Brinlynn Camille Bennett picked herself up and out of her dormitory and walked down to the lake. She really needed some fresh air. She had just gotten a letter from her mom and wasn't too pleased. The crumpled letter was in her hands, her knuckles white from clenching it.

For once, her long, thick hair wasn't in braids. Instead, it was down, flowing freely in the wind. She hadn't had time to fix her hair before she'd walked outside. She barely had had time to think before she stormed out of the dorms. Brin's jaw was clenched tightly, her eyebrows furrowed. Her mother, whom she had never done any wrong to, sent a letter bearing horrible news. She was getting remarried. Usually, one would think that news such as this would be wonderful! But to Brin, it was the worst news ever. Her beloved mother was marrying the horrible guy who lived in the barn across the road. His name was Mick, and 16 year old Brinlynn couldn't stand him. He was mean and rude and particularly horrible to her! She never in a million years would've thought that her mother of all people would fall into his traps.

Finding a tall tree to sit under, Brin plopped herself down on the ground and buried her head into her hands. How co uld this possibly be happening?