Chapter One: The Letter

"Ferrin, honey, come down here. We need to discuss something in the living room." Uh-oh, she thought, getting up from her bed. I hope she didn't find out about the car thing last night. I thought I got off most of the mud from the tires.

"Ferrin, now!" her mother hollered up the stairs.

"I'm coming, I'm coming, geeze," she yelled back, throwing her door open and marching down the staircase. I wonder what my punishment this week will be, she mused. Hmmm, hopefully Mom can be more creative than last time. She smiled when she thought back to what her mother had said to her when she found out she went drinking at Marcy's house; 'You're grounded! No T.V., no going out, and definitely no calls or texting. You'll get everything back in two months.' Of course, she still watched T.V., just not when her mom was home, snuck out at night to go to friends' houses, and stole her phone out of her mother's desk where she always kept it when Ferrin had gotten in trouble. She would just slip it back right before the two months were over, her mother wouldn't notice.

When she got downstairs she saw that there was a visitor sitting on the couch. She didn't know who he was, though. When she got a chance to look at her parents, she noticed that they were anxious about something. Her mother was usually very calm, if not somewhat controlling. She saw that the man had a piece of paper in his hands. Her thoughts immediately started racing.

"Ferrin, come sit down on the couch," her mother said. Her parents sat down on the couch beside the man. "This is Myrin. He's brought a letter for you from Mr. and Mrs. Graham." She took a deep breath. "It's about time you officially meet them, too. They have a son a few years older than you." She didn't like the way her mother said the last line.

Myrin stood and extended his hand for Ferrin to take the letter. She took it warily and opened it with caution. The way her mother and father kept looking at her she wouldn't be surprised if it were an acceptance to a military school. After all, her mother had threatened it a few times in past arguments.

She read the letter once.

'Dear Ms. Ferrin St. Germain,

'We would like very much to meet you in person. We have heard much about you in the past year from your parents. You have grown up well since last Mr. Graham and I last saw you. We have not seen you for over ten years now. And hearing about someone and actually knowing them for yourself are two very different things. Our son, Xiann, has expressed a great wish to meet you also, with the upcoming events in mind. I, though, would have wished for you two to meet long ago. It would have made matters a bit more easy on all of us. No regrets, though. You will meet soon, that I am sure.

'Yours sincerely,

'Mr. and Mrs. Dylan Graham'

Then she read the letter for a second time, then a third. What is this lady talking about, was the first thought that went through her head. Then, What has Mom and Dad been keeping from me?

She finally asked, "What is this?" Her parents exchanged a quick glance, then her mother took another deep breath.

I know this is a short chapter, but they will get longer. This and the next chapter are both really just introductions to the story. They are basically just to explain why their whole story got started and why everything is happening. Annnnnnnd... Review! Tell me if I totally suck at writing, but if I do, please be nice about it. What's the phrase? Constructive criticism. My ego is easily dented, so don't pulverize me, I will collapse and it will be all your fault! Kidding, but please use constructive criticism when reviewing.