Broken Love

Chapter One

I walked up the stone steps of my new home, the cold mid-December air sending a chill down my spine. I licked my chapped lips and bit down on my bottom one. I gripped my guitar case possessively in one hand and had my backpack on my back. I set the guitar down next to me and watched for a moment as white snowflakes landed on the black backdrop. I cracked my fingers through my gloves. They were holey and barely keeping the cool air out. I shivered and ran my hands up and down my arms, my thin shirt not providing enough heat in such cold weather. I took a final deep breath before knocking lightly on the front door. 

"Got it Mom!" I heard a voice call, but a loud crash made me wince and furrow my eyebrows. 

"It's your foster sister!" called a woman inside I was guessing would be my new mother. 

"And I couldn't answer the door..?" the boy responded and I felt myself smile softly.

Suddenly the door was thrown open and a woman appeared. She had long brown hair and welcoming brown eyes. She was normal height, a little taller than I was. She enveloped me in a hug that had me flinching slightly but hugging back, enjoying her warmth. 

"You must be Cassadee. I'm Mrs. Teasdale, but you can call me Mom or Karen, I don't mind. Come in darling it's freezing!" she said, pulling me inside.

The house was way fancier than I was use to and the whole place smelt sweet like chocolate. My eyes wandered to the large staircase to the right and the long hallway straight in front of me. The place was like something from one of my dreams; it was beautiful. 

"You're even prettier in person!" Karen cried out and my eyes met hers. I blushed involuntarily and that was when I noticed the boy leaning against the wall. 

"Mom, I'm almost positive you're terrifying the poor girl," he warned, rolling his eyes but offering me a smile. "I'm Ryder, your brother for all intensive purposes," he explained. He had short brown hair and warm chocolate brown eyes. He was definitely taller than me; by about 4 inches. 

I felt the smallest of smiles spread across my lips and I nodded to show him I understood. 

"Ryder, be a dear and show Cassadee where she'll be staying? I left cookies in the oven," she instructed, wiping her hands on the apron she wore tied around her waist. 

Huh, that's why the house smelt like chocolate; there were cookies in the oven. I mentally shrugged the thought off and nodded a thank you to Karen before following her son up the stairs. 

"Right, well, this is the bathroom right here. This is Adrianna's room," he said, gesturing to doors as he did. "This is my room, and yours is right across from mine. Let me know if you need anything else?" he asked and I nodded to show him I understood. He gave me a small, awkward wave before disappearing into his room.

I carefully approached my new room, nervously flipping on the light. The walls were covered in a light purple paint and the comforter resembled Bella's from Twilight. The carpet was a brand new white that I could tell was extremely fuzzy despite the fact I had shoes on. There was a cute lamp with 5 different heads in one corner. Someone must have told my foster family I liked music; there were little black music notes painted on the wall. The closet doors were simply mirrors on wheels, and the closet was fairly large itself. There was a desk in the corner and a large flat screen TV on the wall. As I approached  the desk, I found a brand new laptop, still in the box. My mouth fell open and I twirled around, observing the room with wide eyes. It was absolutely perfect. 

I smirked slightly and heard a light tap on my door. I walked over to open it up to find a small girl, about the age of seven. I gave her a small smile and waved at her. I knelt down so I could look her in the eyes. She was an exact replica of her mother, only with younger looking features. 

"I'm Adrianna, your sister!" she exclaimed, throwing her tiny arms around my neck. I nearly fell back on my butt at the contact but wrapped my arms around her small frame. 

"You're pretty Cassie," she said and I blushed. She had gotten my name wrong but I didn't even try to correct her; she'd find out soon enough that she had gotten my name wrong. 

I gave her a small smile and indicated for her to come in. She skipped in and plopped down on my bed. 

"I wish I had your room. It's so pretty," she said, gazing around as if she were in Disney World. I smiled wider than I had in the past so many years. All I could think was, This little girl had a big impact on me. 

"You don't talk much do you?" she asked sadly. I frowned at her and slowly shook my head, ashamed. 

"It's okay. I like you either way," she said and I smiled slightly.

"I've always wanted a sister. But all I got is stupid Ryder," she said and crossed her arms. I couldn't help but smile at how she thought of her older brother. "So you're going to be here for a while?" she asked.

I nodded quickly. I had just turned seventeen, and it had been decided I would stay here until I moved out; it was clear that I would be welcome in the Teasdale household. 

"Adrianna, Ryder, Cassadee, dinner!" I heard Karen call and Adrianna jumped up, running out of the room. 

I smiled at her, knowing she would make my stay ten times more welcoming. I stood up and followed her lead down the stairs and down the hallway. I silently searched for the kitchen after Adrianna had disappeared. 

"Right down there," I heard a voice say behind me and I jumped. I spun towards Ryder who had an amused smile on his face. "Sorry did I scare you?" he teased and I rolled my eyes. "Oh come on, I was kidding. Brotherly love," he said and I nodded, smiling the slightest bit. 

"Cassadee, Ryder!" Karen called again. 

"Coming Mom!" Ryder called and rolled his eyes. "Follow me. I know you're lost," he teased and this time he missed me rolling my eyes at him. I did, however, follow him down the hallway and into the kitchen where Karen was carrying dishes into the dining room. 

"There you are kids. Help me out," Karen asked and Ryder grabbed a dish from the counter. 

I grabbed a dish from the counter and followed Ryder into the dining room, setting it down on the table. 

"Thank you," she said sincerely and the entire family sat down. I scanned the table to find an open seat next to Ryder. I practically dove for the seat causing Ryder to laugh a little next to me. I just shot him a glare in return. 

Mr. Teasdale walked into the room and did a double take when he saw me. He had short brown hair like Ryder did and the same chocolatey-colored eyes. 

"Cassadee...?" he guessed and Karen whacked his arm. 

"Manners John. And yes, this is Cassadee. I told you she was coming today," Karen warned him and he nodded. 

"Sorry, Cass. Nice to meet you. Call me John," he told me and I nodded, showing him I understood. 

Karen passed food out to everyone who immediately began digging in. I just sat back, pushing it around with my fork; I wasn't hungry at all. Also, there was the fact I had never eaten a homemade meal in my entire life, always something I made myself. 

"Cassadee, you feeling okay?" Karen asked worriedly and I nodded. "Not hungry?" she wondered out loud and I shook my head. "Alright sweetie. You can go on upstairs if you'd like," she offered and I nodded, giving her a small smile and getting up. 

As I walked into the hallway, I stopped a moment to hear what they were saying. 

"She doesn't say much," John pointed out. 

"Well, the poor dear has been through a lot," Karen pointed out. 

"It's weird that she's so quiet though," Ryder muttered. 

"I like her," Adrianna called out. 

"Yeah, I do too," Ryder said. "for some reason or another."

I felt myself smile and I walked up the stairs and back into my room, closing my door behind me. I absentmindedly pulled my guitar out and began strumming away at the strings. I couldn't help but let the widest of smiles spread across my lips when I thought 'I just won over my new siblings without even daring to say a word.'