These Broken Hearts

Chapter 1

My knuckles turn white as I grip the steering wheel. This is it. This is my first day at a school, where I’m not going to be Miranda’s sister. Her name flashes through my mind, causing the familiar feeling of pain to swell in my chest. She’d be twenty-one now. Probably in her third year of college, finally old enough to drink and go to clubs. My hands twist on the wheel as I pull out of the driveway, ridding my head of the thoughts. This was a new start, a completely new start. I have to remember that. Turning my attention to the scenery along the edges of the rode I sigh, remembering that my camera is buried one of my many unpacked boxes. While the town of Stormbrooke may be small, it’s got the one thing every photographer craves. A damn good view.  I have to admit, while it is a change from the bustling New York, I think I might just prefer it. New York was never really my pace, people always rushing by and forgetting to actually enjoy life. If I learnt anything from my sister, it’s that you have to enjoy it while you can. My hand itches towards the radio, about to turn it and clear my head when the school comes into view. That’s one thing about small towns; everything’s only a five-minute drive away. I feel a smile start to slowly form as I remember, that at this school, I can be whoever I want. Despite my family, and despite my past. Parking in the closest spot to the school doors, I finally loosen my grip on the steering wheel and start to relax. The school looks pretty classic, old red brick making up ninety precent of the building with glass windows and a glass main door. The students on the other hand, must think this is some form of nightclub. Honestly, it’s like they’ve never heard of privacy. Some were making out against a tree, others up against the school building and some openly kissing on the school lawn. Nervousness begins to claw at me again as I hop out of the car and push the school doors open, only to hit a ton of bricks, or at least what felt like a ton of bricks.

“Watch where you’re walking.” A voice in front me snickers. I look up, prepared to fire an insult at the idiot that had nocked me over, only to feel it stick in my throat. I hated to admit it, but he was gorgeous. With his gold coloured eyes and black hair, he could give an Armani model a run for his money. Realising that the guy was watching me check him out I meet his eyes.

“Why would I watch where I was going when you’re the one to blame?” I snap, and his eyes widen slightly, before gaining a mischievous look about them.

“So you’re the new girl? It’s nice when their hot.” He smiles, leaning in closer to whisper against my ear, “And feisty.” I lean back and glare at him, this conversation starting to feeling bit to ‘deja-vu’ for my liking. I know guys like him. Hell, I even trusted one. They’re nothing but trouble.

“Well, I’d say it was nice meeting you but I don’t lie, so I’m just going to head to my locker.” I say, a false smile fixing itself on my face as I side step him and head out into the hallway. The hallway seemed endless, twisting and turning at every corner, any hope for trying to figure out which locker was mine vanished.

“Hey there!” A chipper voice says and I blink, almost dropping my bag in surprise. I turn to see a tall blonde girl, that’s ridiculously pretty. “I’m Carly, you must be Alice. The new girl.” She smiles holding a hand out. I slowly look at her as I shake her hand. She’s seems nice, but there’s something unsettling about the way she’s looking at me. Her smile and greeting seem friendly, but her eyes say otherwise. She’s looking at me like she’s the cat and I’m her canary. Her hair is curled into flawless ringlets flowing down to her waist; she has big blue eyes carefully lined with eyeliner and mascara and lips covered in hot pink gloss. Her gaze moves down to study my appearance and a small frown appears on her lips and she sees my simple tank top and shorts. When she meets my eyes I raise an eyebrow.

“Guess I didn’t pass your test then? I ask, fake sadness in my tone. She looks startled before faking dumb, a fierce look in her eyes.

“Test? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She says haughtily, flipping her hair over her shoulder before walking away. The click-clack of her heels echoes around the hallway as I start to form a headache. Great start, Alice. I scold myself.