Chapter One School would be starting in a few days. I couldn't bear the thought of it. My senior year. My senior year without my second identity; without my soulmate and only brother Steven. As I stood on the tiny street sidewalk I was brought back to reality as a breeze stirred up a whirlwind of dust and trees. As even if Mother Nature had forgotten about my existence. "Guess what Mother Nature I am here" I say to no one but the wind "and this year I will not leave this town until finding the truth. ". The truth about my brothers death has consumed me lately. I have grown my hair long and whipped my body into the young woman figure that not many would notice me. I have became a different person on the outside but on the inside I'm still raging with bitterness. I will become apart of the in crowd this year and I will learn the secrets. I opened the door and as I quietly walked to my room I could hear my mothers soft heart wrenching sobs coming from behind my parents bedroom door. She does that a lot anymore. I try not disturb her. I don't want to see her fake smile and answer the small talk questions on how my day was or what I had done. I knew she didn't really care. She hasn't cared about anything since Steven has been gone. I turned on my radio to drown out the depressing sounds and took my journal from its place in the closet. I don't know why I bothered hiding it; no one ever entered my room. My thoughts filled the pages and I knew a new chapter was beginning. I was going to plan everything right down to the very last detail. My iPhone buzzed and I picked up the phone and read the group text. A party tomorrow night on Hayden's hill. I would be there and I would be the girl to kill for. I turned out my light and laid down on the bed listening to my music. When I woke the next morning the sun was shining bright. It was going to be a perfect night for a party. I couldn't help but fill anxious as I rummaged through my closet for something to wear. Mimi was going to be here in an hour and I hadn't even washed my hair. She has been my best friend since junior high. She never left my side the days after Stevens death. I have never met a more caring or funny girl. She's the kind of girl who is popular only by association. She's pretty but doesn't stand out. She has been dating the same guy for as long as I can remember. Shawn. He's athletic with a cocky attitude and the only good thing about him is that he runs in the same circles that Steven did. I guess they were close. As close as two guys can be. The occasional hang out and high five in the hall. Yes, my brother gave those ridiculous high five slaps to all his pals and I had seen him give Shawn several throughout the years. Mimi doesn't know about the plan. I know I will have to tell her sooner rather than later but I don't know if she could keep it from Shawn. The last thing I need is for some one to find out my agenda. She went to the police station with me on several occasions. That was useless from the beginning. They ruled my brothers death a suicide and weren't about to change their minds just because his baby sister made accusations of something stellar happening. I haven't been in a while. The detective told me nothing but to find peace and get on with my #life. When I see her again it will only be to prove a murder. Anyway that's the only reason I want to see her again. I am standing in the field by a tree holding my drink and pretending to sip while everyone around stumble upon each other. "Great freaking way to start the school year" I thought. I just was having a hard time enjoying. Mimi and her guy disappeared long ago stopping by me just long enough to tell me I should try to find another way home. They had decided on quality time together. I'd thank her for that later. I see Mikel starring at me and when he notices that I see him he begins my way. He's my brothers good friend or was !! "Wow Brook I didn't notice you at first. You look great, I mean you've changed since the last time ..." Mikel trails off. The last time I saw him was after the funeral when everyone gathered at the house to pay their respects. "Sorry" he stutters. " it's strange ya know seeing you here but not Steven. Plus I don't ever remember this being your kind of scene" I looked at him an smiled. " it's not really but since I don't have Steven to hand out all the juicy gossip I just figured I come find it on my own." "Well, I m glad you came. It's really been different without Steven and I would love for us to hang sometime. I know it will be hard with school..., I cut him off right there and smiled slightly. "I'd love that. "Actually I'm not that much into walking and I was hoping you might be able to drive me home" "Sure" Mikel said " just let me grab my keys". I watched him walk away and knew then that it was Going to to be a lot easier finding the truth with him as a friend. The hard part will be not to get caught up in his eyes. He sure does have a killer smile too. CHAPTER 2 The first few weeks of school were non eventful. I only wished they would of given me a different locker than the one my brother had last year. Mimi had been caught up with her guy and I have gotten pretty used to not seeing her. But I still haven't been able to hide the fact that everyday when Mikel comes by my locker to make sure I don't need anything that I get so nervous I almost forget to breath. We plan on meeting tonight just to hang out and I think it will be a great time to ask him what he knows about my brothers death.