Chapter 1

JAVIER 

SIX YEARS AGO 

It was officially the last day of school as a junior. After the summer break, I'll be a senior and right after college. I'm not really looking forward to that. College sounds like stress, more responsibilities, more annoying teachers and more school work. I groaned in annoyance as I walked through the crowded hallway to my locker. Most people were in a rush, trying to get out of school as soon as they could, as if the school administration would change their minds about letting us go early for the summer break. Others were clustered in groups giggling or catching up as if they had all the time in the world. Some people were looking for their friends, others were just loitering. 

I decided to take a slight detour as I saw her standing by her locker with her friends, she was laughing probably at a joke. I came over to where they stood. Britney flung her arms around me before I could say a word. I hugged Britney back and winked at the girl in particular. She smiled and ducked her head, blushing in embarrassment. Britney let go of me and kissed me on the lips. I kissed her back and slid my hands to her arms, gently pulling her away from me. Britney smiled looking at me with so much emotion in her eyes. I hope its not love because I don't do love. 

Britney must have remembered that we were not alone, she turned to face her friends. 

'Before you came over, we were going over our plans for the summer. I plan to spend it with the cheerleaders, we're going to do a lot of training, bonding and stuff' Britney said beaming at me. 

'I plan to spend it at the basketball program' I quipped. 

I was still looking at her, I really wanted to know her plans for the summer. I ha a hunch about it but I wanted to hear it from her. Her other friend, I think her name is Caramel said something and they all laughed. She hasn't said anything, she looked nervous and I feel she'd rather be elsewhere than here. Another girl, I think her name is Sugar or is it Candy said something but she was quiet. 

'Marina you haven't told us what you'd be doing summer' Britney stated. Everyone turned to look at her. I could tell she didn't like to be the center of attention. Her nervous stance made me want to protect her but I don't think Britney would approve of me trying to get close to her best friend. 

'Well I volunteered as a camp counselor-' 

'Wait! You're gonna spend your summer break camping, supervising kids' Caramel said and they all burst into laughter. 

Marina shifted uneasily, I could sense she was embarrassed as she laughed along with them. These were not really her friends, they were Britney's cheerleader friends. No wonder she was uncomfortable around them. But does she have any other friend apart from Britney. 

'Caramel, Candy, don't be mean, I don't think camping might be a bad idea. Who knows, there might be some cute boys. She might get a boyfriend' Britney said. I clenched my fists. I hope not. 

'Who's getting a boyfriend?' 

"MASON" 

MARINA  

Mason- my over protective older twin brother. He swung his arm across my shoulder, smiling down at me. Of course, he's taller than me. 

'Now who's getting a boyfriend?' he asked again. 

'Oh, we were just saying Marina might get a boyfriend this summer' Candy replied twirling a strand of her fake red hair round her finger. 

'Really?' he asked uninterested. He was so sure of the fact, I'll never get a boyfriend. "Yeah, but you know who might really get a boyfriend this summer? Me" Caramel said batting her fake lashes. 

The only reason these girls hang around me is my brother. They will do everything to get his attention but unfortunately my brother never looks at them twice. He gave up his player ways long ago. "How 'bout I drop you off at home?" he looked at me ignoring Caramel. "Sure." I replied. "I will see you after the summer break" I hugged Britney. I felt Javier's eyes on me, he has been staring at me for awhile. I think he wants to say something to me but he's finding it difficult. Its hard to believe we were so close, now we can't even have a single conversation.  

"Keep in touch, okay" Britney said as we pulled away. "Make sure you tell me about all the cute boys." "Hey, I'm right here" Javier said. "As if" Mason scoffed under his breath. I jabbed him in the ribs and walked away. "I was kidding"he said trailing after me. "You nearly killed me", he said as we got into the car. "You're still alive, aren't you?" He laughed and drove off. Mason dropped me off some distance before our home as we agreed. He didn't drive off until I entered our house. He doesn't live here anymore, since the incident everyone has developed different coping measures. My brother chose to live elsewhere, away from all the chaos. He gave me the option to stay with him but I declined. Someone had to stay to take care of Mom. The incident really broke our family and I hope one day we'll over it. 

JAVIER 

Home sweet home! But for me ‘Home bitter home!’I sighed as I pulled into the driveway. The Anderson mansion is located in an upstate neighborhood. But luxury does not guarantee happiness. I spent the afternoon with Britney trying to get my mind off everything. But now, I had to face the music.  

"Javier, you're home. I was starting to get worried" Lucy said as I came into the living room.  

"Quit acting, I know you'll prefer it if I died on the way home" I retorted. "Javier!" Lucy said in a scolding tone. "Don't talk to your mother like that" My father yelled. "Stepmother" I said through gritted teeth. My father was about to scold me but Lucy touched his arm and he calmed down. The sight sickened me.                                          

"I just want you to know that Olivia's is transferring to your school and she will be staying with us" Lucy said. I kept quiet and she must have taken it as a sign to continue. "She's about your age, she ll be in the same grade with you. You can help her get acquainted." "Of course, another person to deal with" I muttered under my breath. "Please try and be civil with her"my father pleaded.    

 I turned to leave when he said something that made me stop in my tracks. "Olivia will be coming for dinner tomorrow, you will behave or else forget the basketball program." "I think I will" I said and left the house.