Her Saving Grace

Chapter 1

Today was the day. The day where I start school at Brewster Academy. Of course my parents weren't here to wish me a good day. My name is Lydia Brooks. My father -William Brooks- is the CEO of Brooks Industries while my mother has her own fashion line called "Lillian B.". My parents are never around anymore because of the accident my brother was in. I had an older brother named Oliver. He was always protective of me and made sure no one hurt me. He was the best brother anyone could ask for. My parents wanted us to take after them. My brother was to be the next CEO of Brooks Industries while I was to be a designer for my mother's fashion line. Oliver knew I didn't want to be a designer and convinced mother to hold off on the training but that didn't stop for long because of the accident.

The accident. Where do I even begin? Everytime I think about the accident I feel like crying but you need to know what happened. 3 months ago my brother died. He was driving me back home from a party because something had happened there. When we were a street or two from our house, a drunk truck driver drove right into us. I saw the truck coming but I didn't react fast enough and I blacked out. I woke up in an ambulance and freaked out because I didn't know where my brother was. When the ambulance reached the hospital, I ran out of it and into the hospital to see my brother surrounded by doctors while unconscious and bleeding alot. After 10 minutes of being at the hospital, he died. There was too much bleeding in the brain for them to save him and he just died. I was just left with a few cuts and bruises, nothing too major. 

Ever since that happened I've just felt broken. My parents blamed me for going to the party and not being the one to die. I was the reason why their favorite child died. People took pity on me and a lot of attention was placed on my family. My parents thought it was best to move to California. I only have seen them twice since that day because work is more important and they don't really have a reason to see me since Oliver is gone.

Now here I am pulling into Brewster Academy in my mercedes. I pull up to a spot that's close to the school. The second I walk out of the car, I see everyone staring at me. What? They've never seen a new kid before? I grab my bag and walk through the crowds of people. People were giving me glares. For what reason? I don't know. 

As soon as I made it to the office, I talked to the lady at the desk and got my schedule. My first class was math. I walked through the now empty corridor since the bell already rang and found Mr.Peterson's class. I knocked on the door before I walked in. As I walked in, I could feel everybody's eyes on me. Mr.Peterson turned around and said "You must be the new student, Ms.Brooks?" I nodded "Yes." He looked around and said "There is a seat next to Sebastian." I looked around until I found the seat next to a boy with messy brown hair and mesmerising ocean blue eyes. I walked over their and sat down. Mr.Peterson continued teaching but I didn't pay attention. For the rest of class I just stared at Sebastian. I didn't mean to be creepy but there was something about him that I found intriguing. 

After a couple classes, I found myself in history. I sat down next to a girl with wavy brunette hair. She helped me catch up in class. 

As I was putting my books in my locker, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see the girl from history class. "Hi, I'm Amelia. I was wondering if you wanted to sit with me at lunch..." She smiled at me. Just as I was about to speak, she played with her hair and said " Unless you don't want to, its ok. I just didn't want you to feel alone." I smiled at her. "Of course I will sit with you. You're one of the only people who has been nice and welcoming to me." she laughed. "Okay, great! I'll see you at lunch! Bye..." I realised she didn't know my name. "Lydia. Lydia Brooks." Her face changed into a shocked look but then turned back to happy. "See ya later!" She walked away.

I looked at my schedule and realised I had science right now. I rushed to science and sat in the seat in the back right corner. As I was pulling out my notebook to take notes, I felt like someone was right next to me. I looked up and saw those ocean blue eyes again. He was glaring at me. "You're in my seat. Move." He stated. I snapped out of my trance. Nobody talks to me like that. "No, I was here first." If looks could kill, then I would be six feet underground right now. "I want to sit here." I glared at him. " I'm not moving." He face came close to mine. We were an inch apart. " Listen, and listen good new girl, I will let it go this time but next time I won't be so nice." When he finished, the teacher came in and told him to find a seat. If that's what he calls nice then I wonder what he is like angry. I shuddered at the thought.

The bell rang signaling it was finally lunch. I quickly got into the lunch line. As I made my way out of the lunch line to find Amelia, everyone went silent and looked at me. "There is no reason to stare." I said to everyone. They all went back to talking with their friends. I looked around for Amelia to only find her sitting with Sebastian and his friends. I walked over there and the first person to spot me was Sebastian. Everyone else at the table followed his line of sight. "You're not sitting here new girl." He said. Amelia hit the back of his head. "Of course she is. I invited her to sit with me. I don't like to be the only girl sitting with a group of guys." I smiled at her. "Fine but don't bother me." Sebastian said still glaring at me. Amelia patted the seat next to her for me to sit down on. I walked over next to her. The guys started their own conversation while Amelia and I talked. I learned that she was Sebastian's twin sister and that they have 4 other siblings. 

After a while we joined the boys conversation. "Hey Lydia do you have any siblings?" I think it was jake who asked. Everyone including Sebastian, stared at me. I hate when people ask me this. " Yes. I have a brother" Jaked nodded. "How old is he?" I just want to change the subject but I know they will question me again. "He is 19, but..." I got cut off by ethan. "Oh so does he go to school here?" I felt tears prick my eyes. "Uh no.... He's uh...he's...dead." They look at me with the same look everyone else gives me. Pity. "Oh I'm sorry. If I'd known I wouldn't have asked that." Jake said while scratching his neck. "It's fine. I don't need your pity." I turned to Amelia and fake smiled. "I'll see you later. Bye." I grabbed my bag and made eye contact with Sebastian before leaving. 

As I walked outside to get air, I thought about the emotion I saw brewing in Sebastian's eyes. I couldn't describe it. He didn't have that look of pity, instead it was a look of understanding. I don't know but I feel like there is more to him than his cold exterior.

After school I went home and took a shower. Before I went to sleep I grabbed the box that was hidden under my bed. I opened it and grabbed the small picture. It was a picture of Oliver and I eating ice cream a week before the accident. Tears fell down my face as I held the picture to my heart. I missed him so much. I feel fragile but I hide my emotions with this tough exterior. I look at the picture one more time before I feel my eyes close and I drift off into sleep.