Blue

My brother, Cam and I were on our own from the time we were 12 and 17. He was older than I. Our parents overdosed together in our home. Because he had graduated high school already, they allowed him to keep me. He chose to and told me he would've fought for me.

He met Megan around his 18th birthday and she was bad news. I was still only 12 at the time. I had unfortunately turned 12 the day our parents died. Megan got Cam into drugs and it didn't take long for him to get hooked. I watched the same drugs kill my brother slowly. He and Megan welcomed twin boys together, Camden and Kaden.

She was pregnant when they both overdosed in the same house as our parents. I was sixteen. I came home from high school and police were every where. The neighbor called it in. She heard Camden and Kaden crying to no avail. Her husband phoned Megan's parents and they came and took the twins away.

I watched them carry my brother and his girlfriend away in body bags. I was coming from taking my GED. I was set to graduate valedictorian, but I didn't like high school. The officers were going to take me in, but I told them I was considered an emancipated minor, having passed the GED test.

They looked into it and discovered I was telling the truth. Once they collected everything they needed to rule their deaths self inflicted, the house was cleared out. The neighbors asked if I wanted to come over so I wouldn't have to be in the house that claimed the lives of my parents and brother. I declined.

Just like with mom and dad, I cleaned away the mess they made. I spent all night crying and cleaning. By morning, the remnants of their last moments were gone. The house was a stale quiet. Our parents were poor, so we were poor. Cam and I did odd end jobs to make ends meet. I tutored to make sure our bills could stay on. Some months even that wasn't enough.

My name is Xora Blue. Yes, like the color. Kids made fun of it, a lot. I rested for four hours and then I got up to go and put in applications. Rent was due and it was $2700. Pricey if you ask me, but normal here in New York. I put on my best clothes and shoes. I pulled my curls into a ponytail on top of my head. I loved my natural face and never poisoned it by wearing make up.

I walked the strip going place to place, looking for employment. Everyone said I was too young, inexperienced. I was going to call it a day as the sun set. My walk back to our apartment would be gruesome. It would be dark by the time I got there. I started on my way, lost in my thoughts. I stepped out to cross the street, passing an alley. A car horn pulled me from my thoughts and scared me into almost pissing on myself.

I looked up to a driver of a black SUV and apologized. He wore a stern look. I could see the suit's jacket of his boss, but the tint on the windows made the interior of the car appear dark as well. I stepped back onto the sidewalk and let them pass. However, the driver turned to his boss and then back to me. He waited for me to cross and then he continued on.

They passed me slowly and I got nervous. I had wanted to buy me a phone, but it was too expensive at the time. We needed to eat more than me getting a phone. I passed all the restaurants who were in full swing. The aromas were heavenly. My stomach grumbled as I passed them. I looked around to make sure I wasn't being followed. I continued on my way home.

I reached my apartment right as the street lights came on. Mr and Mrs Pelt greeted me. "We thought you were staying out tonight. We're glad you made it back home." I smiled and let myself in. The mail had been deposited through the mail slot. I picked it all up. I started opening the letters as I rounded the kitchen for something to eat. The cabinets were empty and so was the fridge.

I turned on the faucet and let my glass fill with water. It was all I had to get me through the night. This was one of the reasons I stayed in high school so long, the meals. By default, I received free meals. Because I had left and gotten my GED, I no longer was able to get free meals. I sighed in frustrations. I sat at the table and opened the letters.

The city was charging $1500 to cremate Cam and Megan. So $750 for Cam. The electric bill was due. It wasn't much as we used the daylight hours conservatively, $300. The water and garbage was another $300. There was no TV, Internet or amenities. I was right at $3,000. I only had about half. I dragged myself to my room.

My room was the only one that was furnished. I showered and got in bed. Our parents were orphans. They both graduated from the orphanage. They started their lives together right after. They rented this apartment after landing dead end jobs. I never understood how we were able to afford it still. I cried myself to sleep again.

The next day, I got up and got dressed. I went out for another day of job hunting. I was sitting in a cafe having a doughnut. I found five dollars on my way down the strip. The driver I stepped out in front of yesterday, walked into the cafe. He ordered and waited. I could tell his boss was someone with deep pockets. The suit he was wearing looked expensive and the car he drove did too.

I focused on the wanted ads. I checked the jobs I was going to try today. A lady on her way out of the cafe, gifted me the newspaper. It was helpful versus winging it. A waiter approached me and sat a plate of food down in front of me. I told her I didn't order it and couldn't pay for it.

"It's already been taken care of miss. What would you like to drink?"

"I-I don't understand"

"I was instructed to bring you the food and get your drink order. I've been paid and tipped. If you don't want this I can get you what you do want"

"It's fine. I'll have a water please"

She smiled and walked away. I looked around but saw no one. The driver had gone during our exchange. She returned moments later with my water. I prayed over my food and fought the tears threatening to spew. I ate in content. I wasn't able to finish the plate but I was thankful someone bought a meal for me. I asked for a to go box and when the waiter brought it back she had two more meals prepared and bagged for me.

"T-thank you"

"I was told to give you this"

She handed me a note and debit card. I looked at them both as foreign. I sat back in my seat to read the note.

I know you're wondering what's going on and I promise to explain. My name is Thomas Vanderbilt. Your mother and I met when she was working as a stylist's assistant. She would entertain me and I paid her well. The man you know as your father didn't like it. He asked her to resign, but I paid her well. You will come to find that I am your real father and I didn't want to just come out of no where and say that. I was married when your mother and I were seeing each other. You have a sister, Adeline and brother, Adam. I own Vanderbilt industries and I don't want you to think you are alone. If you wish to be left alone I will honor your request. On the card I have left for you is 5 million dollars. I know you have many questions and I hope you will grant me your time to answer them. I looked you up and saw you didn't have a cellphone, so I've ordered you one and had it sent to your apartment. My driver will take you home and where ever you need to go from here on out. My condolences for your brother Cameron and your parents. My number is listed below. Use the card to buy whatever you need and want. Nothing is asked of you in return. Congratulations on passing your GED exam. I saw you were set to be valedictorian. I have questions of my own, but first let's set a date to meet. I'll be bringing your siblings along and my wife, Julia.

-Thomas (dad)

I felt my life drain from me. I turned to look out the window and saw the driver staring at me. It was the guy who almost ran me over. The guy who came in to order food. He looked bothered. I saw him run back inside. In the next blink he was standing next to me. I had to focus to hear him talking to me.

"Princess Xora are you okay? Do you need medical attention?"

"I-I'm fine. W-who are you? Did you call me Princess? My name isn't Princess"

"I'm Maas Dragen, your driver. Your father, Mr Vanderbilt has made arrangements"

"My father's name is Jacob Blue and he's deceased. I-I think there's been some kind of mistake. I can pay you for the food I ate, but there's been some kind of mix up"

"I see. You're Xora Yellow Blue, no? You live at 10001 Felview Avenue Apt 405?"

"You've been following me? How do you know that?"

"Your father- Mr Vanderbilt had me look into you when I almost ran you over. He said you reminded him of Tracey, spitting image."

"W-where is this Mr Vanderbilt?"

"He's in meetings today, but he will make time to see you at your discretion"

My mind was reeling. I tried to process everything and ended up rubbing my temples. I closed my eyes to calm myself. When I opened them again, Maas was still standing there. He offered to carry my food but I declined. He handed me a box once we got to the car.

"What's this?"

"A phone for you. Mr Vanderbilt, my boss, wanted me to deliver it to your apartment. He thought you might decline being driven. I was going to drop it off after I saw if you were going to eat or not. You're very thin. My condolences about your parents and brother."

"Thanks"

I opened the box to discover the newest iPhone. I never owned anything so expensive! I dropped my food and spilled it all over the sidewalk. I groaned internally. Maas simply smiled and stated he would reorder it for me. I told him that wasn't necessary. He opened the back door for me and I got in. I'd never been inside a luxury car before.

"Where to, Princess Xora?

"Just Xora and I am job hunting so here"

I handed him the newspaper and he nodded. I fastened my seatbelt and then we were off. I interviewed to be a secretary and was turned down. I continued down my list of jobs until I ran out of places to go interview. I sighed defeated a second day in a row. It was just before 5 when I told Maas to take me home. I got out of the SUV and thanked him.

"What time shall I come for you tomorrow?"

"Oh um I'm not sure. How early do you get up?"

"I'm usually up by 5 am ready to go"

"That's way too early for me. I want to start early so let's say 9"

"I'll pick you up then"

I walked to my apartment door and opened it. The mail had once again been delivered. I sat it on the table and played with my phone. I found the Internet app and got on it to pay for Cam's cremation. I had my pay deposited to a prepaid debit card. I paid the water and garbage next.

I took the letter out of my pocket and read it again. Dad wasn't my father? He always use to give me a longing look, but I thought maybe it was because he wanted to do more than he could for Cam and I. Why hadn't mom ever told me? I felt like my life had been a lie.

I was pulled from my groveling thoughts when my phone dinged. I hadn't given the number to anyone. I just got the phone! I looked to see an unsaved number was messaging me. I opened the message and read it. This started a thread between Thomas and I.