Erin the Fire Goddess: The Beginning

Chapter One

Growing up is never easy.

I've always felt like an outsider. I've never fitted in anywhere. Even at home!

Yes, my parents and sister are great and love me whole-heartedly, but I still always feel like I don't belong. The three of them are outgoing, sporty and popular. People just gravitate towards them, whereas I feel like I have always repelled them.

At school, I am a loner and it's not necessarily by choice. Like I said, I repel people. So when my parents sat my sister and me down to tell us we were moving to their hometown of Galladale, I was kind of relieved, excited, nervous and scared. Even then I tried to hide the excitement I was feeling, it was just easier that way. I wasn't going to get my hopes up that I would actually make any friends.

"That's not fair!" My sister, Kasey-Ray's shrill cries of objection broke through my thoughts. I looked at my normally happy sister as she continued to rant.

"What about my friends? I'll never get to see them!"

She looked like she had been handed a death sentence. I could see the tears welling up in her eyes. Even when she was upset, she was beautiful, her perfectly proportioned features, long blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes.

"I'm sure they can come and visit." My Mum smiled reassuringly at my sister, after a quick glance of confirmation to our Dad.

"And besides, they'd only be a phone call away." My Dad added, as he looked at my Mum. It was a strange look, like they were communicating without the need for words, which they did often.

My parents, Kate and John Tait, had known each other since birth. Apparently, my grandparents had been best friends and they had always known that my parents would be together. They used to tell my sister and me that from birth, if they were separated they would cry. Luckily, both sets of my grandparents had lived next door to each other.

My parents were both born on the same day, only 4 minutes apart. My Mum is the prettiest woman alive in my opinion. Jaw length brown hair, green eyes and an amazing smile. People often said she was Snow-White's twin sister. But to me, she was far more beautiful.

My Dad is just as good looking with dark hair, chocolate brown eyes and he can be so funny. Even in the lowest of my moods, he can always make me smile.

I sighed and stood up, ready to make my way out of the living room. Both of my parents turned to look at me. Kasey-Ray was oblivious to the shift of attention, too consumed in self-pity.

"Erin?" They chorused with puzzlement.

"I'm going to start packing."

My parents looked pleased that I wasn't going to argue with them.

I took the stairs two at a time and almost bounced into my bedroom. I could feel myself smiling. I fell backwards onto my bed and stared at the ceiling.

"Get a grip." I chastised myself. I wasn't going to allow myself to get excited. I sat up and turned towards the mirror, well if I hadn't stopped smiling before, I did now.

My brown shoulder length hair, hung there like rats tails, my green eyes had no sparkle and right there on the left side of my face, covering the whole cheek, was a huge reddy purple birthmark. This always brought me back to reality. I was a 14-year old freak!

***

We spent the rest of the week packing. I had already packed my room. Within two days I was ready to leave, so I decided to help Kasey-Ray, seeing as she spent most of her time complaining, and doing very little packing. The furniture remover's were coming on Friday and we were going to spend Friday night sleeping on the living room floor in sleeping bags.