Ciera Knowles is an average seventeen year old girl. And she seems to hide her pain well. Her sister is only older than her by a few months, yet, she seems to be the favorite of everyone. Ciera's family doesn't support her in anything and favor her...
I ignored it, pulling the covers farther up on me. No matter how sweet the voice, my sleep mattered more.
"Chérie, please? I don't want to be the only one Camila forces to cook in the kitchen. Someone has to suffer with me." I removed the covers from off my face and glared at Theo. Despite the look I gave him, he smiles as soon he saw my face.
He grabbed my hand and dragged me out of bed. Once I'm standing, he gets a real good look at me. "Wow, you look terrible."
"Gee, thanks," I said, sarcastically, running my fingers through my tangled hair.
He rubbed his face. "I'm sorry. That came out wrong. Did you sleep at all last night?"
"Not really."
"Why not?" he asked, with a worried tone.
Oh, just that the fact that my entire future is over and and I have no idea who caused it. I was also assaulted by three boys. "It's really nothing. I've just been out of it lately."
"Fine. Just come down soon. We're going to be cooking all day. I have a feeling I'm going to need a lot of supervision." He left my room and I felt my heart clench at the sight. I shifted aside the worries. I had no time to think about my love life. I had more apparent priorities now.
I was going to figure out who did this. I would not be beaten without a fight.
I dragged myself to my bathroom and looked in the mirror. Theo was right. I did look terrible. My hair was a mess and strewn across my face. I had dark circles under my eyes and crust around them. My hair covered the faint dark bruise I had, making sure Theo didn't see it.
I needed some cleansing now.
I put on a charcoal face mask letting is sit on my face. After I did an extra routine I found online, I looked a lot better. But I didn't feel any better.
I went down the stairs in my slippers and entered the kitchen. Chase and Theo look horrified of all the orders Camila is barking at them. Clara was mixing something in a bowl and Rosalie was at the sink cleaning the lettuce.
Today was going to be one busy day.
)()(
We were finally done. Camila was going to finish up the rest of the cooking tomorrow, but we were done.
"I hate cooking," Rosalie sighed, falling back onto the couch.
"Same. I'm never becoming a chef," Clara agreed. "I want to be a food tester. That's a job, right?" I nodded and she scoffed abrasively. "Forget photography."
A few minutes later, Theo and Clara go back to their rooms to rest and I'm left with Rosalie. "I'm still thinking about the food we made. What's your favorite dessert?
She broke into a grin. "Mocha pots de créme. They're like what you call . . . chocolate mousse, but with espresso."
"That sounds really good," I say, making a mental note to look it up later.
"When you get into that art school, you can try it. I can't wait." I tried not to feel dejected, keeping my face blank and changing the subject.
"Ask me a question now."
"Do you like coffee?" The question surprised me and I shook my head in disgust. It was too bitter. But I was love in with its smell. "Really? I love coffee."
"You drink coffee?"
"I stole some of my mom's when I was eight and I was addicted. It's just sooo good," she dragged out the word. "Of course she tried to get me to stop because what kid should be drinking coffee? But I was sneaky, and had it whenever I could."
"Coffee's the love of your life. Got it. Oh, I have a great question." The one I had been dying to get an answer from. "Do you now think either Logan or Cameron like you?"
Rosalie groaned and put her face in her hands. "Sophie? The one I went shopping for Halloween costumes with was texting me earlier asking me the same question. Both of them are just my friends. No matter if they like me or not, I'm not ready for a relationship. I'm still young, and thinking about that kind of commitment scares me. So I avoid it."
"That's valid." Rosalie seemed so mature for her age. Like a grown woman in ripped jeans. I wondered what would happen when all three of them grew up.
"Okay, my turn again." But nothing could have prepared me for the question Rosalie threw at me next. "Do you like my brother?"
I almost choked. "What?" I sputtered uncomfortably. Rosalie sent me the don't lie to me look and I gave in. "Fine," I sighed. "Yes, I like your brother."
She visibly shuddered. "Why? He's him. Oh, that's right. You haven't lived with him years like I have."
"He can't be that bad."
"Brothers are always that bad," Rosalie deadpanned. "But that's your heart. I won't judge it."
"Promise you won't tell him."
"Of course not. I won't push. You do it on your own time." I smiled at her and she smiled back.
"This is the first time you and I have really talked," she said. "Like a heart to heart."
"I think this type of conversation is long overdue."
"Ciera, I hope it's okay if I think of you as a sister?" she said nervously, putting all her attention to her hands.
"Of course. You don't even have to ask. I already consider you one. You're apart of the family."
"Really? Then you're an honorary Chastain too. If you confess to Theo, you'll officially become one someday."
"Never gonna happen." I wasn't going to risk it. Plus now, I had to put my deduction skills to work and figure out who the hell did this to me.
And then I would ruin them.
- - -
A/N: Be prepared. The next chapter is going to be a long and intense one. The next update will be very soon also. I promise!
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