Nutshell

chapter 1

Amanda's Family Tree

Rebecca- Amanda's mom

Darwin- Amanda's step dad(who she calls dad)

Andy -Amanda's step brother(Darwin and Whit's mom)

Amanda

Whit- Amanda's step sister (Darwin and Andy's mom)

Asher- Amanda's half brother ( Rebecca's and a one night stand son)

Willy- Amanda's half brother (Darwin and Rebecca's son)

When you grow up in a blended family things are different. Different that describes my life in a nutshell.

It is my freshman year of high school. My boyfriend of 2 years and I are celebrating our 3 year anniversary in two months. Can't get any more exciting.

I walk into the front doors of the high school, first day of school and go running to find my boyfriend. On my way I notice all the good looking guys standing around.

"Amanda. Amanda!"

Did I just hear my name? I am looking frantically all around me. Damn being short. Finally I look up and see my tall boyfriend waving me over to where our friends are standing in a circle.

"Hey babe. If you grew you would be able to see where we were standing."

After being short all your life you learn not to reply to the annoying short jokes.

"Hey guys so who has classes with me?"

After checking my schedule I have one class with my best friend Ashley. I also had lunch with my boyfriend, Robby.

After going through the monotonous first day of school ritual I can go to lunch. My mom doesn't let me eat much at home. She monitors everything I eat so lunch time at school is my pig out time.

Grabbing my tray full of food I sit next to a group of kids I have grown up with in my small town school. Before Robby can get a seat next to me an upper class man sits next to me. I am shy and he was cute, so it took a few minutes to work up the nerve to talk to him.

"Hi my name is Amanda."

Wow talk about embarrassing maybe I would have been better off not talking to him.

"Hi Amanda it is great to meet you. My name is Corey. I haven't seen you around here before. You must be a freshman."

Damn even his voice is amazing! After a little small talk the bell rang to go back to the rest if the day.

Returning home from school I log onto my computer. A friend request? It is from that cute guy at lunch!

I accept immediately without thought. After talking for an hour or so I log off for dinner.

Getting ready to head to bed my mom calls me into the office.

"Why is there a conversation opened up to a guy that is not Robby?"

"Oh I met him at lunch today and he just said hi. No big deal. Why are you reading my personal stuff?"

"Why would you leave it open? Amanda this is cheating, you need to tell Robby about this and decide what your going to do. You have a perfect relationship why would you ruin it? We have worked so hard for you to be with Robby. He doesn't deserve you talking to other guys." She yells at me as if I am standing on the other side of the world from her.

"Mom I am not cheating. Talking to other guys is not cheating. Yes I am with Robby but that is not your business if I am with him or not. I'm going to bed."