Would this be something you would want to read more of?

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 There are certain duties a girl must do as a best friend. She must listen, assure, care and laugh for that best friend. She must do whatever she can to make that best friend happy. But where the hell in this list of rules does it say that she must put up with an obsession so large it gives her headaches? The posters on the bedroom wall and piles of CD’s littering Alicia’s room were something I had dealt with for some time. These things were easily avoided. The constant talking, giggling, moaning and sighs surrounding the subject of the famous Jamie Barrets were another story. The young singer, who had magically charmed the world with his music at the ripe age of 16, had mesmerised the mind of my closest friend, Alicia. In achieving such a thing, he also accomplished to drive me insane. Not that he knew this of course. There must have been hundreds of suffering best friends all over the country. Well, maybe not hundreds seeing as most of the female population have already decided that Jamie is the ‘One’ for them.

 I have nothing against him. How could I when I’ve never met him? Of course this was another thing Alicia was determined to change. A CD signing, a few days away, was going to introduce me to the famous Jamie Barrets. Singer, Song-writer, Young, Male, Handsome and rich, what more did a girl want huh? What some girls want, some girls loath. Simply for singing he gets shot to stardom where as real heroes get no recognition what so ever - or the money.

 Chris continued to try to find the right time to apologise to Kate. He didn't know if he had already been forgiven but was determined to find out. Every time he tried, something - or someone - got in the way. It was obvious to Chris that Lee liked Kate. Yet Chris didn't understand why it bothered him so much. He despised Kate didn't he? How could his feelings for Kate change so dramatically?

 As soon as they got off the bus, Chris waited for Kate to step off the bus before he gently pulled her aside - much to Ruby and Sasha's amazement - and said, "We need to talk."

"As much as I'dlove too," Kate said sarcastically, emoving Chris' hand from around her upper arm, "I have friends who are waiting for me."

 Kate started walking away from Chris when he grabbed her hand and pulled her back towards him. He had pulled her so close their noses lightly brushed each others.

"They can wait." He whispered firmly.

"O-okay."Kate stuttered.

 Kate took a step back as Chris released her hand. It felt heavy as it fell against her side. Everyone from the buses had gone. Ruby and Sasha had left, noticing Kate wouldn't be joining them after all. Kate and Chris stood alone.

"I shouldn't have said what I did the other day." Chris said finally.

 Kate looked at him blankly.

"It was harsh and cruel and I didn't mean it." Chris informed her.

"Yeah," Kate sighed," you did mean it."

"Kate-" Chris attempted.

"No. You were right actually. I was treated the exact same way back in Dublin. I somehow got in with the 'popular crowd' and I just... changed I guess." Kate said softly.

"Oh..." Chris trailed off. He was confused. This wasn't the reply hewas expecting. He thought she'd shout, insult him , anything but this. Chris was sort of lost for words. It was a new feeling for him.

"Thing is, I've changed so much I can't remember what I was like before." Kate confessed.

"I..." Chris attempted to speak but words failed him. The last bell rang, signalling time for registry.

"Bye Chris." Kate said before walking off to her class.

 Chris watched Kate walk away before finally making his own way to class. To Chris' disapointment Kate was in very few of his classes. He still didn't understand why he was feeling like this. He couldn't actually like Kate could he?

 During third lesson Chris found himself glaring at Lee, who was gazing at Kate. The teacher had left the class to get some papers from the class opposite. The minute the door had closed behind her, the class had exploded in to instant chatter. Kate had started talking to a few of the girls behind her, including Ruby. Laughing could be heard from the group of girls before they looked over at some of the guys who continued to glance in their direction. All the guys who had been looking oer at her looked away in a hurry and turned in their seats, pretending they hadn't been staring at her the whole time.

 Soon enough the teacher returned to the class with papers in her hand.

"Right, uhh Kate and," Mrs Cane, the English teacher said gesturing to the papers she had layed down on the desk in front of her, "umm, Mark, can you hand these out please?"

 Kate and Mark got to their feet and retrieved the papers. As they started handing them out Mrs Cane started talking again, "Now TRY not to lose these please, They're important for the next work we'll be doing."

 After all the papers had been handed out, the bell had rung on time.

"Oh and Miss Rees, don't think I've forgotten about that work you haven't handed in yet."

 As we walked out the door Sarah turned to Kate and said, "I'm sure that womans got it in for me."

 Kate laughed and said, "She doesn't ike anyone."

"True." Sarah sighed. "But I'm one of her favourites. That she hates."

"Yeah maybe that's because you spilled coffee all over her marking papers last year." Lise, one of the schools biggest gossips chimed in.

"Well she shouldn't have been drinking coffee whilst marking." Sarah shrugged, too innocently.

"She wasn't the one drinking it. You had brought it to the class after break and spilt it whilst looking for your brothers papers." Lisa grinned.

"Sarah!" Kate exclaimed laughing.

"Ah well , she deserved it." Sarah grinned.

 Chris was walking behind the group of girls with Mark and Lee.

"Forget it." Mark said to Lee. "You've got no chance."

"What do you mean?" Lee asked, he hadn't been paying much attention.

"Kate." Mark retorted.

"We'll see." Lee replied with a wink.

 Chris clenched his fist at the sight of Lee. He knew what he was capable of. Chris had known Lee for many years, unfortunatley. The thought of Lee and Kate together made Chris uncomfortable. He wasn't going to let it happen any time soon.

 Lee walked ahead towards the girls and cheekily said, "Hey gorgeous." witha wink.

 The girls around Kate giggled but Kate just replied flatly, "Uh hi Lee."

 Chris continued to walk down the hallway behind them with Mark still at his side.

"So you two still have that big grudge thing against each other?" Mark asked, making Chris tear his gaze away from Kate and Lee in front of them.

"UH honestly?" Chris hesirared. "I have no idea."

"You too, huh?" Mark grinned.

"Me too? What are you talking about?" Chris frowned.

"Kate." Mark said plainly.

"I don't know what you mean." Chris lied.

"Sure." Mark laughed.

 Chris didn't reply. Mark wasn't dumb. Unvoluntarily, Chris's gaze strayed ack to Kate. The scene had changed from how it had been before. The other girls had left and Kate was talking, slowly, to Lee. He had a bemused expression on his face. Lee wasn't talking, just listening as Kate was still explaining. Lee looked like a confused toddler.Chris couldn't help but look. The conversation seemed to come to a close and Lee nodded. Kate reached towards him for a hug and Lee hugged her back with the same bemused expression.

They parted and Chris's curiosity tingled. He looked over at Mark who seemed to have seen the confusing tale in front of them, too. What had happened?

 As if reading his mind, Mark shrugged and left with a , "See you later."

Chapter 1

You always hear about the boy and the girl who were the best of friends since they were kids and lived happily ever after. Well seeing as this is what your reading get THAT idea out of your head NOW. What you don't hear is the problems they go through to get to living happilyever after. Kate Dean has never lived the fairytale. Her mother passed away after giving birth to Kate. And that's only the beginning.

As a child Kate was happy and polite. She tried to make friends with everyone. Except for that one boy. Chris Johns. They had despised each other since the first day they'd met. They had been in the same primary and had known each other since the age of two or three. Even at that tender age they were flicking sand at each other in the sand box. Their rivalry continued for years. Nothing could be said or done to change their ways. Their parents thought that they were just being kids and would make up and move on eventually. This turned out not to be the case.

When Kate turned twelve she was told by her father that they were going to move away. Her father had got a job in Irealand and they were going to move to Dublin within a couple of weeks. This news made Chris very happy. Kates only delight about moving to Dublin was that she would be away from Chris. Even after ten years they were still the worst of enemy's. Kate had to leave her friends, her school, her home and what little family she has left, behind.

As promised a few week's later Kate left for Dublin. Her father started his new job and Kate started her new school. Week's and months flew by and Kate still didn't settle at her new "home". After only a year Kate had become the 'popular one' Kate took no notice of this. She didn't even like the place to begin with.

The months dragged on and Kate's fondness of Dublin stayed the same. There was nothing wrong with the place. It was beautiful. But it wasn't her home. No matter how long she stayed there.

After turning fifteen, Kate's father declared they were going back to Greenock, in Scotland. Kate was the happiest she had been in three year's. She was finally going home. It took a while for everything to be organised. After a few week's everything had been arranged and they got back to Scotland. Once Kate had, had a look around her new home she went for a walk to familiarise herself with her new surroundings.

The sun was peaking through the clouds and the day was slowly warming up. Kate walked towards the park at the top end of her street. There was a long path stretched out across the park, and kate entered the park and begun to walk through.

Kate's mind begun to wander as she looked around her taking in the sights around her. The park wasn't busy but it wasn't empty either. There were a few people walking their dog and mothers pushing prams. The usual. It was the same as what Kate would have seen in a random park in Dublin but here it felt like home. Kate continued to walk along the path when she bumped in to a guy walking the opposite direction to Kate. Kate dropped her bag and the guy dropped his mobile. They both bent down to retrieve their things and banged head's in trying to do so.

"Ow! Sorry." Kate said.
"No it was my fault." He replied.

They both lifted their heads up to look at each other.

"Chris?!"Kate said wide-eyed.
"Kate?!" Chris said shocked.

They both stood up immediatley.

"What are you doing here?" Chris asked flatly his mood instantly changing.
"I've moved back." Kate said proudly before adding, "For good."
"Oh." Chris said plainly.
"See you around." Kate said then swung her bag over her shoulder before continuing on her way.

Kate had got used to having this attitude after dealing with the obnoxious guys at her old school. Yet she felt different. She could act in front of him sure. Her heart raced and she instantly felt dizzy. Confusion engulfed Kate. Kate's legs nearly gave way beneath her once she realised she was out of Chris's sight.

Chapter 2

Kate was back. Chris discovered this whilst walking through the old park to meet his girlfriend. Of all people to bump in to he had to bump in to her. If he had known it was Kate he would never have taken responsibilty for walking in to her. Since when did Kate Dean apologise to Chris anyway? She had changed so much. Appearence and personality. Kate didn't try to pick a fight, she hadn't been arrogant, what happened to her? Before Chris had realised it was Kate all he had noticed was her blonde hair falling over her face in ringlets and how beautiful it had made her look. He had never noticed or cared about how she looked before so what was so different now? He had a girlfriend so why couldn't he get Kate out of his head?

That afternoon Chris couldn't stop thinking about his encounter with Kate. Even when he had been with his girlfriend he couldn't concentrate. His girlfriend noticed too. She continued to ask Chris if he was okay and had a mumbled answer as a response. Why had she come back now? Had she really changed that much? Question after question kept creeping in to Chris's thoughts. It had been Saturday when Chris had come across Kate in the park. On sunday morning Chris and some of his mates from school had met up at the park and were all having a game of rugby. Later on, they were all sitting around one of the park benches.

They were all joking and messing around when one of the guys let out a loud whistle as a girl walked past. Chris looked up to see who it was and saw a slim blonde walk past. She turned around and laughed. Then winked in Chris's direction. All the guys turned to Chris.

"Do you know her? 'Cause no way are you that lucky!" One of the guys said before laughing.
"Guys that's Kate Dean." Chris informed them.
They all fell silent.
"What, that dorky kid from primary?" One of the guys asked.
"Uh-huh." Chris replied.
"Hell no! That doesn't even look like her!"
"Damn she's changed." Lee, one of the guys from the rugby team, exclaimed.

They all looked on as Kate walked out of the park. Chris wondered if Kate would be in school on Monday. The our other guys were hoping the exact same thing.

On Monday morning Chris walked down the road towards his bus stop where Lee was already waiting. Lee wasn't on his own. When Chris arrived at the bus stop Lee and Kate were laughing.

"Oh hey Chris." Lee said as they stopped laughing.
"Hi." Chris said.

Kate just smiled and said nothing. Chris didn't understand at all. What happened to Kate Dean?

An uncomfortable silence fell acrss the three of them. They were all relieved when the bus finally came. When they had all got on the bus Kate went to say hi to some of her old friends. They couldn't believe it was her. Chris knew exactly how they felt. Every one was paying so much attention to her. All the guys around Chris couldn't take their eyes off her. Neither could Chris.

Kate kept catching Chris looking at her but he couldn't help it. She hadn't even got to the school and she had everyone falling over themselves for her. After twenty minutes or so they arrived at the school. More and more people were paying her more attention. Guys heads turned as she walked past and girls continued to ask Kate if she remembered them.

What spell did she have over all these people? Chris hoped that it was just because she was new. Lunchtime, Chris saw Kate sitting on one of the benches in the yard and to his suprise she was alone. Kate was looking over her class schedules when Chris strode up to confront her.

"What are you up to?" He asked firmly.
"Trying to work out what class I have next." Kate said lifting up the piece of paper.
"No, not that. I mean with everyone else. Since when have you become such a," Chris hesitated before adding, "barbie."
Kate stood up and stepped towards Chris. "Maybe I've changed. It's been three years Chris. What? Did you expect me to come back that silly little twelve year old?" Kate said fiercly. "And I'm not the only one that's changed."
"Yeah, fine, maybe I have changed but I'm not the one putting on an act."
"An act? Just because I'm liked you think I'm putting on an act?"
"Oh come off it you're liked because of how you look not because of who you are."
Kate glared at Chris but said nothing. For the first time Chris felt he had gone to far. He opened his mouth to say something but Kate just grabbed her bag and walked off before he had the chance.

Chapter 3

Kate's first day back didn't turn out exactly as she had expected. Everyone had been crowding around her and giving her more attention than she was comfortable with. The guys kept turning round to look at her and the girls kept acting like they were her best friends. At lunch time she was finally free. As Kate sat on a bench trying to understand the whole class schedule thing she heard someone walking towards her. When she looked up she was suprised to feel relieved to find Chris walking towards her. That is until he opend his mouth. Chris had put Kate in a bad mood through out that afternoon.

After school had finished Kate was once again crowded by people. Kate forced a smile but she doubted it was believable. The bus was late and Kate disliked having to want whilst standing in the middle of a group of fakes.

"Wow I love your hair. Is it your natural colour?" One of the fakes asked.
"Yeah." Kate replied flatly.

The bus came and Kate let out a sigh of relief. As Kate stepped on to the bus she realised she had forgotten her bag. She turned round to go and get it to find Chris standing in front of her.

"Here." He said handing her the bag.
"Thanks." Kate replied through gritted teeth.
"You're welcome." He smiled smugly.

Kate wanted to hit him over the head with the bag not thank him for it. The bus ride back was only twenty minutes but to Kate it felt like hours. Everyone had finally realised Kate didn't want to talk to them and talked amongst themselves instead. Chris kept looking at Kate but she tried to avoid his gaze. When ever she tried to direct her eyes towards him it was only to glare. Chris had been horrible to Kate before but she'd never been this angry about it. Usually she'd get revenge. Chris may look different but Kate was wrong. He hadn't changed. Kate began to think this just as they arrived at her stop.

Her crue; memory reminded her that it wasn't only her bus stop. Chris was in front of her as they walked off the bus. Chris stepped off followed by Kate. Kate went to step on the pavement, when she caught her ankle and fell. She braced herself for the floor than was speeding towards her. Before Kate knew it someone's arms had caught her. She hadn't fallen to the floor. Someone had caught her. The firm arms helped her back to her feet. Once standing upright she looked in to the face of the owner.

"Are you okay?" Lee asked.
"I'm fine." Kate breathed.
"Nice catch Chris." Lee smiled faintly.

Chris nodded in reply forgetting his arms were still around Kate. Her arms were on his shoulders. Balancing herself, she tried convincing herself. Her eyes refused to leave his. Lee stood beside the pair awkwardly. Chris removed his arms and brought himself back down to reality. Kate took a step back away from Chris. The opposite to what she felt like doing. Confusion clouded her decisions.

"What way are you walking?" Lee asked Kate.
"Up past the church." Kate mumbled trying to avoid Chris's gaze but not being able to look Lee in the eye.
"Oh, me too mind if I walk with you?" He asked with a smile.
"Okay" Kate said reluctantly, faking a smile.

Chris walked off in the opposite direction. As Lee started talking again, Kate looked over her shoulder too see if she could still see Chris. Her mind was a blur. She wasn't listening to anything Lee was saying. Kate nodded every now and again to show that she was still listening. Lee said he was going a different way to Kate and she felt relieved. She just needed to sort her thoughts out and it was impossible to do that whilst talking to Lee.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." Lee said.

"Okay, bye." Kate said with a smile.

 It wasn't that Lee wasn't a nice guy, he was. But it wasn't Lee that she had on her mind.

 Chris was at the bus stop earlier the next morning and Lee hadn't arrived yet.

"Hi." Chris said quietly when Kate arrived.

"Hey." Kate replied. "Thanks  for yesterday."

"No problem." Chris smiled weakyl. "Listen Kate-"

"Hey." Lee grinned broadly as he strode over to Kate.

"Hi." Kate smiled."Sorry Chris what were you going to say?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it." Chris mumbled avoiding Kate's gaze.

 Lee continued to talk to Kate as Chris slouched behind Lee, his gaze refusing to leave the floor. Kate kept looking over Lee's shoulder to see if Chris had looked up yet. Her mind raced. The only thing from letting Kate's curiosity getting the better of her was Lee, who was still chatting away cheerily.

"So I went to tell her that- Oh look the bus is here." Lee said.

 Kate was sure she could have heard Chris let out a sigh of relief. Everyone boarded the bus and Kate took a seat next to a few of the girls. By now Kate was able to tell the difference between the girls who were fake and the girls who genuinly liked her.

"You know he has a crush on you don't you?" Ruby hinted as she leaned over her seat to talk to Kate.

"Who does?" Kate asked.

"Lee." Sasha answered for her.

"He couldn't have made it anymore obvious if he tried." Ruby grinned.

"See! He's looking over here every two minutes." Sasha laughed.

"But then again so are half the guys on the bus." Ruby pointed out.

"Yeah but Lee actually looks at Kate instead of just her chest." Sasha smirked.

"Shall I leave? Because you two have obviously forgottem I'm still here." Kate suggested.

"Drama queen. Weirdly enough Chris keeps looking over too. He looks guilty. What did he do?" Sasha demanded.

"Nothing." Kate replied firmly.

"Must be bad. He never feels guilty. Well he never makes it obvious." Ruby stated. "Remember what happened with that Stacey girl last month? That was cold."

"What Stacye girl? What happened?" Kate quizzed Sasha and Ruby.

"They were in the caf in school and they were sitting at a table with the rest of the robots," Ruby calls all the girls that want to be popular... or think ther already are, 'robots'.

"...and Chris had been a right grump all week so Stacey started wrapping her arms around Chris..." Sasha continued.

"... only for Chris to keep shrugging her away..." Ruby said.

"...so Stacey continued to try to hold his hand or link arms and so on..." Sasha explained.
"...but Chris started getting impatient and suddenly he got to his feet and started shouting at Stacey..." Ruby informed her.

"...it turned in to a huge argument and he called her a... 'two faced cow' and dumped her..." Sasha went on.

"...Stacey started crying which turned in to sobs..."

"...and he just walked past her with out a word."

"And that was that. Of course the 'Robots' were there, mascara in hand to help." Ruby half laughed.

"Whoa." Kate said when Ruby and Sasha were finished.

"Which is how the 200 other people felt when they had a front row seat to this." Sasha said.

"So if Chris didn't feel bad about doing that to Stacey, in front of all those people what could he have done to you that has suddenly filled him with guilt?" Ruby asked.

"I don't know, we got in to an argument the other day. Maybe it was that." Kate shrugged.

"An argument? What happened? What did he say?" Ruby questioned.

"Ruby! Stop quizzing her!" Sasha said, giving Ruby a light tap on her shoulder. "But really. What did he say?"

 Kate laughed and said, "Nothing I wouldn't expect to come from Chris Johns."

Chapter 4

Need to write more x

This may be a little different to my usual...

x

Chapter 1

"Daddy..." Samantha whined.
"Yes Samantha?" He asked in a bored voice.
"Can I borrow your credit card today?" She asked , attempting her best puppy dog eyes.
"Of course." Her father said handing over his credit card from his wallet to Samantha.
"Thank you!" Samantha squealed, kissing her father on the cheek.
Samantha isn't a six year old asking her dad for money. She's a fifteen year old girl asking for shopping money. This was a regular thing for Samantha and her dad. She needn't even try to beg for money. Her father always gave her money no matter what.
As Samantha left her house she pulled her mobile out of her pocket and rung her mates Mia and Stacey. She recieved squeals of delight when she invited them for a shopping spree. Payed by Daddy of course. Samantha's father's driver drove her in to the city. Samantha, Mia and Stacey went in every shop imaginable. As they walked towards one of Samanthas favourite designer - and friend's- shop a woman outside the shop tried getting Samantha's attention.
"Um can I help you?" Samantha asked looking at the woman questioningly.
"This may sound strange, but do you know Catrina Livingston?" The woman asked, squinting her eyes at Samantha. "Like you aren't related to her or anything?"
"Uhh no." Samantha answered quickly as Stacey and Mia ushered her inside the shop.
"That was weird." Samantha said quietly looking back at the door to the shop.
"Yeah.. Oh my God look at that top!" Mia cried with joy.


Samanthas attention turned back to shopping instantly. Although, for the time, Samantha’s main thoughts were on shopping, at the back of her mind her curiosity still tingled. Who was Katrina?
Although Samantha acted like a spoilt four year old at times she wasn’t dumb. In comparison to her friends she was quite smart. Just easily distracted. The life she had become accustomed too had relieved her of her more intellectual qualities. Instead of showing that deep down she had a mind that wasn’t empty, she was seen as a cheery blonde who got everything she wanted.
Samantha didn’t seem to mind this. At times she even forgot what she could really be like. Her habit of getting distracted helped shade her smart side. So even to those around her she seemed a dumb blonde. This, her looks and her money made her easily popular. Samantha realised it too. She enjoyed having all eyes on her. She liked attention.


Later on that day when she arrived home her mind was still ticking curiously. She let her bags lay comfortably by the front door as she entered the house. She felt suddenly determined to find out more about the woman who had confused her so deeply earlier that day. Her dad knew a lot of people through buisness and friends. She was wondering if he would know.
"Hey dad?" Samantha begun quietly.
"Mm?" Her father grunted in reply. He was reading the news paper and hadn't even realised Samantha in the room with him.
"Do you know Catrina Livingston?" Samantha asked, her voice a little louder than when she'd first spoke.

Samantha studied her fathers reaction for a while. His grip on the paper seemed to tighten and he looked as if he was going to tear the paper in half. His face drained of it's usual colour. It was obvious that her father was avoiding her gaze. He began reading the news paper again and started shuffling in his seat.
"No. I've never heard of her." He replied flatly.

Samantha sat there in silence for a while. Just staring at her father. Why was he lying? What was he trying to hide from her?
Samantha's stare grew cold as she said,"You're lying."
Now, her father looked up at his daughter. He opened his mouth to say something in deffence but failed. He let out a long distressed sigh. "Fine. I've heard of her."
"How do you know her?" Samantha asked curiously.
"Why?" Her father asked in a hard voice.
"Well this woman came up to me today asking if I knew her. She asked if I was related to her." Samantha explained as she remembered the look the woman had given her as soon as she had realised Samantha was there.
Her father mumbled something under his breath before answering. "Samantha. There's something I need to tell you."
Samantha felt a shock of panic run through her body, "What is it?" She croaked.
"Well you know we don't really talk about your mother." He said almost too quietly too hear. "Well your mum....your mum....Uhh. Well the thing is. Your Mum. Well she IS Catrina Livingston."

Chapter 2

Samantha stared at her father blankly. His words. His unbelievable words were barely registering in her head.
"She-She's m-my... What?!" Samantha screached in disbelief.
"Samantha calm down." Her father said soothingly. "We haven't seen her since you were 11 months old. You never asked about your mother so I just thought that- Well that it might just. Maybe be better if you didn't know about her."
"So you just thought you'd never tell me?!" Samantha cried in horror.
"You never asked." Her dad reminded her."I thought you didn't want to talk about her so I didn't want to push you in to it."
"For all I knew she could have been dead!" Samantha screamed in reply.
“Samantha, calm down.” He said calmly. But even his usual soothing voice could not make Samantha relax.
“You’re unbelievable.” Samantha said flatly.



Her father begun to open his mouth to say something but stopped himself and frowned.
Samantha walked out of the room. Leaving her father sitting there, motionless. Anger surged through her. Before running up the stairs she took off both her shoes and threw them at the door she had just closed with all her strength. They fell to the floor with a thud. She let out a noise that was between a sigh and a scream. Her legs carried her up the stairs and in to her large pink room.
Her legs gave way as she reached her bed. There was too much anger in her for tears to appear just yet. Her head found her pillow and she screamed with frustration.
How could he do this to me? She thought.
With her hands shaking she grabbed her luxury baby pink suitcase from her walk-in wardrobe. She began throwing as much of her clothes in to it as was possible. She couldn’t really understand what she was doing. She didn’t even know what she was planning. All she knew was that she needed to leave. How could she stay with someone who had lied to her, her whole life?
After a few high heels and anything else she could find was thrown in to her suitcase and her handbag. She dragged her suitcase towards the stairs. With each step it made a loud clunk. Once she was half way down the stairs her father appeared at the bottom.
“What are- Is that a suitcase?” He asked, looking confused.
“I’m leaving.” Samantha said plainly as she continued to stumble her way down the stairs.
“Leaving?” He repeated looking even more confused.
“Yes. Leaving. Now get out of my way.” She demanded as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
He stumbled to the side. “B-but where? Where will you go?”
“Anywhere.” She replied as she made her way to the door, dragging her suitcase behind her. “Anywhere but here.”
“Samantha-” He begun.
Samantha didn’t get to hear what her father was going to say because she shut the door in his face. She continued to stumble off her driveway in her heels and her big suitcase behind her. The taxi she had called for minutes before was waiting for her beyond her driveway. Once inside the tears began to flow. She let out an involuntary sob and the driver looked at her warily.
“Uhh where to?” He asked cautiously.
“Umm-” Samantha sniffled then gave him the address.
She played with her phone in her hands. Her father continued to ring her but Samantha rejected each call. She continued to fight back her tears.
How could he? Why? Samantha thought.
Samantha gritted her teeth at the memory. She didn’t understand her father’s reason for lying. What had her mum done to make him lie for over 14 years? Had she abandoned them? Would Samantha be left hating both her parents?

She was so confused. Samantha was relieved when she arrived at Stacey’s house. She paid the taxi driver and made her way towards the front door, pulling her suitcase behind her. She lifted her free hand to press the doorbell then knock the door just in case. Stacey’s younger brother answered the door, and gave Samantha a quizzical look.
“What?” He asked impolitely
“Um, is Stacey in?” Samantha asked attempting a smile but failing.
“No.” He replied flatly.
He began to close the door when a voice from behind him said, “Oi squirt what are you doing?”
He let out a sigh then walked off, leaving the door to swing open.
“Samantha!” Stacey squealed.
“Hi.” Samantha replied quietly.
“Oh what’s wrong?” Stacey asked in a bored voice. She looked disappointed at having to listen to someone’s problems.
“I-I- left. And I-I don’t k-know.” Before Samantha could stop herself she was crying again. Stacey stood in her doorway awkwardly.
“Well. Okay.” Stacey said looking uncomfortable. “Right now I’m sort of busy, so I’m going to have to go.”
Stacey begun to close the door as Samantha said, “B-but I need your-”
Stacey closed the door on Samantha before she was able to finish.
“-help.” Samantha finished to herself.
Samantha stumbled back away from the house dazed. Her best friend. Had just completely tried to get rid of her. She had closed the door on her. Showed as much interest as her little brother had. Now what was she going to do? Her best friend didn’t even want to know.

Stacey’s house had a small coffee shop around the corner from it. Samantha found herself stumbling inside, tears still fresh on her cheeks. The small coffee shop was near to empty and Samantha vacated a comfortable looking sofa in the corner of the shop. Her suitcase which felt like it was getting heavier left at the side. Samantha left her head fall in to her hands and cried. She didn’t care who was watching anymore. Her father had lied to her. Her best friend didn’t want to know. Who cared if she cried now?
“Um miss?” A worried voice spoke.
Samantha lifted her head and wiped away the new tears. She cleared her throat then said, “Yes?”
She looked up in to the eyes of the voice. A tall guy maybe only a year older than Samantha looked down at Samantha with a worried expression. His dark brown hair - in need of a cut - flopped down over his forehead and just above his pale blue eyes. She realised he worked there from a black apron tied around his waist that ended at the knees and a name tag that read, Tyler.
“I’m sorry but are you okay?” He asked cautiously.
Samantha couldn’t find the words to reply. Fresh tears appeared and she shook her head. She looked away from the guy, sobbing silently. She realised he joined her on the sofa. She didn’t risk lifting up her head to face him. She hadn’t cried so strongly since before she could remember. A new thought struck her conscious.
Why should I cry because of them?


Slowly Samantha lifted up her head but still refusing to look at her neighbour next to her. She released out a stressed sigh and hid her tears. She wasn’t going to be made to feel that way. Not if she could help it.
Reluctantly she turned to look at Tyler. He was looking at her with a worried expression. Samantha soon realised she couldn’t help it and the tears re-appeared. Tyler leaned towards her and rested his arms around her. She cried quietly as he tried to calm her. Her tears wouldn’t fade. Samantha tried to hide them but failed.
“Come on.” He spoke quietly. “It can’t be that bad.”
Samantha leaned away from his relaxing hold and said, “No. It’s worse.”
“Really? How bad could it be?” He asked.
Anger surged through Samantha. Was he judging her? “I know what you’re thinking. Forget it. Shouldn’t you be pouring coffee or something?”
“What am I thinking?” He asked curiously, an amused expression flickered over his features.
Samantha frowned before saying bitterly, “That I’m just a dumb blonde. Who’s biggest problems are losing a nail file or breaking a heel.”
Tyler regarded her with interest for a moment. “Actually. I wasn’t thinking that at all.”
He raised to his feet, looking down at her, “But you seem to have made your mind up so I won’t interrupt.”
He smiled an apologetic smile before returning to the till to serve a customer who had just entered the shop. There was two people working at the coffee shop. Tyler and a middle-aged woman with muddy colour hair thrown back in a pony tail and a pencil behind her ear. She was talking to an elderly woman who was sitting by the window, spying on un-suspecting passers by. Apart from the elderly woman and the man in his late twenties who had just entered, the coffee shop was empty from customers. Samantha concentrated on the quietness for a bit. She observed the elderly woman at the window and the door to which the man in his twenties had just walked through as soon as he had his coffee to go. The middle-aged woman who also worked there seemed to have gone on her break.
Samantha got to her feet and strutted over to the counter where Tyler was stood looking down at his phone he had been playing with.
“So?” She demanded.
“So, what?” He replied giving Samantha a quizzical look.
“What were you thinking?” Samantha explained.
He laughed at her expression which was muddled between anger, confusion and curiosity. Samantha wasn’t too pleased at being laughed at as a response.
“What’s so funny?” Samantha asked.
“Nothing.” Tyler answered but Samantha could tell he was fighting back the urge to laugh.
“If you weren’t thinking that I was just some dumb blonde, what were you thinking?”
His face went back to serious. “I don’t judge.” He said plainly.
“Fine so-”
“What was I thinking? Yeah I got that part already.” He said with a bored voice. “Look what ever you were crying over is your business.”
Samantha frowned at this response. Why was he so aggravating? His pale blue eyes looked sincere as Samantha’s cold gaze met them. She looked away suddenly before she got caught in them.
“Fine.” She said flatly.
“Fine.” He replied copying her tone with humour.

All her frustration towards Tyler had cleared Samantha’s thoughts of the day. She hadn’t even noticed. Her curiosity was on over-drive. Everything from his blue-eyed gaze to his confusing words made her wonder in annoyance. She didn’t understand him. He didn’t act like most guys did round her. He hadn’t tried to flirt, he hadn’t fallen over himself or even stutter. What was wrong with him? And why was he so infuriating to her?
As her conscious was thinking these thoughts she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket.
“Hello?” She asked cautiously. She had rushed to get it in such surprised she’d forgotten to look at the caller.
“Samantha?” Came a deep familiar voice.
“Kyle!” Samantha squeaked which made Tyler’s eyebrows raise in surprise. Samantha turned around and neared the door. Once outside she heard Kyle’s voice again in her ear.
“I was worried. Mia text me earlier saying that you were leaving?” Kyle asked curiously. As if looking for an explanation.
“Yeah. I’ve um I’ve left. I moved out.” Samantha explained painfully. She didn’t want a reminder.
“Aw babe. So what are you going to do?” Kyle asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t really have anywhere to go.” Samantha sniffled. She began crying again.
“Oh. Because we have that party next week. And you know we’re supposed to show up together. You know? The one at Mike’s.” Kyle reminded her.
“Wh-what?” Samantha stuttered. Was he asking her about a party when her life was falling down around her?
“Yeah. Because Mia was going to ask you about it too but when she rung your house because she couldn’t get hold of you on your mobile- why was that anyway? You always have your mobile- anyway your dad said you’d left so she texted me.” Kyle spoke confidently. “So yeah we need to know. So we know how to get there?”
“What,” Samantha said again only she finished it with, “is wrong with you?!”
“Wrong with me? Um, nothing, babe is something wrong?” Kyle asked slowly.
“Is something wrong?!” Samantha screamed.
“God, calm down!” Kyle laughed.
“It’s not funny!” Samantha screeched. “I moved out! I have nowhere to go. My best friend doesn’t care. I just found out I have a mother I haven’t seen in 14 years. And to top it off, my boyfriend of 11 months doesn’t care either!”
Samantha hung up on him and the tears grew thicker.
Didn’t anyone care anymore? she thought.


She felt like her legs were going to give way beneath her. Her body shook with anger and confusion. Her best friend and her boyfriend. They’d both just left her there with out a word of assurance or care. Samantha found herself walking back inside the coffee shop. Tears still flowing. She grabbed her suitcase and dragged it back towards the door. The shop was empty by now only behind the counter still, stood Tyler. She refused to look towards him and dragged her suitcase towards the door. The corner of the suitcase got stuck by the leg of a coffee table. Samantha tugged impatiently, but the tears made her feel weak. She tugged again frustratingly but found herself falling to the floor with defeat. The tears overflowed and Samantha let them. She was on her knees on the floor now. Sobbing. Shaking. Scared.


“Hey,” Tyler spoke near her softly, “shh, come on now.”
He was reaching towards her but Samantha ignored his awaiting arms. She stayed where she was. Slumped to the floor. Crying un-controllably. She couldn’t believe how her life had gone from perfect to pathetic in so little time.
“I’m sure thing’s aren’t as bad as they seem.” Tyler attempted to make her feel better
His intentions had the opposite affect.
“Oh really?” Samantha cried harshly. “And how would you know?!”
Tyler observed her quietly. “I don’t. Thing’s always seem worse at first. Usually.”
“And what if this isn’t the usual?” Samantha sobbed. “What if thing’s get worse.”
Tyler looked at her tear stained face.
“Not that it could get worse.” Samantha mumbled.
Tyler looked at a loss. He didn’t understand the situation anymore than she seemed to.
“I have no where to go. What am I going to do?” Samantha asked shakily.
“Listen,” Tyler spoke softly again, “why don’t you stay here. Just for tonight?”
“At-at the coffee shop?” Samantha asked confused.
He laughed quietly and said, “No, we own the flat upstairs.”
“You’re offering me a place to stay?” Samantha asked bemused.
“Sure. For tonight. I mean until you know what you’re doing.” Tyler said and smiled faintly.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to know what I’m doing.” Samantha laughed weakly. Tyler smiled again.
“Come on. Let’s get you up.” Tyler suggested reaching out a hand for Samantha. She grabbed his hand and he lifted her up effortlessly. She stood up straight and he grabbed her suitcase. Samantha followed him in disbelief. She didn’t understand what was happening. Most importantly she didn’t understand why.
“I’m sorry if it’s a bit messy.” Tyler apologised as he reached the stairs leading upstairs to the flat.
“You’re apologising for it being messy?” Samantha laughed in disbelief. “You’re letting me stay here. I wouldn’t care if your flat only had cardboard box and a bath tub in it.”
Tyler laughed and said, “Well okay.” As he reached the top of the stairs, he opened the door and pulled the suitcase in behind him. Samantha followed him in and looked around the small room. It wasn’t the surroundings she was used to. Despite that, the flat seemed comforting to her. Homely.
“It’s not much.” Tyler commented as he saw Samantha’s eyes flash across the room. “My parents are sort of away at the moment. So, um yeah. You can have my room for tonight. I’ll stay on the couch um…”
She stood next to him in the living room, bemused. “You don’t have to do that. I don’t mind the couch.” She said finally.
“No it’s okay really.” He looked awkward as he stood in the small room.
“I don’t understand.” She said shakily.
“What do you mean?” He asked slowly.
“Everything. This. Why are you being so nice?” She quizzed.
“I don’t know. Would you rather I was horrible?” He laughed.
“No, but- You act like you care. My best friend closed the door in my face and all my boyfriend cared about was if I was going to make it to some party next week.” Samantha said painfully. “But you- you’ve offered me a place to stay even though I was horrible to you.”
“You were just upset.” He shrugged.
She stared at him in confusion. A stranger. That’s what he was and yet he’d been so kind. Her best friend and her own boyfriend couldn’t show her the same compassion he had. What did that say about her life? Maybe it wasn’t only her past with her mother that was lie after all. He Hadn’t even asked her what was wrong.


As she continued to stand there in disbelief her phone buzzed inside her pocket. She reached to get it and looked at the caller ID. Dad. She rejected the call and slipped the phone back in her pocket, releasing a sigh.
Tyler looked at her as she did this. “You don’t have to tell me what today was about. But if you need to talk let me know.”
His words only confused her further. He was willing to listen to her babble? With out being forced? Samantha nodded giving a weak smile.
“Okay. So this is my room.” Tyler said as he entered a small, dark, blue room dragging the suitcase in behind him. He left the suitcase on the floor by the end of the small single bed. The small box room didn’t make Samantha uneasy. The small unusual space comforted her. It was so different to what she was used to. She needed that then. “The sheets are fresh on this morning so don’t worry about that.”
“Oh, okay.” She smiled slightly. Samantha had forgotten to even worry about the small details like that.
“So I’ll um leave you to it.” Tyler mumbled as he left the room and closed the door behind him.

Samantha walked towards the bed and sat down. Her phone rested in her hands as she sat and glanced around the small room. A small wardrobe sat in the corner of the room. Samantha’s curiosity was tingling. She wanted to go over to look at what he owned. He obviously didn’t seem to be the richest of guys. But he’d been so nice did she really want to go snooping around his stuff?
She got to her feet and headed for the wardrobe. Her curiosity was too strong. As her hand reached for the handle of the wardrobe her phone buzzed in her other hand. She answered it in surprise.
“Babe!” Kyle said cheerily. “I thought you were blanking me!”
“Kyle, what do you want?” Samantha asked flatly
“I just wanted to know what’s going on!” Kyle informed her cheerfully. “’Cause you’re kind of acting weird you know.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re serious.” Samantha mumbled in to the phone.
“Serious? What do you mean?” He asked clearly.
Samantha bet her chances 3 to 1 that he was gazing in to a mirror right then. She wasn’t wrong. It hadn’t bothered her in the past that her boyfriend was more vain than she was. At that point everything about him bothered her.
“Kyle. It’s over.” Samantha sighed. She realised with surprise that it was a sigh of relief.
“But-” Kyle begun only for Samantha to hang up on him.
She sat there for a few minutes, motionless. Waiting for regret to flood through her. Regret did make an appearance. She regretted ever making the mistake of going out with Kyle in the first place. Eleven months she’d wasted. Eleven months she wasn’t going to get back.
Finally she got to her feet and headed for the door. Slowly she opened it and looked out cautiously. She saw Tyler laying on the sofa watching TV. Samantha leaned against the doorframe for a while. Not wanting to interrupt but also not wanting to leave. He was relaxed. Samantha eventually felt dull for standing there looking at him and walked in to the room closing the door behind her. He looked up as it clicked behind her.
“Oh hey.” He said and straightened up on the sofa.

Samantha realised something so shockingly surprising she froze. She was happy. And relieved. An uncontrollable smile spread across her face. A laugh escaped her lips to match the large smile. She must have looked insane but she didn’t care. She was happy! And free.
Tyler laughed as he caught the smile on her face and the laugh that filled the room. “Are you okay?” he grinned.
“I’m happy.” She stated cheerfully. To him it probably seemed normal but to her it meant so much more. She was enjoying happiness.
He got to his feet as he seemed uncomfortable sitting down whilst she was still standing by the door. “Well that makes a change.” He smiled.
Samantha couldn’t control how she felt. She ran towards him and threw her arms around his neck. Surprised, he wrapped his arms around her waist before she lost her balance. She hugged him, letting every ounce of her relief and happiness show. He laughed again. Neither of them felt awkward. Just surprised at their own reaction. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“Thank you.” She whispered.
He didn’t leave her go and he replied, “You don’t have to thank me for anything.”
Reluctantly she pulled away, “What?”
“What..?” He echoed.
“I have everything to thank you for.” She stated. “If it wasn’t for you who knows where I’d be right now. Because of you I feel.. I feel..”
“What?” He looked at her expectantly.
“Free and..” She stared at him for a second. “wanted.”
He breathed in a large breath and sighed, “You’ll always be wanted here.”
For a split second they both just looked at each other. Both hearts racing in unison. Unconsciously their faces edged towards each others. That is until the phone rang and they jumped apart in surprise. They laughed nervously to hide the awkwardness that filled the room.
Tyler raced to the phone in order to clear the uncomfortable feeling that had suddenly materialised.
“Hello?” He answered.
Samantha glanced around the room awkwardly. She searched for something to focus her thoughts on. She was failing miserably. Her eyes flowed over DVDs and abandoned books but nothing could relieve her mind of what just happened. Or at least what nearly happened…

Beginning Of a Novel Anyway . I Hope :)

x

"Daddy..." Samantha whined.
"Yes Samantha?" He asked in a bored voice.
"Can I borrow your credit card today?" She asked , attempting her best puppy dog eyes.
"Of course." Her father said handing over his credit card from his wallet to Samantha.
"Thank you!" Samantha squealed, kissing her father on the cheek.
Samantha isn't a six year old asking her dad for money. She's a fifteen year old girl asking for shopping money. This was a regular thing for Samantha and her dad. She needn't even try to beg for money. Her father always gave her money no matter what.
As Samantha left her house she pulled her mobile out of her pocket and rung her mates Mia and Stacey. She received squeals of delight when she invited them for a shopping spree. Paid by Daddy of course. Samantha's father's driver drove her in to the city. Mia and Stacey were waiting when Samantha arrived.

“Yeah I’m there now.” Samantha said in to her phone. She then laughed and continued with. “Of course! Yeah. Love you too.”

“Kyle?” Mia asked knowingly as Samantha slipped her phone in her pocket.

Samantha laughed and confessed.

“You two are so made for each other!” Stacey informed her.

Samantha only smiled in response. She had been with Kyle for nearly a year. They were the ‘it’ couple. Not something Samantha wasn’t uncomfortable. It was a title she enjoyed.

Samantha, Mia and Stacey went in every shop imaginable. As they walked towards one of Samantha’s favourite designer - and friend's- shop, a woman outside the shop tried getting Samantha's attention.
"Um can I help you?" Samantha asked looking at the woman questioningly.
"This may sound strange, but do you know Katrina Livingston?" The woman asked, squinting her eyes at Samantha. "Like you aren't related to her or anything?"
"Uhh no." Samantha answered quickly as Stacey and Mia ushered her inside the shop.
"That was weird." Samantha said quietly looking back at the door to the shop.
"Yeah.. Oh my God look at that top!" Mia cried with joy.
Samantha’s attention turned back to shopping instantly. Although, for the time, Samantha’s main thoughts were on shopping, at the back of her mind her curiosity still tingled. Who was Katrina?
Although Samantha acted like a spoilt four year old at times she wasn’t dumb. In comparison to her friends she was quite smart. Just easily distracted. The life she had become accustomed too had relieved her of her more intellectual qualities. Instead of showing that deep down she had a mind that wasn’t empty, she was seen as a cheery blonde who got everything she wanted.
Samantha didn’t seem to mind this. At times she even forgot what she could really be like. Her habit of getting distracted helped shade her smart side. So even to those around her she seemed a dumb blonde. This, her looks and her money made her easily popular. Samantha realised it too. She enjoyed having all eyes on her. She liked attention.
Later on that day when she arrived home her mind was still ticking curiously. She let her bags lay comfortably by the front door as she entered the house. She felt suddenly determined to find out more about the woman who had confused her so deeply earlier that day. Her dad knew a lot of people through business and friends. She was wondering if he would know.
"Hey dad?" Samantha begun quietly.
"Mm?" Her father grunted in reply. He was reading the news paper and hadn't even realised Samantha in the room with him.
"Do you know Katrina Livingston?" Samantha asked, her voice a little louder than when she'd first spoke.

Samantha studied her fathers reaction for a while. His grip on the paper seemed to tighten and he looked as if he was going to tear the paper in half. His face drained of it's usual colour. It was obvious that her father was avoiding her gaze. He began reading the news paper again and started shuffling in his seat.
"No. I've never heard of her." He replied flatly.
Samantha sat there in silence for a while. Just staring at her father. Why was he lying? What was he trying to hide from her?
Samantha's stare grew cold as she said, "You're lying."
Now, her father looked up at his daughter. He opened his mouth to say something in defence but failed. He let out a long distressed sigh. "Fine. I've heard of her."
"How do you know her?" Samantha asked curiously.
"Why?" Her father asked in a hard voice.
"Well this woman came up to me today asking if I knew her. She asked if I was related to her." Samantha explained as she remembered the look the woman had given her as soon as she had realised Samantha was there.
Her father mumbled something under his breath before answering. "Samantha. There's something I need to tell you."
Samantha felt a shock of panic run through her body, "What is it?" She croaked.
"Well you know we don't really talk about your mother." He said almost too quietly too hear. "Well your mum....your mum....Uhh. Well the thing is. Your Mum. Well she IS Katrina Livingston."