Two Beating Hearts

Chapter 1: Forbidden Love

The warmth wraps around me relaxing every inch of my body. I squeeze the bottle of body wash and begin lathering onto a dampened wash cloth. The scent of cherry vanilla tickles my nose as it takes over the bathroom. I lay in a deep relaxed state forgetting the world around me.
To start my life is a lonely mess. My biological mother gave me up the same day I was born, I don't know anything about her except that she obviously didn't want a baby. It's caused a never ending cycle of switching from home to home and schools. Some only want me for a monthly check and others are looking for something I can't give them. Love.
I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I'm incapable of loving anyone or anything. I sigh at the thought. Being heartless is not an accomplishment I care to achieve for the rest of my life.
There's four of us sharing in a group home with an elderly couple for guardians. There's Rain who is 7 years old and full of life. I really feel sorry for her cause I was the same way but now I'm the complete opposite. I'm shy and reserved to the extreme. Then there's Max and Andy who are non identical twins. Both are very attractive and spontaneous. They're 16 years old but sometimes act 3.
I've been living here for only one month and today is the first day at a new school. Praying for new beginnings this time.
Stepping slowly out of the tub feeling the soft rug Squish under my bare feet I reach for my white cotton towel wrapping it around once tucking the corner in to secure it.
Standing in front of the mirror located above the vanity, I twist the cap off the tube of toothpaste using my teeth, then squeeze a small blue glob onto my toothbrush, and begin brushing vigorously whilst the mint flavor burns my whole entire mouth with a deep cool feeling as I inhale sending shivers up my back.
Suddenly loud footsteps pacing back and forth by the door startles me causing me to drop my toothbrush, "then I remember that I locked it just before hoping into the bath.
"Go away." I yell forcefully while facing the door as I tap on it with my palm, but nobody replies back. Everything becomes quiet again. I replace the cap onto the toothpaste, picking my wet toothbrush up out of the vanity and jamming it back into it's proper storage container.
l pull the clip from my hair as it drips falling freely down my bare back. Under the vanity I locate the hair dryer and curling iron managing to dry and style my hair up in an elegant bun curling a few strands left out to frame my face before the day begins. I finish off by applying a small amount of ivory foundation and translucent powder, with waterproof mascara and eyeliner. and spritzing body spray liberally.
In my bedroom clothes are spilling out the closet, burying my feet beneath as I search desperately for the perfect first day outfit.
Nope, not this one, I fling the shirt across to the other side of my room in one quick motion with it landing on my unmade bed.
Nope... shirt number two and three also soar through the air landing precisely on the headboard hanging half off the wooden corner as I continue pulling more from the hangers.
After 20 long minutes and a bedroom overflowing with clothes, the perfect first day outfit is finally on. Being the middle of winter, a coat is always welcomed. Glancing down at my sky blue long sleeve shirt with lace flowing down the sleeves, black skinny jeans and flats, I can't help but feel that something is missing besides my coat.
Oh yeah, of course my purple emerald necklace to top things off. Grabbing it from on top of the red mahogany bedside table, I latch it onto my neck and head Down stairs.
"You're looking welcoming." Max whispers with waffles spilling out the corner of his mouth. Yuck... I hold back a gag.
"Arabella, come sit down and eat." Mary demands with a crocked smile. Not in the mood to argue, I sit across the table, away from Max.
Mary is the best cook, but has the worst attitude. Her hair falls just below her broad shoulders, thin and straight. Her wide set eyebrows need dyed to match her brown hair. The grayish color doesn't work for her. Her voice is just annoying when she speaks, like nails scrapping a chalkboard type of annoying.. Her husband is the sole provider working long hours at the down town hospital.
Mary sits a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs and gravy drowning two massive biscuits on the table directly in front of me.
"Ahh, it smells so good ." she gives me an side ways glance before walking away .
I dig in without hesitation.

"So... Have the nerves kicked in yet?"
"Like you care." I continue eating
"I do care, don't be so cruel to yourself." Max says sounding almost sincere which is a shocker.
With a full bloated stomachache and empty plate, I stumbled into the living room where Rain and Andy are both reclining on the sofa and laughing hysterically watching saved by the bell.

Rain is wearing a gorgeous shimmering, blue top with jeans to match.
"Arabella sit!" Rain almost demands.
"No thanks! I need to finish getting ready."
"Ok, but you're missing out." I turn and walk away.
Later on the bus ride to school everyone is disturbingly quite. Wilkes county is nothing like the past countries I've lived in. It seems darker, colder and weary. There's a small population of people living here. Most of them are strangely quiet and stay to themselves, almost as though they're scared to talk to you.
Max and Andy are both sitting in the back seat, I sit close to the front. The bus driver keeps eyeing his mirror, like he's watching something or someone. He has a bald head, stocky build and a sneaky look in his eyes.
The bus comes to a stop, a girl gets on wearing a black backpack that appears to be weighing down her narrow shoulders.
"Can I sit with you?" I glance around uncertain if she's talking to me.
There's at least one person sitting in every seat, not one is empty. The girl sits beside me slinging her backpack around to her lap. She smells of pumpkin spice, would make me hungry if I hadn't already had a huge breakfast.
"Hi, I'm Misty Perry. Sorry but no one else lets me sit with them, since you're new I was hoping you wouldn't mind." She tucks long straight blonde hair behind her ear.
"No it's fine. I'm Arabella Black."
"Arabella... What a pretty and peaceful name." She says in admiration.
"Thanks, I don't like it but who does like their own name anyways." Misty smiles
"Can we be friends?"
"Sure!" I answered just grateful I've already made a new friend on my first day.