Intertwined Lives

Chapter 5

l fidget restlessly as l stare at the office building in front of me. Maybe l am taking the wrong decision, maybe Ashton is right but l will never find peace until l get this thing out of my chest.

Dad always told me to listen to my heart and at the moment the only thing my heart is telling me is that l need to see my biological family, not because l want to fit in their family but because l want closure. l need to know that the girl who's life l am living had the best just like l had with her parents.

Ashton was wrong though. My intention was not to ruin her life but she deserves to know the truth.

Gathering some much needed courage, l walk out of my car with my head held high. My heart beats frantically l feel dizzy as l walk towards a future l never planned but before l reach the reception l am hit by the sound of laughter and l turn my head towards it. The sight before me knocks me over and l can't help but hold onto the couch near me.

In front of me is a happy family. The Parker family seems to be coming from one of the offices and they are so absorbed with each other that they don't notice people looking at them. The father has both of him arms around his children while the mother has her arm around her son. There is so much love and warmth around them that l can't help but feel a burning feeling in my chest.

The daughter is talking animatedly while the whole family hangs onto every word she says. Even from a distance l can tell they adore her so with a bleeding heart l turn away . How can l disrupt such a family. How can l be the reason for breaking this family.

l climb into the car and l can't help but feel sick. How did mom and dad keep this secret for this long ,how could they continue to look me in the eye because it tearing me apart and especially now that l'll have to keep it forever.

3 months later

l take a deep breath and close my eyes in order to calm my nerves. l refused to be scared today. l was here to make my parents proud and nothing would stand in my way.

REDWOOD ACADEMY

This was a school that only the elite got into. Only the children of the wealthiest people in America got in and because of the inheritance my parents left me l can afford this school.

l swallowed the tears burning at the back of my throat. My mom and dad should have been here with me.

"You look a bit lost" l turned my head to look towards the voice and my mouth dropped open. The most handsome guy l have ever seeing was standing behind me and l couldn't help but gasp at him and he smirked. Chiseled cheekbones framed by a strong jaw, full masculine lips, straight nose, everything about this guy is hot.

"Like what you see" he said moving closer to me and l took a step back but he moved faster until we were face to face. Whoever this guy is he has a commanding and powerful aura that ignites something within me.

"l- l- l" damn it pull yourself together l chided myself.

"l'm new" l whispered.

"Relax baby l don't bite" he whispers in my ear and reaching out to touch my cheek. "much".

l stare at his retreating figure in shock. Whoever that guy is ,l don't want anything to do with him. In fact the next time l see him l am going in the opposite direction. l don't have much experience with guys except for my awkward kiss with Ashton last summer.

l was trying to get over my encounter with the mystery guy when a beautiful blonde approached me with a scowl on her face.

"Hey there my name is Anika Larsen and am part of the welcoming committee "she said looking bored.

"Eliana Porter" l smile at her but she rolls her eyes and gestures me to follow her.

"Well considering that you're not a scholarship charity case then l think you have nothing to worry about "Anika said after my tour of the school and l sighed in relief. l would rather be invisible than to be fend of by bullies.

"Your room is located on the east wing "she said in question eyeing me from head to toe.

"Uhm is that a problem " l asked but she just shook her head and left me standing.

l groaned after she left, l was irritated that l almost cried. This was part of the reason l hated being in new surroundings, l knew no one and my anxiety was taking over. l didn't want to have a full blown panic attack on my first day and considering that people were staring my way, l could just imagine how humiliating it was going to be.

Thankfully though l found my room before l could humiliate myself. The room itself was beautiful, whoever my roommate was, she was a great stylist. l took the left side considering that all her stuff was placed on the right side.

l couldn't help but sigh deeply out of relief when l finally climb onto my bed to get some rest. It's been a very trying three months but l think being here will be a much needed distraction.

Since the day l visited that office l have lived a nightmare day after day, week after week, month after month. The reality came crashing down on me and it was a bitter pill to swallow when l saw how happy that family was without me and how miserable l was without my parents but when l received the acceptance letter from this school it felt like l had something to look forward to again.

l had told my parents that l wanted to travel this year but turns out they had applied for me here. Thinking about them hurts which is why l have shoved down my pain and wept until l felt like l can't anymore so now l sleep, l eat ,try not to cry and the cycle continues.

"Hey roomie" a sweet velvety voice has me drifting from my thoughts and l turn towards it.

OMG it's Aliana Marie Parker.