Chapter 2 part 2

The rest of the day went pretty much the same. Shelly introduced me to everyone she knows. And for a drama freak, she knows a lot of people. Somewhere in between “This is my Seattle friend” and “We’re going to move in together after graduation.” Everyone started calling me Seattle. Something I’m not too worried about. At least the name doesn’t bother me… Moving in with Shelly after high school… That is something all together different.

I didn’t see the creepy guy the rest of the day. Not for a lack of trying at least. I am looking over my shoulder so many times, that people are starting to think I have a twitch. I tried to stop myself, but I couldn't stop feeling anxious all day. My entire body feels as if there is something lingering over my head. Ready to attack at any moment. The star on my neck tings every now and then as if something is coming or around the corner. It’s an odd feeling and it makes me feel even more anxious.

“Hey Seattle, you tagging along to drama too?” Seth runs up from behind Shelly and I, almost tripping over his own feet.

“I-.”

“You wish!” Shelly interrupts. “Her ride is Mrs. Erickson.”

“Good!” Seth gives me a smirk. “Then she’ll have to stay.” He throws his arm around me and pulls me closer to him “Gives me a chance to save you from Shelly.” He whispers in my ear.

“Get away from her!” Shelly demands and pushes him backwards. “She doesn’t want you touching her.”

“How would you know?” Seth pulls my waist closer. “You haven’t let the poor thing talk all day.” He pats my head like a puppy dog.

“That’s not true! She’s talked loads... Right Jazlyn?” Shelly throws her hands up as if she's talking to a gent crowd of people. Seth leans in as if he’s sheltering me. My star jumps again and I pull away from him. This time they notice me backing away and they’re waiting for me to speak.

“Well… you’ve done most of the talking today.” I try to say it with the nicest voice I can muster up. I know Shelly can be rude, but something tells me not to get on her bad side. I’m sure with all the people she knows, she could make high school hell.

“What?” Shelly snaps.

Great. I think.
Seth looks like he’s about to roll on the ground laughing.

“I. Like. You. So. Much.” Seth said in between laughing.

“But I haven’t had much to say.” I try to backtrack as Shelly looks almost livid.

“See! She’s had nothing to say!” Shelly flips her hair and turns into the theater.

“That was so awesome! I hope you stick around Jazlyn.” Seth still laughing as he walks to the door of the theater and holds it open for me.  The stage is all lit up with a cardboard town.

“Little shop of horror.” Seth’s voice is horse as he whispers behind me.
It makes me jump and hold my breath.

“You sure are jumpy”

“If you stop creeping up behind me, maybe I wouldn’t be!” I insist as I start to walk down the aisle.

“Oh that’s no fun.” Seth is smug now. I can almost feel his chest puff up with pride. 

Shelly’s comment about the blue scarves from this morning enters back into me.  - “I thought you were doing Grease?”

“It's a theater Café". He says in the best French accent he can find

“What’s that?”

“You know.  Skits from different plays mashed together.”

He gives me a little shoulder bump and runs down to the stage with the other kids. I can't see Stephanie anywhere. I’m not sure what time it is or when the drama club starts. But it is entertaining just watching the kids interact with each other.

"Come on! Come on!" Shelly yell at the other kids from across the stage.
But no one listens to her. Some girls on the left side of the stage are chatting and laughing together. Tom is mixed with them. While Russ talks to some girl I haven't met yet. The girl is sitting on the stage while he is standing next to the stage. It’s not long for Seth to payback Russ for this morning’s attack. Seth runs down as fast as he can towards Russ and jumps over him smacking Russ on the head. He jumps so high he reaches the stage. The girl that’s talking to Russ shields herself just as Seth hit the stage. Russ quickly reacts and catches Seth's left leg and pulls him back. Seth slams onto the stage kicking and screaming at the top of his lungs. Russ holds on tight and pulls Seth to the ground. I can see Shelly trying to say something but she’s drowned out by Seth and Russ wrestling around on the ground.

“It’s amazing those two haven’t killed each other.” Stephanie says softly as she sits down next to me.

“Y…. Yeah.”  I mutter as I jerk back in my seat. Why is everyone so quiet here? Stephanie doesn’t seem to notice that I jumped in my seat. She just keeps looking at the other kids.

“How was your first day?” she asks.

“Fine” I mutter again.

“How are your classes?” Stephanie pushes.

“Fine”

“How are the kids?”

“Their cool.” I shrug my shoulders just as Seth bolts out a scream of pain from the stage. Why didn’t Stephanie do something?

“Okay. Are you going to be one of those kids that say more then two words… or am I going to have to pull it out of you?” Stephanie hoofs and put her hands on her hips. But she keeps a smirk on her face as she looks at me.

I didn’t realize I wasn't really talking to her, I’m too transfixed on Seth and Russ wrestling around on the stage. Everything else seems to fade in the background.  But Stephanie’s eyes never leave my face, so I throw her a “Maybe.” And a smile just incase that isn’t enough.

“Okay. Maaaayyyybe.” She gives me a wink before she goes on. “I have to be here for the rehearsal. We’re only running lines today. Shouldn't take long, maybe an hour.  Do you want waiting?”

“Sure. I can wait.”

“Great. On the way home I’ll show you the way if you want to walk tomorrow. – Tomorrow will be a longer rehearsal.” She flashes another smile and heads over to the other kids.

I watch Stephanie demand the attentions of the other kids, and wait for them to split into three groups. They each ran lines to three different plays. It’s all kind of boring. So I grab the book from my English class and started to read it. – The 5th wave.  I’ve already read it. But since it was between this and Anne of Green Gables, I decided a good alien book is just what I need. If only a Ben could save me from the creepy guy. I think as I grab the book out of my bag and lean back to put my feet on the back of the seats in front of me.

I got to chapter two when I felt something cold on my knee. I look up from my book and find an old small man standing there beside me. He’s as tall as the seats and leans on a small cane with his right hand.  I jump up to let him through the row. His long hair droops from the back of his ears. He shuffles past me with his cane. .

“Pardon madam. Ar yo the Str?” His voice is rusty and scratchy. I could hardly hear him- he’s so low, so small.

“I’m sorry?” I scoop down closer to him.
The man turns towards me and smiles.

“I was….”

He trips as he turns around to look at me and falls to the ground at my feet. I look around but no one notices anything. I’m sure he’s too short to even be seen from the stage. Great. Of all the aisle he walks down mine?  I fall down to help him up. My necklace swoops down too. His eyes tighten as he grabs my star and yanks it down for a closer look.

“The North Star.” He hiss. “You're the North Star!”

Chapter 2 part 1

The man from last night looks even creepier in the daylight. His dark black hair falls across this face as he glares at me with is beady eyes. 

I can hear Stephanie ramble off about the school mascot and something about a game this weekend. But I don’t take my eyes off of the man. There is something about him- something that makes the color in face flush out. I feel dizzy and mystified. My legs twitch and scream for me to run.

For a brief  hope moment I thought the star on my necklace would be a since of strength for me. At the very least hope. But the star starts to tickle my neck; as if it’s ready to jump off my neck.  He takes a step forward on the street and I jump out of whatever trance I’m in. My eyes leave him and I quickly step towards Stephanie and gasp.

“Stephanie, do you know who that man is?”

“What man?” She turns quickly to look at me, and then across the parking lot.

“The one across the street.” My voice brakes with nerves. But I couldn’t look back towards him.

“I don’t see a man across the street.”  Her voice sounds worried as if she expects something to happen.

I can feel the stunned expression on my face, I inhale deeply before she notices it.

“He’s right there.” I turn back, pointing my finger to where he was. But he isn’t there any more. I scan around like a bee searching for its flower. But there’s too many kids walking across the street. 

“He was…”
Gone, I can’t see him anywhere. My eyes franticly scan the road once more. Did he move closer?  I can’t see… kids from every direction start to storm the street. 

“He was right there.” I stumble to stay.

“What did he look like?” She said quickly.  She pauses and took a breath.  “Maybe I know him.”

Suddenly I feel ridiculous, foolish to the point of no return. How could I be so stupid? It's my first day and I'm already making Stephanie panic. Before you know it, she’ll be looking over her shoulder for a creepy guy. She’ll end up too scared to go home alone. Insist everyone have a code when we call her on the telephone. She’ll end up crazy in the loony bend and Wade will blame me for this moment, this time, when I said I saw a man across the street that really isn’t there.  okay , this isn't rational thinking.

I clamp my teeth and hold my breath for some sign that I'm going crazy. But the longer we stand there,  the more I think I am. I must be crazy... right?

“Mrs. Erickson, Mrs. Erickson! I have a great idea for the Play!” A girl with long blond curly hair comes running up to us and I can finally breathe again.

“I found this blue scarf online and I think it would be really cool if all of the pinks ware them. Then we could change them from the pinks to the blues and make them all sing blues songs. What do yu think? Great! Isn’t it???” She says quickly,   barely taking a beat.

“Wow Shelly that’s an idea. Why don’t you bring it up in group today?”

Stephanie’s voice is a little sharp in the end, although she doesn't notice Shelly being taken back by her abruptness.  I’m guessing shelly isn’t used to being blown off. Around Shelly stood about ten other kids who seem to be listening to every word she says.  Shelly tosses her hair off her right shoulder and rolls her eyes at Stephanie.

“But Mrs. Erickson I’ve already talked to the group and they love the idea. You would too if you just listen to me. I know you’ll see that it’s the best idea for the Play.” Shelly demands. Shelly’s last comment startles me. I can’t believe anyone would talk to a teacher like that – let alone Stephanie.  But Stephanie doesn't respond to Shelly’s rudeness.
“Mrs. Erickson?” Shelly sighs “Hello?”

Stephanie isn’t even looking at Shelly by now. Her eyes were scanning the parking lot just as I had been before Shelly came up.  Great

“Shelly. We will discuss this matter in group. I don’t care if you told everyone to love the idea- we always discuss new changes in the proper way.” Stephanie snaps at Shelly- but her eyes never leave the crowd. 

“Fine!” Shelly rolls her eyes- looks me up and down with discuss, and turns to leave. Stephanie grabs Shelly’s shoulder before she gets to far. 

“Shelly, this is Jazlyn and she’s starting her first day.” Stephanie gives me a quick wink. “She’s from Seattle.”
Shelly’s face went from discuss to sparkling. Her eyes shine as if she just found a shining new penny.

“Really? What’s it like? I bet you had so much to do there. There’s nothing to do here, you’ll see. Why did you move here anyways? Did you go to the theater a lot? Were you in a band? Did you see any of those underground concerts? You have to tell me everything! That’s where I’m going to go after high school. I would go now, -my older sister lives there. But my mother says there’s no way she would let me quite school. So I’m stuck here for another two years. Can you believe that? I mean I could go live with my sister and then I could take acting classes at U-Dub. And start my real life. – no offence Ms. Erickson, but I could be such an amazing actress with professional training.”

“None taken, Shelly. But we really should get Jazlyn to the office.” Stephanie interrupts.

“I’ll take her. I am a school ambassador; they’ll probably just call me anyways.”

“That’s up to Jazlyn.” Stephanie said with a quick look to me.

They both stand there waiting for me to say something. It’s silly of me. But I didn’t want to leave Stephanie alone with the creepy guy lurking around. Although part of me still wonders if he’s real or a figment of my imagination.

“Sure, that’s fine.” I blurt out, trying not to think about creeper.

“Sweet! I’m sure we’ll be great friends. Maybe we could be roommate in Seattle.” Shelly giggles at the thought

“First just get her to her classes….Okay?” Stephanie said as she bit her lower lip.

“Don’t worry about it Mrs. Erickson, she’ll be fine.” Shelly grabs my arm as we walk past Stephanie. “So, this isn’t Seattle or anything, but we have a pretty good drama group, if you like drama, we also have the best football team in the town. Go lions, you could try out for the cheerleading team…. Well next year. You have a great figure, you should really try out.” 

In the back of my mind I can hear Shelly ramble on as we walk up to the front Hall but I stopped listening as my eyes caught another glimpse of the deep blue eyes from last night.  Hypnotized, I take in a closer look. If he wasn't staring me down, and completely creaping me out right now. I would find him handsome. -Tall, dark with a mysterious touch. Dressed in a black leather jacket,  that makes his 5 o'clock shadow seem like it's ment to be there.

He reached the school before us and now he is leaning against the wall judging every movement I make. My heart starts to raise, as he keeps his eyes on mine. Luckily the kids that are following Shelly seem to suddenly be in a hurry and storm pass us. Right in between me and the guy in black.  I pick up the pase, and somehow I make it into the school. 

“Shelly, do you know who that man is?” I whisper as the doors of the school closed behind us.

“No but he’s the next pedophile if you ask me. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of me.  Did you see that?”

“Um.. yeah it was creepy.”

“Oh my gash!” Shelly drops her arm from mine and holds her breath.

“What?” I quickly turn around to look behind us.

“It’s Tom, he’s so gorgeous! We’re in drama together, and I just know he’s going to ask me to the winter formal. It’s just a matter of time.”
The last part of what Shelly said came out in a whisper. 

“Hey Shelly what’s cooking?” a boy from behind us came walking up.

“Seth, guess what! Jazlyn saw the pedophile too!” Shelly face is smug and proud as she continues. “I told you he was real!”

Seth is about the same height as me with black curly hair. His hair style makes him look like he was just dropped off at a California beach.

“Oh… so, now there are two crazy chicks here…. Cool!” Seth smiles and sticks his hand out. “I’m Seth.”

“Well, I am starting to feel crazy that’s for sure."

I take his hand and he gives me a small wink. The star on my necklace suddenly starts to burn and jump on my chest again. I jump back and pull away from Seth as fast as I can. Neither Shelly nor Seth notices me jumping backwards. Because another boy, that looks exactly like Seth, came running up smacking Seth in the back of this head. Seth barrels behind chasing the other boy.

“That was Russ. His brother if you couldn’t tell.” Shelly’s eye lingers back to Tom across the hall.

Tom looks a bit smug to me. He's handsome that's for sure,  but he it seems like he knows thats.  Which I hate guys like that. At the moment that Shelly is dreamily staring at him, he’s talking to some blond hair blue eye girl. -And with a cocky smile on his face too. Good luck with that.  I think to myself.

“Yeah, I can see the resemblance.” I answer Shelly. I turn back to the front doors.  Tangling the star in my fingers, as I peer around looking for anything in black. I sigh in relief that creepier is no where to be seen. He’s not even lingering in the doorway anymore.

“I would hate to be a twin. You never have any time alone. ya know?  Then again, you’d always have a friend around… that would be pretty cool.” Shelly seems to be talking to herself at this point.

We walk into the school office just off to the left. There’s a frumpy redhead woman setting at the front desk.

“Hello Shelly. What’s it this morning?” the red head women says without looking away from her computer. I get the feeling she’s expecting Shelly.

“Miss Oak. The pedophile is back. Even Jazlyn saw him this morning.”
“How many times have you seen him?” I whisper so only Shelly could hear me.

“He’s been hanging around the school for a week now, just waiting for some poor weak kid to follow him home.” Shelly raises her voice so that everyone in the office could hear her.

“Calm down! I’ve already told you that he’s a parent of one your classmates. But I will have Principle King go out and have a talk with him, again.”

Miss Oak still doesn’t look up from her computer. She bits her nails on her right hand and tightens her eyes at whatever she’s reading. Yep. Shelly annoys her every morning. Awesome. 

Miss Oak continues without missing a beat.  “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Yes!” Shelly snaps back.

Miss Oak whips her head around to look at us. I can see the annoyance in Miss Oak’s face, become more instance.

“Um, Yes Please.” I interrupt Shelly, before she has time to say something rude and impropriate. “I’m Jazlyn Love. Today is my first day here. My foster mother said that my transcripts should be here.” I throw in a smile to make up for the fact that I am with Shelly.

“Oh, good heavens child. Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” Miss Oak starts grabbing paperwork “Your not Ms. Erickson’s new foster child, are you?”

“Yes of course she is. How many new students do you have starting today?” Shelly pips in.

Truth be told, I’m glad Shelly said something even if it was rude. I didn’t know much about the new family I’m living with and for the life of me, their last name just popped out of my head. But I still gave Shelly a stop it look with my eyes

“Oh! She has been waiting to find you for such a long time!” Miss. Oak ran over with a pen in her hand grabbing forms that hung in bends along the way. “Tell me. Don’t you just love her already?”  Miss Oak lays the forms in front of me and places the pen down for me. She leans her elbows on the desk with starlight eyes. At least she isn’t annoyed by me. 

“Yeah, Stephanie seems cool.” I say without thinking as I start to fill out the forms, which most of the information, I don’t know. Like the phone number and address.

Miss Oak clears her throat “Its Mrs. Erickson here dear.”

“Right. I’ll have to get used to that. I’ve never lived with a teacher before.” I feel a bit uneasy, stupid and nervous, as I look over the forms again. The only thing I know is  my name. “I’m sorry” I blush. “I don’t know the rest.”

“Of course dear, we’ll get all of that from Mrs. Erickson.” Miss Oak reaches down to grab a printout from the printer. “Here are your classes. Shelly will pick you up from each class and take you to the next. – Shelly here’s your pass.”  Miss Oak hands Shelly a big green pass that says. “I’m with the new kid.”  Shelly wraps it around her neck like she has done this a million times.

“Jazlyn please let me know if there is any problems with your classes.”

“Um, thanks.” I take the list from Miss Oak and start to head out.

“Be sure Mr. King, talks to the freak outside.” Shelly adds before we leave the office.

“That was strange.” I mutter.  I look over my classes that Miss Oak gave me. They were the same classes I had in Seattle- Chemistry, World History, French, English, Algebra, and Biology. – All the same and in the same order.

Chapter 1 part 5

It is colder in Kennewick than Seattle. There isn’t snow on the ground or anything, it’s just cold. - Sunny, cold and windy. I already hate it. The wind from last night is still blowing, although not as badly.  But it feels like it cuts right through me. Like sharp knives as it blows past me.  It made me miss the calming sound of the rain in Seattle. At least in Seattle, I knew I would get wet.

I already miss the mountains too and the forest trees outside of the old house. Kennewick seems more open and brown.  Everything just looks… dead. I didn’t think there was a place in Washington this brown. But here I am. Every plant, grass, flower, is dead.  Or maybe it just seems that way to me.

“Here.” Stephanie tosses a sweater at me, before she walks around the car. “You’ll want that this morning.”

The sweater feels warm, I throw it around my arms as fast as I can and climb in the car. 

“Thanks” I say between chattering teeth.

“I’m sorry we keep giving you stuff. But it will stop soon.”

“Soon? I thought this was the last gift?” I twist the necklace in my fingers. Already afraid I'll lose it.

“Yes of course that’s the last one. But everything is new for you, and we’ve been waiting for you.”

“What do you mean waiting for me?”

“I mean.” She poses for a moment. “You’re the first kid we’ve had. So it’s new for us too.” She says apologetically.

“It’s okay.” I chuckle a little. “It’s just a bit much to take in.”

“Yeah…. Sorry.” She bites her lip. “Did you at least sleep well?”

“Yes, everything is nice, Except….” I hesitate thinking about the night’s events. Do I tell her about creepy guy?  It takes me all of 5 seconds to decide not to tell her. She would surly kick me out for being crazy.  “…except for the wind.”  I mutter.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you about our wind storms. We have the best wind storms." She says with excitement.  "I always sleep so well when they come around. But then again, I did grow up around wind. You’ll get use to them.”

“Seattle had them too. But normally you can see them coming. Last night there wasn’t any sign of a storm.”

“I know, right?  It’s so different here. The weather changes quickly.  You’ll see, by the time this afternoon comes around you’ll be dieing to take your sweater off. That’s the part I hate about here, you never know what to wear.”

“That must be frustrating.”  I mutter softly.

We pull into the school’s parking lot and yet again Stephanie shows off her perfection. We weren't too early that anyone would notice the new freak and we weren’t late.

“I teach theater at the high school. So you can find me there if you need anything.”

“Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I assured her, and myself.

“Well, at least that’s where you’ll go when you want a ride home” She smiles as she gets out of the car.

Just as I get out of the car, my eyes caught a touch of black across the street. A chill runs down my spine, as I realize It’s him. The dark man from last night.

Chapter 1 part 4

By the time the alarm goes off at 6:00 the next morning; my arm is sore from clenching the boot all night. The rest of my body doesn’t feel so great either. The bed of course is perfect. But I didn’t sleep much after the storm hit. - If you could call it a storm. There wasn’t any rain like in Seattle. – Just wind that blew until five o-clock in the morning. I kept going in and out of sleep. When I did sleep, I just kept seeing the creepy man from outside. I’m not sure which one kept me up more. – The creepy guy, or the tree hitting the side of the house.

Since I slept with the boot all night, I decided its only fitting to ware the shoe all day. After a quick peek out the window, and get the all clear.  This is a good sign. I just wish I could kick the feeling of being watched.

In the closet I find a plain black t-shirt, some jeans, and a pair of hot pink arm warmers. - for a bit of color.   Then make my way to the bathroom. I still had the clothes from yesterday on, so I move quickly through the hallway. Hoping I wouldn’t run into Stephanie on the way. But the house is oddly quite and I’m in and out of the shower before I hear any noises from the other room.

The shower felt nice and calming. And I hate to say it but the new clothes feel quite good too. Not sure if the clothes will help at school. But they fit perfectly and that’s better than the baggy clothes I brought with me.

I never needed much to find new friends. I’ve “started over” in so many schools; I am almost a pro at finding someone to talk to. But I can’t help but see my imperfections this morning. My long red hair is turning darker. It won’t be long before its auburn. The darker my hair gets, the lighter my skin looks. I have been teased in the past, about being a vampire because of how light my skin is. I have to admit, it dose look like I’ve been hiding up in Alaska all my life.

My eyes don’t help much either. I have light green eyes. Not the green that other people have, that dark deep forest green that looks so good, in the light. Nope. I have to have the light color, which some times changes to blue when ever they feel like it. This morning they were bright neon green like an alien from space.

I’m also the "Aren’t you eating?" kind of skinny. Which makes me walk funny. Well, that’s what Katty use to say. Katty was my best friend from my last foster house.  “You look like you’re trying to move your butt.”  she would say. I never feel that way, but, she always told me the truth, whether I liked it or not.

When you put everything together, I’m a skinny, little, vampire-white, redhead, with neon green eyes. I always seem to stick out like a sore thumb. No matter if I am the new kid, or not. Maybe it’s not that I make friends easily. Maybe it’s they feel sorry for the new freak at school, that they just have to say something to me.  
 
“Perfect.” I roll my eyes at myself before I leave the bathroom. As soon as I open the door the smell of pancakes and eggs hits my stomach with a thud. My stomach growls loudly in response. I didn’t notice how hungry I was.  Although I guess I should have expect it. I did skip dinner last night.

“Hello.” The man said as I slowly enter the Kitchen. “I’m thinking you must be Jazlyn. Am I right?” He grins “I’m Wade.”

Wade is a lot taller than I had expected last night. He looked shorter from the second floor window. He must tower over Stephanie when they stand together.

“Would you like some pancakes?” 

“Sure, Thanks.” I mutter and head over to sit at the bar in front of the stove, where Wade is cooking at.

“Stephanie should be down soon, she’s having a hard time getting out of bed this morning. I should warn you, she’s not a morning person.”

He had the same welcoming smile on his face that Stephanie did last night. It was bizarre and yet oddly forilur. Sitting there watching Wade flip a pancake,  I suddenly got the feeling that, I've done this before. We have done this before.  We have chated over uncooked pancakes, about God knows what somewhere in my past. I just didn't know when or where. No that can't be. Where would I have met them before?

“It’s nice to see another morning person in the house; it’s been like the living dead around here, far to long.”

“What are you talking about? I get out of bed.” Stephanie says as she came up next to Wade. She reaches up on her toes to give Wade a kiss on his cheek. Wade leaned sideways to help her reach him faster. It all looks like a well rehearsed play. Like we've all done this a hundred times.

“Look I’m up now?”  She smirks and gave a little twirl in the kitchen.

“Yes, honey you are. But….”

“But what?”

“You’ll see Jazlyn, once you know what you’re doing around here. You’ll be hard press to find her anywhere in the morning.”  He cracks a smile on the side of his mouth, and hands me a plate with two pancakes and some eggs.

“That’s not fair. I haven’t had a reason to get up before eight, before Jazlyn came.”  She flutters her eye lashes at Wade, looking like an innocent child.

“hummm Jazlyn, it looks like you’ve already made a difference in this house. You made Stephanie get out of bed!”

“Well at least I can stay up past five, you old man!” Stephanie blushes at Wade as he hands her some pancakes. “You don’t fool me. I know you sleep at the fire station.”

I’ve never seen anything like them. Or maybe I have?  But they actually like each other and spent time with each other. They generally seemed like they were having fun. Wade kept calling Stephanie the living dead, and Stephanie kept saying how old he is. -Yet neither one of them got upset. They seem... Perfect! So freakishly perfect.

I keep my mouth full as they talk back and forth. Hoping they won’t notice that I’m not perfect too.  But it’s not long before Stephanie asks if I’m ready to leave.

“Wait! You can’t go yet.” Wade interrupts. “We haven’t given her gift yet.”

“You don’t have to give me anything.” I blurt out without thinking.

It feels odd saying it. I’ve never been in this situation before. Most of the time, my foster parents barely talk to me or each other, let alone give me a ton of stuff.

“I know we don’t have to give you something, we’re just that kind of people. We do a lot of things without having to do them.” Wade says with a wink.

“Don’t worry Jazlyn. I know it seems like a lot right now, new clothes, new bedroom, new shoes, bags, makeup, -heck new house.” a twinkle of light hit her eye just right as she smiles. Freaken perfect. “But after this, you anit getten nothin tell Christmas. Think of all of this as an early Birthday gift.”

“My birthday is in January.”

“Yeah we know.” Wade can’t help himself. He's like a kid at a candy store.

“It’s October.” I protest.

“Okay… okay… we promise. We won’t give you anything else until Christmas, after this, of course.” Stephanie winks her right eye as she places a small blue box in front of me.

I’m in the twilight zone!  Who are these people and where did they come from? They’re so strange. They both look more excited to give this to me, than if they just won a billion dollars. Wade is almost jumping out of his seat, and Stephanie keeps studying my face, as if she’s worried I won’t like it. I better open it and get this over with, before they both grab it and open it for me.

I slowly untied the little white bow on the box and open the lid. I’m not sure what I’m expecting, a ring, or earrings. But there in blue satin laid a sliver necklace with a star inlaid in a circle. The star is breathtaking. I can’t really tell what color the star is, it seemed to sparkle and change colors as I move it in between my fingers.

“Read the back!” Wade jumps up; he’s almost lying across the counter now, to get a better view of the necklace.

On the back of the star there is an engraving.

The North Star
To guide them all

“Pretty cool yah.” Wade is back on his feet. “Dude, just think about it, you get to tell them all what to do. That’s totally awesome!”

I can’t help but smile at Wade. What he just said. Is the sillest thing I've ever heard from an adult.  Especially from such a huge guy like him.

“Thank you, it’s beautiful.” I breathe. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful, it’s hard to take my eyes off of it.

“You are most welcome. So, shall we go Jazlyn? We don’t want to be late on your first day.” Stephanie seems much calmer than Wade. Or maybe she sees how uncomfortable I am. Either way it’s nice not to have both of them acting like teenagers.

“Yeah, let’s go.” I whisper, still staring at the star.

I didn’t really want to start a new school. But I can’t stand being here any longer. I throw the necklace around my neck and just as I did, two things happened. First the lights in the kitchen spark and flash off.  And the window in the kitchen burst open with a gust of wind. Both Wade and Stephanie look at each other,  as if there's something they're not saying.

Wade laughs “You guy’s go. I’ll take care of this.

Chapter 1- part 3

It’s the middle of the night before another thought enters my mind.

“CRACK, BANG” the noise knocked me out of my dreamless sleep. And I fly up as I hear the banding again.- it’s coming from the bedroom.  I could hear things moving in the other room. – shifting. I suddenly get the feeling that I'm not alone.

A breeze of coldness came through a small opening of the closet door.  It sends shivers down my spine.  luckily the lights are still on in the bedroom. I slowly crawl to the door to peek through. 

“CRACK” I jump back deeper into the closet. Was that louder then before? My mind races through the house, and everything I know about it. But I’m too tired; I can’t remember everything that would make that sound. Another breeze sores through the doorway.  I try harder to think about my room and what’s in there that could crack, bang or pop for that matter.

I keep my eyes on the little slit of light through the doorway. -Waiting to see if something or someone walks past it.  What will I do if someone is there?  I think in horror.

I search around me but the only thing around me is clothes and shoes.... shoes! I look closer at the shoes. Digging at them really.  There isn’t many dress shoes. Not that I would ever ware high heals, but they sure would come in handy while I'm poking someone’s eye out or something.   The only heal shoes were ones with big bulky heals. So I grab the next best thing- A big bulky boot. Maybe I could hit hard enough to knock them out?

  I slowly make my way to the door just as another “crack” hits again in the bedroom. I peek out into the room, holding the boot in my right hand, readying to swing if needed. Another breeze hits my face as I lean closer to the door. Nothing has been moved in the room. At least not that I can tell from the view I'm in . – I’m still kneeling low, as I hunch over to see around. Not sure what I could kill with my boot… I stand up slowly.

My blood races cold through my body, as I stand there waiting for what ever is out there to come into view. But nothing comes, just another crack and breeze.

“You can do this.” I whisper. You can!  I raise the boot and hold it with both hands over my head. Feeling a little ridiculous; I slowly open the door with my elbow. The breeze storms in with vengeance, caughting the closet door along its way. I stand there frozen, looking like an idiot with my boot in the air. - but I don't move.

My eyes fly around the room, as I prepare myself for the endeavor attack. But it doesn't come.  I turn back and forth. I'm ready.  I think.  ready… ready to…. To….  Boot someone.

But no one is there. My breathing becomes slower. When I see the window above the desk is open. I check the room one more time to confirm I'm alone. But before I can scan the room fully, a gust of wind knocks be backwards. 

I stumbled two steps back and then hear.
"CRACK"- the tree outside hits the side of the house, almost violently. I relax my arms but keep the boot in my right hand as I walk into the bedroom. 

The photo frames on the dresser are knocked over, and the flower calendar on the wall is whipping around in the wind. The alarm clock has fallen onto the floor.

Still not sure if I am alone; I look behind myself just to make sure. I move to the window.  I didn’t even realize it was open last night.  Was it open?

Once I look around the room one more time. I put the boot on the desk and reach up to close it. I pull it downwards towards me and struggle to do it. I only manage to get it half way before the wind blows hard again. Making the tree hit the side of the house. I duck out of the way, but the branch still catches my hand with a "wack"

Stupid tree. I cradle my hand as I watch the wind blow in and out of the trees on the street. The tree across the street are folding over, and someone’s garbage can is rolling down the street.

I pull the window completely shut and lock it into the frame. I watch the trees dance a little longer and then notice   something move in the shadow of the street light. Something that isn’t right with the storm. It’s strong enough to stand without being knocked over.  I look closer; it’s hard to see past the tree in our yard. But whatever it is, it didn’t move far.

A Man. He’s hard to see. He looks like he’s dressed all in black, and he has dark black hair. Its his face I see through the window. The street light makes his white skin shine in the darkness, although not much of his skin is showing. I can only make out his eye. Their staring right at me.

Something about him makes my blood rushes cold and my body starts to scream to run. But where would I go? He is watching me. Captivate I stand there frozen looking out the window at him. Well, almost frozen, I manage to slowly reach down and pick up my boot.  But I don’t take my eyes off of him.

He takes a step onto the street and moves closer to the house. I grab my boot even tighter.  He only takes three steps forward when a car drives past him; pushing him backwards a little. My heart starts to race. As his eyes leaves mine and heads towards the car pulling into the driveway of the house. The house I am in! 

A tall large man climbs out of the car and run into to the house. He doesn’t even notice the dark man in the shadows. I can’t see much of man runing, but I’m sure it’s Wade. Stephanie said he’d be working late.  I shift back to the man across the street. But he isn’t where I left him. I scan the front yard.-nothing. Across the street, down the street, there is nothing. The dark man isn’t there. I can hear in the distance the front door close. I hold my breath as I try to listen. 

“Burr” a voice from the hall say softly, just as the tree whacks the side of the house again. He takes off his shoes near the front door and makes his way up the stairs on the other side of the house.  “That’s Wade for sure.” I whisper in relief. I try to calm myself. But it’s not working, my heart is still pounding.

I keep looking outside of the window, but I still can’t see much. I run over to the light and flip it off. -hoping I'll see farther down the street with the light off. Really hoping I'll see the dark man walking away.

I head back to the window with my boot in the air. I can see more detail in the darkness, but no lurking dark man to be seen. I'm not sure how long I stood there… twenty, thirty minutes maybe? -I don’t see him again. My body becomes weaker and sleeper by the minute. I feel sore from sleeping on the floor, and cold air in the room is still giving me goose bumps. I take the boot and climb into bed. Trying to keep my eyes open and aware, but it isn’t long before the melody of the wind swept the darkness away, and the evil with it. 

Chapter 1- part 2

“Hey.”  I mutter, as I tried to remember to breathe.  You'd think I'd be use to this. But I'm not.

“Won’t you come in?” 
“Sur…” I began to say.
  “No!” Ms. Starling interrupts. “Thank you, Stephanie. I need to start heading back to Seattle.”

“Can’t you stay for a drink?” Stephanie says. She doesn’t take her eyes off of me.  
   I start to feel like I'm in a 1920's show. An image of Ms. Sterling in a rustic top hat appeared in mind. She waves a wand and shouts to a mass of people. Come and get one. My arms feel heavy as I picture them chained up with a bunch of other kids. This one can dance, that one can read… how about a cook? We’ve got them all! I make the image of Ms. Starling snap back her head with an evil laugh.

  I chuck back a small smirk as I pop the image out of my mind. Unlike my mind, which is more vivid than I want, the rest of my body still feels dizzy and weak.

   Ms. Sterling rambles on about her long day. I know she’ll stop at a hotel on the way back. Maybe even go shopping tomorrow at the outlet mall she pointed out on the way here.  Perhaps even see the movie she talked briefly about. But she’ll calm all of it, of course , “for the children.” As she pats the invisible crown on top of her head, she tries desperately to hang on to.

    She can always make such a little task seem as if it’s the hardest thing ever. But, I know her better than that. I see through the stories she give to others.  I wait as she creates the angel halo around her head for Stephanie.  But I know I'm really waiting for the last lie she always says to me.

“Jazlyn, this is Stephanie Erickson, I’m sure you’ll be happy here.”  She gushes a smile at me, and turns to walk away. 
-There it is. Her famous last six words. - I’m sure you’ll be happy here. The lie she always says when she drops me of with strangers.

   Ms. Starling is to her car before I turn around. But not before I catch a glimpse of her hair blowing wildly in the wind. That brings back another smirk to my face. I know how much Ms. Starling hates to get her hair messed up. It’s almost like the wind is giving my last words for me.

  Stephanie and I watch the car pull away. – leaving without me. I stand in the doorway, unwilling to move, and resisting the desire to run after the car. I know in my mind it won’t help, but my body screams in agony. Deep down I know there will be no peace for by muscles tonight. – I hate this.

“You can call me Stephanie.” She smiles and with a faint twinkle in her eye. She must be new at this.  “Come on in, I’ll show you around.”

Her dark brown hair flows as she steps aside to let me walk through the doorway. This is it, the moment where the abyss will swallow me up. I’ll have to go inside this cold dark house.

   Although, the house isn't really dark, it is pretty bright for being nighttime. She must have every light in the house on. But it still feels dark to me. I’m sure it’s the unknowing part, the not knowing what’s next or what to expect. I hate not knowing. I hate the feeling that at any moment the bottom could and probably will, fall out.

I take a deep breath and step inside. I walk right into a small front room with earth colors everywhere. Greens, blues and browns seem to dance in the light of the room. The house suddenly feels open and warm, like a distant memory.

The image of the kitchen, which should be the next room, floods my mind. I feel a wave of energy run through my body, as I see each room, one after another inside my head. I’m not sure what’s going on. But I know how each room looks, smells, and feels like. Everything about this house -I know.

The kitchen has a chef theme. Little porcelain chef’s line the window seal and around the dark blue granite counter tops. Dark wood cabnites hung above the counter and seam to dance with the little herb garden sitting on the breakfast bar.

On the other side of the dinning room there are stares which lead to the master bedroom. –They have a copper brown comforter on their bed, and a strong small of…. tulips?

Down the hall there’s an office with pictures of the world around the walls and two very large bookcases. The basement holds a family room with a flat screen TV and the laundry room with dancing cows on the wall. 

I freeze again. But this time I hold my breath and close my eyes. I can’t believe I remember this house. When have I been here? I can’t find a single moment where I’d been here. But than again, there is half my life I don’t remember. But I’ve never heard of Kennewick before today. Yet here I am, in a house, where I’ve been before. 

“Are you okay?” Stephanie’s voice seems to ring in the air.

I don’t want to answer her. I want to find the memory. I want to keep the feeling of familiarity inside me. -If I speak, would it all go away? Her eyes peer into my face, burning the left side of it.  She’s waiting for me to say something, or maybe she’s just waiting for me to breathe. I don’t know. But I will have to try and remember later- maybe tonight, before I let out the real tears inside of me.

“I’m fine.” I sigh after a minute.
“Are you sure? You look a little flushed. Do you want some water, or something to eat?”
“No. I’m fine, it’s just…” I’m not sure what I was about to tell her.
“Déjà Vu?” she answers for me.
“yeah.” I hesitate.
“You know what they say about Déjà vu?”
“What?”
“It means your going in the right direction, because you’ve already been there.” Stephanie winks and bumps my arm as she walks past me.

   I didn’t realize she had closed the door and took my bag from me, while I was breathing the house in. She’s either very quick or I’m completely out of my mind.  I’m leaning toward the second one.

We walk around the house as she shows me each room. Amazingly, every room is exactly how I saw it in the doorway. Clean, organized, and open. The smell of lilies in the kitchen, Oak in the office, even the TV room looks exactly like the picture inside my mind. - It’s a strange feeling. 
 
  By the time Stephanie stops in front of the room at the end of the hall, I know which room it is. -My room.

“I’m sure you’ll want to get settled” She sets my bag on top of the bed and starts to head out the door. “Wade, my husband, is working late tonight, he’s a fireman. I’m sure you’ll meet him tomorrow. He’s one of those annoying morning people.” She sighs. “I work at the high school, so I’ve already signed you up. I hope that’s okay.”
“Okay.” That’s all I could say. It’s hard enough to get that out. I could feel the lump in my throat. – I’m starting to lose it.

“Are you sure you don’t want anything?” Stephanie said for about the fifth time. I'm not really sure why she keeps asking me that. But my answer is always the same.
“I’m fine, just tired.”

“Well if you change your mind. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen.”   She smiles once more and closes the door behind her.

At least there’s one good thing about being here. I’ll have time for myself, even if I don’t want it. But right now I’d rather be alone than have to come up with something to say. The room is perfect, exactly how I saw it in the doorway. Every color in the room seems to call out to me, like I’m in some kind of a dream. That’s the strangest part.

The bed looks new. The dark cherry wood seems to sparkle in the light. A perfect light blue and brown comforter lies across the top of the bed, and some throw pillows to match. The dresser across from the bed has some small pictures frames with nothing in them. I guess I’m supposed to fill them with pictures? Fat chance that will be, I’ll be out of here before they even know it.

The small desk has a used laptop with a view outside the window. The laptop is the only thing in the room that doesn’t look bran new.

The alarm clock on the desk reads 10:46pm. It’s amazing how late it is. The whole day seems like a blur. I should be sleepy, but I don’t want to sleep.  I hate the first night in a new places. This house will be even worst. I know the minute my head hits the pillow, Seattle will rush into my mind. I’ll be forced to remember that I just left everything that I love. The rain, the ocean, the mountains, they’re all gone. Not to mention everyone I know is there.
     Tears start to fill my eyes. I’ll put my things away. I think, as I shuck my head. I don’t want to think about Seattle right now.

I don’t have much, so it doesn’t take me long to unpack. I unzip my bag and quickly grab everything out of it.

    Everything I own can fit into one drawer of the dresser. I open the top drawer to find it’s already full of clothes. -Every drawer is full. Every inch of the small walk-in closet is full too.

“Great! I’m living in their second closet.” I throw my clothes on the floor of the closet and headed out. Just as the door swings forward a peace of paper taped to the door catches my eye.

                     Everything is yours.
                      Welcome home!
                  -Wade and Stephanie

Frozen again, I just keep reading the words “Everything is yours” over and over again. Everything is mine? Everything? I lay my fingers on the fabric of the clothes hanging in the closet. The cotton of a t-shirt is smooth on my fingertips. Each shirt has a new sensation. There’s something for everything- shirts, pants, shorts, shoes, and dresses- anything I could have asked for or needed, is here. I run my hands down to the bottom of the clothes as I walk around the small closet. Tags hung at the bottom and tangle in my fingers. –They’re my size. All of the shirts, dresses, pants, everything is in my size. It’s a little mini mall just for me.

“How do they know my size?”

Everything is lined up out so carefully, so neatly, so…. so…. perfect. How could I live up to this!?!

I sit down next to the fresh new shoes. I’ve never had new shoes before, at least not all to myself. About four years ago, I got to share new shoes with another girl in the house. But I moved out the next week, so that was the end of that. The smell of the new shoes fills my head, and makes the room start to spin.

If I was a normal fifteen year old girl, I would be jumping up and down as if I had just won the lottery. I’ve never been in a more beautiful home. I’ve also never been given this much. But I’m not normal, and I feel empty inside.

The carpet on the floor is fluffy and inviting; I lay my head on the floor and let the smells of the new items fill my lungs- It is illuminating.  The room is still spinning, when I close my eyes. – It is all too much. What if I can’t fit into their perfect picture? The panic from the car is starting to creep its way back. And tears start to fall from my eyes. 

“This is just like all the other houses! It won’t last! They will ask me to leave eventually. NONE of this is mine.” I tell myself through tears. “It will all stay here when I leave. NONE of it is mine.” I take two deep breath as I wrap my arms around my knees and start to rock myself.

     I could hear the wind outside gaining power – trying to comfort me. I try desperately to picture the last house I was in. Messy, clattery, with nine other screaming kids running around. – The smell of chicken frying in the kitchen.  But the floor here is oddly comfortable and keeps me present - as I let the tears run down my face.

Chapter 1- part 1

“Get up Jazlyn! We’re here.” Ms. Starling said from the front seat of her car.

I’m not really asleep. I closed my eyes about an hour ago, while Ms. Starling was talking about how wonderful her Toyota is. She talked so long, that it was driving me to the brink of insanity! When I stared to think about how easy it would be to jump out of her car, I shut my eyes and rested my head against the window, as if I had fallen asleep.

Her voice has always driven knives into my nerves.  I'm not sure how much more I could have taken it, before I start screaming. I had to do something to shut her up. But yelling and screaming isn’t going to help in this matter.  So I did the next best thing, I pretended I wasn't here. It worked for a little while. She stopped talking about an hour ago. But now, there isn’t any way to stop her. I heard the tires of the car come to a slow stop, and I inhale the Washington air, letting the fear of unknown wrap itself fully inside my body.

Unlike Ms. Starling, I hate this car. This is the car that takes me away from everything I know. This, ugly, smelly, blue car, is always the result of something gone wrong. This time, this horrible derange time, I have no idea why I’m being taken as far as Ms. Starling is legally able to take me. I’ve never heard of Kennewick before, and now I’m supposed to start over here? -Whatever that means. How do you start over, when you really don’t want to in the first place?

“Come on.” Ms. Starling commands as she slides out the front seat.

I can see her waiting for me to do the same thing. But I can’t move. I can’t muster up the same strength to open my door. The house we’re parked in front of is too dark to see. Almost like a black hole or an abyss. There is nothing in that house that I want, nothing that could fix my world, or put it back together.

I never thought of leaving Seattle. I never dreamed of a world without the city lights, without the sound of the Sea. Or the mountain tops so close you could touch them. My breathing gives my panic away, as it becomes quick and short. I thought I’d have more time, more time… to… hate this car! To think of a way out! ANY way out.

How can I start over? I’m just starting to get the hang of things.

I fidget with my fingers.  - looking at each fingernail. I’d bitten them all off on the drive here. I try to breathe, or move, but my heart pounds in my chest like a humming bird. I’m glued to the seat, and my body won’t let me leave.
A tear drops from my right eye. But I catch it before she looks through the window.

I know there is no way out of this. I will be left here tonight. I’ll be forced into making a new start whether I like it or not. But a few more minutes to breathe might be helpful. 

“It’s a new life.” Ms. Starling said about 50 times on the way here.

A new lie is more like it. A lie of a happy home, with happy children, and happy parents who love each other, takes care of each other. Is there really such a place? I don’t think so. I no longer believe in fairytales. Human beings don’t take care of each other.  All they’ve ever done is pass me off when things get tough.

I take another deep breath, as Ms. Starling opens the back door across from me. She reaches in and grabs my bag.

“Come on! Some people have to drive back tonight.”  Her voice is rough and stern. I can tell she’s tired of having me starting over too.

She slams the door. I jerk and watch her walk to the front of the car. -stopping to peer in at me.

How long would this one last? I wonder. How long before they, call Ms. Starling and ask her to come pick me up? I twist my fingers around each other. The last home wasn't the best, but I was there the longest. -Five months, that has to count for something.

I take another deep breath, and wonder how long Ms. Starling will let me stay here and panic? Could I have five minutes? Ten? But my luck doesn’t run like that, and it’s not long before I know my answer.

“Tap, tap, tap” she taps on the window.  I want to kick, scream and yell at the top of my lungs. “You miserable shell of a human being!  Let me be! Aren't social workers supposed to be caring, loving, passionate people? Not cold and heartless that seems to ooze out of every inch in their body!” But like my body, my voice won’t work either.

It won’t help anyways. I remind myself. The little time I have - is up. There’s nothing I can do about it. I will have to go into the abyss.

As I open the door slowly, Ms. Sterling’s eyes look like their about to pop out of her head. She hands me my bag and turns quickly towards the house without looking too closely at me. That is probably the best thing about Ms. Sterling. I decide. She'll at least turn when you drop your head. She won’t even say anything about the second tear that drops from my eyes either.  She will go on as she always has. Yes. That is the best thing about her.

The air outside is cool, and I feel a little better when the wind blows across my arm. I don’t know what I’d do, if I had to give up my windy days too. The strong, cool, forceful wind, that could smooth your skin on a hot steamy day. - Those are my favorite days. It’s the only time when life makes sense. 

The front door of the abyss soars open before we even knock. A lanky brunet stands in the doorway.

“You must be Jazlyn Love.” She says with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.