CHAPTER 1: I'm Back

I'm standing in front of what used to be my home. A rush of emotions hit me at once, but I tucked it all inside. It took all of my willpower to keep a blank face. It never occurred to me that nothing would've changed. It's been five years and everything is still the same; at least, in its exterior. The house, if you could call it that, is enormous, luxurious, but still giving off a homey feel. I peak at the window and see the people I used to refer to as my family.

They were all gathered at the table, and I spotted a new addition to the family. There sat my stepmom, Laura, right beside my father who sat at the head of the table. Laura didn't fail to look like a model; tall, slim, and gorgeous as ever. She was the girl my dad preferred over my mom, and in all honesty, I don't see any significant differences between the two. They both treated me like I was something that can easily be cast aside.

There was a cute little boy around four or five years old that she constantly hovered over. She was cleaning up the mess he made with his food. Aiden and Ashdan just laughed at the little guy. My heart twisted and yearned for affection like that, but I knew that my chance of getting anything remotely close to that was long gone by now.

My heart rate quickened as I saw another guy with them. It was none other than Zach. Of course, he would be there. He is Aiden's best friend after all. I can't believe I didn't expect to see him.

Snap out of it, I silently chastise myself. You're only here for the rest of the school year, Nylin. Don't bother connecting with them because you'll only get hurt again. This is what I say to myself over and over as I walk towards the door.

Everything inside me goes cold when I set foot on the front porch, my hand raised, positioned to knock. I was conflicted. Should I really do this? After a small mental debate, I decided to just cancel out my emotions and go through with my plan. I knocked three times and stood there, willing myself to stay put.

Laura opens the door with a warm smile on her face that immediately turns into a frown. "You're here?" she says, surprise etched across her beautiful face.

I wanted nothing more than to say 'I'm back' like how Maleficent said it but I held the urge back. That isn't me anymore. I've changed. I can't just go around acting like the girl they once knew.

I gave her a smile that fooled no one, "It's been a while, Laura."

"Why are you here? Why did you come back? Where's your mother?" she asks, still shocked by my presence.

My face scrunches up at the mention of my mother. As I was about to respond, someone called out her name and came to the door.

"Who's there, Laur? What's taking so long?" It was none other than my father, James.

"Hello, father. Missed me?" I said with a sarcastic smile.

Laura looked back and forth from my father and me, a worried expression in her eyes for what might happen.

"Nylin?" he whispers, unsure. It was as if he couldn't believe that it was me who was standing in front of him.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten about me. I am your only daughter after all, or have I already been replaced and forgotten?" I say in a sickeningly sweet tone.

Yeah, I may sound like a bitch, but seriously, if you just knew what he and the witch beside him has done, you'll realize that I'm actually being kind.

His face pales as he slowly registered my presence. "Why are you here?"

"Thank you for the cheerful welcome! It isn't as though I'm your child or anything, but sure. Let's cut to the chase. I need a place to stay and I thought I could live here for a while," I shrugged.

"James, no," Laura said with a stern look. "You know very well that all she causes is trouble. She has done nothing but bring problems into this family. There is absolutely no way she's going to stay here in my home--our home."

I scoffed, "Don't forget that this was my house first,"

James quickly intervenes before his wife can reply to me. "Where is your mom? She should be here with you. Besides, I don't think it would be wise for you to stay here," his jaw clenching as he mentioned his ex-wife.

"Why are all of you so eager to know the whereabouts of that woman?" I ask, rolling my eyes. "Whatever," I mutter. "If you're so eager to know, she's in this wonderful place called jail. Sad, isn't it?"

My father's eyes widen by a fraction at the mention of jail. Honestly, what did they expect?

Laura was once again shocked. "Oh my goodness. What happened?"

I rolled my eyes, emotions coursing through me since they mentioned Samantha so many times. "She was mixed up with the wrong people and got caught."

That was nothing close to the truth but there is no way that they can find out about what truly happened. They need to be safe.

They didn't know that my mom smokes and uses drugs. Fuck, she even made me smoke a cigarette the first day she got full custody of me. She threw away all my clothes, telling me that they covered way too much. Dragging me to the mall, she bought me all those skimpy clothing that barely covers anything, but it wasn't like I had any say in that matter. As for shoes, I had to wear heels that were at least five inches tall. All this happened and they don't have a single clue about it.

I knew the moment my mom got me, nothing would ever be the same. Shaking the memories away, I focus on answering James, who asked how long her sentence was.

"10 years," I deadpanned. Noticing his facial expression and how Laura cringed, I quickly added, "Don't worry. I'll only be here until I graduate. After that, I'll be out of your hair. I just really need a place to stay until then." I can't believe this. I sound like a desperate beggar.

Still hesitant to let me stay, "Just one night, Nylin. James," she gestures at my father, "and I can help you find a place to stay tomorrow. James?" she looks at him for approval.

Nodding, he says, "One night," then walked away.

Right after they both left, I was grateful that my heart was already in pieces because it surely would've been crushed by the actions and words my father said and did.