" Are you going to play Russian roulette with us or not? "

I roll my eyes at the two girls sitting on the bedroom floor giggling like children. I cock one eyebrow up as if asking if she was serious. Kyla rolled her eyes back in response and lifted the plastic gun towards Cathy's chest. She pulled the trigger and nothing came out. I went back to focusing on the book in my hands instead of the two sitting on the floor.

They have been playing this game for the past twenty minutes, and much to my opposition towards the game they continued to play. I jumped a little when I heard Kyla let out a loud laugh. I looked over to see the marshmallow dart held tightly in her hand. Sighing I shoved my bookmark into my book and stood up from my comfortable position. "Hey, what time is it?" I asked while stretching.

Kyla took out her phone. "Almost ten. Why? Are you leaving?" She asked a little disappointed already knowing the answer.

"Yeah, I would stay but my backpack is at home. Cathy are you sure you're good for the trip?" She nodded her head and stood up.

"I promise! God I have told you like ten times!" She laughed and gave me one of her innocent smiles. I grabbed her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. "What do you think I'm going to do? Drugs? Get pregnant? Yep cause that's at the top of my list." I flicked the top of her head at her sarcastic remark.

"I hope you know you're not funny." I said seriously. "I gotta go but I'll see you when you get back, and I'll see you tomorrow Kyla."

"Do you think you could pick me up?" Kyla gave me a guilty smile and held my shoulder tightly in her hand begging for me to say yes. I nodded my head. "Thanks, I really didn't want to ride the fucking bus again."

"Dude come on it's not that bad." I smirked at her knowing that it was in fact awful. Riding the bus full of immature twelve year olds, tends to get on your nerves.

"Don't give me that look." Kyla said giving me a death glare.

I let out a snort and shook my head. I started to make my way down the stairs passing by Kyla's Dad, Steve, giving him a short wave. Once I got to the door I zipped up my jacket and opened the door. "I mean it Catherine! Be good!" I shouted before closing the door and walking towards my car.

Kyla's house was not too far from mine which made the many trips over to her house bearable. Cathy was my younger sister, so almost everyday I would come and visit her. Except on most weekends where Cathy would come and stay with me. Cathy and I have always been inseparable, and I know being away from me is killing her as much as it was me. But, I can't complain too much. Kyla's family has been the kindest and most loving family I have ever met. Three years ago we were in a terrible car accident. Cathy was only ten and doesn't remember a lot of what happened. It was late at night, we were coming back from my piano recital. My mom and dad sat in the front with Cathy and I in the back. I can still recall everything as if it happened yesterday.

Cathy fell asleep, and I was concentrated on reading a book. It started to rain hard and fog filled the road. When our car hit the other car I was too much in shock to realize what had happened. The car that hit us hadn't stopped at the stop sign. Both my parents instantly passed away and Cathy went into a coma. I had broken multiple bones in my body along with a severe head trauma. It was a while before I recovered fully. They said afterwards at the hospital that it was thirty minutes before the ambulance had gotten there but to me it was only a couple seconds.

The worst for me though was having to explain everything to Cathy when she woke up. She had no idea what had happened, and thought our parents were still alive. Her face when I told her still haunts me, she thought it was a cruel joke. I wish it was.

Once Cathy was healed we were put into a foster home. At first it was awful, I wanted to go home, and Cathy got into fights with all the other kids. However, after a couple of months it wasn't so bad and we got use to it. The foster home was two hours from our home town. It was strange, and hard to except. It was like randomly one day everything is taken away from you and you have to leave everyone behind without saying a proper goodbye. I didn't want Cathy to feel any of this so I pretended to be alright. She had nothing to look up to but me and I needed her to think everything was alright.

My sophomore year I was adopted. I always thought no matter what Cathy and I would stay together, if someone took her they would take me, if someone took me they would take her. I guess that kind of thing just doesn't happen no matter how hard you try. Once I got my license I would drive a hour everyday to go see her. My foster parents didn't like this at all but I couldn't abandon Cathy like that. My grades started to slip and I couldn't focus on anything but going to see her as soon as school got out.

I guess my foster parents had finally gotten tired of me, because without a warning they sent me back to the foster home. This was the first time a family had decided they just couldn't handle me. To say I was upset was a understatement. It broke my heart even if the only thing they truly wanted was the governments money. In truth I was not a bad kid, in fact I was quite. It was hard to get close with a family that wasn't mine, but it was still the closest thing to a home I could get. It was just a couple, and they worked a lot. But it was still nice to at least say I had some what of a home. Perhaps it was the shyness and leaving everyday that pushed them.

I went through two more families since then, not all bad. But I would push them away to the point they couldn't take it. Each time I came back I would see Cathy and it made everything better again. The start of my junior year Cathy was adopted, it was the happiest I had seen her in years. They had a daughter my age, and a big house. Cathy wouldn't stop talking about having her own room.

Once Cathy was adopted I had enough and decided I would get emancipated. I had enough money to rent a apartment close to her, and even enrolled into the same school. Jan and Steve were, and still is, the best place possible for Cathy. I didn't have enough money to support Cathy, but they took her in and gave her the best life possible. Once they realized who I was they insisted they payed for my car bills. At first I refused, but they wouldn't take no for a answer.

I saved enough money and moved from my apartment into a small, one story house that I rented. It was nice enough, and I turned the spare bedroom into Cathy's for whenever she wanted to stay over. Mr. and Mrs. Davenports family soon become our family. They even gave me a room incase I stayed the night. Their daughter, Kyla, soon became my best friend. She took Cathy and I in without a second thought.

I pulled into my driveway, and got out. I locked the car before walking inside. I took a deep breath in and exhaled. I can't help but admit I am nervous. Cathy is going on a trip with her class and I'm not sure what to do with my free time. In someway I had become like a mother, and at eighteen I don't think I'm suppose to feel like this. I chuckled to myself and threw my keys onto the kitchen island. In a couple days it will be fall break and Kyla has come up with some plan to take a trip somewhere. She had told me everything but I hadn't been fully listening.

I walked into my room carelessly taking off my clothes and throwing them to the floor. There is something satisfying about being completely alone. I don't have to worry about anyone walking in or even worrying about a mess. I walked into my bathroom and turned the faucet on. I pulled out a clean towel and set it on the counter. When the water had filled the tub I sunk into the warm water almost instantly forgetting about everything.

I closed my eyes and started to hum a song, I wasn't sure what one but just sang without a care in the world. I felt pure bliss, I even pretended to dream I was a rich model sitting in my hot tub at my glorious house in Paris, or London, or even Alaska. I submerged myself completely into the water and came back up to the surface. I stepped out and wrapped myself with my towel.

I walked back into my room and started to search for a pair of pajamas. Once I found a pair I turned around and threw them on my bed. As I threw them I froze in my spot. My heart jumped into my throat, and for the first time living alone I felt incredibly self conscious. Laying on my bed were a bouquet of yellow tulips. I pulled my pajamas off the bouquet and set them aside. I held on tightly to my towel, I took a step closer. I looked around as if someone was standing right beside me, but no one seemed to be here. A million questions went through my head and I wasn't sure if I should be scared or buoyant.

A note sat right beside the beautiful flowers. I wondered where this person had gotten the flowers as it was the middle of fall, but that didn't seem too important at the moment. I picked up the flowers confused and then picked up the note. I know the flowers couldn't have been from Cathy or Kyla, or even Kyla's parents. I hoped it was from Kyla but that would be impossible, her car is at the shop.

I opened the note and was deeply confused.

Goodnight my angel.

                P.s. I know tulips are your favorite. So here are some tulips for my tulip.

I was almost shaking with fear. Someone was in my house. Someone was here when I was in the bathroom. Someone had known enough about me to know what my favorite flower was. I tried to think of any possible person that might have done this. I didn't know anyone that talked to me like this, I had never been one to be in relationships. If anything I would avoid them. I dropped the flowers and note back onto the bed. I took large steps back. I wanted to cry, or even drive back to Kyla's house.

I decided I needed to calm down and get dressed. The whole time though I couldn't help but think of the note. Once I was done, I locked all the doors in the house along with the windows. It was strange doing it, I had never felt the need to do so before. I live in a nice neighborhood with nice neighbors. Most of them were retired and went to Florida when the weather started to get bad.

I put the flowers in a vase in the kitchen and put the note under my bed. I couldn't get any sleep. I just stared at the ceiling, not even really thinking of anything. I was just in shock. Maybe I was just thinking too much into this. It was probably just some joke one of my friends at school played.

I mean it had to be, right?

•••

Sorry for the short chapter! I just think shorter chapters are easier to read and quicker to write (well duh lol) anyway thank you for reading!!! Sorry it was kinda boring too, I promise it will get better!!

Also! Did anyone catch my Office reference? I really hope so.

Jean