Chapter One

Hope is just something parents try to give their children when they have nothing else to give. Brooke Warren thought to herself as she closed her locker and looked around for her boyfriend. Just a stupid fairytale that has nothing to do with life…

   “Hey Babe, you’re coming over tonight still right? This party is gonna be kickin.” Kyle Lencey said and leaned over Brooke.
   “Yeah, wouldn’t miss it. Now seriously…get out of my bubble.” She joked and pushed him away, “You smell like B.O and school pizza.”
   “Don’t worry…I’ll shower before the party. Love ya Babe.” He kissed her cheek and went off to go boast to his friends about a lay he never got.
   “Why does Dad let you date him? He’s a pig.” Duke said after the coast was clear and no one would see them together.
   “Duke…not now. Get lost.” Looking around quickly to make sure the hall was clear, she turned back to her half brother. “Do you want someone to figure out we're related?!"
   "I don't give a s**t if people know we're related...you're the one who doesn't want to be related to the emo. Remember? Anyway, do I need to stick around after school to take you home, or is Kyle taking you?" Duke said and started to walk down the hallway towards Mr. Brunns photography class.
   "Don't bother Noble...Kyle and me are gonna hang out after school. Tell your dad, please? Thanks." Before Duke could yell at her for specifying thier dad as his, she walked away.  

   Big brown eyes laughed as Brooke watched Kyle’s head pop up out of the water. “Baby, it’s chicken. You’re not supposed to willingly go underwater.”
   The look he gave her made her go under water herself so she could squeal without him knowing it…that is until he pulled her out of the water. “I am so going to get my revenge on you Missy.” She squealed again and tried to get away. “Babe, fix your top. None of these guys get to see what’s mine.”
   Looking down she realized that her bikini top had moved over and she was falling out of it. So she readjusted herself and laughed harder. “Well if you’d stop tormenting me, that wouldn’t have happened, now would it?”
   I have been here for over a hundred years, and never have I seen such appalling behavior. I remember you climbing on me when you were an just a toddler…now you’re showing your body to this boy you don’t even love. Brooke Warren, I am very disappointed in you.
   Brooke knew the voice that no one else could hear and felt her cheeks heat. Sorry Cherry. I know that I need to just end it with him…but I can’t. Not when I look in his eyes.
   The old cherry tree beside the pool seemed to sigh as wind blew through it’s branches. I know child…but that doesn’t make it anymore acceptable. Anyway, enjoy your party…we can discuss this later.