Well, you all know how the story goes. When I'm usually on here, I'm playing around as Raynea. Buuuuut I decided that whenever I post something about real life I'll post on here since I'm at school and I'm Raynea about 97% of the time. So, here goes.

     The ones of you who actually decided to READ my last post know that I've been going through a hard time and around last week, I was about two inches away from falling into darkness, becoming Raynea totally and losing the other two personalities altogether. I was depressed and I thought that I didn't have any real friends and I felt really lonely and I was sick of being the hero. I was being deathly sarcastic with all of the people I talk to and really mean and threatening. I was wearing black A LOT.

     I was passing notes with this guy named Josh, who is one of Alex's best friends. No, not in class; we'd write on it and exchange it during passing period. But anyhoo. I was a little hurt and for some strange reason, I trusted that kid enough to tell him that Alex had broken my heart and I was afraid he was never going to come back. I told him that I was going to give up on love altogether. And....well....I told him that I felt like killing myself and getting it over with. I was sick of the world being the way it was. "It's not like anyone would miss me," I wrote.

     Well, as I said before, Josh is one of Alex's best friends. He(as in Alex) saw me give the note to Josh and wanted to know what it was. We wouldn't let him, and well....I had gotten home and I was listening to some really depressing music when the phone rang.

     It was Alex.

     "I need to ask you something."

     "Yeah?" I was busy folding clothes. I thought he was going to ask me if I was going out with somebody else, since I'd asked him that morning if he would give me one last kiss. Because I was finally going to give up on him and try to move on. Resign myself to being alone.

     "Will you go back out with me?"

     I froze. It was a replay of the first time he'd asked me out. Same thing had happened: I had no idea what he needed to ask me, and when he asked me, I froze up. I sighed. "Of course I will."

     "Josh let me read the note," he said.

     "Oh, no," I sighed, laughing.

     "Yup." Silence for a minute. "Were you giving up on me?"

     "Yes," I confessed. I had been. I couldn't lie to him and tell him anything different. For some reason, I can't really lie to Alex. It's kind of like he forces me to tell him the truth.

     "Don't ever think like that," he added. "You know what I'm talking about, right?"

     "Yeah."

     "People would miss you."

     So, in less than a minute, all of the depression melted away and was replaced by love and happiness. I stopped being Raynea and I went back to being Lavender. The next day when Alex met me before gym class, he said, "You seem happy today."

     I smiled. "Yup."

     "Why?" It was a rhetorical question. "Oh, and you're wearing a different jacket!" He was right. I'd tossed the black sweatshirt I'd been wearing for the past three weeks in the dirty clothes yesterday and I was wearing a blue tiger-striped jacket instead.

     Actually, in the past week--or has it been two now? I can't remember. But anyhoo, I kept wearing black off and on for a few days and then I stopped altogether. I went back to Lavender, back to wearing color and being happy and making funny jokes. I confused a few people because I'd made some new friends during those three weeks and they hadn't ever seen me in anything but black. Muahaha. I think I'm going back to "Figure Me Out." It's much more fun to confusle people.

     Oh, and one other thing.

     That day when Alex called me, he said something I thought I'd never hear anyone ask me. "This is really awkward," he said.

     "No, you can say it, it's all right," I reassured him, throwing a t-shirt in Daddy's basket. Again, I was oblivious to what he'd say next. It took him a few seconds, but he said it.

     "I want to marry you."

    Well, there you have it. I guess I did fall in love, so hard that I might as well have jumped off the Empire State Building. I never told anyone, but about a year ago I decided that I'd never fall in love again. Not true love, anyway. Nobody would ever like me back. See, there was this fight that one of my friends and I got into because she broke up with this kid that I just happened to like and she thought I was all ready to snatch him up. No, not me. Back then, I still wasn't interested in boyfriends. But I lost a friend that week at church camp, and that guy, well, he broke my heart. I thought I'd never find anyone. I thought I was too much of a good little girl and I'd never find a person that would love me back the same way.

     But Alex, he's different. Even in his own words, he said that when I fell for him, he opened up a trap door. Before I met him, I was literally scoffing at all the boys who were showing off to me or at all the girls who suggested that I might look good with this guy or that guy. But Alex broke through the ice. I don't know how he did it, but he did.

      Before he broke up with me, Alex was always talking about how he'd beat somebody up if they hurt me. Saying he'd protect me. He was always joking. But now? This may seem like a severe case of twitterpation--especially to you, Sarah--but he really means it this time. He's jealous of me. He's not joking anymore. It's a little hard to describe, and it might make a few of you want to throw up if I did, but he's REALLY protective of me now. It seems so much like a story to me. But it's not. And I think this time I really am going to get a happily-ever-after.

     I guess we'll see, won't we?

Recently I have faced many ups and downs with my writing, mostly with the Hemlock books. I have had far too many plots and characters for the series and, after much work and arguing – which included death threats and dagger pulling, making me long all the more for my sword – I have come to terms with everyone and we have settled on many things.

Hemlock is now a six book series. I completely took out Trisli's plot and am using it for another series I am planning – which just had a cool title and a character with a cool name. Trisli is still in the books but I do not go into the story of – oh wait, that would give away a plot. Moving on.

Also, I am pleased to announce that, as I have finally finished the final version of Despair and Hope, it is now being edited. I am in the hopes of completing editing by May at the latest and seeking out a publisher soon. Among changes in this book is the change in title which now appears as:

The Tales of Hemlock

The Stranger

A Story of Despair and Hope.

Another quirk I am trying to work out is Theobald's hood. I have been debating changing it to a mask but have yet to find one that suits him, me, and the plot. It is terribly hard to de-mask a guy, ten times easier to de-hood him. Not to mention I have been having interesting dreams about the Lone Ranger since then.

Book two has also changed in that it is now book three and there is a new book two. In this book Reid returns out of the blue. Need I say more?

Then there is that death scene I wrote for Maddock but which was strongly voted against by many of his adoring fans. I still determined to use it on someone and made a character for it, only when I wrote it it was lacking in something. Roderick could not pull it off. So, Roderick lives – and Quentin has offered to take the scene. Rather he was voted in to it being I would not be killing off one of the main heroes while at the same time making it sad – yes, that was an interesting debate.

While book one is coming along very well book two is struggling. I am uncertain about the plot and am therefore going at it more slowly then I normally do. However, I have not stopped writing all together and am reviving a story that was about to be sent to the black hole. The character in it gave me some major problems – kidnapping the muse I share with my best friends and holding her hostage for a whole night. However, I think everything is better now – at least I hope it is. I shall keep everyone updated on that but for now I have to be off as the character is calling

“Anna” I called out walking to the room that we shared.

Anna was sitting on her bed, texting. She was always texting. Even though I had a cell phone I never used the text. For one I had no one to text and second I didn’t see why people liked it so much. I liked hearing people talk and not seeing it.

“There you are!!” Anna said jumping off her bed and landing next to me, I took a step back. Another weird thing about me is I hated it when people got to close. I mean a lot of people do but, both my parents were the touchy kind of people and they said even when I was a baby I would rather lay on the floor then being held.

“Are you ready for dinner?” I asked. I was not really in the mood to go out but I was the one that put the idea out and I could not take it back now.

“Totally. There is a great little Café just down the street that you will love!” Anna says grabbing her bag and heading for the door. I reluctantly fallow. I let out a small gasp when we walk up to the Café because it is the same one that Akira took me to earlier that day. Luckily Anna did not notice my gasp. When we walked in the door I became a little jumpy, not knowing if this was a place the men fallowing me liked to hang out or if that was just a fluke. My eyes darted around the room going from face to face. I did not see any of them. I let out a sigh of relief as we were seated at a table in the back. I smiled at the lady; she just gave me a weird look. Which I was fine with since I would be able to see who ever comes in.

Anna looks over at me with a smile. “They have some of the best food, what would you like? My treat” She says

“I’ll just have the fruit blow and a ice tea.” I say looking around the room.

“Are you sure?” Anna asked with big eyes “ This IS dinner” she says leaning over the table.

“Yeah I’m sure.  But thanks any ways” I say with a weak smile.            

Anna nods. “If your sure” she then waves down the waiter. “We’ll have two fruit bowls, a bowl of chicken nodal soup and two ice teas please!” Anna says.

“Will that be all?” the waiter asked

“Yep that will do it for us tonight!” Anna said with another smile.

Her happiness was getting to me. I was starting to feel better. I knew I would not be able to forget about every thing but for now I could put it in the back of my mind and have a good time, can’t I?

Are food arrives and the fruit bowl is huge, it has almost every kind of fruit you could think of. And it was all so fresh. Don’t even get me started on the ice tea. It was amazing I don’t know what they did to it but they worked some magic back in the kitchen.

“Oh my word. How can they have such good fruit at this time of year?” I ask in aw. As I stick a grape in my mouth.

Anna just laughed at me for a minute before saying any thing. “That is something I have been wondering since I was little.” She says sipping her tea. 

We stay at the Café for at least an hour, talking about what we did when we where little and what we like to do now. As we are walking out of the Café I bump into someone I look up to apologize. When I do I look up to see the same blue eyed guy that I had been sitting with earlier. I look back at the ground not wanting to make eye contact with him at the moment.

“I’m sorry. I should have been more carful.” I say swaying back and forth.

“Its no pro….” Akira started before he realized who he was talking to.

I didn’t give him time to finish before I hurried out and after Anna.

“Oh my word he was adorable!!” Anna said with a huge smile on her face.

“Yeah…” I said letting my words slid. I look back over my shoulder to see Akira standing in the doorway watching me hurry away. I know I should have said something more but I didn’t know what to say I had rudely ran away from him earlier that day.

“I wonder if he will be going to our high-school.” Anna said almost skipping since she was so happy.

My mind starts spinning. I had never thought about school let alone the idea of Akira being at the same school as me. I don’t think I would be able to handle that.

“Can we not talk about school we still have a week until it starts and I have a lot of other things to worry about at the moment.” I said speeding up a bit.

“Oh. Sorry Kayla. Your right you have to much to think about.” Anna said hurrying to keep up with me. Even though I had short legs I could move fast when I wanted or needed too.

“Thanks” I said pushing my self to smile and slow down. 

“No problem. Come on Grandma should be home by now and she might start to wonder where we went.” Anna said

I nodded as we walked down the streets. I looked up at the sky hoping to see the stars but I should have known that in New York you can’t see the stars… I was quite sad since back in Minnesota the stars had always been my comfort when ever I was upset or in deep thought about something I would walk out to the far side of our property lay on the ground and gaze up at the star filled sky. Somehow that would always make me feel a lot better and figure out what to do about my problems. But I now have to figure out a new way to keep my self-clam. I was dazing off as we walked into the apartment.

“Hi Grandma!” Anna called out as we entered the room.

“Hello girls.” Grandma said as she walked out of the kitchen. “Where did you two come from?” she asked sipping on her tea.

“We went down to the amazing little Café on the corner!” Anna said

“How did you like it Kayla?” Grandma asked

“Um, it was good. I was really tired so I will just have to go back sometime when I’m more awake.”  I said tossing my bag onto the couch.

“Of course you will! It will be so much better when your all rested up.” Anna said running into the kitchen to start some water for our tea.

“Remember girls get some rest we have church in the morning.” Grandma said.

“Church?” I asked titling my side to one side.

“Yes. We did not get to go last Sunday since we had your parents funeral to deal with but we have no excuse for tomorrow.” Grandma said walking into her room.

I walked over to the table and set down, just looking at the water start to bubble. The last time I had gone to church was with my best friend back home. She had bagged me for months to go with her. I finely agreed to go with her. It was nothing like I thought it would be. There were a bunch of teens. All hyped up to be there. The youth pastor had a good message too. It really got to me. I kept going back until the day we moved. Then I kind of forgot to read the Bible they had given me.  “I wonder if this church will be even near as cool as the last one.” I thought as I watched Anna poor the water into the teacups. “How big is your church?” I asked sipping on my tea. Anna sat down beside me as she sipped her own tea. “Its not that big, but everyone is really friendly and welcoming.” Anna said “And the teens are super goofy.” Anna said giggling.

“Hmm. I can’t wait to see.” I said with a small smile.

We talked for another hour or so about youth group and the kids we’ve meat. Bedtime was not our choice. Grandma came out and told us to get our little bodies in bed, close our eyes and shut our mouths. We don’t argue, we never argue with Grandma. We just nod and run to our rooms before we get in big trouble. I lay awake going through my day; I’ve been doing that almost every night these days. The safe comes into my mind; my stomach tightens for a moment. I still had not figure out what was in that safe. Tomorrow, yes tomorrow I would force my self to go through that safe piece by piece.

Back in the basement of The King, Akira was being quizzed. About everything he had been doing. Someone had spotted him hanging out with Kayla. “I’m going to kill him.” Akira thought looking over at Uncle-Toucan. “Why was I stupid enough to trust him, even if he is my brother.”

“Akira. You don’t want to get in trouble with any of us do you?” Uncle-No-Nose said closing in on Akira’s personal bubble. “If you don’t start talking The King will be down soon.” He said placing a hand on each side of Akira’s chair and coming no more then an inch from his face.

“What is there to know?” Akira asked leaning back as far as he possible could, with out knocking his chair over.

“Where she lives? What’s she told you? Is someone else trying to hurt her? Do you want me to go on?” No-nose yelled in Akira’s face.

“In New York, she just moved here, she thinks you are.  And no I don’t want you to keep going. I want you to let me go home.” Akira said

No-nose black slapped Akira across the face.

“We know that much.” No-nose yelled.

“You just spit in my face.” Akira said whipping his face.

“I give up. I’ll let The King deal with you.” No-nose said stomping up the stairs to go get The King.

“Shoot.” Akira thought as he rocked his chair back and forth. He knew he was trouble now. No-nose never gave up on a job unless the job was getting a bit cocky. Then The King would come down and drag out the info no matter what the cost. Akira had seen it happen a lot.

Toucan was standing in the corner chuckling at the site of his little brother being in the trouble chair, since most of the time he was the one sitting in that chair getting yelled at. Akira glared over at his brother, who stopped chuckling the second he saw Akira’s evil little eyes looking him over.

A few minutes later, The King comes flying down the stairs and over to where Akira was sitting, Akira looked up at The King and smirked.

“So you think you can get the info out of me when No-brains can’t.” Akira said with a little bit of a chuckle. The King let out a deep sigh, then closed in. “Akira, don’t test my nerves right now. You don’t know what I am going through at this moment.” The King said almost in a whisper.

Akira knew that if he tried to stall any longer something bad would be happing. The King was no fun when something was on his nerves. Akira took a deep breath. “Fine I’ll talk. First off she lives in an apartment. Sadly I can’t tell you any more about that part since I don’t want to be pulled in any farther then I am. Second she has only told me a little. I don’t remember much since she kind of spit it all at me at once. And I think there are other people after her since she’s been getting strange notes and stuff and I know for a fact that they are not from any of the Uncles let alone you.” Akira said taking a deep breath since he had said all of that in one. The King narrowed his eyes and sucked in his lips. “Boy you don’t have a choice but to be pulled into this now. You have contact with her. We don’t. You’ll be going to the same school, since there are not many around here. You will be getting closer to her at school. Become her friend and get her to trust you. After you have done that. Bring her here.” The King said there was not even the hint of a joke in his voice.

“Why do you care so much about this girl?” Akira asked starting to wiggle in his chair. He didn’t like the way this was going not one bit.

“Because Kayla is my granddaughter.” The King said

Akira’s jaw dropped.

“Get out. You have a job to do get it done and get it done soon.” The King said then turned to the uncles. Akira’s job was done.

The next morning I awoke to Anna shacking me.

“Kayla get your self up. We have to leave in half an hour.” Anna said shacking my shoulders.

“Gahhh.” I said rolling over. “I’m up I’m up. I’ll be out for breakfast soon.” I said slowly making my way to the bathroom. I pulled out a pair of jeans and a nice black shirt, from the bag I had packed. I then wondered out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.

“Good morning.” I yawned.

“Good morning Kayla.” Grandma said smiling over at me. “You look very nice. Eggs and pancakes are on the stove. Waters in the tea pot.” Grandma said then walked off to her room to get her self-ready for church.

The church was only a few blocks away so Grandma decided that we were going to walk. Saying that it was a lovely day to be outside. As we walked I felt someone watching me, I slowly turned around and my heart dropped to the very ends of my toes. They were back, and they had an extra person with them this time. Luckily I did not notice until we were almost to the church. Are they going to fallow me in? I sure hoped not. Even as we walked into the church my heart still had not come back up. I looked back and saw the three men, peek into the church then walk away. My heart leaped back into place. I could enjoy my time here now! I looked around. This church was much bigger then any I had ever been in, but the people still seemed to be just as welcoming. I felt calm now. Well at least a little calmer then I was outside. I fallowed Anna to the youth room. It was super bright. With beanbags and colorful couches. Also there were tones of kids dancing to music, playing video games and just talking. Anna pulled me over to group after group. All just as friendly as the last. I felt like I belonged even though this was my first time here.  We sang a few songs, but at this church the youth group had their very own small band playing. The church I had first gone to only had a guitar. The verses really got to me. Talking about coming back to the Lord and that he will never leave you not mater what you are going through. The lesson seemed to be meant for me. Mike the youth pastor talked about how that no matter what you did the Lord would always forgive you and welcome you back into his arms. After youth group was over I kind of hung back until all the kids were gone. I needed to talk to Mike. I ended up spilling almost all that I had gone through. I didn’t tell him I was being fallowed or about the letters. By the time I was done talking I had tears running down my cheeks. Mike listened then he prayed for me. No one had ever done that before. Or no one that I knew of. He then gave me my very own teen Bible and a card with his number so I could talk to him at any time I needed too. I thanked him then slowly made my way out of the room and down to the main hall to find Anna or Grandma. After church we headed out for Sunday lunch. I didn’t say much as we eat I had even more on my mind at this moment then I had before. Once we got back to the apartment I decided to go to the park and read the verses that Mike had told me about. Once I got to the park I found a bench next to a big oak tree. I slowly opened the Bible and found the first verses. It took me a while since I did not know where any of the books where. After I read the verses I cried again. Man I have been doing that a lot I lay down on the bench and looked up into the sky.

“Lord. I know your there. Or at least I’ve been told you are. I really need you right now. I don’t know who I can talk to with out bring them into the horrible mess I am in.  And Mike told me that I could talk to you about any thing and you won’t judge me.” This feels weird, yet I like it. This was the first time I really thought about Jesus being here for me whenever I need him. “Okay so here is the deal. I lost my parents in a plan crash that was planed by someone. I have people fallowing me for no reason that I know of. And I have strange messages popping up all over the place.” I slowly stood up and walked around the empty park as I talked. “ I don’t know why any of this is happing to me. Lord please help me. I know you can.” I said falling to my knees. Mike had giving me one last verse to read.

“John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I read out loud. I reread that verse over and over. I pulled out Mikes card and slowly pressed in his number.

“Hello, Mike this Kayla from church.” I said

“Hello Kayla. What can I do for you?” Mike asked

“You said that I could call and get help when ever I needed it. I was wondering if that was just something you had to say or do you really mean it?” I asked

“I mean it Kayla. If there is something you want to talk about lets meet up as soon as we can.” Mike said

He sounded like he really meant it.

“Can we meet now. I just read one of the verses that you gave me. It really gets me to pay close attention but I don’t know what it means.” I said slowly standing up.

“I would love to Kayla. Where would be the best place to meet?” Mike asked.

“Can we meet back at the church?” I asked

“Sure. I’ll be there in five minutes.” Mike said then we said our goodbyes and hung up.

I really didn’t know what I was doing. I have no clue why I am getting so into all this. I hurry to the church. I’m sitting on the steps when Mike pulls up. He lets us in and we go back to the youth room. I turn to John 3:16 and hand the Bible to him.

“What does it mean?” I asked as we set down.

“Lets go over one part at a time.” Mike said he grabbed a piece of paper and put down the first part. ‘For God so love the world that he gave his one and only son.’

“What do you think this part means?” Mike asked me

“Um. That God loves the world a bunch.” I said raising an eyebrow. “And I have no clue what the last part.”

“That’s right. The last part is talking about Jesus. God loved the world so much that he let his son be sent to earth and be beaten then placed on the cross to die for all the sins of every one.” Mike said “Does that make since?”

“No. Why would any father let his son be killed for something he didn’t do.” I said

“You see God made every one on the earth. We are his children and he loves us so much that he was willing to let Jesus come down and suffer for us. But that’s not the end of the story. Three days later Jesus came out of his tomb fully alive and went back up to Heaven to wait for us.” Mike said

“So that part makes since but why did he have to die? I mean what did that do for us.” I said sitting on the edge of my seat.

“That leads to the last part of the verse. ‘That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ What do you think that part is talking about?” Mike asked

“Um.. You have to believe in Him other wise you die.” I said

“Close. We have the decided if we are going to believe in him or not. If we don’t once we die we are going to Hell not matter what we have done. But if you decided to believe in him then once you die you get to go to Heaven and live with the Lord for ever.” Mike said

“Wait. But I thought if you sinned you were going to Hell. What does believing in the Lord have to do with any thing?” I asked

“That’s why Jesus had to die on the cross. He took all the sin upon him and died. But he over came it and rose from the dead. So that someday we too can also go the Heaven if we believe in him.” Mike said

“Because our sins were taken away from us. So if we ask the Lord to forgive us he will then once we die we go the Heaven.” I said

Mike nodded with a huge smile on his face.

“That’s right. You picked up on this fast.” Mike said

“Mike….” I said in a little kid’s voice. “I want to be forgiven. I want to be able to know that when I die I will go to Heaven.” I said tears rolling down my cheeks. “Will you help me?” I asked

Mike stood up and walked over to me. He sat down beside me and placed an arm around my shoulder.

“I would love to help you.” Mike said

He then helped me pray. After I had prayed I felt something some thing close up inside of me.  “Thank you Mike.” I said then turned and hugged him.

He held me tight.

“Your welcome Kayla. Welcome to the family.” He said

As we walked out of the church he gave me some advice on what to read in my Bible for the next few weeks. As I walked back to the apartment I felt something. I don’t really know what it was other then I felt that a big hole in my heart had been filled in. I quietly made my way into my apartment.

“Lord, Mike said that you will be here for me when ever I need you. And I really need you right now. I have to go through the safe under my parent’s bed.” I said as I walked down to my parent’s room. I slid to my knees, scrambled under their bed pulling out the safe with me. I slowly put it up on their bed, climbed up beside it and put my hands on the lock.

“Lord, I need you.” I whispered as I slowly put in the code word. I raised the lid of the safe and gently picked up the first paper. It was my birth certificate, next came their wedding paper. Then their birth certificates. They were both born in New York. Is that why we moved back? I was not sure but I felt like it most have something to do with our big move. Since both of my parent’s really liked our small town life. The next few papers were nothing important just love letters from each other. Collage certificates from two different collages from California and pictures of my mom, dad and my dad’s best friend. He came up twice a year at least with lots of gifts for the whole family. He would be coming up in a few weeks. He had called me the day the story came out in the paper. I couldn’t wait to see him. I slowly looked through all the pictures before putting them aside. The next few papers were not much. A play script my mom had been in and stuff like that. I was finely to the bottom I slowly pulled out a yellow envelope.

“Family info. Pictures, numbers and notes.” I read aloud my hands were shacking as I undid the clip at the top. I took a deep breath as I slowly opened the flap. Then I screamed. My cell phone had gone off. That may not sound scary to you. But it was set on vibrate and in my pocket. Also my mind was not thinking about any thing but the envelope in my hands. I flipped open my phone and stuck it to my ear.

“Hello” I said flopping down on the bed, letting all the papers slid around me.

“Kayla where are you?” Anna asked

“Over at my apartment.” I said with a sigh. Hadn’t we gone through this a day or two ago?

“Well get your self over here. Grandma is taking us school shopping.” Anna said. I could here her and Grandma getting ready.

“Can’t we do this another time?” I asked

“Not really. Grandma has her show at eight so we have to be back before then. And she really wants to take us.” Anna said

“Okay. I’ll meet you guys at the car in five minutes.” I said slowly sitting up.

“Okay. Bye.” Anna said then hung up.

I slowly put back all the papers, looking at each one last time. I lay the envelope on the top as I shut the safe, locked it and slid it back under the bed. I then made my way down the stairs and to the car where they were waiting with big smiles on their face. I slid into the back of the car. As soon as I got my seatbelt on we where off.

“Where are we heading to?” I asked looking out the window.

“To the mall!” Anna said spinning around to look at me.

“Have you been there yet?” she asked

I shock my head. “I really haven’t done much yet.” I said

“You’ll love it!” Anna said  “And school shopping with Grandma is the best she’ll buy you every thing you need and every thing you don’t need.” Anna said giggling.

“I have money my parents left me for school shopping.” I said

“Don’t even think about it Miss Kayla. I like buying you girls stuff.” Grandma said.

“Okay. Thank you very much then.” I said.

I say in the car, with my eyes closed running through every thing I had done today. When all of a sudden ‘Silent Night’ comes on. My eyes pop open. “Its only the begging of September. What is with the Christmas music?” I asked in shock.

Both Grandma and Anna where laughing as they sang along.

“We always listen to Christmas music when going School shopping. We have been since I was in the first grade.” Anna said

“It gets us in the mood for shopping.” Grandma said with a huge smile across her face.

“Sweet!” I said liking this. “We never got the Christmas music out until December 1^st.” I said

They both let out a long gasp.

“You poor dear.” Grandma said reaching back and patting my knee.

“Wow. Grandmas right poor you.” Anna said her eyes the size of a lemon.

I was giggling as they talked. “I grow up with it. So it never seemed weird to me. I mean I heard it when I was at the store and stuff but not much. The town I lived in seemed to think alike.” I said “But I really like this.” I said somehow getting happier by the minute.

This shopping trip was way different then any school shopping I had ever done. I had one store I went to back home to get every thing I would need. But not hear. You went from store to store until you found what you wanted. After we had gotten every thing we needed we went and got a few fun outfits. Then headed off to get a small dinner. As we eat dinner I told them all about my day with Mike. They were so excited. It was cool seeing them like that. We talked and sang all the way home. That night Grandma made us go to bed early since tomorrow we started school.

CHAPTER: HOW

The next morning I woke up before ether of them, I slowly slid on my slippers and made my way over to my apartment. I crawled under the bed and pulled out the safe, unlocked it. Grabbing the yellow envelope I hurried back over to the other apartment, slid the envelop into my backpack and waited for Grandma and Anna to wake up.

“Dear Lord. I just want to thank you for Grandma and Anna. I really don’t know what to say right now. But I think I’m going to be needing you today. Seeing that it is my first day of school and all. And I have some strange feeling that something big is going to happen. So please just stick with me today. Talk later.” I said 

A few minutes after I had got done talking to the Lord, Grandma and Anna came wondering out of their rooms. We all entered the kitchen and had a full breakfast. After breakfast Anna and I hurried around the apartment as we got changed, stuffed and backpacks, put on our shoes, kissed Grandma good-bye and ran out the door. The bus had just pulled up to our stop as we ran out the exit. We jumped on and ran to the back of the bus where Anna’s friends where. A few stops letter I happened to look up as a few kids got on, I gasped. For one of those kids was Akira. We locked eyes for a second before I broke the lock.

“Oh my word.” Sammy said as she looked at Akira with her jaw dropped.

“He is hot!” She said

Anna and one of her other friends Kim put their hands over Sammy’s mouth. “Shh” they said. “He’ll here you.” Anna said as they slowly let go.

“But your right he good looking. What do you think Kayla?” Kim asked me. “Um. You could say he’s good looking.” I said watching him as he slowly made his way back. He stopped right next to me.

“This seat taken?” He asked with one of his amazing smiles.

I shock my head. I wish I could have said ‘Yeah it’s taken’ but I could not.

“Mind if I sit down?” He asked he did not wait for me to answer before sitting down. “So Kayla who are your friends?” Akira asked

I could have killed him right then and there. I really did not feel like talking to him at this moment.

“That’s Anna, Sammy and Kim. Girls this is Akira.” I said I could feel my heart start sinking to my toes.

“Nice to meet you girls.” Akira said  “So how long have you known Kayla?” he asked

“I’ve known her for about two weeks.” Anna said

“For about thirty minutes.” Sammy said

“What about you?” Kim asked

“About three days. We happened to have a lot in conman.” Akira said with a bit of a chuckle.

I scooted closer to the window as Akira and the girls talked.

I thought once I got to school I would be free from Akira. But somehow he had managed to get into every single one of my classes. I could not wait for the last bell to ring. I was ready to get home or at least to a safe place and look at what was inside of the envelope. But sadly I would not be alone for a very long time. As I was hurrying to the bus stop, Akira placed a firm hand on my shoulder.

“We need to talk about Saturday.” He said

“I have a tone of homework to do. Can’t we do this another time?” I asked hoping to get off the hook.

“No. We need to do it right now. Lets go back to the Café after that I can drop you by your apartment.” He said

I nodded. “Okay” For some reason I did not want to put up a fight.

I fallowed him to his car, as I walked I texted Anna telling her that I would be home in a few hours so she would not worry. I climbed into the passenger seat and sunk down. Nether of us said a word for a very long time. That is until I realized we were not headed to the Café.

“Where are we going Akira?” I asked pushing my self up.

“I need to make a short stop first. Then we can head over to the Café.” He said. I tried to get him to tell me where he was taking us but he would not say another word. Until we got to our stop.

“Where here.” He said. Then climbed out ran around and opened my door for me. At first I thought he was being nice. But then he griped my arm with a strength that I had never felt before. I tried to wiggle free but that was not happing. He led me around to the basement door. There was not much inside the basement. A few chairs, tables and pieces of wood lying around. None of the chairs or tables where straight. They all looked homemade. As I looked around I noticed that I was right. For there were tools that you would use to make these. Akira led me over to one of the chairs. “Sit” He said. I did as I was told. Something about the way Akira was acting scared me. A few minutes later the door opens and the men chasing me walked in. Plus a few extras. The Asian man walked over to Akira and patted him on the head. “Nice work lil bro.” He said. I blinked a few times not believing what I had just heard. Akira just nodded and started to walk towards the door.

“I hate you Akira.” I yelled at him. I tried to hold them back but tears started rolling down my cheeks. He stopped then slowly turned around to face me. He looked like he was in a lot of pain as well. “I thought I could trust you. I should have known better when I noticed how much you looked like him.” I said pointing at the Asian man.

Akira slowly walked back over to me.

“I’m sorry Kayla. I had to. It was the job they had given me.” He whisper. He slowly lowered his hand on to my shoulder. I slapped at his hand.

“Get away from me you beast.” I yelled with rivers of years running down my cheeks.

Akira looked like someone had just punched him in the stomach.     “Please Kayla you have to believe me I wanted to be your friend.” He said

“Friends don’t give friends to their enemy.” I said looking up at the other men. They all took a step back. Not wanting to be brought into this fight.

“Stop talking before you get in deeper trouble.” I said looking up at Akira then back at the ground.

No one said another word. When I looked up Akira had walked over to the corner and was just standing there with a look of pain on his face.

“Lord. I knew something big was going to happen today. But I never thought it would be this big. Just help me get through it all.” I prayed. 

 After I had finished my pray I looked up. Akira was still in his corner the rest had gathered in a group and where talking in whispers. A few minutes letter we heard the upstairs door open then the stairs start creaking. Every one became silent. I gasped as I saw who had entered the room. For walking towards me was none other then The King him self. For those of you who have not picked up on this yet. The King is the head of all mobs on the east side of America. He stopped, looked around the room his eyes landing on Akira.
“Akira.” He said his voice booming like I always thought it should. Somehow he sounded and looked fermiler but I could not quite place it. Akira looked up and slowly made his way over, avoiding all eye contact with me. He looked up at The King. “I want to thank you for safely getting Kayla here.” The King said with a smile. I found that quite strange for two reasons. One: why would The King want to see me, and side note to that one how dose he know my name. And two: He was smiling. Akira looked down at the ground swaying from foot to foot. “Your welcome.” He said then hurried back to his little coroner. The King then turned to me. He bent down so he was looking into my eyes. I had to blink a few times since for a moment it was looking into my dad’s eyes. “Kayla….” The King said with a huge smile on his face. “Yes sir. Um.” I said not really sure what to say. “You look just like I thought you would.” He said
“Um. Mister King would you mind me asking you something?” I asked
He chuckled. Another weird thing for the mob king to be doing. “You don’t have to call me Mister King. That’s only for those I work with.” He said “Go ahead ask way. For in a moment I have things that I need to ask you.” He said
“I only have one. Why did you want to see me?’ he asked
“You’ll find out soon enough.” The King said. Then looked up at the men.
“Why don’t you leave us alone for a minute. I have a lot to talk about with Kayla.” The King said the men nodded then filled out of the room Akira fallowed them with his head down.
“I don’t know where to start Kayla. There is so much to say.” The King said taking a deep breath he went on. “This might be really hard to take in but your going to have to.” He said placing his hands on my leg.

I felt like I was back home, sitting in the living room with mom sitting beside me and dad in front of me with his hand on my leg as he was about to tell me we were moving. 

“Kayla. Your father was my son.” The King said

I sat there not sure if I was really spouse to believe this or not. I slowly shock my head.  He nodded. “Vince called me about a month ago. Telling me that him and Kendra were ready to come home. That news made me super excited. Since I was going to be seeing my granddaughter for the first time. I had only gotten photos of you.” He said then pulled out a small photo book. The front had my name on it. He slowly opened it. It had a picture from every single one of my birthdays. “It broke my heart when I heard about the plan crash. I knew where it was coming in from and thought that all three of you were gone. But when I saw the clippings from the interview you had done I regained my strength. And I knew from that minute on I would do any thing to find you and bring you to me.” He said

“So you’re my grandpa.” I said slowly. I had not been able to say that in a long time.

He nodded. “That I am. And you’re my one and only girl now.” He said

Before I knew what I was doing I rapped my arms around his neck and cried. I had found my grandpa and not only was he my grandpa he was the mob boss. “Why didn’t dad tell me about this?” I asked cuddling up next to him.

“He never liked that I was running a family and the mob. He didn’t want to bring his family into it.” He said “I knew that when the time was right he would come around and we would all be together. Sadly only you and I are around.” He said brushing my bangs like dad use to do when I was upset.   “Will I be able to stay with you?” I asked in a whisper.

“It all depends on your parents will. Have you gone over it yet?” Grandpa asked.

I shock my head. “We were going to but they could not find it.” I said

“Have you gone through all the papers at your apartment?” He asked

I slowly shock my head. “No. Wait there was one last envelope.” I said then looked around. “Its in my bag.” I said pointing over at my bag. I slowly stood up grabbed my bag then climbed back onto Grandpas lap. We went through the bag together. There were pictures from all ages of my dad’s life. Grandpa then pulled out the last slip. The paper that we had been looking for. Grandpa held up my parent’s will. He read over it. A huge smile crossing his face as he did.

“Your mine Kayla.” Grandpa said pointing at one of the parts of the will. It was about me and what would happen if they were to die. The only thing under it was my Grandpas name and a cell phone number. I rapped my arms around him tightly. “I’m so glad you found me Grandpa.” I said laying my head on his shoulder. We stayed like that for a few minutes before the men started coming down fallowed by Akira. They all blinked a few times when they saw us. “What happened?” one asked.

“I found my granddaughter that’s what happened.” Grandpa said.

I looked over at Akira who was just standing there. I jumped off of Grandpa ran over and gave Akira a big hug. His eyes grew huge as I did that. “Thank you Akira. Thank you so much for bring me to my Grandpa.” I said giving him another hug then hurrying back over to Grandpa. “Kayla I would like you to meet a few of the uncles. The two you know the best are Uncle-no-nose and Uncle Toucan.” He then went on to name the rest of the guys. “You boys get ready for a big dinner. I’m taking Kayla to get her stuff then clear up all this silly stuff with the lawyers.” Grandpa said then led me up the stairs. And to a nice black sports car. We first stopped by the lawyer’s office. Got all the paper work done. It took a good hour and a half. But I now was under my Grandpas charge until I was eighteen years old. We then went onto my old apartment packed up what I would need for the next few weeks then we walked over to Anna and Grandmas room. They were sitting in the living room when we entered.

“Grandma, Anna. I would like you to meet someone very special to me. Even though I only found him today.” I said pulling my grandpa into the living room. “This is my real Grandpa. We just came from my lawyer’s office. We found my parent’s will and my parent’s had put me under my Grandpas charge.” I said “Grandpa this is Grandma or Mrs. Smith and her granddaughter Anna. They helped me get through a lot the past few weeks.” I said hugging both of them.

“Its nice to meet you. I’m glad Kayla had someone near to take care of her.” Grandpa said shacking their hands. “We just wanted to let you know Kayla will be moving in with me. But we only live a few miles away. She can see you any time she likes. And she made sure she would still be going to the same school.” Grandpa said

“Well its very nice to meet you too Mr. Luca. I’m glade that Kayla has found family.” Grandma said patting me on the head.

Anna hugged me. “I had so much fun having a sister around. But I too am glade you found your Grandpa. And like he said you better come see me.” Anna said

“Don’t worry I will. I’ll be coming to church every Sunday and I am even trying to talk Grandpa in to coming.” I said with a giggle.

“Well I hope you will join us sometime Mr. Luca.” Grandma said with a smile.

“Well we will see what happens.” Grandpa said “But now we must take our leave. We have a dinner to go to and a room to fix up.” Grandpa said

We said our good byes then headed back to Grandpa’s house. When we walked in I looked around for this was the house my dad had grown up in. Grandpa had even told me I would be living in his room. We entered the kitchen. My eyes popped out of my head. For their where now at least four times as many men as there where when he had left.

“How many uncles do I have?” I asked in aw.

“Don’t even try to count ‘em.” Akira said walking over to me. “I’ve tried many times and it dose not work.” Akira said then took me over to my chair witch was between Grandpa and Akira. I could tell I had a lot of work to do since I would be the only girl around. I noticed as I watched them eat. After dinner most of them left, leaving Grandpa, Akira, Uncle-no-nose, Uncle Toucan and my self.

“We’ll I’m glad I have my girl with me.” Grandpa said pulling me onto his lap.

“How dose it feel to be The Mob Princess?” Toucan asked

“It feels great. I always had a strange liking for the mob and well now I know where it comes from.” I said “But! There are a few things that will be changed around here. Seeing that I am the only girl in this house. The kitchen is mine. You will not set foot in there unless I say, same with my room and after today there will be no shoes past the door.” I said crossing my arms.

“She sure is like her grandma.” No-nose said with a chuckle.

“That she is.” Grandpa said rapping his arms around me.

“I think I can deal with another woman like that though.” He said chuckling.

My phone went off I had gotten a new text. I thought it would be from Anna but I was so wrong. It was from the men that had sent me those strange notes before. I thought they would be gone since I was now in the hands of my Grandpa. I slowly handed the phone to Grandpa. He read over it then passed it around.

“What are we going to do about it boss?” No-nose asked

Grandpa sat there for a moment thinking of what we should do. He then grabbed the phone, shut it then tossed it onto the other couch.

“ Right now we have more important stuff to do. We need to go get this little girl a car.” Grandpa said standing up.

“But boss. Kayla could be in danger” Toucan said

“No she is far from it. Look around see who she is with.” He paused “She’ll be fine. Lets leave those messages for another time.” Grandpa said standing up and heading to his car. “So who is coming?” He asked then headed for his car. That was the end of it for now.

EPILOGUE

Have a party, start dating, and get your licenses maybe even get a car, if you’re lucky. That’s what most sixteen-year-old girls get for their birthday. Not me, my sixteenth birthday was far from that. Here is how mine went. My parents died, strange men chased me all over New York City. I found the Lord, someone who I wished I had found mush sooner. I also found out I had a Grandpa; my parents never told me about him. My Grandpa is not a normal Grandpa though. You better sit down. My uncle is The Mob King of NYC, I think I know why my parents never told me about him... Well anyways moving on. So I did not have much of a party so my Grandpa decide to give me a big present…. I wasn’t ready for this. I became a Mob Princess.  So a lot happened to me around my sixteenth birthday as you saw. And that was all within a month. I wonder what will happen this coming year. I’m ready for what ever is tossed my way. Are you?
Kayla.

THE END...... for now

Thank you for joining me as I relived my sixteenth birthday. I hope you enjoyed it. I also hope that you will come back and relive the many adventure I have gone through since I became The Mob Princess.

Credit:

I would like to give credit to Gordon Korman. For I have gotten ideas for my books from his books ‘Son Of The Mob and Hollywood Hustle’     

  Hello. So this is the book I just got done with. I am posting it on here before I even have time to check it over. So you will have to deal with the miss spelled words. Hope you enjoy it.                

 Sixteen With A Twist

               By: Kaycee Robinson.

This book is for all my friends and family who have just talked to me. Little did any of you know that by talking and even arguing you have given me countless ideas. I would never have been able to do it with you guys!

 CHAPTER: WHO

Your sixteen birthday. Its spouse to be one of your best birthdays. Isn’t that why they call it ‘Your Sweet Sixteen.’ Well mine was not so sweet in fact it was far from it, it was hectic. Join me as I relive my sixteen birthday and the weeks to fallow.

It’s the morning of my sixteenth birthday. I roll over hitting the alarm clock off of my night stand rubbing my eyes I stand up to get ready for the day. In two hours I’ll be on my way to the airport to meet my parents there flying in from Minnesota, were they had packed up the rest of our stuff. We had just moved from a big ranch house to a small apartment in the middle of New York City. Man it’s so much of a change but I love it so far. I’m sitting in the living room watching cartoons. Eating a bowel of fruit-loops, that’s got to be one of the best breakfast foods ever made! After two and a half episodes of Scooby-Doo I ran up to my room to get changed, brush my hair and hurry down to the airport. As I walk out side the sun hits my face. Birds are singing, clear blue skies. This IS going to be a great birthday I think to my self as I skip down the sidewalk. It takes about ten minutes to get to the airport. When I walk in every one is so busy, such a change from the airport back home. I walk over to the counter to ask about my parents plane. 

“Sorry sweetie but that flights running a bit late. It should be here in about half an hour. Why don’t you enjoy the stores while you wait.” The lady said. Then with out another word started talking to the next person in line. I sighed and walked off to find a shop to look in while I wait. I walked up to a rack of books. And found one of my liking, it was about The Mob. For some reason I had always liked reading about mobs. Even though my parents had told me hundreds of times that the mob was something that was in the past. That it had died out and was no more. But the look in my dads face told me a whole different story. I’m not quite sure what that story is but he gets this strange look every time I start asking about it.  “Kayla I’ve told you before. The mob was in the olden days and the movies its not around any more.” He would say. Mom would be standing behind him with her hands on his shoulder… it looked like she was trying to comfort him. I shack my head clearing it of those thoughts. I walk up to the counter and pay for the book. I then walk down to the gate my parents will be arriving at. I cuddle up in a chair and start the book. Its one of the best I’ve read so far. It’s about mobs in New York. It had lots of information about jobs mobs had been blamed for. That had just happened a few years go. I flipped the book over and looked at the back. It said that these were real crimes that NY mobs had done. It also talked about The Mob King. I’d read about him on the Internet. He’s getting old now. But when he was a few years younger he was one of the best. He still was but he was starting to do less and less. When I had talked about this with my dad he would look away for a split second then say he had work to do. He did that every time. It made me so mad. I looked up at the clock. It had been almost an hour since the lady had told me it would be no more then a half hour. I stuck my book into my bag. Stood up and walked back to the counter to ask the lady again, but this time the line was much longer then the last. I looked around at the computers showing the times of arrival. My parent’s plan said it should already be here. I was next in line when it happened. When all of a sudden all the televisions started showing clips that would give me nightmares for the rest of my life.

CHAPTER: WHAT

I stumbled back as the clips kept coming. I ran to the nearest television with the sound on. I had to find out more.

“20 minutes ago Flight 016 from Minnesota to New York City. Was seen plummeting towards the ground. Rescue crows have been sent out. And are trying to get the few living passengers out of danger and to a near by hospital. Sadly the rapidly approaching ground was the last thing many of the passengers will see in this life time.” The reporter said standing many feet away from the blazing plan.  “The pilots are one of the few living from the group of 200 people. Stay tuned to find out more about this dreadful advent.” The reporter said. It then flipped back to the news station. Saying they would soon have a list of names of the deceased.

I sit there not knowing what to do.  That was my parent’s plane that had crashed. I hurry to find a laptop I can use. I need to know if my parents are still alive. I run around the whole airport not finding a computer any were. I give up and run to a phone and find a news station. Since I figure that all of the stations will have something about the crash. It takes me ten minutes to get through to anybody.

“Hello. How may I help you?” The lady on the other end of the line says. “Um.. I was wondering how to find out the names of the deceased from Flight 016.” I say, my voice shacking.  “Sorry sweets but the names still have not been released. Check our website in an hour or two.” She said  “Oh, okay thank you for your time.” I say with a sigh then hang up. I slowly make my way home. I grab my laptop and flop down on the couch, turning on the TV as I go. Flipping channels they all show clips and pictures from the crash. I sit there my eyes glued to the TV. Hoping to see my parents but I have a sinking feeling that, that won’t be happing.

I watch the news for about two hours then deicide to check the web. I’m hoping I won’t find my parents names on the ‘Dead peoples list’ I check FOX NEWS first. Every were I look there are stories about the crash popping up. But still no list. I shut down my laptop and wonder around the house. Somehow I end up in my parent’s room. Falling onto the bed. I look up at the smiling family photo we had taken the day we got to NY. Somehow I fall asleep. I am not sure how or why. I was not tired when I walked into my parent’s room. But I woke up to the sound of the doorbell. I finger brush my hair as I run down to the door. I open it to see a young Police Officer standing outside my door. I blink not sure if this is a dream or not.

“Hello. How my I help you officer?” I ask letting my hand slip from the door. And fold my hands in front of me. I don’t have a good feeling about any of this. The officer clears his throat as he looks down at me. “Are you Kayla Luca?” He asked with sadness filling his eyes. I nod not trusting my self to speak clearly.  “Miss Luca would you be okay if I came in for a few minutes I have some stuff to talk to you about.” The officer said.                    “Of course Officer. Please come in.” I said taking a step back, letting the officer in. We walk into the kitchen sitting down across from each other. “You must have heard about the Plan Crash correct?” He asked               “Yes sir I was at the air-port when it happened.” I said looking down at the table. Not like were this was going.  

“I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this. But your parents were just two of the 185 people that did not make it out of the crash.” He said            I shock my head the tears rolling down my cheeks. “No. That can’t be. Its my birthday it was spouse to be a good one.” I cried.   The officer set there a moment then reached out and put his hands on mine. “I’m sorry Kayla this is going to be a hard few weeks for many people. Do you have any family that you can go to?” he asked. I shack my head. “None.” I whisper. My mom was an only child like her parents and her parents had died a few years ago. And then my dad never talked about his family much so I assumed that his family had all passed away too. “Do you have any one that can take care of you for a while?” He asked. I nod my head to that. Anna, she lived down the hall from me. We became the first day my family moved in. “Well then gather your stuff and go straight to them. I hope it works out for you and I’m so sorry this had to happen.” The officer said he stood up and I walked him to the door. After he left I fell to the ground sobbing. I stayed that way for a few hours. By the time I had stopped crying I was out of strength. I pulled out my cell phone and called Anna. I told her about the Officers visit. She told me to stay right there and she would be right over. I told her I would, I had not place else to go. A few minutes later the door flew open and Anna ran over to me. She said nothing just rapped her arms around me and let me cry into her shoulder. After I cried for another thirty minute we stood up and walked to my room. I packed a few cloths, grabbed my sleeping bag and pillow and fallowed Anna to her house. She lived with her Grandma, who also pulled me into a hug the second I walked in the door. I thought I had cried all my tears but I found out I was wrong. Mrs. Smith said I could stay with them as long as I needed as long as I would call her Grandma. I agreed. I tossed my stuff in Anna’s room. As I walked into the kitchen Grandma was poring three cups of tea and had little tea cookies set on the table.           “Nothing helps you clam down like a warm cup of tea with a few cookies.” She said pulling out a chair. I gave a small smile, and slowly drank the tea. She was right once I was done with the tea I felt a bit better. Nothing could make me feel good for a long time.  I’ m not sure what else happened the rest of the day I was in a daze. Trying to tell my self that this was all a dream and tomorrow I would wake up to the sound of my mom poring my dad’s coffee. But the next morning I woke on the floor in Anna’s room. I looked down and saw an extra blanket on top of me. I look up and Anna has only a sheet covering her. She is still sound asleep. I walk into the living room were Grandma is reading the morning newspaper. She smiles when she sees me. “Good morning Kayla. How did you sleep?” she asks       I walk over and cuddle up in the corner of the couch. “Okay. I had bad dreams but I knew that would happen.” I said looking around the room.   “Every one does darling. Losing your parents is not easy.” Grandma says as she walks over to me. She sits down and pulls me into another hug. I never knew how good hugs make you feel. Somehow more tears find there way to my eyes. Grandma never lets go of me. I’m glad of that. I’m not sure what I would do with out Grandma and Anna. Anna has been through the same thing as me. Somehow this has pulled us closer.

Today Grandma and Anna would not let me just sit around. They found out that yesterday was my birthday and decided to do something about it today. First they make me a huge breakfast. Filled with bacon, pancakes, eggs, toast and orange juice. After breakfast they pulled me out of the apartment and down to Grandmas car. We drive to the mall to go birthday shopping. They buy me every thing I even hint at liking. After shopping we hit McDonalds for a fast lunch before I’m dragged down to the movies. I would have loved the movie if it has been the day before. It was action packed and amazingly put together. But today it just seemed like another time to think about what happened yesterday.  We pick up pizza on the way home. When we get home we toss all our bags on the couch and start looking at all our stuff. He put on some 80’s music and I watch as Anna makes a total goof of her self for my amusement. Lip singing to the music and doing some funky dance moves. I smile but I can’t seem to laugh. She plops down beside me as the CD ends.    “Man Kayla you have to do that with me sometime.” She says trying to get her breath back. Grandma comes in and tells us she needs to go pick up a few things and that we should get the pizza cooking or we’ll never eat. Anna and I pop up and walk into the kitchen. We heat the oven and open the pizzas. Sticking them in when the oven is ready. As we wait for the pizza we try on a few of the outfits that Grandma bought for us. Just as the oven timer goes off Grandma comes walking in. This lady knows how to time her errands.  After dinner we put away the few things that Grandma bought then head for the TV for an episode of Monk a show on USA that they watch every Friday evening. It was pretty good. After the show I take a shower and go to bed. For tomorrow is going to be a long horrible day. For Grandma and I have to head down and make the funeral arrangements. I lay awake on my sleeping bag. Waiting for sleep to come. I’m reliving the beginning of this awful nightmare. When I feel hands shacking me awake. Anna is kneeling beside me. “Kayla wake up.” She’s saying. I roll over. “You were having a bad dream.” She says as I rub my eyes.    “Hmm. Oh I’m sorry I woke you up.” I said.   “Its okay. I was getting up for water any ways. I’ll get you a cup.” She says running out of the room. She comes back with two cups of water handing one to me and sipping on the other. “Here you go.” She says sitting on the end of her bed. “Thanks Anna. I don’t know what I would do with out you and Grandma.” I say.

“Think nothing of it. I know what your going through and Grandma knows how to handle it.” She says “Now try and get some sleep you have a long day ahead of you.” She says patting my head.    I smile up at her. “Thanks Anna. I’ll try.” I say setting the cup aside and rolling over. Somehow I mange to fall asleep. The next morning when I walk out to the living room Grandma already as breakfast waiting. “Eat fast sweetie we have a busy day ahead of us.” She says walking off to her room for a shower. I hurry and eat like she said because I know she is right. After breakfast we head down to the funeral home. To start filling out papers and start setting dates. At the end of the day. The funeral is set for the coming Saturday. It won’t be a large one since we did not make many friends yet and the town we lived in before was so small not many of the people would be able to get work off to fly up. Personally I was fine with that. It would be shorter. And I did not want any one else I knew flying for a long time.

CHAPTER: WHEN

The next few days were filled with paper work and meeting with the pastor that would be leading the service. Not long after the list of names from the plan crash were published, strange notes and phone calls started showing up. Here are a few of the notes.

“Tell me what you know about the princes death?”

“It would be wise for you to hurry and tell me about the princes death.”

And many more. The phone calls were just as strange. Saying the same kind of things but in deep creepy voice. For the first day I did not show Grandma or Anna. But when they kept coming I started to get a bit worried and decided it was time for help. So the next morning I walked into the living room and like normal, Grandma was reading the morning newspaper and Anna was listing to her IPod. I slowly walk up to them holding the notes in one hand and my cell phone in the other.                     “I need to talk to you guys.” I say not sure how I am going to explain any of this.      “What is it sweetie?” Grandma asked looking up from her paper.  “The past day I’ve been getting these strange messages on my cell phone and found in my bag when I did not have it in my lap.” I say, I hand the notes to Grandma and play the messages from my cell phone. Grandma and Anna looked very worried after they had read and heard the messages.  “Do you know any one that would play a prank on you?” Anna asked handing me the notes back. I shack my head. “I have not been in New York long enough to make any friends besides you Anna.” I say falling onto the couch. “This can’t be happing.” I thought. “If you get many more today then tomorrow morning we will head down to the Police Station. Now go get your self a cup of tea.” Grandma said. Tea solved every thing for that woman. I nodded, stood up and went to get a cup of tea. That day I was going to get interviewed about what it’s like to lose my parents in a plan crash. I’m not looking forward to that. But somehow I will mange to get it over with.

I walk into the newspaper, witch is super busy. I stand there for a moment not sure witch way to go. Finely I make up my mind and walk up to one of the few desks.   “Um excuse me. I’m here for an interview.” I say. The man looks up at me, takes it all in. Witch does not take long since there is not much to take in. “Name? Last first.” He says. “Luca, Kayla.” I say swaying back and forth on my feet. He starts typing away on his computer then stands up. “Fallow me.” He says not even looking back to see if I was. I pretty much had to run to keep up with this long legged reporter. He turned into a big office. Witch I was not prepared for I thought it would be a short interview but that was not looking good.    “Mr. Smith, Miss Luca is here for her interview.” The guy says then turned to walk off almost running me down. I slowly make my way to the desk.   “Please take a seat Miss Luca we have much to talk up.” Mr. Smith says. I take a seat.  “I’m Mr. Smith, please feel free to say what ever comes to mind as I ask my questions.” Mr. Smith says with a smile. “Its very nice to meet you Mr. Smith.” I say with a forced smile. “Thank you for agreeing to this Miss Luca. We’ll get right down to business.” Mr. Smith said grabbing his note pad and pen. “First tell me a little bit about your parents and there family’s.” He says leaning back in his chair. I titled my head to the side trying to figure out what to tell.  “My grandpa on my moms side was an FBI agent he got killed in the line of duty when I was ten, then his wife passed away when my mom was small so I never got to know her. Then I don’t know much about my dad’s side of the family, he never talked about them much. All I know is, his dad was in the vending-machine business, and his wife was a housewife. Then my dad had one older brother and a whole bunch of uncles. I never meat any of them though.” I say. He nods through out the whole story scribbling down notes here and there. He goes onto ask more about my life and what its like to have my parents killed in a plan crash I really don’t remember much of what I said except for what came out in the newspaper the next day. He thanks me then turns to his computer. I figure this is my time to leave; I stand up and walk out. I wonder the streets for a few hours before I head back to the apartment

A few miles from were I was something that would change my life forever was happing.   

Uncle-Toucan and Uncle No-Nose were standing at the table in the basement awaiting, The King himself. They did not have long to wait before The King came storming down the stairs slamming down a newspaper clipping. The Uncles took a step back from the table. Not wanting to be close to the anger of The King. “FIND HER.” The King yelled. Both Uncles hurried to see what he was talking about, they looked at the newspaper then gave each other confused looks for the clip they were looking at was from an interview some girl had done about her parents dying in a plane crash. “Boss why do you want us to find her?” Uncle-Toucan asked witch got him slapped across the head. “Read it more carefully. The part about who her family is.” The King said sliding into one of his homemade chairs. It took a few minutes before No-Noses jaw dropped. “It cant be… Can it?” He asked. Uncle-Toucan just stood there still confused about the whole thing. The King slowly nodded. “Who else has family members like that? One grandpa a FBI man the other family not talked about much…. in the vending-machine business. Lots of uncles… Its her.” The King said.  “What in the world is going on?” Toucan asked raising an eyebrow.  “You’ll find out the info you need as you go. I want her in this room in less then two weeks.” The King said then slowly rose to his feet, making the Uncles step back. “Or you two will be in bad shape. Now GO.” The King said yelling the last word, then stormed up the stairs. The uncles stood there for a moment then ran. Not wanting to waist any time.

As I was walking back to the apartment I saw something out of the corner of my eyes. I thought I saw two men fallowing me. Just to make sure I turned down a side street. So did they. My heart started to beat faster. I started to run, they started to run. I was being fallowed.

CHAPTER: WHERE

I didn’t know what to do. If I ran back to the apartment I would lead them right to where I was living. I had to run away. I didn’t know where though, I’m sure that they knew this city better then I did. The only hope I had was to out run them. I was a good runner, I was on the track team at my old school and I was planning to join a track team here. I looked over my shoulder; they were gaining on me, and fast. Then I saw it. My chance to be free of these men. Or so I thought at the time. I ran into a crowd of teen girls. There is no way they could pick me out in this group. I slowly made my way through the crowd and into a small shop; I hurried over to the counter trying to get my heart back to normal.  “My I use your phone?” I asked the lady. Since I stupidly forgot mine at home.  She nodded handing me the phone. “Just don’t take to long.” She said as she hurried off to help another customer. I punched in Anna’s cell. I kept glancing out the window making sure the guys did not see me. “Hey Anna.” I said when she picked up. “Could you send Grandma down to…” I looked around the name of the store. “Sam’s shop n’ go. I kind of got lost. And I figured Grandma would know were its at.” I said ducking behind the counter as the guys slowly walked through the crowd of girls. “Sure. We’ll be right down. Grandma had to go by their any ways to pick up her meds. We’ll be there in five minutes.” Anna said as she hung up. I slowly made my way to the back of the store trying to make it look like I was spouse to be there.  A few minutes later I here the door open I peek around the corner hoping to see Anna and Grandma but what I saw was the complete opposite. It was them…. I stepped back not believing this was happing. I slowly make my way around the store as the men are making there way around. I end up having to cut through the middle. Since these two happened to be smart and split up. I hurry to the door hoping that Grandma would be there. And she was! I ran over to the car and jumped in. “Thanks so much for picking me up. I was totally lost. I was just wondering, thinking about…. stuff.” I said looking out the window as we drive off. I look back as the men walk out of the store. We lock eyes for a spilt second before the car turns a corner. They looked mad. I was scared. I sat back down trying not to show my true feelings to Grandma or Anna not wanting to worry them at this moment.  On the way home it felt like I was getting interviewed all over again. Grandma and Anna were asking me about every question they could think of. I was fine with that; it got my mind off of those men for at least a few minutes. I knew they would hunt me in my sleep tonight.

The day of the funeral was drawing near. So far I had not seen those men again. But I was not leaving the apartment much. The strange notes kept coming though. I was starting to wonder if those notes and the men were contacted in someway.  The day before the funeral I was totally bummed out. It just hit me again that my parents were dead. I had started to tell my self that they would be back soon and that Grandma was just taking care of me until then. But today that lie was not working. I wondered around the apartment not sure what to do with my self. Anna had tried and failed to get me to leave and go to the mall with her. But I just was not up for shopping. It must have been horrible for my parents, seeing the ground growing large every second until…. I’m not sure. I don’t know what it was like for them. Did they suffer long? Or was it a fast death? I doubt I will ever know the truth. I sat at the window looking up at the sky thinking about those things until Grandma made me get up and help her with dinner. I must have seemed like a ghost to them, just walking around, staring into space. I couldn’t help it though. The next morning we woke but quite early, had are breakfast and went down to the church that the service would be held at. The first thing I noticed was the coffin at the front of the church. I slowly made my way up. Brushing past the pastors outstretched hand. I closed my eyes before I could see what was in the coffin. I knew that it would not be my parents. I placed my hands on the edge of it and slowly forced my self to open my eyes, and when I did the tears started running down my cheeks. For in the coffin was a picture of my mom and dad, it was taken on there anniversary. They had gone to the closest town. An hour away from our home. To see a play and have a nice dinner. Somehow they had been talked into having a picture taken of them in front of the set. The picture was perfect it was one of the few picture were my dad was smiling. They both looked so happy in that picture. I couldn’t take it any more. My legs gave out and I feel to the floor. I was shacking with tears. I felt hands go around my shoulders as I was helped up and guided to a chair. Were Grandma rapped her arms around me and didn’t let go. I don’t know how long I stayed like that. But it felt good to just let it all out and have someone there to comfort me.   I sat in the chair until the end of the services and like I said it was small, about ten people. It lasted a half hour. No one had much to say since we had lived in New York of less then two weeks before the crash happened. As I was being walked out. I noticed something the stopped my heart. The two men that had been fallowing me just a few days ago. I kept my eyes on the door ahead. I knew that Grandmas car was waiting for me just outside. As I passed. the older of the two stepped closer. “Welcome home Little Princess, we’ll be seeing you soon.” He said then he and his friend fallowed us out; sadly it did not look strange for the other people were also fallowing us. I got into the car sliding down. Luckily it was not strange behavior seeing that I had just come out of my parents’ funeral. I scooted up peeking out my window witch was a bad idea. For the two strange men had sly smiles on. I gasped slightly. My heart did not go back to a normal speed until I got into the apartment. Even then it was just my heart that was back to normal the rest of me was still freaked out. I was already troubled by the funeral then those men had to go and show up with there evil little looks. By this time you are most likely wondering what these men looked like, I won’t keep you wondering any more. The older one was in his forty. He had little left, of his dark brown hair, his eyes matched his hair. He had a scary smile and a bandana rapped around were his nose was spouse to be. The younger one was Asian he was in his late thirties, with black shaggy hair, black, sleek looking eyes. A dinky nose and a smile, which could have been really cute, if he was not using it to creepy me out. Now back to the story.

Sadly I know that the men now had my address, they could come get me at any time that please. I needed to tell Grandma or Anna but I did not want to make them worry any more about me then they had to. The next day the strange messages started coming back, the ones about ‘the princes death’ I was starting to wonder if I had any thing to do with the princes? Because the man had said “Little Princess.” The only thing I could figure out was that my DAD? Was considered The Princes. But that made no scenes, my dad, a prince? Of were? It was starting to hurt my head. I finely decided it was time to take a break, get some fresh air. Maybe when I came back I could put a few more pieces together. So I tossed down all the notes, grabbed my bag and cell phone and headed out the door. Where I was going I had not a clue. I ended up in a park a few blocks from the apartment; I sat down on a bench and watched the little kids playing. I wish that I could be as carefree and happy as they were. But I couldn’t, I had too much to worry about and figure out. Before my time ran out. I sat there watching them play for almost an hour before I realized that the men were slowly walking across the park towards me. My mind did not give me time to think about what I was doing before it told my legs to get up and run. I peeked over my shoulder and saw that the two men had started to run as well. Again they had an advantage over me. They knew the city better then I did. They were closing in on me fast. My mind was running at a hundred miles an hour trying to figure out what they wanted. They knew my parents were dead; did they want the money I would be getting? But they won’t be very happy with that, since nether of my parents had much money so I won’t be getting much. That didn’t seem right though, if they wanted money won’t they just grab me and hold me ransom for the money, they had a few chances to do that. But they never did. And at the funeral they called me Little Princess. They knew me but I had no clue who they were.  All of a sudden my mind was back at my house in Minnesota, I had just walked in the door from visiting my best friends house to tell her that I would be moving in a month, I slid the glass door open and walked in I was about to call out to tell my parents that I was home, when I heard my parents talking in low voices, I usually am good about not listing in but something inside me told me to sneak closer, so I did. I walked up to the door and slid to the floor.

“Are you sure you want to make this move?” My mother asked. There was a long pause as my father thought about his answer. “I’m sure, its time I faced the fact about who my…” Sadly I could not understand the last part of my fathers answer. I sat there trying to piece together what they were talking about. I was getting up to leave, when I heard my parents mention my name, I slid to a stop. Spun around fast and sat back down. Trying to here what they were saying about me.  “Do you think Kayla is ready for this though? Its going to be a big change… finding out about.” My mom was saying but stopped due to an unknown reason. Silent’s filled the house as I waited for the convention to keep going. “She’s more then ready Hun. You know how much she enjoys all that kind of stuff. She’ll love them and they’ll love her.” My dad said. There was another long pause before my dad continued. “I might not be ready, but its time to go home.” My dad said. I heard them stand up and walk to the door. I ran to the back and entered the house again. So they would think I had been gone the whole time.

My mind snapped back to the present time, I glanced over my shoulder to see the men closing in on me fast. I had no clue were to go. I turned a corner then all of a sudden I was ruddily yanked into a small store, even thought it was quite rude I was happy for the save. I turned to see who had just saved my life. I took a step back as I looked into the sparkling sea blue eyes of an adorable Asian, around my age. He had a very familiar look to him. But at this moment I did not care one bit who had pulled me into the safety of the story as long as the men outside did not see were I had gone. I looked around the store then back at the boy. I shock my head, why had he just saved me? I didn’t even know him. He smiled down at me, he was just a few inches taller then I. “Are you okay?” He asked, taking my hand and leading me to the back of the store. I nodded. “Why? Why did you save me?” I asked looking up at him with my big brown eyes. He titles his head a moment. “Lets just say I’ve been watching you and I know a little about those guys,” He smirked “You don’t want to get involved with them. By the way I’m Akira.” He said with a nod.  “I’m Kayla. And trust me it’s not my fault that I’m involved with them. They found me, and I don’t even know what they want.” I said sliding to the floor.  Akira walked over to me, handing me a glass of water and a candy bar. "Just forget about if for a moment. That’s the best way to deal with it for now." Akira told me with another one of his amazing smiles. I nodded my thanks taking the glass and candy from him. "How would you know?" I asked "You seem like the kind of guy that would just turn around and fight." I said with a deep sigh. Akira's response was far from what I thought it would be. In fact... he was chuckling. I looked up at him with a very confused look on my face. "Trust me Kayla, I've been in your spot more then a few times and I ran every time, never once did I stand up to them or any one,” He paused looking away from a moment. “Until just a few months ago." Akira said sliding down next to me. Holding his arm.  “If you don’t mind me asking what in the world are you talking about?” I exclaimed not being able to hole my self-back. He slowly pushed up his long sleeves to show a few dark bruises all the way down his arms. “Those same men, plus a few were trying to get me to do something and I decided I had had enough of them. I turned and stood my ground. It ended with a big fight but after that they stopped bugging me.” Akira said pulling his sleeves back down. “Why were they after you?” I asked curiosities filling my eyes. He sat there a moment, looking like he was about to say something when he clamped his mouth shut, stood up and reached down to help me up. “We better get you home before those guys decided to start looking in the stores.” He said leading me out the back and to a very nice black sports car. I was quite shocked. I never thought a boy like this one would be able to afford a car like this. He unlocked it, opened the passenger door for me then got in and started the car. Nether of us said anything the whole trip home. As he pulled up to the curb next to the apartment building he reached in his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. “Call me if you need any thing.” He then stopped for a moment. “I’ll be at your side the moment you call.” He said nodding. He then unlocked the doors letting me out. “See ya later Kayla.” He said then drove off before I could say another word. I stumbled up the stairs. The whole day, replaying in my mind. I was still trying to figure out why Akira had saved me, and how long he had been watching me. That part was a bit creepy if you ask me. I quietly open the door. Knowing that it is grandma’s naptime and Anna is at work. I flopped down on my bed. Closing my eyes. I sat up fast. I had just figured out why Akira looked so familiar.

CHAPTER: WHY

I shock my head not wanting to believe what I had just figured out. Akira was a younger version of none other then the Asian that had been fallowing and chasing me. At this moment I had no clue as to how they were related but I knew for sure that they were. I didn’t know what to do. Akira told me to call him about any thing. But how did I know if I could trust him since he had to be related to one of the men that had been fallowing me, I stood up and paced around the room trying to figure out what to do about all this. I flopped back on my bed; the pacing around had not gotten me any were at all. I lay on my bed blankly looking up at the ceiling. I lay that way until Grandma called me out to see something playing on the news channels. I sat down beside her and waited for a replay. I did not have to wait long. The reports came back on. What they said made my heart skip a beat. This month was getting worse and worse. The reports were saying that the plane crash that had killed my parents and many others was not just an accident. The plane had been checked over and over by many different people to make sure what they thought was true, sadly they all came to the same conclusion that the plane crash was planed for found under the end of the plane was something that only happened in my worse of nightmares. They had found a bomb. But that was not the worst part. That was bad enough but they had to go and find something carved into it. This was what had all the reports riled up for the note carved into the bomb read.

“It was nice knowing you Prince but its time to send you back to mommy.”

This was not happing I thought as I slowly stood up and walked to the kitchen. Could the same people sending me the texts be the same ones who left that note? And if that was so were the men chasing me the ones who blow up the plane? And yet another quotation is the Prince my dad? And if that’s true was the bomb meant to kill my parents and they did not care who else died on the way? I slumped to the ground next to the sink. My mind was running a hundred miles an hour with all these new thoughts. Stuff was starting to come together and I was now desperate to find out if my reasoning was correct. I only knew of one person that might be able to help me, and I did not even know if he was truly on my side. But I had no choice I had to go to Akira. I stood up and ran to my room grabbed the slip of paper and took off down the stairs and out the door. I ran to the park, falling on the grass. I pushed in the number and awaited the answer. I was scared though. For Akira might be working undercover for the men that ether killed my parents, were after me or worst of all both. It took a while for him to pick up; in fact I was ready to hang up.

“Yo?” Came the reply on the other end.

“Um Akira?” I asked with a shacking voice.

“Kayla? Are you okay? Were are you? Are you safe?” Akira asked sounding almost sacred himself.

“Yeah its me. I’m safe and at a little park.” I said slowly sitting up.

“But are you okay?” He asked. I heard the sound of a door open and shut.

I sat in silences for a moment. “No Akira I’m not fine.” I whispered.

“What happened?” He asked, as I heard the sound of his car start up.

“It sounds like your on your way. The parks called, ‘Smiths Park’ go to the swing set. I’ll tell you then.” I said then hung up before he could say another word. I ran over to a bush and hide init. Wanting to make sure that he was alone before I went to him. It only took a few minutes before he came running over to the swings, spinning around looking for me. I slowly got out of the bush and walked over to him. “We need to go someplace else.” I said pulling him towards his car. He nodded unlocking my door as he got in. “Not to your house though, to a Café or something like that.” I said slumping down his the seat. He still had not said a word. And he didn’t until we got to the Café. He pulled me to a back booth, ordered two hot chocolates then turned to face me. “What in the world is going on?” He asked raising an eyebrow. I looked down at the table. “My parents died in a plane crash a week or two ago, and today I found out that someone killed them. I’ve figured out that my dad was called Prince. I don’t know why though. And someone killed him saying that he would now be joining his mom. A few days after they passed away, I began to get letters saying stuff like ‘What do I know about the Princes death?’ and stuff,” I took a big breath “ Then those men that were fallowing me said something like ‘Welcome home Princess’ as I passed them at my parents funeral. And I think you are working for them. You look to much like one of them not to be related.” I throw my hand over my mouth because I had not meant to say the last part. I wanted to see what he would say about the other parts first. Akira sat there a moment with big eyes and jaw dropped. He shock his head. “Wow. That’s a lot to say in so little time.” He said now taking a sip of his coco. “Lets start with the first part and work are way through it.” He said pushing my coco towards me. “Tell me what your father and mothers names were.” He said. I pushed my coco away not really feeling like I could have any thing in my stomach at this moment. “My fathers name was Vince Luca and my mother was Kendra Luca. Nether of them talked much about there family’s, My mom’s dad was a FBI agent and his wife died when my mom was young then my dad never really talked about his family. So I assumed that his family all died when he was young.” I said looking at the marshmallows floating on the top of the coco. I kind of felt like them at the moment. Like I slowly shrinking and soon would be no more. Akira nodded as I talked blinking a few times when I said my father’s name. “What was your mothers maiden name?” he asked.  I shock my head. “I don’t know they never said, and I never tried to figure it out.” I said picking at the marshmallows. He nodded. Took a deep breath, reached over took my jaw gently in his hand and lifted my head so I was looking into his eyes. “Kayla, what I am about to tell you might be a bit hard to understand and believe. But your going to have to trust me.” He said he slowly brought his hand away from my face. “Your father…” Akira started but that’s the farthest he got. “Oh shoot.” He hissed. “Fallow me.” He said grabbing my hand bending down low and running into the kitchen, and out the back door. “There back, and they got friends.” Akira said as we slowly made our way around the building, He stopped. “Shot I parked the car in front of the window. Wait here. Do not move an inch. I’ll pull the car around you jump in and we are out of this place.” Akira told me as he walked out of the ally and towards his car. He acted like nothing was wrong just walking up to his car, nodding at someone in side. I’m thinking that the men inside had seen him. I slid down the wall covering my face. I peeked up just as Akira’s car was pulling away. I jumped up ran over, tossed the door open and climbed in. Slumping down in my seat. “I seem to be doing that a lot lately.” I thought. After we had gotten a why. I sat back up, reached over and punched Akira in the arm.  He grabbed his arm where I had punched him. “OW. What in the world was that for?” He asked with big eyes. “Keep your stupid eyes on the road.” I said slapping him. He shock his head. “Why are you beating me up?” He asked this time keeping his eyes on the road. “Because your involved in someway with those awful men.” I said sliding back down in my seat. Akira chuckled. “Your more involved with them then I am Miss Kayla.” He said poking me. I slapped at his hand.           “You don’t know what your talking about. Yesterday was the very first time we saw each other. There is no way you can know who I am involved with.” I said. “Kayla….” Akira started but then stopped. “I have Judo lessons in a few minutes. We’ll pick up from here tomorrow. Meet me at the Café and if your not there I’ll come to your house.” He said pulling up to my apartment. “Be careful Kayla.” He said as I climbed out of his car “Kayla…” He started but I had slammed the car door and was already running up the stairs and to the safety of the small room. When I entered the apartment it was quite. Anna was at work and Grandma had gone to her weekly game of Bingo. I flopped out on the couch and cried. I didn’t know what else to do at the moment. I thought I could trust Akira at first but then I decided I could not trust him and now I don’t know weather to trust my own thinking.  After a good half hour of crying I rolled over on my back then slowly sat up. I pulled my knees up to my chest and sat there rocking back and forth. “Gahhh” I whispered looking around the small room. Before I could stop my self. I stood up and ran to the apartment that my parents and I had lived in for a few weeks before they had died. I ran to there room throwing my self on their bed. Cuddling up with the picture of them. After I had cried even more, I sat up hanging my feet over the bed and looked around the small room. “There must be something that will help me figure out something.” I said to my self. I then stood up and started to walk around the room. Trying to build my self up to going throw their stuff. Grandma had said she would do this with me in a week or two once I had clamed down but at this rate she would have to wait a year or two. I took a deep breath and walked over to my dads work area. He had his work laptop on a small table with sheets of paper lying everywhere. I slowly started to read each piece of paper hoping for even just a bit of insight into the strange world I had been tossed into. Sadly none of these papers had any thing that seemed important. I should have known that though. Dad would not just all of a sudden leave something he had seemed to be hiding from me my whole life just laying around the room. I had to start going through the papers that I was not aloud to touch. They had made it clear to me that if I ever found a folder I was not to open it. Unless one of my parents was around and told me it was okay. They had told me it was because they did not want me to lose something impotent, but now I think it is because they did not want me to SEE any thing important. I slowly made it over to my parent’s bed, bending down next to the bed. I stayed like that for a while with my hands on the bed and my head between them. I still did not have the courage to go under their bed. I was having a hard time starting the search; I had no clue what I would find under the bed. But what ever it is that I find may easily change the rest of my life. I lower my self and crawl under the bed, there was more under there then I thought there were would be. Everywhere I look there were boxes and bags. I start pulling them out one by one. It takes me almost two hours to go through all the bags and boxes. Finding nothing useful at all. I go under one last time. Because something had caught my attention. I reach out to grab it, I thought that it would come out easily like the last but it does not. It does not feel the same ether. I reach both hands out put them on the box and pull with all my might. I stair at the box for a while. For I had found a safe. I had never seen it in my lifetime. I look at the safe trying to figure out where the lock is. I see it; it’s a five-letter code. I lean back trying to figure out what he would have put down.  I first tried V.L.U.C.A since it stands for my dad’s name. But that was not right I then tried K.L.U.C.A since it stood for my moms name and mine. But that was not right ether.  So I tried April, the month that my whole family was born in, again it was not right. I put in Girls, since he lived with them. I bet you know what happened… nothing! I worked on that for a half hour putting in any five-letter word that had anything what so ever to do with my dad. But none of them worked. I was starting to get depressed about all this. I decided it was time for a break. I went through all the letters and pictures I had given him since I was two. He had kept them all! As I was going through all of them I found one that helped me more then I ever thought possible from something I had drawn. For I had found a picture I had drawn for him when I was five years old. I had just started to learn to write more then just my name, here is what my note said.

“To daddy, I love you. I drew you this at school taday. I learned how to write more words. I am f I v e s years old.    Love me, Kayla”      

 I choked on the air I was breath when I noticed a few things, I spelled five with five letters and my name has five letters, I tossed the picture down and dropped to my knees beside the safe, I slowly put in my name. If this did not work I would give up for a very long time, perhaps forever. I slowly put in ‘a’ and I heard the lovely sound of the click-click I had broken the code to the safe. My hands were shacking. What happens if there is nothing in here…? I slowly lifted the lid. Then it happened I knew something like this would happen, my cell phone went off. I let out a deep sigh and answered my cell.

“Hello? This is Kayla,” I said flopping onto the bed.

“Were are you? I came home and you where not here” Anna said

“I am over at my old apartment, going through…. Some stuff” I said looking longingly over at the safe lying on the floor with the lid laying opening.

“I thought you were going to do that in a few days? Do you want me to come help?” Anna asked

I knew she meant well but this was something I had to do by my self I didn’t know what I would uncover when looking through the safe.

“Thanks but no thanks. I’m doing okay. I’ll be over in a half hour or so. Then we can head out and get a bit to eat.” I said swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.

“Okay. If you don’t come back over in forty minutes I am going to come over there and get you!” Anna said

“Okay. But I assure you that you will not be able to do it.” I said. Then slid to the floor as we said our goodbyes and hung up.

Body: Prep:
[] You own something from aeropostale
[] You own something from hollister
[] You own somthing from american eagle
[] You own something from abercromie
[] You have blonde or brown hair
[] you've been called a prep
[X] You have converse
[] you wear ballet flats
[] You dont play sports
[] You straighten your hair
Total:1
Multiply by 10
10

Gangster:
[] You have Bapes
[] You know the song "Thizzle dance"
[]You listen to mac dre
[] You usually wear jerseys
[X] You've held a real gun
[X] You wear nikes
[X] You play/played basketball or football
[X] You hardly wear pink
[]You've been called a gangster
[] You listen to gang related music
Total:4
Multiply by 10
40

Emo:
[X]You've worn black nail polish
[] You cut your wrists/have cut your wrists
[] You like "my chemical romance"
[X] You have worn black eyeliner
[] You have no friends
[X] You usually wear black
[] You've been called emo
[X] You Have dark brown/black hair
[] You rarely talk
[X] You sit in corners
Total: 5
Multiply by 10
50

Jock:
[X] You have at least 5 medals
[X] You have at least 2 trophies
[]You have at least 4 jerseys
[] You watch NBA playoffs
[X] You have had practice almost everyday
[X] You played on a team
[] You've been called a jock
[X] You have been told you're good at a sport
[X] You've played in at least 7 tournaments
[X]You've coached young kids in a sport
Total : 7
Multiply by 10
70

Redneck
[}You live/lived in the south
[X]You have riden a horse
[]You know what chaps are
[X]you know where Alabama is
[]You proud to be southern
[]You own a rebel flag
[]People say you have a country accent
[]You've gone mud bogging or deer huntin
[]You/parents own a dodge, ford, chevy or Jeep Wrangler
[] you mostly wear blue jeans
Total:2
Multiply by 10
20

I am a Jock... But I don't really act like one other then I am in to Judo.

Kenji

Body: Prep:
[X] You own something from aeropostale
[] You own something from hollister
[] You own somthing from american eagle
[X] You own something from abercromie
[] You have blonde or brown hair
[] you've been called a prep
[X] You have converse
[X] you wear ballet flats
[] You dont play sports
[X] You straighten your hair
Total:5
Multiply by 10
50

Gangster:
[] You have Bapes
[] You know the song "Thizzle dance"
[]You listen to mac dre
[] You usually wear jerseys
[X] You've held a real gun
[] You wear nikes
[] You play/played basketball or football
[] You hardly wear pink
[]You've been called a gangster
[] You listen to gang related music
Total:1
Multiply by 10
10

Emo:
[X]You've worn black nail polish
[] You cut your wrists/have cut your wrists
[] You like "my chemical romance"
[X] You have worn black eyeliner
[] You have no friends
[] You usually wear black
[] You've been called emo
[X] You Have dark brown/black hair
[] You rarely talk
[] You sit in corners
Total: 3
Multiply by 10
30

Jock:
[X] You have at least 5 medals
[X] You have at least 2 trophies
[]You have at least 4 jerseys
[] You watch NBA playoffs
[X] You have had practice almost everyday
[X] You played on a team
[] You've been called a jock
[] You have been told you're good at a sport
[] You've played in at least 7 tournaments
[X]You've coached young kids in a sport
Total : 5
Multiply by 10
50

Redneck
[}You live/lived in the south
[X]You have riden a horse
[]You know what chaps are
[]you know where Alabama is
[]You proud to be southern
[]You own a rebel flag
[]People say you have a country accent
[]You've gone mud bogging or deer huntin
[]You/parents own a dodge, ford, chevy or Jeep Wrangler
[] you mostly wear blue jeans
Total:1
Multiply by 10
10

We are prep/jocks.

We don't know how that works but it does!!!

Hana and Hikaru