Chapter 1
~Ella~
I can't believe it. I think to myself. How does she expect us to read Moby Dick in a week?
Glancing down, I scribble my name on the seemingly impossible homework.
I can hear people whispering about their plans for break. A girl snickers as she makes plan for a sleepover with a girl from another desk.
"I bet she doesn't have any plans. Who would want to hang out with her? She's a weirdo. No one would hang with after what she did." A girly voice says. Her and her friend snicker behind me. I can feel myself sinking down in my seat.
The final bell rings and students bustle out of the classroom. "Now don't forget. Since Easter break is starting tomorrow, I expect you to read a lot." Our English teacher Mrs. Hally says. "Okay, have a good break." I fling by backpack over my shoulder and make my way to the door. I can hear the whispers. No doubt about me.
"She was questioned..." "Is it possible?..." "No one would ever do such a thing...."
I'm about to step outside when a tap on the shoulder stops me.
"Not you miss Free. I have a matter to settle with you." The shrill voice of Mrs. Hally calls.
I walk over to her too perfectly organized desk and she pulls out a stack of papers. "Ella's work." It said. Glancing up at me, she spreads them out. The wind gets knocked out of me. An F on my last test.
Mrs. Hally sucked in a breath. "You're failing Ella. This means summer school if you don't step it up hon." You could hear the smirk behind her voice. She placed the papers back in a drawer.
When the word hon escaped from her mouth, I knew I hated this woman. But it was fine. She hates me too. Because I wasn't a goody two shoes like little miss Rachel Kelli. With her perfectly straight red hair, perfect grades, and extensive list of extracurriculars. I hated her too.
God I hate a lot of people. Is something wrong with me? No.
I just have a lot of reasons to.
Mrs. Hally gestures to the door. "You better get home, or else mom and dad will wonder where you are." She smiles at me before standing to watch me leave.
I glare at her then practically run out the door. Hot tears threaten to spill over at any time. My bad mood is obviously as I walk to my car. Strangers back away. But I don't care
Mrs. Hally knew damn well my dad was dead.
The car lurched to a stop as I slammed on the brakes. I step out of my navy ford pickup and slam the door. My mind was still sour from Mrs. Hally's words. I wanted to get over it but pain I felt a year ago came rushing back. Taking a deep breath I walk through the front door. Inside sitting on the couch is my brother Conner looking at his phone. "Hey Ella." He says without looking up. He whispers something before shifting in his seat.
"Give it up Conner." I say. He freezes and look uncomfortably at me. "Ella...this is Alice." He says. A pale, blond girl sits up from the bottom of the couch. No doubt hiding on Conner's command. She has a short bob cut and piercing blue eyes. She waves shyly to me. Waving back, I turn to Conner. "I won't tell mom this time, but please tell me so I can come in the back door." He nods.
I turn, disgusted by how normal this is for Conner. Bringing girls home without even dating them. But then again, not a lot of girls could resist his sandy blond hair and brown eyes. Down the hall the door to my room appears. I flop down on my bed and pull out Moby Dick. Suddenly, a thud comes from the room. Then shouting. Most teenagers would be curious, but it was normal for me. My dad died while trying to save a boy from drowning in the ocean while on his Marine Patrol shift. A freak wave came and drowned them both. We mourned for months. Then mom said enough was enough. She said James would want us to move on with our lives.
So she married a rich guy named Bill. Conner and I moved in and all way going well. I just wanted her to be happy. And she was happy. In the beginning.
They fought constantly. Usually about money. Mom didn't like it. She was hard-headed like me. And one day she cracked. They've beem at each others throats since then. In the beginning I didn't like that mom moved on from dad so quickly, mostly becuase I hadn't. But she didn't deserve this. I knew it was only a matter of time before they divorced. And it was finally happening.
"Well if your doing it, I'm doing it!" A voice rings from my parents bedroom.
"And I AM doing it Bill!! And I'm taking the kids with me!!" My mom's voice rings through the house.
The door slams. I hear mom mumble to herself like she does when she's stressed. Like how Conner brings girls home is his stress relief. Mine is the cabin. Where there's no one within ten miles. The trees don't complain, the lake doesn't judge, and the leaves don't argue. It's prefect. And that's why I am going there tomorrow ny myself. To clear my head.
A ding comes from my phone. My best friend Willow's profile comes up. Finally, someone to talk to. Willow wasn't the most popular girl in the school, but she was liked. Not like me who was just the freak mystery girl who didn't like social interaction...well, half on that is true.
Picking up the phone, I can sense something is wrong. Willow doesn't talk fast like she usally does. She's quiet this time.
"Ella..." she breathes. "We need to talk."
