Prologue

They came in so loud. Laughing. Shouting. Crying. Screaming. Voices. I clutched my head, an ache splitting straight to my core. The people around me grew so loud, I could hear every movement, every sound.

As the bus kept moving through the city voices would fade in and out. The miasma of voice grew into one stagnant noise threatening to split my head like a gourd. I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned to face whoever was trying to get my attention, their voice grew louder than the rest of the noise.

“It’s our stop” “Is Nick alright, looks like he might have a migraine.” Even after my brother’s mouth stopped moving I could still hear his voice in my head. Though the concern was clear on his kind face.

I stood up quickly trying to focus on my older brother, James. The world felt like it was spinning but he appeared to be standing steady. So I  followed his lead off the bus, our younger sister trailing behind. When my feet hit solid ground and the bus began to pull away the voices began to fade. Quieter and quieter in the distance until I was only left with two. 

“Oh my god, Ashton was so cool. Should I text him? Would that be too clingy?” I turned toward my sister with a quizzical almost demanding look. Who’s this Ashton guy? As my lips parted to ask the question I realized that she hadn’t even opened her mouth, she was busy typing away on her phone. I looked down at her, she stood a foot under me, her phone had the name “Ashton” listed at the top of it with an ongoing text she was typing up to him.

After my breath caught in my through I spoke. “Who’s Ashton?” Courtney gasped and looked up at me, blue eyes glaring into mine.

“Don’t read my texts! He’s just a new friend I made.” James looked over to her with a mock serious expression on his face.

“Do I need to go vet this guy? Is it serious?”

“Shut up! No, it’s not serious, James. He, is, just, a, friend. And that is final, do you two understand me?”

We both nodded our understanding while glancing at one another. Coming to a new school, let alone a whole new city, was rough for everyone. It’s our job to look out for one another. James and I would let Courtney have her fun but would be there for her if she needed it.