Chapter 2

Chapter 2
I arrived home exhausted from point. I went into the kitchen, which was empty, and fixed myself a bowl of soup. I sat down and ate alone, but not minding it how it has been for a while now. When I was done I rinsed my bowl and put it in the dishwasher. I went up the stairs to the second floor of our enormous house and walked into my room. I turned my white radio that set on my antique dresser. I let the soothing ocean let my imagination take me away. In some ways my room did remind me of the beach I was hearing. The sandy colored carpet made me think of the beach and the teal blue curtains looked like the color of the clear Caribbean water. The walls were white and one was mirrored with a ballet bar in the middle of it. Off that wall was a section of wood floor where I could practice. On the opposite wall was my white sleigh bed. At the end was a small white sofa with teal pillows that matched my curtains and my the sheets on my bed.

Clean and white, simple is what I had wanted when we moved and even my mother’s simple was outrageous. Next to my bed was a white, you guessed it, antique desk where my laptop set. I turned it on and sat down. Once it finally came up I logged on to AIM. I didn’t know anyone here but maybe some of my old friends would be on. I was looking to see if anyone I knew was on, when a box told me an ArtBoyCD101 had requested a chat with me. I clicked ok curiously.

ArtBoyCD101: Hey you know you’re not just a bad liar you’re not too bright either
SimplyLiberty: Sorry, do I know you?
ArtBoyCD101: Let’s see if I can jog your memory. You generally don’t say more than two words to me, you blush every second I am with you, and today you left me standing in the parking lot starring after your car.
SimplyLiberty: Oh, hi Conner. So why is it you assume I am not too bright?
ArtBoyCD101: I take that back I don’t think you’re unintelligent just too trusting. What if you had clicked ok to chatting with a serial killer instead of me?
SimplyLiberty: Speaking of that, how do you know my screen name I don’t recall giving it to you?
ArtBoyCD101: Your friend Amber gave it to me, but you never answered my question
SimplyLiberty: Ah I see that explains things, and as for the other how do I know you’re NOT a serial killer
ArtBoyCD101: Haha, right you do have a point I suppose
SimplyLiberty: Sorry I have to go, bye

I signed off when I heard my mother coming up the stairs. I shut off my computer, went to my bathroom and started to run the water.

“Hi sweetie how was school?” she asked her voice ringing false in my ears. She didn’t want to know the truth or how I felt, she wanted the easy answer that meant she didn’t have to care or say any more.

“Good, I made some friends even” I smiled at her, both of us knowing this was complete and utter bullshit. She knew when I was lying and when she wanted to believe the lies. She nodded and said

“I told you it would be fine you’ll love it here” she encouraged and walked out with a simple “Goodnight honey, love you”

“Goodnight mother” I replied in a bright tone. Being invisible was what I was best at, at home, at school, well up until now. I was used to being ignored it felt safe and right that way, but that had changed people had noticed me today and it had been interesting and new. I took the shower that I had started and put on my nightgown, slipped into bed and fell into a deep sleep.

I awoke the next morning to my alarm clock at 4:30 as per usual. I slowly set up and slipped on my bedside lamp. I ambled out of bed and into my bathroom without any grace at all. I decided I would curl my hair this morning, knowing it would be straight by the end of the day. After I finished I downed that damned protein shake and went into my closet. I took a yellow knee length dress. I took the tan belt that was hanging on the wall and grabbed my converse and changed rapidly. I wanted to arrive early to work on my drawing. I brushed my teeth quickly, the taste of the protein lingering on my tongue, and headed out the door.

It was seven when I finally reached the art studio, but I was surprised to find another student had already beaten me there. I walked in to find out who else was this dedicated to art, when they weren’t behind on their work. To my surprise again when I opened the door it was Conner, but as my luck would have he was engrossed in his work this time and hadn’t notice me come in. I set up my own space and began working still without Connor realizing I was here. I worked for thirty minutes straight before I so much as looked up. When I stopped to look at my work from farther back I realized I had gone from the unnoticed to center of attention yet again.

“Hi Liberty” he said and for the first time, I took a moment to listen to his voice, the way he said my name nearly made me faint.

“Hi” I said as sweetly as I could considering coherency was challenging at the moment.

“Your very good you know that?” he asked, but I was dazed by the velvet folds of his voice. If I didn’t know myself better I would think that I may be developing a crush.

“Thanks” I blushed.

“Why do blush so often?” he asked, his face with no hint of mockery on it, just burning curiosity.

“Long story” I said, but nicely. It was new to have some one wonder anything about me.

“We have time” he motioned to the clock.

“This is new for me” I started.

“We were all new at some point” he said not letting me finish.

“I don’t mean school, this is the third time I have started high school. Having people notice me, talk to me or in your case stalk me” he chuckled at that “I don’t know what I am doing anymore, it’s easier just to be invisible.” I finished.

“There’s more to it than that isn’t there” he said, and I felt tears brim at the edges of my eyes. I shook my head no.

“You’re a terrible liar” he smiled

“But why do you care, we barely know each other?” I whispered

Just then the his little girl friend from yesterday flounced into the room quickly greeting him with a peck on each cheek as if she were French. She was his girlfriend no doubt. She was very… pretty, no that wasn’t the right word, her hair was short and had an edge to it her whole look was very cool, nonchalant, hip without trying type look.

“Millie this Liberty” Conner introduced us, and I stuck out my hand idiotically not thinking before I acted. However before I had too much time to regret it she placed her hand in mine and shook.

“Finally, someone who knows a proper greeting” she laughed and my cheeks burned as I smiled shyly I hadn’t been sure if she was laughing at me or with me. My blush only made her giggle more. “A shy one are we?” she asked sweetly, and I nodded my head.

“It’s nice to meet you” I said timidly and then scolded myself for not being more confident.

“Well it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well” she smiled. “So how are you getting situated here?” she asked.

“Good” I lied and just like Conner she caught it, but let it pass. Him, and his friends are more perceptive than the kids I ate lunch with yesterday I idly noted.

“We should hang out this weekend, ooh we could go this club downtown its new and I know the owner” she smiled deviously, clubbing was something I had put on my to do list it had just come on the list that was for after I turned twenty one.

“You don’t have to be twenty one here?” I asked confused.

“Nope, eighteen, they don’t server alcohol to minors.” She smiled brightly.

“Ok sounds fun” I agreed only vaguely aware that I was making plans that my mother would forbid. Ha my mother, I wouldn’t permit myself to do this, still there I was letting my head shake yes enthusiastically. Shit what I had I gotten myself into?

“Have you ever been clubbing before?” Conner asked and as I shook my head no he laughed, I blushed again.

“Stop that Conner be nice it’s not like you were an expert when I met you” and they laughed at some shared joke.

“I’ll come by your place say nine and we’ll get ready there?” she asked me.

“Sounds good” I said regretting the words as they left my mouth.

“Then the guys can pick us up around ten thirty?” she looked to Conner this time, oh joy Conner was going to be there watching me make a fool of myself as well as Millie.

“I think we have a plan” Conner smiled and I could tell he would enjoy the show I shivered in dread as the warning bell rang.

“I’ll save you a seat at lunch Lib” Millie said and smiled as she walked out of the room. I started to walk to my next class and Conner fell in line beside me, his class was right next to mine.

“She was nice” I noted casually

“Yeah she is” he agreed just as casually and then he chuckled.

“What?” I asked wondering what I could have done that amused him this time.

“Oh nothing, just Millie has wanted to talk to you since she saw the converse you
wore with your dress, but was a little intimidated by you” he laughed.

“Oh” was all I could come up with sadly. Then I laughed in my head a little, me intimidating, ha.

“She was right you looked like you were in your own little world, in fact I was a little nervous to talk to you, well until I found out how easily you blush” he laughed and walked to his class. He was really excellent at stringing me along, confusing me, and then making me feel stupid with the obvious.

My classes passed dragged on slowly as I waited impatiently for lunch to roll around. I headed to the park where I saw Millie waiting for me.

“Hey you” I said smiling

“Hey yourself” and I knew who said it before he was even in my sight. Hi voice almost committed to memory. Before I could turn my head to look at him his hands closed over my eyes. “Guess who” he asked teasing in his voice. I didn’t want him to know I knew his voice by memory nor that I thought about him enough to know it was him.

“Luke?” my voice sounded scared and unsure, maybe I did have a hidden talent as an actress after all. His hands rapidly came off my face and he turned me around.

“Oh hi Conner” I smiled brightly, and for a second he looked upset but then gradually gave in to smiling a little. I could have looked at that smile all day long, but Millie’s voice snapped me back to the now.

“Oh come on silly, let her alone you probably petrified her.” She laughed

“Especially if she thought it was Luke” she finished. I was puzzled by that last remark.

“Is he that terrible?” I asked.

“Not if you looking for quick hook up and clean get away, or in other words , not if you’re a slut” she said.

“I had the assumption that girls here were a little infatuated with him” I said remembering a remark Conner had made and still confused.

“Oh they are, but he won’t give them the time of day. So the unattainable and untamable is ultimately desired” she said she seemed to know everything.

“Hmm” I said.

“So I hear you do point that’s awesome, I never tried ballet but I think it’s an exquisite art.” She mused.

“I love it” I said going through the latest routine in my head.

“Do you have recitals?” Millie suddenly asked enthused.

“Yes” I answered unsure where this was going.

“When?” she asked so excitedly I thought she might burst.

“Well um I’m not sure, I think we have one coming up, but I’m new so I’m not sure.” I said trying to remember the dates our teacher gave us.

“We’re coming to watch you” she said sounding already decided on the idea.

“It’s really not that interesting to watch” I promised and let out a forced little laugh.

“Nonsense, we’re coming” she said.

“I wouldn’t argue with her once she’s made up her mind, you’ll never win” he smiled wickedly at me.

“Hmm” I mused thinking of ways to get out of this situation without hurting Millie’s feelings.

“There’s no way out Liberty” Millie said reading my face easily.

“I was beginning to reach the same conclusion.” I mumbled.

“Ok so that’s settled then” she grinned triumphantly and I knew she had won. I took out a bottle that was in my bag in place of the lunch I had packed. My mother, what wouldn’t she stoop to? A protein shake, for lunch that’s all, she could be so harsh sometimes. I took of the cap and took a long pull and tried not to breath so I wouldn’t have to smell it.

“Not hungry?” Millie inquired when she saw the drink.

“Not really” I shrugged and this time I wasn’t lying after a drink of that my appetite diminished rapidly.

“What is that?” she asked when she observed the murky color of the liquid.

“Protein shake” I answered, having to use all of my will not to make a face.

“Looks vile” she was the one making the faces now. You didn’t have to try it to know that it was every bit as horrific as it looked if not more so.

“It’s not that bad” this was a flat out lie, and they both gave me looks.

“Lying doesn’t work for you, it’s nasty and you know it” she argued, and she was right of course.

“Ok so its not yummy, its healthy and that counts for something right?” I asked rhetorically but she answered anyway.

“Not in my book, even Conner made a face and he eats everything” that may be true I didn’t know but until I looked over and saw his face contorted into what I took to be disgust I had forgotten that he was there. Strange I thought to myself usually I am hyper aware of his presence maybe that whole crush thing was a premature judgment of feelings on my part. Then he grinned at me and I felt my stomach drop out of me.

“What?” I looked at him.

“Let me try it?” I laughed at his response.

“You couldn’t handle it. Very potent stuff” I said teasing him.

“If I drink it all in one pull what would I win?” he asked with a fiery look in his eyes.

“Hmm, you can take my car for a spin, but if you take a sip, and spit it back out what do I win?” I asked thinking on my feet as I spoke, I found it was becoming easier to be myself around these new people, friends perhaps the more appropriate term I suppose.

“Oh I will think of something” he winked at me, I blushed as I shivered just a little. It was still new to me, the attention.

“Oh Conner play nice or we won’t invite you to lunch next time” Millie laughed.

“I was under the impression I introduced you two” he retorted

“Stop stalling” Millie ended the argument and pointed to my shake. He took it firm in his hands. They were gorgeous, his hands, they looked so soft and gentle but strong, so contradicting. I became distracted from looking at his hands by his voice.

“Ready?” I nodded my approval, and he pinched his nose and took a large gulp. It looked like he was about to swallow and I was about to loose the bet, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing I wouldn’t have to find out what would have happened if I had won, when he stopped cold, his face drained of all its color. He turned around to the bush behind him and spit it all out, he may have even thrown up a little.

When he turned back around to face me, there was no smug smile on his face, it was dark as if he had been tortured. I tried not to but a little giggle escaped my lips and then I composed my self again.

“That bad huh?” I teased.

“Like you could do it” he muttered darkly, and even then I found his voice absurdly handsome.

“I could” I smiled, I took the bottle back and estimated the amount left with the weight of the bottle now compared to when it was full.

“Oh really?” he asked his face looked amused his voice thick with skepticism. “Go ahead then” he urged. I braced myself, took a deep breath the less times I had to breath the better, and brought the bottle to my lips carefully. I tipped it back slowly taking a little more time than Conner had. Soon my mouth was full of the foul substance I was all to familiar with and I had to swallow. I felt the burn as it went down my throat despite my minds protest. Soon enough my mouth was full again and I swallowed another gulp of fire. One last tiny sip and I was done. I pulled the bottle away from my lips softly licking my lips to make sure I had disposed of all the residue. I smiled and handed the now empty bottle to Conner for inspection, for his face still looked doubtful.

“No way” he muttered.

“What?” I seemed to ask him that a lot but he was new to me he thought in a different way than me, and I never understood his reactions like a normal person would because being ignored for you’re a good chunk of your life you forget how other people think.

“Well honestly we both kinda thought you were faking, there was no way you could have done that so gracefully, without pulling a face, and not even gagging.” He muttered again in disbelief.

“Let’s just say its an acquired taste” I laughed, there faces were comical.

“Well looks like you not all that after all Conner” said Millie speaking for the first time in a while.

“What do you mean by that?” Conner asked.

“She can obviously handle more than you” she nodded to the empty bottle in his hands.

“That proved nothing” he laughed.

“Yes it did, it proved that’s two bets I won” I beamed a little smugly. The warning bell rang and we parted ways going to separate classes leaving the unfinished conversation for later. I was finding it easier to let my carefully guarded wall down a little when I was around Millie and Conner.

My afternoon classes ended almost as soon as they had begun, the time flew by. I was a little disappointed that Millie wasn’t in any of my classes I really liked her. She seemed real and a little more adventurous than me, I found my self wishing I was a little more like her. My last class was let go early and I walked out to find Conner and Millie waiting for me.

“When did you guys get out?” I asked surprised to see them there.

“We have a free hour last period” Millie answered happily.

“So what’s up?” I asked, a good line to start any high school conversation I
thought. I wasn’t sure though I never really talked to other students since we started moving there was no point.

“I was thinking that maybe I should come over to your house now and make sure we don’t need to make a trip to the mall before we go out to night.” Millie gave my dress an appraising look.

“What’s wrong with what I am wearing now?” I asked confused.

“Nothing, for school, but a night club. I am not sure if you have that attire in your wardrobe.” She gave me a skeptical look and I couldn’t help but laugh. My mother probably put some club appropriate cloths in my closet as well I just never took the time to look, ok maybe I did.

“You might be surprised” I said my eyes giving away my mysterious smile. Conner burst out laughing at my remark.

“You own a clubbing out fit” he said through his fit of laughter.

“You might not want to bet on that Conner” Millie said, I knew she believed me.

“Right” he said trying to compose himself.

“Fine come with us than, and I bet you she does have something stunning to wear for tonight” Millie retorted and before I knew it, they were both coming to my house.

“Deal” he smiled, looked to me and then back to her.

“Humph” I gave a disapproving noise and led the way to my car. Millie called shotgun and we stuck Conner in the back. Before we left Millie insisted we put the top down and blast the stereo and when I declined she politely told me to “live a little, grandma”.

It was fun I had to admit, Millie knew how to have fun. Something I had nearly all but forgotten about. I pulled up to my house as Millie turned down the stereo. We put up the top and I opened the door to get out.

“Nice house” Millie commented.

“I suppose it is” I said unconvincingly, I had never looked at it that way before. To me it had always seemed like and empty shell, a large cave, lonely and dull.

“You suppose” Conner scoffed, I only looked timidly to the ground embarrassed I hadn’t meant it to sound that way.

“I didn’t mean it like that, its just… never mind its silly, your right it is nice.” I mumbled as I blushed feeling foolish.

“Conner your such a jerk” Millie exclaimed when she saw my blush. She came over and gave me a hug I flinched at first unsure of what she was doing but then embraced it. It had been a long time since any one hard cared enough to perform this simple act.

“You alright kid?” Conner asked sounding annoyed and that did it, I was angry. I shrugged out of Millie’s arms and walked over to Conner.

“You don’t know anything about me so don’t treat me like I am some annoyingly over sensitive little girl” I said in flat cold tone. I think I shocked Mille just as much as I shocked Conner. Then I started to feel guilty for my little rampage so I apologized. “Sorry” I said softly.

“No your right I don’t know anything about you I’m sorry” he looked puzzled by my sudden change in moods I guessed but I let it go. I turned to Mille, mouthed sorry and just smiled I knew I was forgiven if she had even been mad at all.

“So you wanted to inspect my closet, I believe there was a bet on the line” I smirked at her.

“Let’s go!” she said with enthusiasm. I led them both through the maze that was my house, up the stairs down a hallway up the attic stairs to my room.

“Wow” Millie breathed taking it all in.

“You like it?” I smiled

“LOVE. IT.” She squealed.

“Its my escape from the world” I said, and pointed to the French doors on my left.

“That is your closet?” she asked incredulously.

“Yeah, my mom well she… she is special, and likes to shop. I call it retail therapy but she says it’s normal” I laughed. I turned to Conner. It was weird to think that he was the first boy in my room. I had to suppress a giggle as I thought along with that, that he is the only boy I would want in my room. They turned to look at me at this point.

“Conner I think I am going to win this one want to give up?” Millie offered.

“Hmm there is a lot but from what I see its all pretty much what you call ‘day wear’” Conner quoted Millie from earlier.

“Why don’t you wait out in Liberty’s room and if she comes out club ready then I win if she comes out just looking everyday gorgeous than you win” she smiled and I winked at her, I knew where the more of the risqué things my mother had purchased were.

“Deal” and Conner turned to go out.

“If you get board you can use my lap top, or turn on the television” I offered.

“Oh I won’t get board” he smiled and I was immediately worried.

“Don’t worry about him. Now where is the good stuff?” she asked like she was a little kid asking where the presents were on Christmas Day.

“Come on” I drug her around the corner to the low cut hip stylish shirts, short skirts, tight dresses, high heels, push up bras, and eccentric make up were, this style had its own little section.

Millie browsed for a while pulling things looking them up and down then imagining them on me and then putting them back on the rack. She reached for my favorite of the selection next. A dress that stopped a few inches short of my knees. It had slits up the sides that reached right under where my skimpy lingerie covered. It was silver silk with lace covering the trim and upper rim of the strapless dress. It hugged my body and moved with it when I moved. Millie threw it at me and told me to try it. Only she didn’t know I already knew I loved it, I just never thought I would wear it.

“Libs you look hot” her mouth hung a little. “I didn’t know someone could look that sexy” she giggled. I tried to contain the excitement rising in my stomach as I realized I was really going out tonight. Next was makeup. Millie sat me down and did a dozen different things to my eyes and my the rest of my face I lost count some where in-between the two. Last was my hair, she heated up some hot rollers and put them in my hair. While we waited she took out her ear rings and handed them to me.

“Put those on” she was very demanding when trying to win a bet. She took down my hair from the curlers, and pinned parts of it up odd little twists. Finally she was done.

“Ok lets go show Conner” she said obviously proud of her work, I wondered what Conner had been doing all this time-

“Wait shoes!” she said hitting her forehead. She gave me a pair of silver pumps that matched my dress and walked a head of me out of my closet motioning for my to wait.

“Presenting, the club ready, newly created Liberty” she said triumphantly and I took that as my cue to walk out. I walked out looking at my feet embarrassed by the attention but at least not enough to be blushing. I looked to find Conner’s gaze, starting at my feet and slowly traveling up, lingering in certain areas. It burned where his eyes had looked, leaving behind a blazing trail of fire that made my body tingle with excitement.

“You win” he smiled at me.

“Yes! now pay up” Millie said pleased with her self.

“We never set the stakes” Conner said finally releasing me from his gaze. Millie’s face faltered as she considered this.

“How about if you pay for the club?” she asked looking back at me “It would be a shame to see my work wasted” she sighed dramatically.

“Fine, alright” Conner laughing, agreed. “You two finish getting ready I’ll be back around nine.” He said getting up.

“What time is it now?” I asked forgetting how much time we had spent in the closet it could be close to seven.

“Almost eight” Millie said.

“Thanks, I’ll show you out, unless you can find it on your own” I offered.

“Hmm I think I need one more tour and then I’ll have it down.” Conner said considering finding his own way out.

“Ok” I smiled. I led him through the house once more before we came to front door. He opened the door then turned on me. He drew his face nearer to mine, and then closer yet to mine as if he were about to kiss me. At that thought my heart skipped a couple beats. He leaned into my ear and whispered.

“You look stunning” he breathed into my ear sending an uncontrollable chill down my spine. Then as quickly as that had happened he was gone. I was left standing in shock. I went back up to Millie who was delving in my closet for something that she could wear now.

It was almost nine now and my stomach was doing flips despite how I tried to calm myself. Millie looked exquisite in my cloths and I was wondering how I looked right then and she must have seen the apprehension on my face and then looked as if she had forgotten something.

“No wonder your so worried I forgot to let you look” she laughed, as she drug me into my closet and stuck me in front of the mirror. I was shocked at the girl staring back at me. Her blue eyes popped, her lips looked soft and delicate. I looked a good two or three years older and the heels made my legs look alluring. I never would have thought it possible for me to look this way, but that shows what I know. My thoughts were interrupted by the beeping of the horn from a car below not two seconds later the doorbell rang strange I thought.

Millie and I made our way to the front door and I opened surprised not to find Conner but and equally handsome but somewhat more dangerous looking boy.

“Devon” Millie squealed and I turned to her giving her a questioning look.

“Hi you must Liberty” he said in a smooth low voice. I smiled shyly and nodded.

“Conner warned be about you, not to be fooled by this shy act” he laughed, God what had Conner said about me. “Well ladies shall we Conner is getting impatient hense forth the horn, I tried to ring the doorbell before he could be so rude but I was a little late.” He grinned and my heart sped up. Was it law that all the people around Conner must look godly, if that were the case I would be out in no time.

“Finally” Conner breathed when Devon opened the door for us. Millie slid in first and I followed.

“Chill Conner the world isn’t ending” Devon laughed, Conner lightened up a tad and off we went to some club for teenagers I had never heard of. Devon’s laugh effected me more than it should have. We arrived ten minutes later downtown where the line to the club was at least half a block long.

“We may not even get to the front” I mumbled to myself trying to sooth my nerves.

“Ladies?” it was Conner’s familiar voice that brought me back from my thoughts this time. He had stopped so we could get out and he could park the car.

Millie and I waited for the boys while they parked the car and once they had joined us we walked up to the front of the line despite my better judgment, I had no clue what good this would do us but I soon found myself in a world I new nothing about.

“Hi is Kane here” Millie asked flirtatiously.

“He is right on in there, you know him?” the bouncer asked suddenly looking to the rest of us his eyes stopping at me. He looked me up and it made me feel very uncomfortable, and looked back to Millie with new found skepticism, something I had given him and now I felt bad.

“Yes I sure do, she’s a friend first timer let us in?” she winked at him. So my lack of experience showed.

“Go on in have fun” his smile made me feel uneasy.

“See that wasn’t so hard was it Lib” Millie asked.

“Not for you” I muttered, but Millie wasn’t listening she was pulling me towards the dance floor. This I could handle. I started swaying my hips to the beat and not two seconds later some boy was behind me dancing with me, so I let loose and had some fun. I danced with so many different boys I couldn’t keep them straight. I looked over to Millie and she smiled back she was having some fun of her own with the heart throb that was dancing with her. I looked over to Conner and Devon who talking and sitting there watching us. The song ended and I walked over with all the courage I had, took Devon’s hand looking Conner straight in the eye and pulled him out to the crowded dance space.

“Wanna dance?” I asked but it wasn’t really a question we both new the answer. There was almost an electric feeling going through me as our bodies move together.

“You dance little girl” Devon stated with surprise coloring his voice. I turned on him and faced him as our bodies continued to shift together.

“little girl?” I asked I pushed my self away from him and an other boy came up behind me and I let go completely. Devon walked over and grabbed me away from this boy let me dance all out with him and his body matched my moves with an intensified action the heat flowing beat our bodies. I was no longer aware of any one else or anything else, when I felt someone come up behind me and start dancing with me and Devon I knew who it was as soon as his hands were on my waist.

“Mind if I cut in?” Conner asked in such a sultry voice it made my toes curl. Simultaneously Devon’s grip on my body loosened and our bodies fell out of synch as he slowly backed away and now it was Conner’s strong hands holding me and it was our bodies moving together. This was different, I felt like this was right, the way my body was made to move. My body solely danced to dance with Conner. His head leaned down into the crevasse of my neck and planted kisses up my neck to my ear. Each time his lips met my neck I felt that same surge from today at my house. He turned me around to make his lips meet mine the proper way all the while our bodies moving to the beat unthinkingly. Dancing with him was effortless. His lips finally met mine and at first they moved with mine, then it become deeper, and his tongue probed at my lips softly for entry and just as I let my lips oblige he pulled away. His body didn’t move an inch away from mine but stayed exactly as it had been, and he whispered in my ear.

“That never happened” his voice caressed as if I was just to forget the best kiss I had yet experienced. I pushed away with a twirl and walked away going to sit down next to Devon.

“Well I must admit I was wrong you don’t dance small” he complimented. With that I decided, if Conner wanted to pretend nothing happened that’s how I would play it.

“Oh that was nothing” I grinned devilishly.

“You are feisty one” he laughed.

“You have no idea” I spoke each words carefully make my lips curve around each sound.

“Your something else, its too bad…” he trailed off as if I was supposed to know where his sentence had been leading. Then a boy came to the table and asked me to dance, and with out hesitation I stood up and flounced back out to the crowded dance floor. When we were done I saw Millie back over by Devon with Conner sulking in an odd fashion. I walked over smiling.

“Hey” I said talking to only Millie and still three voices answer.

“Hi” Millie as usual was cheery

“Hello” Conner had a sullen tone

“Hey” Devon’s sultry voice didn’t make me ass week in the knees as Conner’s had but it still made my stomach do a few flips.

“Ready to go little miss thing?”

“Yes, that was exhilarating wasn’t it?” I said happily I had had a great time despite or possible because of Conner, and that was a scary thought.

“I’m glad you had fun, you looked like you could use some” Millie looked at me sounding genuinely glad for me. We decided just to walk to the car but my feet were killing me, so I took of my shoes immediately shrinking, and spun around, for no other reason than because I had a wonderful time and I was blissfully happy.

“I have never seen anyone so happy” Devon laughed and I joined him knowing I must be a silly sight. I felt slightly dizzy and faltered for a minute. I caught my self before I fell and realized I hadn’t eaten anything today, or yesterday either for that matter. I had been too nervous to eat dinner and had that nasty shake for lunch, and yesterday I hadn’t really been hungry. A fresh wave of dizziness over whelmed me and this time I fell ground ward. Right before everything went blank I felt arms catching me, strong arms, maybe Conner? No he wouldn’t, must have been Devon……..

Chapter 1

I woke up to my alarm clock. I looked over to read the familiar 4:30 AM staring me in the face. I slowly pulled the covers off my body shivering as I did so. I walked into my bathroom through the dark I knew my room well. I switched the flip on gently and let my eyes adjust to the light. My eyes wondered idly around the familiar setting. My bathrooms white walls were always bright in the morning. My double vanity sink was too large for one person but my parents insisted I have only the best. I turned on my ihome and let the light music float within the walls of my bathroom. I walked over to the glass shower and reached for the hot dial and watched as the water started to pour. As I waited for the water to heat I pulled the braids out of my long blonde hair and watch it fall down to near my waist. It was, as always, pin straight. I slipped out of my silk night gown and placed it softly onto the hook on the wall. I retrieved one of the freshly laundered towels from the shelves and draped it over my shower. Once in the shower I let the hot water sooth me and take me far away from this place I only called home. It was in many ways a mere hotel, only I stayed free of charge. That was probably the main difference. I couldn’t delay ending my shower any longer as I had already surpassed the time I usually spend on this portion of my morning.

I wrapped the towel around my body and stepped carefully onto the matt placed in front of my shower. I dried my body, but became distracted as I watched myself in the mirror. Even wet, my blonde almost white hair didn’t darken much. My translucent pale skin mocked me. I examined my icy blue eyes; they stared back at me telling me everything I already knew. My small frame looked out of place in this vast bathroom. I looked so utterly ordinary, why would anyone ever bother to notice me why should they.

Today was my first day of high school for the third time. Apparently this move was for good but that’s what my parents always said. I never trusted what they said; I hadn’t for a long time. I looked at the clock, it was only 5:15 I had plenty of time. I took out my hair dryer from the cabinet and began drying my hair. I did this merely out of habit, my hair would dry straight blow drying it was not necessary, I just didn’t happen to be found of having my wet hair hanging down my back. A half hour later my hair was dry. I pulled on my bath robe and went back into my room. A harsh knock came from my door. I turned on my light and called,

“Yes”

“Your juice miss” our butler called. Yes we had a butler, but to me he was much more. He was more a parent than my own two parents had actually been. I confided in him and no one else. My parents mistook that as me, just being a cheerfully easy to handle daughter, which they assumed had everything to do with how they brought me up. I laughed a little at the thought.

“Come in Alfred, and please how many times with this miss business, you didn’t refer to me that way when I was younger” I said I told him this every morning but every morning he started out with a “miss”, and always he just chuckled.

“So are we ready for another first day Liberty?”

“No” came my unchanging answer.

“Oh come now it will be wonderful” he always had a positive outlook on nearly everything and I always wondered what exactly had made him to be this way. When I was little he would tell me tales from his youth to entertain me, but these stories became rarer as the time had gone on. I have always marveled at the mystery that is my Alfred.

“Why must I go through this again?” I asked knowing he would put a positive spin on my outlook on life at least for a while.

“Life has many obstacles, the sooner you learn to face them and embrace them with joy or at least positively” he changed his wording at a glance of my face “the better off you will be when you my age” he laughed as left the room.
I sipped my juice, ugh, my face contorted in disgust as every morning before. I don’t think I could ever take my mother’s forced protein shakes with a positive attitude even Alfred dreaded the smell of them.

I walked into my closet looking at the rows of name brand my mother stocked it with. I spotted a casual sun dress that would hug my tiny frame in that “right way” my mother always referred to but I never saw what she meant it was a dress, that’s all. I had to admit for just a dress it was nice. I couldn’t say my mother didn’t have nice tastes I just wasn’t necessarily interested in sharing them. Most girls would envy this of me but if it were up to me I would let them have her. I shouldn’t think that, it’s a horrible thought I knew she had the best intentions for me.

I put on my favorite lacey pink lingerie, one of the only things I owned of my own picking. I am generally not picky about these things but I had acquired this set without my mother’s knowledge and it was my small rebellion. One that was harmless but still made me feel as if I did have some small control over my own life.

I slipped the black and white dress over my head. It was a white dress with a black print. It gathered under the under the bust line and was continually tight around until it reached my waist where it flared out slightly. It was very vintage and I could wear it with my converse. I smiled at the thought, my mother hated when I dressed my outfit down by wearing the most “inappropriate” shoe choice, and then she would proceed to curse the day she agreed to buy the sneakers in the first place. I slipped my cold feet into a little pair of warm socks that barely came just below the ankle and then continued to slide my feet into my sneakers.

I walked back into my room giving the clock another once over and it read 6:58. I went to my bathroom to brush my teeth and rinsed the taste from that awful shake out of my mouth. If she had accomplished nothing else with those shakes I had at least learnt always brushed my teeth after I drank them. I pulled a simple silk black ribbon from my drawer and made it into a head band leaving a small bow on the top of my head. It looked rather juvenile even to me, but I liked it and left it in. I brushed my lashes lightly with mascara and stoked each check ever so slightly with a tad of blush. One plus was I never had to deal with any skin problems, this was all the makeup I ever used. My skin was near flawless but it didn’t help my case any, I still looked regrettably unoriginal and average, but what did it matter, no one would stop long enough to look.

I gave myself a once over in my mirror and my eyes stopped on the silver heart locket that hung around my neck. My hand reached instinctively for it. No that’s a story for another day. There was nothing more I could do to improve myself appearance not that I truly cared to spend any more time on it.

I opened my car door, a silver convertible BMW. A “sorry we moved again and screwed up your life” present from my parents. Again this was far more extravagant than I needed or wanted but when had that mattered?
I pulled into the seemingly small school as I parked I realized this was only part of the campus, I was going to be miserably lost all day, I could already tell. I slowly emerged from my car and walked to the administrative area to get my schedule.

1st hour: Calc room 102 Mrs. Sherich
2nd hour: AP US history room 305 Mr. Steere
3rd hour: AP English room 204 Ms. Evans
4th hour: Anatomy and Physiology
LUNCH
5th hour: Choir room 512 Mr. Hannah
6th hour: AP Spanish room 111 Ms. Pence
7th hour: Art room 215 Mr. Dale

I studied my schedule for a long minute before heading to my first hour math, great. I looked around and saw the one hundreds across the park area and head towards where I assumed to be my first class.

I finally reached the right class and found an empty desk where I could blend in and pretend not to exist or at least not be in anybody’s way. The class began to fill and though I was trying my best to be invisible it wasn’t working perhaps they didn’t have many new students here. Lingered stares and whispers came from all directions but I pretended not to notice and went about doodling on my notebook. Class started and I began to listen but noting that the stares and whispers still continued. I took notes and worked the problems she gave us in class so I wouldn’t have home work and there wasn’t really anything else to do since I knew no one and there was no point in talking to myself.

The bell rang, I swiftly but softly put my things in my bag gently slung it onto my right shoulder and left the room. I walked to my next class doubtfully but I never showed a moment’s hesitation and walked luckily in the right direction for my AP history class. My eyes were scanning for my class room when they were caught by a pair of jade green eyes. I let my vision un-focus and take in the bigger picture. A boy was staring at me, today this didn’t seem uncommon but something felt different. An Electric shock swelled inside me. I looked down embarrassed as the heat in my cheeks rose, but why? I had done nothing wrong. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to look up again. I looked at my feet making sure they were still working one foot in front of the other; it took real effort not to look back once I felt sure I had passed him. I made it to my APUSH class just as the bell rang.

“Thank you for gracing us with your presence…” she waited for me to supply my name.

“Liberty” and a couple kids chuckled, I knew my name was uncommon, and sometimes it caused that reaction. “Sorry I am new I was lost” I explained and her expression softened.

“It’s ok but let’s try not to make this a habit” she smiled and I was grateful she seemed to understand.

“Yes ma’am” I answered smiling. I took the only spot open in between a girl who looked like she was a cheerleader, and a boy who looked like he could care less if he was here or not. The girl smiled warmly at me and I smiled back brightly her acknowledge meant was nice.

Finally lunch rolled around and the girl who I sat next to in APUSH came up to me and introduced herself.

“Hi I am Amber” she offered

“Hi I’m-” I started only to have her finish my sentence.

“Liberty yes I know everyone does silly” she giggled.

“Right” I smiled making note of that. She led me to a table where many of her friends sat starring as we made our way over. It made me uncomfortable to have all these people’s eyes on me. In the past the schools I switched to and from were fairly large so my addition would go seemingly unnoticed.

“Hey guy’s this is Liberty, that’s Ashton” she pointed to the girl on the right of us and I smiled at her “that’s Luke and this is Madison” she finished going around the small circle. I would most likely not remember their names but I would try. Remembering things was not an easy feat for me.

“Hey” said Luke. He looked like a nice boy. His short spiked blonde hair was messy but cute. He wore a worn faded green T-shirt and white washed denim jeans.

“Hi” I smiled taking him in. I looked to Madison, the girl who sat beside him. Her eyes made me think she had a little crush on Luke, I tried picturing these strangers together in my head and realized it made me no difference I didn’t know either of them at all.

Madison was tall and lean, in a very elegant way. She had a rich brown hair that was not quite curly but a tad more than just wavy. Her hair matched the brown in her eyes nicely. Her slender body fit perfectly with her narrow face. All in all a very beautiful girl, they all were. Ashton the other girl had short red hair it was straight and rather choppy but she styled it the right way. Her body was more, curvy, filled out, than the other two girls.

I took a seat in between Luke and Amber. Amber chatted away about the latest scandal, but as hard as I tried I could not make myself care so I faked a switch between my horror struck and shock faces. I never have been a good actress but apparently I could fool these girls. I began to feel extremely uncomfortable as Luke started looking me up and down continuously.

I am not sure what it was on my face that gave me away to this stranger but I am glad it did. I was sitting there contemplating different ways to excuse myself without being rude. These girls had been very kind to me today. Right as I was thinking this a very attractive boy came and tapped me on the shoulder.

“Liberty is that you?” he asked in false surprise. He winked at me quickly telling me to play along.

“Hey” I said enthusiastically, but it sounded a little off.

“It’s been a while why didn’t you tell me you moved?” he asked still faking his shock but it sounded real to me.

“Oh just really busy getting settled and all that” I answered trying to think on my feet I was a miserable liar but I was hoping no would know me well enough yet to notice.

“You guy’s wouldn’t mind if I stole Libs away for a little while so we could catch up would you?” he asked the table, their reactions were probably the most comical thing out the whole ordeal. They numbly nodded their heads and Luke just sat their unmoving.

“Thanks” I said as I stood up to go. The boy I realized at that point was the one I had seen earlier. I couldn’t help as a small blush crossed my face as we left. Once outside he spoke.

“You are a terrible liar” he laughed.

“Yes” I agreed knowing it was true I looked at my feet again unsure where else to look. “Thank you by the way” I said now remembering he had been the one to save me from Luke’s glances.

“Well you didn’t look like you enjoying yourself to much back there” he assumed

“I would have fine” I lied

“Terrible liar” he countered.

“Alright maybe I was a little uncomfortable what’s it to you?” I asked back a little too aggressively.

“I am not sure” he muttered. Again I blushed and looked down to my feet I had been too harsh.

“Sorry” I whispered

“For what?” he asked looking puzzled.

“Snapping at you, you helped me I shouldn’t have been so rude” I apologized.

“Think nothing of it” he laughed “Let’s start over, hi I am Conner” he said and I looked up.

“Liberty” I said weakly, and I smiled to him.

“I know” he said, but his tone was gentle and kind. “So what was wrong back there you seemed terrified” he asked.

“I am not found of the attention especially not Luke’s” I said softly.

“Hmm that’s new” he chuckled “I like your shoes too” he added as I realized I was starring at them again. I blushed and looked up. “You’re too easy” he chuckled again and the heat in my cheeks burned brighter. “To make blush I mean” he laughed.

“I am glad you find me so amusing, but I better get to class, thanks for your help” I said lightly and walked away swiftly in a random direction hoping it was the right way for my next class.

The rest of the day was uneventful and routine. No class was all together to dreadful and none of the instructors too mean. I found myself to my dismay letting my mind wonder to Conner. Something about him I just couldn’t figure out why I was so intrigued with him, though I had no business being interested in him. He was in a different world. I saw him a few times throughout the day, he and couple of his friends were walking around joking and having a jolly time. At one point I saw him greet a girl, who was about as beautiful as he was, warmly and walk her to class. He was in world of his own filled with amazingly beautiful and interesting people why would he ever need to talk to me again?

I decided to stay late in the art studio to work on my drawing, I was very behind they had started the project weeks ago. I didn’t have point class for two hours anyway. I started working and soon I was immersed in my work. I didn’t hear the door open as I sketched a new line. Suddenly I was chilled and looked up startled to find Conner watching me, I was so surprised I nearly fell out of my seat.

“Oh!” I said shocked beyond the point of words, as I sat myself upright again blushing at my near catastrophe. Conner just laughed.

“I didn’t know you were an art student” he said after a moment. I shook my head yes unable to form words with my mouth.

“Not much of talker are you?” He asked smiling “Or just shy perhaps?” he questioned farther.

“The latter” I responded.

“That certainly is unusual, I don’t think I have every met anyone who has said as few words to me as you have” he said still smiling and again red stained my cheeks. I looked at the clock and realized how much time had slipped away,

“Oh shoot” I muttered to myself.

“What?” Conner asked, I hadn’t thought I had said anything loud enough to be heard.

“Oh nothing I just didn’t realize the time and now I am sure to be late to my point class” I spoke quickly hoping he would give up this one sided discussion he had been having. I walked quickly into the bathroom with my bag and changed into my leotard and tights. When I walked back out Conner was still there and now he was staring at me. I blushed

“What?” I asked unsure of why his look was so lingering.

“Nothing” he rearranged his features and smiled.

“It was nice to see you” I smiled as I left the room and walked to my car. Not two seconds later he had caught up with me matching my pace easily.

“I wasn’t through talking to you” he teased.

“Sorry” I apologized smilingly, “But I am going to be late” I finished as we reached my car. I popped the trunk open and set my school bags in it. Conner had stopped at
the sight of my car.

“Nice car” he muttered.

“A gift, a little extravagant for me though” I sighed. “Bye” I said as I shut my door and drove away leaving an aw struck Conner behind.