ROMEO

1

E.V.A.

Today is the day I leave for Washington Academy.

As I pack my uniform, I stare into Milo's chocolate brown eyes that are filled with tears. He doesn't want me to go. I just really moved in, but I have to go to school.  He doesn't understand. I mean, how could he? He's only four.

"But why do you have to go, Eva?"

I place the picture frame gently into my suitcase, not wanting to break the only thing I have left of Nic, and turn to my brother. "You know I have school, Milo. School makes you smart. Don't you want me to be smart?"

He starts to sob. I hate hurting him.

"Milo, honey, Eva will Facetime you when she gets there. Right Eva?" Grace, my step mom asks.

I run my hands through Milo's silky curls. "I'll call you everyday. We can talk about anything you want, Milo."

"Can, Arlo, talk too?" He asks.

I smile at the mention of his imaginary friend. "Of course he can!"

Grace shakes her head with a smile. "Come on, Milo, she needs to get ready."

"Ok," He hops down, "But say I love you before you leave."

"Of course."

Once they leave I get back to packing. I really should hurry. It's only a thirty minute drive from here but I need to get my schedule, room number, and tour. I just hope it's better here than it is back at my old school.

"OK!" My step-sister Arabella yells, running into my room. "I have the perfect first day outfit for you."

I turn around with raised brows. "I didn't know you were dressing me today."

She shakes her head at me. "Honey, you're going to Washington Academy. You need to be dressed to the nines."

I look down at my outfit then back at her. "What's wrong with a black crop top, jeans, and black vans?"

Bella cringes, her face looking like a wrinkled towel. "This is like one of the only days you get to impress them and you want to wear that?"

"I happen to like my clothes, sis," I say closing my suitcase.

"I'm sorry, Eva. I'm just really gonna miss playing dress up with my little sister," She sighs, running her hands through her straightened dark brown strands.

She plops face first onto my bed with a thud.

"Bell, come on..."

"Bell."

"OK fine, How about I take the clothes with me?"

"OK!" She yells, rolling off my bed onto the floor.

Arabella jumps up, brushing her hair back into place with her hands. "I'll be back with the clothes!"

My dad chuckles on the way in, as Arabella goes out. "She's gonna miss you."

"I'm going to miss all of you, but I can't go back with mom and this is the only school where the paps won't harass me."

He sighs, shaking his head. "I love you, Evangeline. I know you've had a rough life but I've always loved you. This is gonna be hard sometimes, not having you here, but at least I know you're coming back."

I look at my dad's tear filled eyes and start to develop some of my own. "I love you more."

He wraps me in a warm, comforting, hug. All I could think about was getting back home and I haven't even left yet. Maybe I should stay? This is hurting people. I don't hurt people. At least not anymore.