Oh my gosh. So you will so not believe what happened last night with Michael...

School is going awesomely. Michael is helping me catch up a lot in class. I know most of the stuff we are learning already, but I didn't learn some of the stuff that they already had. I learned that the hard way today when I took the test in Physics. They are practically going backward. Currently, they are larning the same stuff we did at the beginning of the year back home.

I can't talk much because I'm studying right now. I'm meeting up with Michael later tonight so that he can catch me up on everything. Gwen was going to come but then she got a last minute date with the track star so now it will just be me and Michael.

I'm kinda freaking out wondering what I should wear. It's really warm out today so should I wear that cute little mini skirt or would that seem too trashy? Why am I even asking this? It's just Michael. He won't care what I'm wearing. I just threw on some tan short shorts and a T and ran over to the library before I could worry about putting on makeup.

I'll let you know what happened tomorrow.

There is so much to tell you about school here.

For starters, it is almost exactally like back home. There are snotty kids everywhere and there are also really nice kids. I ran into the apparent princess of Franklin High yesterday in the hallway. I have a locker next to her. I was standing in her way so she slammed my locker door closed on my hand. Gwen was walking down the hallway right then and saw the whole thing. She immedietly cut her down and the mean chick was kicked out of their group. She was then shunned by everyone and barely any of even the losers would speak to her. Even Michael wouldn't speak to her once Gwen told him what had happened. He and Gwen seemed to stick by me quite diligently for the rest of the day. With Gwen by my side, no one would even consider coming near me and I quickly rose to popular status.

People were really nice to me after that. Everyone said hi to me and smiled. I made sure to return the favor to anyone that I could. I wanted to make as many friends as possible.

At lunch today, Gwen and the rest of the girls decided that they should throw a Welcome to Our Group party for me. They decided against this weekend because that's when Derek was having his party. As soon as someone said his name, he appeared, as if beckoned for.

"Did I hear my name ladies?" he asked flirtatiously.

Every girl gigled with a little smile. I learned quickly that he was a well sought after commodity in the Franklin boy market. Looks like I have a bit of compitition.

Apparently I didn't hear Gwen's alarm this morning. She decided to let me sleep in for a little bit but when Derek heard that I was still asleep, he came into our room, turned up his Ipod as loud as it would go, and put his big DJ headphones on my head. I woke up to the pounding bass of Avenged Sevenfold's Brompton Cocktail. I could tell that today would be a very good day.

Breakfast was cereal. Everyone sat down together to eat. It was creepy. It was like a little family pow wow. I must say, I was completely freaked out. And then they all had Cheerios! Well, everyone except Michael who reached up to a top cubboard in the kitchen and rummaged around. He called out, "gottcha!" and pulled a purple box down.

A smile lit across my face. Raisin Bran. My favorite cereal ever.

Mrs. Hayer tried to convince him to put it back and come eat Cheerios like a normal person but he just wouldn't have it. Derek called over to him, "Hey dude, you can have your gross little cereal, but only if you share with our lovely guest." He gave me his big award winning smile.

Michael poured me a bowl and sat down on the other side of me. He gave me a little smile like we were sharing a little secret. It was so sweet.

Derek volunteered to drive us to school this morning. Gwen was pretty pissed about that. Don't get me wrong, she hates the bus, but she also hates that Derek is only doing this because he "is trying to be nice to Alice so he can get her alone..." Apparently he never offers to give them rides. Ever.

Derek insisted that I get shotgun, but I figured that Gwen should probably get it, or else she'd bite my head off or perhaps ignore me during school and I needed her. So I had Gwen take my place. I sat in back with Michael. It was a kind of small car so the backseat was a little crowded. With me at my 6'0" and Michael at his 6'2" we were both pretty smashed. Or as one of my friends back home would say, we were smoosh. Smoosh is not a verb, it is a noun. You become a smoosh.

So as we were climbing into the backseat, Derek grabbed my arm and pulled me back closer to him. He leaned in close, his breath heavy. My heart was pounding like crazy.
He's going to kiss me.
He. is. going. to. kiss. me.
HE IS GOING TO KISS ME!!!
I closed my eyes and tilted my head up towards him.
"I got you a present, beautiful." he whispered in my ear.
I let out a deep sigh of regret completely ignoring the beautiful comment.
"What, you don't want it?" He asked playfully. Turns out, he is the biggest flirt ever. He's got girls all over him at school and he totally leads them all on.
He reached behind his back and pulled out a little black bag that looked suspiciously like the one that he got in the mall yesterday...
"Go on, take a look," he whispered to me, leaning in. I could feel his hot breath on my neck. I knew that if I ever wanted to think straight again, I'd have to get away from him, and the only way to accomplish that would be to do as he asks.
I reached inside the bag and pulled out a CD. I let out a huge squeal and jumped up and down. I couldn't believe it. He got me the Papa Roach CD I really wanted! As I was still hopping I grabbed ahold of him and hugged him tight.
"Thank you thankyouthankyouthankyou," I slurred.
"It's no problem, babe," he replied.

Yep, this was definately going to be one amazing day.

Saturday

Oh my gosh. Tonight is the night that all of Derek's hot friends are comming over! I can't wait. After meeting some of them at school and seeing them around, I can't wait.

Derek ditched us as soon as we got to the mall. He ran straight to the movie theater and said to call him when we were done.

Gwen, Michael and I went first to go get everything I needed for school. It took a little while to find a backpack that both Michael and Gwen approved of. Apparently girls in Florida can get pretty mean. Most of them are rich and the rest pretend to be. Both of the twins had strict instructions and directions for surviving their school. Gwen is one of the most popular there and knows what is expected of girls like her. She wants me to be just like her. Her second in command. Her wingman, as she calls it. Michael, on the other hand, wants me to keep my brains and flaunt them. He wants me to get to the top of this stupid social ladder and then show everyone that even pretty people can be smart. He also doesn't want me to end up like some of the girls he hangs out with. I told you how he's such a sweetie? He really is. He hangs out with and protects the girls that the popular and rich girls cut down everyday.

After we got everything I needed for school supplies, they decided that I needed a new wardrobe as well. Apparently sweatpants, old t-shirts and flannel aren't considered appropriate wear for school with the rich in Florida. We started at some of the richer stores but then decided that if I was going to get an entire wardrobe, then I'd need it at a cheeper price than $45 for a tanktop that barely covers anything. And I'd need a much larger variety so that way I was being original and not wearing everything the same all the time. Luckily, Michael knows a lot about fashion design so he knew just how to make an outfit gorgeous at a really cheep price.

I'm curious as to whether or not Michael is gay... When we went shopping today, he came with us girls rather than going to some scary movie at the movie theater there. Although he was quite a gentleman. He carried our bags for us and never complained that we were taking forever. He even helped critique us on clothes. He warned us when jeans were just a little too tight or when something made us look rather big. Once, I got kind of frustrated at him for telling me that two different outfits made me look large so I told him to see if he could find anything better and he did. He found these amazing jeans that made you look 3 sizes smaller and a top that flattered really well.

When I questioned Gwen about it in the dressing room she told me that she'd been wondering about it too. He's like a best friend to her so she doesn't ever ask him. "It doesn't matter to me," she said. "He can be whoever he wants to be and I'll still be proud of him. He's more like a little brother than a twin, really. I seem to look after him alot."

He seems like he is going to be really useful to have around. I had him pegged as a really big computer nerd when I first met him but he seems like a lot more than that now that I sort of know him.

I really needed to get new bras and Gwen said she did as well but we decided we'd do that later when the guys weren't around. Michael overheard us and said that it was ok, he'd wait outside on a bench with our stuff while we went shopping for them. I was quite surprised that he was still willing to do this for us. Seeing as he's a guy, I figured he would be completely exhausted of shopping by now.

When we girls were done with all our shopping for ourselves, we asked if Michael would like to shop anywhere specific. He decided he just needed food, so we called Derek and met him at the food court.

We got some food and when we were done, had to walk through the mall back to Derek's car. He's 16 but he's turning 17 next Saturday. He's planning on his parents getting him a black shiny expensive new car for his birthday.

As we walked past this emo looking store I paused momentarily staring longingly at the comforting homeliness of it all. I wanted to go in so badly, but I was afraid of the reaction I would get from Gwen so I turned to catch up to them. That's when I realized that Derek was standing right next to me.

"You wanna go in?" he asked me. I simply nodded my head. He took me by the hand and led me inside the store. I immedietly noticed the racks of uber-expensive Twilight crap that they were selling. I mean, they're good books but calm down people. Really.

I gazed up at the wall of t-shirts for bands and tv shows and other random things. It oddly reminded me of something but I couldn't quite place what it was.

When I walked over to their CD rack I was dissappointed at first. It was so small that they couldn't possibly have anything good there. That was where I was wrong. As I was flipping through, I noticed a familiar cover and pulled it out. I let out a little squeal and jumped up and down. It was the new Papa Roach CD that came out a little while ago. I'd been wanting it really badly but I could never get my hands on a copy. Now I had it right now. But Gwen had my wallet in her purse... :( I put it there because I never actually brought a purse. (She bought me a Coach one today) I put the CD back where I got it from and walked away sadly. I was really bummed.

When Derek asked me what was wrong, I tried explaining to him how badly I had been wanting that CD and waiting for its release and now I didn't have any money on me. He gave me that sly smile of his and told me that that was too bad but to go catch up with Gwen. He said he'd be there in a minute, he had to pick up a little present for this girl he really liked.

When he caught up with us he was carrying a little black bag that looked like it had a CD in it. When Michael asked what it was, Derek told him that it was a present for a girl he liked. That's all he would say about it. We drove home in silence. Well, as silent as you can be while playing Bullet For My Valentine.

He dissappeared into his room as soon as we got back home. Gwen and I decided to go to bed early tonight because it would be a big day tomorrow. School would be starting for me. I can't wait. Until then...

School starts tomorrow!!! Unfortunately, I have been procrastinating like crazy so I haven't even gotten my school supplies yet. Derek is going to take Gwen, Michael, and I shopping today.

I can't wait to go to school tomorrow. Gwen has taught me about everyone and I can't wait. I got my schedule in the mail yesterday. Here is how it goes:

1) Physics--- w/ Michael
2) World Civilizations--- w/ Michael and Gwen
3) English and Speech--- w/ Michael
4) Lunch
5) Algebra II--- w/ Michael
6) Free Period--- w/ Derek
7) Art--- w/ Michael and Gwen
8) Multimedia--- w/ Michael

It's really awesome because I have 2 classes with Gwen, 6 with Michael, and 1 with Derek. It looks like I will be spending a lot of time with Michael for the end of the year. School sounds like so much fun and since I've already taken Chemistry, I have a free period 6th hour that I get to spend with Derek. He already said that I could hang out with him. :) I can't wait.

Michael is a sweetie. I think we'll probably end up being really good friends. He's like the little sister you've always wanted because you wanted someone to bond with except a lot less bitchy. I will admit that yes, he does have a temper issue, but I have barely seen it yet so he seems alright.

It should be fun going shopping with the Hayer family. It will definately be an experience.

Breakfast this morning was delicious. Mrs. Hayer made Belgium waffles with all the fixings and we all sat down for a breakfast together. Albeit, we ate at 10:30, but I still consider that breakfast. I forgot to mention that Gwen has two brothers: Derek, the god, and Michael, her twin. Michael is sweet. Unlike most twins who are always complete opposites, these two seemed so much the same.

Not much happened yesterday after the bathroom incident. Unfortunately. Although I did get a glimpse of Derek's room as he went in. The walls were a somewhat gray color with a black bed and books everywhere. Before he shut the door on me he asked if I would like to hang out and watch a movie later. I agreed and we ended up watching The Day After Tomorrow. He couldn't believe that I had never seen it before. He was actually really nice about it.

Gwen and I are spending the whole day today catching up. We got out some old yearbooks of the school that I'm going to go to with her and she's teaching me all about everyone and the school.

Wow. That's honestly all I can say. You would not believe how hot these guys are.

Ok, so I arrived at Gwen's house late last night because I had to take a bus but then it broke down and we had to wait for a new one. So I got there around 9:30 pm. As soon as I rang the doorbell, I knew I would love it there. I heard their golden retriever that Gwen told me all about bark welcomingly at the sound of the bell. And when the door opened, I almost fainted. Literally. The adonis-like figure standing there blew me away.

He was a good 6'5" and had shaggy light brown hair. Even at my 6'0", he towered over me. His green eyes were captivating and they looked like the sea when it is especially murky. They were so deep, yet it seemed like he was keeping me from seeing through them to him. He was wearing light khaki cargo shorts, Nike sneakers and an Avenged Sevenfold concert T. I was in love. (Not really, but I can pretend)

I'm really boy crazy. I absolutely love guys. I'm obsessed with them. They are just so much fun. It's not that I need one, I just really like having one. Unfortunately, to me, it's like they are accessories: like them one week, replace them the next. I wish I could find one guy that things could actually get serious with. All guys seem to fear commitment.

When I finally noticed his expression, my mood changed.
"I..."
"WE DON'T WANT ANYMORE FRICKIN GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!" He screamed at me.
I must say, my love for him wavered a little bit there...
"No, I... Um... I'm not selling..."

As I was stumbling through my words with this amazing male creature staring at me, Gwen pushed past him.
"Hey, you must be Alice!"
"Yep, that's me."
"Come in!" I gave a warry look at the guy standing next to her and she laughed. "Don't mind Derek. He's just a big dork." To him she gave a glare. "C'mon." she said, pulling me inside.

What I saw took my breath away. They had decorated the inside of their home to look like a medieval castle. It was gorgeous and looked quite breakable. Their house was smaller than mine and miniscule compared to Liz's but it was beautiful and the way they decorated it made it look like it really was a castle: huge and magnificent.

She dragged me up to her room. I was surprised to see that it didn't match the rest of her house. It was neat and tidy, yes, but it looked like Barbie gave her a makeover. She had pink everything! There were even two pink barbie sheet covered beds.
"That one's yours," she said pointing at one of the two hideously ugly things.
"Isn't it gorgeous? I hope you enjoy it." Derek mocked from behind me.
"Don't you have somewhere better to be?" Gwen complained. "Like in your room planing for your little freak fest?"

That's about when things got dull and we went to sleep.

When I woke up in the morning it was to some horrible pop crap on the radio. That was her alarm. The clock read 5:30. I was thinking to myself "You have got to be kidding me." I didn't even have to go to school yet! What the heck was I supposed to do? I decided to go back to bed. I ended up waking up a little after noon. I went to the bathroom in the hallway because I was scared to go in Gwens. It was covered in pink frilly stuff and I don't think I ever would have been able to find the toilet paper.

It was a big mistake going to the bathroom in the hallway. Turns out, that's Gwen's brothers' bathroom. As I started to turn the knob on the door (no one else was home: they had work or school) it turned itself. Out stepped god himself. There was Derek standing right in front of me wearing only a bath towel draped around his waist.
"Hey there princess," he cooed. It was like I was tasting his voice and mmm is it delicious. It was like the way really good chocolate melts in your mouth.
I couldn't help but gape at him. His hair was dripping with water and his eyes were even greener than normal.
"Are...Aren't you supposed to be in school?" I stuttered.
"Eh, it's Friday. I didn't really feel like it."
"And your parents let you?!" This I found quite shocking.
"Nah, I faked sick."
"Do you do this frequently?" I asked with contempt.
"Only when there's a reason to," he said with a sly smile.

I almost fainted at that. Gawd, why can this boy do that to me?

I need to get out of here. It's horrible. I'm sitting on this tiny little bed typing on Liz's (kinda stolen) laptop and there is a really bad buzzing noise coming from the wasps nest in the corner. It smells like crap and I hate it here.

Wait a minute... I'm in Florida! Gwen lives in Florida!!!

We've been pen pals forever. We were assigned to be pen pals back in kindergarden and we were up until 6th grade. Then it wasn't required but we decided to get Facebooks and have been Facebook friends ever since. We talk all the time but we've never met in person. I guess I could check if she's on right now... Yes! She is!

I just finished talking with Gwen. She asked her mom if I could stay with her for a while. Her mom said yes! I absolutely love her mom now. Even though I don't actually know her. I'll be heading over there tonight. I can't stand another night in this place. It gives me the creeps. I haven't got any sleep for the past week and I can't wait.

I'll let you know what happens when I get there but until then, wish me (good) luck.

You will never believe me when I tell you where I am right now. Alright, I'll tell you. I'm in Florida! See, I told you that you wouldn't believe me.

How did I get here? Well that's a very good question...

Let me just start by saying that this totally wasn't my idea. If Liz and I didn't look so freaking alike, then I wouldn't be in this mess in the first place.

See, Liz doesn't like her parents. Actually, she hates them. She's 18 and is graduating this year. Well, actually, she graduated early. One semester early to be exact. She and her boyfriend have been going out for years. They are that kind of couple that gets so annoying. You know that puppy dog completely happy phase you get when you first start going out with someone? Well that phase has gone on all four years of high school for her and Paul. It's annoying sometimes, yet they're still just so cute together that you can't help but love them.

I am proud to say that I was there for their wedding. As soon as she was 18, they had their wedding. They had been engaged for 6 months previous. Liz's parents did not approve of this marrage and decided to have nothing to do with it. Paul's parents absolutely love Liz, so they decided to pay for the wedding.

So anyway, her parents decided to bring her down to Florida because they were moving and they screamed that she must come along. She refused to, of course. She is just so stubborn. But they would not let her out of it. Honestly, they don't really know her. One day I was hanging with her at her house and I went downstairs to get a drink of water and her mom was like, "Oh honey, while you're in there can you bring me a Schmerndoff? I really need one." So I just got one out and brought it over to her. Then we had this real heart to heart where she told me she loved me and to make sure I use protection. I was like, "Thanks mom." and ran upstairs to tell Liz about it. Her parents have never been able to tell us apart. When I got upstairs to tell her, well, that was when she had her "great idea".

The only reason I did this for her was because she is like my best friend and I'm tired of school. I mean seriously. Being a freshman in high school sucks. Besides, the school year is almost over. We would just figure it all out when we got to Florida. Liz just needed me to distract her parents long enough so that she could run away with her husband. I was bored and needed something to do...

We left last Saturday morning and arrived Saturday night. I think her mom was suspicious because I wasn't throwing a fit. To throw her off our trail, I started giving her the silent treatment. It got really hard when she was being really nice to me and brought out the tears but I held firm.

When we arrived, we got our luggage and a limo picked us up to bring us to their mansion thing. Yes, you read that right. A limo! Maybe I forgot to mention that Liz's parents are loaded.

So we got to their mansion and there in the front lawn was a for sale sign.

"Mom, you're selling the house?!" I exclaimed in horror.

"Yes sweetie, this is what we wanted to tell you about. Your father and I decided that it would be best to go live with grandma and grandpa so we can take care of them. Now I know their house is not nearly as big as this one but I think this will be a good change for you. And next year we are planning on starting you in this great little college we found that would be just perfect for you. It's artsy and you can get into it really easily so even your boyfriend could go there. Please don't be upset sweetheart, this is the best thing for us right now with the economy the way it is."

"Couldn't we have given up the house in France that we never use?!" I screamed, getting into charector. "Why get rid of the one that I love? You know this place is important to me!"

"Honey calm down." my father reasoned with me. "I know this is rough on you. It's rough on all of us. But it's just something we have to do."

"Whatever, I'm not even really your daughter," I spat out. Immediately I covered my mouth.

"Now sweetie, don't talk like that. You know we love you and you will always be our daughter." My mom cooed.

"No I'm serious Mrs. Eagle, I'm not your daughter. You left her behind. You've never been able to tell us apart and she got mad and I went in her place. I'm sorry" Phew. I took a deep breath.

She was SO mad at me. Like she started yelling at me right there on their sold front lawn will all the rich snotty neighbors watching us. It was kinda embarrassing.

They made me call my parents though. Not that I was all that worried. My parents are amazingly cool. I may just be the only kid who actually likes her parents. My mom is a little stricter than my dad but that's ok. So I called my mom and there was no answer so I ended up having to call my dad. Which was so much better of a choice. He picked up on the second ring.

Me: "Hi daddy, how are you?" I greeted him rather warrily.

Father: "I'm good princess, how are you? Speaking of which, where are you?"

Me: "I'm in Florida daddy."

Father: "Oh well that sounds like fun. Are you enjoying yourself?"

Mother: I could hear my mom frantic in the background. "Where is she? Is she alright?"

Father: "She's fine darling, she's in Florida."

Mother: "FLORIDA?! Why on earth is she there?!"

Father: "Princess, your mother would like to know why you are in Florida."

Me: "Oh I just came instead of Liz and now her parents have found out so they wanted me to call you."

Father: "Well are you enjoying yourself down there in the bright sunny Sunshine State?"

Me: "Um... Sure."

Father: "Well good. Would you like to stay there? Because it can be arranged if you want. I can have you enrolled in school there by Monday of next week and I can even get you a place to live at this hotel that back in my day was raved about. Is that something you would like?"

Me: "Sure dad, that would be amazing!" Wow. Did I not tell you that my dad is the coolest ever.

So I told Liz's parents about my dad's idea and gave them the phone so they could all discuss what would be going on.

Once everything was decided my dad had Mr. Eagle drive me to this hotel and helped me check in. I stood in the front door of Moonbeam Inn and watched as Mr. and Mrs. Eagle drove away in their limo (they apparently take this thing everywhere). Jaques, their driver, honked as they pulled away. They were heading towards Grandma Dona's house to stay with them for a while. They left me a long list of contacts in case of emergency and even let me keep Liz's laptop (which I am currently using).

When I got to this place I was like "ooh, retro" but once I got up to my room I realized how old this place was.

As I pulled open the door to room 347 I immediately lurched back. There was a horrible smell eminating from inside. I took a deep breath and entered holding it. It was pitch black. I reached around for the light switch. What I found surprized me greatly though. There was no wall. It was just some boards. Luckily I fould the lightswitch anyway but when i hit it, nothing happened. I tried the other switch and this horrible whirling grinding noise appeared seeming to be coming from somewhere above me. I walked toward it trying to figure out what exactally it was and trying to get a closer look when I felt something brush against my head. I freaked and screamed but it turnd out to just be a cord. I pulled it and a single dull lightbulb flickered on. Honestly, I was probably better off in the dark. The view wasn't any prettier with the light on. The room was about the size of the handicap stall in a public bathroom. There was a single bed with sheets that probably used to be white. The boards for the wall was right next to the door where I could see into the room next door. There was a tiny endtable right to the right of the door.