I gave a small smile, passing an acknowledging nod. Thomas and Steven gave each other a quick greeting, before my step-brother turned his attention back to me. “Help you with what?” he narrowed his eyebrows at me with unhidden curiosity. We never had a real talk. He had no idea what I liked or what was happening in my life. We were just like distant neighbors, forced to sometimes dine together with father and Tina. “There is one girl, Olivia. You surely know her--curly brown hair, glasses… geek-ish?” I described her with my lips lifted at the corners. “Maybe I have seen her. What about her?” Steven questioned. “You have connections. Can you dig some information about her…please,” I looked at him with pleading eyes. I cou

Thomas and I didn’t talk much on our way back to my house. We were in some quiet understanding of my situation, while I was thinking of what I was going to say to my father, he was probably trying not to trouble me any further. Instead of chatting, we listened to some radio, while the heater of his car created a cozy feeling. Streetlights were mashing around us, as Thomas hastily drove in the sleepy town. It wasn’t that late, but the cold weather had chased away the people, and they were probably resting in their warm homes, watching television, or making yummy dinner. I loved how in movies, families gathered together for a homemade meal, looking happy and loved. I never had that feeling in the rare times when I had to dine with my father and the twins. It was forced and no one really cared much about the others. Well, maybe dad did, but his plans to unite us

Lately, I was picking a time when others would not be at school, to paint on the wall project. Now, I wanted to be the only one painting again, but I didn’t want to be alone. It was the perfect place to plan my payback with Thomas, Linda and Tina. Leaving my mobile in my locker for the rest of the day, I decided to do things the old-fashioned way and arrange my meeting using only the clock and my mouth. It was still school hours and students were in their classes, but not us. I was waiting for my people, painting the last wall picture where the pool was with the phone again in my pocket. “You should have an exhibition in some gallery, Alice!” Tina complimented me when she came with Linda. “I never knew you were that good,” she continued with her eyes wide open, inspecting my creation. “Well, you never paid attent

Wearing a red sweatshirt and blue jeans, the club owner of Cherry on top gave a warm hug to my step-sister, who was looking like a model of the latest fashion line--totally the opposite of his casual attire. “W-what?” I stuttered. “I thought you two didn’t know each other when we met…a month ago?” “We didn’t know each other back then,” Tina smirked at me, moving away from the guy. "People can surprise you." I scratched my head, amazed at how fast the Barbie became close with the right people. It was beyond me. “I didn’t know you did such things,” Thomas gave voice to his thoughts. Our group gathered closer for a more private talk aroun

My father raised his hand in the air to stop my black thoughts from creating wicked scenarios of what might have happened to my mother.“No, she is okay, Alice. But she left again.” He furrowed his eyebrows at me in a sympathetic manner.“She left? Where?” I responded, almost like a whisper, feeling my throat dry up like a hot desert.“Um, I don’t know. I just wanted you to hear it from me, instead of some random teacher at school.” He announced, caressing his bald head. “About the videos--the person was wearing black clothes, gloves, a sweatshirt with a hood, and his or her face was wrapped in a black scarf. I couldn’t really see anything that would help me discover who it was. Sorry, Alice, I have brought you only bad news.”