Beauty and the Bad

My life used to be normal. I had normal parents, went to a normal school, and had normal friendships. Never had a boyfriend, or skipped class, or even stayed out past curfew.

One person, in one accident, one fateful night, changed all of that. Because one person, decided it was okay to drink and drive. Because of that one person, and their stupid one-time decision; I lost my father. My mother lost her husband, and my grandparents lost their son.

After that night, everything in my normal life changed.

And became one hell of a life.

My mother sank to depression, and took whatever love knocked on her door; even the ones that tried to break them down. She started dating a younger man, who at my age of 16 was closer to dating me than her, but he liked the older woman.

Or should I say, the older woman who had money.

My grandparents were wealthy, and though we had decided as a family to live off our own income, they had left a large inheritance for my father, for when they had passed. The plan was to use part of it for my college, and the rest was to go towards my parents' retirement home.

But he was taken before they were, and we were given the money to help survive off one pay-check, tossing her dream retirement home out the window, and all her other plans for her future, and mine.

She thought she had found love in this young man, Jeremy, but only after a few months of dating him, she discovered he was a drug addict. Mostly addicted to coke, but dabbled with a bit of everything from time to time. My mother tried to look the other way, saying that he is 'sick', and she needs to help him.

But no matter how hard she tried to fight him to stop, he chose the drugs over her every time. And every time he came crawling back, because he was out of money and drugs, she would take him back with open arms. He would promise to get help in the morning, and then they would start their vicious cycle for another few months.

Those few months turned into two years, and things got way out of control. I thought my life had changed before, because of one fateful night.

I had no idea what else fate had in store for my mother and I.

Or how much death we would endure.

One summer night, Jeremy came home late, and he was distraught. My mother had stayed up waiting for him, and tried calming him down and asking why he was so upset, but he ignored her and demanded money. She said she didn't have much money left, and what she did, was to buy me new school supplies and clothes for my last year of school, which was supposed to start at the end of the summer.

He demanded she give him all of it, every last cent, or he was going to hurt her. She did as he had asked, but he had just become more enraged, screaming that it wasn't enough, and that he needed more. He started tearing through the house, turning everything over to try and find some secret stash he thought my mother was hiding from him.

I had hidden in my room the entire time, and waited for him to break down my door, yelling at me to give him whatever money I had made from my small part time job at the local community center, teaching dance to children. I tried to tell him I didn't have anything, and he slapped me across the face.

My mother had then come rushing into the room, and tried to get him to stop, but he was too enraged and blinded to even see her, so he knocked her down too. Jeremy had run out of the room when someone started to bang on the front door. My mother and I stayed in my room, and listened as he and another man argued loudly in the living room.

Suddenly, gun shots had went off, and we heard one thud on the ground. My mother tried to muffle our screams, and rushed back out into the living room to make sure Jeremy was alright, despite how much I had yelled at her to stat put until whoever was alive was gone.

It was Jeremy who had been shot, by some burly bald man, twice the size of my mother and I. He looked straight at her before she could make a move towards Jeremy, and I stayed hidden behind the hallway door, peeking through the crack.

"Speak a word of this to anyone, and I'll kill your entire family, " the man said to my mother, his words coated in a thick Irish accent, before he ran out the door and disappeared. My mother snapped out of it and rushed over to Jeremy, and cried over his corpse.

Despite what the man had said, she had immediately called the police; and told them everything. She gave them a clear description of the man, and everything she knew about Jeremy and their connection. Turns out, he had been Jeremy's drug dealer, and he owed money, that much had been obvious.

That was when my life changed for the second time.

The police were never able to capture the man.

My mother and I were placed into witness protection, and moved half-way across Australia. We had to up-root ourselves, and leave everything we knew and loved behind. I couldn't tell anyone where I was going, or why I was leaving. I wasn't even able to say good-bye to my friends or grandparents. None of them were able to know what was happening.

My identity was stripped.

I am no longer Chloe Byrne.

After that day, I became Haley Quinn.

You got this Chloe. Come on, you aren't a little girl anymore. It's just a school. It's just a building.

Full of people I have never met, and will never meet me. Or, at least, the real me.

My name is Chloe Byrne. But today, I am becoming Haley Quinn. Today is my first day in witness protection program. My mom and I barely have the house unpacked, and I'm already starting my first day of high school.

The move was sudden, and long. We barely made it before the first day, or else I would be starting a week behind everyone else, making my welcome even more awkward.

I take a deep breath once more and march up to the front doors, trying to keep my head down and away from prying eyes. The school looks rather large, with two floors and stretches the size of at least 2 football fields, seeing as they have one in the back already, and it takes up half the yard.

I make my way to what I hope is the front desk, and see a plump gingerly woman sitting behind a bright screen.

"Hello dear, how can I help you?" she asks me, smiling sweetly.

"My name is Chl– Haley Quinn, I'm a new student." I bite my tongue, silently cursing myself for almost slipping up on my first day, and I've only spoken to one person so far.

The woman, ignorant to my blunder, taps away on her keyboard, humming a small tune. She prints off a few papers and lays them out on top of the desk for me.

"Now, this here is your class schedule with the times written here, and the classroom number and floor number right here, " she says and points around the paper. "This one is a map of the school, it's a little difficult to read at first so don't be shy to ask someone for help, " she says and smiles at me, not knowing how I almost ruined my second life through her.

She has no idea how hard it's going to be even looking at another person here, knowing what I know, having to keep it secret from even my own family. My own friends. The ones I had to up and leave behind, not so much as a good-bye text or Facebook message.

I had to delete everything, every social media account in existence, every blog or online article, every video or tagged photo. Chloe Byrne, to the outside and online world, no longer exists, and never will.

She has been replaced by Haley Quinn.

And Haley Quinn isn't going to be anything like Chloe Byrne.

It's time to reinvent myself. I have to take away something positive from this dreadful experience that I'm forced into. Though I never hated myself before, there was never anything exciting about who I am. I didn't go out very often, unless it was to teach dance at the community center, but that was mainly for small kids.

Most of my time I spent with my mother, either baking or binge watching our favorite shows on Netflix, gossiping about boys and drama from school. That was of course, before she had met Jeremy.

Her abusive, drug dealer ex-boyfriend. The whole reason we are stuck in this situation. After he came into our lives, it was nothing but terror, screaming and fighting. There were few good times, at the beginning, when he was trying to earn his way into the family; more like weasel.

He would surprise my mother with flowers, then turn to me with another bouquet of flowers, and say he has to treat the queens in his life the way they deserve. My mother would gush about how perfect he is, and how wonderful he treats us. I would try and smile, but something would never feel right.

I'm so wrapped up in my thoughts, I forget to pay attention to where I'm going, and run right into a hard body. My papers go flying, along with the books the person had in their hands.

"Oh, God. I'm so sorry, I should've been paying more attention, " the guy I ran into apologizes, throwing me off guard.

"Wait, " I say, and stop him from picking up my papers. He looks up at me, with big, blue eyes, clouded over with concern. I have to blink a few times to gather myself before speaking. "I'm sorry, it's my fault, I wasn't paying attention. Don't worry about it, " I say and give him a small reassuring smile.

"Oh, no, it was me. I was too wrapped up in my schedule, they got it all wrong. I was actually rushing back to the office to speak with the secretary, I shouldn't have been going so fast, " he continues to ramble an apology.

I can see this is going nowhere, so I stick my hand out towards him.

"My names Haley, " I say, taking my time to make sure I get it completely right this time.

He smiles politely at me. "Logan Cameron. I can tell you are new here, haven't seen you around. Been going to this school since the first year, I'd recognize a pretty face like yours."

I clamp my lips together, unsure of how to respond, or if he was hitting on me or giving me a compliment.

Logan snickers beside me. "Don't worry, I bat for the other team, but you are pretty."

"Oh, well, thank you." I let out a small breath, thankful that's cleared.

"Where are you headed?" he asks, peaking down at my class schedule.

I take out the paper and read it over. "Looks like I'm looking for room A4, Calculus, " I say.

His eyes widen. "Wow, that's the Advanced Calculus class, I can already see you're incredibly smart. Looking to take on any tutoring students?" he asks and grins, causing me to laugh a little for the first time since I arrived here.

"Not that smart, but I am really good with numbers. I like how numbers can go on forever, and math is the only known universal language."

Logan gives me a lost look. "How is math a language?"

"It isn't technically, but it is something that is spoken, and therefore considered to some degree a language, and it's universal because it's the same in every country. Though the name and symbols of numbers are different to everyone, the system of math is the same."

He continues to stare at me, eyes wide. "Wow, you really like math, huh?"

I just shrug and smile. "I like the concept of things. Behind the origin."

"Well, whatever you are, I like it. I think we're going to get along great, " he says and beams at me, giving me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. A small sense of belonging, for once, in what feels like a long time.

I follow Logan back to the front desk so he can sort out his schedule, so he can then help me find my first class. Coincidentally, his classroom is two doors down and we all finish classes at the same time.

"I'll meet you back out here after class, so I can help you find the next one. I know every floor of this building like the back of my hand." I nod and he scurries down the hall, just as the first warning bell signals, making everyone else scatter in the hall.

I rush into the class and try to find a desk near the back, not wanting to stand out or be seen by anyone. The more people notice me, the more they ask questions, realizing like Logan, that I'm new. I can barely remember the fake story they fed to us, let alone my own fake name.

A week and I should be solid, at least my story will be. Then, maybe I can start interacting with people, and reinvent my image. Though I haven't moved countries, this city is a lot different than my hometown. Everything just seems bigger, brighter, fancier. There are a lot more beach options, more hangout spots, places to eat.

I can become a whole different person here.

Someone who goes out more, tries different things, experiences new places. I've been to the beach many times, but it was also to relax on the beach alone, or with my best friend Alissa. We would read books or chat, nothing special.

I've never went to a beach party. Or a party in general. I've never been invited to one. I had friends back home, but we were never popular. Never disliked, but never stood out either. We had our little group, and we were fine with it.

But now, they're gone, and it's just me.

Or whoever I want Haley Quinn to be.

* * *

Logan stayed true to his word, and at the end of my first class, was there to greet me and walk me to my next. Turns out, we have next class together; English. A pretty basic class, but another one I love, besides gym. I have always loved learning about ancient literature, hearing the long-forgotten romance and adventure from our ancestor's.

"I can't believe you like that crap, " Logan groans as the lunch bell rings. I chuckle at him as we gather our things up, but I stop when I hear a small commotion by the door.

I look up to see a group of girls has cluttered in the doorway, looking out towards the hallway. They're whispering excitedly, with huge smiles and dreamy eyes. Is Chris Hemsworth down the hall? What has everyone's panties so wet?

I look to Logan, but he just rolls his eyes, as if he already knows what they're ogling over. Or who.

"I suspect you know what's going on over there?" I point to the door and he nods.

"Ethan Sommers is probably walking down the hall. The gym is also down the hall, and gym class is offered second period. Ethan loves gym, takes it every year, so he's probably leaving class, and like always, all the girls are trying to get a good look at him."

"Or they want him to get a good look at them, " I mutter, and join him in rolling my eyes. We share a small laugh before we try and squeeze our way through the crowd. I'm so confused as to where I'm going, I dart through the hall, barely looking.

And run right into a brick wall. My books go flying, and I have a weird sense of deja-vu, thinking back to when this happened to me this morning.

I really hope I'm not making a habit of this.

"Ugh, seriously, " I moan and look down at my scattered papers.

"You're complaining to me? You're the one blindly racing through the halls like a bat out of hell!" an angry voice shouts above me, their tone harsh. I tense, fully aware that I might have pissed off the wrong person.

I slowly lift my eyes up to meet the talking brick wall, and look into the most mesmerizing pair of eyes I've ever seen. They make my heart stop and my head spin the moment I look into them.

Steel grey. A color of grey I can't describe, except for soul-sucking. Looking into them felt like the life is literally being sucked out of me, I can't breathe.

"Are you alright? Did you seriously run into me that hard?" he asks, his tone lighter, and a small, teasing smirk lifting at the corner of his gorgeous lips.

What the hell am I thinking?

"N-no, you just startled me." Smooth, Haley.

"Maybe if you slowed down, and paid attention, you wouldn't be startled like this so often, " he says and bends down to gather my stuff. What does he mean by 'so often'? Wait...did he see me and Logan run into each other this morning?

He stands back up, another ghost of a smile on his face, and hands me my stack of books and papers.

"My name is Ethan, by the way. I can tell that you're new, I'd remember running into someone like you, " he says and winks, shoving his hands into his jean pockets.

"Someone like me?"

He shrugs. "Don't take it in a bad way, " is all he says.

I simply frown and shuffle my books awkwardly in my hands, spotting Logan standing off to the side.

"Well, sorry for running into you, and thanks, " I mumble and shuffle away, but he turns and grabs my arm softly.

"You never told me your name."

I bite my lip, remembering what I promised myself this morning.

I'm going to be different.

"Guess you'll have to find out, if you really want to know, " I say, and quickly turn to hide my burning cheeks. I have never said anything like that to anyone, let alone an extremely attractive guy.

I join Logan, and he gives me a, 'what the fuck' look as we walk down the hall. I turn back and steal one more glance at Ethan, shocked to see him still standing in the same spot, leaning against the wall, grinning at me.

He gives me a little wave, before Logan and I turn around a corner, disappearing from view. I can still heart my heart drumming in my ears, feel it pounding in my chest, as we make our way to the cafeteria.

I have a feeling I'm going to like it here.

And the new person I'm becoming.

I smile a little to myself, happy that I'm starting to feel a little at home, or at least a lot more comfortable with my new life than I thought I was going to be, and it's only the first day.

That reminds me of the beach party Logan told me about, and makes me wonder if Ethan is the kind of person who attends those. He seems like the party kind of guy, but looks can be deceiving.

I should know that better than anyone.

It seems Logan knows a thing or two about the gossip of the school, so I take advantage when we finally sit down with our food.

"So, this beach party this weekend, who here is likely to attend? You know, so I'm prepared for who I'm going to meet. Anyone you know?" I ask him, trying to play it off cool, but end up rambling on the spot.

"Oh, for sure! My best friend, Sissy, you're going to love her. She has the best hair ever, she dyes it and styles it all herself, and she can do almost anything with any kind of wig, and rock it like she was born with it, " Logan gushes about this girl, Sissy, just as a high pitched voice cuts in.

"Hellloooo, my love!" a girl with dark, red hair cut in a short bob and curled to perfection at the ends walks up, carrying a small white pack back with bunny ears at the top.

"Sissy, we were just talking about you. Come, sit and meet my new friend Haley, " Logan says and pats the seat next to him. Sissy sits down and smiles at me with her blood red lips, and holds out her black manicured hands, almost long enough to scratch someone's eyes out.

"Hey there, so nice to meet you. My name is Sissy, and no it's not my real name, my real name is Sierra but it's a nickname Logan made for me in middle school and just kind of stuck, " she says and they share a knowing look.

"So, what is it you were gossiping about me now?" she asks him.

Logan rolls his eyes. "Nothing, drama queen. I was actually telling Haley you're going to be at the beach party this weekend. I invited her this morning, so I'm trying to tell her who is all going."

Sissy's hazel eyes light up. "Oh, I know exactly who is going, I can tell you! Well, I can at least tell you the ones who matter. So, of course there is Logan and I, we'll be by your side so you don't get lost or sucked into the wrong crowd. And by wrong crowd, I mean those bitches over there, " she says and points behind me.

I turn to see a table crowded with people; all their attention pointed to a single girl sitting in the middle. She is your classic barbie-doll, the one that oozes confidence and wears her wealth. I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

"I can already tell what kind of person she is, " I mutter, earning a small giggle from Sissy.

"Yeah, that's Athena, her name says it all. But between you and me, that isn't her real name, she changed it this summer. Her name used to be Beatrice, but she hated it because it has something to do with some dead relative she doesn't like, nobody really knows."

My mind stops when she mentions Athena doesn't use her real name. I feel a small amount of comfort knowing that I'm not the only one faking something.

But the difference between Athena and I, is she isn't hiding anything, just faking it.

That small amount of comfort I felt disappears, and I turn my back away from them. Sissy continues to go on about who is going to the party, but I don't pay as much attention, continuing to think about the lie I am living.

Will I ever get to let anyone in? Will anyone ever get to know my secret? Or am I doomed to walk this earth, never returning to who I once was?

My mind in a whirl, I barely touch my food or hear the warning bell that lunch is over. Logan has to drag me out of my thoughts and frowns when I toss my untouched food in the garbage.

He and Sissy walk me to my next class, but my mind is still in the clouds for the rest of the day, going through the motions like a robot.

Like promised, my mother is there to pick me up at the end of the day, the first car parked right out front. I again fight the urge to roll my eyes, and hide my face as I walk to her car. She has a big smile on her face, waving wildly at me from inside the car, where everyone can see her.

"Mum, can you please stop acting like I'm 12-years-old and it's my first day?" I ask and slouch down further in my seat.

"But it is your first day."

"Yeah, but I'm not 12, I'm 18 and this is my last year of high school, where I'm trying to not seem weird." This time, I don't fight the urge to roll my eyes at her.

"Well, how did that go then?" she asks.

I shrug, sitting up when we finally pull off the lot. "So far so good, I made a couple new friends that seem nice."

"That's great, Chl– I mean, Haley, " she catches herself, but lets out a groan. "This is going to be difficult, " she mutters.

"You're telling me, I'm the one who has to interact with people only a few days after we're given our new identities. I almost said my real name to the secretary this morning, " I say and glare at her.

"But luckily, your smart and quick like me, and you caught yourself, " she says and smiles confidently at me. I just grumble and turn to look out the window. I'm debating telling her about Ethan, and the party this weekend, but something tells me she won't let me.

She hasn't let me do much since everything changed. Going to school is the first time she has let me leave the house, and she obviously had no choice.

Looks like I also have no choice, but to commit my first act of rebellion. I could of course just tell her, and maybe there's a chance she will let me, but there's also an even bigger chance she will freak out and say no.

That isn't something I want to go through. I really want to go to this party, I almost need to, if I want to try and fit in, reinvent myself.

Oh, god. I don't have anything good to where, let alone up to the standards of some of the styles I've seen so far. I at least had the whole week to figure out where I can get new clothes, and what exactly to get. My mother does give me a small allowance from the money my grandparents gave us, so I can buy lunch at school. I can use some of it for at least a new outfit and bathing suit for the beach party.

When we get home, I hurry upstairs to my room and pull out my suitcases. I try and rifle through everything to no effort, I have nothing to even call decent in my wardrobe. Just as I pull my laptop out of a box to search up a map of the area, my mother calls me downstairs.

"Hey, honey, sit down, " she says when I enter the living room, patting the couch next to me. She takes a deep breath before smiling and turning towards me. "I have some good news I wanted to share with you, I just got the confirmation email today while I was unpacking."

"Confirmation for what?" I ask. She hasn't mentioned she has done anything to me in the last week, we've both been so focused on the move and change.

Her smile grows. "Last week, just before we moved here, I took a look at the area, and applied to some firms for an intern job, " she says slowly, allowing me to take in everything. I still have to think twice.

"You mean, a law firm?"

She nods. "You remember, I mentioned that just before I met your father, I went to school to study criminology and law? Well I also have a few classes of human rights and business ethics under my belt, but I never pursued a career after you were born, there was no need, " she says and smiles again.

"So, you what? Want to work again?" I ask, still unsure of how I feel about this news. I have never seen my mother work, she has always been around, packing my lunches in the morning, and cooking dinner before I'm even home, always making something new and fresh.

Now what is going to happen? Is she even going to be here half the time?

That could work to my advantage, especially when it comes to this weekend.

"Haley, are you listening?" my mother asks, waving a hand in front of me.

"Oh, sorry. What did you say?"

"I said, what do you think about this?" she repeats, looking at me eagerly.

"Well, I'm not sure, to be honest. We're trying to stay under the radar, aren't we? Isn't jumping right into the law enforcement department, kind of doing the opposite?"

She grins at me. "That's just the thing, this is supposed to help us."

"What do you mean?" I ask, not liking the bad gut feeling a now have.

"This law firm, the one that accepted me, they're working on a case that might be connected to the one we're under. They're looking for a man who works with or for the man who killed Jeremy–"

"Mom, are you crazy? You're going to get us killed!" I cry and stand up, unable to hear what she is telling me. I knew that gut feeling was bad, but this is just terrible. "Are you seriously saying you want to try and help go after the man who is the reason, we're under witness protection?"

"Yes, so we can get out of witness protection, and go back to our normal lives, instead of always living a lie, " she says and frowns, her eyes determined. I have seen that look many times. Whenever I tried to tell her that Jeremy was bad news, and she always defended him.

Until he came home drunk or high, and beat her for money or sex.

"Mom, a part of me thinks this guy did us a favor, " I say and sit back down, taking her hands in mine. I have always looked at my mother as someone fragile, even though she is well beyond my youth.

"What are you saying?" she says, her lip trembling.

"I'm saying, we had a really shitty life when you were with Jeremy, as much as I know you loved him, he was horrible to us, but I know how hard it was for you to escape. As hard as it might be to even imagine, maybe this guy coming in and taking Jeremy away, was some sort of God send, a chance for us to get away and start over, completely, " I explain softly, gauging my mother's reaction.

Tears start to form in her eyes, and I instantly regret saying anything. I knew it would be something hard for her to hear, but in a way, it is how I feel.

I hate that my life was taken away from me probably just as much as she does, but I never asked for it to be ruined in the first place. This is my second chance, my opportunity to start over, and get the life I always wanted, and deserve.

"I know, I haven't been the greatest to you, and that I have forced a lot of terrible trauma on you that I am going to hate myself for the rest of my life for. But do you really not want to go back?" she asks quietly.

I open my mouth to respond, but my mind is blank.

"I-I'm not sure."

My mother wipes her tears away and looks at me more defiantly.

"Well I'm sure, that I want to take this son of a bitch down, regardless if we go back to our old life, or not. He will pay for putting my family in danger, and putting this threat on us."

I can tell there is no more room for argument, she had made up her mind, and even I can't change it. I just nod, and try to ignore the growing, gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach.

By Wednesday, Logan, Sissy and I have almost become best friends, forming our own little trio during lunch and breaks between classes. Logan and I only have the one class together in the morning, and Sissy and I have art together during last period, since she really didn't want to take gym.

I had thought about taking gym before I attended, but it didn't say anywhere about dance, or any dance classes. Another thing I have to add to my list of things to search up around the area.

There has to be a community center or something that offers dance classes for a cheap price, or is even searching for a dance teacher for a fair price.

As we're walking to Sissy's car, just before I usually part ways to see my mom, still always waiting right up front, I decide to ask them if they can show me around town.

"Hey guys, I was wondering, if you guys were free later, if you could show me around town? I don't really know any stores or anything around here, and a might need new clothes for this weekend, " I ask awkwardly.

Sissy squeals and throws herself at me. "I would love to show you around! I can show you all the best stores to shop at, and we can even go together and shop for an outfit this weekend, " she says, while practically suffocating me.

"Alright, Sissy, take it down. We're both free tonight, text us your whenever you're ready and we'll swing by, " Logan says and starts to steer Sissy away before I can object. I bite my lip and walk over to my mom's car, thinking about what I'm going to say to her when I ask.

I think it over the entire drive home, listening to her ramble on about her first day at her new job, how friendly everyone is and how quick she is remembering everything she learned so many years ago.

I want to be happy for her, but I still have that awful gut feeling, and I've had it ever since she told me what she is planning. It's kept me up every night so far. Wondering, do I really want my old life back, now that I've made the decision to take advantage of this second chance?

"Hey mom, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, honey, what's up?" she says, the smile never leaving her face.

"Well, the friends I was telling you about, Logan and Sissy. They wanted to show me around town tonight, you know, show me all the shops and places where teens hang out, " I start off slow.

My mother frowns, but doesn't look at me.

"I don't know if that's a good idea, honey. It hasn't even been a week since we moved here, I don't know if I want you running around this place on your own, until maybe a little time has passed. Just until we make sure how safe we are, and only time will tell that, " she says and finally turns to me. "I promise, we can go out this weekend, and maybe look at a few clothing shops, " she adds.

This weekend? Uh oh. I chew my lip, thinking of an excuse to tell her as to why I can't go out with her this weekend, but it's impossible to think of anything, seeing as she won't let me go out anywhere anyway, and I haven't been in school long enough for there to be any major test to study for.

I have to come up with something, or hope for the best.

I send a group text to Logan and Sissy, telling them my mother said no to me going out tonight, and making up some excuse that she needs me to help unpack and arrange the house. They send their regards, poking fun at me at the same time, saying they'll see me at school tomorrow.

There's only 2 days before the beach party, the big back-to-school party that everyone who is anyone supposedly is attending. I need to make a good impression, and I still don't have anything to wear.

I try and rummage through my clothes one more time, now that they are unpacked and a little more organized, but eventually give up again and head downstairs for dinner. I try and keep my mind clear as my mother continues to talk about her job, occasionally asking me how school is going.

"Do you think, when a bit of time has passed, I could maybe look into some dance classes in town?" I ask my mother when the conversation dies down and our plates are almost clear.

She gives me a long, hard look, her lips pressed into a firm line.

"Don't they offer dance classes at school?" she asks quietly, casting her eyes down. I should have known she was going to object, but this is something I have thought about a lot.

"No, they don't. I already checked, even gym doesn't offer any sort of dance. Mom, if there is any sort of my old life that I want to hold onto, it's dance, and I think there might be somewhere in town where I can maybe take lessons, or even teach them. I took a lot of lessons back home, and you even said yourself I could make a career out of it, " I say to her, pleading with my eyes for her to understand.

She gives me another long look, before she sighs and looks like she's caved. "I can't make any promises, but we can try and take a look in a little bit for something close to here, " she says. I almost jump out of my seat, but she puts a hand up to say she isn't finishes talking.

"Again, I'm not making any promises, we will talk about it another time, but I am saying I will consider it. You're right, I always loved watching you dance, and you are very good at it. I just want to settle in first, adjust to our surroundings and new life. Can you do that for me?" she asks, and stretches a hand across the table.

I meet her hand and give her a small smile, nodding.

I guess that is the best I'm going to get.

***

My mother drops me off at school just as Sissy and Logan pull into the parking lot. I give my mother a rushed good-bye before I run over to join them, thankful for a little bit of freedom, even if it's at school.

"So, how far into unpacking are you and your mom?" Logan asks.

"Uh, not that far. My mom actually just told me she started a new job, so she hasn't been around during the day to do most of it, " I say, telling part of the truth. Most of our major unpacking and arranging is already done. The kitchen is unpacked and the living room is arranged and set up, the only things left are my room, and my mother's.

"Why don't Sissy and I come over tonight and help you unpack? That way your mom has no choice but to let you come and shop with us, " Logan says.

Should've seen that coming. I knew eventually I would come to a dead end with my lies, I just didn't think it would happen so soon.

"To be honest, my mom is mainly concerned about me going out, she's really protective of me, " I mutter, biting my lip nervously.

Logan and Sissy share a confused look.

"Is she going to let you come to the party this weekend?" Sissy asks.

I shrug and turn towards my locker. "I haven't really told her about it, I have a feeling she's going to say no anyway."

"What are you going to do then?" Logan asks, leaning next to me with excited eyes. Something tells me he already knows what I've thought of.

"Obviously, she has no choice but to sneak out, " Sissy says and rolls her eyes, earning a small punch in the arm from Logan. "And we're going to help you, I can be the get-a-way driver." She grins at me, and I can almost see the gears turning behind her eyes.

"I haven't figured everything out just yet, but I'll let you guys know when I do, " I say and shut my locker door. Just as I turn to walk down the hall, I'm blocked by a tall figure.

I already know who it is before I look into his gorgeous steel eyes. Ethan is grinning down at me, one hand shoved in his pocket, the other clutching the strap of his backpack.

"There you are, I've been trying to catch you all week, " he says, and leans casually against my locker. Sissy and Logan look between the two of us with wide, shocked eyes. Sissy's mouth is hung open like she is trying to catch flies.

They quickly get the hint and pull themselves together.

"We'll see you at lunch, " Logan says, sending me a small wink, before they turn and strut down the hall, their heads bobbing together as they probably whisper about Ethan and I. I roll my eyes at their retreating figures, before nervously turning back to Ethan, who is still grinning down at me.

"You're a very hard person to catch, " he says, adjusting the strap on his shoulder. It almost seems like he's nervous, but I'm probably overthinking it.

"Why were you trying to catch me?" I ask, cursing myself silently when my voice comes out shakier than I intended it to.

"Well, I wanted to ask you if you heard about the party a few students from school are throwing this weekend, " he says.

I nod and press my lips together. "I did hear about it, Logan told me."

"Good, because I was also hoping to ask if maybe, you could save a dance for me, if you find the time."

It takes me a few minutes to register what he is asking, before I shake my head slightly, chewing my lip.

"Uh, y-yeah, I guess I could try and find the time, " I say, starting off rough but quickly recovering by the end. I give myself a small mental pat on the back.

Ethan gives me another grin. "Glad to hear, I'll make sure to find you the moment I get there." He sends me a wink, a lot more sultry than the one Logan gave me, before he disappears down the hall.

I lean against my locker for a few seconds, until the warning bell breaks me out of my dreamy thoughts, and I fly down the hall to first period, making it into my seat just as the last bell rings. I let out a small breath, but instantly tense slightly when I feel someone staring at me.

I peek through the corner of my eye, and see the girl Sissy had pointed out to me on my first day; Athena. She is staring, or more like glaring, at me from across the room. She looks like she wants to stand and say something to me, but before she can even move a muscle, the teacher enters the room, and class begins immediately after.

She continues to glare at me throughout the entire class, making me want to sink into my chair and completely disappear, or fall underneath and sneak out the door, but neither are options. I try my best to ignore her, but her gaze is to intense, I have to excuse myself to the bathroom halfway through class.

I stop at the water fountain and take a quick drink, trying to seem as if I'm using the bathroom. I feel someone staring at me again, before a presence comes up next to me. I stop and turn to look right into the sneering face of Athena.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" she asks, shoving a perfectly manicured finger into my chest. "You waltz in here like thin air, and start trying to trap everyone in your web. First Sissy, and now Ethan?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, " I say and try to back up, but I run right into someone else. I turn and see a pretty brunet girl, blocking my way.

"Don't try and play the innocent game with me, I have met plenty of girls like you, and I'm not letting a worm like you destroy everything I have built here, " she threatens and takes a few steps closer. I try and back up again, but the other girl doesn't move.

I feel a ball of panic form in my chest, my mind blank on what to do. I can't hit her, or do anything that will get me in any trouble, or my mother will kill me. She wants me to keep a low profile, and getting into a fight with someone my first week of school, is not doing that.

"Enough, Athena, put your claws away, " a deep voice interrupts from behind, their shoes heavy against the tiled floor. I can't see them, but I can see Athena's shocked face as they approach. She backs away and looks toward her friend, giving her a look that says the same.

"This doesn't concern you, Thomas, we're just talking. Besides, what are you even doing here, thought you dropped out?" she sneers, smirking at him.

"I had an overdue library fee, I couldn't live with myself if I left and didn't pay it off, " Thomas says from behind. I don't turn around, completely glued to the spot.

Athena scoffs. "Seriously, I find that hard to believe."

"Good, because it's not true, now get the hell out of here."

She sneers again, but remains silent and turns on her heels, her platinum blonde hair twirling dramatically. I let out a small breath when she's finally gone, but suck it back in when I remember the guy standing behind me.

Whoever he is, he's supposedly frightening enough to scare off someone like Athena, who scares even me.

"You can relax, she's gone, " he says. I hear his footsteps approach, coming to stand in front of me. I can see he is tall, but not as tall as Ethan. Still enough to tower over me. I slowly look up at him, and I'm taken back at how cute and boyish he looks, not what I pictured at all.

Why is Athena afraid of someone like him? She did say something about him dropping out, maybe he isn't as innocent as his appearance makes him seem.

"So, what have you done to get yourself on Athena's black list?" he asks, completely oblivious to the tension hanging between us. Or maybe it was just me feeling it.

"Nothing, but I feel like it doesn't take much to get on her bad side, " I mutter. Thomas lets out a low chuckle and nods his head.

"Yeah, she can be a real bitch."

I choke on my spit a little, surprised at how casually he says that.

"Anyway, she's not that bad once you get to know her, she just thinks everyone is out to get her. She comes from a very protective family, this is the only place where she feels in control, which seems to have gone to her head over the years, " Thomas explains, and the more he talks about her, the more I feel that small tug of comfort I felt before.

It seems Athena and I might not be so different after all.

"Well, thanks for saving me, I guess. I would say I owe you, but something tells me I won't be seeing you any time soon, " I say, silently referring to what Athena mentioned earlier. He nods slowly, getting exactly what I'm saying.

"I'm sure I'll see you around sometime, and I'll make sure you owe me one, don't worry about it. Till then, try to stay out of trouble, this place isn't as glamourous as it seems, " he says, all humor erased from his face, and an almost grim expression in his eyes.

Before I can ask what he means, he saunters off down the hall without a glance back, and walks out the front doors of the school. I stand there, thinking over what he says.

Is he talking about the school, or this town?

***

At the end of the day, I wave good-bye to Sissy and Logan, telling them I'll figure out a plan for this weekend. As they pull out of the parking lot, I realize my mother's car in nowhere to be found, and the lot is starting to thin out.

I look at my phone and realize she texted me.

Sorry honey, running late at the office. Any chance you can take the bus?

I groan and shove my phone back in my pocket. Does she not realize that since she never let me go out and explore the town, that means I have no idea how the bus system works? Or if there even is a bus I can take from here to home. All the school buses have already left, and I wouldn't even know which one goes by my house anyway.

Just as I'm about to turn and go back inside, someone honks, and a nice-looking car pulls up to the curb. The window rolls down and reveals a grinning Ethan.

"Need a ride?" he asks, and revs the engine a little for dramatic effect. I roll my eyes, but can't contain the small smile that stretches across my face.

"My knight in shining armor, " I tease when I settle into the pristine leather seat. Ethan chuckles and revs out of the parking lot, earning a few awed looks from lingering students.

"Were you waiting in the parking lot to see if I needed a ride, or did you just happen to be passing by?" I ask, trying to sound playful, but my jaw feels tense.

Ethan laughs again. "If I tell you, I'll just look even more pathetic."

I smile and duck my head, trying to hide my burning cheeks with my hair.

"So, where am I dropping you off?" he asks when we finally pull onto the freeway. I realize then that I'm going to have to give him my address, something I have been avoiding giving out to anyone. I try and think of something on the spot, and decide to just give him an address of a house a few doors down from mine.

"How are you liking it here so far?" he asks, and I can't help but smile at his attempt at small talk.

"Not bad, a lot better than I was expecting moving to a new city would be, " I say, trying to be as vague as possible, so I don't slip up.

"Have you ever moved before? Or is this your first time?"

"This is my first big move, I've only ever moved within my old town." I can feel a small ball of panic build in my chest the more I talk about my old life.

"This has to be pretty different for you then, you're handling it a lot better than most new kids I've seen, and some of them just move from across town, not a completely different city. Any reason why you moved in the first place?" he asks, the one question I have been waiting for someone to ask me.

Why did I move?

I come up with a quick lie. "My mother and I have been on our own for a long time, we both just needed a change of pace, escape our old life and start new somewhere else." I start rambling, and catch myself just as I realize my slip up. Though I didn't say anything specific, I'm getting nervous and not thinking about what's about to come out of my mouth.

I need to change the subject!

"How long have you lived here?" I ask him.

"I've lived here my entire life, just my dad and I. He owns one of the best auto body shops in town, let's me work there part-time so I can save up for college, " he explains, but I'm barely paying attention, just thankful for the change of topic.

"Well, here we are, " he says and pulls up to an unfamiliar house. I open my mouth to object, but quickly snap it shut when I remember the fake address I gave him.

I give him a tense smile. "Thanks again for the drive, doesn't even look like my mother is home, " I say, looking at the empty driveway, even though it isn't really my driveway. I'm thankful it has played out so well.

"Now, since I've done something for you, you need to do something for me, " Ethan says and grins at me. I'm stuck between the urge to slap him, and hear him out. I just give him a suspicious look, narrowing my eyes at him.

"What exactly do you want?" I ask cautiously.

Ethan chuckles. "Your name, " he says simply.

"W-what? You just want my name?"

He nods, still grinning at me. "You said I'd have to find out, if I want to know so bad. Well, I want to know that bad."

I can't keep the giddy smile off my face. "Haley, " I say quietly, still not liking how the name feels on my tongue.

"Pretty name, for a pretty face, " he says and smiles softly at me. I avert eyes, feeling my cheeks heat up instantly.

"I'll see you tomorrow, thanks again, " I say quickly and all but run out of the car. I stop and wave to him from the sidewalk, staying glued to the spot until his car pulls away and disappears. When he's out of sight, I take a look around and try to remember which direction my house is in.

I eventually recognize the bright red front door, but I'm shocked to still see an empty driveway.

She still isn't home?

I check my watch, and see it's almost 5 o'clock, well past the time my mother is usually home, and even school is done. I cautiously walk in the front, thinking her car might be in the unused garage, but I'm met with complete silence. She really is late.

I send her a quick text that I made it home safe, but don't receive a response. I shrug it off and shove my phone back in my pocket, wandering into the kitchen to look for a small snack to tie me over until my mother gets home.

Whenever that is.

I take advantage of the time alone to start arranging my room and finally setting it up to make it feel like my own. When we made the move over, my mother took the opportunity to get rid of all our old furniture, especially the pieces that wreaked of smoke and other disgusting smells from Jason and his party friends.

With some of the money from my grandparents, she bought new furniture. Now, even our living room feels foreign, nothing feels like home. The best I can do to try and feel the slightest bit comfortable here, is to make my room the closest feeling to home.

I take my time and care hanging up old pictures of friends and adventures from the past, now all distant memories, I'll probably never be able to return to. I think to all those pictures I see on Facebook, of friends and family re-creating old photos and memories, thinking I'll never have those chances.

I'll never be able to re-create those precious moments, just make new ones.

Do I really want that? Am I really ready to give up my old life, the old me?

Suddenly feeling lightheaded from the swirling thoughts, I drop the rest of the photos on my desk and lug myself over to my bed to lie down and try to calm my mind. But it doesn't work.

My mind continues to fill with so many questions and concerns, but barely any answers, until my eyes are too heavy to keep themselves open, and I drift off.

I'm woken up to my mother shaking me, whispering quietly in my ear.

"Honey, wake up, it's almost time to get ready for school."

I groan and blink my eyes against the harsh light. "What time is it?" I ask groggily, tossing the covers back over my face.

"It's 7 o'clock, I have breakfast ready downstairs, " she says and rips the covers off of me, no warning. I let out a shriek and try to grasp the covers back, but she has ripped them clean off the bed.

"Hurry up, or the food is going to get cold!" she calls over her shoulder and closes the door. I huff and look towards the clock next to my bed. It reads 7:02 AM. She's right, I slept through the entire evening and night, not waking up once.

I guess I was a lot more exhausted from everything than I thought. I made it through my first week in this new life, without any blunder or slip up. I give myself a small, tired pat on the back while I trudge myself out of bed to get dressed, which reminds me that I still don't have anything to wear to the party tomorrow night.

I slowly walk down the stairs to join my mother at the kitchen table. She is sitting there, already half-way through her plate, shoveling food into her mouth while going over scattered papers all around her on the table.

"What's all this?" I ask, pushing some papers out of the way before I sit down.

"Oh, just some paperwork from the case we're working on, " she says absent-mindedly, not looking up from her stack.

"You mean, the guy you're hunting, who you think is connected to Jeremy's killer?" I taunt, but she still doesn't look up, munching viciously on a piece of toast.

"It's much bigger than that, this goes way back to multiple people and gangs–"

"Wait, what? Gangs? Mom, this sounds a little too dangerous, " I say, dropping my fork and cutting her off.

She finally looks up from her papers and smiles at me.

"Don't worry honey, we aren't dealing with the Mafia or anything extreme like that, these are just your common criminals, put away for things like grand theft auto and robbery mostly. Of course, drugs are always involved, anything to get money I suppose, which is where our guy comes in."

The more she talked about it, the more the gnawing feeling in my stomach grew. It's almost the size of my stomach at this point, cramping and growling at me, screaming that there is something wrong here.

But I have no idea what. My mother is finally happy, getting out of the house and doing something with her life, finding meaning. I should be happy for her too. Why aren't I? Why do I keep finding every reason for her to not pursue this? Is it because I don't want my old life back? Or is it deeper than that?

Before I can ask, she's shuffling her papers together in a blur and clearing her plate.

"Now, I know I mentioned I would take us out this weekend and do some shopping and touring around town, " she starts off slowly, turning to me in the kitchen. I suck in a silent breath, forgetting completely that she had mentioned that before, and I still haven't come up with an excuse as to why I can't go.

All my worries are wiped away, when she gives me a disappointed frown.

"Unfortunately, we're going to post-pone it to sometime next week, I'm going to be away at the office all weekend, and probably working over-night Saturday. I joined the firm at the best and worst time, they really need my help, " she says and comes towards me to put a comforting hand on my shoulder.

She has no idea that I am jumping for joy inside.

She's going to be gone, for the whole day and night Saturday. This is working out perfectly!

I don't have to tell her about the party, and I don't have to make an excuse to avoid going out with her, and it's going to be much easier to sneak out of the house, when I can use the front door!

"It's okay mom, I'll be alright on my own this weekend, and I promise to stay out of trouble, " I add when I see her opening her mouth to probably tell me something along the same lines.

She smiles softly at me and kisses my forehead. "That's my girl, now go get ready or you'll be late, I'll meet you outside."

I nod and rush upstairs, texting Sissy and Logan in our group chat the good news. They both cheer and send me their congrats, saying this is going to be the best back-to-school party I have ever been too.

Probably best to leave out that this is going to be the only party I have ever been too.

I wait for my mother to disappear out of the school lot, before I run up and join Sissy and Logan.

"So, you have temporary freedom for the weekend?" Sissy cheers, winking at me. I just laugh and roll my eyes.

"Well, now that I know you're for sure coming, I want to give you something." She grins at me before she turns back to her car and dives into the back seat. She rummages around for a few seconds, before she pulls out a plastic bag with heavy items in them.

"What is this?" I ask, trying to peer at the contents. But I just see an endless amount of black and lace.

Sissy's grin widens. "Well, since we never got to go shopping, and I wasn't sure if you had the chance to find an outfit for this weekend, so just in case you don't have anything to wear, you can borrow that outfit from me, I rarely ever wear it anymore, " she says and gestures for me to open the bag.

I pull out a gorgeous, black baby doll style dress. It looks like it will stop just above my knees, not too short but not too long, with a lace front covering the chest, and shoulder straps made out of the same black lace material.

"There's also a black bikini in there, so it goes with the dress underneath." As she says that, I pull out the slightly skimpy looking black stringed bikini. I smile tightly at her, not sure how I feel about it, but still love the dress and the thought none the less.

"Thank you, Sissy, this is gorgeous."

She squeals and runs up to hug me, once again almost suffocating me. Logan rolls his eyes but joins in our group hug when Sissy grabs hold of his arm and yanks him in, not really giving him an option.

I tuck the outfit away in my bag and rush off to class, getting more and more excited for tomorrow night as the day goes on.

Tomorrow is the night I finally figure out who I want to be.