Chapter 1: New Family

My mother had told me I was the result of a one-night stand. She did not even know who my father was. She never regretted having me. In fact, she gave me everything I wanted because I never asked for anything unless I was asked about it. I was a simple child.

With auburn hair and amber eyes, I was one of the smallest kids in class. I did not make friends easily because I did not see much to the point of it. My nose was always in a book, or sketch pad, or notebook writing. Mother worked two jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. She was an orphan and did not have much help. She had her group of close friends and they helped when they could, but nothing more.

When I turned thirteen, she had found a man that she had a lot in common with. They had fun together; he had no trouble with her being a single parent because he was a single parent.

I was excited that I would have someone to share some of my things with. I had hoped it was a girl. But when the wedding came around, I met him. He was eight years older than me, about to go off to college and seemed like a total jerk. He ignored me most of the time. Even when my new father and mother introduced us. I had my hands behind me, blushed slightly and smiled as he just looked down at me. He had green piercing eyes, and black shoulder length raven hair. He did not even nod his head when he then looked up at father and started talking. I looked down, as if I were not important at all.

I walked around, talking to everyone because it was expected of me. When I felt my energy drained, I took a cup of punch and walked over to a corner table in the back of his mansion. We have already been living here for six months. I had placed my elbow on the table, a spoon twirling the red liquid in the cup as I looked down at the ground.

"Too much for a child to handle?" I heard his voice. I just looked up at him with my eyes, over my purple rimmed glasses, then went to watch the red liquid.

"What do you care?" I said sarcastically as I continued to stir the red content. He stood there, his hands in his pockets as he watched me, to most people, sulk. I just needed a few minutes to myself to think. He suddenly chuckled.

"So, how long do you think your mother will last?"

I shrugged.

"That's an adult matter," I replied not even looking up at him. He pulled out a chair and sat across from me. His hands folded in front of him resting on the table.

"Wouldn't it break your heart not to have so much money at your little fingers." I looked up at him through the glasses again. My hand stopping the spoon from twirling the liquid. His green eyes looked right back at me. His plush lips corked into a grin. He had a start of what looked like a black goatee just at the tip of his chin.

"I've lived without it," I said as his eyes narrowed.

"So, you two getting better acquainted?" I heard Jim, my new grandfather, as he came over. I sat up straight in my seat as he came over. I stood, smiling brightly and swung my arms around him as he chuckled. "I am so happy to finally have a granddaughter," he exclaimed.

"I am happy just to have a family," I said as he patted my head.

Issac stood, holding his hand to his grandfather as he shook it.

"Off to college for more courses, uh?"

"Yess sir." He said proud of where his education was leading him. I turned and left them as I felt the green eyes on me. I found my mother in a circle of her friends. I waited for a moment, then tugged at her dress.

"Mommy." She looked down, must have seen the tiredness in my eyes. She bent down, her gloved hands at my arms as she smiled.

"Do you need recharge time honey?"

I nodded.

"Ok. You have done a wonderful job today. Go on to your room and get your regular clothes on."

"Thank you." I said as she hugged and kissed me. She stood talking to her friends again as I exited the party. My mother had explained that I was an introvert. She understood where my personality as one was coming from where a lot of people did not. She had read and researched lots of books and Doctors to understand me better. I could not ask for a better mother.

When I got to my room, I got out of the crazy lacey dress I was forced to wear during the wedding and after. I changed to my shorts and a short sleeve shirt. I picked up my favorite stuffed animal, Skittles the calico cat, laid in the middle of my nice soft bed, and placed her on my bent legs. What was his deal anyways? He did not even try to be nice. He could have at least asked me real questions. Not something that I had nothing to do with. The adults can figure out how they are going to stay together and as far as all these toys, clothes and a nice soft bed were concerned, it was nice... yes... but I lived without it before.