Chapter One

                                    

                                          
Chapter One.
                          
Arabella.
                          
"You look like a tramp, Bella," My mother said, pushing her rectangular glasses further up her beak. She stared at my ripped jeans and Iron Fist top in disgust. "And let's remember, your grandparents do not need to know what you do for a living. I will make some excuse for you. Now put this on," She snarled at me. I rolled my eyes. She dropped a dry cleaners bag onto my unmade bed and left the room, her heels clicking furiously against the laminate. I unzipped the black bag to see what my mother wanted me to wear. A little yellow dress covered in large roses inhabited the bag. I heard mother yell that it was an hour before we left for the restaurant. I huffed to myself and slipped the dress on.
                          
"I got an hour," I muttered to myself, looking at my reflection. "I gotta make this work."
                          
I pulled on a pair of fishnet tights and took the Swiss knife and ripped up the tights. I pushed my knee high worn black Dr Martins on and shrugged on my Spiral Direct hoody. I looked back in the mirror and smiled. Much better.  I traced on my black eye liner thick around my eyes and put on a layer of red lipstick.
                          
I sat on my bed, picking at my black nail polish waiting on mother to call me down. We were having dinner at some fancy restaurant with my grandparents. It wasn't my idea of a night out. Grandmother was a snooty old woman who only cared about money. Grandpa was less stuck up, and we got along quite well. He had a marvellous moustache - thick and curled up at the ends.
                          
I put on my metal bird skull choker and went down stairs. Mother was with father, in the hall, putting on their coats. My little sister, Primrose - Daddy's little princess - was sitting on the marble step, putting on her sparkly pink heeled shoes. Father looked at me and sighed audibly, his eyebrows raised. Mother followed his gaze and tutted. I know I wasn't the daughter they wanted but they should at least respect me. I played with the piercing on my nose, this was awkward. Mother lifted some of my dreadlocks with her manicured fingers.
                          
"Could you not have something half descent with those? You look like a mess!" She whined, spitting out each word in disgust. She dropped them heavily on my shoulder.
                          
"They look fine! I look fine!" I snapped, digging my nails into the material that covered my arm.
                          
Before mother could say anything back, Primrose swung the door open as wide as she could and skipped out the hall. By the time mother had shoved me out of the house, Primrose was pirouetting on the front lawn, her little white dress bullowing into a cloud around her knees each time she spun.
                          
"Primrose!" Mother scolded her, waving her arms franically around. "You will get your shoes dirty! Get in the car at once!"
                          
"Sorry mummy," Primrose squeaked, putting on her best puppy eye before bounding gracefully into the car.
                          
The smell of leather cleaner filled my nose as I slipped into the white BMW. As father started the egnision, mother slipping in some CD and starting to squeal opera at the top of her voice, joined soon by Primrose. I pushed my ear buds in, playing my iPod full blast to mask out the sound of two dying cats. The car ran smootly along old country roads, for what seemed like hours. I checked my phone, seeing the little red light flashing. There was a message from my older brother, Haeden. Me and Haeden got on like a house on fire. He introduced me to real music and supported me in all my decisions. He was there went I got my first tattoo, the two skulls on my upper arm.
                          
Haed: Will I be seeing you at dinner in Hell? :P xx
                          
Me: Mum's got me in a Barbie dress for the occasion *rolling eyes* Are u gonna be there??? Please don't leave me alone with THEM..!? x
                          
Haed: HA!!! Can't wait to see that XD  You wearing the cuff I got you? xx
                          
Me: U bet ;) see yaa soon x
                          
I pushed up the sleeves of my hoody, revealing my tattoo covered arms and the black studded cuff that reached half way up my forearm. The song on my iPod changed to Shinedown, and I started to hum the lyrics. The music was making the time go faster and helped me forget for a small time about the fun I was going to have. Soon enough my peace was shattered as we drove up to a large stately building. Rose bushes and large oak trees lined the wide driveway. The grass was neatly trimmed all to one short length and sprinklers were keeping the grass watered and a wonderful green. Ivy was swirling around the old brick of the building. I could see Haeden's old VW parked under the shade of one of the largest trees there, and there he was leaning against it. His hair had grown since I last saw him and was pulled into a short ponytail behind him. He was wearing  black dress trousers and tie, with a crisp white shirt, and a pair of black All Stars on his feet.  The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to show his muscular arms. He had recently gotten a tattoo of swirling writing on his left arm saying 'stay strong, nobody's perfect'. I smiled as soon as I saw him and bolted out the car as soon as it came to a halt.
                          
"Bella!" Haeden called happily, holding his arms out to crush me in a hug. "You actually look nice," He grinned at me as I twirled around.
                          
"Why thank you dear brother! How... er... Grand it is to see you!" I said, in my best posh voice before we both burst out laughing. He picked up my hands and examined the tattoos on my knuckles.
                          
"'Have Hope'. Cute, Bella, very cute. When did you get that done?" Haeden asked, nodding proudly. I grinned.
                          
"Last week, mum nearly flipped out. Getting 'Love Hate' on my minor knuckles on Sunday." I replied, as we started to head towards the entrance.
                          
The doors were large and wooden with big metal knockers on them. They were left wide open, leading into a large hallway. A small chalk board was sat outside, stating the opening hours. Mother led the way into the building into a luxurious dining room. Various crystal chandeliers drooped from the ceiling, shining light on the round tables that was draped in fine linen. Large plush seats sat around the tables. Wine glasses with napkins ringed in them, engraved cutlery and china wear sat on the table, waiting for guests.
                          
"Oh, there you are, dears, we are over here!" Called over an older lady wearing a peach coloured dress and a string of pearls around her neck. Mother raised her hand in a small waving manor as she quickly walked over to my grandmother, air kissing her cheeks.
                          
I sat myself with Haeden on one side and grandpa on the other. This was probably the safest place to sit. Out of the way and firing line of my grandmothers nasty remarks. Haeden looked at me in frustration as Primrose plonked herself beside him.
                          
"Great," He murmured in my ear. "I'm on babysitting duties."
                          
I put my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing. But was soon stopped by my grandmother.
                          
"Arabella, what is that in your ear?! Do you use that hole for hanging your hand up if it gets tired?" Grandmother mocked before her and mother set of in a set of giggles.
                          
Before I could reply, soup was placed in front of me by a hand with a large rose design on it. I looked up to see a man with tattoos around his neck and a nose piercing. He smiled at me before serving the others soup. Haeden looked at me with a knowing look, and I shot him a questioning look back.
                          
"Don't worry, Bella," He whispered. A smile on his face. "I won't tell the waiter you think he's cute,"
                          
---
                          
The picture attached is the design that Arabella got for her first tattoo, on her upper arm. 
                          
Enjoy!!!