Anything But That

Prologue and Author's note (Please Read!)

Prologue
Lydia stepped out into the sunshine and, despite the sound of traffic and the smell of fumes around her, she couldn't help but smile; she was home.

Skipping down the street, she took in everything: the way the trees swayed in the soft wind, as if they were waving to each other, the soft chirping of birds indulging in their afternoon chatter, the unfiltered conversations of the people hurrying past her.

With her shiny, straight blonde hair dipping just past her collarbone, swaying as she walked, she reached out to grab her brother's hand.

"Jakob, is this... can we stay here forever?" the green-eyed girl asked hopefully. Despite her broken English and thick Eastern-European accent, her sentiments were obvious. Her brother, 11 years of age and older than his sister by just over a year, nodded, his eyes glinting.

"We're here now, sestra. She can't take us back to Russia now."

He lifted her up onto his back, ignoring disapproving stares from strangers, and together, they ran the rest of the way to the house they lived in with their father and his wife.

***

Authors note:
Hi! I just thought it was necessary to warn readers that this book will contain swearing and the topic of homosexuality (not in the main characters, but it will be an existing theme throughout the book).

It may also involve sexual culture such as innuendos and references to sex, but I'm 80% sure there will be no actual description of the act (unless there is a large amount of readers that desperately want it, because then I'd force through how uncomfortable I am and try to produce material like that, but if I did, there would be a warning beforehand and if you skipped it, you wouldn't be missing major plot points).

If these things make you uncomfortable, please, either don't read this story or be aware if you do.

Thanks! I hope you enjoy, and if you do, please remember to vote, comment and share this story :)

Hannah xxx