Why must life be so confusing, complicating or annoying? That’s what everyone subconsciously asks themselves when any event occurs in their life, oddly enough. We don’t know it but that’s why we get angry. We get annoyed with life or what happened and we just get worse and worse, focusing all of our energy on that one pointless emotion.

“Sam!” called my mother from downstairs.

I sighed and walked down to the kitchen, where my older and younger sister were sitting, eating lunch.

“Yes mother?” I asked, annoyed.

“Young lady, what are you doing in your room twenty-four seven?”

“I’m reading, and other things. Why do you need to know everything I do?”

“Because, you’re away at school during the year and now, when you are home, you shut yourself away and you don’t spend any time with the family!”

“Mom, I’m surrounded by hundreds of people at school twenty-four seven, and that is why I try to get as much alone time as I can when I’m home. So will you stop being so controlling, and nosey in my life? You only let me see friends about once a month, maybe twice if I am lucky when I’m home! I have to stay in the house all the time! I’m not a five year old anymore.”

“You might not be, but you are my daughter! With a secret unlike any other that needs to stay a top secret. If anyone accidentally finds out, you will only get your reputation and life ruined! I’m protecting you, and I’m trying to stay in your life.”

“Look mom, next year I will be taught thoroughly how to control this secret. So far no one knows about it, not even my best friend, Holly, who I tell everything to!”

My mom just looked at me in complete sadness and annoyance, then she left the room. I sighed and sat down at the kitchen table. I took some of the smoked turkey and hash browns that my mother made for lunch. I poured myself some milk and I started eating my meal in silence.

I know that was harsh, but she was controlling me like a five year old, I have to sneak everything around her! I sneak out of the house when she is at appointments or just out for something and I get little bottles of alcohol, books that aren’t for eight year olds, make up, thongs, proper lingerie, clothes I like and shoes. I even have to go out and get my hair cut or died myself, even though my mother gets mad at me, but she can’t change what I do, so I only get grounded for a while. That is why I have a part time job at out local florist and my dad always gives me money when my mom isn’t looking.

“Sam, why did you say that to mommy?” asked my older sister, Flannery.

My parents chose that name randomly, from a misunderstanding of a suggestion by the family friends. I feel sorry for her, but Flan (her nickname) likes it.

“Look, I’m tired of being controlled by every adult that’s in my life! Plus, she treats me like a five year old!”

“You’re so mean! Mommy just wants to be in your life since you’re never home! And she wants to protect you since you do have a top secret on your shoulders!” she yelled. Flannery acts like a five year old even though she’s twenty-one.

“Will people stop bringing up my damn secret? And look Flannery. If you wish to act like this I will not even argue with you.”

“Act like what?”

“You’re acting like a child again!”

“I am not!”

“There it is again. Even Molly acts more mature than you and she’s 13.”

Yes, my younger sister’s name is Molly, and that was another mix up with a friend’s suggestion. Luckily they weren’t there when I was born and a nurse with common sense was there to manipulate (sad to say is she is) my mother a slight amount to back up my father’s decision for Samantha.

“Hey!” said Molly with a frown on her face.

I patted her shoulder sympathetically. “It wasn’t meant as an insult.”

She nodded and kept eating, while tears were starting to form on Flan’s chubby face. She’s overweight, about 150lbs over the weight she should be.

“What is it Flannery?”

“Shut up!” she said and she ran upstairs to her room. Well, walked very fast actually.

“She was still able to finish her food even though she was upset.” Said Molly.

“Because she eats her feelings, to be brutally honest.”

Molly nodded and brought her plate to the sink. I kept eating in peace, finally, until my mother came back into the room with an angry face. Her lips were straight, pressed together and her eyes were glaring at me, trying to intimidate me, though it was only staring holes into the side of my face; something I can easily ignore.

“Sam.” Said my mother angrily, through her teeth.

“Yes?”

“Why did you upset your sister like that?”

I looked at her in pure annoyance,

“Don’t give me that look young lady!”

“Mom, she was getting angry at me for no obvious reason. It’s annoying beyond belief, especially since she’s more immature than a ten year old.”

“Look Sam, you don’t tell her that. You have to just deal with it.”

“Well I’m tired of dealing with all of this crap from people! I want to be able to live my life and I want people to stop walking all over me! Or treating me like a child!”

“Sam!”

“It’s only true! I’m tired of it! I have let people walk all over me for a fake personality so I would fit in! Now I have to deal with the only people who know my secret walking all over me! I will not tolerate that! I also don’t want to be treated like a child anymore!”

“Samantha Joy Cross!”

I stopped venting when she said my full name; she never says my full name unless she is extremely angry with me.

“Don’t say things like that!”

“I already have! And it’s only true. I’m sorry that to hear the awful truth hurts you, but I’m tired of lying, I’m tired of sitting back and taking everything like I’m happy when I’m secretly miserable.”

“Samantha!”

“It’s only true.”

“Why is it true though?”

“Because, pretty much for six years, I have kept a deep secret from everyone I know except my family! Even Holly! Now I have to act fake to hide this secret! I’m tired of keeping my true self locked-up like this! It’s torture! Especially with my fake self, that I have to let people walk all over me! Now you guys are too! I’m tired of this! Plus, you only ever treat me like a child! You buy me books that Molly has moved on from! You buy me clothes, shoes, and undergarments for children! You don’t even let me chose my hair cut or get make up! You should be doing this to Flan, not me, she’s the child, not me.”

My mom looked at me in total shock.

“Look, I’m sorry mom, but you just have to get used to the fact that I want to be independent. I’m your middle child, not the baby, I’m going to be able to do things fine on my own. One day you will have to let go, why not start limiting your hold on me now? Then you will get used to it later, and,” She cut me off by raising her hand and holding it in a fist. I stopped talking and I ducked slightly to protect myself.

“Go apologize to your sister! And you are grounded for a month!”

“Mom!”

“Go!”

“What is this torture?”

“Just go and apologize to your sister then go to your room!”

I sighed and walked up our dark wooden stairs and turned right at the top to the end of the hall. I knocked on my sister’s white room door and there was no reply. I sighed again and opened the door.

“Flan?” I asked into the dark purple and red room. My sister was gothic, hardcore. I wondered how she got this way, but it was just a random change in her characteristics. A stage she will soon grow out of, I think.

“What do you want?” she asked in a whisper. She was glaring at me from her bed, and she was holding her pillow under her chin.

“Look, I’m sorry if what I said to you early upset you. I didn’t mean it.”

“Oh bull! You meant it! Mommy’s just telling you to say you didn’t mean it so everything runs smoothly.”

“Okay, so I did mean it, but only that you act childish sometimes - not that it’s bad to act childish - but you seem to chose the worst times to act childish. I am sorry though. But it’s only the truth. “

Now my sister had new tears starting to form, and her blue eyes were red around the iris. Her blond short hair was oily form her not having a shower in many days. She has a bath maybe three times a week, if we are lucky, since she is depressed from our grandmother dying seven years ago; she takes everything way over the limit. The stench of her room was of B.O. and ferret musk, since she has twin ferrets – Lenny and Timmy, in her room – both brown and black. It was absolutely gross. I had to breathe through my mouth so I didn’t smell the stench, though I also tasted it, unfortunately.

“Get out!”

“Do you accept my apology at least? I am sorry that it hurt your feelings.”

“Sure. Whatever. Just leave!”

“Okay.”

I walked out of her room and I went into my bedroom. I went on my bed and pulled out a book I was currently reading, Into the Shadows by Christina Dodd. I opened it to the tenth chapter, where I left off the last time I read it. I started reading when my mother barged into my room without even knocking.

“Samantha!”

“What now mother?”

“Don’t speak to me that way!”

I just looked at her in an annoyed way, telling her I was in no mood to get yelled at; but like most parents, she didn’t listen.

“Samantha Joy Cross! What is your problem today! You are pushing my buttons and I will not tolerate anymore of this nonsense!”

“Nonsense! This isn’t nonsense! I am acting like my normal self! I should be annoyed from you pushing my buttons every waking moment of my life here in this hell! What the hell are you even so annoyed about?”

“You apologize to your sister yet you still tell her what you meant was true when it wasn’t! Right?”

“No. I meant every word I said. I am not going to lie to her so she thinks the world is a flowery nice place. She might know that the world is mean, twisted and screwed up, but she has never seen it first hand since she’s always at home! And since she got home schooled since grade nine by a teacher we knew from church. I’m just trying to get her used to the harsh truth. Why can’t you accept that strategy?”

“Because it scares her more when you do that!”

“It only is for her well being. You are making everything seem perfect and kind and that will only make her unprepared for life in the real world. You might think you’re helping her, but you really aren’t!”

“Samantha!” my mother yelled. I swear I think the neighbors heard her.

“What?”

“Stop this child like behavior! You do not tell me how to parent my children! You are grounded for a whole month!”
“Okay.” Even though she already said that.

“So you can’t see any friends.”

“Okay.”

“No TV either!”

“Okay.”

She walked out of my room and slammed my door.

“Don’t’ slam the door!” she yelled from the other side of my door. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

“You slammed it!” I yelled back.

“Samantha!”

I sighed and rolled over on my bed. I took my book again and started to read. I read for a while and then I got tired. I decided I would have a nap when my cell phone rang. I sighed and looked at the screen. It was my friend Holly, calling. I answered my phone.

“Holly?”

“Hey Sam! Can you come out tonight? We are like totally missing you! You need to come shopping with us at the Rideau Center! Please!”
“Holly, I am grounded for speaking the truth to my sister. I can’t come out for a month!”

“You’ve been grounded all summer! Except for like, two weeks.”

“I know, but my mom is just being gay.”

“That is so annoying! Especially when you should be allowed to do whatever the hell you want! Especially when your sister is only a child.”

“I know!”

“You should just escape the house like you did in March and just join us. You can stay at my house.”

“I wish, but it won’t work.”

“What if I told you that Erik Bryans is coming?”

“What?!”

“It’s true, and he even wants to see you.”

“I can’t believe this! He wants to see me!”

“Yes, but only Amanda knows from Grace telling her because Molly, his sister, found out about it from eaves dropping on him and Greg talking after soccer practice. So, Amanda told me, and now you know.”

“Holy crap that was hard to follow.”

“I know, but it’s only my gossip life.”

“True.”

“So, are you coming or not?”

“I dunno.”

“He’s waiting for you.”

“Okay!”

“Okay, I’ll meet you at the corner by Starbucks. Hurry!”

“I will! See you soon!”

The phone clicked off and I quickly got dressed into a pair of my faded ripped jeans and a green t-shirt that said ‘Just My Luck!’ with a three-leaf clover on it. I slipped on my pair of back converse that I always leave up in my room in case of emergencies. I opened my window and carefully walked to the lower edge of the roof. I jumped into the soft bushes that were at the edge of my house. I waited to make sure no one had heard or saw that. I got up and ran to Starbucks, which is only two blocks away from my house.

“Hey Holly.” I said, while lining up to get a nice drink.

“Hey Sam!” she said happily while coming to my side.

“Okay, so where is everyone?”

“Well, we’re gonna meet them at the Rideau Center, at the front doors. So we can relax for a while. Tony isn’t coming for a few minutes.”

“Tony? Why is he coming?”

“He’s only driving us there. Then he has to go off to work again.”

“Oh, okay.”

Holly gave me a huge hug and I hugged her back. I moved to the counter and bought a small French vanilla cappuccino and we sat down at a two-seated table. I finished my cappuccino only seconds before Tony arrived and honked his horn outside Starbucks. I put my cup in the garbage and then Holly and I hopped into (Holly’s gay older brother) Tony’s green Corvette.

“Hey Tony!” I said and hugged him from behind, since I was in the back seat. He has leather seats that have heating and air-conditioning in them!

“Hi sexy. How are you today?” He only talks like that with people he knows.

“I’m good and yourself?”

“Not too bad. Though I heard you were grounded by your mother. Your father told me, apparently he got a nasty venting phone call from her.”

My dad and Tony work together at a fashion company. Tony designs and my father is the owner. My mother always called my dad when I rebelled against her, it was her way of trying to get on his side, take out her frustration and start the rumor of my bad childhood rebellion.

“I am.”
“You little sneak. Well you are a teenager still.”

“Exactly!”

Holly turned up the radio on Hot 89.9 FM and it was her favorite song (Right Now by Akon), which was on. We made it to the Rideau Center in less than ten minutes. Tony waved goodbye and gave Holly some extra money. Holly lives with Tony because her parents died only two years ago. Tony is now 25 and married to this hot Abercrombie & Fitch model that is actually really down to earth and amazingly nice, named Rick, who is 24.

“Okay, so are you ready to see Erik?” asked Holly, teasingly.

“Shut up Holly!”

“Nope! This is funny.”

I scowled at her and she laughed. I smiled a bit, since I could never stay mad at her, no matter what! And neither could she. We walked into the Rideau Center and we saw Erik with a couple of people, waiting by a mall map. He was about six feet tall and has dirty blonde hair, crystal blue eyes and a football player’s body. He’s on the football team at our school and he’s the star quarterback. He’s wearing his usual jeans, where the crotch was between his knees and his black plain t-shirt.

He was with Greg and Alexis. Greg has bleach blonde hair and brown eyes, he’s also on the football team; he’s wearing the same styled jeans as Erik, but with a grey long sleeve. Alexis (the school whore) was clinging to Erik’s arm. She has the usual, fake sunny blonde hair form her usual brunette and her brown eyes showed she wasn’t blonde. She was wearing a short and slutty pink skirt with a baby blue tank top that showed off her cleavage from her push up bra, plus slutty black high heels that she’ll soon get sore in.

“Why did the whore have to come?” I whispered to Holly.

“I have no idea. But Erik does wanna see you, I think.”

“You think! Great! Now I might be here for a stupid fantasy.”

We walked over to the three of them and I looked passed them the whole time, I didn’t want to look at them, I just wanted to runaway and never return. I didn’t want to see them anymore, I just wanted to be in my room and be asleep.

“Hi you guys!” said Holly, nudging at my side.

I looked down at my feet and sighed. “Hey everyone.” I said in a whisper.

“Are you okay?” asked Erik in a worrisome voice.

I looked up to see him away from Alexis and right in front of me, holding my shoulders and looking me straight in the eyes. Suddenly I started to think about how I looked that day. If my make up was just right, if my curls were despising me, if my outfit was perfect enough. Then he smiled.

“Yes, I am.” I said, remembering how to speak.

“That’s good, how about we go shopping now?” I smiled and he smiled wider.

“Okay!” I said in excitement.

He took my hand and we started walking together, towards the stores that were crowded with people.

“Wait! Erik!” yelled Alexis from behind us.

He lifted up his hand in the air and looked over his shoulder. “Get your mother to pick you up, I already told you we were over yesterday. Just accept it.”

My smile got even wider as I saw Alexis, not getting what she wanted and not having someone to be a whore with. I laughed a bit to myself, making sure Erik didn’t notice. She glared at me and we walked away.

Greg and Holly were walking in front of us. They had been going out for three years, since they were twelve. They were inseparable, and adorable.

Erik leaned closer to me and held my waist. He took my other hand, which he was holding earlier, and put it in his back jean pocket. I felt the heat go to my cheeks and I saw Erik smiling from the corner of my eye.

We walked this way around the mall for the whole two-hour shopping spree trip. Holly and I got awesome clothes and even snuck to the lingerie store without the boys. Erik and Greg only got some new shoes for football and talked while we chose clothes. They would praise us or tell us the brutal truth about what we should get, or how something looked on us.

“Shall we shepherd you ladies home then?” asked Greg.

“Sure, Sam can go with Erik, I’ll go with you.” Said Holly, with a large smile on her face.

“Okay.” Agreed Erik, while I nodded and scowled at Holly. She laughed and suddenly, the look of realization or remembrance people get when they remember something important or something they forgot spilled over Holly’s face. That look that makes you believe a light bulb lit up above their heads.

“Erik?” said Holly seriously.

“Yes Holly.”

“You have to drive Sam to the Starbucks closest to her home.”

“Why?”

“I’m grounded.” I admitted, sadly.

“Oh, that’s understandable.” He said smiling.

I smiled back and we started walking towards the parking lot. We reached Erik’s red Convertible with a beige roof and I entered in the front seat, as he was holding the door open for me. I buckled up my seat belt and he got in. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

“What did you get grounded for?” he asked while starting the car.

“Well, I kind of made my sister cry.”

“Kind of?”

“Okay, so I made her cry.”

The car purred to life. He changed the gears and backed out of the parking space with pure grace, it seemed. He slipped on his sunglasses and started driving towards the Starbucks near my home.

“Which sister?”

“My older one, Flannery.”

“How much older is she?”

“She’s twenty-one.”

“Wow, you made your twenty-one year old sister cry?”

“Yes, but she acts more like a five year old from depression.”

“Oh,”

“I would tell you more, but it’s a sensitive situation in my family.”

“I understand.” He said, staring out into the traffic.

“Thank you.”

He smiled and took my hand closest to his free hand. I smiled and entwined our fingers together. We drove with Hot 89.9 blasting and the roof down. My brunette, loosely curled hair was blowing in the wind. I saw Erik sometimes look over at me and smile widely.

Once we reached the Starbucks I was upset that I had to leave Erik’s car and let go of his hand. I unbuckled my seat belt as Erik got out of the car, walking toward my door. He opened it and I got out. He pulled me close to him and whispered in my ear. “You look absolutely beautiful today.”

I felt the heat rush to my face, and he pulled me back with a smile spilled across his face. He leaned his forehead on mine and pressed his soft lips against mine. I ran my hands into his hair and he held my waist. He pulled away and I was upset with that, though I decided not to show it.

“Goodbye Sam.” He said.

I smiled and hugged him. “Goodbye Erik.” I said into his chest, breathing in his strong cologne.

I waved goodbye to Erik as he drove off. I walked back to my house and snuck in by climbing the vine fence. I climbed the roof and jumped back into my room. I changed back into my pajamas quickly and I flopped down onto my bed in exhaustion. I heard a knock on my door and I muffled a groan in response. The door opened and I felt a hand on my face.

“How is my sweet pea?” said a deep but smooth male voice.

I jumped up and saw my dad standing in front of me. I smiled widely and I jumped into his arms. “Hey dad!” I said happily into his chest.

“You smell like a cheap cologne.” He whispered in my ear. I stiffened up and my dad laughed.

“Um, I can explain that, um.”

I didn’t know what to say!

“It’s okay, I understand.” He said winking at me. I smiled and he sat down beside me.

“So how was work?”

“It was busy and tough, but nothing I can’t handle. I heard you disobeyed your mother.”

“Ugh, she was acting like a child, just like Flan! I just snapped! I feel like everyone is walking all over me and I’m always trapped in this house!”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know how I have to create a fake personality right?” He nodded in response. “Well, my fake personality allows people to walk all over me! It’s annoying since my mom, Flan and Molly are now walking all over me. Plus, I have been grounded all summer except for two weeks since I only have been relaxing in my room and apparently my brutal honesty is too harsh for them. They need to get out of this fantasy world that they’re living in and see what the real world truly is! Don’t you agree?”

“Yes I do agree. I’m sorry I can’t take you with me on more of my business trips.”

“I wish that too dad.”

He brought me to his chest and hugged me. I breathed in his cologne, it was softer than Erik’s but it was like a dad smell. A smell that could make you want to fall asleep right there and then, and it reminded you of a father. It’s hard to explain.

“I think I will bring you with me for my plan.”

“What plan?”

“Can you come with me on a walk?”

“Um, sure. I’ll get changed, and I’ll get out from jumping off the roof and into the bushes. You just tell mom you’re going for a walk.”

“Okay. I will see you in front of our neighbors’ house.”

“See you soon.”

My dad smiled and patted me on the head. He left and I quickly changed into the outfit I wore when I saw Erik. I slipped on my converse and jumped out my window, into the bushes. I walked to the front of our neighbors’ house and my dad was waiting there for me, patiently.

“Hey dad.”

“Hey, ready to walk to the park?”

“Sure.”

We walked to the park on our street, only six or seven houses away from my house. We walked in silence until we reached the park. We sat at the gazebo near the river that ran by the park.

The river was flowing rapidly, sparkling in the glimmer of the sun. The grass was short from the city grass mower, and the smell of the freshly mowed grass filled my lungs, as I looked around at the rusted playground close by the gazebo. There was a slide and swings formed in a sand box, surrounded by lightwood like a boarder.

I looked at my dad who was concentrating on the flowing river by us. He looked somehow happy and worried. I was curious about what he was going to tell me, feeling the urge to ask, yet noticing a feeling in the pit of my stomach to keep my mouth shut. Confusion left me silent, only waiting for my father to start the conversation, now worried what was going to happen.

“Sam, this is going to be hard to explain, but will you bear with me?”

“Um, sure.” Was all I could say, since worry filled my stomach with bad butterflies.

“Now, your mother and I only got married from a drunken night in Los Vegas. I regret it, only because I have not given her what she deserves and because I deceive her everyday when I tell her I love her. I know this must be hard to comprehend, and I am sorry.”

“Why didn’t you just divorce her?”

“Because, her parents are religiously against divorce. Though, her parents have passed now, and I am considering it. That’s why I brought you out here. I was curious if you wanted to come and move in with me.”

“What about Molly?”

“She’s cast under the child behaviors since she goes to a public school, like your mother chose. She will soon fall under, she’s already showing signs.”

“And where will we live?”

“New York.”

“Wait! How far is that from here?”

“That is closer to your friends’ public school than this house.”

“You mean I get to go to a public school?”

“Yes, but three times a week, after school, you will get special training to learn to master your powers.”

“Deal!”

“You really wish to move in with me?”

“Yes dad! You are the only one who truly understands me! Why wouldn’t I?”

“I’m glad.”

“Wait! Is there another woman in your life?”

“No Sam, and there won’t be, only you. I don’t feel like I need anyone. I am happy with a daughter. And to be brutally honest, I’m scared of that commitment, big or small, from what happened with your mother and I.”

“Oh. Okay!” I smiled widely, and so did my father.

I heard a gasp from the bushes and I turned around. I suddenly got a large whiff of Molly’s distinct, and strong Peach perfume. I sighed and walked to the bush. I pulled Molly out and she was in tears.

“Molly. Let us explain.” I tried to deal with her.

“No! Flan and mother are right! You have changed from being away at boarding school! You even changed dad! I’m telling mom!”

“No! Molly!” I felt a hand on my shoulder; I turned to see my dad.

“Let go of Molly, allow her to tell Karen.” Said my dad.

“Dad?” I asked confused. He nodded his head and I trusted what he said. I let go of my tight grasp of Molly’s beginning-to-be flabby arm. She was turning into the overweight child like my mother and Flan. I knew there was now no way to stop this.

She ran in the direction of home, I just stood there in curiosity, as to why my father would allow this.

“Why did you let her go?” I asked, confused.

“Because, our conversation isn’t over.”

“Then speak.”

“Another reason why I am not going to have another woman in my life is because my true love died already.”

“What?!” I turned around and stared at my father in idol shock.

“Karen is not your mother. Joy is.”

“Who’s Joy?”

“Joy was a beautiful young woman. She was a full demon.”

“What?”

“She was a nymph, but she never played her tricks on me. She was about your height and she had the same curls as you, though she had blonde hair, while I have the straight and brunette, like you. She was pale like you, while I am tanned, but she was so fit, and she could control her powers with such grace.”

“Wait! You are saying there are demons on this earth?”

“Yes, and you are destined to save people from them.”

“What?”

“Your mother did, and now you must follow in her footsteps. You also have a brother who is a half-demon.”

“What?”

“You will meet him soon, though he is your twin.”

“What?”

“Yes, he has straight blonde hair though, a strange fraternal twin match. You two can read each other’s minds from this power. You are a half wolf, any kind, arctic, red, timber, anything. Your brother is a wild cat, any kind, Cheetah, Leopard, Cougar, Jaguar, anything.”

“Why are you only telling me this now?”

“Because this is the first time I have had you alone when you are old enough to understand. Also, it seems we will get kicked out of the house sometime soon as it is.”

“How did Joy die?”

“From protecting you and Justin.”

“From what?”

“Now, there is no need for feeling guilty! Though, the strongest of all demons came for you two, since you were half blooded, and the only way to kill it was to kill an innocent life and bring them both to the depths of hell. Your mother succeeded with that. Justin has lived with my parents ever since, while you moved in with Flan, Karen and I.”

“Who’s Flan’s dad?”

“He died in a car accident when Flan was two, though he was a lowlife who didn’t want to be with Karen from her personality.”

“Oh.”

“Shall we go and face the music?”

“I guess we shall.”

When I thought my life was complicated enough, and I was in the shadows from everything as it is, I find out my life is more twisted and I was kept deeper into the shadows then I thought. What a great time to start senior year!