A Grimm Life

Chapter One: A Grimm Beginning

Whistles erupted as hats were thrown into the air, signalling the end of our final school year. We did it. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face, I was so happy. I followed the crowd of Graduated students out of the school hall and into the fresh air, freedom caressing my face, my smile widened. I pulled out my cell phone, dialling up my mum. It went to voicemail. That wasn't suspicious, mum didn't like answering her phone, mainly cause it was buried in the bottom of her bag. I tried dad next. Nothing. Maybe he had on silent, they were asked to do that during the ceremony. I stood on my tip toes, trying to find them. I felt a tap on my shoulder, I turned to see a mass of curly red hair.

"We did it!!" screamed Kylie, wrapping her arms around me. No matter what, Kylie always seemed to look good, whether she was dripping wet from the rain or sweating her brains out in PE. I hugged her back, her mum came up behind me. She too had the crazy red hair and the beauty that Kylie seemed to inherit.

"Well done girls."

"Thanks Mrs B."

Her eye twitched and her jaw tightened, for a second, I thought I saw something else. An image of an eyeless face that was rotten yellow with white hair. It was only there for a moment before I saw Mrs B's face again, smiling, "Now Alexa, you know I don't like that."

"Oh, right, sorry Mrs Bennett."

She smiled again, "Kylie, lets go, your father has a special night planned for you."

"Sure thing. See ya Alexa!"

"Bye! Don't party too hard!"

She giggled before chasing after her mum. That was so weird. I think my imagination took a bit of a wild turn after that long ceremony. Actually, my eyes seemed to be playing tricks on me during the ceremony as well, seeing my class mates change appearances. I felt my phone vibrate in my hand, it was mum.

"Hey mum! Where abouts are you guys?"

"Miss Berkley?" replied a masculine voice, it definitely wasn't my dad.

"Who is this?"

"My name is Detective Shaw."

"Detective?" I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Yes. I have some bad news... You're parents were killed in a car accident."

Killed. Killed. Killed. That word echoed in my mind over and over again, as if my brain was trying to process it. Everything seemed to stand still.

"Miss? Are you still there?"

"Ah.. Yes. I'm here."

"We're going to send a squad car to you and take you to the station. Where are you now?"

"Bentley College. Front court yard."

"They'll be there shortly. I'm sorry for your loss."

I stood still. In the middle of excited students, talking about what they were doing with their lives now, taking photos with their friends and family. They're family. Family. I fell to my knees, hot tears pouring down my face, my breaths coming out in struggled gasps, unable to breath properly. Kyle kneeled next to me, his hand on my shoulder and worry on his face.

"Alexa? Are you ok?"

I shook my head, unable to get an answer out.

"She probably doesn't know what she's gonna do without all the school work. She's lost with out school." Said a snarky voice, coming from Taylor Pace. Queen bitch of Bentley College.

"Shut up Taylor."

"Hey I'm just telling the truth. She's useless outside of school. Just like her pathetic parents."

That struck a nerve. I stood up, barely an inch from her face.

"My parents are not pathetic. They work hard unlike yours who sit on their arses all day sipping wine."

"It's called the high life sweet heart. Maybe your parents should take a lesson from mine. Or better yet, why don't they just die and stop being a burden to people like me."

"Yeah well you've got your wish now don't you."

Kyle stood next to me, "What do you mean Alexa?"

A fresh wave of tears ran down my face, "My parents were killed in a car accident, during the ceremony. The cops are picking me up to identify them."

"Well isn't this a miracle. They finally gave up."

I didn't hold back. Not this time. I couldn't. I punched Taylor in the nose, knocking her flat on her ass, her hands clamped around her noise, trying to stop the bleeding. I fell to my knees and punched her again, forcing her onto her back. I sat on her stomach, landing punch after punch in to her face. Kyle wrapped his arms around my chest from under my arms and lifted me off her, I kicked my legs, giving her few more bruises for good measure before I was dragged out of range. Kyle pulled me against his chest, not letting me move, just letting my tears soak into his blue shirt as I mourned my parents death.

........