Justin and Mackenzie stood outside the house, they looked at each other, as Mackenzie poured the petrol both around the house and inside.

Sandman lit the match and dropped it to the ground . The flames blazing high a red and Orange colour, the fire made its way around the house with their parents inside, it flamed the inside of the house engulfing the entire house as the screams could be heard from the outside as they stood watching the house burn in a loud bang.

kaboom!

The house went up in flames. Their eyes illuminating in the burning air, flames reflecting in the coldness their evil eyes. ‘Come on let’s get out of here.’

they both turned walking away as the fire continued to illuminate the night sky. The sound of the fire engines passed them. ‘This is a new beginning bro.’

They turned the corner into the darkness.

Five years later

It was a warm summer’s night Kaleen and Mark were out together, they’d been with one another for the last year they’d become a lot closer during the past few months they hadn’t had an argument for at least half of that.

Kaleen had met Mark at college and had always made her laugh he always cracked the crappiest of jokes, but the way he told them always made her giggle.

They were lying on the grass outside Kaleen’s as a shadow dawned over them blocking out the sunlight.

‘Kaleen time you got your but into gear, you’ll be l for work as per usual.’

‘Yeah, yeah don’t have a cow.’ Kaleen replied.

‘Don’t be cocky with me young lady I’m not one of your friends.’

‘Thank god for that.’

Adriana’s blood started to boil Kaleen always knew which buttons to push when it come to her step mom. ‘Get to work, and stop canudeling with your boyfriend.’

‘Yes Adriana, anything you say.’

‘That’s mom to you.’

‘You’re not my mom.’

‘Get to work I’ll deal with you later.’ Adriana said storming off.

‘Geese, she’s in one of her better moods aint she!’ Mark said.

‘Yeah-right!’

‘Come on I’ll give you a lift to work.’ Mark said grabbing her hand, pulling both of them up.

They both got into his ford coupe shutting the doors behind them.

‘I take it you two still aint getting on.’

‘I wish she’d just crawl under a large rock and die or something. Then I wouldn’t have her going on at me all of the time.’

Mark pulled up outside the mall where Kaleen worked. He leaned over gently placing his lips gently on hers. Kissing her.

He pulled away. ‘What you doing Saturday night?’

‘Going out with Karen and Heather from college. You can come if you like.’

‘Nagh, that’s okay I’ll pick you up tomorrow instead. About eight.’

‘Yeah sure, don’t be late!’

‘When am I ever late?!’ Mark said sarcastically.

‘Always.’

‘That’s why you love me!’ Mark said shoving her, playfully. ‘Come here and give us a kiss.’ He said pulling her towards him.

They kissed passionately. He pulled away. ‘Well you better get to work or you’ll be late. Again!’ He said with a slight inch of sarcasm. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Okay.’ Kaleen said getting out of the car shutting the door behind her.

Walking into the mall as Mark pulled off driving away.

X

Kaleen arrived at the pizza palace about five minutes later. She hated her job so much, but not half as much as she hated being at home with her step mom they never got on and her dad was always away on business she only got to see him at weekends when he wasn’t working them too. She always got on with Candice her step sister they had a special bond which no one could break they hung out together when Kaleen wasn’t with Mark, or working. Candice was going out with Kaleen and their friends this Saturday night to the Rock Café of course Candice’s mom disapproves, but she didn’t care she hated her almost as much as Kaleen did, always bossing her about acting like she was three years old and not eighteen. Candice went to the same college as Kaleen, but was doing different courses they were like twins almost inseparable.

‘You’re late.’ A voice said popping there head up from under the counter.

‘Sorry Mac. It won’t happen again.’

‘Alright Kay.’Marvin replied. Trying not to chock on his sweet.

‘Alright Marv. Where’s Kam?’

‘She’s not in tonight you’re on your own.’

‘Great.’ Kaleen replied putting on her oversized apron which rapped round her twice, whose was it anyway? Who had had it before her she wondered as she tied a knot in it several times over so that it wouldn’t drop off.

Kaleen walked round the counter picking up some cloths and cleaning solution then wiped down the tables this was Kam’s job whilst she put the cutlery and the menus on the tables. Kaleen rushed around like a headless chicken before opening time.

And was rushed off her feet for the rest of the night. A couple of Kaleen’s friends come into the pizza palace to see her.

‘So Kaleen still on for Saturday?’ Karen asked.

‘Yeah can’t wait.’

‘Is your sister still coming?’ Heather asked.

‘Yeah.’

‘I bet Adriana disapproved.’

‘What’s knew, she’s a right bitch. She thinks Candice is still three years old she’s always bossing her about. Candice told her where to go and she was coming out with us whether she liked it or not.’

‘Go girl.’ Heather said.

‘I didn’t think Candice had got it in her she seems so quiet, so subdued.’ Karen added.

‘That’s how that bitch has made her. I was surprised too she actually stuck up for herself which bitch bag didn’t like one little bit.’

‘Mac’s looking straight at you.’

‘You better order something.’

‘We’ll have two large Mushroom and bacon pizzas and two cokes.’

Kaleen scribbled the order down. ‘It’ll be with you shortly.’

She walked away then handed Marvin the order.

Kaleen ran around the rest of the night taking orders.

‘Here guys sorry for the wait.’ Kaleen said placing the order down on the table.

‘Thanks.’ They all chimed.

‘I can’t talk to you right now. I’ll come back when the rush is over.’

‘Sure.’ They all replied digging into their pizza.

Kaleen rushed round taking orders for the rest of the night feeling like the rush hour would never end until the end of her shift had come upon her.

‘See you Saturday Kay about eight thirty we’ll meet you in the dock okay.’

‘Yeah sure.’ Kaleen replied as her friends left the pizza palace.

Kaleen wiped down the tables, pulled her apron off and said goodbye, she then walked out of the pizza palace and out of the mall headed home.

Friday night and Kaleen is spending the night with Mark after another major bust up with Adriana.

‘What’s eatin’ you Kay?’

‘Nothin’.’

Mark turned, facing Kaleen he leaned placing his lips on hers, kissing her smoothly, and passionately. Kaleen closed her eyes vividly seeing Adriana in front of a tree.

‘Give me a push up.’

‘Sure.’ Kaleen replied, giving her Adriana a boost up.

Adriana grabbed onto one of the tree’s many branches, Kaleen loosed her leaving her hanging on for dear life.

‘What do you think you’re doing?’

Kaleen stood at the foot of the tree watching Adriana struggling to hold on to the branch as is it snapped the black cat jumped out of the tree.

‘Help me! Kaleen help me!’ Adriana screamed as the branch came to its end snapping straight off.

Adriana screamed louder as she came louder shrieking her head splitting into two blood seeping down her face. Kaleen smiled. Walked away.

‘What are you thinking about?’

‘Nothing.’

‘It’s your step mom isn’t it? She’s getting you down again aint she?’

‘Yeah wouldn't it be nice if she would just disappear.’

‘If only it was that simple if we could all parents would disappear.’

‘I wish she were dead.’

‘You don’t mean that. You two will sort it out.’

‘Suppose.’ Kaleen replied knowing that the truth really was that she’d never get on with Adriana and she never would she hated her and that was the bottom line and nothing would ever change that. She wished that her dad had never met her let alone married her all she’d done had had brought misery to the family poor Candice how could she have put up with her for all of these years torture sprang to mind pure torture for the past eighteen years. Candice was really nice, pretty, blond haired, blue eyed girl always smiling no matter what she’d always wear a smile no matter how many times Adriana would put her down. She was such a heartless bitch.

Mark leaned forward. ‘Now kiss me.’

Kaleen placed her hands on his face pulling him close to her there lips touching one another’s kissing one another.

He moved away. ‘Come on we’d better be getting back.’

‘Okay. Better see what the dragon’s got to say about tomorrow hell will break out again no doubt.’

Mark drove down the street heading towards Kaleen’s. ‘Is she really that bad?’

‘Worse. Candice is old enough to look after herself she hates it whenever we do anything together and she hates us being as close as we are and she especially hates Candice having anything to do with me.’

‘Why?’ Mark asked curiously.

‘She sees me as a bad influence. Can you believe it?’

‘You.Nagh!’ Mark replied as he pulled up outside of the house. ‘Well I’ll see you next weekend then?’

‘Yeah sure.’

‘We’ll meet up in college and arrange it.’

‘Okay.’

Mark leaned over pecking Kaleen on the cheek. She got out of the car closing the door behind her.

X

‘Don’t think you’re going out like that young lady.’ Adriana snapped.

‘But everyone’s wearing it.’ Candice answered back standing there in a black top, stripy tights and a pair of knee high jeans buckled boots, her hair tied back all bushed out like she’d had a fight with a lawn mower and it had won! Eyes plastered with black eyeliner, mascara and black eye shadow and to top it all off black lipstick and nail varnish.

‘Get changed!’

Candice stared at Adriana as if to say ‘I don’t think so!’

‘NOW!’

‘What’s going on?’ Kaleen asked entering the room.

‘Just look at the way that she’s dressed she looks like a tramp.’

‘All the kids dress like it these days get with the now.’

‘What! So she can look like you, a piece of tat!’ Adriana said angrily looking at Kaleen up and down in disgust with her hair spiked up edging off in all directions. Her makeup literally caked on black eyeliner and mascara to match puce lipstick plastered on her lips. Dark and light shaded eye shadow. ‘And I suppose you dressed her did you?’

‘She can dress herself! I only done her make up!’

‘Well she can take it right off.’

‘I hate you I wish you weren’t my mom!’ Candice snapped trying not to cry even though she could feel her eyes felling.

‘That’s it young lady I’ve had enough of your lip.’

‘Come on Candice, we’ll be late.’ Kaleen said grabbing Candice by her arm, pulling her through the door.

‘Where do you think you’re going? I haven’t finished with you yet!’

‘You never are.’ Candice replied.

‘Have a cow.’ Kaleen added as she slammed the door behind them.

They walked down the road into the dock and met up with Karen and Heather. ‘You okay?’

‘Yeah fine.’ Candice replied sniffling.

‘Look just ignore her she’s just jealous, you look great, just forget about her we’re out to have a good time right!’

‘Yeah.’ Candice replied trying to break a smile as the entered the pub.

‘Sorry we’re late the bitch had to start daint she.’ Kaleen explained.

‘On you?’ Karen asked.

‘No not this time it was Candice. Can you believe that bitch she accused me of dressing both of us up like a piece of tat.’

‘Why? You two look great.’ Heather added.

‘She’s jealous, either that or she’s too old before her time.’ Kaleen replied.

‘Sit down we got you both a drink.’ Karen said.

‘Cheers.’ Kaleen replied as they both sat down.

Candice smiled as to say ‘thanks’. They had a few drinks until closing. Then went out of the pub down to the Rock Café having a few more drinks listening to the band.

Later that morning the music was pounding so loud they couldn’t even hear themselves think let alone talk. The band had took a ten minute interval to refresh,

Kaleen had gone to the bar the bare tender smiled at her she returned the smile.

He went over to the counter to serve her. ‘So what will it be?’

‘Can I have two buds one Newky brown and one Jack Daniels please.’

He turned taking the bottles out of the fridge shutting the fridge door behind him. ‘That’ll be seven eighty please.’ He said placing them on the counter.

Kaleen gave him the money for the drinks. He gave her the change which she shoved into her pocket. She picked up the bottles off the counter and walked away. His eyes followed her as she returned to her friends.

‘Here you go.’

‘Cheers.’ They replied taking their drinks off her.

‘A toast to all of us I hope we all stay friends after college is over.’

‘To us.’ They all chimed clinking there bottles together, downing them in one. As the band come back on the stage.

Morning was dawning Kaleen, Candice and their friends were all paralytic, Kaleen was sitting down whilst the others were still dancing to the extremely loud music. The bar man walked around collecting glasses, stopping in front of Kaleen. ‘On your own?’

‘Yeah, my feet are killing me.’ Kaleen replied looking up at the tall, lean man standing in front of her with sandy coloured hair with the brightest blue eyes, they almost looked like contacts under the lights.

He smiled. ‘So what’s your name?’

‘Kaleen.’ Kaleen replied. ‘Kaleen Summers.’

‘Such a pretty name for such a pretty girl.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘Just the summer is pretty all the flowers, you look like a flower, an English rose.’ He replied.

‘Thanks I guess!’

Kaleen’s friends walked over to them. ‘Come on time to go your wicked stepmother will be caking herself if you two are late.’

‘Okay.’ Kaleen sighed. Looking at the gorgeous blond standing in front of her. ‘Sorry I’ve got to go.’ She said pulling herself up out of the chair.

‘See you again.’

‘I wish!’ Kaleen thought as they walked away. ‘Bye.’

They all left the club after grabbing their coats and one last trip to the bath room. Kaleen tried to keep up with her friends, but they were way ahead of her as she thought about the gorgeous bar man and if she’d ever see him again. He smiled at her with a beaming warm smile. She returned the smile as she walked out of the club.

Sunday was hell Candice got it in the neck yet again

What time did you call that last night?’ Adriana snapped.

‘About three thirty in the morning! Candice said sarcastically.

‘Don’t be smart with me young lady!’

‘Well you asked when you already knew the answer derr!’ Candice said. Biting back.

Adriana swung her arm out and her hand flew across the air stricking Candice across the face.

‘You Bitch!’ Candice said running out of the room and up the stairs, they creaked as her oversized boots banged up them. She went into her room slamming the door behind her.

Kaleen stood there in shock, her mouth wide.

And as for you, she’s never going out anywhere with you again. You’re a bad influence!’ Adriana snapped.

‘Bite me! You’re such a bitch! She’s eighteen you can’t keep her locked away forever!’

‘If it means keeping you away from her then I will!’

‘You’re a wicked witch, no wonder your last husband left you!’

Adriana raised her hand.

‘Go on do it you know you want to! If hitting makes you feel better then do it!’ Kaleen said, goading her.

‘Go to your room!’ Adriana demanded.

‘Shove it up your ass!’ Kaleen replied walking away.

‘Come back here RIGHT NOW!’

‘Suck shit!’ Kaleen shouted slamming the door behind her.

Kaleen jumped in Mark’s car, slamming the door behind her.

‘What’s up babe?’

‘Can you believe that bitch she’s psycho.’

‘What’s she done now?’

‘She’s only gone and hit Candice cause we was get this ‘back late’ we went to a club they don’t close till two we waited for an hour for a cab!’

‘Geese I thought my mom was bad.’

‘Then she turned round and said Candice couldn’t go out with me anymore. I’ll be glad when we can get out of that hell hole.’ Kaleen carried on blurting out what a bad day she’d had whilst Mark sat there and listened to her babble on and on.

‘And can you believe that freakin’ psycho bitch went to hit me too, I mean she’s not even my real mom. Can you believe it?’

‘I can.’ Mark said nodding in agreement.

‘I mean I haven’t been told to go to my room since I was thirteen!’

Mark leaned forward placing his lips on hers kissing her making sure it lasted, Kaleen pulled away. ‘Mark I’m trying to tell you what a bad day I’m having and all you care about is kissing me!’

Mark moved away, slumped back into the driver’s seat with a frown upon his disappointed face like a two year old that had got his candy taken off him. ‘Shall we go now?’ he said abruptly.

‘Yeah.’

He started up the engine and pulled away.

How could he ignore the fact that she was trying to pour her heart and soul out to him and all he could think about was himself he didn’t even care about how upset she was.

The day at college seemed to drag, what made it worse was the fact that Kaleen had to go straight to work from college, to the job that she hated so much and a boss she couldn’t stand and always complained of her bad time keeping. She got on with Marvin he was a laugh even with the demanding job that he had, and Kam she was cool too she was a skinny dark haired, dark skinned sixteen year old who worked there on the weekends but was doing a shift there tonight at least she’d have someone to talk to. Kaleen arrived at work about five thirty grabbing a bite to eat on the way.

‘Hi.’ Kam said, bright and cheerful as usual a beaming smile spread across her face.

‘Hi.’ Kaleen replied.

‘Mack’s in a spack tonight don’t get up his nose.’

‘What’s new he’s always in a spack.’

Kam giggled a pathetic school girl giggle which made everyone stop and stare.

‘What’s so funny?’ a voice snapped

‘Nothing.’Kam shouted.

‘Is that no good hoper here yet?’

‘I’m here Mack.’

Mack went silent. ‘Get to work we’re open in half an hour.’

Kaleen and Kam worked frantically wiping down tables, and setting out the cutlery before opening time.

The rush hour started at six as everyone left work and many of them went into the pizza palace for quickness. Half seven came rather quick and the rush had slowed Kaleen and Kam were pottering around. Kaleen was wiping down the last few empty tables, she came to the last table in the corner of the pizza palace as a hand appeared grabbing her hand.

‘Shit!’ Kaleen said jumping half way out of her skin.

‘Sorry. Did I scare you?’

Kaleen looked at the man sitting there his hair sandy, blue eyes. ‘Just a little.’

‘Sorry daint mean too.’

‘Haven’t I seen you before?’

‘In the club.Kaleen right!’

‘Yeah, how did you find me?’

‘I saw you, so I thought I’d come and say hi.’

‘Oh right.’

‘You told me your name I forgot to give you mine. Sandman.’

‘That’s a weird name.’

‘It’s my nickname my name’s Justin Hearshaw my friends call me Sandman.’

‘Why?’ Kaleen asked curiously.

‘Cause I’m hot like the desert sun.’ He replied laughing and smiling at the same time. ‘Have you got a break?’

Kaleen looked at her watch ‘8:30’. ‘Yeah, but only five minutes if Mack sees me talking to a customer he’ll have a spack.’

‘Sit.’

Kaleen sat down opposite the Sandman.

‘So tell me what do you do apart from working here?’

‘I go to college.’

‘What are you studying?’

‘Business Admin, then I’m going to UNI to get a business degree.’ Kaleen explained not realising she was staring straight into his big blue eyes. ‘You?’

‘This and that, working down the club on the weekends.’

Mack’s voice echoed across the pizza palace ‘What are you doing? Get back to work stop canudeling with the customers. You’re here to take orders not to chat with the customers.’

‘Yes Mack.’ She shouted. ‘Sorry I’ve got to go.’ She said pulling herself up.

‘Are you going to take my order?’

‘Yeah, sorry what would you like?’

‘I’ll have the pizza special and a diet coke.’

‘Sure.’ Kaleen said scribbling down his order on her pad.

She walked away, handed the order to Marvin then continued taking orders. She placed the order on the table. ‘Enjoy.’

As he went to speak to her she’d gone, Kaleen rushed round not having a chance to speak to him.

‘Can I have the bill please?’

‘Yeah sure.’ Kaleen replied. ‘I’ll bring it over.’

He smiled as she walked away.

She returned with the bill ‘Here you go.’ Handing it to him.

‘Cheers.’ He said taking it off her.

It was closing and Kaleen hadn’t had time to talk to Sandman, she went over to the table where he sat only to find he’d gone leaving the money, a grain of sand, and a note. Kaleen picked up the money, and then opened the note. A smiley was on it, and a message. ‘Meet me Friday 7:30 outside The Dock xx.’ She scrunched it up into her pocket.

The mall was silent as Kaleen walked through it and outside was dark she hated the mall at night all of the shadows beaming off the street lights.

Kaleen jumped turning quickly to see a car pull up a widow wound down.

‘Shit Mark you scared me.’ Kaleen said breathless.

‘Sorry. Hop in I’ll give you a lift back home.’

‘Sure.’ Kaleen replied.

Mark opened the car door, Kaleen jumped in closing the door behind her. Pulling the belt over her.

‘Ready?’

‘Yeah.’

Mark sped off down the road. ‘So what are we doing Friday? The guys are having a major piss up at Downey’s do you fancy going?’

‘I can’t. Sorry. We’re going to the mall Friday to get some stuff.’ Kaleen lied hiding the truth.

‘Okay.’ Mark said not knowing whether or not to believe her or not.

‘Well I’ll see you at college Monday shall I?’

‘Yeah got a lot of stuff on this weekend got to study for the exam on Monday.’

Mark leaned forward placing his lips on hers softly kissing her passionately.

‘Why am I going on a date with someone I don’t even know when I’ve got Mark? Will he even turn up?’ She thought as she returned the kiss. ‘That was such a pathetic excuse I can’t believe he brought it.’

Mark moved away. ‘Well I’ll see you Monday then.’

‘Monday.’ Kaleen replied as she shut the car door behind her.

He put his hand up and smiled, she returned the gesture and walked away, wondering whether she should meet up with the Sandman or not!