Because of the fire.

Chapter one

"Of course I know who you are Tracy, how could I not? " he said the words so softly.
"Really?" my eyes widened in surprise.
Then the bell rang before he replied.
Stupid bell... Why doesn't it stop ringing....
I sleepily reached out a hand to turn off the alarm on my side bed. Why did time have to rush during the night, the only time I loved, taking me away from the only place that was better..my dreams. I pulled the blankets over my head again and tried so hard to continue dreaming.
Of course it isn't working.
I could hear my mom's feet shuffling in the corridor and a few seconds later, the door was burst open.

"Tracy dear, you better wake up. Let's not be late," she said.

"yes mom," I replied getting out of bed.

After taking a shower, I sat at the table drying my long jet black hair. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I had inherited dad's deep brown eyes..mom's soft features and a perfect set of even white teeth. I was anything but ugly.
Why's it that I don't have friends then.
I stood up and walked to my closet, picked out black jeans and a pink hooded sweatshirt. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail.. It was like a signature look. From downstairs, mom called me for the second time. I hurriedly put on my sneakers, took my shoulder bag and rushed downstairs taking the steps two at a time. Everyone was already seated at the table, dad with his much loved cup of coffee and the daily newspaper.

"morning dad," I said smiling.

"morning Tracy, " he briefly smiled at me before going back to his newspaper.

"hi Trae," my ten year old brother, Luke looked up from his bowl of Krunchies.

I ran a hand through his shock of brown hair, he'd inherited the hair from mom.
"morning champ."

"there's breakfast in the microwave, " mom said.

"thanks mom but I'll just have cereal. Don't wanna be late, " I said already taking milk from the fridge.

"can I have Tracy's breakfast?" Luke said.

My mom was shocked, "this is your second bowl of cereal for crying out loud."

He laughed, "not now mom. I could eat it after school."

"well then you'll have to ask Tracy. "

"it's ok Lee, you can have it. "

"thanks Trae, just don't call me Lee.. It makes me seem like a sissy," he put on a frown.

"c'mon, " I laughed.
 
Dad stood up and took his bag and car keys, kissed us all goobye before he left. He worked as an accountant for some big insurance company while mom was a receptionist at a small  firm. Ten minutes later, mom was driving us to school. I sat in the back seat trying to imagine what shade of flat day I  would be having. I could feel mom looking at me through the rear view mirror.
" Tracy dear, everyday is a chance for something great. Try to be cheerful a bit, okay. "

"mom we're going to school. There's nothing to look forward to. Everyday is the same. "

"don't be so negative, it's a good day, okay. "

Luke turned to me from the front seat,  " you still haven't made friends? "

It wasn't new but hearing him say it made me feel worse. He looked at me with concerned eyes.

"it's ok Trae, you will make some. You are great sis, " he assured me.

"thanks Luke. "

For someone who was seven years younger than me, he got me pretty well. I sighed as the sign of Fairwood high school came into view. Mom stopped the car just by the school gate and I opened the door to get out.