Ch 1

*Kayleigh's P.O.V*

"Love" what a terrifying word. Even saying it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Why am I scared to say it you ask? Well, my parents got a divorce when I was only three. My mom went to prison when I was six for killing a teenager so, I was forced to live with my druggie of a dad. It has now been fifteen years since my parents divorce and growing up I watched my dad go from girlfriend to girlfriend. I've had four step-moms and my dad never really loved them. He just used them to get his drugs. When he got what he wanted from them he would attack them blindfold them pretending to take them somewhere special but, he would really kick them out on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and drive off. Not caring what happened to them. I get told that I'm going to end up like them. It's for that reason that I'm scared to find someone.

"Kayleigh, get down here now," my dad screams. I walk down the stairs carrying my back pack with me.

"Yes? Do you need something before I leave," I ask looking at him. My dad slaps me across the face. I put my hand across my cheek but, my dad blocks me and slaps me harder.

"Don't you ever feel your cheek again. I want you to feel the sting I give you. Now before you go I wanted to give you this list of chores I want you to do when you get home. Have them all done before I get home. If you don't get them finished you will be punished," he says looking at me then grabbing his keys but, before he leaves he knees me in my gut sending me to the ground. "Stand up you bitch," he says kicking me then finally leaving. When I hear his car leave our drive way, I look at the list of stuff and shake my head. Grabbing my keys I head out the door and leave for school.

"Welcome class! For the first nine weeks we will be writing stories. You can write what ever you want but, all the girls will draw choose a piece of paper from this hat. Who ever they get is who you will judge," said Mr. Alami.

"So basically, if I choose Zack lets say. I would judge his and he would judge mine," I ask trying to make sure I understood.

"That's exactly right," said Mr. Alami walking up to me with the hat. "Now pick a piece of paper and read who you have," he says shoving the hat in my face. Looking up at him I pick one and open it.

"Kyle Gray," I say handing him the paper.

"What? No! I don't want her," said Kyle pounding his fist on the desk. "I want some hot cheerleader like Ashley," Kyle says winking at her.

"Mr. Gray I'm sorry Kayleigh is who you have," he says walking to the other girls. I watch in the corner of my eye as Kyle grumbles and slaps a piece of paper on his desk and starts writing. Feeling irritated I open my notebook and stare at the blank page wondering what I should write about. Adventure? Maybe, horror possibly? I WILL NOT I repeat WILL NOT write about Romance or even love. I just can't do it. I mean why write about it, if you don't have it?

I'm sitting in the cafeteria and of course I am alone. Everyone knows about my family so they stay clear of me. I push my tray away and lay my head on the lunch table and close my eyes.

*Matt's P.O.V*

I hate being the new kid. No one knows you and you have to learn a whole new schedule and find out where everything is. I look around in the packed cafeteria and see someone sitting alone. Smiling I walk to her and sit down across from her.

"Hello, my name is Matt," I say as I pop a grape in my mouth. I watch as the person looks up and stares at me with a dead emotion on her face.

"I'm so sorry. I will move so you don't have to sit by me," she says quickly getting up but, I stand up.

"No! Please stay, I'm new here and have no friends and you looked like you were very friendly and you wouldn't judge me," I say as I watch her sit back down so I do the same.

"Oh okay. My name is Kayleigh and it's nice to meet you," she says smiling but, I have a feeling she hasn't smiled in a very long time.