Why Me?

Chapter 1

Rachel's POV

I woke up sweating. Another nightmare. I've been having nightmares since the incident 6 months ago. I don't have them every night any more but I still have them. I haven't seen my dad since then either. Anyways today is my first day back to school and my alarm doesn't go off for another hour. There is no way I will be able to fall back asleep now, mind as well get ready.

I crawl out of my bed and go take a shower. After my shower I put on a T-shirt and a pair of leggings. Once I'm dressed I finish getting ready and grab my dad's old jacket. I've been wearing it every day since he left. It gives me comfort. He got that jacket when he was in the Marines, he wore it all the time when he was away. I miss him so much. Anyways I went down stairs and got myself some breakfast. When I was done eating I turned on the TV and heard the rest of my family getting up.

I'm the youngest in the family, I have 4 older brothers. The oldest is Brice, he has already graduated high school and started collage. He turned 20 this year. Then there is Theo, he is 18 and a senior this year. Next is Aidan, he is 17 and a junior. Last is Ryan and me, we're twins. We're both 16 and sophomores. Ryan was born 15 minutes before me. My parents are Niki and Frank Castle. Yes that Frank Castle, the Punisher. Let's just leave it at that for now.

"Hey, what are you doing up already?"
"Hi mom. I couldn't sleep so I came down here"
"Did you have another nightmare last night?"
"Yeah"
"Have you been taking your medicine like you're supposed to?"
"No" I told her. I could see in her eyes she was upset, but I don't like taking them. "I'm sorry but they give me headaches and I get really tired. They don't help anyways, so what's the point."
My mom sighed and told me she would call the doctor later and go from there. After that she went to the kitchen to get breakfast ready for my brothers. I stayed in the living room and watched more TV. I like to watch the news in the morning to see if they have anything on my dad but nothing has come up. Just the same stuff as when he went missing, The Punisher is still missing after finding his missing daughter. That's it though just that he is gone.

At around 7:30 my brothers are good to go and we hop in the car. Brice is usually the one driving, I sit in the passenger side because I don't like confined spaces. Ryan, Theo, and Aidan sit in the back.
"Are you ready for your first day back to school Rae?" Ryan asked. I just shook my head no and stayed quiet.
"If you want to come home mom said just to call her or I and one of us will come get you." Brice told me. Once again I just nodded my head. Brice has always been there for me. He comforted me when our dad was in hiding. He stayed at my bed side when I was in the hospital. He stayed with me until I calmed down from a nightmare and I fell back asleep. He is my best friend, in fact him and my other brothers are my only friends.

We arrived at school 10 minutes before first period. I said bye to Brice and Theo took me to the main office to get my stuff. I got my schedule and went to my first period English. I walk up to my teacher and give her the note that explains who I am and my situation. I also tell her that I don't really talk much and I like to keep to myself. She says that she understands and that if I need help to come talk to her.

"Good morning everyone. Today we have a new student with us. Everyone this is Rachel Castle." There was a lot of whispering and commotion coming from the class it made me somewhat uncomfortable. "Settle down now please. Now I need a volunteer to show Ms. Castle to her other classes."

Everyone sat still just staring. After about 2 minutes and the teacher persuading them with extra credit, someone finally volunteered. "Thank you Keston for volunteering." Keston was a good looking guy. He had jet black hair, opposite of my platnum blond hair. He was slightly tan and fit.

After Keston volunteered Mrs. Knight, who was my English teacher, told me to take a seat in the back corner. I'm not a fan of English but I liked this class. They spent the whole time talking about different types of music. It was a very nice start to the school day. The bell rang eventually and it was time to go to my next class, Greek Mythology with Mr. Gray. I got out my schedule and notice Keston in front of me. Oh yeah, he's my guide for the day. I completely forgot.

"Hey I'm Keston" he extended his hand for me to shake.
I shook his hand,"Rachel." He took my schedule and looked at it.
"I have the same classes as you for the most part except for about two. So why don't you just follow me for the most part." I nodded and we left. The rest of the day went by pretty quickly. Keston showed me to all of my classes and I got seated next to him in all of my classes. We had the same lunch period but luckily so did Theo and Aiden so I sat next to them.

School ended around 3. Brice came and picked me up everyone else had after school activities. I miss my after school activity, I was part of the dance team before I was taken. My mom thinks it's best for me to get an ok from my therapist and Doctor before I go back to dancing.

"Are you ready for your session today?" I was so lost in my thoughts I forgot that Brice was there.
"I guess, I'm just really tired today."
"How about we talk about your day?"
"What's there to talk about. I went to school, got my schedule, went to class, learned and then on to the next."
"Come on Rea, your therapist said that you have to start talking to someone else besides him."
"I am talking to someone else, you."
"You know what I mean, a full more five words sentences. How about this, everyday you tell me something good, something bad, and one random thing about your day." I stared at him for a minute then rolled my eyes.

"Fine something good, you picked me up from school. Something bad, I had to go to school in the first place. Something random, we had this conversation. Happy?" I looked at him, he was getting a little flustered. I knew that the answers I gave wasn't what he was looking for and that he hated when I was a smart-ass. "Ok ok, let's see. I got to sit with Theo and Aiden in lunch today and they tried to interact with me. My theater teacher, who is also my dance coach told me that I could still come to practices and hang out with the girls. Some kid volunteered to be my guide and helper for school."
"That was nice that he volunteered right?"
"Not really, he's getting extra credit for it. Can I be done now?"
"Oh ok. Yeah that's fine."

That was the end of our conversation. I know I seem really rude, but I already have to have this conversation with my therapist I don't want to have it with my brother. When I woke up in the hospital, I just stopped wanting to talk to people. It just made my life easier, I didn't talk to them and they didn't talk to me.

About an hour after our conversation we arrived at my therapy building. I reminded Brice that he had to pick me up at 5:30. I entered the building and went to talk to Ally, she is the secretary.

"Hello Ms. Rachel. How are you today?"
"Hi Ally I'm ok. How about you?"
Ally called my therapist, Dr. Reeds, and told him I was here.
"I'm doing just fine. Dr. Reeds will be with you in a moment. He is finishing up with his son."
"Ok I'll go sit down for a bit"
About 5 minutes later the door opened and the last person I expected stepped out of the room.

A/N; I don't really have a set schedule for this book yet, but I will try to publish often. I hoped you enjoyed Chapter 1 and I'm not sure if I want to change the title. Let me know what you think and if you think yes, then give me some ideas on what to call it.