Sibling Secrets

By Jaz Johnson

Caroline and her father Robert are looking to move on from her mother's death five years earlier. Her father has found a girlfriend, while she still suffers from mental breakdowns and episodes where she visually relives witnessing her mother's death. As it turns out, Caroline's father's new girlfriend has a son, Isaac, who takes a liking to her. Too much of a liking. The two realize they have a connection and Caroline is fearful of what will become of the relationship. She tries to resist him, but he convinces her that nothing will happen between their parents, and that it is a fling. So they keep their relationship a secret from their friends and family, waiting for their parents' fling to end. But will it? Will Caroline and Isaac be able to keep their relationship a secret? Will Caroline ever get over her mother's death? Find out about all the drama that unfolds in an unexpected teenage romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 7, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452095974

Jaz Johnson

Jaz Johnson, of Elmsford, New York is majoring in Visual Arts. She has developed a love for writing as well as art at a very young age, and is seeking to pursue them. With romance being her forte, she never grows tired of coming up with a new and interesting love story. She thanks her friends, family and teachers for their support and hopes to keep writing, giving them all a new story to read and tell.

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© 2010 Jaz Johnson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 12/1/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4520-9597-4 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4520-9596-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4520-9595-0 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010916805

Printed in the United States of America

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter One: Surprise

Chapter Two: Transfer

Chapter Three:

What’s yours is mine. What’s mine is mine.

Chapter Four: Too close for comfort

Chapter Five: Grandma

Chapter Six: Attack of the zombies

Chapter Seven: You’ve got to be kidding me.

Chapter Eight: Busted.

Chapter Nine: Christmas is coming

Chapter Ten: Master of the puppets

Chapter Eleven: Arranged marriage war fair

Chapter Twelve: Princess

Chapter Thirteen: Statue of Liberty

Acknowledgements

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I would like to give many thanks to all of my English teachers for helping to develop my writing skills, for without your guidance, I would not be where I am today with my writing. I am grateful to have had you as my teachers. The knowledge you have passed on to me is invaluable.

I would like to thank all of my friends for being there to support me and my story-telling. For all those who started reading my notebook stories, thank you for pushing me to explore and experiment with my imagination. I could not have finished my first book with out you all. Thank you for motivating and complimenting me. It means the world.

I want to thank my Mother and Grandmother, for helping me with the stressful process of publishing. They have given me countless words of advice that have impacted me and have kept me from making grave mistakes. Thank you for helping me find sponsors and keeping my head held high, despite my stressful break downs.

Thank you to the many sponsors who have helped with publishing, thus making the journey a little easier.

Thank you ALL for helping me jumpstart my first career!

Chapter One: Surprise

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What a day. I dragged my feet through the front door, dropped my bag onto the wood floor, and collapsed onto the soft, welcoming couch. I had never been so happy to have pillows and a remote control in all my life. I turned on the television with very little effort and turned to Animal Planet. Some lion was chasing after some animal that I was far too tired to remember the name of. I couldn’t remember the last time I wanted summer vacation to start so quickly. It was only November and I already wanted to be finished with school and punch half of my teachers in the face. I mean really, who in the hell gives a 1000 word essay assignment in high school? God, I was just so ready to throw a tantrum the next time a teacher stopped me in the hallway and asked me to do something or to stop doing something. Out of all the kids running in the hall, they pick the one who is actually trying to get to class to bother. Life isn’t fair I tell you. It just isn’t fair.

I peeked into the kitchen from the couch and saw Dad on the phone, yet again. He was on the phone a lot these days. It kind of bothered me. He’d be on when I left for school, and when I’d get home. And I already knew who he was talking to. It didn’t take much effort to guess. But he would always try to cover it up. I don’t know why. A girl from work he would say. That’s all he would say, but as a teen I knew she was much more than that. But I was kind of glad Dad was getting back out there. When Mom had been lost at war five years ago, I thought he would just lock himself away somewhere, which he did for three years. And God, were those three years horrible. I would come home and find him curled up in some corner of the house. This woman came into the picture two years ago. Thank god for that. But the obsessive calling started about seven weeks ago. Almost exactly when school started. I knew then that the start of this school year was going to bring about a lot of changes. My Dad becoming more open was definitely one of them. Who knew what else the year would have in store for me. All I knew was that Dad had made dinner and that I had a Geometry test tomorrow that I was going to have to help Miyaki with. She was horrible at math. She was great at Kong fu, but horrible at math. Go figure. I reluctantly got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen to see what Dad had cooked. There was freshly cooked chicken, mashed potatoes, and Spanish rice waiting for me on the table. Dad was still talking away, but he bent over and hugged me when I walked passed him. I sat down and started gorging myself with the food. I barely had any lunch today because of some drama that happened in the hallway that my friends insisted on seeing. I honestly could care less if someone was fighting in the hallway. Unless of course, it was someone I knew. Which was a very few amount of people to be honest. But I liked it that way. My circle of friends was a cozy number. Not too high, but low enough to be able to squeeze in someone with out forgetting their name. As I made my way onto my mashed potatoes, I looked over at Dad who looked like he was having a blast talking on the phone. I hadn’t seen Dad smile so much since Mom, so I hoped this woman would be something special. I kind of felt bad though…Dad was albino, so he couldn’t do as much during the day as others. Which meant less opportunities for dates with this woman. But with as much time as they spend on the phone they should be just fine, hopefully.

I finished and was about to take my plate to the sink, but the sound of the phone hanging up stopped me. I turned to Dad, who was already making his way over to get my plate. Geez, did this man know how to spoil. I quickly took it from him, shaking my head.

I got it, Dad. Why are you off the phone so soon?

Oh,… alright. And what do you mean so soon?

Well, I said, heading to the sink. You usually stay on until about six. It’s only five, now.

Oh, well Emily had to take care of some things tonight.

Ah, so her name’s Emily? That’s a pretty name.

A beautiful name.

I finished washing my plate and turned to him, a little more serious now. He looked at me confused.

What?

Don’t what me. When am I going to meet this Emily?

He started blushing.

You want to meet her? Really?

Of course I want to meet her. You’ve been addicted to her for the past seven weeks!

I have not been…addicted. I just enjoy talking to her, is all.

Uh huh, sure. So when am I meeting her?

I’m not sure you want to meet her Caroline. She’s not like Melissa

How bad could she be? Only I can tell you that for sure.

That’s true, but…

There are no buts. Make arrangements. Or I will find out who she is myself.

He looked amused.

And how are you going to do that? You don’t even know her full name.

Hey. Don’t underestimate my connections. I know people whose skills would shock you, including me.

You shock me everyday honey.

Enough with subject changing. You’ve been warned, Dad. Either I meet her, or I stalk her.

And with that, I maneuvered myself out of the kitchen and up the spiral staircase to my room, humming my very own theme song.

I awoke the next morning a little sore, my shoulders and neck hurting as I lifted myself up. I swore under my breath trying to rub the areas. I stood up, eyeing my bed to see if there was a weak spot in the mattress. Nothing caught my eye. I shrugged, wincing and swearing again. I figured a hot shower would do the trick, along with some Advil. I picked up the pile of clothes on my chair that I picked out the night before and headed to the bathroom. Once I got in, I shut the curtains, cracked the window and ran the water. I let steam fill the room before undressing. I looked at my back in the mirror where the pain was. No bruising. That’s good. I stepped into the shower backwards, like I always do and began covering myself from head to toe in thick bubbly layers of my favorite smelling soap. Melon. When I finished lathering and shaving, I rinsed myself off and turned off the water. I took really short showers. I stepped out, and grabbed a towel on the rack, drying myself. I wrapped the towel around myself and brushed my teeth and hair. I slowed to a stop while brushing my hair, looking at it in the mirror. So many questions about this hair. Why isn’t it nappy? Why does it grow so fast? Why is it white? No one knew the answers. Doctors said it had something to do with the genetics in my Dad. You know, the whole albino white hair thing. But my Mom was from Bermuda. Which left me. A 16 year old teen with natural dark skin and perfectly straight snow white hair.

Some admired the combination. Some spread rumors on how I got it. And others just didn’t know what to think. I was one of those people. I had it all my life so it didn’t seem like anything special. Yet the only other time I’d seen the combo was watching X-men and seeing Storm. I’d even considered being related to her when I was younger. That was until I met the creator of the heroes. That almost abruptly ended my theory. I shrugged it off, yet again and started putting my clothes on. Some days I liked to get dressed in the bathroom. I didn’t know why. I just had the urge sometimes. I stepped out and felt the crisp cool air that was not so cool before. I loved to after bliss of stepping out of a freshly finished shower and feeling the air outside of the steamed room. My lungs felt open and clear as I took a deep breath walking to my room with my things. I tossed them in a basket, grabbed my wallet and headed down stairs. Dad was in the living room, on the phone. An evil plan occurred to me. My Dad is extremely gullible, you see. I tapped him on the shoulder.

Dad, the shower faucet wont turn off completely.

Oh, alright honey. Emily, can you hold on a minute?

Dad placed the phone down and ran upstairs saying,

Don’t worry honey. I’ll get it.

Thanks Dad. The dripping is driving me crazy.

I smirked, and picked up the phone once he was out of sight.

Hello?

Robert?

No, this is his daughter, Caroline.

Oh, Caroline! How are you? I’ve tried to get him to let me talk to you, dear. I’ve heard so much about you. You sound lovely.

Really? He talks about me?

All the time, dear. You’re his little angel, from what I hear.

I was flattered, honestly.

Hey, can I ask you a question Emily?

Sure thing, dear. Fire away.

What’s your last name? I smiled as I asked the question. This would save a whole lot of time.

It’s Willow, dear. Why do you ask?

I just wanted to know. You have a very nice name. My Dad says it’s beautiful.

He did? That man is just the kindest gentleman I know. Between you and me, dear, I have a thing for him.

Oh yeah?

Oh yes. I could see myself marrying him actually. But this is between you and me.

Sure thing, Emily. I can call you Emily, right?

Of course dear.

I flinched hearing foot steps coming towards the stares.

Hey Emily?

Yes?

This conversation never happened, ok?

"Uh…sure dear. But why-

I quickly put the phone where it was and sat casually on the couch.

Dad came running down the stairs looking confused.

You fix it Dad?

The faucet was off. No dripping.

Oh, maybe it just took a while for it to stop.

I guess. Oh, uh, your carton of grapes and mango slices is in the kitchen. You want me to drive you to school?

No, I’ll walk. Besides. -I pointed to the phone- Emily is still on hold.

He gasped and dashed over to the phone. I laughed and went to get my fruit from the kitchen before coming back to get my bag. Dad was apologizing a million times and I could almost hear Emily telling him to stop. Then I heard him say,

Yes, Caroline’s fine…Why do you ask?

I ran out the door before I could hear anything he would say and didn’t stop running until I reached the corner of our block. That’s where Miyaki met up with me. She lived down the street and around the corner. Really.

Konnichiwa, Caroline. Why are you running?

Cause I’m hyper. You just gonna stand there or what?

I started walking past her and she caught up to me.

Did you study, Miyaki?

For?

Geometry.

Aiya? That is today?!

Genius. I told you yesterday that it was today. You were even in class when Ms. Whiskey said it!

You know I have the memory of a gold fish!

Well here.

I took out my Geometry text book and handed it to her. Bookmarks were in the pages she needed.

Oh, Arigoto Caroline! I will give it to you in class.

She stuffed the 12 pound book into her tiny bag without skipping a step.

Eh, no problem.

You are so lucky.

Why?

You have brains and beauty!

Don’t you start that with me.

Aiya. Just take the compliment! So many people say it, why will you not say thank you to anyone?

Because I don’t think it’s true. And half of them say it because they want the secret to my hair, or the answers to a test coming up.

There is a secret to your hair?

I gave her a look.

No. Stay with me Miyaki.

Oh, sorry.

Hey, your bother’s good with research, right?

Yeah, why?

I might need to ask him a favor.

Bad idea.

What? Why?

You know he has a thing for you. I do not like the thought of you owing him for anything.

Ew. That’s true. I guess I’ll find someone else to do it.

Do what, Caroline?

Research, duh.

School was boring, as usual. Teachers were asses, as usual. Of course, there were a few that made the day worth while. But with the asses overpowering them, the day was overall boring. We were almost out of the building when a plastic cup was thrown at my head. It didn’t hit it because Miyaki had Kong fu’d herself behind me to catch it. But the sound of that made me turn. There was a football jock standing a few yards away, with his airhead buddies laughing behind him.

Hey vampire girl, where’s your coffin? His posse laughed and Miyaki crushed the cup in frustration. These were the people that spread rumors, along with some others. They called me a vampire, which I took as a compliment, because of my Dad. His pale skin, red eyes, and avoidance to be in daylight made it seem like he was a vampire. It’s like they never heard of the word albino. I put a hand on Miyaki’s shoulder, trying to get her to turn away. But her feet were planted.

Shut up, Mr. F average!!

Oooh. I’m so scared!

You should be!

I tugged harder on her shoulder, noticing that the jockeys were coming this way now.

Just let it go, Miyaki.

Why? They are bothering you.

No, they’re not. They’re bothering you.

That is still a good reason to kick their asses.

No, it’s not.

Tell that to them.

The jocks were in front of us now, and a crowd was already forming.

You say something, Tokyo trash?

Miyaki let out a screaming slur in Japanese, pointing to the guy in front, who jerked back a little.

Oh look guys, the vampire has a translator!

She kept yelling in Japanese and the jocks kept laughing until the principal came into the growing circle of students.

What, on earth is going on here?! Miyaki turned to him, still pointing at the jock trying to explain what was happening, un aware that she was still speaking Japanese.

Whoa, whoa! English!

Miyaki took a deep breath but before she could start, the jock in front started to talk.

I don’t know what this translator is talking about. We were just trying to talk to this girl in back of her.

Mr. Peters looked at me.

Is that what he was doing?

No. He threw a cup, Miyaki caught it and started yelling at them.

Miyaki held up the crushed cup still in her hand. The jock gave me a dirty look and I simply raised my eye brow at him. As if he scared me. Please.

Mr. Peters looked back at them, nodding. He saw them regularly so he knew it was the truth. He took them with him into his

Reviews for Sibling Secrets

[dms02 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

it was okay...just okay.

[websilk · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Grilled Cheese Please! is not a book that you even want to glance at when you're hungry! The multitude of sandwich combinations has something for every palate. The cheese variations alone will have you standing at your local deli counter getting samples and discovering the various ways that cheese will taste on different breads and with different condiments added. The book explains which sandwiches work well with sandwich makers and on the stove top. If you have a bread maker, this book will trigger that creativity also.If you are looking for ideas for a brunch, potluck, or get together, this book has tons of easy ideas. Your idea of a grilled cheese sandwich will be forever changed.