Yes another story. I need to keep busy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 1 I walked through the almost empty hall with my friends, glancing at the few that were there. Then I saw him. The most amazing guy in the world, who was also out of my league. Kyle was popular, I was not. My friends looked at what I was and smiled at me. "Caroline, go talk to him!" Bridget said, nudging me towards Kyle. "What? No!" I whispered, my voice squeaking. I looked down as I walked, my black hair covering my face. "And you know I hate being called that, Bri!" "Oh, Carol, you have to talk to him soon. After all, he is your chemistry partner," Cameron told me, giggling slightly. "So?" I whispered. "So! So, you need to talk to him, little one," Bridget said, giggling herself. "What? What are you laughing about?" I asked as I looked up. They pointed behind me and I turned, seeing a nightmare. "Hey, Carol," Kyle smiled. I immediately froze, unable to speak. "Hey, Kyle! Whatcha need?" Bridget asked, looking down at me. "Just coming to say hi," he smiled at us. I brought my eyes back to the floor, not wanting to meet his beautiful grey eyes. "I have to go," I murmured and walked away, terrified. I left school, walking home alone. I walked, listening to the peace and quiet of my alone time. I walked into my house, calling, "Mom! I'm home!" I looked around, seeing no sign of my mother. I shrugged, walking through the small house to the room I shared with my brother. But at that time, Alex was dying from lung cancer, thanks to my father. I got started on homework, not paying attention to any noise around me. When I had finished a few hours later, I yawned, checking the clock. Seven-thirty. Time for dinner. I walked into the kitchen to find my father trying to make dinner. "Caroline, you're here?" my father asked as he turned. "Yeah," I replied, putting up my coal black hair, letting my icy blue eyes show. "Let me," I sighed and took over with the cooking. As I let water boil, I asked, "Mom?" "Hospital," he simply said. I nodded, knowing that she was with my brother. I continued on making dinner, grabbing a granola bar to snack on as I waited. My father decided to light a cigarette, blowing the smoke into the air. "You need to kick that," I said, trying to cover my mouth and nose to keep the smoke out of my lungs. He nodded as if he was going to kick it, but I knew he wasn't. Just like my mother did. He didn't bother trying to keep the smoke away from me, like he didn't with Alex. I served him spaghetti as I took a plate with me to my room, not wanting to breath in the fumes. I sat alone, thinking. After I finished eating, I fell asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~