Chapter 1
-Brian-
I can't say that we knew each other well.
We met at Starbucks, it was morning and a Saturday, and when I saw her I thought she was perfect. Tanned skin hidden underneath a baggy sweatshirt and some skinny jeans, her curly brown hair falling down her back and a beanie. It looked like she had a bad night. So introduced myself.
"Er- excuse me? I'm Brian." I said, and held my hand out. She looked up from her paperback and gave me a blank stare. After what seemed 5 hours, she took my hand and said "Litiana" and then looked back down at her paperback.
Unsatisfied, I pulled a chair to the table and sat down. "What are you reading?" I asked, nodding towards the book.
"Gone with the wind" she said without looking up.
"That's an old one" I said.
"Yep"
I knew that I had to keep trying.
"So, Litiana, tell me about yourself"
She looked up from her book. "Well, my full name is Litiana Brooks, but my friends call me Liti." she paused to take a sip of her frap. "I go to Harvard University, I'm asian, and my dad is a world famous doctor. That's basically it." she finished, and looked at me. I saw a scratch on her beautiful face. I decided not to ask about it. "You sure are lovely" I said, then I mentally hit myself. She blushed. "Not really..." she said. "Yes really. and I'd like to take you out on a date." I said, and looked up at her for an answer. she beamed. "Sure!" she said. I smiled. I looked at my watch, and realized I had to go. "Hey, I have to run, wanna trade numbers?" she nodded. We exchanged numbers, and I left, eager to get home.
-Litiana-
That was weird, I thought to myself. I have a date! It's been a while since I've felt this way. I had been dating this guy, and he abused me. Finally my friend found out and turned him in, and now he's in jail. Thank my heavens. I took the few last sips of my caramel frappechino and left the Starbucks. As I walked to my dorm, I thought about Brian. He was handsome, he had big blue eyes and beach blonde hair. He seemed utterly perfect. But those eyes.. they seemed vaguely familiar. He seemed like the type of guy who would treat me like a princess. I missed that feeling. I hope he'll call me... I thought as I walked into my dorm. My dorm was nice, but small. I didn't have a roommate, but my best friend always crashed here whenever his parents kicked him out of the house.
As I stepped into my apartment, I saw a shadow behind me. The hairs on my neck stood up. "Hello...?" I said shakily. Suddenly, someone tied my hands together, making me drop my phone and wallet. Before I could scream out, someone hit me in the head, and I blacked out.
-Brian-
"Hello?" I called once I stepped into my house. "In the kitchen, Brian" my mom called back.
Yes, I know, it seems weird for a 21 year old to be living with his mom. but We were a big family, and ever since my father died, my mom has been struggling. So I help out. I'm the oldest, and next would be my 20 year old brother, Carl, and then my 17 year old sister, Trinity, then my little brothers, Adrian and Albert, who were twins. they were 12. Lastly, Cassidy, my youngest sister who was 5.
I walked into the kitchen. My mother, Marie Brooklyn, was frantically making dinner. "Ma" I said. She didn't answer. "MA!" I said, louder. She didn't answer. I stopped her. "Ma, look, I'll help you." She nodded softly. I started stirring the soup and cutting vegetables while she set up. After a while, she sighed. "Brian, I'm sorry... I'm just worried about Carl."
I nodded. Carl was recently put into jail, for some reason that he wouldn't let the police tell us. I figured he'd tell us once I bailed him out with my savings, but after I bailed him out, he left somewhere. It's been a week since he left. I wasn't very surprised. before he got thrown into jail, he was never really home anyway.
