Chapter 1

     I slowly opened the door and tiptoed across the room to where my best friend, Lena was sitting. I was late for yet another literature class. Mrs. Brown was still facing the board… scribbling something about a new novel we had to read. Of course no one paid the slightest attention until Mrs. Brown herself turned and rested her fierce eyes on me. “Clarissa, just what are you doing here in my class?!” she yelled. I sank lower in my seat hoping people would just look away. “I did notice you absent when everyone was already here 10 minutes ago, and I remember telling you not to enter my class once the doors are closed. Now wait for me outside. I’ll need to talk to you once class is over,” and that was final. I was kicked out.

The problem is that I’m still living with my mum which is like an hour away from the University that I’m currently attending. Everyone else moved in to either a sorority house or got an apartment close by. I’m basically the only one who’s still living in the same place I’ve been living for the past few years.

“Got kicked out again?”

My head jerked up at that familiar voice. He just has to always be there at my most embarrassing times. Robin Hughes, the  first smartest, hottest, and strongest guy around so far. Of course, it may sound impossible for such a perfect guy to exist so let me tell you…he is 2-faced. Everyone thinks he’s an angel considering how intelligent and full of talents he is. I’m the only one who knows his true personality. It all happened during 8^th grade. I transferred to his school that year and made the mistake of rejecting him when he actually asked me to go to the school dance with him. I went with my close friend, Gabriel instead. I bet I hurt his ego cause ever since, he’d always try to ruin me. We’re like rivals too…Although he’s first at the moment I will soon catch up to him. I’ve been second place for 4 years, but I’m going to change. I’ve decided to find a place and live closer too…that way I can score more points.

“What are you doing here, Robin?” I rolled my eyes, avoiding looking into his deep emerald green eyes. I hated looking into them…they made me lose myself into their depth. Not that I like him or anything…

He leaned against the wall next to me and grinned. “You know you aren’t being smart. You can never get first place, so don’t waste your time. I don’t have to be early to class…I never get kicked out.”

The fact that he’s so popular helps him a lot. Not even the teachers dare say anything to him. They respect him like he’s their idol. I hate his arrogance, and the fact that life is so easy and simple to him. I stayed silent. I didn’t want to bother with him now. After knowing him for all these years I knew that I could never win an argument. He’s a good talker. He knows how to shut me up… and I don’t like that. So, I avoid it most of the times. To my surprise, he crouched down beside me and leaned in so that our foreheads were practically touching.

“Clarissa…” he whispered. I’m sure I was blushing like crazy and this time I couldn’t avoid his gaze. He chuckled and ruffled my hair…something he never did. By the time I got back to my senses he was already gone. Why? Why did he do that? That really wasn’t a normal gesture from him.

Class was over 45 minutes later and I was still sitting outside the lecture hall thinking. “Clare!! Get up. This is really embarrassing,” Lena’s voice woke me up from my daze. Of course Mrs. Brown told me to stay with her for a few minutes. I had no choice but to go with her. Her few minutes turned into 15 long agonizing minutes. She kept blabbering on and on about how she would have to remove marks from my grades and maybe just fail me in her class if I don’t attend on time. I had this sudden urge to shout at her, to tell her that she was being a bitch. I was only 5 or 10 minutes late. She should just let it slide, especially since she knows I live far away.

“Oh and…your father called. He said to go over to his house without your mother knowing. I’m letting you go now but make sure to come back in 30 minutes,” that was the only thing she said that I actually listened to. Before long, I was already out and into my car. Dad lived close by. Ever since the divorce, mum has only let me see dad during the weekends. Me going over now is considered a very bad thing. I was actually curious to know as to why dad had called me over from school. What was so urgent?

5 minutes later I got there and ran to the villa. Dad was waiting for me outside. He wasn’t looking good…something must have been bothering him. “What’s wrong dad?” I asked.

“I’m sorry Clare. I got you to come all the way here just to hear some bad news,” he seemed hesitant as to say it or not.

“It’s OK dad. I only have 20 min. to stay here so let’s hear it,” I urged. You would think it might have been something to do with business. My dad’s a lawyer… a very successful one, and he usually has trouble taking care of things. He’s usually overloaded with things, so I love staying with him at those times when he needs a break. He calls me over…and sometimes I feel like he uses his job as an excuse to watch movies with me and eat junk like the old days. This time it seemed different though…

“Dad?!” I groaned. “What is it?”

He was still silent. It definitely has something to do with me. I just know it!! He wouldn’t have a hard time saying it if it wasn’t.

“You won’t hate me?”

I stared at him blankly, and then went into a fit of laughter. “W-What is it that would make me hate my dad?” I asked.

“I’m serious Clare.”

“I know I know. So, what is it?”

“The Hughes family… Do you remember them?”

The stupid grin on my face faltered and all I could think of was Robin. “Y…Yes.”

“Well, his father and I are really good friends. You know that…right?”

“Dad, where is this going?”

“Well, Robin’s grandfather died last week and he left a will and a letter for you. It’s up to you whether you want to go along with it or not.”

His grandfather… I remember going to their house frequently because of dad. The Hughes family is really nice. In fact, they seem like angels. His grandfather loved me a lot and we were quite close until I stopped going over in 10^th grade. To think that I didn’t see him for all this time and him passing away caused tears to start pouring out. I always hated Robin for making people think that we were pretty close, because it was all an act in front of the world and our families. Sometimes, he would also make me the bad person in front of them so I avoided going to there house. But now, my dad says he left a will and a letter…that included me in it.

So now I was walking to my next class with the letter in my hand. I still didn’t have the courage to open it, but I knew the contents of the letter were going to change my life. Even if I hate it, if it’s something he really wanted I’ll grant it for him. Because he was the first person to actually care for me so much although we weren’t even blood related…