Waking the Fae [BOOK ONE]

Chapter 2

The next morning Rebecca just wanted to go back to sleep. Today was another day of school. Anyone day of torment. Damn, she thought, its only seven o’clock and I’m already sick of the day. she didn't know how she’s manage to get through the day.

“Becca!” Her mother stuck her head through the door, a smile on her face. At 49, Susanne was far from old. Rebecca’s foster mother was gorgeous; no matter how much she aged, her beauty didn't differ. Straight blonde hair, almond eyes, high cheekbones, thin as a stick. Her looks had helped her become as successful as she was now: the top lawyer in the area. Of course, though, there was a downside. Her job meant she had little time for Rebecca. She was okay with it though. Most of the time. Her life had been full of loveless relationships and abuse, so having caring parents was a huge step up from her past. Other times, though, she wished her parents were around a lot more. It was selfish, she knew, but she figured after her childhood she deserved to act selfish for once. “Hey. I’m going to work. Your father has the day off, but he’s exhausted. He’ll make you breakfast though, but you may have to help him.”

I love you, Rebecca thought. Her previous host families had been against any close relationships. They were not her parents; they were her “caretakers.” But, unlike them, Henry and Suzanne Smith had welcomed her with open arms, accepting her in their family. She’d been unsure what to call them at first, but from the beginning Susanne had been telling her to call the “mum” and “dad.” It had taken her a few months to work up the courage to finally call them by what they wanted and it hadn't been without fear, but afterwards she’d become comfortable with it. Now, after four years, they were her parents, not their adopted child who nobody had wanted.

“Yeah, mum. I’ll help him. Have fun at work.”

Her mother just walked into the room, standing by the bed.

“What?” Rebecca asked.

“What, my daughter won’t hug me before I leave?”

Rebecca smiled, stepping into her mothers comforting arms. She was surrounded by the familiar perfume, her heart warming. This was the reason why she had to lay low at school. Her parents were the best parents anyone could ask for; her heart would break if they were hurt in any way. As awful as it sounded, her parents without work were walking zombies. They would have no purpose, no enjoyment. And no money. Actually, they have money; a lot of money. As far as she knew, her parents had a few million in their bank accounts. They were not the sort of people that bragged about how rich they were, but occasionally they would go out and buy designer clothes or a new car because they could. Scratch that; Rebecca only knew of one time they had bought another car.

Her mother kissed her forehead and Rebecca felt the walls she put up daily in order to protect herself collapse. Opening herself up completely to the Smith's had been impossible, the bubble she surrounded herself with prior to living with them had been huge. It was a defense mechanism, on Rebecca was exceptionally grateful she'd held up. All her childhood she'd trusted, only for that trust to be broken in the cruelest way. She was always hurt in the end, no matter the intentions in the beginning. But the Smith's had convinced her otherwise. They loved her without expecting anything in return. It had taken them almost a year to convince her that they wouldn't stab her in the back if she let them in. When Rebecca had finally trusted them it was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She wasn't constantly looking behind her, afraid of the dangers lurking. She didn't have to fear getting hurt. The Smith's loved her unconditionally. She still cried in her sleep because she was overwhelmed they were genuine and weren't trying to knock her defenses down so they could hurt her.

School was a different story however. At all times she kept her walls up; if they couldn't get past them, they couldn't hurt hurt her, whether it be with their words or their bodies. It was the reason she was able to handle school. She still hated it (she actually loved school, but the social games she dreaded) but it was bearable knowing she had her armor and no one could get past it.