Converted

Chapter One - Nate

I tugged the brush through my long dark hair getting any snags out before scraping it back into a neat pony tail. I looked at my reflection, my smooth slightly tanned skin. I love the summer even in these circumstances, the way it made my skin look unblemished and golden. I hated the fact that even when the world was in this state there was still the pressure to look perfect. My dark eyes were framed by thick, dark mascara enhanced lashes. My aunt always told me I didn’t need the mascara but it made me feel secure. Secondary school can do that to you, make you cling to something like make up so that you could feel confident or at ease. I sighed. I hated myself that I still needed makeup to hide behind but I couldn’t bring myself not to keep the safety blanket it was to me.

I shook my head clearing the brooding thoughts from my mind tugging on my orderly ponytail. My hands next skimmed over the soft fabric of my vest top smoothing out the creases. Yanking my top soundly over the waist band of my denim shorts. I hate wearing shorts but it was too warm for normal jeans so I settle for my DIY shorts which reached a couple of inches above the knee. Auntie Kate helped me make them cutting off the lower leg of a pair of old jeans. She laughed complaining about how it would be easier to buy a pair of shorts. I wasn’t going to wear any of the ridiculously tiny shorts that were the fashion plus I thought of this as recycling. 

Laughing at the memory tugging on my top again as I slipped out of my room shutting my door. The last thing I need was my little cousin’s sticky little fingers getting everywhere. I was grateful that my aunt had allowed me to put a lock on my door. In fact all the rooms in the house had newly fitted locks, a safety necessity. I locked the door swiftly and quietly something I was happy to admit I’d practiced. “Nettie!” I heard a little voice crow ecstatically. I suppressed a groan there went any hope of getting out of the house quietly. I turned plastering a smile on my face as the bundle of wriggling energy jumped at me. I caught her, just about, as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.

“Hey!” I choked out as her arms tightened. “Mellie I would like to be able to breathe.” She giggled squeezing once more but left her small arms around me.

“Where were you going Nettie?” She said. Damn that girl was too bright for her own good. 

“I was just going to get supplies sweetie.” She opened her mouth. “But no you can’t come.” Her mouth shut and she went into sulk mode. I groaned mentally. She wasn’t a difficult child if you knew how to handle her and had enough patience. Patience by the bucket load. “I need you to keep an eye on everyone here for me. Can you do that?” She grinned glad she had an important role. I smiled. I knew how to mollify her when she started to go into her tantrums.

 I let her slid the floor and watched her bounce down the corridor. I smiled shaking my head if anyone had attempted a lie-in they were definitely awake now. I moved quickly down the corridor. The house was huge, old and really beautiful. The beauty of it was often forgotten. So sad that in time like these things like this could be forgotten. I straightened my clothes hastily heading for the stairs. I did not want the boys tagging along. They seemed to think I couldn’t look after myself. They had short memories. I was the one who saved their sorry butts in the first place but now all of a sudden they need to protect me. It wasn’t so bad although more often than not when they tagged along there was trouble. What is with males and trouble? I wasn’t bothered when I was on my own. I took the stairs quickly two at a time grateful for the soft lush carpet that muffled my thunderous steps.

 I continued in my speedy descent until I nearly crashed into Auntie Kate.

“Whoa!” she said from behind the teetering pile of washing. “What’s the rush?”

“I’m just going to get stocked up.” I said.

Her pretty face frowned. “I know you don’t like it but I wish you’d let the boys or at least one of them go with you. I don’t like you being out there on your own.”