The Hoffens

Chapter One: Two years later

"Belle, Christian, we're going to be late!" Bicé called out. Earlier that year she had found a way to get legal documents for the three of them and just enrolled Belle and Christian into a public school. Their new last name was Hoffen, German for hope.

"Sorry, Bicé," Christian came down the stairs of their two floor apartment. They managed to earn quite a bit of money from publishing his poems.

"The Gaines' Christmas party starts in twenty minutes and we're expected to be there. Where's Belle?"

"I'm here, sister," Belle said. She didn't look as bad as when she left but she would never be the raven-haired beauty that her mother was. "Sorry, I was trying to hide the wrinkles."

"It's fine, dear," Bicé lead them out of the house and down the street a bit. Once they reached the Gaines' house, she rung the bell. Soon Mrs. Gaines opened the door and lead them in.

"Hello, Martha, it's nice to see you again." Bicé said.

"Same to you, Ms. Hoffen," Mrs. Gaines smiled.

"Please, call me Bicé, these are my children, Belle and Christian Hoffen."

"Pleasure to meet the two of you, your mother has told me that you are both smart and kind."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Gaines," Belle smiled lightly.

"I hope that you both make friends here in Covetsville," Mrs. Gaines said as they finally joined the party.

"Thank you, ma'am," the two say sweetly before walking to a small table.

"Sorry about them, it's just after what happened in their last school, they are wary of new friends," Bicé explained.

"Of course, I understand, Bicé, children are the ones who need help through school so they have a strong emotional value."

"Yes," Bicé smiled, knowing this will be different than New York.

ᏍᏜᏱᎭᎯᎮᎲᎸᎹᎼᏄᏇᏈᏑᏗᏛᏠᏡᎣ

Belle and Christian sat talking to each other when a girl walk up to their table.

"Hi, I'm Sara Hide." Christian and Belle looked up to see a girl about their age with dirty blonde hair and green eyes.

"H-hi," Christian said nervously. "I'm c-Christian and this i-is my sister, b-Belle." Belle smiled.

"So, how do you like my aunt's party?"

"Not to be rude, but we're only here for our mother," Belle said quietly, but it just made Sara laugh.

"Same here," Sara sat down at their table. "Mom thinks I like parties, but she's dead wrong. I hate parties, but every time I tell her, she doesn't listen."

ᏍᏜᏱᎭᎯᎮᎲᎸᎹᎼᏄᏇᏈᏑᏗᏛᏠᏡᎣ

"Martha, your party is lovely," Bicé said.

"Thank you, Bicé," Mrs. Gaines said. "Ah, I see my niece, Sara, is talking to your children. Probably complaining about how much she hates parties. My sister insists, though."

"I know how it feels to be pushed, so I don't push my children too much, but I had them come so they could try to make some friends."

"I understand, completely. My mother always pushed me to be beautiful and it irked me, so I let my son, Dimitri, do what he wants mostly." They heard the bell ring. "Ah, that will be Nicola!"

"Nicola? As in Nicola Vileroy?" Bicé asked.

"Yes, do you know her?"

"Sadly, she and I do not get along, nor do our children. So, if I may, I'll leave with my children as not to cause any trouble."

"Of, course, Bicé," Mrs. Gaines said. Bicé quickly gathered Belle and Christian. As they left, they passed Vileroy, Victoria, Valentin, and two little girls they did not know. Christian felt Victoria in his head and silently told her to get out.

ᏍᏜᏱᎭᎯᎮᎲᎸᎹᎼᏄᏇᏈᏑᏗᏛᏠᏡᎣ

As soon as they were home, Christian and Belle burst into questions.

"Why is she here?"

"Who were those little girls?"

"Do they have the mark?"

"Is she going to get revenge?"

"How are we to protect ourselves?"

"Quiet!" Bicé said sternly. "Remember me telling you the day we got out paperwork that I made some special friends?" They nodded. "Well, all I have to do is contact them, and we can then take care of ourselves.... Besides, Nicola broke the rules again, at lease one of those girls doesn't have a mark."