Nodding, Alex  smiled at Fiona. "I can imagine it's hard being new all the time with all the moving around you've done. Although, i can't say i know how you feel. I've lived in the same place all my life," said Alex, sighing as she absentmindedly kicked a rock down the stretch of road ahead of them.  Without even thinking about what she was saying, Alex blurted out excitedly, "I'd love to see those stars at night!" Alex clapped a hand over her mouth in slight shock.<br/><br/>She recovered quickly, trying to play it cool by saying, "I mean, I bet they're pretty. I've never had those glow-in-the-dark stars..." She trailed off, suddenly a bit shy. She smiled and peeked over at Fiona who was looking back rather intently. Alex's breath caught in her throat as her heart fluttered beneath her breast. She didn't know why Fiona's gaze unnerved her, but it made her feel nervous. She hoped the other girl didn't notice as she wiped her sweaty palms on the sides of her dress.<br/><br/>Alex hesitated slightly, biting her lower lip thoughtfully when Fiona asked about Gina. Most people started treating her different once they found out about her parents, looking at her with pity. She just couldn't stand it if Fiona ever looked at her that way too. Taking a deep breath, she began slowly, "No, Gina is my aunt. I've lived with her since I was 12," Alex paused, not wanting to look at Fiona while she said the next part. It was hard for her to talk about.<br/><br/>Deciding that the best way to get it out was to do it fast, like ripping off a bandaid, she continued, "My parents were killed by a drunk driver when I was young. They were on their way to pick me up from school and when they didn't show, I just waited. I remember sitting on the school steps looking down the road for their car. I waited for what seemed like hours as the night came and raindrops started to fall. They were never late, but had always told me to wait for them. So, I did." She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying before proceeding with her story.<br/><br/>She could feel Fiona's eyes on her, but still avoided looking at her for fear that she would lose it. "I was scared of having to stay in the dark any longer. When I finally saw headlights, it turned out that they belonged to my aunt's car. The first thing she did when I got in the car was to hug me. She was acting strange and I was worried. She pulled back and told me about my parent's collision before embracing me again, tighter this time. I remember my whole body going numb... After that I moved in with her..." her voice cracked up with emotion as the tears threatened to fall. Not wanting to cry in front of someone she barely knew, she looked the opposite direction, trying to find some kind of a distraction.