Love is Never Lonely

                          ~ Love is Never Lonely~

                                            “The course of true love never did run smooth” -William Shakespeare

Chapter 1: Welcome to the Big Apple

Rain pattered the windshield of my Aunt Beckie’s old green pinto. My eyes are glued to the windshield wipers left, right, left, right…; I was trying to distract myself from the fact that I’m going to a new high school for senior year. Who seriously does that anymore, oh yeah me because I have no parents and my only other family member lives in the rainy streets of New York. I could have stuck with home schooling at the orphanage, but no…I had to just blurt out the words ‘public high school’ and my aunt Beckie had to agree; for once I wish she didn’t agree with everything. My name is Adrienne Holmes. My parents disappeared when I was 8 years old, and I was stick in government foster care until they found my Aunt Beckie across the country. I was living in Miami so from there to cold, dark New York is quite a change for me. Anyways my aunt and I just got done shopping for school clothes, supplies, room décor, etc. and are on our way home. A medium sized cottage a little ways out of the city, but not far enough to avoid the constant rain showers, unfortunately. “Adri, get your feet off the dash board, it’s rude.” Aunt Beckie said, nudging my lifted leg that was closest to her. I sighed, and pulled my feet off the dash board and looked out the window; but I was mostly paying attention to the little droplets sliding down the surface of them. I put my hand against the cold surface. “Look I know you don’t like that rain, it’s understandable since you were living in Florida most of your life, but your gonna start liking it here eventually.” Aunt Beckie said, putting her hand on my knee apologetically. I sighed, not looking from the window. “I just don’t want to go to a new school for senior year Aunt Beckie, it’s just not cool. No one does that anymore.” “Look honey, I can’t control the fact that I can’t teach you. I don’t remember anything from high school, let alone one that teaches only the arts. You’re gonna have to go anyways.” I crossed my arms and looked out the front window. The rain wasn’t getting any better, and it wasn’t getting any warmer. School is so stupid. I miss all the teenagers at the orphanage, they actually talked to me, unlike the people at the school are going to do. I’m probably going to be the only one not in a click; the one at the loser table. My stupid powers that I just had to be born with won’t help make that scenario I just pictured any better. Next thing you know something starts to float in mid-air and hit the principal in the face; but that might also be a good thing because the school could kick me out and I won’t have to go to school anymore.  “I know what you’re thinking, don’t try and get yourself in trouble so you can get kicked out.” Aunt Beckie said.  ‘Darn, she’s good….’  “But...” I tried to say. “No buts, you are going to school.” Aunt Beckie said with the firmest tone she could bare. Aunt Beckie is too sweet of a person to yell or shout. She probably won’t have the nerve to ground me. I sighed frustratingly.

We pulled up to the house then. It was a long road of nothing but a little gas station that was mostly used for the bathroom and the gas to get here. I got out of the passenger side, closing the door a little harder then I wanted to. “Hey, don’t hate the car.” Aunt Beckie said, laughing. I smiled a little smile that was hidden by my long black hair. Aunt Beckie says I should have stayed my natural blonde color, but I had emotional issues and changed my hair to match them. I open the trunk of the car, the hinges squeaking in protest. I grabbed my navy blue backpack and my one suitcase and walked to the front door. Aunt Beckie already opened it to I walked through the door way and placed my stuff in the entry hallway in the corner. I went back and got the shopping bags from the trunk. We ordered the room décor so it won’t be here for another few days; since the furniture won’t fit in the small pinto. Most of the clothes I got were long sleeve T-shirts and dark wash jeans. I also got more pairs of shoes since my worn out blue converse with huge holes in them won’t last another day here in New York. I got a couple hoodies and a thick fur lined jacket along with black calf high boots and some blue, white, and black vans. When I finally got all the stuff in the house I got a good look at the place. It doesn’t look like a house that would be in the city; more like the forest. Aunt Beckie told me she was into wolves, but not this much. There was a wolf in every nook and cranny. Wolf figurines lined the fireplace top, pictures of wolves were scattered along the walls. Her pillows on the long couch even had wolves of different colors on them. I sat down on the black suede recliner. It was a long drive from Miami all the way to New York. I’m surprised her old pinto made it that far. I wish I had a car of my own. The orphanage did teach the teenagers how to drive. They said I was a natural, but Aunt Beckie may be a sweet person but she has serious paranoia. When I asked if I could drive she had nearly fallen over. “Adri, your room is upstairs if you want to check it out.” Huh? “There’s an upstairs?” I asked, raising my eyebrow. “Well, I call it upstairs but it’s the attic really…” Aunt Beckie said from around the corner. No way… “So what you’re saying is that I get the whole attic to myself?” I asked, leaning up in the recliner. “Pretty much, since this cottage only has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, and I use one of the bedrooms as an office and the other for storage. I didn’t want to go up there in the attic because I hate spiders.” She said, coming around the corner with two cups of tea. I shrugged. “Thanks.” I said, taking the cup of tea. “I was gonna make coffee, but I heard that you never drank coffee at the orphanage so I made tea.” She said, sitting down on the chair across from me. I brushed my finger along the rim of the cup, “Yeah coffee doesn’t help my powers very well. They go hay wire with caffeine. They only thing I can drink with caffeine are diet sodas.” I said, smiling. Aunt Beckie laughed. I sipped the tea, “Peach?” Aunt Beckie nodded, sipping from her cup as well. I nodded. Peach was one of my favorite fruits. The living was very cozy and warm. At least I’ll get some kind of warmth during the winter. The winters in Miami were never below 70°. According to Aunt Beckie’s wolf head thermometer, it was 54° degrees outside. I felt like a freakin’ ice cube out there, but now I’m a melting popsicle. Even though I was toasty warm, I kept my black band hoodie on, because I knew if I took off I’d become an ice cube again. “Adrienne you can take your jacket it off.” Aunt Beckie said, taking both of the empty cups to the kitchen. “No I’m fine.” I said, wrapping my arms around myself. “Ah, I get it. You’re not used to the weather yet. Don’t worry honey, you’ll get used to it sooner or later.” She called from the kitchen. I heard the clinking of the cups in the porcelain sink. “uh, I’m going to go check out the attic.” I called. “Ok, it’s down the right hall all the way at the end.” I walked down the hard wood floored hallway, my shoes echoing against the floor softly. The door was on the ceiling like you see in most old houses. The orphanage I stayed at for most of my life also had one of these. I never understood why the orphanage never let anyone adopt me. They always told me a family member would come soon. More like sooner or later. I pulled the small rope and the creaky hinges of the door groaned. Dust came down from the opening. I felt like sneezing, but then it went away. Then I had to pull the other string to bring the steps down. Usually you only had to pull one, but Aunt Beckie probably thought it was dangerous. I climbed up the steel steps and up into the attic. Surprisingly there were no spider webs, just lots and lots of dust. I stepped up from the steps and onto the attic floor. It didn’t creak but every step I took echoed twice as loud as I wanted it to. That will get better once I get furniture in here. I went over to the floor to ceiling window. It was arched, like ones you would find in an old mansion. I then realized that I didn’t see this window in the front, so I must be in the back. I looked out the window. As far as my eye could see, I could only see tall green grass with an occasional flower here and there. I was quite pretty once I thought about it for a while. It wasn’t miles of palm trees and sand like I am used to, but it was still pretty. It was real stuffy in here. Aunt Beckie is going to have to call a guy to put a ventilation system up here. The room was quite big, maybe the size of the huge living room down stairs. The walls are too plain for me, so I’m going to have to buy some paint. Besides that the floors were hard wood surprisingly, and the ceiling was high. There is also a closet but its night time and I was honestly too scared to open it. I walked back down the steel steps and Aunt Beckie was down their waiting for me. “It’s big. I said, “but it’s gonna need a ventilation system.” Beckie nodded in agreement. “I’ll have someone here tomorrow.” Thankfully my long lost parent left lots and lots of money. They somehow knew I was gonna be a model, and had lots of money in store to pay for the photographer and everything else. There is still millions of dollars left in my account. I’m going to have to go modeling agency hunting here, but it’s New York, there must be thousands of them here, right? “And after that I need to get my own car, and then drive around New York looking for a modeling job.” I said. “It’s a date.” Aunt Beckie said. We both laughed. ‘Well I’m sorry hon, but you’re going to have to sleep on the little futon I have in the office, or you can sleep out on the couch in the living room.” Beckie said. The couch is bigger. “I  think I’ll crash on the couch tonight.” I said, moving my hair out of my face. “But first I’m gonna take a shower.” I said. “It’s right down the hall on the right.” Beckie said.

After my shower, putting on my dark blue pajamas and saying goodnight to aunt Beckie, I curled up under the thick cotton blanket that was provided for me and listened to my I-pod. Music always helps me fall asleep. I lay there, my eyes still open. Hopefully New York will better for me. Miami was my home, but no one was there for me except the orphanage, but that didn’t count to be because it was their job and they got paid for it. Aunt Beckie is a family member that wants to care for me. Finally my eyes started to get heavy and I fell asleep. Having the same dream I do every night.

      It was raining, not very common in Miami. Thunder was hurtling through the sky making it hard for me to sleep. The lighting came down, brightening up the dark sky. You couldn’t see not one star, for there were too many clouds. I was sitting up in my bed, my chin on my knees. I was eight years old; the night my parents left without a sight. They said they were just going to run an errand and be right back. My baby sitter, Avery, who was only 18 years old, was in the guest room next door. She needed a full time job since her parents are never home just like mine. We had a lot in common, minus the age difference. A bolt of lightning flashed, brightening up my small light blue walled room. My parents were too busy talking downstairs, they probably didn’t even know if I was awake or asleep. They were talking about me, and I knew because I heard my name in every sentence. I heard footsteps coming up the stairway. I knew it was my parents, I knew Avery wasn’t up at this hour. I didn’t bother covering my little body in the covers and at least pretending to sleep. I heard my door creak open, I brought my attention to my tye-dye bed spread. “Adri, honey why are you awake?” my mom said in a soft tone. Did she seriously just ask that question? “The thunder is too loud, and the lightening is too bright. And you and daddy were yelling downstairs.” My mom sighed, “We weren’t yelling honey, we were discussing something.” She said, coming over to my bed and sitting down next to me. My Dad walked into the room but lingered over by the wall. “Then what you and daddy were talking about was something about me, because I heard my name.” I said, not looking up from my bed spread. My mom put a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Yes, it was about you honey. Your Dad and I were afraid that you might be scared if we left for a little while. But Avery is here, so we realized you’ll be alright.” My mother smiled gently, it not reaching her eyes. “It’s only for a little while though, isn’t it.” My mother looked at my dad worriedly. “Of course honey, we couldn’t bear to leave for more than 24 hours, you too darn cute.” My mother said, pinching my nose gently. I laughed softly. “We won’t be gone long honey. Get some sleep.” “Ok” I said. My mom kissed my cheek and hugged me as if it was the last thing she was going to do. My dad finally came over and kissed my forehead. “You take care now.” He said, tapping my nose with his finger. I smiled. They walked out the door, closing it gently. That was the last time I saw my parents.

          Chapter 2: I’ve Got Mail

I woke up in the dark, honestly not knowing where I was. I looked around, and then remembered that I was in New York living with my Aunt Beckie. I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked at my watch I left on the coffee table near the couch. It was 5:00 in the morning. You have got to be kidding me. I sighed, leaning back on the couch and rubbing my eyes to get rid of the sleep. I hated waking up early; I’m such an early bird. Well I didn’t want to wake up aunt Beckie, so I just pulled out one of my favorite books; “The Silver Kiss”. I’ve read so many times I could recite quotes from it without even looking in the book. I was one of the girls that went outdoors (I mean who wouldn’t in Miami) but sat in a fold out chair on the beach, reading a book or magazine. I’m not saying I’m lazy. What model is? I run every morning don’t eat a lot of fat, even though I absolutely love candy and Dr. Pepper. Then sooner or later once I get settled in more, I’ll get a treadmill and an exercise ball to work out at night. We models got to keep our figure. I am the normal size for an 18 year old model; 6’ 2” and ½ inches and about 120 pounds. Most of the photographers say I have a beautiful face and they always take pictures of that. So much I thought I should just keep the face and loose the body. But they said no and started talking full body pictures. I then just realized that New York was bigger than I thought, it will take weeks to search for a modeling job. Just then I heard thunk near the front door. I nearly fell off the couch I jumped to hard. I breathed a sigh of relief when I just saw that it was a pile of mail near the door. The mail comes this early? I was curious so I got up from under the covers and immediately shivered. I slipped on my hoodie and put on some socks. Then I went to the pile of mail. ‘Car insurance, phone bill due, mortgage, to Adrienne Holmes’. Huh? I put the rest of the mail on the coffee table and I huddled back up under the covers. It was a big yellow envelope. Why would this come here? I just got here not earlier than 24 hours ago… It did have my name on it, and I didn’t know the specific address but it said New York on it.  I ripped the tape off the opening and un-fastened the prongs. I looked inside and there were lots of papers. I pulled one out at it looked like a job application. A job application for Hampton Models right here in New York. There was another one for ‘IMG Models’ also right here in New York. I didn’t apply for any of these; I didn’t even know these were here. So how did they get here, better yet…who sent them in the first place?  After looking at all the applications questionably, there was one last piece of paper in the envelope. It was lined paper. It was a letter. I recognized my mothers’ handwriting….



Dear Adrienne,

We know you moved in with your aunt Beckie, we thank her from the bottom of our hearts for taking care of you. We want to be there so much, but it’s hard to explain. We know you might be furious with us for leaving you. But we honestly had no choice. We can’t explain it to you, but how we wish we could. We honestly want to see you all grown up, going to high school, senior year. We know you know that we left plenty of money for you to follow your dreams (and how we wish we could see you fulfill those dreams), but we knew you would need help in New York, for you have lived in Miami most of your life so far. But New York will grow on you; it is so beautiful. And the perfect place for a model. New York is model central. We found you these applications on our minimal spare time; just for you. This may sound confusing to you, but once you finish reading this letter, you must dispose of it somehow; I recommend burning it. The man that is coming to the house is a bad man, and will try to find this letter and realize that you are you. It’s very hard to explain; but you must trust us. We know you barley know us, for we have been gone most of your life, but you must believe us. The reason we left you so suddenly is because of your abilities. The people we work for found horrible people that are looking for us. We ran off but left you behind so they wouldn’t find all of us. The man that is coming to the house is one of those people. We don’t know how they found you, but you must also change your identity somehow. They only know you with black hair (they haven’t been following all your life), so I recommend dying your hair back to your natural color. They never knew you were blonde. Now you must burn this letter, and dye your hair, for your safety. Please, don’t waste your time worrying about us. We are fine. We love you so much, and miss you more than anything. We always hope to see you some day.

P.S Feel free to tell your Aunt Beckie about this letter. She’ll understand. But she is not allowed to tell you, for your own safety.

                                                                                                                                                  Love,

                                                                                                                                                  Your Mother and Father



They seriously contact me now. Yes they are right, I am furious about them leaving me. But at least they did for good reason. It was 6:30 now. Aunt Beckie said yesterday the man was supposed to come here around 7:00; and knowing that he was a bad guy, he would be time. I threw the covers away from me and walked down the hall to aunt Beckie’s room. I knocked on the door gently. It took a minute but she finally answered. “Adri, what are you doing up so early? Usually teenagers wake up at the crack of noon.” Aunt Beckie joked. I smiled, knowing she was right. “Sorry for waking you, but you have to read this.” I said, holding the letter out in front of me. She looked at the paper questionably. “What is it?” she asked. I took a deep breath, “A letter from my parents.” I said as serious as I could without having a look of shock on my face unlike the look that is now on my aunt’s face. “Are you serious?” she said, putting a hand to her chest in shock. “See for yourself.” I said, still holding the paper out in front of me. She slowly but surely took the paper and read it. “What time is it?” I looked at my watch, “About 6:40” I said. She gasped. “We have to get you dressed and your hair dyed, crap!” She pushed me into the bathroom. She started digging in the little wall closet, all the way in the back. “I always had some dye just in case.” She explained, pulling out the bottle. Sheesh, they were actually serious about dying my hair. “Uh….” Was all I could manage. “Oh don’t worry, this will be a snap.” She said. “I’m not worried about the time, I’m worried about my hair.” I said, leaning away from the hair dye comb. “Oh come on, you look pretty blonde. Everyone always looks better with their natural hair color most of the time anyways.” She said smiling. I was still a little worried when she started combing the hair dye through my hair.

Thankfully it was 10 minute hair color. My hair was also easy to blow dry so I was barely ready when the doorbell rang. I had a little piercing in my nose, so took it out just to be safe. I heard the door open. My heart nearly stopped beating; but that won’t make this situation any better. I kept my hair down, just in case. I heard aunt Beckie talking to the man in the leaving room; offering him a drink. He said no in a very harsh deep voice. The voice nearly made me cringe in fear. After a few minutes the man finally remembered what he was “supposed” to do and mentioned the ventilation system. “The attic? That’s a weird place to need a ventilation system isn’t it?” he said, the voice so loud and deep it reached clearly all the way to my room. Aunt Beckie answered in a clean, calm tone. “I have my house sitter moving in. She had family issues and needed a place to stay, and it gets kinda lonely here.” She said, “She is right down the hall. Cary, why don’t come and greet our guest?!” She called from the living room entryway.