Read My Bloody Lips *CURRENTLY BEING REWRITTEN*

Ch. 1

      I curled up closer to the fireplace and wrapped the thick blanket tighter around me, its heaviness comforting. The stormy gray clouds that blanketed the sky outside my bedroom window fit my mood. I looked down at the picture of my Mom, Dad, Sister, and I. We were such a happy little family and just stealing a glance at the picture made it so much harder to believe it was taken only a couple weeks ago. It was shot only an hour before the accident...

      My family and I had just gone to a picnic at the local park to celebrate my father's promotion at work. My sister, Camilla, and I had quickly tired of the event however, and arranged to go over to our friend's house. Not long after we took our leave, a terrible rain storm struck, much like the one currently brewing outside, making the roads slick. All it took was one curve at a speed not slow enough for the conditions and my parents were gone. Perhaps by fate or divine intervention, if Cami and I hadn't gone over to our friend's house, we would be dead just like them. And to make matters worse, I'm now all alone entirely. Cami and I aren't legal adults just yet, therefore we have to be taken care of by someone who is and unfortunately, our parents never named anyone to be our Godparents. Our Aunt and Uncle all too eagerly stepped up to become Cami's legal guardians but, "two teenagers are beyond our means." At least, that's what they told the court. I knew the truth though. Cami was a bubbly straight A student, captain of the volleyball team, and general overachiever. And I, well, I'm not any of those things. All hope was not lost, though. Just days ago I received a phone call that one of my father's close family friends got word of my situation and wanted to help by taking me in for the remaining year until my 18th birthday. I found it suspicious that this man and his family whom I had never heard my father speak of before just appeared out of the blue when I needed them most, but beggars can't be choosers and if the court deemed them fit guardians, who was I to ask questions? In only half an hour, he will be here to pick me up. Well, my  new "Godfather" won't, but he's sending his son, Drake, to get me. Something about us being close in age that might make me more comfortable with the move from my home to theirs.

I watched closely as a sleek black sedan pulled into the drive. A tall man emerged from the driver's side with flawless, porcelain skin and dark swooping hair. I raised an eyebrow as I continued to take in his appearance. This must be Drake.

"Here, let me take those for you." He said softly, taking my bags as I locked the front door behind me one final time. His smile was gentle and his rich, honey colored eyes gave off a warm, almost reassuring glow. Somehow, everything about him felt safe. I liked that, I needed safe. 

I quietly thanked him as he held the passenger door open for me, pausing to take one last look at my home, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.  

The drive was long but the scenery was beautiful. We left the small town behind us and headed down the two lane highway that cut deep into the forest before steadily climbing into the mountains I had only ever admired from a distance all my life. Drake did his best to make polite conversation with me and I obliged him for awhile, but it didn't take long for him to realize I needed to be left alone with my thoughts. The rain finally began to fall and I clenched the sides of my seat until my knuckles were white.

"I'm sorry, Kyra. We're almost there, I promise." Drake reassured me. I only nodded, my jaw clenched so tight I could hardly breathe. Though I wasn't in the accident, rain and cars would forever terrify me. Suddenly, Drake reached over the center console and clasped my hand in his, giving it a squeeze. I wasn't entirely sure what to do but the warmth of it felt nice and it seemed to spread throughout my body, slowly relaxing my tensed muscles. 

Not long after darkness fell, a tall brick wall began running alongside the road until we reached a tremendous iron gate. The Fiore Estate. I knew my new guardians had money but I certainly did not expect this. A cobblestone drive curved through thick pines before giving way to spectacular gardens on either side, lit with twinkling lights. Finally, we pulled up in front of an enormous brick and ivory manor covered with ivy. Butlers emerged from, rushing to the car to open our doors and collect my belongings. 

"Welcome to your new home, Kyra." Drake said, placing his palm against the small of my back, guiding me inside. 

The house was even more spectacular inside, I could hardly believe this was going to be the place I would now call my home. Something in my heart ached at the word. 

Home.

Would this place ever truly feel like one to me? Especially without my own family, without my little sister?

"You must be Kyra!" A small voice chirped from behind me. I turned to see a petite girl, probably a little younger than myself with the same golden eyes and ivory complexion as Drake, the only difference between them being her long, sunny blonde locks that cascaded down her back.

Drake smiled and gestured towards the girl, "Kyra, this is my younger sister, Alilah. She's going to show you to your room."

Alilah smiled brightly, taking my arm and guiding me to the magnificent marble staircase at the back of the grand foyer. She led me down one corridor after another until stopping in front of two large, mahogany doors. 

"Here we are! This your room, mine is just at the end of the hall if you need anything. I'll let you get settled."

I rubbed my sweaty palms against my jeans before pushing open the doors. They swung wide to reveal a large room, easily three times the size of the one I had shared with Cami. Plush couches arranged around a glass table with a fresh bouquet of flowers faced a large flat screen mounted on the wall. Beyond that, I passed through a beautiful archway revealing the bedroom itself. At its center sat a king sized bed with floor to ceiling windows on either side, facing the garden below. To the right another smaller set of double doors revealed a walk-in closet, while to the left was a beautiful, all marble bathroom.

I felt guilty for smiling, I felt guilty for so quickly enjoying this new place. It's like I was being rewarded for my parent's death somehow, and I didn't like it. My heart sank even further at the realization that Cami's new home was absolutely nothing in comparison to this. She deserved this tremendous room in this magnificent house, not me.

"Do you like it?"

I startled at the sound of Drake's voice, I hadn't heard him come in.

"Uh, yeah. I-it's great, thank you." 

That gentle smile of his curved his lips once more as he stepped towards me, "I know this isn't anything like the home you're used to, but I hope you'll be comfortable here with us." He said. I nodded silently. He took my hand in his once again, "Come on, Dad should be home by now, he can't wait to meet you and introduce you to everyone."