Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Then, as if I’m not standing right in front of him, he turns and walks off out the back, closing the door behind him.
I feel like I’ve been hit in the heart with a sledgehammer.
My eyes burn.
My hands tremble.
I’m so embarrassed.
I glance over at Joanne, and she’s looking to where Alarick has disappeared. Then she looks to me and says, “I’m sorry, honey, I don’t know what’s wrong with him. Do you want me to go and get him?”
I shake my head rapidly, my words stuck in my throat. “No,” I croak. “No, it’s okay.”
Then I turn and rush out.
I imagined so many scenarios.
Him not acknowledging me at all was not one of them.
What do I do now?
2
THEN – BRIELLA
I stand in my new bedroom and look around. It’s bigger, so much bigger than my old room was, but I also feel a little more scared in here. My old room was tiny, but I was safe, and I could lock the door and feel like nothing could ever hurt me. This one has big windows and a bed that’s so much bigger than I am, I’m afraid I’ll get lost. The carpet is so soft under my toes, and even though most girls would think this was the best room they’d ever seen, I feel even more lonely.
I want to go home.
Back to the place Mom, Magnolia, and I lived before she met King. I want to go back to when we’d watch movies on a Friday night, and we’d curl up in her bed after where we’d laugh for hours and hours about silly things. I want to go back to it being just us and her.
I have a new family now, a family I don’t really know.
A family that scares me just a little.
“What do you think, angel face?”
I turn and see Mom standing at the door. She’s glowing, her smile radiant. A true beauty, my mom. Long blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a smile that always makes me feel safe. Her voice is soft and kind, and her soul is even nicer. Grandma told me, before she died, that Mom had a soul that was rare. A kind and gentle person, with only pure goodness inside of them.
She’s right.
“It’s so big,” I say, tucking my straw-colored blond hair behind my ears. “I’m scared I’ll get lost in that bed. How come Mag and I can’t share a room?”
She walks in, smiling warmly as she takes my shoulders in her hands and leans down so she’s a little closer to me. “I know this is different, and it’s not just us anymore, but I promise you’ll love it here. King is going to take good care of us, and you have Sissy and Alarick now, too. Magnolia is just next door. If you’re scared, you know you can go to her.”
“I don’t like Sissy,” I say, frowning. “She’s really mean.”
“I’m sure she’s just feeling a little sensitive about it all, too. Give her some time. She lost her mom just like you lost your dad, so maybe she’s scared too.”
“Do you think so?” I ask.
Mom nods. “I think so. Tonight we’re all going to go out to dinner as a family, would you like that?”
I nod, because I don’t want to tell her that I just want to go home. That I don’t want to live here. She is happy, and if anyone deserves to be happy, it’s my mom.
“Come on, King has the pool ready if you’d like a swim.”
I do like swimming. Their pool is super cool.
“Okay!”
I get changed and follow Mom downstairs through the massive house that belongs to King and his two kids. We step outside and I glance over at the pool, tucking myself behind Mom just a little as King comes over, crouching down so he can see me. King scares me, but he’s really nice to me so I don’t think he’s mean, I just think he looks scary. He’s really big, and he has so many tattoos. He has a big beard and dark curly hair. He’s like a giant, a really big strong giant.
“How did you like your room, darlin’?”
“It’s very big,” I say timidly, my voice soft.
“Well, only the best for a princess. Don’t you think?”
I nod, coming out just a little.
“What do you say we take a dip in that pool? I bet you’re hot. I know I am!”
I smile, just a little.
Magnolia comes bounding out of the house and charges down the stairs. We’re different like that, Magnolia and me. She’s not afraid of anything. She’s bold and she’s loud and she doesn’t let anything hold her back. She loves it here; she thinks this is the best house she’s ever been in.
The water lets out a loud splash as she throws her body into the pool. I look to King again and he smiles, extending his hand. I hesitate, staring at his big, heavy fingers full of gold rings, but he’s patient as he waits for my tiny hand to fit into his, and then he leads me to the pool and we get in.