Chapter 1

Audrey's POV

"Oh My God!!!. This dress is perfect." My mom clapped her hands excitedly as she admired my sister's prom dress.

"This is definitely the right color. It compliments your skin." I commented and she smiled mouthing a "thank you" and I nodded.

" Zach is gonna love it.." she said running to her room. The dress was actually my mom's prom cloth and I was meant to wear it if I ever had to go prom. She has always dreamt of dressing one of us up for prom and Kyra gave her that chance. I never got the chance of going to prom even though my friends invited me to theirs.

Oops...bad manners.

I'm Audrey. A 22-year old adult who just sits at home and laze around all day and only goes out at night. Yeah, you're right. I have XP. Xeroderma Pigmentosum. A condition where I'm extremely sensitive to light. UV light so I can't go out during the day and even if I wanna do, I have to suit up and cover my body properly but I can't suffer a sun stroke and you can guess,I have a pale skin. It is actually inherited through abnormal genes and I got it from my dad who died when he was in his thirties from skin cancer. Those years were hard for my mom and I. I was only 14 then. After some years,she met Patrick, Kyra's dad and my step dad and kicked things off. They fell in love and married when I was 18 and God knows I'm happy for her. She deserves all the happiness in this world but we are completely different people. He is into real estate and Mom is an allergist and she has told me how they met multiple times. Kyra had an allergy and Patrick brought her to the hospital and he kinda loved the way she treated Kyra like a daughter and blah blah blah, The story goes on. Mom was helping Audrey with her prom stuff and I was stuck here with Patrick in this uncomfortable silence which he is going to break in 3...2...1..

"Aud---"

"I have to go. My online class will be starting anytime soon." I took my chips and left.

Damn! I feel horrible. I know he's been trying to bond for years now but we just don't click. He is all prim and proper. Always asking about my plans for a future I don't think I'm gonna have or about some dumb reality shows or dramas. I need someone I can joke with like we are mates. Someone like my dad.

The thought of him makes my heart clench in pain. I miss him terribly.

Mom is worried about it and I'm really trying. I entered my dark room and plopped on my bed. I checked my phone for texts and I got one from Maddy and another from Wyatt. My two besties. I binged "Riverdale" for the umpteenth time. God!!! I'm obsessed with this show. I started hearing mixed voices downstairs. Kyra is ready for prom and I don't wanna be awake when Mom tells me to come take pictures. Don't get me wrong. Kyra is my step sister and a great person,we get along well but I'm not in the mood to be around the prom excitement. I just wanna sleep and besides,the forecast says it's gonna rain tonight so my plans are cancelled. Mom is going to flip if she finds out I went out on a rainy night and the next thing is she is calling Dr Camille to book an appointment and besides,my friends are coming over tomorrow so I need to be properly rested for all the excitement they are going to bring. I remembered Lilian and I,my dearest cousin planned on doing a video call tonight. Lilian is more like a sister to me. She stayed with us for the most part of her childhood and always followed me for check ups,tests and therapies. We were the real inseparable duo. Later on, she went to Berkeley but we promised to stay in touch.

"Heyy.."

she beamed at me and we talked for about an hour. Gosh! I missed her alot. We always have something to talk about. We said our byes and I prepared for bed.

Immediately my head hit the pillow,I drifted off to sleep.