Chapter 2

I heard the loud crash as glass shattered against the wall. I flinched away, so terrified as the man approached my mom screaming and pinning her up against the wall.

"You are a completely useless piece of shit. You can't cook right, you're just an ugly slut, and you gave me a daughter instead of a son. You're pathetic." I watched as he punched her, and I couldn't take it anymore. So I ran at him and hit him as hard as I could on his side.

"Leave her alone!" I screamed with everything I had.

It didn't phase him at all as he smacked me down on the floor.

"Pathetic, ugly creature. Don't ever touch me again."

I woke up breathing harshly and drenched in sweat. I was looking around, disoriented and confused about my surroundings. My mom immediately held me close and whispered into my ear something I never thought would come true.

"Don't worry, Mija; he'll never hurt you again."

I couldn't hold it in anymore as I started to cry into my mother's shoulder. The tears were a mixture of the pain I've gone through, but mostly a relief that we were finally getting away. My tears started to slow to a stop just as we made our descent into San Diego International Airport. It wasn't long before we were off the plane and making our way outside to meet the aunt I never knew I had. As soon as we walked outside, an elegant woman pulled my mom into a hug. She was wearing what looked to be a very expensive pantsuit. She looked almost identical to my mom... I gasped, wait, No, she was identical to my mom.

"I've heard so much about you, Mila. You are just so beautiful. The pictures your mom sent me just didn't do you justice." Really? Because I have never heard of you.

I just smiled back at her, pretty much speechless. "It's nice to meet you too."

She opened the back door to this really nice, had to be brand-new, all-black SUV. As we got into the back seat, she made her way to the passenger seat.

"Alright, Carter, take us home."

She has a fucking chauffeur. Who the hell is this woman? I was absolutely stunned by what had unfolded right in front of me. Not only does my mom have a sister, but I'm pretty sure they're identical twins, and I'm pretty sure she's loaded! I'm guessing she noticed my brain trying to put everything together.

"Yes, your mom Anita and I are identical twins. My name is Maria. Your mom is only 2 minutes older than me." My mom just scoffs at what her sister has just said.

"Yeah should have been more like two years." They both laughed at this remark.

"I came out here when I was younger and opened my own law firm. I now own three hospitals and a private security company for celebrities on top of my law firm. I asked your mom to move out here with me and open the law firm with me, but she had already fallen in love with your father and was soon afterward expecting you."

"Don't call him that. He's not my father." I snapped bitterly at her comment. I had so much resentment and anger in my voice. I looked down and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you..." I said softly, not meaning to misdirect my anger.

"That's okay, dear."

After this, she turned to face forward. I put my headphones in, trying to drown out my thoughts and the awkward silence that has enveloped the car. Instead, I just focused on the scenery around me. It was so much different than Maine. All the palm trees and rolling mountains. It was beautiful. I started to feel more relaxed, realizing that our final destination didn't end with us going home to a monster.

About forty-five minutes later, we pulled into this beautiful gated driveway with palm trees in the yards on both sides following the driveway.

At the end of it, I couldn't believe my eyes. The house was huge and modern, with a beautiful fountain out front.

Continuing just a bit more off to the side, she had a five-car garage! The best about it was that her house was on the beachfront of La Jolla beach. My jaw was to the ground as we made our way inside. The house has tall windows spanning from the floor almost to the ceiling. The windows let in a ton of natural light and showed a pool outside with a nice patio overlooking the beach.

You could see the trail in the sand that led out to the beach from the house. My aunt's voice brought me out of the deep examination I was doing of her home.

"Your room will be upstairs. It will be the first door on the left."

I hurried up the staircase. I was beyond excited to have my own room. I really didn't have one back in Maine. It was more like a closet with a mattress on the floor. The room I found behind that door was more than I would have ever guessed. It was huge, with its own balcony overlooking the ocean and the beach. It had its on-suite and a massive walk-in closet.

I couldn't wait to fill this closet up with more clothes considering I only had enough to last me two days and two nights. While I was in the closet, I decided to go ahead and change into something more comfortable. After that, I made my way out to the balcony and became completely mesmerized by the beautiful sight of the sunset.

"Hey, Mija. It's beautiful, isn't it?" I just nodded while still looking at this breathtaking view.

"Dinner is almost ready. Why don't you come down and eat? Then tomorrow Auntie Maria is going to take you shopping to get some clothes. You start school next Monday." I nodded, acknowledging my mom without looking in her direction. Instead, I stayed focused on the sunset that was now transitioning into the starry night sky.

----------Next Day---------

The morning always came too fast. I was awoken to the sun smacking me in the face. Damn, it was blinding... I need to remember to close my blinds before I go to sleep at night. I soon got dressed and made my way downstairs to the kitchen. My mom had already started making breakfast, and it smelt wonderful.

"Good morning Mami! Whatcha got cookin'?"

"Just some eggs, sausage, and I made waffles."

Oh my god, yes! I love waffles. I swear I was probably drooling. Soon my aunt had joined us.

"Oh, Anita, you don't need to do that; we have people for that."

"No, it's fine. I love cooking. Everything is done; now eat up before you leave!" My mother waved her off.

My aunt sounds kind of snobbish, I know. Not going to lie; pretty obnoxious. She may be a little obnoxious, but you can tell that she has a huge heart. She is also hilarious and sarcastic. She has a great sense of humor. We shopped for a few hours before we made our way back home.

"Auntie Maria, what time does the bus come in the morning?"

"No need for that; Carter can take you."

"No... Please, Auntie. I don't want to be "that" kid." she lightly laughed at this.

"Okay, you can drive yourself then. I have a vehicle you can use."

"Please tell me it isn't anything too flashy."

"Not at all. It's just a BMW I bought last month. I haven't had time to drive it, so it's yours. I'll put you on the insurance tonight."

"That's the most non-flashy car you have. A brand new BMW?"

"Yes." She retorted as if a BMW is just some cheap peasant car.

I just accepted it; at least it's better than having a chauffeur. Dinner was great. My mom has always been such a fantastic cook. I went upstairs after helping clean up and showered, and got ready for bed. I was starting to freak out. I was so nervous about tomorrow. My first day of senior year was at a new school in an entirely new state. I started to feel sad as I thought about how I wouldn't start my senior year with my best friend.

Julian was just as book smart as I was. However, he played multiple sports, as I just ran. He was a like a whole foot taller than me too, but I mean, almost everyone was taller than me. I'm only like 5'3. He's also Mexican, just like me too, not a whole lot of us in Maine. So it was nice to always have him around so that I could speak Spanish with someone other than my mom and the Spanish teacher. She was really hot, so I honestly didn't mind it too much; it gave me an excuse to talk to her more. I've always heard about how diverse and accepting everyone in California is, and I genuinely hope it lives up to the rumors. My anxiety was very high tonight, and I could already tell that I wasn't getting much sleep.