Chapter 1

Stretching my limbs, I'm rewarded with a popping sound at the give of my stiff muscles providing some relief after a long night of sleep. Yawning, I get a taste of my own morning breath and instantly cringe.

I walk over to the mirror on the back of my closet door. I catch on my reflection and double take at the horrific sight staring back at me. I look like death. No, I look like Medusa or even Ursula. My curls, dark brown that fade gently to dirty blonde as my hair reaches mid back are tangled and make my scalp ache. The mascara smeared over my face makes my light blue eyes stand out. Once I deal with my hair, I get ready for the day. I walk back into my room and to my bright red dresser . Delicately, I pick up the necklace. I lift the pendant and hook it around my neck, feeling the cool touch of the diamond hitting the skin of my chest.

I walk down the hall and stop at my brother's room. I realize Toby most likely forgot to set an alarm last night I walk back to my room and I fish around for an air horn which is pretty useful for moments like these. I haven't been able to speak since my freshman year. Three long years since that one fateful night stole my voice and my pride. Toby's best friend did it. He molested me. He made sure I had enough liquor to drink and he choked me. He always had family problems so he usually hit and broke things. Warren went physical and tried to kill me. Toby trusted Warren and Warren took a sharp turn to molest me and break Toby' trust. The therapist thought that having me remember would help me get my voice back. But soon enough, I was diagnosed with PTSD that was blocking me from talking and even trying. I ended up learning sign language.

I walk into Toby's room and blare the horn into silence. Toby's eyes shoot up into panic but when his eyes land on me, he groans and puts his head under the pillow. I go downstairs and start cooking for Toby and me . I flip the pancakes and set it in the middle of the counter. I'm sure the scent of our breakfast reached his room. He comes sauntering into the kitchen, he looks at me and smiles gratefully.

''Thanks Raine" he says, taking a seat at the counter before digging into his breakfast. I smile and nod my response. He keeps on shoveling the pancakes into his mouth. My free hand comes up to play with the necklace around my neck ; my mother's necklace. She passed away when I was five. My dad jumped into a care mood instantly after mom's funeral. I knew her death affected dad dearly. He loved mom so much , I wondered whether he loved mom more than Toby and I. We were like a golden family until mom died. When I turned 12, dad's business took off into New York and he left us in Chicago with a nanny. The day he was leaving was the day we lost both our parents.

I hear the front door open and not a second later Liz , my best friend comes walking into the kitchen. Liz has been my best friend since 7th grade. Liz has striking brownish eyes with short blond hair. Liz has the perfect height - she's no taller that 5'5.

'' Thanks for my greeting, Lizzy.'' Toby says sarcastically from his seat.

'' Good morning ,Toby. Nice hair! '' Liz replies slyly.

He scowls and runs his hand through it . ''That noticeable?''

He gets up to go to his bedroom grumbling some profanities under his breath.

I look at Liz ''Want some breakfast?''

She shakes her head '' I ate before I left.''

'' You two ready to go?'' Toby asks as he comes up to us with his hair wet. We nod and he grabs his keys while we grab our backpacks. We get into his Ford F-150 Raptor and start driving with the radio cranked up. Today Liz is looking out of the window sorrowfully. I'm not the only one with family problems. Liz's father left when she was 8 and her mother hasn't been herself.