Cold Hearted

Chapter One

"Emma, why don't you go say hi to the new neighbors? You can take Danni over to see if they have any kids her age," my mother spoke. She cradled my youngest sibling, Rider, on her hip as she cleared off the counter from breakfast.

I sighed. Being the oldest meant I had to drive my younger siblings everywhere and they tagged along to everything I did. I was a senior in high school. This was supposed to be my social year. I was supposed to meet someone.

But instead I had a sticky, messy, obnoxious six year old named Danielle practically glued to my leg.

"They aren't going to stay anyways, so what's the point?" I asked.

"You can either do that or take Danni coat shopping because she grew out of her last one," my mother sighed. I had her same dirty blond hair and hazel eyes. We all did, in fact. Except for Rider, who had our father's dark brunette hair.

"Will I get money for myself?"

"No."

"Then let's go meet the new neighbors, Danni! Go grab your best fitting coat and don't forget your boots! Also don't forget to brush your hair!" I called up after the hyper child as she raced up the stairs to her room before I even finished speaking.

I looked over to my mother who had set Rider down to finish cleaning. He was such a quiet child, nothing like my sister or me. I was just as rowdy as her when I was her age.

My mother looked old and tired. Nothing like she did when she had me at age nineteen. Now her blond hair was graying and her eyes were not so bright anymore.

"He's like your father. So reserved and quiet," my mother spoke, staring at Rider who was silently watching our white cat Lily slink around the house.

"Ready!" Danni appeared beside me. With that, I ushered her out the door and into the cold. The snow was plentiful, and I had to keep Danni from jumping in it. She needed to look nice to meet our new neighbors.

We moved along the side walk and up the old brick steps in front of the house to knock on the greenish-blue door.

At first, we heard nothing. And then, a loud crash. Some banging and clamor came from behind the door before a frazzled looking woman almost ripped it off its hinges.

"Oh! Hello! You must be our neighbors! I'm Mrs. Sanders but you can just call me Rose," she smiled. "Please, come in. We're still unpacking, so mind the mess."

We stepped into her home, boxes lining the front hall and much of the living room.

"Everett! Get down here and meet our new neighbors! One looks to be your age!" Mrs. Sanders yelled up the stairs. There was no response for a moment.

"Is he shy?" Danni asked, grabbing onto my hand.

"Danni! That's rude to ask that!" I scolded her.

"No no, it's alright. Everett just needs to get used to the move is all. He's scared to start school at the high school nearby here. It'll be his senior year. He's had an odd past and I thought it would do him good to get out of our old neighborhood. I guess not," Mrs. Sanders sighed.

"Well we can come back another time. Thank you though, tell Everett we said hello," I smiled, and I moved Danni out of the house.