Two Doors Down

Prologue

There was a distinct flash of red as I fell to the floor. I clutched my head in my hands and thanked God she didn't get my head. The searing pain on my thigh and upper arm dulled as I retreated into the recesses of my mind. I prayed for unconsciousness. That was the only way I could escape this hot mess I've landed myself in. I'm not surprised. She wouldn't let old wounds heal. And with my parents gone from the picture she won't hold back.

Amanda and Richter Mallenson died two months ago in a hold-up in their bank. My mother and father were CEOs of a large company I never cared to know the name of. They were visiting one of the local branches when the thief came in and shot them. I was handed down to the next of kin. My older brother - Joshua Zachary Mallenson - was studying abroad and didn't even have a chance to save me from my fate. And when he did find out about mom and dad it was too late. I had been handed to Marianna Clary, my mother's mom. My grandmother.

Marianna Clary hated me. She hated my very existence. She had three children, two of whom were her favorites. Neither of those two were my mom. My aunt and uncle were having a hard time, their jobs barely paid for their families. My aunt had too many children and my uncle divorced his wife. My mom lived a better life and paid for everything my grandmother owns and she hates that her favorite children ended up a bitter disappointment when her bitter disappointment became rich.

And here I am, resisting, trying to stop myself from screaming, and hoping it would end as it always would in the end.

We didn't count on there being a knock on the door.

"Mrs. Clary is everything alri- What is going on?" came the shriek of the woman that would come to save me.

That was when I met Mrs. Iris Liana B. Valero. And that was the beginning of something new for me.

My name is Mikaila Arianne C. Mallenson, and this is the story of how I met the boy from two doors down.