I'm happy. I have a family.
Then a car comes out of nowhere and hits me. I fly through the air and land hard on the asphalt.
I open my mouth to scream, ready to feel pain, but I don't.
For a moment I think I'm dead before I take in a deep breath and realize I feel fine.

A young dude jumps out of the car and runs over to me. He leans down.
"Rylee, you have to tell me,"
I stare into his eyes.
"Where is Rori?" he says impatiently.
I growl and slap him.
Then suddenly I'm falling, falling, falling.

                               ***

I wake up gasping and sweating.
I am tangled in my lime green bedspread.
It was all a dream.
If only boys liked me, like they do Rori.
You see, my mother died giving birth to me and my identical twin sister Mica.
But just a few months ago our father, Azibo Tau, married Marissa Nolan.
She has a daughter. Rori.

But she is white.
My mother was African American.
My father is too.
My older brother Tacoma says it isn't right for a Black to marry a white.
I don't know what to think.
Tacoma is extremely overprotective of me and my sister. He was only three when our mother died, but he says she was the best woman to ever live. Being Mica's mother, I'm sure she was.

Marissa is nice enough, but I don't know about Rori. She seems a little stuck up.
But then I have only known her for two months. I know she likes to read books, hunt, write, hang with friends, talk with boys, and play the occasional game of hide-and-go-seek.

My twin, Mica, likes playing guitar, drawing, reading, and when she gets a chance, riding horses.
   Me on the other hand, I like going on walks, playing piano and painting every once in a while.
We are fourteen.
Rori is fifteen.
Tacoma is seventeen.

Me, Mica, and Tacoma are really close.
We always have been.
Tacoma doesn't like Rori much.
She's bold and popular.
So is her mother.
My family, we'll let's just say we kinda like living in the shadows.
We are mostly quiet.
Tacoma's a little more outgoing, but still not real bold.

Rori and Melissa are very bold.
Tacoma says it's because they are white.
We have just started high school.
It's not the easiest for me and I think Mica feels the same.
Rori fits in as though she were born for it.

Pushing those thoughts from my mind I relax back into my soft bed.
I glance across the room to make sure Mica is still in her bed, then cuddle up to my calico kitten, Cleo, and fall into a seemingly endless sleep.

                           ***

"Rylee. Wake up, is time to get ready fur school."
"Mmmngggg."I groan.
"Rylee, come on!"
I slowly blink open my eyes.
Mica is bent over me. Her dark hair is pulled back into two tight space buns.
She has a dark green sweatshirt and jeans on. My matching pair is laid out on the best next to me, so I get up, change, brush my teeth, and put on my shoes.

Then Mica fixes my hair into identical space buns. After that we head down stairs for breakfast.
Tacoma and Rori sit across from each other, glaring.
"How did ya sleep?"
I quickly ask Rori.

She says she woke up once and had a weird dream, but fine other wise.
Me and Mica take our places on each side of our brother.
He wraps his arms around us, and kisses each of us on the forehead.
I look up and meet my father's gaze, from the front of the table.
"Morni'n sweethearts." he says lovingly.

"Good morni'n Pa." we respond in unison.
Melissa comes out of the kitchen then with a few platters of food. I jump up to help.
She smiles warmly at me.
I slowly smile back.
We eat a delicious breakfast of toast, eggs, and bacon.
Then Pa leaves for work, and we grab our school bags and head out to Tacoma's truck.

He usually gives us all a lift to school but today he just drives off without Rori.
I glance over at him.
"Rorie'z not in here bruder." I say quietly.
He grips the steering wheel madly.
"She can walk or ride the bus."
He mutters hotly.
I swallow and feel Mica grip my arm from where she sits next to me.

(Agh this chapter is short........ they all are pretty short......)