3 Stepbrothers

Talking It Out

"Blake, the cake." I sang while jumping the rope. "Had nothing to bake." Blake took that as a cue and jumped into his rope. We were facing each other while bouncing trying to make sure the rope wouldn't get caught on our legs. He and I started to sing together. "So he cried. And cried till he formed a lake." I grinned and kept my jumping at the rhythm of the song. "Blake, the snake. Wanted some steak, but cried and cried when he got a rake."

He grinned at me when he didn't trip over the rope. Last round he had lost his footing and face planted into the grass. "I got it down now." He said.

I smirked making the rope move faster. My feet kept coming off and on the ground as if they had a mind of their own. "So what's this about scouting?" I asked him.

"Huh?" Blake stared at my jittering feet trying to get at the same pace. It was quiet entertaining watching him trying to jump rope. When we were kids he was scrawny. So it didn't really effect him. But now, he broad shoulders were getting in the way.

I rolled my eyes. "Scouting? I heard Cole say something about scouts."

"Oh..." Blake took a moment to think, almost losing his footing as he did so. He finally took his eyes off my feet. "Well coach showed some colleges my soccer abilities over the years. In a couple months a scout is going to come by and see if I'm worth it. If I am, I'll get a scholarship."

I smiled. "That's awesome."

He smiled back, "Yeah. If they think I'm good enough."

"Well obviously." I rolled my eyes. "You're a Parris."

That's when we heard a scream. The loudest scream I had ever heard in my life. It came from inside the house, I was sure people on the other side of the globe would be able to hear it. It was louder than Suzie's shrieks, Shawn's cries, or even the screams from horror movies.

Blake and I lost balance, dropping the ropes before running into the house. The neighbors would probably ask if we were ok but at the moment I didn't know what was going on. It was later in the day and everyone was at home. Dad was watching TV  with Suzie while mom was cooking dinner. But after the scream everyone was on their feet.

Shawn came racing down the stairs with his foam sword. "Where's the ninja!? I'll kill it!" He waved the sword around. "Who screamed?"

The scream came again only this time laughter fell behind it. It was coming from upstairs and moments later Cole was running down the steps. He practically jumped on mom squishing her in a hug while laughs kept coming.

"What is going on?" Blake asked.

"Cole are you ok?" Suzie asked.

Cole eye's turned to Suzie and he ran to her. He picked her up and threw her in the air making sure she wouldn't hit the ceiling. "I'm fantastic!" He said placing her down.

"What's the cause of all the excitement?" I asked. Before I had time to move Cole picked me up and twirled me in the air kissing my cheek before placing me down. "And screaming?" I asked when he set me down.

"This!" He placed a paper in front of my face. "Read it!"

"Do they have ninjas?" Shawn asked looking over my shoulder to the paper.

I held the paper in front of me. It felt stiff and had nice decorations of swirls and leaves on the side. There were three folds from where it was placed in a letter. I started reading aloud, my eyes growing wider as I did so. "We are glad to inform Cole Oscar Parris that we received you're application. Looking at you're school records, academic scores, and extra curricular classes/camps we are proud to announce that you have been accepted to attend Harvard University. We are hoping to see you on campus next year!" I shouted the last part re-reading the words over and over.

"What?" Everyone in the house yelled.

Cole kept nodding with a childish grin on his face. "I'm going to law school!"

Mom took the paper out of my hands to read it, dad and Blake looking over her shoulder. I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around Cole and hug him tightly. I felt Sue come in and hug him as well. "Oh my god Cole this is awesome!" I said to him.

There was no way that smile was going to come off his face. When I pulled back Shawn look my place. "Well Cole of the Fireplace," Shawn said with a grin, "I did not know you wanted to get into law. Now you're name must be Cole of the Firm." Shawn opened his arms with a creepy look in his eyes, "Now give me a hug brother."

Cole laughed, hugging our brother nevertheless. It seemed like Cole was too happy to even speak. He was smiling like a maniac and he couldn't stop bouncing from foot to foot. When he glanced at Blake the smile faded a bit and he gulped loudly. "I know it was you're dream to play side by side..." Cole said.

Blake looked up from the paper. "Dude," He said holding up the paper in front of Cole's face. "Why didn't you tell me?" Cole paled. Before he could open his mouth Blake was at talking again, "This is freaking Harvard. The Harvard. You know? The one that like everyone makes a big deal out of?" Blake enveloped Cole in hug. "I'm so proud of you little brother!"

Cole's smile returned. "You're not mad?"

"Mad?" Blake stepped back and gave Cole a confused look. "Why would I be mad?"

"Because it's your dream to play together on the big fields." Cole said softly.

Blake smiled, "If it's not your dream then why should I force you? I don't care, now I have a lawyer that won't charge me as much in case I get in trouble."

"Who says I won't charge you?" Cole smirked, "And I'm your twin. So I'm not your little brother."

"Triplet." Shawn interrupted. "I was born on that same day too you know."

Blake and Cole looked at Shawn and grinned. At the same time they both spread their arms and said, "Baby brother!" Before hugging Shawn. The three then turned to look at me and urged me to  join their hug. I rolled my eyes, joining into the group hug.
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Cole's POV

Overjoyed. Ecstatic. Blissful. Drifting through cloud nine.

All how I felt yesterday when I opened up the letter and read the words on the paper. My nerves had kicked in the moment I pulled the neatly marked envelope out of the mailbox. I sat on the edge of my bed, holding the letter in front of me for twenty minutes. The butterflies in my stomach were over the roof. I chewed four nails off and my leg kept bouncing in anticipation.

When I did open the letter, anxiety hit me like a brick wall. My breathing had completely stopped until I read that I had been excepted. I did the most common reaction a kid like me would have, I screamed. I screamed making sure China could hear me. I was that happy.

All those science, math, law, even history camps I took over the summer paid off. I was moving to Massachusetts over the next year and to make matters better, mom had already started to Google housing places or dorms for college students. I was beyond happy. Everything was falling into place.

The next morning I got up and dressed for work. I got in my uniform which consisted of t-shirt with the name Hollister written across. Just the fact that I was going to be able to see Jodee made me smile even more. Today after work was suppose to be our first date. With all the smiling I was doing, I knew my cheeks were probably going to get sore.

My eighteenth birthday had a been a success for me. I knew I was falling for Jodee. When I had gone to talk to Shawn, he asked me far to many question about how I felt. It made me feel slightly violated but he came to a conclusion that I liked Jodee. I didn't even bother denying it. Whenever I made her smile, it gave me a reason to smile. Whenever I caused her to laugh, my heart would squeeze just knowing I was the source of that beautiful sound. Sure we'd play around and fight. But it was different. A good different.

Shawn and Tori agreed Jodee was awesome. They invited her to come back any time, which I was thankful for. I thought Shawn would be upset because we still haven't told everyone about Tori. I didn't understand what happened that day. Blake had choked. He never choked. If he had just walked away saying he didn't feel like telling everyone, I would have gone behind his back and just spit the secret out. But he choked. That's definitely something Blake doesn't do often.

Shawn and I had waited on the steps while everyone asked what was going on. After the five minutes passed by, we went in the house to make sure Tori wasn't stabbing Blake with a knife. Everyone seemed to have followed us inside, expecting something was going on. I felt bad when I opened the door to the bathroom door and both my siblings tumbled out.

When I had confronted Tori and Blake about what they were talking about, they'd give me lame excuses. I knew their faces though. It was the same face they both had when Blake brought Tori back from the cemetery on Thanksgiving night. That day seemed like such a long time ago, but it barely was. After that night, we all started to bond better. Stronger. We did almost everything together. Tori was one of us now. In a weird, twisted way, she was a Parris. And I was proud to call her my sister.

I parked near the Hollister and got out of my car carrying the small bag of cookies. On my way here, I decided to stop by the cookie shop and get some of Jodee's favorites. If you're ever in a really good mood, like I was, then anything courteous would come to mind. "Dalton I'm in." I said to my manager as I walked into the store. He only gave me a wave causing me to roll my eyes.

That guy.

Over the last couple weeks, I got used to working here. I was better at pointing everything out to customers and sometimes I was allowed to handle the cash register. Like I imagined, the school started buzzing about me working here. A lot of my friends would drop by to say hi or some girls would try to flirt, they'd act upset when I ignored them and concentrated on my job.

Dalton was mad at first, then he realized my popularity and let it go. He knew I was attracting more customers. He also caught Jodee and I playing around some more, yet every time he'd just say: I'd fire you. But then I'd have to do work to replace you. He was a good boss, he was just lazy. I wondered how he stayed in shape, he had to do something outside the job. Here he'd just lay back on the sofa and scratch his balls while reading on his phone. I don't get how he was placed manager. 

When I asked around my co-workers they all had their rumors and stories: Dalton saved the life of the owner of the building. Dalton used to be super studious and set on the job until his girlfriend dumped him. Dalton stopped a burglar that tried to steal the money in the cash register. Dalton this, Dalton that. They were all stories, whichever was true I didn't know.

I walked into the lounge and towards the fridge. Inside were a couple water bottles, soda's, and peoples lunch boxes in case they got hungry. I took a water and sat on the sofa picking up one of the magazines. My shift didn't start for another fifteen minutes, so I had time to kill. Why work when you're not getting paid?

I couldn't even process the words I was reading. They wouldn't get put into my brain. They'd just linger around like an alphabet soup. I was thinking too hard on college now. Wondering if I was prepared to take this step, if other kids were better, or if I would be able to move far away from home. "It's upside down." Jodee said as she walked into the lounge.

"What?" I asked her.

She opened the fridge and took a coke. "Your magazine." She popped the can open. "It's upside down."

I looked down at the magazine. Well no wonder I couldn't read it, it was upside down. "Oh." I couldn't get the smile off my face. My hands reached down and I picked up the small red bag. "I brought cookies."

She stared between the bag and me. A small smiled played on her lips before she frowned. "Are you trying to make me fat?" She asked.

I slowly answered, "No..."

"I think you're lying." She said with a fake glare.

I shrugged, "Well if you don't want-"

"No!" Jodee shouted before getting quiet. "I mean, no no. I didn't say that."

A smile formed on my lips and I held the bag out. Just as Jodee reached for it, I pulled it back. "First a kiss Jojo." Jodee sighed, rolling her eyes before pecking my lips. "Another," I whined, "That was too quick."

"Cole! Just give me the cookies."

"Ok ok," I handed her the bag and she took a seat next to me.

"So why the good mood?" She asked grabbing a chocolate chip in the bag. I would've gotten a cookie as well, but I was afraid Jodee would bite me again. She started chewing on the cookie like it was her job.

I smiled, "I got in."

Her mouth was stuffed but she managed to talk with crumbs flying out. "Got in where?"

"In Harvard." I dropped the subject softly. My eyes kept staring at my hands, my smile never leaving my face.

Jodee's eyes widened as she looked at me. "Cole that's awesome!" She jumped into my arms and hugged me tightly. I pulled her back slightly to cup her face in my hand and press her lips to mine. I moved my lips slowly against hers. They were soft and tender, a feeling I couldn't get over. And I didn't ignore the fact they fit perfectly with mine. It felt right kissing Jodee, even if it was a short amount of time, it just felt real. Nothing fake or used, but real.

"No sex on the couch." Dalton said walking in, causing Jodee and I to part. "Although," He stopped for a second like he was remembering something, "I wouldn't fire you because-"

"Yeah because it's too much work." I said to him with a smirk.

He shook his head, "No I was going to say because I remember having sex with a girl on that couch."

Jodee and I jumped off the couch at lightning speed. "Warning next time please." I said looking at the sofa in a whole new way.

"You can get some Dalton?" Jodee asked confused. "I would have never guessed."

Dalton sneered at her, "Get to work. I don't want to have to fire you."

I rolled my eyes and put my hand on Jodee's back leading her out to the main part store. She kept eating her cookies with a happy smile. Just as we were about to start our shifts I leaned over and pecked her lips. "We're still on for that date after work, right?"

She nodded, "Course. After you practically forced me on it."

I grinned, "Not that you're complaining." She rolled her eyes and I smirked, "You taste like cookies." I licked my lips.

Her cheeks turned pink. "Shut up." I smiled placing the lanyard around my neck before heading deeper into the store.

It was a lot busier these days. The temperature had slightly calmed down. There was no more snow, it was still cold sometimes or just cool, but the snow days came to a stop. Because of that a lot of people were coming in now. Not to mention it was a Saturday, only making everything even more hectic. My co-workers and I were going from customer to customer. They'd ask for different sizes that weren't available up front so I'd go in the back to see if it was there.

We'd take shifts in the dressing rooms. Standing there for an hour at a time as people came by asking us to unlock the doors so they could try everything on. Anything they didn't like or want, they'd hand to us and we'd place it back where it belonged. I got so good at folding clothes that I didn't have to think about it, I just did it on the spot. No thinking involved.

"Jodee put a dollar in the jar." I heard Dalton say. He pointed at the jar on the counter and Jodee grumbled putting another dollar.

"It's not my fault my vocabulary is more colorful than a rainbow." I heard her mutter while placing a fresh dollar into the jar. A smirk formed on my lips while I finished re-stacking some clothes. Jodee was definitely something else. Her smart and witty remarks never stopped smiles from forming on my face.

"Hey Cole." I turned around to come face to face with a girl that had blood red hair.

I plastered a fake smile, "Good seeing you here Sara. Do you need any help with anything?"

She gave a flirty smile. "I thought we went through that last time." Her feet took a step towards me, I backed up.

"Nope." I grabbed one of the boxes on the ground. It was filled with clothing items I was suppose to stack in specific sections. With the big boom today, some of our items were running low. "But if you don't mind, I need to go put this in the back so excuse me." I gave her a curt nod, along with the friends that were standing behind her.

When I left the back, after placing the box where it belonged, I ran into one of Sara's minions. "Why weren't we invited to your birthday party?" She said with a pout.

"I've never seen you in my life." I answered truthfully. She was a short girl with blonde hair and highlights. For someone so small, she sure wore small clothing. Honestly do they just shop in the youth section because not even an extra small was that small.

She gawked at me. "Yes you have."

"No I haven't."

"Cole no fighting with customers." Dalton said from behind the clothes rack.

I swear there has to be two or three of them because he's like everywhere. Does he follow me?

I faked smiled and looked down at the girl. "Where are Sara and your other friends?" She smiled and pointed at the other girls. I grabbed her wrist and put her in her group. "Wait here," I said a cheeky grin. They all nodded like robots, it made me pity them.

Has the world really come to this? I know there are some smart people out there in the world but did there really have to be girls like this? They think their life is made, that they should have fun. That's what I thought. Until I realized a lot of rumors went around or people talked behind my back. These girls all thought they were friends, they weren't. If anything exciting or juicy happened and you so happen to tell one of these 'friends' they'll simpy go tell the whole world. Well I'd rather have four quarters than a hundred pennies. Something my sister taught me.

I grabbed Jodee's hand while she was folding some more clothing. "Cole what are you-"

"Shh." I led her to where I left the girls waiting.

"You did not just shush me." I could feel Jodee glaring at the back of my head.

I pulled her in front of me, displaying her to the girls. "You see this person right here?" I asked them. They all nodded and I felt Jodee stiffen underneath my hands. "She is my girl. And I would like you to post that on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, whatever the heck you have." I looked down at Jodee entwining my fingers with hers. "Because she is the most frustrating, blood boiling, annoying girl I've ever met." Jodee looked up at me with so much anger, it made me want to crawl under something. She opened her mouth but I placed my forehead on hers and smiled at her, "Yet I'm hopelessly falling for her. And I don't know what to do about it because I've never felt this about anyone."

I could practically hear Sara and her friend's mouth's dropping. But I didn't care right now. It was just me and Jodee, and that's how I wanted it to be. I kissed her lips softly, ignoring all the protest from the girls. Their heels clicked away, I was to absorbed in the kiss to really pay attention. "No PDA," We heard Dalton groan behind us, "Seriously guys! I don't want to have to fire you. I don't want to do extra work."

Jodee and I pulled back. I looked up at my manager, "You wouldn't want to fire me would you? I've gotten you more customers."

He thought it over. "And I practically do all your work for you." Jodee added. Dalton stared at us for a second before shaking his head and walking away. Jodee lifted our holding hands and bit into my wrist. "Don't get me in trouble again." She glared before walking away.

The rest of the day went by smoothly. Jodee and I barely talked so I'd just shoot her smiles. Sometimes she'd smile back, other times she turn around and pretend to be doing something important. As the day matured, more and more people started coming in. Just as the real rush hour was about to hit, the timer on my phone went off telling me my shift was over.

I had devised a plan to set my work times on my phone. Sometimes I'd be so focused on my job that I wouldn't realize I was done for the day. Dalton wasn't exactly a good manager, he just waited for you to come and tell you to work. But after that he didn't really care. We just had to tell him when we were leaving for the day.

"Excited?" I asked Jodee when we slipped into my car.

"Yeah." She smiled at me before looking out the window.

"So how are Kaden and Ethan?"

"Good."

I tried thinking of another question. She was giving me short replies, I hated it when people gave me short replies. It was almost as bad as short texts. A pet peeve of mine. Especially when it takes me five minutes to type a long paragraph and the only thing the other person would say is:Ok. "So...did you like the cookies."

She smirked without facing me. "Duh." The smile she held fell as she looked down at her nails.

"Are you mad at me?" I spoke bluntly.

"No."

"Then why do you keep doing that." I asked her. "Every time I get you to smile you turn away. You haven't looked at me in the eye since I told you how I felt. And right now you're giving me short answers like you don't want to talk to me. Was it something I said?"

"No..." Jodee sighed. "Sorta."

I felt the color leave my face. "What'd I say?" Did she really think what I said was that bad? I didn't think it was bad at all. I was just being honest. It was moments like these when I was feeling frustrated and confused. There was no way I would ever understand girls.

I had done something nice. At least in my eyes it was nice. I didn't mean to put her in the spot light, but I meant for all those other girls to know I was taken. It was stupid, ridiculous thinking Jodee was mad at me for doing that. Maybe I did start if off wrong, thinking I could make up for it with my next words. If I made her feel bad, I didn't mean to.

"It doesn't matter." Jodee muttered. "It's complicated."

"Then explain it to me."

"Why should I?" Her voice was raising only adding to my frustration. It felt like the car suddenly increased in temperature. I felt beads of sweat start forming on my neck. Whenever I was frustrated everything would get hot, like there was an imaginary thermometer in me ticking to the top.

"I just want to understand Jodee." My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. We were about five minutes away from the batting cages. It was where I wanted to take Jodee. I didn't want a cliche date at a restaurant or picnic. Sure a the batting cages weren't that romantic, but they were fun. I figured Jodee would prefer something fun verses something fancy.

"This was a mistake." Jodee said. Her eyes were glazed over but I didn't have to time to look closely because she shifted in her seat so she was looking out the window. "Could you please just take me home?"

My heart slammed down to the pit of my stomach, feeling as if someone just squeezed it in a tight fist. I couldn't even look at her. Was she really that regretful on going on a date with me? I stopped by the side of the road, watching as cars slowly went by. The street was deserted, a car would pass by every few minutes or so. Other than that it was empty and hallow, almost like my heart at this moment.

"I don't get you." I nearly shouted. "One minute we're having fun. We're laughing, joking around, sometimes even kissing, and the next thing I know you're all..." I couldn't even think of a word to describe it. My hand slammed down on the edge of the steering wheel causing Jodee to jump. "You're so...frustrating!" My hands went through my hair. "I like you. But every time I get close, you push me away. I don't get it. If this was such a big mistake why'd you agree to go on a date with me in the first place?"

Jodee buried her face in her hands. "Because I like you too. But I just thought I'd save us from the heartbreak ok?" A sob escaped her lips causing my whole body to freeze. Her walls were crashing down but I didn't know how to handle a crying girl. All that tough exterior Jodee shows is only the exterior. I know that inside she's just another one of those fan girls. Countless times she'd start fangirling about One Direction and some guys on Instagram. She told me she'd cry whenever she read something awful or heartbreaking. There were many different sides to this girl, and I still wanted to take my time to discover each and every one of them.

I clipped my seat belt off doing my best to hug her in my car. It left me in an uncomfortable position but I didn't care. As long as Jodee was in my arms, this was all I wanted. "What heartbreak?" I asked her while kissing the top of her head.

She sniffled and ran her hand under her nose. "You're moving to Massachusetts. And I'm moving to New Zealand. It won't work Cole. Long distance never works."

Moving to New Zealand? That's on the other side of the world. We wouldn't be in the same time zone, country,, continent, not even the same ocean! I wanted to say we should try. There was no use though. It was just simply too far away. I couldn't neglect my studies to go traveling. Traveling could come later after I finish college. "You got into Victoria?" I finally asked.

She nodded, "I'm moving at the end of the school year."

I took a deep intake of air. "Even if we separate, I would rather have the best couple months of my life," I said slowly, "Than be around you knowing the pain of not being able to hold your hand. Or hug you. Knowing I wouldn't be able to feel your lips against mine..." My hand reached down for her chin and pulled it up so she was looking at me. "Let's forget about college," I said to her, "We'll worry about that when the time gets here. Right now...I just want you and me."

Jodee's eyes were a puffy red. It killed me seeing her the way she was until a small smile crossed her face. She pulled me down kissing me gently. I sighed against her lips, content that we had this moment. When she pulled back she gave me one more peck whispering softly. "So where was this date you were speaking of?"

The whole ride to the batting cages, Jodee and I held hands while listening to the radio play. She kept saying I was an awful singer whenever I tried to sing along. As if she was any better. She was between a dying cat and Shawn.

"How'd you know I love batting cages?" She grinned when we walked into the building. It was a large storehouse with areas sectioned off as batting cages. They said they used to have the cages outside, but now indoors more people come when it's raining.

"I didn't." I gave her a smile after we signed in. We decided on sharing the cage so we wouldn't have to pay for two. With Jodee losing all her money to the curse jar, she didn't have enough cash on her to pay. I told her I'd pay for her but she absolutely refused. It led to another one of our screaming matched, until I finally just gave in. Mom always said, let the girl win.

The whole area was hollow. Anytime someone's bat collided with the ball, a loud clap would ring around the building. Shouting and laughter was carried out like an echo as it bounced against the walls. The air was thick and stale. It was like a large locker room, that was about twenty stories high and really large.

I whistled every time Jodee would hit the baseball with the bat. It seemed like she was getting all her frustration out on that small ball. I slightly pitied it. Then I feared Jodee having a bat. If we suddenly fought again, she would have the upper leveraged.

Let me rephrase that, she always has the upper leverage. Only this time she would have a bat...I'm so screwed.

Jodee came out panting with a little bit of sweat lining her forehead. She took her helmet off and handed me the bat. "What'd you think?"

I took the bat away from her as fast as I could. "I think," I held the bat up. "This is a weapon in your hands. I don't need to be bruised by the end of the day." Jodee smirked at me and placed my helmet on my head.

I walked into the cage and swirled the bat in my hand. I faced a white wall that had a black hole where the ball would shoot out. There was a red and green light just above the hole. I got into stance and waited for the green light to appear. When it did, it only took the ball a couple seconds before it shot out. The bat in my hand seemed to have a mind of it's own while I swung.

Time was lost after a while as my arms worked on their own. My shoulders were starting to get sore from all the force I'd put into the swing. Whenever the baseball hit the bat a loud, sharp clap would follow. By the time I was done, I rolled my shoulders back and forth, massaging them to try and make the soreness go away. Sweat was trickling down my neck and I could really use a drink of water. Or some cold air. The temperature seemed to have increased since I walked in.

I stepped out of the cages and took my helmet off. My hair was probably clamped down and it was slightly wet from my sweating. "How'd I do?" I asked Jodee.

"You have a nice butt." Jodee blurted out. I turned to face her, a smirk playing at the corner of my lips. Her face flushed and eyes widened. "I meant elbow. You have a nice elbow."

"I'm sure you did." I stepped towards her snaking my arms around her waist, leaning over and pecking her lips. "It's ok. You can admit you were checking me out."

Jodee pursed her lips and shot me a glare. "I was not checking you out."

"Liar."

"I'm not lying."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not." She fumed.

I smirked again, "Totally were."

"Ok. I was. But if you drop it I'll give you a hug."

I placed my forehead on hers. "I want something more than that."

"A kiss?"

"No." I smiled, "Be my girlfriend."

Shock spread across her face. Her eyes traveled to the words written across my shirt as a blush spread up her neck. She hesitated for a moment, I knew why. I pushed the bile that I was tasting back down, I'd dread the day from here on out. Maybe even have nightmares. A smile formed on Jodee's face and she looked back up at me. "Does this girlfriend thing come with food and free kisses?"

That made me smile and it already felt like the sun was shining brighter outside. I took her hand in mine, pressing my lips quickly to hers. "Come on. The concession stand has chili dogs. I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

"No one can ever go wrong with food." Jodee said. I led her to the small concession stand the building had in the back. It had decent food and the prices weren't overly expensive. Jodee took a seat on one of the benches watching a guy that was in a nearby batting cage.

I went to the counter ordering two chili dogs with extra cheese and two water bottles. "So what part from California did you come from?" I asked Jodee when I sat beside her handing her the chili dog. My mouth went around the food trying not to get the chili on my clothes.

"San Diego." Jodee smiled like she was bringing back good memories. "It never got dull. Always full of stuff to do and people to see."

I smiled. "That's good. Is California like in the movies?"

Jodee laughed, "Nah. Cali isn't like what tourist see. But I just see it as home." She turned to look at me taking a bite of her food. "Why are you asking all these questions anyways?"

"Wanna get to know you better." I shrugged, "You can ask too."

"Alright." Jodee thought for a second. "Why do you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"You already are." I said with a smile. She waved her hands for me to continue. Why did I want her to be my girlfriend? Maybe it was her confidence. Just the fact she can stand up for herself. Sure we fight, but we make up afterwards. It's irritating sometimes yet I felt like we need it. We weren't the ideal couple, where everything was perfect here and there. We argued and gave our thoughts. But it's what makes us whole. When we hold hands, hug, or even just give each other a quick kiss it felt right.

Maybe it was meant to be. I never believed in those sappy love stories or love at first sight. There was never a 'soul mate' for me. I don't think all that stuff is true. Love is simply an emotion felt towards someone. A reaction in the brain that sends signals throughout the body. But boy was science wrong. There was never anything better than...this feeling. It wasn't something from the brain but heart.

I knew my parents were in love. My mom and real dad. When Bill came into my life, sure I thought I was betraying my dad. I didn't believed in love because it seemed like mom could move on so quickly. Now I understood. It was like a drug, like the alcohol I was so addicted to. I just wanted more and more. To drown myself in the endless pleasure. Just like I want more of Jodee. Being around her was different. When we were away, I would miss her. Almost like feeling a withdrawal. But when we're together, all I wanted to do was hold her hand and pull her into my arms.

I decided to answer her question with my own question. "Why not?" I asked.

Her mouth opened like she was about to say something. Instead her eyebrows knitted together like she was concentrating. "That's my line bro." She finally said chewing down on the chili dog.

I smiled and looked back at the batter. "So why New Zealand?" I knew it was a touchy subject, but I was curious.

Jodee tensed before sighing. "I've always had a thing about New Zealand. Getting out of the U.S. is something I've always wanted to do too. See the world, you know? Auckland is usually the tourist place but I want to go to Wellington to see how they really live. Classes there are great, not to mention the beaches are beautiful."

"I heard that too." I grinned softly.

"They are," Jodee gushed, "It's so clear. I can see right through it." She sighed and we ate our food quietly before she poked my shoulder causing me to look her way. "My turn to ask a question....how many girlfriends?"

I laughed, "None."

Jodee rolled her eyes. "That's a lie. You're an amazing kisser and you have a great butt."

"What does my butt have anything to do with it?" My eyebrows raised.

"What does your butt not have to do with it?" Jodee said as if it were so obvious. "Obviously girls stare at it all the time."

I laughed, "My Jojo is jealous."

She took an angry bite into her chili dog. "Am not."

"Are too." I smirked but before she could answer I asked her my next questions. "Who are your best friends?"

Jodee didn't even hesitate. "There's Vanessa-but I call her Banessa because I don't like the letter V-, Cynthia-we call her Cece-, Candace, and Sophie." She thought about it for a second and a smile spread on her lips, "Not necessarily in that order though."

I chuckled, "What are they like?"

"Well," Jodee wrapped up the bite size chili dog in a napkin. "Banessa is the bae. Cece is hilarious. Candace is pretty. Sophie is awesome."

"They sound like awesome people." I scarfed down the last bit of my chili dog and took a sip of water.

"They are." Jodee bragged crossing her arms over her chest. "Probably better than your friends."

I shrugged. She was probably right. The only best friends I could count on were Blake and Shawn. Now Tori was added into the group but before that I only trusted my brothers. Tori's my sister now and I do trust her with everything.

I checked the time on my phone and realized it was getting late. "I should probably drop you off at home." She nodded and we both got up heading to my car. We dropped threw all our trash away in the nearest trash can before heading back outside. It was cool now that the sun was about to set.

I was enjoying the small breeze when I felt something pinch my butt. My eyes turned to Jodee as she smirked and walked past me to stand in front of my car. "Only because I saw your side hoe to it at work." She called.

******************************

Shawn's POV

Dude please! My voice yelled inside my head

No!

Please! I'll be your best friend! He tried to bargain.

What if she walks in again? I asked. That was so embarrassing.

You're fault for getting caught.

It was your idea!

I am you, you dummy!

Stop insulting me! I shouted back.

"Shawn are you ok?" Em asked me while we sat around her dinner table. Her aunt,  Melissa, had invited me to have dinner with her again. Melissa and I have been flipping through pages like in a book. In the beginning she liked me, after Em and I broke up for that short time, Melissa hated me. Now we're back on the same page and she considers me a good guy after what I did to make up with Emily.

Of course after Homecoming and I came here to be with my girlfriend,  Melissa nearly kicked me out for breaking her niece's heart. I thought fathers were suppose to be intimidating, but when Melissa grabbed the kitchen knife I was about to bolt. Thank the heavens Em was there. Next thing you'd know Melissa is on the six o'clock news for murdering a teenager.

"Yeah." I said quickly turning to face the two ladies. My eyes had been trained on Rocket ever since I had walked in through the door. He had been eating out of his food bowl while we started dinner. The little pup has grown a lot during the last few months. He was definitely heavier, still cuddle-able, but heavier.

Em smirked, "He's probably imagining Rocket in a hot dog suit."

I smiled. "You know me well. But that is not what I was thinking matter of fact."

"Really?" Emily looked shocked for a moment before she shrugged it off. "Honestly it'd take an expert to figure you out."

My smile widened and we kept small talking the rest of dinner. Sadly, my little voice wouldn't leave me alone so every once in a while I'd glance at Rocket, turning my train of thoughts onto the subject of how he tasted.

What if you add ketchup? My voice asked.

Why can't you shut up?

Because I don't want to shut up.

Fine...I'm shunning you.

You can't shun me! It cried.

Just did. So ha!

Just lick the dog and I promise I won't ever bring this subject back up. Ever again.

I thought about it for a moment. It'd be nice to content my conscious and never have to hear about this subject. I was tired of being teased and mocked by my own self. Fine.

Melissa and Emily were cleaning the dishes while I was suppose to be cleaning the table. Their backs were turned to me so I turned my attention do the dachshund. His ears weren't as floppy anymore. And a waddle started taking place.

Rocket was drinking out of his water bowl when I squatted down. I didn't even have to call him over, he knew who I was. He trotted over and I petted him behind the ears before taking a hold of his legs. What do I taste?

The legs. It's probably like chicken legs.

What the...

Just not the hind legs...he might have gotten some of his pee there when he does his business.

I'm so done with you...I lent over and dragged my tongue against Rockets head. My face scrunched up, my tongue never coming back in my mouth. I set Rocket down and ran to the bathroom in the hall. "Ew ew ew." I tried saying as best as I could. I took the bar of soap and turned the faucet on.

"Em!" I called when I realized the soap wasn't any better.

"Yeah?" She called back.

"Do you have any mouthwash?" I asked.

"Um..." I heard her yell over. "Check under the sink in my bathroom."

My feet ran up the stairs until I reached Emily's room. I rushed to her bathroom, looking underneath the sink. There were so many products though. Hair, skin, nails, and others I wasn't even sure what meant. I pushed everything aside until I found the bottle of mouthwash.

I gargled and spit at least ten times before I walked out of the bathroom. Emily was laying on her bed with a book in her hands. She looked up at me with a curious smile. "What did you do?"

"Word of advice," I said to her. "Do not lick your dog and don't try to get the taste out with soap."

Em laughed. Every time she tried to stop laughing she'd give me another look before laughing again. "This totally makes you un-kissable now." She finally said.

I mocked a hurt expression and tossed myself onto her bed. My stomach laid flat against the mattress while I played around the end of Em's belt. "But I like your kisses."

"You shouldn't have licked my dog then."

I started to fake cry. When Em rolled her eyes I sobbed. I pretended to be sobbing my heart out. I rolled over and fell onto the floor moaning and groaning while rolling. "No." I cried placing my thumb in my mouth and bringing my knees to my chest. "No no no no no." I shut my eyes tightly and continued crying.

Suddenly Em's door opened and Melissa walked in. I looked up seeing the kitchen knife in her hand with a crazed expression on her face. My eyes widened and everyone awkwardly stared at each other. "I thought you were..." She pointed at me with the kitchen knife before turning it to Em. Then she looked back at me placing her hand on her hip. "Why are you on the ground?"

My voice started to laugh, She thought you and Em were doing the nasty! Hahaha!

Well...I mean...I wouldn't mind.

Horny much?

Wrong! I left my horny-ness at home! In a plastic bag, on my desk, in my room. Next to my ninja action figure collection! Suck that!

Why would I want to suck my own self?

I want to hit you so badly.  I said to it.

Do it.

Next thing I knew I ended up punching myself in the gut. Emily and Melissa turned to me while I rolled on the ground holding onto my stomach. Melissa sighed, "I'm going to sleep. Night you two."

"Night Aunty." Em called. I groaned and waved until she left the room. "What are you doing?" Em asked.

"Trying to stop internally bleeding. You?"

Em chuckled, "I'm starting a new book. Care to join?"

I sat up and made my way back on her bed. My head found itself on Em's stomach while I hugged her close to me. "It's your turn to read." My eye's closed on their own account as I rested myself on Em. Her breathing was slow and her stomach would move up and down. It was a comfortable resting spot. Em and I would take turns reading to each other, every time she read to me it was like this. Every time I read to her she'd rest her head against my  chest.

Her fingers started running through my hair while she spoke out of the text. "Prologue. When the world was new, the seven Gods dwelt in harmony, and the races of man were as one people..."

I got sucked into the story. A feeling I was now accustomed too. Everything played in my mind like a movie, I felt like I was just watching the scenes taking place from afar. As if they were directly in front of me. Just hearing the descriptions of characters either got me attached to them, or simply start despising them.

Even with Em reading, I was stuck in my own thoughts. The way Cole reacted to getting accepted in Harvard. I was so proud of him, I was glad he wasn't a screw up like me. Being here with Emily made me realize how much of a screw up I truly am. She'd go away to some college and I'd be stuck mourning at home with nothing to do. She was my world now. My everything. I want her to go get a good education so she won't be like me, but I also want to stay with her.

"Where are you going to college?" I asked Em when she started on chapter three in the book.

Her hand stopped pushing itself through my hair and even though I wasn't facing her I knew she was staring at me. "What?"

I shifted placing my chin on her belly button and looking at her. "We never talked about this...I think we've both been trying to avoid it...but we should just talk about it."

Emily stared at me a few seconds before placing a bookmark inside the book so we know where we left off. She sighed and I took that as a cue to move up to her. I placed the pillow on my side, propping me up as I faced her. She was still lying on her back, tapping her fingers against the covers. "Remember how I said I came from New York?"

I nodded, "Yeah."

"I'm going to New York City to try and get into journalism." Em stated.

Everything...vanished from inside me. I only felt this feeling one time in my life and that was when I lost Emily. When we broke up for that short amount of time. My heart had an earthquake, cracks that were filled reappearing. "Th-that's," I coughed trying to stop my voice from cracking. I pushed through a smile and willed myself to stop my throat from closing up. "That's great Em."

My body turned itself around so my back was facing my girlfriend. I buried my face in her pillow. What have I done? I thought to myself. I completely messed up my life. I was going to be a nobody, someone that just got through. I wasn't going to amount to anything special. My whole life went down the drain because I didn't take high school seriously. I didn't care, it didn't matter to me, not until this year. Not until I met Emily.

Emily...she was going to move away. She was going to leave and make a life with herself. The complete opposite of me. If I was lucky, I'd get into some sort of college and find a job somewhere. I could take the summer classes to earn credits I don't have. It was different for Emily though. She would go to New York, make friends, and even find a better guy. A more stable guy that has good grades and can support her.

I couldn't do it. I love her too much for her to end up with a screw up like me. She deserves someone better. Someone that doesn't act like a five year old child. I may act silly and crazy, but it didn't mean I was stupid. Stupidity didn't come from the way you act, anyone could act like a five year old, they choose not to. But I wouldn't allow myself to have Emily end up with me. Even though we've been through so much, even though I love her, she deserved someone better.

"Shawn?" I heard her say gently. Her hand touched my shoulder and I flinched back, sitting up at the other end of the bed. I held my head in my hands, my eyes starting to sting.

Stop it. My voice said, You're not only hurting yourself but her too.

She doesn't deserve me. She deserves someone better.

But she loves you.

"Baby what's wrong?" The weight on the bed shifted. Her arms went around my neck and I felt her lips kiss my shoulder softly. "We can work this out."

I shook my head. "Em...go to college. Have fun. Meet friends," My voice croaked, "Other guys too. D-don't get caught up in me."

Emily didn't say anything. The only noise heard was the small ticking of the clock she hand hung on her wall. "Wh-what are you saying?" She stuttered.

I turned my head so I was looking at her. My heart suddenly crumbled down. It felt like someone placed my heart in my blender. Emily had tears streaming down her face, it was the last straw. I felt my own tears start coming out and my throat closed up threatening sobs to escape. "You just...you don't deserve me."

Em sniffled and placed her lips on my shoulder. I felt them quiver and she shut her eyes to stop more tears. "What does that even mean? I love you."

"I love you too." I managed to say. My gaze fell down to my hands that rested in my lap. "That's why I'm telling you to go. Because you don't deserve to be stuck with me. There are better guys out there Em. Guys that will actually go to college."

"I don't understand." Em sobbed. "If you love me why are you telling me this? Why can't we work something out? We can Skype. Or meet every break I have. It's long distance, but-"

I shook my head, "No Emily. That's not what I mean. I mean I'm not worth you. You should get someone bet-"

"Dammit Shawn." Em sobbed, "God I love you. Why are you making this so much harder than it is? Why are you hurting us?"

I pushed the palm of my hands into my eyes. "Because you love me. You love me. You shouldn't love me. You should love someone better. We're going to be far away anyways, so it doesn't matter. We shouldn't be...doing or saying these things. It just makes it worse."

Em's tears were starting to make a spot of water on my shirt. "What if I stay here?" She asked after a while.

"Don't even say that," I stood up and faced her. She sat on her knees trying to wipe her tears away. I knelt down in front of her, placing my arms on her bed and looking up at her puffy face. While I spoke I couldn't even stop the water falling from my eyes. "You're so smart Emily. I don't know how I ever got someone as amazing as you. You showed me what it's like to fall in love. I'm so over my head for you, that's why I'm saying this. I can't have you ruin your life over me. I might be a somebody right now but in a couple years I won't be anything.

"I never took school seriously. I'm a screw up. You on the other hand, you have straight A's and a life ahead of you. I can't drag you down. I won't be able to get a lot of money, I don't even think I could get in a good college. I'll be getting by, that's not the life I want with you. I want to be able to give you everything you want, to be able to treat you like the queen you are. That's all I want for you, to be happy. And I don't think I can do that. Not with the direction I'm heading. But some other man, he'll be able to do it."

"You're not a screw up Shawn." Em pulled her knees to her chest. Her talking soon turned into quiet whispers. "Please don't do this."

I climbed back onto her bed and pulled her close to my chest. Rocking us softly I continuously kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry," I said between kisses. "I love you so much."

Em sobbed in my shirt. I had to hold her close to stop her trembling. "That's all that matters to me," Emily said between breaths. "Your love for me. I don't care about money Shawn."

"But-"

Em silenced me with a soft kiss. My hand gently grabbed the back of her neck, trying to get her closer. She wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her back on her bed hovering over her. When we pulled back I cupped her cheek and wiped her tears away with my thumb. "This is the most serious I've ever seen you." Em closed her eyes and leaned into my hand.

I kissed the edge of her lips. "See why I play around?" I pecked her lips softly. "If I'm serious I make you cry."

Em's lip curled into a small smile before her eyes opened up and started getting glossy. "Please don't leave me Shawn." She sucked in her lip. "I love you."

I smiled placing my forehead on hers, "I Loathe Only Vital Excuses you too."

She let out a small laugh, "That's the Shawn I know."

We were quiet for for a couple minutes. Enjoying each others company. Once Em and I finally calmed our breathing I placed small kisses around her face. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I had a brain malfunction. Everything just died in there."

I kissed underneath her eye, causing her eyelids to flutter shut. A sigh escaped her lips, "Can we try long distance?"

I shook my head, "Hell no." Her face turned away from mine so I started kissing her neck. "I'm moving to New York with you." I added. Em looked up at me and I gave her a smile before pressing my lips to hers. "I love you."

The rest of the night, even after Emily fell asleep, I kept repeating those three little words. Maybe I was a screw up. But I'd do anything to get Emily what she wants. I'll get five jobs. I don't care. She may not deserve me, yet I'm ecstatic she kept me around. I'll wait at Starbucks for her to get out of her classes, I'll work shifts during her sessions. I'll help her pay the rent and anything else needed. All that, because I love her.
******************************
Tori's POV

"Score!" Shawn yelled as he caught a grape in his mouth. He fist pumped the air before going back to his lunch.

"Ok," Cole took two grapes. "My turn." He threw them in the air, one after the other, catching them in a swift motion. He chewed on them with a grin. "You're turn."

Shawn glared at him, "That doesn't even count. You threw them at different times."

"You try catching two at a time then." Cole handed him a couple grapes.

"Oh I will." Shawn smirked and threw the two grapes in air. He opened his mouth, ready to receive them.

Mark came from behind and shook his shoulders, "A-gooba-gooba!"

Shawn screamed and a grape fell onto his eyes. The lunch table suddenly started laughing and Mark took his seat beside me. "You're face," Mark laughed out.

"You're scream," I said through tears. It had come out high pitched and sounding like a girl. I never thought a guy could hit that note, but Shawn proved me wrong. "You sounded like a girl."

"I did not." Shawn huffed crossing his arms over his chest.

Em laughed, "Yeah you did. Don't even try to deny it."

Shawn had told us his plans for college. To say I was slightly disappointed was the least. I knew Cole was leaving, and now Shawn also. He told us he'd be moving to New York with his girlfriend. Mom and dad handled the news well, but now insisted Emily come to have dinner with us. Shawn was happy about it and agreed wholeheartedly. It was nice to know that they would be going off together, in a sense, they were meant to me.

Blake and I had agreed to tell Mark by having Shawn invite him over. I would be at home and once he see's me everything was going to happen. We would sit him down, talk to him, and I'd be praying he wouldn't hate me. Blake said he'd be at my side, even for being annoying and obnoxious, he was a great brother.

"Nice one." Hayden said to Mark.

I'd gotten used to the stares that the school continuously gave our table. A few times, guys from my team decided to join us. Other than that, everyone's eyes were usually trained on my table. With the Trips here it's like everyone was waiting for something to happen. Or they didn't understand why they were sitting here in the first place.

I heard the rumors. I didn't like them very much, but there was nothing I could do about them. Some assumed that because Emily and I are friends, Shawn would sit, causing a domino effect on his brothers. Mark was now popular as Shawn's friend, and the whole school knew that Hayden has a crush on me.

The attention was starting to cause me stress. Girls that manicure they're nails everyday started talking to me. I frankly didn't care about them. I had to stand up against my best friend, these other people meant nothing to me. So I'd just tell them the F word and they'd gawk at me before huffing and turning away.

Guys I had never talked to before suddenly seemed interested in me. I'd just repeat my catch phrase I'd use on the girls and walk away. One time, this real jerk decided to grab on my wrist. Trent had come over and punched him the gut telling him to go screw someone else. I was thankful, raging at the jerk, but thankful that Trent had covered me.

The rumors though. They were the worst part. Everywhere I turned it looked like people were talking about my brothers and I. Of course they didn't know we were siblings, they all assumed I was having some sort of affair with the guys. Even though Shawn and Cole were now in relationships, they started to think that Shawn was hiding it behind Em's back. And because the school knew Cole had a college girlfriend, they thought he was doing the same. As for Blake, those were the worst of the rumors.

I hated this feeling. I didn't like all this attention that was falling on my shoulders. Sometimes I'd walk down the halls and people would whisper about me. When I was right in front of them. It was annoying, I wanted to just slap them in the face. No one knew what as going on, how could they just assume things. It was sickening. I used to always be in the back of the crowd. I was a nobody, a ghost. But now, because the Parris brothers took notice in me, it's as if everyone has suddenly noticed that this school carries a Tori Linean.

"We have to leave after lunch guys." Cole said taking a sip from his water. "We have that convention thing."

"Oh yeah," Blake groaned, "I hate it."

"What convention?" I asked.

Shawn laughed, "Triplet convention. Mom tells us like right on the day now because she knows we don't like going."

"They have triplet conventions?" Mark asked.

"Yeah." Cole chuckled, "They're fun if you're a kid. After you go through puberty and hit the hormones, it's not fun."

"But I meet a lot of cool guys." Shawn smiled looking at Blake. "Think Daniel will be there?"

Blake shrugged, "Probably. He goes every year."

"Who's Daniel?" Hayden asked.

"He's a third. Like me." Shawn said proudly. "But he has autism. He's a great guy though. I love him."

"Aw that's so sweet." Em gushed.

Shawn nodded happily. "Triplets are hard. Specially if you're a third."

"Why's that?" I asked suddenly interested.

"We're usually the smallest. Like a runt in a litter of pups." Shawn sighed, "And most of us grow up with a mental something. A lot of thirds have a mental disease because we didn't receive what we needed to. Some genetic malfunction. If that makes sense, I don't know the right term. But in some cases, like myself, mom put me in special therapy since I was super little so I could get over some of the mental things I might stumble across as I got older."

"Wow..." Mark whistled. "I didn't know that."

"Yeah," Cole rubbed the back of his neck. "We know another pair of fraternal trips. They're middle schoolers, they're ok. But they're cool. One has brown hair, the other has black, and the last one has red."

"I call him Ginger-tron." Shawn beamed.

Blake chuckled, "The youngest though is the tallest. But he underwent some therapy as a child also."

"Learn something new everyday." I smiled chewing on my chips. We talked about the convention a little bit longer. It was like a dress up ordeal and the boys said they'd be home after school. From what I got out, the triplets at the conventions were really cool. I somewhat wished I could go with the boys, but I knew they were going to go with mom. A nice family outing they haven't been able to do in a long time.

"So uh Mark." Shawn said to him as we all ate our lunches quietly. "I was wondering if you wanted to come over this weekend."

Mark seemed shocked by the offer. He sat there with wide eyes like he couldn't believe what he was being asked. I knew Mark wasn't a big fan of the Parris Trips. He never was, just like me. But he also go to get to know Shawn. And I knew that once he finds out, he'd want to get to know Cole and Blake as well. "Um..." Mark stuttered, "I don't really know...I mean Tori and I were going to go to hang out."

I smiled at him and nudged his shoulder with mine. "It's ok," I told him as my heart sped up. "I don't want to take you away from your guy time." I knew this was when we were going to tell him. Mom and dad would be at home but we'd explain everything to Mark. My blood pumped knowing he'd finally know the truth.

Mark sighed looking between Shawn and I. I knew he was trying to gently turn one of us down. I just hoped he went with Shawn, I'd be at home anyways. "I don't know..." Mark finally told Shawn.

I rolled my eyes and looked at my crazy brother. "He'll go. I have to do a project anyways."

Shawn grinned, "Cool." He then looked at his girlfriend. "You can come too."

Em shook her head. "No. Guy time is weird."

Blake smirked, "We just talk about babes in bikinis and sex. It's not that bad." The table turned to look at Blake as we glared at his direction. Shawn and Cole seeming like they were mad for him even suggesting that. Em and I because it was crude. Mark and Hayden just looked downright pissed. Blake held his hands up, "I'm kidding. It was a joke. Damn..."

Shawn turned to look at Hayden, "I'd invite you. But...yeah I don't know. You're not so special to me."

"Well thanks." Hayden smirked with a confused face.

"I said to me." Shawn rolled his eyes like it was obvious. "Maybe to like Tori or...your mom. Yeah. You're special to those two. But dude, I'm taken."

We all laughed and Hayden ran his hands through is hair. "I worry about you Shawn. Like seriously."

Shawn gasped sharply and threw a grape at Hayden. "I just said I was taken!" He shouted loudly. Some nearby tables looked at us and Shawn faced them, "Don't worry ladies. I was just telling them to story of when I was taken away on an alien air craft." Shawn looked up at the ceiling like he was remembering it, "Funny story actually..."

The girls laughed and turned back around. "So Tori," Em looked at me with a smile. "We are going to shop someday soon right?"

I shook my head, "Never. I hate it. So much."

"How do you get clothes then?" Em raised her eyebrows.

"She gets her dad to buy her shirts. I mean it's not hard. She knows her size so she just buys stuff at nearby stores. She hates those popular stores like Hollister and American Eagle, says they're too expensive." Cole never took his eyes off his phone. The words just seemed to have slipped out of his mouth like he was unaware of it. When he realized what happened his eyes widened and he looked up. Blake, Shawn, and I stared at Cole with shocked expressions.

He just let it go like he didn't even realize he was saying all that. "How'd you..." Mark said slowly. "How'd you know that?"

"Um..." Cole looked at me for help.

When I opened my mouth Shawn interfered. "So how about them waffles?" Shawn asked, "I mean like, so many toppings right! Chocolate, caramel, sugar powder stuff, blueberries, syrup, pepperoni, ham, cheese, bacon, bread, and other stuff. Like damn! Them waffles right?"

We all stared at Shawn to see if he was serious. He noticed his waffle thing wasn't working so he tried something different. "Ok so the other day I was thinking," Shawn began. "First, whenever someone says, 'I'm going to take a shower.' You don't think about it that much but you might imagine your shower head. Then, when you think hard, you think of yourself in the shower. Later, you think harder and imagine the person that told you they were going to shower, in the shower. It's weird, but very true."

Again, we stared at Shawn to make sure he was being serious. Hayden laughed first. "What the hell?" He kept laughing, "Shawn I'm gonna go take a shower."

Shawn jumped up from his seat and slammed his hands down on the table dramatically. He yelled so loudly the whole cafeteria turned to look at us. "I told you I was taken!" Everyone stared at us while my table tried not to laugh. Shawn stood on his seat and faced everyone. "Beware!" He shouted loudly before pointing his finger to the ceiling. "Aliens!" He exaggerated the word.

Shawn jumped off the chair and started doing a weird ritual dance. "Save yourselves!" He chanted, "Ooh-wah-wah. Oooooh. Ooh-wah-wah." He did a weird dance around the cafeteria, grabbing some tin foil from a guy's lunch and making a pitiful ring around his head. He gurgled noises in his throat while chanting. "Beware of the one eyed creatures. They have really weird features! Oooh-wahhhh. Ohhhhhhhhh."

Blake stood up and pointed outside the window screaming, "Flying saucer!" Shawn screamed like a little girl and hid under a table. The lunch room erupted into laughter and we all fell on our sides laughing.

After lunch we had all our classes. The day had gone smoothly, something I was happy about. I was chilling out in home room, listening to some music while doing some of my homework. Mark tapped my shoulder and sat beside me. "How do you do number three?" He asked.

I pulled my ear plug out and grabbed my backpack. Inside I grabbed my wallet and calculator, placing them on my desk. The room was loud while everyone talked. There were the rare people like myself that were actually doing their homework. Of course I could multi-task and talk while doing my English homework, but I wasn't feeling up to it. "You'll need a graphing calculator." I told him handing it to him.

He groaned, "To many buttons to press. Can't I just be Einstein?"

I smirked, "His hair wasn't even attractive."

Mark gave me a smile. "Glad to know you think my hair is attractive."

"Who says I was talking about yours?" I rolled my eyes and went back to my English paper.

Mark took my swinging ear plug and placed it in his ear listening to the music coming from my phone. He smiled while doing his math homework. "These songs are so old."

I shrugged, "They're good songs though."

Mark chuckled, "Hey There Delilah is a good song, but it's still old."

My lips faked a pout and Mark smirked at me before continuing his work. Cali hasn't been around much this week. I've seen her a few times, including Home Ec where we're partnered up. Emily told me the awkwardness and tension was suffocating. I didn't mean to put her in that position, I was just so mad. So disappointed in my best friend.

I sighed, "Mark?"

"Hmm?"

"Was I too hard on Cali?" I looked towards him and saw his figure tense.

He didn't look up from his worksheet but I knew he wasn't thinking about the numbers on the paper. His lips opened, only to allow a sigh to escape. "I don't know...maybe just a little." Mark ran his hands through his hair. "I wish I could've stopped it before it got so bad. She needed to get some sense knocked into her though. So...both I guess."

I looked back down at my English page and fiddled with the corner of my sheet. "Was I that bad though? Did I really hurt her?"

Mark shook his head and I felt his hand wrap around mine. "It's not your fault. I promise." There were his eyes. Simple green. I couldn't relate them to anything, not grass or emeralds. Nothing cliche where the guy or girl have the amazingly bright eyes. His were just...green. But a warm green. Like he was inviting people with just the look he gives them.

The bell rang signifying the end of the day. I was thankful because we didn't have soccer practice tonight. Coach had to go sub for one of his best friends at some rec team. He also knew that our assistant coach wasn't really good at explaining or playing soccer, and Blake was gone for the convention, so he just cancelled practice. One day wouldn't really hurt.

"Bye Mark." I smiled at him and grabbed my calculator placing it in my bag. "See you tomorrow."

"See ya Tori." He started packing up and I walked out of the room along with the other students. I heard my name being called out but I decided to ignore it and head towards my car.  3S+Tori was probably the only thing that stood out. Everything else was simple. No one questioned the plate, then again a lot of people had a lot of different weird things.

I drove out of the parking lot. Happy that I wouldn't have to bike anymore. Everything seemed to be stale at the moment. At home, everything was good. At school, people were thinking things but I did my best to ignore them. I tuned down my radio when I heard my phone go off. My eyes didn't leave the road as I put the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

There was a sob on the other line and my body froze. "I'm sorry Tori." I heard Cali say. "I'm so sorry."

My words jumbled up in my throat. I wasn't sure how to respond. Cali was calling me. We haven't had a conversation over the whole in a long time. Not to mention the last time we talked wasn't a good conversation. "I-um...wh-" I stuttered unsure how to start. "What's wrong?"

She tried slowing her breathing down. "You're right. I did turn into a slut. Just...hear me out ok?"

I nodded then realized she couldn't see me. "Ye-yeah..."

She sighed deeply. I was shocked that she had called me but I couldn't just hand up. We did grow apart, no denying it. But that didn't mean I should hang up on her. We were once best friends and even if we weren't now, I still held those memories of the good times we had together. She was my first girl best friend. All the other girls thought I was a weirdo for always making mud pies with Mark while we played on the play ground. I never fit in in middle school either, the girls were all changing into...girls but I stayed behind. I was the first person to befriend Cali and even though she met other people, she stayed close.

"I lied to you." She started off. "I lied about a lot of things. This year, I started to fall in love with a guy. I was so head over heels that I didn't know what to do. I told him how much I cared about him. But he told me he didn't love me back that way. He said he loved me, but not that way." I heard her sob as she continued, "It was Mark."

My heart stopped in my chest and I was barely concentrating on the road. I accidentally hit my brake and the car behind me honked. I looked in the rear view for a moment catching a glimpse of a red pick-up truck before I kept driving. There was a large clog and a lot of traffic from all the students trying to leave the school at once.

I always thought that maybe Mark and Cali would get together. I thought that maybe if they did, I'd turn into the third wheel, so I never really wanted them together. It bothered me if they were together. But Mark admitted not loving her that way, it slightly pleased me because I knew I wouldn't become the third wheel. It didn't matter now though. Cali rarely talked to us, so it was back to the Stone Age when it was Mark and I.

"He said he didn't love me." Cali continued. "It hurt so much Tori. I really really cared about him. So I tried getting him jealous. Jerry, he was never my boyfriend. He was just my partner in the science lab. I told him my dilemma and he pitied me. He said he'd help me. So...we faked being a couple."

I wasn't even sure how to respond. "So...did you guys not have sex?"

Cali sniffled. "No. I just said that to try and get Mark jealous. But it never worked. So...I broke up-well I don't think it was a break up since we were never together-but we broke up. We still talk in science and other classes." She sighed. "I tried something different to get Mark's attention. He never acted jealous. He just acted like my big brother. He was overly protective but still loved Jerry. It broke my heart knowing he didn't care about me the way I cared about him. So I started to dress...slutty. I was so desperate Tori. I wanted him and he knew it, but each time I tried telling him how I felt, he just...he  said he didn't love me that way. That his heart belonged to someone else."

My hand gripped the steering wheel even though I was barely moving. I was shifting in my seat uncomfortably. She was talking about Mark in a way I never heard her speak about him. About how much she loved him. I was blind seeing that she didn't like him. Then again, Cali was good at hiding how she felt. "Who?" I found myself asking. "Who does he love?"

Mark had never mentioned a crush to me. Much less being in love with someone. He usually told me everything. Everything about anything he was feeling or needing to get out. Last time he had a crush, he told me first. I shouldn't be judging him since I have a secret of my own, but I didn't know he liked someone. I just wish he would have told me.

My phone rang showing someone else was trying to call me. I swiped it away and continued listening to Cali. "I can't tell." She sighed sounding hesitant, "Actually...I don't exactly know."

"Ok...so...what happened next?"

"I told Mark. I shouted at him and screamed and we fought. We fought because he said no matter how much he tried he could only see me as a sister." Cali let a small sob escape. "So that night I went to a party. I wanted to die Tori. I never felt that emotionally attached to someone and he just crushed my heart. So I drank. I drank more than I should have but I drank. I was so obsessed with getting Mark's attention that I didn't realize I caught someone else's. He took me to a room and...he took it Tori. He was the one that really took my virginity."

"Who was it?"

Cali ignored my question. "I separated myself from you because you were always with Mark. I saw you got close to Emily and I just thought...maybe now that you have a new friend you could forget about me. Maybe I didn't matter that much anymore, but that was ok. Because not only was I madly in love with your best friend, but I had just lost my V-card to someone else. I turned my head away from Mark, and started looking at the new guy."

"What happened then?"

"He said I was beautiful. He told me things that I'd wanted to hear from someone else. But slowly I started to fall in love with him. I realized Mark was never mine to begin with. So I just thought...I just thought I should try with this new guy. Even if he was a bit...different." Cali started to cry again. "I kept hooking up with him but then-"

"Who is it Cali?" I asked desperately. "Who?"

She took a deep breath, "Blake Parris."

My eyes widened on the spot and I felt like dropping my phone. My tongue felt like sand paper so I couldn't talk. My brother was this guy Cali was talking about. He couldn't be. He was Blake frickin' Parris! He was the player of the players. All he knew what to do was break girls hearts and spirits. He'd snatch away their one thing that was irreplaceable and then act like it was nothing.

But it was worse. He hooked up with my best friend and he didn't tell me. I could understand why he didn't tell me, he knew I'd be mad. Sure enough, I was furious. This wasn't suppose to happen. Cali was not suppose to be with Blake. Blake didn't even want a serious relationship. He was head on into being a soccer player. He'd have affairs with Victoria Secret models like he told me he wanted.

What the hell has Cali gotten herself into?! This wasn't fair to her. This wasn't fair to anyone. It was all making more sense to me now, that didn't stop the rage from fuming in me.

"But then," Cali continued, "Mark confronted me at the ice rink. He said I had to stop doing this. I had to stop acting this way for Blake because it'd only end badly. I didn't want to believe it. I got so mad Tori that I blamed it on him. I told him it was his fault for what I became. After the words had left my mouth though, I felt like such a bitch. It wasn't Mark's fault. I did this to myself. I just couldn't take it. The constant heartbreaks. Every time I'd distance myself from you guys, he'd find a way to pull me back in.

"Then the Trips started sitting with you. Shawn and Mark were friends, I heard the stories passing through the school. And I also knew you and Cole were friends. But Blake was there. So...I pulled another bitch move. I used you to get to him. He barely paid attention to me though. I should have expected it, he doesn't get into relationships. I thought maybe, I could change that. Then at the ice rink I saw he had just had sex and my heart ripped in two. I hid it, so he couldn't see.

"All of a sudden, I start hearing the rumors. I grew...jealous of you Tori. I thought you were taking Blake away. The rumors all said you and him had slept together and stuff. That you might have been the one to change him since he stuck by your side the whole time. I was so mad because it wasn't me. It only made me hate you more because that was the sec-"

She stopped mid-sentence causing me to knit my eyebrows. "What?"

"Nothing." Cali said quickly. "It's just that. I was jealous because I thought you took him away from me. And I love him. So I just...I just didn't...I started hating you Tori." Cali started to sob again, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

I shook my head even though she couldn't see me. "Cali there is nothing going on with Blake and me. We're just friends because Cole, Shawn, and I are friends. I swear to you Cal. He's more of a...big brother to me."

Cali sniffled and I felt the creak of her bed. "Tori...I'm scared."

"Me too." I answered truthfully. "Want me to-"

"No." She said cutting me off. "I'm scared because he's the only guy I've slept with..."

"Why are you scared of that?"

Her voice choked, "Because...I'm pregnant."

My foot slammed onto the break causing my car to come to a screeching halt. The red pick up was still behind me and it honked loudly. I was so still, I didn't move the car until more cars started to honk. "Y-you...what?!"

Cali started crying all over again. "He's the only one. We've done it plenty of times. I just didn't...I just thought that....he's done it so many times with other girls I didn't think it'd happen."

I'll kill him. I'll kill him! I thought to myself while running my hands through my hair. This was too much for me to handle. Blake, a father. Teen pregnancy. This could not only ruin Cali's life, but Blake's too. He might not be able to become the pro-soccer player he wants to be. Or he may just be so heartless to leave Cali to take care of the child alone.

What would Blake do? He'd have to put his life on hold to take care of this child. In a sad way he had it coming. He had sex to often to not already have a child. I was shocked he was still healthy and fine. Maybe if he got one of his other play toys pregnant I wouldn't be so mad. This was different though. It was one thing if you were madly in love with the person but he didn't care about Cali. It was the cold hard truth. He just cares about himself. So how was Cali going to handle this?

"Have you told your parents?" I asked.

"No." She went silent for a second. "I'm scared."

I pulled up into my driveway and took my seat belt off. I saw the soccer ball being passed around in the back yard. Shawn ran towards it and passed it to one of the boys that I couldn't see at this moment. "Cali, I need to go. I promise everything will be ok. Just calm down. Do you want me to come over?"

She sighed, "No...I just kinda wanna be alone right now."

I nodded in understanding. "Ok...call me if you need anything alright?"

"Tori?" Cali asked before I hung up.

"Yeah?"

"I'm so sorry...you're my best friend and I neglected that...I understand if you hate me but please...if you can ever forgive me...I'd love it."

I put my head on my hand. "You're already forgiven Cali. I'm sorry this happened to you."

"It's my fault..."

"No. Don't think like that."

"It's ok Tori. I accepted it. That's why I was at the Trips birthday party. I needed to see if Blake cared enough or if he was a hit and run. I thought he should've known he was going to be a dad...but it's ok." Cali's voice cracked, "I can handle it. Um...I'll call you later Tori. Bye."

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Bye."

After that we hung up. I stayed in my car for a couple seconds before I pulled the keys out and walked to the backyard. Sure enough the boys were in the backyard playing soccer. They were passing the ball around while laughing about something.

My eyes fell on Blake and I stared at him for the longest of times. Finally they noticed me standing there and they all smiled my way. How could Blake be so happy? He ruined my best friends life! He can't just sit around here and do nothing.

"The convention was awesome!" Shawn said to me. "I saw Daniel and met these three other dudes. They're cool too. Can't remember the names but I know the faces."

"Come on Tori," Blake juggled the ball. "Let's play a two versus two. We've been waiting for you to come so we could play."

Everything snapped inside me. I sprinted towards Blake and at first he thought I was trying to steal the ball. Until he spun around and I jumped on his back hitting his shoulders with my fists. "You idiot!" I yelled as I hit him. "Do you have any idea what you've done?!"

"What the hell Tori?" Blake yelled while trying to get me off.  Two arms grabbed me around the waist and pulled me off of Blake. I flared, jumped, and kicked trying to get Cole to let me go. "What the hell's the matter with you?" Blake stared at me with anger and confusion.

"Why didn't you tell me you slept with my best friend?" I spat out before I bit my tongue. I squirmed in Cole's arms as they tensed. "Let go!"

Blake's eyes went wide along with Shawn's. I couldn't see Cole, but I knew his were just as shocked. "How did you...?"

"Find out?" I spat out as Blake asked. "Because she just told me!"

"I was going to tell you To-"

"No!" I got out of Cole's grasp and stomped my way to Blake. I slapped him across the face leaving a red mark. "She's pregnant you asshole!"

Blake's eyes turned to look at me. He stared long and hard at my face as if he was scanning for a lie. "What?" His voice was softer, quiet too. He didn't believe what I was saying. Maybe it wasn't the best thing to tell him. It was Cali's job to do that, if she told him. She seemed so broken-hearted, it looked like she just wanted to raise the child by herself. "No you're lying." Blake took a step back from me. There was an expression on his face that I had never seen on him before. Fear.

I crossed my arms over my chest and looked down at my feet. "I wish I was."

"But I used the condoms!" Blake's hands went through his hair. "I don't even remember when that could have happened! I mean li-" He stopped talking and his face paled. "Shit!" He yelled kicking the ball with all his might, "Fuck!"

I looked up at him in disgust. "Remember now?"

"I'm going to be an uncle!" Shawn suddenly yelled. "No! I can barely take care of myself."

"Shut up Shawn!" Blake hissed, "This isn't funny!"

I turned to look at Cole and Shawn. Blake crumbled down to the ground and held his head in hands. His knees propped up his elbows. He looked...broken. Scared. Angry. I'd never seen that mix of emotions in him. Cole took a seat beside him, slowly followed by Shawn. "It's going to be ok man." Cole said to him.

"No it's not." Blake said. "I can't be a father."

The frustration went through me and I gripped my hair. "How could you do this Blake? How could you do this?"

"I-I don't know."

"This isn't what a brother does." I said to him. "You don't go around screwing my best friends! I thought that was part of some guy code. You're not allowed to touch your sisters friends!" A branch snapped behind us. The three boys looked up and I turned around only to come in contact with simple green eyes. A blue shirt with a cheesy phrase. And a boy with light brown hair. Mark.

Cole and Shawn stood up on their feet. "I-I thought I said the weekend." Shawn said.

"What are you doing here?" Cole asked gently so it wouldn't sound as rude.

Mark looked at me. I wanted to cry, I wanted to just cover myself up and cry. The way he looked at me, with all the disappointment reflecting off his eyes. He held up his hand and I saw my small wallet. "You forgot your wallet." He looked down at the leather casing that held all my spare cash. His chest was rising and falling with a weird rhythm.

I took a step towards my best friend, "Mark-"

He stuck his hand out cutting me short. As I took the step forward he took one back. My heart cracked at the feeling. "Stop," He said without making eye contact. His eyes stayed glued on the ground as he looked between the blades of grass. "Your step mom," His mind seemed to be working. Like it was pulling pieces together to form the puzzle. "She's Ms. Parris."

"Mrs. Linean now." Cole said quietly from behind me.

Mark finally looked up at me. "You...you lied to me?"

I shook my head, "No-I mean yes-but no. Let me explain. Please." My whole world started to crumble down. I didn't want him finding out like this, I wanted to have told him civilly. So he could hear me out.

"This is a nightmare." He muttered to himself.

"I was going to tell you." I tried stepping towards him again. This time he didn't move.

He looked up at me. The anger started to surface on his face. "Tell me? You've been lying to me all year Tori! How could you? You're my best friend!"

"I know but-"

"But what?" He screamed. I cringed back. He's never shouted at me like that. He was always caring and nice. My rock that always helped me stay balanced. "I-I trusted you!" I looked up and saw the pained expression on his face. His eyes read disappointment.

I wanted to cry. To just fall down and sob. The way he was looking at me, I'd never felt so much disappointment in myself. This was worse than when Blake killed Mr. Cuddles. This was worse than everything Cali just told me. It was almost as bad as losing my mother...

My breathing hitched up while I looked at Mark. Cole noticed and took a step closer to us. "It's not her fault Mark."

"Stay out of it Parris!" Mark snapped. I couldn't move. My limbs weren't functioning, all I could do was breathe. I shouldn't have done it. I shouldn't have followed what Blake had told me all along. As much as I thought Blake was right he was truly wrong.

"I'm sorry." I said softly.

"Sorry?" Mark spat the word out like it had no meaning. "How could you just say sorry?"

I opened my mouth to reply. I thought about it, he was mad. Beyond mad. I didn't understand why though. He was suppose to be my best friend. He was suppose to support me and forgive me. Instead he was furious. "Why are you so upset?" I asked, "You're suppose to be telling me it's ok."

Mark stared at me, "Are you fucking kidding me?!" I flinched at the way he spoke to me. He's never ever talked to me that way. Or even if he ever had, it was never with that tone. "Why am I mad?" Mark laughed but I saw no humor behind it. He swept his hands through his hair. "Because I thought you had a thing." He finally answered.

"A thing?" I asked.

"Yeah a thing."

"What sort of thing Mark?"

He looked past me and waved his hands at my brothers. "A thing with one of them!"

I turned to look at my three step brothers. Blake was still sitting on the grass, but he was watching everything unfold in front of him. Cole and Shawn shifted between their feet looking down at their shoes. The three of them looked so...guilty. Remorse was clear on their faces as they glanced up between Mark and I.

Mark pulled at his hair. "God you're so blind." He took a deep breath and it looked like he wanted to hit something. "I thought all those rumors were true! I thought you and one of the Parris brothers were hooking up, if not all three like everyone says."

"They told me not to tell." I fought weakly.

"And you listened to them?" Mark's eyes flashed with more disappointment. He slammed my wallet on the ground. "You've lied to me the whole year!"

My throat closed, unable for words to come out.

"How could you?" Mark asked. "How could you?"

"I don't kn-"

"Did you even think of me?"

"Ye-"

"Of our friendship?"

"Of co-"

"Or how I'd feel?"

"I just tho-"

"What could you possibly have thought?" He cut me off once again with yelling.

"Just..." I felt my eyes burning. "I just thought you wouldn't be so mad. I didn't think...I didn't think you'd yell at me."

Mark's eyes soften just a bit. "Do you know who I am Tori?"

I looked up at him. His question didn't make a lot of sense to me. Of course I knew who he was. "You're Mark...my best friend."

He shook his head, "I'm a cliche."

"What?"

"I'm the cliche guy best friend that fell for my girl best friend."

I stared at Mark. My eyes blinked three times to make sure I didn't just hallucinate the words. "What are you talking about?"

Mark looked at my brothers for a second before a small smile crept on his lips. The corners of his eyes started to tear up but he smiled nevertheless. "I love you Tori."

My body felt numb. Just seeing Mark at the verge of tears brought a glaze to my eyes as well. He loved me. Not the love that we'd throw around as friends. But the real four letter word. I wanted to scream at my stupidity. At my lack of sight. How could I have not noticed it? He was always there for me, always looking out for me, he'd hug me or hold my hand every chance he got. The looks he'd give me, or when we'd lock eyes and it was just us. I'm so stupid.

"Mark I-"

He laughed again. A sad laugh that came out a bit shaky. "It hurts you know? I feel like you stabbed a thousand needles into my heart."

"I never meant to hurt you Mark." I took another step but he stepped back.

"Please stop," He held his hand low stopping me in my place. "You don't get it Tori. You started ignoring me this year. You grew distant and started to disappear. We'd barely hang out, so I started to realize how much I do love you. How much I wanted you in my life. Just seeing you would brighten my day. It was only this year, when you were pushing me away, that I realized how much I love you. I didn't know why you were doing it, I didn't get what I did wrong. But we barely hung out. You'd never invite me to your house anymore. It was always at my place. I didn't get why.

"Now I do. They're your step brothers right? Well I hate them Tori. I've hated them for a long time. They're the cockiest, most egocentric guys I have ever known. Especially Blake. I thought...I thought you were having a thing with them. I tried and tried to get those rumors out of my head but each time you were with them it only set more dread inside of me. I thought you became one of those girls that fell for the Parris Brothers.

"Look at Cali. It's my fault all that happened. But she got jealous of you. She started to hate you because she knew I love you. She knew that my heart could never belong to her because it belonged to you. Whether you knew it or not. Look at her now? It's my fault that happened to her. I wasn't going to lose you the same way I lost her. She was little sister, but you? You're my whole world.

"Why do you think I favored Hayden? I hate him too, but not as much as these three. If I couldn't have you, I sure as hell didn't want the Parris brothers to have you. So I befriended Hayden. He's a good guy and ten times better than them. I forced myself to smile every time he made a move on you. I preferred him because he wasn't egocentric. He actually does care about you. Not as much as me, but he does.

"At first I thought it was Shawn. Until he got Emily. So I knew he didn't have a thing with you. Then came Cole. But he got together with Jodee. So that left the triplet that I hate the most. Blake. And by the way he acted, I started to believe there was thing. I expected you to come to me and tell me one day. So I prepared myself. I got ready to hear that Blake Parris took your virginity like he took Cali's. I willed myself to be happy for you because I thought you loved them. If I had known I would have told you how I felt a long time ago. I wouldn't have wasted the whole year trying to hide the way I felt around you."

I couldn't move. I stayed in my place and watched Mark's pained expressions as he went on. Everything was different now. Even Mark thought I was being a play toy to the Parris Trips. I didn't dare move and my lungs started screaming making me realize I was holding my breath. Tears were streaming down my face as I looked at Mark's crying form. He was always my strong teddy bear that'd I'd cuddle when I had nobody.

"I thought you loved one of them," Mark took a deep breath. "But this is worse. You've been lying to me. Making me think all those things. It's been driving me insane thinking you'd waste yourself to them. I don't give a damn if I'm that cliche guy that falls for the best friend. No one knows how it feels Tori. To know I could trust you with anything. I told you things I'd never told anyone else. Not Cali, not Conlan, not my own parents." He spread his arms out taking steps away from me. "This is how you repay me?"

"How'd you even know I was coming here?" I asked my voice cracking.

"I followed you." He looked down at the wallet. "You left that. And when I tried calling, you ignored my call."

I ran my hand underneath my eyes, which were glued down the ground. It was stupid I didn't see it was Mark's car that had followed me. I hadn't noticed that Mark was walking away. My legs were like lead, but I forced them to move and I ran to catch up to him. "Mark! Please." I clutched at his arm.

He yanked it out hastily and kept looking forward at his red pick-up. "You're salting the open wound Tori. Please just stop."

He kept walking away and I stayed at his heels calling his name. I was so close to him yet he made me scream at the top of my lungs. The neighbors would probably complain, but I didn't care. This just couldn't be happening. This wasn't suppose to happen. This was some sort of nightmare. He was suppose to hug me, tell me it was ok. Kiss my head and hold my hand.

I couldn't lose Mark. All my favorite memories had him in them. He was my world, the rock bottom that pulled me to reality. I was blind, everyone was right, I was stupid. I missed everything, every sign that those stupid teen magazines have. The signs I read in books or see in movies. I'd always get jealous if someone was with him that wasn't me. When Cali spoke about him the way she did, I was uncomfortable because I felt she was claiming something that was meant to be mine.

He's kept me on my feet when I'm feeling low. He's shared my laughs when we're together and happy. He's my shoulder to cry on when something happens that I can't handle. I came to the realization that I was madly in love with Mark Bennett.

He got into his car and slammed the door shut. His window was opened I poured rivers out of my eyes as I stared at his blurred figure. "Please," I begged as a sob left my lips, "Let's just talk about this. Heart to heart."

"I can't." He didn't even look at me but his voice cracked. His eyes were trained at the street ahead while tears streamed down his face. Unlike me, he didn't try wiping them away. He let them fall freely.

"Why?" I broke down sobbing while he turned on the engine. I wanted to tell him not to go. Not to leave me. That I needed him. That I love him. I just found myself sobbing harder and harder.

He turned to look at me. His simple green eyes were now streaked in red and pink. They looked puffy and just by seeing the way he looked at me made me know everything.  I wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out. He finally opened his mouth, his next words sending me into a dark abyss of sadness."Because you broke my heart."

His words shocked me down to my soul. I felt cold inside, like nothing was there. It was empty. An eggshell with nothing inside. My feet took steps away from the car and I watched as Mark drove away. I stood on the road for a long time, looking at where I last saw the red pick-up drive away until it turned on the opposite street and left my sight.
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You all know I usually write an A/N...well...I just don't even know what to say...honestly. I loved the chapter because it got into college. I felt like it was needed...

Well...Cole and Jodee are going to try it. Shawn and Emily are moving to New York. As for Blake...was anyone shocked by Cali? Like the real reason she went all...slutty?

And guys...Mark found out :'( I hope you didn't cry...I hope you LIKED it...well..even if it was a bit...ouch. But his confession! Awwww...

Ok so wattpad is acting werid on me. This is a suggestion, just in case this keeps happening. If you are not following me, I suggest you do because sometimes wattpad makes my chapters private. I don't know why it just does. But if your a follower, you can see the chapters and get the notifications. What you do is, take the book out of your librabry, follow me, then re-add the book. These up coming chapters are important and like I said, wattpad is being weird. So it's just a suggestion you do that so you don't have to wait long. If you don't, you'll probably miss out the chapters that I've updated because it takes a couple days for the wattpad people to get back to me. I just thought you should all know.

Ok...Hope you liked it. I'll try to update ASAP. Till next time. Love you all. Please comment and vote :)

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