" I groaned and heard him laugh. Studying was hard to do for a normal test, but today is our math exam. There was no way in hell that I could remember all those formulas after a rushed three hours of cramming. Fortunately for me, Sean is exceptional at math, and that our teacher was nice enough to let us bring in a paper with all the example formulas as an aid for this exam. Speaking of which, I stopped to check my backpack to search for my formula aid.

"This isn't happening to me." I didn't mean to say it out loud, but Sean could tell what I meant. I had left my one hope of passing this exam at home, and he tousled my hair in mock sympathy. Before I could even say anything else, he handed me a folded slip of paper. Uncertainly, I opened it to see enough formulas to make me hurl.

"Don't be so flattered, I made one for Amy as well." I smiled at Sean as he grinned impishly. I felt myself tense at the mention of Amy, my rival. She was once my friend, until she told bunch of people at school about what happened between Mum and I. It was meant to ruin my reputation, so I haven't quite forgiven her yet for her vindictiveness. In the end, we discovered we liked the same guy and our friendship became something more competitive. Hilariously enough, the guy we were fighting for chose another girl completely. She's been trying to rekindle our friendship, but I know it will take a long time before I will ever trust her the amount that I used to.

Unfortunately for me, Amy also walks to school with Sean and me. Recently she's been trying to entice Sean, but he seems to be uninterested. Secretly, I still enjoy watching her get angry when he tells her off for trying to get him to like her. It can get pretty hilarious when he turns her down, each and every time. Amy is the type of person who is used to getting what she wants, and hates the fact that Sean is a challenge.

We reached the park that is two blocks away from the school and as usual, Amy Fredrickson stood rigidly in her designer brand outfit. Her long dark hair flared out as a breeze blew past and her dark eyes narrowed at the sight of me standing close beside Sean. She strode towards us with a determined expression on her tanned face and it made me want to laugh. Amy was the textbook definition of "Queen B;" she is the girl who runs the school practically, she wears only the top brand names, and flaunts her way past everyone with a "holier than thou" complex. Today she is wearing a metallic green spaghetti strap, a dark brown mini skirt and dark brown half boots. The main difference between us is that she wears makeup all the time, and I only wear it on special occasions.

She stopped in front of us, forcing a smile on her face as she waited for Sean to say something. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out another piece of paper and handed it to her. She seemed interested to know what was on it, and she frowned slightly when she saw it. She mumbled a quiet show of gratitude before glaring at me.

I didn't even want to bother with her right now. I felt my tension rise when I noticed that she seemed to be more like blocking our way than walking with us today. She only gets like this when she's about to try to ask Sean for a date. She seemed to shift slightly and sure enough:

"I hear there's going to be a great movie in theatres tonight. Want to go and see it?" I waited for the denial to come but Sean seemed to be actually annoyed today. I wonder if she realizes that there was no need for her to be this pushy about getting him to date her, it's not like we were together or something.

"Maybe this concept hasn't even crossed your mind." Sean seemed to be trying hard to speak calmly and not sound rude. "But last time I checked, most responsible people don't go to movies on a night that leads into an exam. They stay at home, trying to study before they have to worry about passing their finals. Then they go out after all their exams are finished, to celebrate the end of a stressful week."

"Are you saying that you'll go with me tomorrow night then?" She seemed so excited and hopeful, and I was surprised that he was even going this far. Did he finally cave in to her?

"I'll go along if there is more than the two of us." My jaw dropped, he was actually going to go see a movie with her? I quickly composed myself before she could notice my reaction; I wasn't going to get jealous over Sean seeing her. I began to walk away, down the beaten path toward the school, noticing that Sean looked trapped and Amy looked victorious. Just as she turned to say something snarky, the school bell rang.

Realization hit her like a ton of bricks and she rushed past me to make a mad dash to the school. I smirked as she practically flew down the block and Sean strolled over to me slowly. He noticed my smile and he returned it before we began our slow pace once more.

"So, when do you think that she'll realize that was the elementary school's warning bell and not the high school's?" He gave me a sidelong glance with his smile growing wider. He rubbed his chin in mock thoughtfulness before he glanced into the distance.

"Either when she figures out that we are still over here or when she makes it to the school and we aren't there with her. If I go to this movie, will you go to watch my back?"

A/N: Yay, having so much fun writing this. I hope you're all enjoying this too. Rate and review, please!