5AN: This AN will explain some stuff, not essential to know so skip if you'd like.
I'd like to thank the following people for helping me or encouraging me for this chapter: i88, Casino Kat, Elimo, and tons of thanks to Hybrid Calling
(OUTFITS AND EXTRA GOODIES ON MY PROFILE!)
Andi's real name is Andria and it sounds like Ann-dre-ah
Liyah's real name is Aliyah and it sounds like Ah-lee-ah so Liyah is just…Lee-ah
So excited for this! I've been thinking about this for such a long time. It's really just been coming to me in pieces, not a complete plot. Really, I had no clue what I wanted to do until it just flew…hard to describe. But this story will have tons of potential I know it. I hope I don't disappoint myself or you. So, in this story you'll find a bit of romance, lots of jealousy, overcoming fears, hate turning to love, action…lots of action. I also am going to play a bit with the contrast between light and dark. Andi will be the character that represents light, while Liyah will be the night. This will be told in first person point of view switching between Liyah and Andi. The real action won't be starting for about three-five chapters. And also, about updates…I'm leading a very busy life this summer but I will make sure this story is updated every other Saturday evening. Also, if you'd like to beta please don't be afraid to ask! And I'm fourteen so, lots of criticism is welcome (I need to get better!)! I need to stop….enjoy! Oh and there are several flashbacks in each chapter.
Andi
"It is now five thirty A.M and the weather is nice here in Phoenix at a nice 71 degrees, here's Staci with the traffic report."
I let out a large yawn, and tried with no avail to rub the sleep from my eyes. I was normally a morning person but I needed to get back into the habit of waking up early again.
Spring break was officially over, back to school for now which meant no sleeping in until eight o'clock. I grabed a towel and a sundress and head to the bathroom, ready to go back to school.
After my shower, I head down to the breakfast table to grab some pancakes my mother had so graciously made.
Her pancakes were the most delicious things I have ever eaten—next to her key lime pie—and I made a point to tell her so each and every time I enjoyed them. I'll be the first to admit I was a mommy's girl, and daddy's girl; I just loved my parents, period. I felt no shame for this either, while most people my age—including my sister—were mortified by their parents.
"Andi, can you go get Aliyah?"
I nodded my head and walked down into the basement, Liyah's floor.
You see, our home was rather large due to daddy's position as one of Arizona's senators. Everyone in the house had their own floor; the basement was Liyah's, the first floor was the area we used for parties and eating, things like that. The second for was my parent's, and finally the third was mine. We had a guest house for when relatives came over.
I made my way down the stairs and knocked three times on Liyah's door. The door was covered with a large poster that had several curse words on it; she really was the devil reincarnated.
"Come in!" Her entire room was very negative and I felt a little more depressed the longer I stayed in it.
The north wall was a painted scene of the moon in a waning crescent; her bed was propped up against that wall. The sheets were midnight blue, the same color as her phone. The wall on my left was entirely a bookshelf; I recognized some of the titles almost immediately. The other two walls had various things pushed against them but were covered with posters, some of which made me nauseous.
Liyah was sitting on her bed lacing up her tennis shoes, softly singing a song. I smiled and approached her, eager to hear what tune she was so fascinated in.
"If I cut off your arms, and cut off your legs would you still love me anyway?" I shrank back when I heard the morbid words.
"What do you need Andi?" She snapped her clear green eyes at me, smirking slightly when I flinched at her harsh tone; what a spiteful bit—
"Andi?" she said again, waving her arms in my face.
"Pancakes are ready." I turned away from her, facing her vanity which held a picture of the two of us when we were about ten.
Eight years ago
It was Halloween day and I was so excited because it was my first time I'd go to a haunted house. I adjusted the halo of my angel costume and turned to my sister, my smile slipping when I saw her.
She decided to be a vampire for whatever reason this year and was taking packets of fake blood, smearing her arms and face in them; it smelt like melted lipstick.
"Yesh?" Her voice was muffled slightly due to the plastic fangs that occupied her mouth currently.
"You look gross."
"Welsh sos do ew." I rolled my eyes at her, and adjusted the straps of my wings.
"Smile girls!" My mom screamed pictures were a tradition in our house—we always posed with our pumpkins before leaving.
I grabbed my pumpkin and stood next to Liyah while she grabbed her own.
When the flash blinded me, I had been standing tall, my arms wrapped maternally around my pumpkin; Liyah however, was crouched over her pumpkin, biting into the rough orange of the fruit as her fangs reflected the moon's light.
"Oh Aliyah, we can't show that to people, it's too bad, we'll have to shoot another one." I turned and saw Liyah's face drop and her eyes glistened and only when mom said to me, "Andi you looked beautiful, perfect," did my sister's tears drop.
"Okay so here we go again…" She picked up the camera, and then set it down again. "Aliyah, maybe you should stand behind Andi and just stick your head out; you look too scary."
Liyah nodded her head slowly and stood behind me, her eyes bloodshot. "Okay princess, smile nice and big!"
"Perfect." she said looking back at the camera.
"Mom, can we go?" Liyah said strongly, her eyes no longer wet.
"Yes, get in the car."
On the way to the haunted house I thought about that picture, and I felt kind of bad about it all but Liyah deserved it; no one likes scary people, only happy people like me.
Mom went to the front and bought our tickets while Liyah and I waited in front of the haunted house's door. Around us, others waited—mostly teenagers, some kids our age. I turned around and saw a weirdo with green hair and tattoos and piercings.
"Ew…" I said, mostly to myself. Liyah saw what I was looking at and smirked at me.
"Hey, you there." she said to him loudly poking his leather jacket.
He turned and looked down at her, smiling. "Nice costume, kid."
"I was going to say the same to you." she replied, glancing over at his girlfriend. She was almost as gross as her boyfriend; she had a nose piercing and tons of ear piercings, a sword tattoo visible on her neck.
"Not a costume." He laughed with his girlfriend.
Liyah's eyes brightened, as I looked down in disgust at their torn clothing. "That's even cooler!"
They laughed again, and talked about some stuff I wasn't too interested in so I caught only snippets. "Yeah I play in a band….favorite….Nirvana…..Drums" I recognized Liyah getting more excited as time went on.
"Aliyah!" The four of us—my sister and I and her new "friends"—snapped our heads toward my mother.
"Yes mom?"
In a hushed tone the couple could without a doubt still hear she staged whispered, "We don't associate with freaks."
Liyah flushed red under all of her gory makeup and look apologetically at the couple as they smiled back sadly and turned away from her.
Liyah was an outsider in the family, a black sheep and she and I both knew we were better off without her and her freaky friends.
The picture on her vanity was the one with her biting the pumpkin. "I thought mom erased it."
"She didn't, it was on the hard drive, and so I printed it out."
I nodded and led her back upstairs to mom and the pancakes.
"Good morning, Aliyah."
"Mornin' to ya, Anita."
"Mom."
"Anita."
"Don't you disrespect me, young lady." If it was possible, I'd think mom's face would be on fire, she was so mad.
"I only respect people who earn it, Anita."
"Eat your damn breakfast." She slammed Liyah's plate down on the table in front of her, causing the glass plate to chip.
"So, Andi ,meet any cute boys on your Choir trip?" A blush spread out across my face at the question. I opened my mouth to answer when Liyah interrupted me.
"Pshh…right. Look at her, she's a total prude." I glared at her, and then narrowed my eyes.
"Mom, did you know Liyah has a boyfriend?" It was her turn to glare.
"Oh look at the time, Andi we have to go." I turned to the clock, and saw we still had ten minutes, but I gave in when she shot me another look.
"We're going to talk about this when you get home, young lady! And you tell that boy I wanna meet him!"
"Yeah, yeah." she said, pulling her ripped shorts down a bit. She looked completely Goth to me in an Iron Maiden shirt and ripped shorts. Her hair surrounded her face in its usual fashion.
"Love you, mom!"
As soon as we walked into the garage Liyah turned to me, fire in her eyes and said, "I hate you."
We got into Liyah's car—a black Audi—and left for school.
The inside of her car was extremely clean, a result of her O.C.D and the smell of lemon was obvious, meaning she had cleaned it—again. I glanced back up at her, taking in her appearance. She had clear green eyes, long brown hair, and tan skin; she was actually kind of pretty.
"Why would you tell her about Adam?"
"You called me a prude." I grimaced at the music she put in her stereo; it was loud and I couldn't understand what the singer was saying.
She had the worst taste in music; it was full of pounding drums and guitars and always spoke of death. Hadn't she ever heard of Justin Beiber?
"What is wrong with this song?" I asked her, tugging on one of my blonde curls.
She rolled her eyes and turned down the sound slightly so I could hear her answer, "There is nothing wrong with this song; its poetry put to music. Learn to appreciate that."
"How on Earth is this poetry?" She was the weirdest person I think I had met in my whole entire life. She hadn't a clue what poetry was. All she cared about was herself and her dumb band…and herself some more, and P.E.T.A…and herself some more-again; that's how self centered she was.
"Here comes the water, all I knew and all I believed are crumbling images that no longer comfort me. I scramble to reach higher ground; some order and sanity, or something to comfort me." She glanced over at me, a light in her eyes I frequently see: passion. "Tell me that doesn't mean anything to you."
"It doesn't, just dark lyrics for freaks like you who-" I stopped when she gave me the ultimate death glare. If looks could kill.
"So…" I began awkwardly, "Excited to finish senior year?"
"Shut up, Andi." Someone's got a case of the Monday's.
Liyah
What a brat, I thought as I left my car and approached my friends.
"Liyah!" Farah screamed when I got near, pulling me into a hug. I hadn't seen her the entire break so I missed her like crazy. I didn't get to see any of my friends because of my aunt visiting, forcing me to babysit her twin brats.
"How you doing?"
"Fan-freaking-tastic." I replied with a roll of the eyes.
"Li?"
I turned my head to Adam, and smiled. "Hey."
"What's wrong?" His blue eyes looked into my green ones.
"Um…well my mom wants to meet you." He looked concerned, probably due to my explanation I gave him three months ago when we started dating.
Three Months Ago
"So… when should we get this whole meeting-the –parent's thing out of the way?" He said pulling his blonde fringe out of his eyes.
"Well, I wouldn't mind meeting your family whenever, but I think we should wait awhile before you meet mine…"
He looked kind of hurt,. "So you just want to hide me?" His voice was accusing.
"No," I assured him, "Not at all."
"Then what?"
It was difficult to explain all of this family drama BS to him, but I guess I had to so he didn't think I was world's worst girl friend.
"My mom would hate you, my dad might but I doubt it's because of you—just your gender."
"He doesn't want you dating?"
"Yeah." I nodded my head in conformation, and then sat down by the tree we always hung out at before homeroom.
"Why would your mom hate me?" Adam was a really good guy to be honest, one of the best people I know, but there were things about him I knew my mother would just hate.
"Well for one, you're not a suck-up; my mom eats that up like green eggs and ham."
He nodded slightly, than grinned lopsidedly at me, "I can suck up."
I laughed and then continued, "She hates leather, cigarettes, anything along those lines."
"I won't smoke all day."
Farah sat down beside me, and asked what we were talking about.
"He wants to meet my mom."
She exploded into laughter, her red hair bouncing from shoulder to shoulder while trying to control her giggles but failing miserably.
Farah had met my mom numerous times and let's just say they never really worked out right. She always insinuated we were whores and that we needed to be more like Andi, the golden child. And after Anita had met Farah's mother, she told me privately that her assumptions of Farah being the daughter of a crack whore were true.
Adam looked severely confused, "What? Will she think I'm not good enough for you?"
Farah answered that one, "Her mom, she doesn't care. Deep down, I know she loves her but in comparison to Andi-" She drawled out her name for effect, "Liyah is the feces at the bottom of her stiletto heels."
I turned to him, "I think it may just be better if we wait to meet each other's parents."
He nodded in agreement, and this time I knew he fully understood.
"I thought you said you wanted to hold off on that stuff?" He looked confused, probably wondering why the change of heart. "Why'd you change your mind?"
"I didn't." I grumbled, still angry with Andi for screwing things up.
"Then how—"
I cut him off, "One word: Andi."
We snapped our heads towards said She-Devil, and saw her looking all angelic as she glided across the parking lot with one of her friends, Nicole; I hated that chick.
Farah huffed and waved Andi over, "What a stoner."
Andi adjusted her little white dress and curly blonde locks, reminding me how beautiful she was and simultaneously making me want to kill her. She glanced up under her butt-load of make-up. Who knew one of God's most beloved children wanted to wear her make-up like a hooker?
"Farah, Adam," she said nodding, "Liyah." She spat my name out.
"Andi," Adam said, whilst playing with a piece of my hair. We sat underneath the tree while the two of them stood awkwardly in front of us.
"What do you freaks want?" Nicole spat out, making me remember even more how much of a shrew she is.
"Andi, why do you barge into others love lives?" Farah asked, whilst sizing Nicole up. Nicole looked as if she wanted to rip her throat out; little did she know my girl had a mean left hook.
"This is a family matter, Farah." She sneered the words at her, making Farah get up.
"Listen here, Goldie Locks I am family to Liyah because you and your shrew of a mother don't give a damn about her!"
Andi shrank back, glared at me and disappeared with her face in a flush.
"What's the deal with you and Andi?" Adam asked from beside me, joining back in the conversation.
"We hate each other." I said through my teeth, not too excited to broach this particular subject but he had to know. Adam was a transfer student from a catholic school so he didn't really know me and Andi's history. So since he just moved here last summer he didn't know the actually story. Actually only a handful of the student body knew of Andi and my real relationship.
"But you're twins…" That was obviously just an assumption because Andi and I were in the same grade.
"She's adopted."
"Oh." The word hung awkwardly in the air causing an uncomfortable silence for a minute or so.
Farah broke the silence first, "Yeah they got her when she was three." I nodded my head in conformation when Adam looked my way.
Fifteen Years Ago
"Aliyah!" Mommy screamed from the kitchen, I got out of my Elmo chair and scrambled to the kitchen to see what mommy needed.
"Yesh mummy?" I smiled big at her, just in case I was in trouble.
"It's yes, Aliyah, not 'yesh'." She corrected.
"Yesh mummy."
She rolled her eyes and went to say something else when I dropped my bouncy ball. The red and orange rubber bounced around for a few seconds before landing in the fruit bowl mommy had out for decoration. It had purple round things, apples, and fuzzy tan things in it.
"Aliyah!" Mommy was defiantly mad at me now; I slumped my shoulders.
"Sewry mummy."
"Ugh… now, your sitter is going to arrive any moment and I want you to behave yourself; daddy and I are going to pick up your new big sister." She smiled at the last part, and so did I; it'll be awesome to have another little kid here with me. Maybe mommy will be happier too.
The doorbell rang a few seconds later when mommy was writing on a piece of paper—maybe she was drawing! I heard daddy coming down the stairs when mommy left to go get the door, so I looked over at the paper.
It had a bunch of writing on it I couldn't read, maybe mommy was trying to do a connect-the-dots picture! I could finish it for her and maybe she'd be less mad at me. I picked up the blue pen and connected the sharp points that had been drawn already.
"…I have a list of emergency numbers you can call, let me get it." Mommy came back in the kitchen, and passed me to grab the paper from the kitchen isle.
"Be a good girl, Aliyah." I nodded my head, about to tell her I helped her with her picture before she growled and slammed it on the table.
"Aliyah!"
"Do you like it mummy?"
"Young lady you are a bad girl!" She scolded me, pointing her finger in my face.
"What's going on in here?" Daddy was now walking towards us, looking tired in one of his suits. His eyes had purple underneath the; daddy should start going to nap time with me at pre-school with Mrs. H and he'll be better in no time.
"She ruined the list I wrote for the baby sitter." She said thrusting the list in his face.
He sighed and took it from her hands, and then laughed "Li-Li?"
"Yes daddy?" I said back, smiling up at him hoping he wouldn't get mad.
"Is this a Martian?" I nodded up at him in response and he laughed again, then folded up the picture and stuck it in his wallet. He looked at my mommy who was still red in the face and then grabbed a new sheet of paper and rewrote the numbers.
"There." He said gently and called the sitter into the room, "Here's that list." He said handing it to her.
The baby sitter was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt with a volley ball on it. Her hair was very straight and blonde, her eyes brown.
"Aliyah," Mommy said, less mean now, "Be good for Lexi."
"Have fun, Li-Li." Daddy said, opening his arms for a hug.
"Bye daddy!"
~Two hours later
I sat watching T.V while Lexi made me a P.J sandwich. I hope she doesn't poison it like that mean man in 'The Princess Bride' that'd be scary. Lexi was nice though, so I don't think she'd do that.
"Aliyah, your food is ready!" I got up and slid across the wooden floor in my socks and then fell into the kitchen, giggling the entire time. Lexi was laughing too when she asked if I was okay.
She sat at the breakfast table with me as I ate my meal, asking me about school and stuff like that.
"You know, I think you look more like a 'Liyah' than an Aliyah…" She said trailing off, twirling her straw in her cup.
"I like that!" Liyah was better than Aliyah and Li-Li but only daddy called me 'Li-Li', it was something I wanted to stay. "Liyah…" I said to myself then looked up at Lexi, "Hi, my name is Aliyah Cash but call me Liyah." I held my hand to her, waiting for her to introduce herself.
"Bonjour, my name Alexis Williams but call me Lexi."
We giggled and watched "The Big Comfy Couch" for about fifteen minutes longer before I heard the car pull into the garage.
Lexi stood up and cleaned up a few things before mommy walked in; I decided to help her.
"We're back!" Mommy said in a happy voice, coming inside through the garage door trailed by daddy and my new sister.
Holy cow, my sister!
She looked like a baby doll with curly blonde hair, and big blue eyes. Daddy held her as she woke up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She was pretty.
"Aliyah, we want you to meet someone." Mommy said this very happily, but seriously too. Daddy set the girl down and I ran towards her—more like slid, but still. I looked up at her and smiled, and she smiled back.
"Li-Li, this is your new big sister Andria."
Mommy looked down at the two of us and smiled, "Say hi to Andria, Aliyah."
"Hi Andi-ah." I said loudly, too excited to control my voice. Andria jumped back a little, scared by my voice apparently.
"No, Aliyah its Andria." Why did mommy think everything I said and did was wrong?
"Andi!" I screamed again, only the girl was prepared this time knowing ahead of time I was loud.
"Andi?" My daddy said, "Andi Cash."
"Oh, dear that's much better than Andria!" My mother was clapping her hands in a weird way so she didn't break her long nails, I laughed at the sight.
"Andi!"
"Hello." Andi said in a crystal clear voice, no speech impediment on her side.
"Hi, I'm Liyah Cash." I said sticking out my hand; I looked back at Lexi who was giggling at me.
"She's so cute." Lexi said quietly, but mommy had heard.
"I know, Andi is such a jewel." She replied.
"I actually meant Liyah, Mrs. Cash."
"Oh, well I suppose."
Lexi had to leave a few minutes after that, but I got to hug her before she had to go so that was awesome; she smelt like vanilla.
"Bye Lexi!"
"Later, Liyah."
"Liyah." Andi called from the room, making mommy do her funny clap again.
"She said her name!"
"Liyah," She said again.
"Oh princess, you're so adorable!"
What about me? What about all the adorable things I do? Like tell bunny rabbits to run away from that mean hunter guy? Or pretend I'm a basketball player…or a rock star. Daddy thinks I'm adorable, he said so himself just the other day.
"Andi isn't adorable! She's ugly and stinks like Mrs. Days doggy!" I screamed, essentially asking for attention from my parents.
"Peter, deal with Aliyah; I'm playing with my daughter." What about me? I'm your real daughter!
"Come on, Li-Li." Daddy told me, a tired look in his eyes.
We trudged down the stairs and into my basement; daddy led me into my bedroom and sat me on my soft carpet. "Why did you say those things about Andi?"
"Mommy doesn't care about me," I cried.
"Li-Li, she does, it's just that we just got Andi here and mommy wants to spend special time with her right now." He explained, I still didn't get what was so awesome about her but I let it drop because daddy looked so tired.
"Daddy lay on my bed, you need a nap!" I said giggling; he looked up at me and smiled a tiny smile.
"Okay." He lied lay down on my bed as I got out my Elmo blanky and tucked him in. "Come here Li-Li."
I did as he said and lay by him under the blanket as he stuck his arm around me.
"Night, daddy."
Andi may be new and not talk like a baby, and mommy may like her more, but at least I had my daddy.
"She always got my mom's attention, so I hated her when I was little and she hated me back." I explained, "We've just never gotten along."
"Whoa, that's deep." Farah said, her mouth wide open sitting Indian style nodding along as if I told her Oprah and Jerry Springer were making a show together.
"You ditz," I laughed, pushing her and making her fall onto the grass. She shoved me back even harder, laughing louder than I had.
"Girl fight!" a freshman boy screamed. I glanced over at him and saw he was shorter than me, skinnier too, and had a bad case of acne. Hasn't he seen all those Pro-Active commercials?
"Dude, no, just no…" Adam said, shaking his head.
"What do you mean 'no'?" the 'tard said, plopping down in the grass beside me, throwing his arm around me. "Tell me you don't think that'd be entertaining," he said to Adam, cocking his left eyebrow.
"You smell of cheese" I said to the boy; I wasn't even lying!
"Dude!" Farah screamed at Adam, "You're not going to let some fourteen year old creep hit on your girlfriend like that, are you?" she yelled.
"Dude, back off." Adam said calmly, he was never one to get worked up about stuff like that—something I admired. I was such a jealous person.
"Fine my man, but make sure to get them to near a kiddy pool full of mud ASAP," he said brushing the grass off of his jeans.
"What a jackass." Farah said.
"Don't insult the donkeys. I think they're cute." I said to her.
"What? Donkeys are like one of the worst animals ever, they deserve to be shot." Adam responded, seeming passionate about his response. I gripped the grass beside me and threw it into his face. "Hey, what was that for?" He looked at my furious gaze and rethought what he'd just said and replied, "Oh right, you're vegetarian."
"And donkeys are awesome; they are like Zebra's zebras only not as pretty."
"Hey quick question, since your vegetarian and all would it be against your beliefs to eat Zebra Cakes?" Farah asked, seeming serious., "I mean I know they aren't meat but it is named after an animal."
I laughed at her and began to respond before I was cut off by the bell.
"Later!" I said to my best friend. She waved her arm over her shoulder and continued walking.
Adam helped me get up and then walked me to history because his class was just down the hall. "Later, lovely Liyah."
I rolled my eyes. "Nice use of alliteration," I said looking into his bright blue eyes.
"Yeah I thought so," He agreed, I noticed that the hallway was clearing out just as his lips touched mine.
"Hey!" Mr. Hallow—the biology teacher—yelled, "No PDA."
"Yes sir." We both said as the final bell rang.
"And…you're late for class. I expect to see you two in lunch detention in my class today." He finished, walking down the hall now.
"What a shower bag."
Adam looked confused, so I had to explain, "Douche is French for shower."
"Oh… well yeah than that dude is a…shower bag." He said the last part not as enthusiastically.
"We should go,"
"Yeah…."
"Bye!" I said, opening the door to Mr. Holt's room.
"Miss. Cash, you're late."
I nodded my head, rushed to my seat, and saw Andi smirking at me. I gave her the finger on the way to my chair.
I'm so glad to be back at school.
Andi
While Mr. Holt was going on about history Michael Stanley passed a note towards me, I looked around the room before opening it.
I really don't appreciate the smirk
It was definitely from Liyah, I recognized the hand writing.
I don't appreciate being flipped off
I wrote passing it to Michael who passed it to Demi who in turn passed it to Liyah.
I scanned the classroom while Liyah was reading trying to take in any possible changes that had taken place recently over break; I couldn't find any.
Mr. Holt was still talking but I didn't take the time to process the words, but maybe I should? I wanted to pass the final that's for sure. Maybe this is like one of the most crucial classes of his when it concerns finals, and I could be missing all of it because of my sister. I swear to God if I don't get in the top twenty percentile she will no longer have all ten fingers when I'm done with her.
I looked back down at my desk and saw that the piece of paper had made it back to my desk without my noticing it.
Then don't be a jerk-off
I rolled my eyes at her childish names and began to write some more until I saw Mr. Holt looking over his shoulder at the class; I stuffed the note in my binder. I looked back over at Liyah who rolled her eyes and wrote in the air, clearly telling me to reply. I shook my head 'no'.
I looked back down at my binder, examining the pictures I had placed there at the beginning of senior year. One was of me and my mom smiling, another was of my cat Fluffy, and the last was a picture of Nicole and me at the pool over the summer. Liyah had taken that picture.
Nine Months Ago
We were at the Country Club's pool, sitting back trying to tan but only getting sun burnt.
"You know, you shouldn't untie your straps; the probability of flashing someone is too great." Liyah said, plopping down on chair beside me, holding a book in her hand. She wore an Ed Hardy bikini top, denim shorts, and an Ed Hardy hat. Nicole scoffed at her outfit.
"I'm sorry Nicky, do you have an issue?" she asked.
"It's Nicole and yes I do have a problem with being seen with you looking like that."
"Sorry I'm not dressed like a skank." She sat up abruptly, looking at the two of us, and went into one of her feminist rambles. "You know that you two are only getting attention because you're in tiny bikinis and you're wet."
"And your point is…?"
"Nicole, hear me out." She pulled her slip -on Chucks on and stood up, blocking the sun's rays. "You two are the target for old perverts because of those itsy bitsy bikinis; you are giving those old pervs a show and simultaneously making women appear to be the weaker sex because you go parading around in skimpy clothes. You are ruining all the work women did on the Women's Act Movements just because you want to feel sexy!" She had risen her tone by about ten levels to the point where half of the pool could hear her speech; how mortifying.
"God Liyah, you're such a freak. Not everything has to be about protesting and 'making a difference'." Nicole said slightly quieter.
"Andi?" She looked at me, "Back me up?"
"Not everything is about making a difference." I said robotically, not really caring about this entire argument.
"Towel boy!" Nicole shouted at the top of her lungs while I blushed a furious shade of red; these two were the most embarrassing pair.
"See? There you go again; you can't just degrade people like that!" Liyah yelled, stealing a glance at the pool boy and then continuing, "People have names and you should address them accordingly, not as 'Pool Boy.' How would you feel if I yelled "Rich Tramp" instead of Nicole?"
"Jesus, Liyah what's your issue?" I asked, my sister finally ready to put an end to her tirade.
"I'm sick of you two being shallow human beings." The pool boy who had stood silently, only looking at Liyah, had nodded slightly in agreement to what she had just said.
I hadn't thought she had noticed until she looked up at him and smiled. He was about four inches taller than her, which was surprising because she was rather tall, as was I. "Thanks…." She trailed off making it apparent she wanted his name.
He ran a hand through his shaggy blonde hair, then answered, "Adam."
"Well Adam, I'm Aliyah but everyone calls me Liyah. This is my sister Andi and her friend Nicole." She spat out Nicole's name.
The sun was directly above us in the Arizona sky making it very war; the pool wasn't very busy though. This was the adult pool for ages sixteen and up so there really weren't too many men, seeing as they were probably at work and the women were just floating in the pool or tanning and the teenagers were off in la-la land.
"Please excuse Liyah; she didn't take her Midol today," Nicole said to Adam, winking at him. He looked pained by it.
"I'm sorry I don't believe in your superficial way to achieve male attention."
Nicole rolled her eyes and grabbed the towel from Adam, dabbing her long brown hair with it. "Why don't you write a song about it?"
Liyah's green eyes brightened at the thought, "You know that's a really good idea, I need to get the band started you know?"
"You play in a band?" Adam asked.
"Um yeah, I'm lead vocals and guitar. It's just getting started you know?" They were facing each other, having completely forgotten about us.
"What all do you need?"
"Well my friend Farah plays back-up guitar or keyboard- whichever we need, and her brother is my drummer…so just base and back-up vocals; do you know anyone?"
He smiled and ran another hand through his hair, "Yeah, I can play base; I did in my old band."
She jumped up. "Sweet, can you try out?"
"Ugh…yeah sure."
"They suck." I said flatly, getting my iPod out to show him the song. Nicole laughed at my side, making me feel better about lying; at least she backed me up. But in reality, they were really good; Liyah had the voice of an angel.
I turned on one of the songs she had uploaded without my permission, and handed him my pink iPod. She looked over his shoulder to see which song I had picked. She smiled over at me, and I smiled back.
Moments like those are rare between the two of us.
The bell rang; signaling the end of class Liyah stopped by my desk and smirked at me on her way out.
Sisters are great.
The rest of the morning was pretty typical, nothing exciting really happening; and before I knew it, it was already time for lunch.
"…they're supposed to play at the Catholic School's Spring Break Party." A girl with short blonde hair informed, I'm pretty sure she was a sophomore.
"Man, we have to go." Her friend replied. She was a sophomore too; she wore a Joan Jett t-shirt and ripped jeans. They looked over at me from where I sat, quietly eating my turkey sandwich while I waited for Nicole to join me.
"Hey that's Liyah Cash's sister," the blonde whispered, "Do you think she'll know where the party is?"
"Probably…"
The blonde stood up seconds after the response and trudged over to me and plopped down at the picnic table beside me, nearly knocking my Vitamin water over.
"Hi, you're Andi Cash right?" The blonde asked, she continued when I nodded, "Um…you know Desert Dream?" She asked referring to the name of Liyah's band.
"Of course."
"Well they're playing this gig at some guys place from the Catholic school and we wanted to know if you knew where…?"
"Um…I don't know the address." I asked, tugging on my hair and avoiding eye contact.
"Do you know his name?"
"Damian Rowling's."
"Thank-you! Hey, what's it like being sisters with Liyah? It has to be amazing right, she has the most soulful lyrics, and you know the rest of the band right?" I nodded my head, "Awesome!"
We sat in silence for what seemed like eternity before the Joan Jett girl spoke up, "So what's it like being Liyah's sister?"
"We don't spend much time together," I said through my teeth, anxious for them to leave. I didn't want to talk about Liyah's "success" or "band". I didn't care.
"She has the most amazing voice, and she is like awesome at the guitar!"
"Okay, Liyah's great blah, blah, blah." Nicole said, approaching me from my right.
The girls took one look at Nicole and walked away, saying nasty things about her.
Nicole had been my best friend for ages; we completed one another. She was the loud, outgoing one and I was the shy one. Without me she'd be too overbearing and me without her would just be…pathetic. The only person I had the courage to speak up to without Nicole was Liyah but that's just because I've known her for a decade and a half.
"So, are we going to that party?" I knew she was referring to the Catholic School Party but I just shook my head no, not even bothering to explain. It'd be too hard to watch Liyah get all of that attention, people loving her because her music made them feel something; her voice giving them goose bumps.
I remember the first time she performed in front of the school; it was the middle school talent show—eighth grade.
Four years Ago
It was the last day of school, last day of middle school. It was tradition that we always had a talent show on the last day every year and this year Liyah was performing, as were Nicole and I.
Nicole and I were singing a duet 'Buttons' by The Pussy Cat Dolls and Liyah was singing some Evanescence song, 'My Immortal' I think.
I was really nervous to perform in front of the entire school. I actually didn't want to but Nicole forced me to.
After the pogo stick act we were up next, ready to impress and hopefully win $100. The music began and we started our dance routine, ready to sing. To be honest we sucked: we got the dancing part down pretty much but we forgot words and the pitch was all over the place, and during Nicole's solo her voice broke. It wasn't the worst act though so at least we didn't totally embarrass ourselves, luckily.
We sat with the rest of the school after our act was over, watching more singing acts and the occasional juggler. Liyah was set to go last, with her friend Farah playing the piano for her. I was anxious to see her mess up more than Nicole and I had just so I could feel slightly better about all of this.
Liyah had gone to extreme measures to make sure I never got to hear her sing; she always sang in her music room daddy had built for her because it was sound proof, and she never performed karaoke at family parties at anything. I'd only heard her play guitar.
It was finally her turn after about twenty more minutes.
The opening chords on the piano began the song, shortly followed by Liyah's voice.
The sound honestly was beautiful; I could feel tingles throughout my legs and back the more I listened. And once she got to the more powerful part of the song I felt a slight watering in my eyes. Not the kind you get when you're about to cry, but the kind you get when you are overly amazed. I looked through my eyes to her and she looked beautiful too, she wore white for once.
I don't think I'd ever seen her wear white. She looked like an angel.
She was getting really into the song; tapping her chest at the emotional parts and looking over a lot at Farah, who was deeply focused on the music.
The best part though was about three minutes into the song when she built up all of these beautifully, angsty notes into this one large beautiful note.
That was the moment I knew that Liyah was more than just a was the moment I knew she was fantastic—destined for greatness.
I could never surpass that level of amazing.
I felt overcome by emotions that moment, knowing that I could never be that great; that nothing I ever did could be better than just that lone performance, and I knew by the look in her eyes there would be more.
She was the better sister now. She'd just proven that and I hated her for it.
"Andi?"
"Um…what?" I picked the crust off my sandwich off and handed it to Nicole—she loved crust.
"Thanks, and I think we should go; we can see your sister crash and burn." I envied Nicole that moment, she could convince herself that the most beautiful sound resembled a quacking duck; I wish I could lie to myself.
"You know she's not going to." I mumbled, surprised I had acknowledged the truth aloud.
She ignored my comment and continued, "There'll be a bunch of hot guys there."
"Yeah, but you'll only see Adam." I said jokingly, aware she had the biggest crush on Liyah's boyfriend.
"Touché." She laughed.
I walked to the trash can to throw away my bag and saw that those two girls had made their way to Farah coming outside for her lunch period as ours was ending; I wonder where Liyah and Adam are.
Liyah
Detention—yay.
I opened my locker to grab my lunch, when suddenly I felt someone grab my sides; I turned around prepared to kick said person in the family jewels only to find it was Adam.
"Did I scare you?" he asked, smirking.
"Hah, no," I said, lying through my teeth; he just laughed at my pathetic attempt as I reorganized my locker.
"Liyah, love, if you became anymore OCD we'd have to lock you up; your locker is fine; let's go."
I looked back into the metal storage unit and saw nothing but messes; my morning binder's pencil pouch's zipper was sticking out in an awkward position and a few of the papers corners were bent. I was about to reach in and fix it when it suddenly closed. I turned around to glare at Adam.
"Jesus, Liyah." He laughed and wrapped his arm around my waist as we ventured to detention.
The door was slightly ajar and it was clear right away that there was a class in there, yay.
"I don't like sophomores," Adam said right away, seeming slightly scared—I laughed.
Apparently he had a stalker that was now a sophomore at his old school and she found his address and waited on his porch for two hours.
I knocked lightly on the door and entered, dragging Adam in behind me—that was a feat in itself; his feet were glued to the floor and he weighed about fifty more pounds than I did.
"We're here," I informed the class, trudging towards Mr. Hallow while Adam said into my ear "Liyah, I think we should just leave; these people are creepy."
"Shut-up." I growled.
"What was that Miss. Cash?"
"Nothing, sir."
I looked around the class and noticed about eighty percent of the class was girls. I looked to Adam and saw he had noticed the same thing I had judging by the fearful look; he cracked me up.
"I want you to alphabetize my student files by graduation year and class period. It may take longer than what you have but lucky for you this class is not only fifth period by sixth too. What do you two have sixth period?" He grabbed a pad and pencil, apparently ready to write a note for our teachers to be excused from class.
"I'm an Art Aid."
"I'm in art as well." Adam replied. Adam was such a talented artist; he did all of our cover work and t-shirt designs. He wanted to go to Phoenix's Institute of Art after high school.
He scribbled on his pad and asked some girl with short blonde hair to take that to Mrs. Chan, the art teacher. "Get started," he said pointing over to the cluttered corner.
"Time to use your OCD for our benefit, Liyah."
"Hardy har."
After a mere forty minutes we had three graduating classes completely organized and were completely done.
"Mr. Hallow?" Adam asked.
"Yes?" The old man grunted, getting out from his chair. "Continue to work on your assignment," he ordered the class.
"We're finished."
Mr. Hallow came to us and looked over his filing cabinet, giving us an odd look. "You got six hundred records organized in forty minutes?"
"Liyah's a neat freak," he said as if that was the answer to every question ever asked.
"Hmm…" He hummed thoughtfully, "Liyah you were in my Advanced Placement class; why don't you and he assist these students."
"Of course, Mr. Hallow." Of course Mr. Hallow, I'd be glad to do your job for you while you read a porn novel.
"Class, this is Liyah Cash and…" he didn't know Adam since he didn't attend this school sophomore year.
"Adam Carey." A girl wearing a Joan Jett shirt replied, Adam snapped his head towards me—eyes wide. I laughed.
"Well this is Miss. Cash and Mr. Carey." He said again, and then got up. "I have to see Mr. Green about something, and I'll be back shortly."
I walked to the front of the room and sat on top of an empty desk, Adam standing beside me with his arm around my shoulder. Several of the girls were staring at him, I just smirked—he's mine.
"So yeah…" I began, "What are you guys doing?"
They completely ignored me, "So you guys are playing at Damien's party right?" The Joan Jett fan asked.
"Yeah, why?"
She smiled, big and bright at me and launched into this large speech, "…biggest fan…MySpace music…vocals amazing." I only heard snippets because the other kids were being really loud and she was talking really fast.
"Thanks?"
She turned and talked to the blonde beside her; I found the distraction to be a blessing and turned to Adam. "You still scared?"
"Deathly."
The ride home was just as awkward as it always is. I had Adam in the passenger's seat and Andi sulking like a five year old in the backseat. Adam didn't own a car and his mother had jury duty today so she couldn't pick him or her sister up, so guess who got to? Me!
But I volunteered so it's really not a big deal, because I loved Adam's sisters to death even if he thought they were annoying.
I had met them about two months ago at a family dinner because his parents wanted to meet me. I just told mom I was going to Farah's house and would be back at ten—she was none the wiser. It also helped that Andi had her debutant ball that evening so her hands were full.
Two Months Ago
"Dress nice," Adam had told me. I guess we're doing a formal dinner or something, no biggy. Big biggy. God, I'm nervous.
This was like a huge, huge deal; I had to impress his family or else he might not like me anymore, because I know for a fact that Adam's family was very important to him. I can't jack this up or have a hissy fit over something dumb as hell.
Okay, dress nice, dress nice. What the hell is nice? My closet was organized by color and type of clothing, yet none of it seemed appropriate. A trip to Google will clear some things up.
I got on my laptop and typed in: What colors make you feel a certain way?
I came up with quite a few websites but just chose one of the first on the list. It looked reliable so I kept reading and found what feeling people get as a result to wearing a color.
Red: Dominate…ah no. I don't need Mommy Carey thinking I'm a control freak even though I totally am.
Pink: Affectionate yet weak…no. I don't even like pink.
Orange: Impatient
Yellow: Not even going to consider it, the color annoys me
Green: Not trustful
Light blue: Imaginative
Dark blue: Intelligent
Brown: Relaxed
Brown it is.
I look through my brown dresses and smirk; this will be perfect.
I had a knee- length black skirt on over my dress and a white oxford shirt, my black converse on my feet, my heels safe in my brown faux-leather bag, and I was ready to go.
I walked upstairs and knocked on Andi's door where she and my mother were getting ready. "It's me!" I shouted through the door.
Andi opened the door wearing a yellow bathrobe with curlers in her hair. "Um, I'm leaving."
"Aliyah, your hair," My mother began. I was prepared for a bitter-sweet comment she made so frequently but instead received, "It looks nice." She smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back.
"Have fun at your ball, Andi." I told her feeling good about things now, a little nice-ness never hurt anyone…I guess.
"Tell Farah I said 'Hello'." At that moment I felt guilty about lying to them, but then I remembered that lying was to benefit Adam so I just smiled and walked out of the room.
My father was sitting on his sofa watching T.V. when I came down the stairs, "Bye dad." I told him.
He smiled and told me to be home by ten.
I got inside the Audi and drove half way to his house, stopping by the gas station to get out of my disguise and buy some gum, two bags of Twizzlers, Seventeen Magazine and a Heath Bar. I texted Adam I'd be there in ten minutes.
I gave myself a pep talk the rest of the way to his house to prepare myself for tonight's festivities.
Okay, Liyah it's almost time, we need to impress. Five rules to follow tonight, just five.
Don't curse
Don't act like a rich girl
Compliment
Be nice to his sisters
And remain calm
I pulled in front of his house—I'd been here once to drop him off, never went inside though—and got out of the car, walking up the steps to knock on the door. I was in the middle of the first knock when the door abruptly opened and I was pulled inside.
Adam was laughing hysterically trying to talk but failing miserably, "…your…face…priceless."
"You need to stop acting like a creeper!" I whisper/yelled, "I thought someone was going to murder me."
"Sorry, Liyah," he said looking down at me.
I laughed and opened my bag and pulled out the Heath Bar and handed it to him. He gave me a questioning look.
"Well you know how in the movies and stuff guys always bring their girlfriends flowers and stuff?" He nodded his head so I continued, "Well I figured I would bring you something you'd actually like because flowers are so cliché and I'd be slightly worried if you wanted any, plus I don't like how only the girl gets gifts so I figured I could eliminate some of those…expectations today's society follows." I rambled.
"Hah, thanks Lov-Liyah." He looked down at me and added, "You look really beautiful."
"Thanks." He began to lean down, ready to kiss me when a little girl ran across the room, "Yucky!"
Adam muffled a curse and smiled down at his little sister.
"Daddy wants you two to come in the living room."
Adam nodded and grabbed my hand and led me to where the rest of his family was waiting. I saw his mother first; he had all of her coloring—electric blue eyes, blonde hair, and naturally tan skin. His father shared many of the same features as him—nose, lips, and jaw. They both looked really nice, and I immediately felt better about tonight.
His sisters looked like twins, only one younger than the other. The older one's name was Hero and the younger one's name was Ophelia, I knew this because Adam had told me. Apparently his mom was big into Shakespeare and named the girls while his father chose the simple name, Adam, for him.
"Hello," Mommy Carey said—crap I need to stop calling her that.
I walked up to her, letting go of Adam's warm hand and held my hand out to shake but she surprised me by wrapping me in a hug.
"I'm Mary Carey, funny name—I know" She laughed, and I couldn't help but join in.
She then let go of me as I was introducing myself, "Aliyah Cash, but I prefer Liyah."
"Well this is my husband, Derek, and my daughters Hero and Ophelia." I nodded my head having already known all of this.
"Dinner is ready, I hope you like Chicken Alfredo with salad."
I turned to glare at Adam, "You didn't tell her I was a vegetarian?"
His mother snapped her head towards him at the same time his father started to laugh, "Don't worry, Ma I'll eat her chicken."
"You goof," I said turning my back on him
He grabbed me from behind and lifted me in the air, tickling my stomach and blowing raspberries on the back of my neck.
"My dad will shoot you if I come home with hickies and he knows Secret Service Agents!" That made him set me down.
"Adam, you are disgusting," Hero stated before walking into the kitchen. She kept giving me sour looks, hopefully once I give her the magazine I bought her and the Twizzlers I got for Ophelia they'll like me.
"I don't think she likes me." I confided.
"She'll warm up."
After realizing we were the only people left in the living room we went to join the rest of his family in the kitchen for dinner.
After settling in they started firing the questions.
"So Liyah, how exactly did you guys meet?" His father asked shoving noodles in his face. I laughed when he got pepper all over his nose.
Adam answered, "Her family has a membership at the Country Club I work at."
"So you're rich?" Hero blurted earning a glare that could rival one of my own at her eldest daughter.
"What exactly do your parents do?" Obviously his father was the more serious of the two, yet still a dork like his son based on the amount of sauce on his face.
"Well my mom doesn't work, and my father is a senator for Arizona." I said it quietly, not exactly wanting to boast that my father was a part of Congress.
Both of his parents went silent, sharing a look with one another, "Peter Cash is your father?" I nodded my head.
It was silent for about five minutes after that, no one really touching their food, just drinking their water.
"I voted for him." His dad said, twirling his ice in his cup.
I laughed at that, "I'm sure he'll be glad you did."
"She was yelling at one of Andi's friends." Adam said loudly, everyone looked at him in confusion.
"You asked how we met. She yelled at one of her sister's friends for referring to me as the "Pool Boy" and a bunch of stuff about workers rights and women's rights and stuff."
"I take it you're an activist?" Mary commented, a sparkle in her blue eyes that reminded me so much of Adam.
"Very much so; I've raised thousands of dollars worth of funds for P.E.T.A, Red Cross, People Against Childhood Cancer, and I write articles and stuff about our rights as human beings." They looked impressed by that so I continued, "My dad is very supportive of me, and informs me on all the issues and stuff like that."
"And your mother?"
"She thinks I'm wasting my time." I said it in a quiet voice not really wanting to speak of her at the moment so I changed the subject. "This is really good." I commented, pointing to my plate where I had neatly organized the noodles from the chicken, the chicken Adam hadn't gotten to yet.
"I thought you said you would eat this chicken?"
"Why dear, I'm surprised you're not going to lecture me about the butchering of animals." He said, leaning towards me and grabbing some chicken on his fork and placing it in his mouth.
"I'd prefer that the chicken didn't have to die but if it did, that it didn't die in vain." I explained, looking over at Hero and her parents who looked amused by our banter, "And one of these days I'm going to make you watch one of the documentaries P.E.T.A sent me."
He rolled his eyes and grabbed some more chicken, "Yum."
Ophelia slumped in her chair, twirling the fork on her plate, "I feel bad for the animals."
"Don't we all?" Adam commented grabbing three pieces of chicken from my plate with his bare hands.
"Adam!" I shouted, "You totally messed up my pile, not to mention you're spreading germs."
"Are you a clean freak?" Hero asked.
"Ha!" Adam laughed, "You should see her locker and her car, and her binders, and just everything. She irons her money." He turned to his parent's, "You know that one movie, 'American Psycho'? She's exactly like Christian Bale."
"So you're essentially calling me a serial killer?"
"Let me rephrase, she's like Christian Bale's character without the killing and insane qualities."
"You do know that he's a slob right?" His father said in a serious tone whilst a piece of Alfredo dangled from his mouth.
"I am extremely aware; I helped him clean his locker just the other day."
"Can you help him clean his room?" Mary asked, a silent plead in her eyes. "It's really messy, I haven't seen the floor since he was thirteen. They are bags of candy and pop cans, its nasty."
"This. Is. So. Embarrassing." Adam said, pushing his plate forward so he could lie his head down.
I ran my hand through his hair and told both of his parents—and honestly I must add—and his sisters, "Yeah, he is a pig but I find it cute." I could feel the skin of his head stretch, I knew he was smiling.
"Pigs aren't cute and neither is Adam; that's just gross." Hero was being a pain but I had to try and make an effort with her, she was Adam's sister and I…felt very strongly about him.
Too soon, I reminded myself.
"It gives me someone to clean up after and oddly enough that sort of thing makes me happy."
"So you're dating me because I'm a slob, not because you think I'm extremely amazing?"
What a jackass, "Then I'd be dating Ron Childs." Ron Childs was an obese, sweating mofo that had a bad case of B.O.
"I've seen the way you look at him." He spat back, a smirk in place.
"You're such a buffoon."
"Okay, I'd say everyone is finished eating." Derek announced, "You're mother and I will clean up. Adam give Liyah a tour of the house."
"Are you sure?" I said wanting to be helpful, "I can help…"
"Positive!" Mary said a bit too enthusiastically.
"Come on." Adam said with a serious look in his eye. He looked to his mother who gave him a big smile and mouthed something I didn't quite catch.
"Come on…" He repeated dragging me away from the kitchen. I grabbed my bag from the living room and handed him a wet nap. "What's this for?"
"You have chicken residue on your hands."
He rolled his eyes and showed me each of the rooms on the first floor. Then he took me up to the second floor.
He led me by the different doors showing me his parent's room, the guest room, Hero's room and then Ophelia's. "Where do you live?"
"I'll show you." He smiled, one of those smiles that made my heart race just because it was so perfect.
We walked down the stairs again, and he led me to a door in the living room and opened it, leading us into the basement.
"I live in the basement too, makes me feel like a castaway." I told him once we made it all the way down.
"Then we can be castaways together." I was about to laugh in his face about how cheesy that sounded when he plopped his lips on mine, stealing a kiss—not that I minded.
We stayed like that for awhile until he broke away a smile that could rival the Cheshire cat's, "I have something to give you."
"Okay…" I took that moment to look around his room, noting that it was in fact very dirty but completely him.
He walked over to his dresser and pulled a long jewelry box from his top drawer. My name was written on the painted box, I recognized it as Adam's style right away. He held it out for me, and I grabbed it from his hands.
"Um…open it." I did as I was told and opened the box.
The necklace was obviously sterling silver seeing as how the chain was so thin. A bird was towards the middle of it—not at the clasp but not at the dangling part. But the most beautiful part was the charm; a red heart. Written across it, it read 'I Love You'.
I looked up at Adam in astonishment. From what I could see he was nervous, probably alarmed by my shocked face. "I love you, Liyah."
"Adam?" I began but he cut me off.
"I know we've only been officially dating for a month but we've known each other since July and I knew then that it was you…this last month just solidified that for me. And I understand if you think this is too soon and you don't feel the same but I've wanted to tell you so I just…did." He was about to start again but this time I cut him off.
"I love you too." I was shocked at my confession yet I didn't regret it; I meant those four words with all my soul.
"You do?" I nodded my head, unable to speak due to his intense stare.
He took the necklace from my grasp and put it on me, I turned ready to kiss him again—show him how much I did love him. But I was interrupted when Ophelia hopped down the stairs, ruining the moment—again.
Just like the last time, Adam cursed then smiled at his baby sister. "Yes?"
"It's eight o'clock; mommy wants to spend time with Liyah before she has to go." Ophelia was the most adorable six year old I think I'd ever seen in her little flower dress looking bored and so much like Adam in that moment.
"Okay."
We waddled up the stairs due to each other's arms being wrapped securely around the others, still blissful after confession time.
"Liyah, honey what time do you have to leave?" Mary's eyes locked on my necklace and then smiled brightly at Adam.
"My dad said to be back by ten, but it's like a twenty minute drive because I live on the outskirts of Phoenix."
"Oh good we still have an hour and a half with you!"
The rest of the visit passed by too fast for my liking. I didn't want to go back home.
After I gave Hero her magazine and told her she had "great coloring" she was like putty in my hands—twelve year olds are so easy.
Somehow we got onto the topic of initials. Adam's were just AC because he was never given a middle name; his father said it was because he couldn't think of anything but Adam thinks it's because "he's so cool like the A.C", he's such a 'tard. Mary's were MAC, Ophelia's were OLC, Hero's were HMC, and Derek's were DGC.
"What are yours?" Hero asked me, smiling because she just loved me so—hah.
"ARC; Aliyah Rae Cash. I got like the coolest initials ever."
"You know," Hero began looking all sorts of thoughtful, "If you guys got married you'd get to keep your initials."
Adam and I looked at each other at the exact same, smiling as I said, "Yeah, I would."
Andi had a contact fitting at the eye care place so I dropped her off first saying I'd be by in an hour.
"Andi creeps me out." Adam said the second she exited the car.
"And why is that?" I asked through my giggling.
"She has cat eyes—I hate cats." That's when I full out started laughing and was completely grateful we were stuck in traffic so I could put myself together before I had to start driving.
Because even though I loved animals, cats creeped me out too; especially her kitty, Fluffly.
That thing was the Satan of cats.
AN: Had lots of fun writing the last part XD I know Andi doesn't seem to have as thick a personality as Liyah but she's a going to be the character that changes the most in this story. I had lots more fun writing as Liyah because I think she's just really awesome, but Andi's 'ight—I guess.
CRED IT TO: The lyrics Liyah sings in her room at the beginning of the chapter are 'Helena' by The Misfits, and the song in the car is 'Flood' by Tool and Henry Rollins.
Bands Mentioned: Nirvana, Tool, and Justin Beiber (Gag me, sorry if that's offensive to you). Let's see…The Pussycat Dolls, Evanescence.
Liyah's band is fictional but I'm basing her voice off of Haley Williams of Paramore, but the music is a lot heavier, and the lyrics—better. Lots of romance in this chapter but I need to work up to the action and gore.
Check out 'Black Jack' by i88 its really funny and is in its begining chaptersXD