DERYCK
Deryck Talon pulled his old, dilapidated mustang into the driveway of his Aunt Linda and Uncle John's house. The home was a Victorian reproduction, complete with 3 stories, and turrets in each corner of the roof, on of which Deryck's room was situated under. The pale yellow siding ran throughout the whole exterior of the house, complemented by the dark shingles of the roof, adding charm and elegance to the home. Stained glass was displayed throughout the house, from the doorway to the front windows. Deryck shook his head slowly as he turned off the engine. He still couldn't believe he'd ended up here.
After all I've done, he thought, I'm still being given, not even a second, but more like fifth chance to start over. Sighing as he pulled his backpack, heavy with half a years worth of work to catch up on,
He muttered to himself, "I guess I better not screw up this time. I guess that means getting started on homework."
Wiggling his house key into the lock, Deryck was greeted by a flying flash of brown fur. Knocking him backwards, down onto the snow covered ground, Poe, Linda's cocker spaniel sheltie, packed more punch then she let on.
"Just had to come say hi, didn't you girl?" Deryck smiled, as he gathered both, book bag and dog in his arms, entering the warm house and quickly shutting the door, blocking out the cold January air.
"Anyone home?" Deryck called. After a few moments pause, it was evident he was the first to reach the house.
"I supposed Linda forgot to feed you again huh?" Deryck smirked as he looked down at Poe just sitting at his feet, looking at him with pleading eyes.
Deryck's Aunt Linda worked as a freelance writer for local newspapers, and was working on her fourth novel. Now, she was apparently at a crucial point in her book, often forgetting to do everyday things, most of which seemed to be forgetting to feed the rest of the family.
"All right, all right...how could I say no to those eyes." he chastised softly, leading the way towards the spacious and welcoming kitchen.
After relieving Poe's hunger as well as his own, Deryck trew his backpack over his shoulder and made the trek up the wide oak stairs to his bedroom. Derycks bedroom was one of his saving graces. Not necessarily the larges room, what it lacked for in size it made up for in comfort and height. Situated under the largest turret, a spiral set of stairs was situated in the middle of the sphere shaped room. The stairs led up to a second level to Derycks room, so to speak, this platform was placed right under the windows of the turret, giving him a breathtaking view of the surrounding neighborhood. His aunt had decorated his room in cool shades of blue, varying from the lightest sky color, to the darkest sapphire hue. A double bed took up most of his room on the first level, along with a bookcase and desk with computer. The room was very simplistic in design. The part Deryck most loved about it was the top level, which was basically a matressed floor, covered in pillows and cushions. He thought of this as his nest, and a place for him to be alone. Right at that moment however, Deryck had work to do.
"Might as well begin with the worst", he thought, pulling out his English lit. folder, cliffs notes, and copy of his book.
Fifteen minutes later, he was still struggling with his topic sentence.
"I'm going to need some help," he muttered, as he grabbed his keys, coat and headed back downstairs and out the door.
He knew just the place to clear his head.
RYN
Ryn ducked her head just in time as a snowball flew past her ear.
"Nice one" she called out while throwing her own, perfectly packed snowball at her nemesis.
Seven-year-old MiKayla Henderson popped her head up and flashed a quick, taunting smile before throwing herself out of the way from Ryn's flying snowball. Every weekday, and for a couple of hours on the weekends, Ryn babysat little MiKayla. The Hudsons were close friends with Ryn's family and had been for sometime, although both MiKayla's parents were successful law attorneys, which kept them from home more than everyone would like. Ryn loved the 3 hours she spent with MiKayla though. Being an only child, she felt as though MiKayla was the little sister she never had. The little girls head popped up again, bearing the remnance of Ryns snowball on the top of her head.
"Not fair," MiKayla pouted. "There was no way I was ready for that...don't make me get Liam to beat you up!"
The infamous Liam Taylor, Ryn thought to herself.
"Well this has to be a record Kay...you've only said his name once in the half hour we've spent together. Bravo!"
The child just stuck her tongue out again and ran off towards the cold metal jungle gym. Ryn slowly picked up her hat that had been blown of her head during the skirmish and sat on the park bench, watching MiKayla play. She slowly settled into her thoughts. Liam Taylor was MiKaylas half brother. MiKayla's father, Edward Hudson, had been married once before and had profited from that marriage by a baby son, Liam. Although he was thrilled, Liam's mother Anne had been weakened by the birth and got increasingly sicker. Around the time Liam was 7th months old she passed away. Edward was heartbroken and overwhelmed on how to raise a child by himself. It wasn't until nine years ago that Edward remarried and had MiKayla with his new wife Marjorie. By that time Liam was 18 and went away to study abroad. He was apparently the light of both his fathers, stepmothers, and half sisters life. All Ryn ever heard was Liam this, and Liam that. Especially since she had grown older it felt that Mr. And Mrs. Hudson would bring him up more often, raining down compliments on him and how he was smart, funny, and polite.
