Tbd

Chapter 1

i looked around at the ashes of my childhood home around me, not knowing this feeling sitting in my chest. the heaviness of it. 6 years of my life, i've lived and loved in this house. Now it just feels like the biggest headstone i've ever seen. This feels like a turning point, like i'm at a split path, i go one way, i could ruin everything for myself. The other path, is getting the life i want. Being a twenty one year old in this house i grew up in feels suffocating, like i can barely breathe. i hear someone clear their throat behind me snapping me out of my thoughts, and my head snaps in that direction.

"Lorenzo?" tilt my head at him "what are you doing here?" i asked more monotoned than intended. he clears his throat again "well, Ember.. look at you, your in shock" he spoke sternly looking me up and down. i scoff at him "i just lost everything. i'm allowed to be in shock lorenzo." i turned my back towards him again fidgeting with something in my hands. "Mi vida.." he mumbled but i cut him off. "No. i don't wanna hear it." i wave him away but he stays. "your gonna hear me Ember." he spoke sternly this time, so i stood up and face him. "what are you gonna say? that i didn't deserve this? my home being burned to a crisp?" i cocked my head to the side sarcastically. "Ember. you didn't deserve this. i'm gonna figure it out for you little one" he put his hands on both my shoulders and i push him off. "no, you can't. you always say that but never actually follow through. i'm not so little anymore." i scoff and walk away.

i didn't wanna hear anything Lorenzo had to say. i didn't care if he thought he'd find them and figure it out, i just didn't care. i love my brother. i do, but unfortunately all he's ever done is disappoint me and disappear. that just seems to be what he does best. he calls after me but i ignore him and walk to my best friend Nichole's. i knock on the door and her mom answers, "hi, Lilith. how are you baby?" her smile soft and warm, comforting almost. "i'm okay Mrs. Bowers, is Nick here?" i smile softly at her when i hear Nik bounding down the stairs "come on lil!" she laughed. "i'm coming, Mrs.bowers could i stay here for a while?" i asked her softly with a small head tilt. she smiles back at me probably realizing home isn't the best place for me. she smiles warmly like she always had. "of course baby, anything i can make you?" i shook my head politely. "come on lil" i hear Nik whine behind me and i excuse myself as we head upstairs to her room. "sorry about mom, you can stay as long as you like" she smiles at me and i nodded at her. "i know, thanks..." i mumble softly.

Nik and i have been friends since we were kids, grew up together, been through all the awkward phases together, everything.. "hey, why the long face babe?" she smiles at me and sits on the edge of the bed next to me. "the house is gone, moms gone dads been gone for years... it's just me and Enzo now..." i sigh softly my head in my hands. i dunno if i was in shock or just numb. "shit- i'm sorry Lil, i know E isn't very dependable, guess we have to grow up huh" she laugh light heartily and gently bumps me and i smile. "i wish he was... im only 20... and i know it's older enough but...i didn't have a mom like you do Nik, dad was never there.. it's just a bunch of bull.." i whisper softly. she rubs my back in a soothing motion as i start to cry. "it's okay lil... we'll be your family" she whisper softly to me putting her head against mine. "thanks Nik.." i mumbled. after a while i went to the guest bedroom and fell asleep for the first time in a couple days, until Niks brother comes in while she's downstairs.

"hey..." he whispers softly. my eyes open and i see him, he sits on the edge of the bed and i smile softly. "hi.." i whisper back. "how's the head?" he asks softly placing a gentle hand on my head. "it's fine" i whisper back. he gives me a look like he knows im lying. Jeremiah always knew somehow, some way that i wasn't okay. "your lying little one.." he smiles softly at me. "if you know.. don't ask.." i mumbled turning my back towards him. he sighs softly, "lilith.. look at me" he demands softly. i shook my head and curl into myself hoping he'll back off. "okay.. alright little one.. i'm across the hall if you need me" he whispers gently and gets up and leaves. i hug myself tighter in the blankets when he comes back again setting something on the bed, "something to keep you company.." he whispers gently tucking some hair behind my ear. i turned over and seen it was a green stuffed dragon. i grab it and hug it to my chest feeling comforted. eventually i fall asleep again curled up with the stuffed animal and all the blankets around me, feeling safe for the first time since i left that pile of ash...