After my pointless conversation with Melissa, I hopped in the shower.

My body refused to put me out of my misery and allow me some restful sleep.

Instead, I laid awake staring at the chipped ceiling mulling over what Alec and Kade had said to me.

How could they possibly think I belonged to them? I had just started school here, and I hardly even knew them. Yet they claimed I belonged to them, as if they had known me forever.

It would’ve been easier to ignore the twins if I wasn’t feeling this annoyingly strange connection to the two of them. Sure, they were drop d**d gorgeous but some innate part of me wanted to be around them. It was as if my instincts were pushing me closer to them while the logical side of me pulled away. Nonetheless, my body seemed to react on it’s own under the twins touches as if it wanted to be claimed by them.

I had no choice but to go to school the next day. Melissa had a day off and the last thing I wanted was to be stuck inside with her and Frank. Their arguing would torment me enough.

I pulled myself from the bed with a tired groan. I had slept a total of four hours last night.

I grained as I looked down at the d***y pile of clothes in my room. I had completely forgotton to do my laundry yesterday, leaving me with minimal options on what to wear.

I had a floral t***h high dress, a pair of extremely short shorts, and one pair of fuzzy pajama pants.

Choosing the option that would grant me the least amount of attention, I slipped on the floral dress. I paired it with an old jean jacket I had available and a pair of ratty old sneakers.

My eyes were bright and somewhat bloodshot as I stared into the mirror. I glared at the bags forming under my eyes and silently cursed the twins.

I came downstairs at the last minute, ignoring the d***h glares Melissa shot my way.

“Aurora, come here for a minute.” Melissa called out, and I ground my teeth together.

My body instinctively clenched as I approached the woman who had carried me in her womb for 9 months.

“Yes?” I pursed my lips and stared into her pale eyes.

When I had first moved in with Melissa, it hurt to look at her. Every time I looked into her pale eyes, I saw what she could’ve been. She could’ve been the Mom to teach me about boys, to take me out to the mall and spend afternoons laughing and watching movies.

She could’ve been so much more if she had only tried, if she had only cared in the slightest.

Over time I stopped seeing what she could’ve been. Now, I only saw her for what she was.

Something lurked in her pale eyes,and I knew any kindness she portrayed would be false.

“Why don’t you call the social worker and tell her you were just being dramatic.” Melissa said nonchalantly, dismissing it with a wave of her hand.

“Why would I do that?” I frowned, crossing my arms as I looked into her blue eyes.

Frank sat off to the side in his recliner, watching something on the TV. I purposefully kept my eyes away from him.

“I’ll tell you what, if you do I’ll split the checks with you.” Melissa’s voice was unusually soft, and I wondered how much effort she put into her words.

On extremely rare occasions Melissa would say or do something that made my insides hurt with longing. The softness in her voice caused a sharp pain to radiate through my chest, wishing she wasn’t putting on a cheap facade.

“Think of how much that could help for college.” Melissa pointed out, and my chest continued aching.

I had no idea she even knew of my plans for college. I certainly had never told her, and she never asked.

I clenched my teeth and fought against the pain, “Let me think about it.”

“Of course.” Melissa nodded, turning back to her task in the kitchen.

my back and headed

Her words sliced through me like a knife, and I was sure she knew the impact

entire way to Tori’s car, and for once I desperately wanted

my eyes,

thought I hardened myself against any pain Melissa

everything she could at her disposal. She knew deep down I wanted a Mom, that I wanted to be loved and accepted.

feeling alright?” Tori raised her eyebrow at me,

seconds to compose myself, and chase away the tears

forced the word from

you wanted to drop the subject,

by the way.” Tori smiled, nodding to the floral

a few years. I forgot to

me take you shopping sometime.” Tori sighed and shook her head, making her fire kissed curls

don’t have the money for clothes right now.” I raised my eyebrow at her, knowing

started, but I cut

not buying me clothes.” I shook

I already told you I wouldn’t need you to pay me back.”

maybe will you be satisfied?” I lifted my eyebrow at her, grimacing

yes I will.”

my eyes, but a smile played on my

steps away from

step away from a no.”

to maintain an A average, and turned my homework in on time. School never came hard for me,

class was just another

the table, leaving me to choose between who

two of them looked cocky and gorgeous as

my face heat uncomfortably as their

worn the fuzzy pajama

tousled to perfection while the t-shirt her wore showed off his defined arms. Alec’s hair was intoxicatingly messy, and the leather jacket he wore made

to choose who to sit next to. Kade was more stoic and serious than his

choosing, I just picked randomly. Either way I would

plopped down next to Kade and made sure the hem of my dress was tucked under my

at his brother, his eyes flickering dangerously as he looked

back of my own. There were a few wary glances from some of the

sigh, setting my books on the

wrong, sweetheart?” Kade’s rough voice was low in my ear,

wondering if I can ever catch a break.”

the innocent looks that fell on their chiseled faces. Even with my discomfort around

sweetheart?” Kade murmured

so much fun, little doll.” Alec’s devious smirk matched his

raised my eyebrow at the two of them, ignoring the feeling of blood rushing to my

grimaced at the two of them, turning my attention

fun?” Kade’s voice sounded amused, shooting goosebumps

obvious?” I mumbled, keeping my

that, brother.”

on the teacher for the remainder of class, but Alec’s words stuck with me. Something about the way he said them held some underlying

next class was

Tori as usual, but that didn’t stop Grace from being unusually

snide comments and insults, but she was growing much

little freak didn’t show

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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