CHAPTER ONE

The beautiful sun rays peaked lightly through the curtains into my brightly colored room. My blow drier vibrated in my palm as I did a mental countdown of my everyday morning routine before school .

My bed side clock gleamed brightly at me and I sighed using my slender fingers to even out the invincible creases on my school uniform. I was dreading the fact that it'll only be a matter of minutes before the usual morning crises starts all over again.

I tapped my foot impatiently, staring at my reflection once more in the beautiful French dresser in my room.

"Come here Roselle!! Mummy's running late. Don't be a naughty girl sweet heart, we've got to make it to school in five!!" My mother's voice boomed loudly throughout the house

I searched frantically around the room, racking my brain for a new place to hide, one nobody would think of easily and a mischievous grin worked it's way to my lips as soon as my eyes hit the one door no one would check.

My second closet...

I hid myself in the closet and held my breath.

Going to school has never been my thing. The girls in my class were all mean and rude or rather very envious of the fact that my elder brother Royce treats me like a real life princess in school.

Well that's the problem... The girls in my class hated the fact that their brothers act like total jerks towards them but they really don't know that Royce can be a royal pain in the ass sometimes and it's only a matter of time before he tears the house down in search of me.

I heard the impatient shuffling of his feet around the room and I strained my ears, praying deep down that he would give up his search and eventually, they would leave without me for school.

I smiled happily when the door to my room closed with a soft click and his voice rang loudly downstairs. Everything was going according to my plan and I felt happy.

I did a mental dance in excitement and waited eagerly to hear mom's car pull out of the driveway.

The door to the closet flew open with such great force and Royce pulled me out, cussing under his breath.

''Stop being such a baby, I'm gonna be late again because of you!!'' he fumed and dragged me roughly out of my room.

"Please Royce I don't want to go to school today" I whined.

"You always have the same excuse every morning rose, I'm not having any of that" he fired without breaking his tight grip on my wrist.

He forced me into the backseat of the car, tossed my backpack on my lap shaking his head in disappointment and slammed the door shut.

Royce got in the front and strapped his seat belts on. "Such a pain in the ass" he muttered.

Tears prickled my eyes,threatening to spill and I swallowed back the painful knot forming at the back of my throat.

"Royce!! Don't be rude to your sister she's still my baby" She said, flashing me a reassuring smile from her rear mirror.

"Yeah right!! She's seven already!!" He mouthed with so much irritation on his face.

Mom looked at me and winked mischievously then she looked back at Royce.

"You're still my baby too sweetheart" she said, ruffling his perfectly styled hair with her fingers.

Royce turned red with anger and embarrassment. He tried moving far away from her reach but his seat belt kept him put.

"Common mom stop it" he begged.

"Apologize to your sister" she cooed, refusing to stop.

"Fine!! I'm sorry" he barked on my direction.

I laughed hard from the back seat and got a death glare from Royce. Sticking my tongue out at him, he rolled his eyes and vowed to get back at me but the Royce I know would still switch to his protective elder brother mode as soon as we arrived at school.

Mom shared a quick high five with me then she refocused on the road with a wide smile on her face.

"You're still my baby Royce and I love you" she sighed, navigating through the last bend.

"Well I am twelve and am certainly not a baby anymore mum. Stop calling me that!!" royce fired back still upset about his hair.

We pulled up in front of school and she killed the engines.

"Okay honey, I need you to take care of yourself and your sister. The driver will be here to pick you up after school, your dad and I will be working late but we'll make it home before dinner.. I love you so much. I'm late already. Bye..." She said in a rush.

"See you later mom." We both replied and Royce stormed off in anger.

"Royce??..." She called after my brother, feigning her puppy dog face that always makes him melt.

"I love you mom, take care" he grumbled, flashing her his beautiful dimpled smile.

After watching her drive off. The school bell went off signaling the beginning of classes.

"Hey!! Walk fast we're late already.. " he ordered.

we both hurried inside and I started towards the direction of my class.

"Roselle??" I turn to see Royce behind me with his hands shoved in his pockets.

He walked towards me and wrapped his arms around me protectively. "Take care and stay out of trouble. I love you."

I wrapped my arms around and the strong but familiar whiff of dad's perfume he applies every day hits my nose.

"I love you too Royce", I replied, ignoring the stares from my classmates and dashed off to class..