Since The Beginning

Prologue

Paisley wasn't a girl who stood out. She was a short, chunky girl who sucked at school and didn't have many friends. She had just one. Dallas was her best friend who lived down the road since they were 8. They lived exactly 11 houses apart. Paisley knows because she would count them each time she would walk to Dallas's house. Which was quite often. It was a home away from home for her. Paisley was actually on the way to Dallas's. As she got close enough to see her friend's house she noticed there was a strange car parked in front of the house, on the street. Who could that be? She thought. As she drew near the house a young boy stepped out of the car and head into the house. Reaching the front door she pulled it open. Ryder. Ryder is Dallas's older brother well not real brother but close enough. He's over every summer to stay with his dad. See Dallas's mom is married to his father making them step siblings. I've known him for five years now and I still haven't gotten over my stupid crush on him.

"Dallas! The party has ARRIVED! Oh and I guess Ry too." Paisley yelled out. Their parents had went out for the night and trusted us to be home alone for a couple hours. They even let us order pizza. "Shit PJ! That was my ear." Ryder turned to Paisley covering his right ear. Sticking her tongue out she went to speak but Dallas came out of the hallway into the living room where they were standing. Covering her hand to her phone Dallas looked at them. "Shh you two. I'm on the phone. Yes, one cheese and one pepperoni please." Paisley and Ryder turned to each and stuck their tongues out. Dallas finished up her call and put the phone in her pocket. "Okay, pizzas is ordered. Now that y'all finally arrived what should we do?" Before Paisley could even speak Ryder spoke up. "Xbox? I'll go on my dads and you guys can go on Dallas's?" Racing to Dallas's bedroom Paisley hopped on the bed and grabbed one of the controllers while Dallas set up the game. "What game are we playing?" Ryder screamed from across the house. "What do you think!" Paisley and Dallas simultaneously replied. Dallas invited Ryder to a party in the Call of Duty lobby.

"I am so stuffed right now." Patting her belly Paisley leaned against the front of the couch and sighed. Face full of food Dallas and Ryder nodded in agreement. After swallowing Dallas stood up. "They shouldn't be back for another hour or two so do you guys wanna watch a movie?" Paisley shrugged. "As long as I don't have to move a muscle." Laughing Ryder rolled his eyes. "So lazy. Let's watch a scary movie. It's the least you can do since I'm stuck babysitting you two." Huffing Dallas and Paisley smacked his arms. "You're only here for the pizza and only two years older than us. You're hardly a babysitter, but fine scary movie it is. Go turn out the lights and grab blankets babysitter." Dallas stated with her hands on her hips. She's always been the one to tell Paisley and Ryder what to do. Paisley never minded since she's terrible with decision making. Ryder was Ryder and honestly his ideas either involved someone possibly getting hurt or something boring. Paisley smiled and watched as Ryder frowned but still got up to retrieve blankets and pillows for us all. As much as he complains about "babysitting" us he still does things for us. That's what I like about him he's sweet even when he acts like a tough guy he's a big softie. Paisley reaches for the pillow Ryder hands her before she could grab it he smacks her with it. "Here PJ."

Two A.M. rolls around and Paisley sits up wide awake to afraid to fall asleep. Somehow during the movie Ryder wound up on the floor between Dallas and her. She couldn't fall asleep after non stop scary movies. It didn't help the parents came home in the middle of a tense scene scaring the shit out of them. Laying back down she turned her head towards Ryder. Although she couldn't make out much in the dark she could hear the quiet sounds of breathing and the low snore coming from Dallas. "Can't sleep?" Gasping Paisley put her hand to her heart. "Jesus Ryder. Don't do that." Mumbling a quick sorry he rolled on his side to face her. "If it makes you feel better I can't either." Moving his hand he searched for Paisley's hand in the dark. "What are doing?" Feeling Ryder's hand move around. "Just give me your hand. Just don't tell anyone." Giving him her hand Paisley smiled to herself. With a small voice she manages to get out a thank you. It's just because we can't sleep. Relax yourself. You're going to start sweating and he's going to be grossed out. Repeating over and over to herself to calm down and that it meant nothing she slowly started to drift off into a deep sleep.

Paisley didn't just live near her best friend's house but they lived near the playground as well. Which they happened to be at right now. Paisley loved the walk to the park but what she hated? The other kids. They always seem to pick on her. They would either call her names about her size or weight. Especially if she had a snack with her. Kids were cruel and she would just smile and go along with it. Sitting herself on the open swing she began to start kicking off. "Oh look it's fatty patty!" One of the boys said as they marched up to where Paisley and Dallas were. "I'm surprised you can even sit on the swings without breaking them." Looking at the two other kids with him to make sure they were laughing he turns his attention back to Paisley. "Shut up Duncan it wasn't even that funny so I don't know why you two are laughing." Dallas shot back at Duncan and his posse. "You think with the 3 of you, you'd at least have one working braincell." Huffing Duncan crossed his arms. "I was talking to Fatty Patty. She doesn't need back up. Do you Fatty Patty?" As Dallas was kicking herself off to keep swinging she managed to kick some dirt up at the 3 kids standing near them. "HEY!" Grabbing Paisley's swing and Dallas's they managed to get the two girls off the swing and into the dirt. "How's the dirt taste, bitch? What the-" Falling to the ground Duncan looked up to see Ryder standing over him. "Oh what? Nothing to say now? What about your little crew? No? Good. Leave the girls alone." Scrambling to his feet seeing Ryder a good foot taller than him he takes off with his two friends. "Come on Lily, Cam. They're losers anyways." Looking up at Ryder as he helps her to her feet she smiles. "You didn't have to do that you know?" Smiling at her before helping Dallas up he replies, "I know. I wanted too. Besides only I'm allowed to pick on you guys." Together the girls stuck their tongues out at Ryder and they headed back home.