Callie was walking down the stairs, trying to make sure she didn't wake anyone up. The sun was barely rising, and everyone else in the house would be waking up and getting ready for the day soon. Callie stopped in her tracks as she saw Mariana in the kitchen. Mariana didn't see her, so she finished grabbing something from the higher shelf, and stuffed it in her pocket. "Hey Mari." Mariana jumped slightly, but relaxed when it was just Callie standing in front of her. "Callie, what are you doing awake?" "I was nervous for that English test today, so I woke up really early to study." Mariana seemed confused at first. "Wait, that's today?" Stef walked into the kitchen in her pajamas, as today was her day off. She walked over to the coffee machine and poured herself some coffee before addressing Callie and Mariana. "What are my girls doing up this early? You guys have thirty minutes until breakfast." Mariana was the first one to say something.

"Well, we have this English test today, so we were going to go to school early and study."

Stef took a sip before replying. "Really?"

Callie looked over to Mariana, wondering if she really wanted to study, or if she was lying. She was acting pretty weird, even for her.

"Yeah. Mariana and I were just about to grab our stuff before you came in."

"Do you guys need a ride to school?"

"It's okay, Mom. Callie and I were just gonna walk."

"Alright. Bye, my loves."

Callie and Mariana gave their mom a kiss on her cheek before they grabbed their stuff and left the house.


The walk to school was mostly silent, until Callie spoke up. "What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Well, then what did you grab before Mom came downstairs?"

"I didn't grab anything."

"Mari, I saw you. What was it?"

Mariana started walking faster, without saying a word.

"Mariana, what are you taking?"

Mariana snapped. "I'm not taking anything! Just drop it, alright!"

Mariana started to sprint to school, leaving Callie behind.


Emma was walking into the hallway with her friend, Hannah, before Callie came up to them.

"Hey, Hannah, can I borrow Emma for a minute? Thanks."

Callie dragged Emma into the nearest empty classroom. "What the hell, Callie? What's going on?"

"You tell me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Something is going on with Mariana. Do you know anything?"

Emma didn't know what to day. She knew that Mariana took Jesus' pills that one time, but it was only that one time, right?

"I'm sorry, I don't. I have chemistry in a few minutes, so I will see you later."

Emma got out of the classroom as fast as she could. She had to talk to Mariana before things took a turn for the worst.


Mariana didn't want to talk to anybody. She was walking through the long hallway, trying to avoid her family. What if Callie knows? What if she told Brandon? What if moms know? No, if moms knew, I would probably be sitting in Mama's office with Mom, Mike, and Mama. Has Jesus figured it out yet? Maybe. I don't think so, otherwise he would have talked to me or mama about it. She was pulled out of her thoughts when she slammed right into someone. "I'm sorry." "It's okay, love." Love? She looked up and saw that she ran into Lena. "Mariana, are you alright?" Mariana was sick and tired of hearing it. She heard it from Timothy, Ms. Andrews, Mr. Lovett, and now, her mama. "I'm fine. I'm just tired, that's all." She started walking away, but Lena wasn't buying it.

"Honey, what's going on?"

"Nothing! Just leave me alone!" Mariana disappeared into the crowd of people walking to class.