(Final) chapter 1: Zoey

I unwillingly open my eyes, immediately regretting it, as the bright sunlight hits me. I wince, closing them again, sitting up and leaning against the couch, stretching. This time, I open my eyes slowly. Letting them adjust to the sudden brightness. I run a hand through my wavy brown hair. Something catches my eyes, more like someone.

"Kyle.. I can see you." I state, chuckling lightly. His big honey eyes peek at me from across the room, a smile takes over his face as he runs to me, "Morning sissy! You slept in" He says, smiling a tooth smile. I begin to laugh, but catch myself. "Slept in?" I ask, my brows furrowing. He nods, playing with my bony fingers, "Spiderman says its 10:00" My eyes widen, I lift him up, and run into his room, placing him on the bed, I go through his closet, picking out a pair of jean shorts, and a simple t-shirt. I practically throw it at Kyle, making him scowl. "You almost hit me sissy." He pouts making me laugh lightly. "Get dressed, we're late," I state, making him frown. I sigh, "Please?" I ask and he nods.

I walk to my closet, grabbing some black jeans, sliping them on. My eyes become glossy, my mind full of memories. My moms yellow cardigan, with the daisies. My hands reach out, grasping it, bringing it to my nose. I sigh in content as the smell of roses hit me. "Mom.." I whisper, my eyes filling with tears. I couldn't help it, slipping it on, it swallowed me, the sleeves hanging off my arms, the bottom of the cardigan ending just below my hips. I shiver, feeling.. Watched. I whip around, sighing in relief, with the confused eyes of her brother, His eyes slowly glossing over.

"Bubba, what's wrong?" I ask, walking over to him, bending down to his level. He shook his head furiously, making me sigh. I lift his chin, "Bubba?" I ask, worry filling my veins. Slowly, tears begin falling, "I thought.." He paused, sniffling, "I thought you were mommy." He states, His honey eyes light, filled with emotion. I sigh, lifting him up. "Kyle, I told you she's," I pause, walking towards the front door. "She's not coming home." I say, holding back my tears. I turned as we exited, locking the door, and with that we began our walk to Kyle's school. Late.

I sigh in relief as Kyle's school becomes distant. I'm going to be in so much trouble, I thought, glancing at the time, And I'm going to miss lunch. I see as a small girl walks out from the school, smiling towards me, I raise a brow, feeling Kyle writhe in my arms. I place him down and watch as he runs to the girl, embracing her in a hug.

"Bubba, who's this?" I bend down, looking at the two with a smile. Kyle's face becomes red as he shakes his head, "I told you not to call me that." He mumbles, not meeting my eyes. I sigh, ruffling his hair. "I am Dani!" The little girl shouts, turning with Kyle running into the school. Fuck, School. I stand up, booking it. Trying to ignore the passing glances. I slowly make it to a crosswalk, looking both ways. I race across, just as a car comes, slamming on their brakes, their horn blaring. I look up seeing them flipping me off. I held up a hand, and made the rest of the run to school.

The principal was BEYOND Pissed. I have detention for the rest of the month. I tried to convince him to make it a week, or just a lunch detention, but he didn't agree, though I'm allowed to go home today, one free pass.

I make my way towards my next class. Suddenly, I feel a hand tighten on my wrist pulling me. I let out a small scream, meeting her bright blue eyes piercing into me, anger filled them.

"Where the hell were you?" Alexa, my girlfriend, asked in a hushed town. Letting out a nervous laugh, I pull out of her grasp, "I slept in, it was a.. Long night." I said, playing with her hands. She sighed, placing a kiss on my forehead, "I was worried, you know." She stated as I leaned against her. I look up to her, a light blush coating my cheeks, "I love you so much, Lexi" I say, making her smile. She opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off by the late bell. Shit. I swore. Smiling weakly at Alexa. "I love you too, now go to class." I nod, and turn to run to art.

I stumble into the classroom, trying to catch my breath, "Nice of you to finally join us, Ms.King," The art teacher spoke, smiling softly, she pointed to my seat, "Take a seat and continue working on your piece from yesterday." I nodded, going to my seat. Placing my bag next to my seat, unzipping it, and pulling out my sketchbook. Flipping through the pages, I come to the unfinished drawing, a girl. To be completely honest. I don't know this girl, saw her in a dream, she stuck with me, especially with her gold eyes. I wanted that to be the main focus, making the background dark blue, the silhouette black, but nothing was really popping out, until she added her eyes, the gold yellow, popping out on the dark page, I smile, confident in my work.

"What the hell is that?" The high pitched voice asked, pointing at my work. I sigh, Ashley. "It's a drawing Ashley." I said, clearly showing my annoyness. She scoffed at me, picking up my notebook, making me whip around, seeing her Brown eyes glowing. "Give it back!" I shout, reaching for it. She smirked, tossing it towards her friend. I furrowed my brows, a deep frown taking over my face. "Please.." I pleaded, I felt frozen in my place as the girl threw it to the sink, the water engulfing it. I shook in anger, sadness, and who knows what. I was shaking.

"Girls. Principal's office now. That's enough." the teacher states, pointing to the door, they opened their mouths to argue, "Now." The sighed, walking out of the classroom.

I couldn't hold it back anymore. I cried, falling to my knees, letting it all out. I felt all the eyes fall onto me making it worse.

"Everyone out, free period." The art teacher stated, walking over to me. Her cold hand squeezed my bony shoulder. She kept apologizing, but it was too late. They 're just making it worse.

"Take you time with yourself, compose yourself, alright?" I nod, getting up, feeling exhausted from the tears.

I wipe my cheeks, and tread to the girls bathroom, I look myself in the mirror, my cheeks tear-stained, my eyes red and puffy, my nose a bright red. I sigh, turning the faucet on, splashing the cold water on my face, letting the color come back to my cheeks. I sigh once more. Turning and leaving the bathroom, running into the person who I didn't want to see me like this, Lexi.

"Zoey?" She asked, her hand caressing my cheek, I involuntarily lean into it, enjoying the warmth. "What happened..?" She asked, concerned tracing her blue eyes. I look down, embarrassed. I didn't want her to see me like this, especially when I can't control my emotions. I shake my head, looking back up at her, my sight blurring. She sighs, pulling me into her chest, her aroma of cinnamon enveloping me, I snaked my arms around her waist, leaning into her. "It was Ashley." I mumbled, squeezing her.

School. Freedom. I can finally leave, take a nap.

I begin my walk back, passing up the park, hearing the sound of kids laughter becoming further away. I let out a sigh of relief when my apartment came into view. I picked up my pace, ready to crash onto the couch.

I rushed up the steps, nearly tripping. Stumbling to the door, I pull out the key, sticking it into the lock, twisting it, hearing the click. I rush in. Meeting the face of my neighbor, and well my second mom. She gives me a small smile, and looks behind me, her brows furrowed.

"Where's that sweet boy?" She asks. I pause, turing around. Shit.

"I'm- I'm sorry! I forgot.. I was so tired, and stressed and-" Holding up her finger, she cuts me off. "Zoey, don't worry. I'll go get him, get some rest." I sigh, nodding. I haven't gotten any sleep in a while, this could be good for me. "Thank you, so much. I'll give you soe cash and-" She raises a brow, asking me to continue, more like daring me.

She gives me another smile, leaving me alone in the empty apartment.

Thirty minutes. It's been thirty minutes. Where the hell are they. What if they got hurt? What if they got in a car crash? What if he's hurt? What if she didn't make it?

My heart begins racing, It felt as though the walls around me we're closing in, like there was a heavy pressure on my chest. I clutch my chest, bending over. I can't breath. My legs feel like jelly, and they give out, sending me into the wall. Dark spots cloud my vision, sending me to the ground. The cold wooden floor hits me. I feel myself drift out of consionous