Preface

I’d never given much thought to how I would spend the rest of my life. I lived in the present day only, to be more specific the present party only. I lived for a good time and never finding exactly what I was looking for because I wasn’t looking hard enough and was too afraid to dream.

Until I met someone who made me, me, the one I was proud of. He did not look for faults; he just saw me, and not the mask everyone else has seen for a long time. No longer will my ambitions fall into the shadows of my bad decisions. I’ve changed, and it is time for everyone to see.

Chapter 1: Bad Graces

I woke up in an unknown place dazed and confused. How did I get here? I racked my brain trying to come up with any plausible explanation.

I was at a party last night at Clair’s. I remember dancing, mingling, and drinking a little more than I should have. But besides that my memory was shot.

Then Paul walked into the room. I had known him since the sixth grade, but to his dismay he had never been more than a friend to me. Paul was a bit chubby but still tall despite his childlike features. He had long dirty blond hair that was constantly getting in his eyes.

“Morning sunshine!” his enthusiasm was too much to bear this early in the morning.

“What time is it?” I murmured not willing to re open my eyes.

“Its three o’clock you’ve been asleep for awhile. I tried to wake you earlier but you kicked me.” He smiled wryly at the memory.

At that exact moment a previous engagement flashed into my head. Oh no.

“Oh damn, I’m late!” I jumped out of the bed and started scrambling around looking for my belongings. While I searched, he talked, making it impossible to concentrate.

“Late for what? It’s Sunday.” He still had that amused simile on his lips; it was insulting and adorable at the same time.

“It is my sister’s birthday, and she is going to kill me!” While I was rambling on about the future turmoil, I found my keys and ran out the door calling “see you later” as I fled.

I sped down the 5 freeway enjoying the breeze of the summer day. It was clearing my clouded brain. How was I going to explain my absence this time…?

I had already used the non-original slept at my friends’ house last week. Though technically that proves true for last night as well.

It was all starting to become clearer to me as I pulled up in front of my house. I had to tell myself to focus on the immediate action only. I turned off the engine, took a deep breath and got out of the car.

My house was large, it was two stories tall and accompanied by a three acre backyard. My house had an ominous feel to it, not because of its appearance but of whom the house currently inhabited it, my mother.

She looked a lot like me she had the same long brown hair and deep brown eyes, but unfortunately we have totally different personalities.

Which at this moment I was going to have to face her, and I was not looking forward to it.

I walked through the door and to my surprise she wasn’t on the couch staring unseeingly out the window.

Where was she?

I stumbled around the house but her and Stephenie were nowhere to be found. I was going to call, but I thought better of it, I didn’t want to bring anything up prematurely.

The shower was calling my name, and I ran to it. The hot water removed all the traces of my previous hand over, unknotted my muscles from the awkward position for which I slept, and calmed my pulse as I anxiously awaited my families return.

I got dressed in a daze taking longer than necessary to straighten my hair. When I was finished I was content to do my homework.

Ugh.

I had always been a good student despite my disorderly conduct when it came to partying.

I had my headphones on listening to the new pop single thought I wasn’t really hearing the words, trying to focus on my physiology project.

Mr. Sanders, my physiology teacher, had assigned that we take a walk in someone else’s shoes.

Isn’t that easy?

No. Of course not because nothing with that teacher is ever easy. So it happened to be accompanied by a 5 page essay about the person, yourself, and your relationship.

I knew who I was going to explore…Stephenie.

My sister confuses me, she is sweet and kind most of the time but whenever get into trouble, she turns the switch. She ignores me and gives me condescending glares.

I was in for some serious expressions this time… I missed her birthday and not just any birthday her 13th. That might not seem like a big birthday but for her it was . Stephenie has always been older than she is, mentally at least. She knows what she wants out of life, at the age 13. Which is sad considering I am 17 and I still have no idea.

My music was still blaring but I could faintly make out someone calling my name. I pulled one ear bud out and then the sound became more pronounced. It was the worst sound my mind could conjure up.

Mrs. Downing’s scream of rage.

“Tatum Isabel Downing,” her voice sent ice through my veins. I couldn’t stand when she used that condescending tone with me.

Despite my better judgment, I ignored her. It was only a matter of time until my mom stalked in here and the threats starting flying, and not much of it...

At that exact moment a face appeared at the door and not the one I was expecting.