Chapter 1

          There I was, sitting in my biology classroom, taring at the chalkboard. Listening to the clock ticked as the remanding fifth teen minutes go by without a sound or word. Every five seconds the clock on the wall ticks, my deep blue eyes blink, waiting for the next five minutes to pass on by. As you can see, I was bored to death. But mostly I was thinking about how I was going to break the news to my best friend Andy. I have been knowing him since I moved to Cincinnati from Russia. That was two years ago when I was thirteen.

          I know what your thinking. No. I am not Russian. I am half Polish. But, my little sister is half Russian. I know, its confusing. You are probably thinking “If she is half Russian, how are you half Polish?” That's easy. Her dad is Russian, my dad is Polish. We have the same mother, who is American. She knows her dad. I don't know mine. The way my mother talks about him, he sounds like a piece of crap.

           But, anyway. More on that later. I was talking about how I was going to break news to Andy. About that. Well, you see. My sister, mother, I, and my soon to be “dad” were moving to Germany. Fun! I didn't want to move. But, it was because of my mother's fiancée. Stupid business men. I hate them. But mostly him and his non speaking English self. If he talks to you, you wont know what he is saying. He reminds me of Arnold Swatzerniger.

           Many emotions were running through my head. Love, hate, regret, fear. I didn't know how he was going to take it. Him or Chance. They were the first two people I actually met when I moved here. Chance is Andy's best friend. They were like family to me. They didn't judge me when I moved here. When I say “judged” I mean they didn't make fun of me because of the way I looked or that I came from another country or even the Polish accent I have. That is why I don't want to move again. I want to stay here.

           Of course Lillian, my sister, was thrilled about going to a different country. She was the type that wanted to explore the world. Even though she was only thirteen. Her and I were totally opposite. She loves hip hop and R&B. Like: Lil Wayne, Usher and people like that. I on the other hand, I love rock music. Like: the Misfits, Bring Me the Horizon, KISS, and Andy's band Black Veil Brides. There were some things we had in common, but not many.

          The bell finally rang for the class to be dismissed to go to lunch. I jumped down from my stool and grabbed my back back and plopped it up on the stool and unzipped. I grabbed all my books and shoved them in there. I finished up and I zipped the back pack up and threw it on my back. I took my long black hair and threw it over my back pack. I fixed my stool and I grabbed my razer out of my shorts pocket. Not the cutting razor, the phone razor. I checked it while the teacher wasn't looking and put it back into my packet as I walked toward the door. “Hey, shorty! Wait up!” I heard from behind me. I turned around and grinned. “Very funny, Andy!” I said as Andy walked over to me and threw his arm around my neck. “What? It's not my fault you are short.” he said as he laughed. I just laughed at him. “I see you got jokes.” I said as I looked up at him. “Let's just go to lunch.” Andy said as we walked out side to the cafeteria.

           Andy and I were in the cafeteria. We found us a table and sat down. I took of my back pack and sat it down next to me. “Oh, I almost forgot!” Andy said as he reached into his back pack. “Do I even want to know.” I laughed. “Aw, come one! You will love it!” Andy said as he grabbed two gift bags out of his back pack. I rolled my eyes at him. That boy was full of surprises. “First,” Andy said. “Happy Valentine's day.” he said as he scooted the red gift bag across the table over to me. “And, Happy Birthday.” he said as he scooted the birthday gift bag to me. Yeah, I forgot to tell you, it's my birthday and its Valentine's Day.

           “Andy, I thought I told you no to get me anything.” I said as I grabbed the birthday bag and sat it on my lap. “You knew I was going to anyway.” he said. I look up at him and rolled my eyes at him. I put my hair behind my ears and reached my hand into the bag. I pulled out a Misfits and a Kiss T-shirt. All of a sudden I saw a flash of light. I looked at Andy who was holding his camera. “Thanks for blinding me.” I smiled as I unfolded the shirts. “I cant believe you got me a Misfits and a Kiss shirt! Awesome!” I said smiling. “There's more in there.” Andy said as he took another picture of me as I looked down. I pulled out two Cd's of the Misfits and Kiss's greatest hits. “Thank you.” I said as I put them back into the bag.

           “Oh, happy birthday to you!” I heard someone sing. I looked up and it was Chance walking over to the table carrying a small birthday cake. It was like the kind that babies get on their first birthday. “Happy birthday to you!” Chance said as he set the cake down in front of me. While Chance was singing to me, Andy was taking pictures. My face was redder then the gift bag he got. “Happy birthday dear, Ashtyn! Happy birthday to you!” Chance sang as I looked up at him. All I could do was laugh. Everybody was looking at me. “Thank you, Chance.” I said as my face got redder by the minute. “No problem. Well, I have to go do something for my English teacher. I'll see you later.” Chance said as he walked out the cafeteria.

           My face was so red as I looked at Andy. “You told him to do that, didn't you?” I said laughing. “Maybe, maybe not.” Andy said. I grabbed the Valentine's gift bag and opened it. Inside I found a silver diamond heart necklace with matching earrings. “Andy, you didn't have to get me this. A card would have been nice.” I said laughing and smiling at him. “ I know.” Andy said as he came and sat on the other side of me. “Here,” he said. I put my back towards him and he lightly moved my hair to the side and he slid the necklace on my neck. All I could do was smile.