Chapter 2 The Boy

I see my little sisters, Charlotte and Olivia. Charlie is sweet. She's waving at me with rosy cheeks. But Mom and Dad treat Liv like a princess, and as a result, she's a spoiled brat. She just looks at me with a bored face and folds her arms across her chest like she'd rather be anywhere but here. But I love her anyway. I'm sure when she grows up a bit more she will change.

Just then a man walks up to us with a boy a few years older than I am. The man looks about as old as my Daddy. Only he's got tattoos on his neck, crawling out of his expensive looking suit. He also has a shiny earring in his left ear.

The boy is also dressed in an expensive suit. He has black hair, swept to the side and bright blue eyes. He also looks like he is bored right now. Well, I guess you can't please everybody. Why would they bring a boy here? I don't understand any of this.

"Josie, I want you to meet Dean Kingston and his son Richard. Dean used to play for a rock band. His son is 14 years old. Dean and Rose are old friends of ours," Dad explains with a big grin on his face.

Dean looks me up and down, and there is something in his gaze that turns me off. But I reach my hand out anyway to shake his. I could not be rude to one of Daddy's old friends. Besides, maybe I'm just imagining things.

"It's nice to meet you Josie. Your parents have told me many things about you," he says with a smirk. "I watched you dance, darling. You are quite the little dancer."

"It's nice to meet you too. And, uh, thank you?" I try to make the best smile I can. If he is friends with Mommy and Daddy, I don't want to be rude, even if there seems to be something off about the man. His dark penetrating blue eyes look like they can see right though my costume, and it's making me uncomfortable.

Just then, someone catches my Dad's eye and he brings Dean and Mom over to another couple. Charlie and Liv follow behind, leaving me alone with an intimidatingly handsome boy.

A boy, by the way, who is sneering at me. He looks at me up and down just like his father had. "You are not good enough to be friends with me," he smirks. There is that same coldness in his sparkling eyes.

"Oh," I mumble. What else do I say to such a statement? He doesn't want to be friends with me? Was he supposed to come here and make friends with me? Did I not make a good impression on him? I'm so confused, and hurt.

I don't know why that would hurt. I've never met the boy, and there is something definitely off about him. He doesn't know me at all... So why should I care if he thinks I'm not good enough to be his friend?

I blink back my tears and turn on my heels and prance back behind the curtain because I don't want to be around the boy. If he doesn't like me, that's fine! I don't want to be around him anyway!

I don't even know what he was doing here in the first place! It's not like I needed him here to watch me dance. Mommy and Daddy didn't say anything about making friends with the boy, so I just won't!

I grab my bag and try really hard not to cry. I can cry when I get home into my room when no one is looking! I hold my head up high as I make my way back to my parents, not even sparing the rude boy a glance. Hopefully I will never have to look into his face again in my life!

But then I hear a giggle, and I can't help but peek. He's flirting with Liv! She's only 5 years old! Why would he do that? Does he like little brats like my sister? The thought makes me sick. He is almost 10 years older than her!

He leans down, while looking right at me and whispers in Olivia's ear. "You will make a much better dancer than your sister. I can tell," he sends me a wink. "You will be my dancer when you are older, won't you, little Liv?"

Something dark twists in my chest at his words. Why would I be jealous of my little sister? She's lazy! She would never make a good dancer! Olivia tried to dance once and gave up that same day!

But she looks up at his face with a beautiful smile. "Of course I'll be your dancer, Ricky," she giggles up at him.

And the worst thing is, I know he is doing this to hurt me on purpose... I just don't know why. I can see the sneer on his face as he watches me blink away the tears gathering in my lashes. Why does he enjoy hurting me like this? I really don't understand!

I turn away from him immediately, not giving him the satisfaction of watching me cry.

Just then Mommy turns up with a box with a ribbon on it, and Daddy has a bouquet. They both beam down at me with pride. At least they still want me.

"This is for you, dear. We want you to remember how much we love you and how proud we are of you, Josie," Mommy whispers, placing a kiss on my cheek and the box in my hand.

I swallow, and this time I let the tears fall, because they are happy. Mommy and Daddy got me a special gift. I wonder what it is?

I slowly unwrap the ribbon and open the box. I gasp as inside is a beautiful golden heart necklace. In the center is a diamond that sparkles, even in the low light.

"You are our shining star, little Josie. You will grow and shine brighter than any diamond," Daddy insists as he takes the necklace from the box and places it around my neck.

I giggle as I look down at the beautiful pendant and look up at my parents. "I love you so much! Thank you for this beautiful gift!" I squeal and hug my parents.

And yet, over their shoulders, I still see the boy with a smirk on his lips. There is something cruel in his eyes. There is a promise in his eyes, I just don't know what it is. And I really don't want to stick around to find out.

I don't understand what his problem is with me, but I want nothing to do with him. If he wants Liv, he can have the brat!

I close my eyes and lean into my parents embrace, focusing on the love I have for them. This is my safe place. Nothing can touch us when we are together.

At least that's what I thought.