Me & You (girlxgirl)

Chapter Five-Heart Attack

We are loaded into a Volvo and my 'Mother' Angela slips into the front seat gracefully. She turns mirror so she can see me. She sees me staring at her intently and plasters a smile across her face. I am not fooled by this pretence, they don't want me but nobody says no to the government. "So, Tara" She begins. "We have been looking forward to meeting you!"  She swerves her eyes awkwardly between me and my new sister Mariah. Mariah! How did she pull this off? " We cleaned up the attic room for you."

At this point Mariah butts in, that was the longest time she had ever been silent for but in all fairness I haven't really known her that long. "Angel---I mean Mom. Tara can stay in my room. There is loads of space. I'm sure she would love the company"

Mariah bats her lashes at me and once again I am lost in her emerald eyes. It is amazing how she can twist me around her little finger with just one look. Without knowing what I am doing I spurt out an answer, "Yeah! I've always wanted a sister"  What the hell did I just say? I have just confined myself to a room with a girl who both infuriates me and turns me on Great stuff.

Maria beams a grin at me and squeezes my arm. My skin tingles beneath her firm grip and I struggle not to wrap my arms around her right here, right now.

The car swerves suddenly and turns into a small laneway. We drive down that at a snails pace for a mile or so. We take two turns and then...then I see the most amazing sight. In front of me lies the most exquisite house I have ever seen. It is humongous to say the least. The garden is a beautiful array of roses, tulips, and daffodils. As I roll down the window the sweet scent of honeysuckle pours into my lungs. But there is something else, its like a burning smell but at the same time it is divine.

"What is that smell?"

I ask inquisitively. Angela smiles, a real smile this time and answers. "That would be your father. The day is fine so we're having a barbecue."  My mouth waters at the prospect of it.  Angela parks to car and a tumble out of it, thanks to a friendly push from Mariah. I get myself to my feet whilst brushing down my tattered old jeans. As I straighten myself up, I see the horrified look on Angela's face.

"What?" I question but she seems to have lost the capability to speak. She snaps out of whatever trance she was in and now her expression is one of damn right disgust. "Change your clothes." She orders ,"We are an esteemed family and you will not be seen wearing anything but the best." I roll my eyes and bend down to pick up my bag. She swiftly snatches it and points one manicured finger towards the door." Up and out of those gritty rags. Mariah will show you your room"

I frown fold my arms before I trudge grumpily towards the door. Suddenly , I can feel Mariah's warm breath on my ear as she seductively whispers, "Don't worry. She's just jealous of your figure"  With that she shoots me another one of her signature looks and struts on up the stairs in front of me. I follow her lost in a flurry of my thoughts and questions.

I saunter in the door awkwardly nearly falling over the masses of shoes and handbags that lay in front of me, "Jesus Mariah, you don't half splurge out do you?" She sends me a sarcastic look and holds out a dainty summer dress. I shake my head violently and she sighs. She holds out another but I stop her, "Tell me how you got here , and why?" I know Mariah can get her way in any situation but why would she be so desperate to stay with me even when I'm not even me anymore. I'm the new girl, Tara.

She fiddles with her thumbs nervously before stating, "Lets just say I know some people. They owed me a favour and so here I am" I narrow my eyes trying to decide whether or not to believe her but in the end it was a battle I was doomed to lose , so I decided to ask my next question, "Why do you want to be here"

She blushes under my intense gaze and I wonder why, she fumbles with the zipper on her jacket and eventually answers me, "You were there for me, when I saw those men take you there was nothing I could do, but now I can be here" Her innocence melts my hard exterior and despite my best attempts not to , I wrap her in a huge hug.