Chapter One
444 Words
The beeping of my alarm drills into my skull. F*cking perfect. Six a.m. — time for school.
“NEMESIS, GET DOWN HERE FOR BREAKFAST!” my brother yells from downstairs.
I bite back the urge to tell him to shove it.
My family? They can’t stand me. My parents died when I was born, so I’ve lived with my aunt, uncle, and their son Ethan ever since. They make me call them “Mom” and “Dad” for appearances, but it’s all fake. Mostly, they pretend I don’t exist.
Tomorrow’s my sixteenth birthday. Will anyone remember? Not a chance.
At least I’ve got something to look forward to: a trip to Hawaii with my best friends, Jared and Liam. I told my guardians I’d be gone all week. Pretty sure they weren’t listening.
I throw on a white crop top, black skirt, and heels. Backpack packed, I grab a yogurt and head for the door.
“Morning, Nemesis,” Andy, the housekeeper, says warmly.
“Hey, Andy,” I reply, hugging her.
Ethan strolls in, smirking. “Nemesis.”
“Ethan,” I shoot back flatly.
“You sure you need that yogurt?” he asks, eyes flicking to my breakfast.
I give him a tight smile. “Pretty sure I can handle a yogurt, thanks. Worry about yourself.”
He bristles. “You’re not really my sister.”
“Yeah, I’m aware,” I say. “Thanks for the daily reminder.”
“F*ck you.”
“Not in this lifetime.”
Keys in hand, I head for my car — a sleek black BMW. Not gifted by some CEO, just bought with my inheritance. Still, it’s mine, and it’s gorgeous.
Ethan snorts. “It’s just a car.”
“Better than the dented junk you drive,” I mutter.
He calls after me, “You’re such a b*tch.”
I glance back, grinning. “And yet, you can’t stop talking to me.”
I crank up the radio and sing along on the way to school. Nobody at home knows the truth — their words get under my skin more than I admit. Therapy helps. Writing poetry helps. It’s not easy, but it keeps me steady.
At school, my crowd swarms me. I’ve got plenty of acquaintances, but only two real friends: Jared and Liam. They loop their arms through mine.
“Morning,” Jared says.
“Morning,” Liam echoes.
I grin. “Morning, boys. Ready for Hawaii?”
We all say it together: “It’s gonna be a blast.” Then we dissolve into laughter, and for a moment, the weight on my chest feels a little lighter.
- Writer
