More Than A Book

Welcome to Beverly Hills!

Here's the second chapter! I only own my OC's! 

    I groaned in annoyance while opening Mother's another drawer and looking inside. I had to be quick because she would be home soon, and the last thing I needed was getting caught! There must have been something in here, like a diary or a picture, something that could give me a clue about Father's whereabouts, looks, or even a name!

It's been a week and a half since the incident with S.P.I. and since the day Mother told us we'd be moving away to Beverly Hills. I was so glad Uncle Angus at least let it slip that my father lived there as well, but it also made me wonder. If Mother was so hurt and angry and upset because of Father abandoning her, then why would she go to a city where she could possibly run into him on a street?!

This didn't add up at all. I couldn't figure it out... Hold on... Uncle Angus warned me not to tell Mother about what I've learned, so... Maybe she didn't know about it! It would make sense in a way. Uncle Angus was never so bitter about what happened, unlike Mother... I shook my head in disbelief while looking through some old books, but again, those were just old copies of some literature classics!

I was never going to find a thing like this in here, and I knew that. I quickly started putting the things back in the drawer, trying to sort them out like they had been before. However, footsteps could be heard approaching the door and my eyes widened. If Mother caught me here, I'd be dead before we even moved to Beverly Hills!

Not knowing what else to do, I quickly crawled under Mother's bed and hid in there. The door opened, and I could see heels entering the room. Mother kept looking around the room, and I had my fingers crossed for her not finding me...

And suddenly, her phone rang. "Yeah? Yes, I'll be there in 10 minutes." And after that she left the room in a hurry, making me sigh in relief. Apparently I wasn't going to find anything in here. Maybe I could get Uncle Angus to tell me more? No, he was as stubborn as a... The point was he would never tell me.

Knowing that this was nothing but a waste of time, I headed for my room and jumped on the bed, taking my book and continuing to read. Wanting to know what happened to Rastignac, Vautrin and Jean-Joachim Goriot was way more interesting than having to deal with moving away after all! And, I was just about to read what Vautrin said to Rastignac when...

"I've got the tickets!" Uncle Angus declared, entering my room. I sighed a bit annoyed because he interrupted me at the most interesting part but looked at him questioningly. "Tickets for what?" "For your ride of course!" Suddenly, feeling of fear filled me. "What ride?" "Airplane ride of course!" Uncle Angus said what I hoped he wouldn't say.

I hated airplanes! They were.... They were... They were everything I never wanted to experience again! Mother, Uncle Angus, why?! "Then you can start planning my funeral right now." I told Uncle Angus nonchalantly, trying to hide my growing fear. "Don't be ridiculous, Lily." "I'm not! Uncle, you know what I think about airplanes!"

"That they're all pink and cute?" And I blew a raspberry in disgust at hearing his response. I hated pink! "Isn't there another way to go to California, by ship for example?" I asked, ignoring his comment. "Your mother would become seasick, and you know that, every voyage we had been on included her being like that." I rolled my eyes, remembering every moment like that... "And I'm going to be planesick!" I responded with my arms folded, staring at him pleadingly.

But, he shook his head. "I know how you're feeling Lily, even I tried to talk to Bryony, but she didn't even want to think of other way to get there. I'm sorry!" He closed the door and I groaned with head in my hands, letting myself fall on the bed freely. I was beginning to mentally prepare myself for my upcoming doom...

However... Mother suddenly marched into the room. "Lilette Chase, did I teach you to lie like that on the bed looking like a complete nutcase?! Stand up straight, RIGHT NOW!" She roared the last part, making me yelp and stand up straight like a soldier in an army. Yes, Mother could be scary, really scary sometimes.

"Yes, Mother?!" I squeaked, still standing stiff in one place. She frowned, her light blue eyes showing displeasure. "As you already know, I've been looking for proper schools in Beverly Hills that could match my standards..." She started. Oh no, here we go again. According to her famous standards and expectations....

That happened when she enrolled me in my primary and secondary school as well! "And there was one school that seemed to be this case," She continued while I was resisting the urge to yawn because of not having enough sleep last night. It wasn't my fault; the book wouldn't let me take it out of my hands!

"It's called Beverly Hills High." Mother finished, making me raise an eyebrow. Never heard of that school! Not that I knew much about Beverly Hills, but still.... "I've just talked to the school's headmaster, and he'd be glad to let you transfer there!" "Well that's... Nice." It came out of my mouth with a forced smile.

Maybe I was really supposed to be happy, but I didn't know a thing about the school or people going there, so I was pretty much clueless about the whole situation. "Yes. Now start packing, we're leaving in two days. You're dismissed." And she was out. I let out a deep sigh. Two days?! I had to get my suitcase! I sprinted towards our cellar, taking out my suitcase and racing back towards my room.

Our house was huge, but sometimes I would get lost in here... It sounded funny, but it was true. But I would get lost in my thoughts while wandering through many empty hallways... Sometimes, I wondered what could have been if Father hadn't left, if Mother had been nice, gentle, not strict, if I had grown up with both of them and Uncle Angus in this house...

Then there was a whole side of Father's family which I never knew either. Mother and Uncle Angus' parents died when I was just a baby, and I think that was what made Mother act even worse... Uncle Angus always took whatever happened way better than her anyway. Suddenly, my phone was ringing. "Yes?" I answered it. "Lily!" Allison's voice responded. "Hi Allison." I greeted a bit sulkily. "So, when are you leaving?" "In two days according to Mother." I told her.

"So... Do you want to go out and hang out a bit before you leave?" "I'm supposed to pack, so I'll have to ask for permission." "That's nonsense. Go and see your friend!" And I turned around to see Uncle Angus looking at me with his arms folded. "You know what; I'll be at the Piccadilly Circus in 15 minutes!" I told Allison before hanging up and jumping on Uncle in joy. "Thank you Uncle, you're the best!"

Uncle Angus rolled his eyes in amusement. "Just go and be back at reasonable time unless you want your mother's hair to become vines like in those stories about witches!" "Yes sir!" I saluted before grabbing my bag, jacket and running out of the house.

"So, what happened with that Geraldine and S.P.I. people?" I asked curiously once Allison and I were sitting in one café, drinking cold juices. My friend shrugged her shoulders. "They didn't show up here again, so I don't know. They're probably still doing all that anti crime stuff. Anyway, what made you change your mind about moving away?" She asked me, making a grin appear on my face.

"Uncle Angus.... He... He told me that my father lives in Beverly Hills!" I exclaimed excitedly and stood up, ignoring people giving me odd looks. "Um, Lilette.... There are people in here, you know, and telling them your life story is not something I would do if I were you." Allison told me dryly, standing up and whispering in my ear.

She... She was right! "I know, sorry, but I'm just so happy and excited! You know as much as me they never say anything about him, and now Uncle Angus spills this!" "I understand, but... Where exactly?" "What?" I looked at Allison in confusion. "Do you know his address?" "No." And Allison sweat dropped. "Lilette, knowing where he lives is one thing, but going on the streets of Beverly Hills and asking random people 'are you my father' is another!"

"I never said I was going to do that." I huffed. "Just think about it for a second. Beverly Hills is not a small city where you can know everyone by greeting them on a street!" She was right.... "Oh dear." I muttered with a hand on my forehead in exasperation. This was going to be harder than I thought.... I knew the name of the city, yes, but now when you looked at it, it didn't help much!

But, if I didn't know, I would have to assume the name of the city, even country... That would be even worse! But still, we were talking about thousands of people out there! "I'll find out... Somehow." I finally said firmly. "And you'll write to me about everything? School, people, what you've found out?" Allison asked hopefully. "Of course!" I hugged her. "And, just my thought, maybe something could write about him in your birth certificate?" Allison whispered to me while we were still hugging. My eyes widened.


******

The dreaded day arrived. I had no luck in finding that birth certificate as Allison had suggested me to, and we left the house early in the morning. I was in an airplane sitting next to Uncle Angus who was in between me and Mother. "Just relax Lily, think of this as an adventure!" Uncle whispered to me with a smile. "Uncle, I'm too young to die!" I whispered back while panicking, my heart beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack at any moment.

"You won't!" "Uncle...." And turbulence occurred. "If we lose three propellers, we're up into the sky with no coming back! And if we lose all five of them, then we're dead, and I don't want to die!" I whispered frantically when turbulence occurred. And my heart started beating faster again! "I don't want to die!" I was suddenly on my feet; looking around frantically and making people look at me. I didn't even see my new home, school, or found out more about Father, I didn't want everything to end in a very thing I hated!

Uncle Angus quickly stood up while I was panicked and sat me down while Mother was glaring at me. "Lilette Chase, that's not the way a proper lady should behave!" She commented icily. "I don't want to die Mother, give me all the lectures you want later, just not now..." "Nothing to see people, she's just scared of airplanes, that's it, sit down, all of you!" Uncle Angus was telling people who were looking at us in confusion. This was going to be a long day....

******

"You made quite a scene at the airplane today." Mother said blankly while we were in a taxi, going off the airport. "I know Mother, but as you know, I'm scared of them!" I tried to sound polite while talking. When I was younger, Mother used to give me lessons about how to behave like a proper British lady. Which included knowing how to hold a tea cup properly, how to talk, how to sit, everything to make me a gentlelady, or whatever female versions of gentlemen were called anyway.

I hated it, and I behaved like that only when Mother was nearby. "Still, you had embarrassed all of us." She responded icily, making me look through the window instead while Uncle Angus was quiet. So this was Beverly Hills? It looked like a calm place, nature was nice here.... So many trees.... After we had paid for the taxi, we took our luggage and I found myself staring at a huge house in front of me. We were going to live here?

It resembled our old house a bit, but... I looked around, noticing people walking on the street. There weren't as much of them as in London! Mother opened big brown door before entering the house, Uncle and me following her. "You can choose your room Lilette, so go up and see which one you like the most." Mother stated while turning on the light, making my eyes widen.

Pulling my suitcase along with me upstairs, I got on the first floor. There was a cellar down there, and attic upstairs... There were four rooms. I entered first three, but they were nothing special. White walls, windows, usual... However, my eyes widened when I entered the last room. Its walls were painted in purple, it was huge, and I quickly got out on the balcony. I could see a huge house across ours on the street!

The other house was beautiful as well, but I didn't mind the view at all. Besides, it had trees here, and it was wonderful! "So?" Uncle Angus asked from the door of the balcony, making me turn around. "I'm choosing this room." I declared with a smile, making him nod in approval with an identical smile. "It suits you, especially the color of the walls. I'm going to help your mother with her luggage, you can unpack or would you rather look around the neighborhood a bit?"

"Unpacking can wait. I want to walk around a bit!" I told him immediately. "True, but keep in mind that you have school tomorrow!" "I will!" And I ran out of the house. I wondered who lived in that big house across us... Wait, I had to relax. I would meet my neighbours sooner or later! I started walking down the street, looking around.

It looked so nice.... On the way back, I took out my book, continuing where I last left, and I was walking back to the house when... I hit into something again! But actually, it was someone! "Sorry!" A girl's voice exclaimed with an American accent, and I looked up from my place on the ground while rubbing my head to see a girl on the ground across me, looking at me.

She had long red hair, longer than mine, and she had those nice green eyes which reminded me of Allison's eyes... And right now, they were looking at me apologizing. The girl was a bit taller than me, and she wore a knee-length blue dress with white shoes. "Why should you be sorry? I was the one reading the book and walking down the street like that, not you!" I pointed out while laughing. "I should have paid more attention; I know when a book is so good you can't drop it out of your hands!" The girl explained, getting up and grabbing my book which I dropped, her eyes widening when she saw the title.

"You speak French?" She asked with a smile. I shook my head. "I'm still learning it, so that's why I love reading books in French." I explained. "That's cool. My friends and I unfortunately don't know a word in French." The girl told mea nd gave me the book which I put in my bag. "Maybe I can teach you." I commented with a small smile before kneeling down to pick her books. "You don't have to..." "Nonsense, it's my fault they're on the ground in the first place!" I cut her off, gave her a bag which she dropped as well before giving her the books.

"Thank you." The girl stated gratefully before gasping. "Oh, sorry, I haven't even introduced myself yet! My name is Samantha, Sam for short." Sam offered me her right hand. "I'm Lilette Chase, but I prefer being called Lily." I took her hand and shook it while smiling. "I've never seen you around. You live here?" Sam blurted out. "Well... We've just moved in this house." I pointed at our house.

Sam gasped. "So you're the ones moving into that house!" I looked at her questioningly. "Sorry, it's just that, Mum always kept saying how some people would move in a house across ours which was always on sale, and now that someone has finally bought it, she couldn't stop going on and on about it!" She explained. Wait... "So you live in that big house across ours?" I suddenly asked excitedly. "Yes!" Sam nodded happily. That meant... I finally met a neighbour mine age!

"So that makes you my neighbour, huh?" I asked with a smile. "Yes! And... Just asking, where are you moving from?" My eyebrows furrowed at her question before realizing why she was asking me that. She spoke with an American accent, but I was like a black sheep here with my British one! "My mother, uncle and I've just moved from London." I told her.

Suddenly, she had a look of realization. "Wait, so you're that girl who stopped Ger.... Never mind. It's just that, I don't know many people from Britain, you're the second one I've met!" What was she going to say before that? The girl who stopped who? I decided to shrug it off. "Really?" "Yes." But then, she looked at her watch.

"Oh no, I'm late! We've got test tomorrow! Sorry, gotta go, but I'll see you around!" "Wait!" I shouted after Sam once she started running and she turned around to look at me. "What school do you go to?" I asked curiously. "Bev High." "You mean, Beverly Hills High?" I asked slowly. "Yes, that's it, but students usually call it shorter." "Well, I'm starting school there tomorrow!"

At hearing that, a grin spread all over the girl's face. "Then we'll get to see each other, I can also introduce you to my best friends!" And she waved before running to her house. I was standing there on the street, looking around while some wind started blowing. This wasn't so bad after all! I've actually met someone who was similar age as me, she was my neighbour, and she actually went to my new school!

"Lily!" I could suddenly hear Uncle Angus calling me. "I'm coming!" I shouted and started running down the street to our house.

Third Person's POV

Little did the girl know while running to the big house that the wind started blowing again, this time a person in the shadows of trees coming out, his dark brown eyes looking after the girl's running and disappearing form.

"So... They've finally arrived." The man smirked before he started laughing evilly, knowing it was just a matter of time till he got his revenge, and boy, was this happening going to be such a help to him...