CHAPTER 1: A Sister-to-Sister Heart-to-Heart

"Yeah, Ashley. Something definitely needs to change," Amy said, thinking aloud.

"Well, finally you've had the same epiphany I had months ago," Ashley remarked in her usual monotone voice. "It's obvious that if things stay the way they are now with Mom, Dad, Ben, Adrian, and Ricky you're going to lose it."

Amy turned to lie down on the bed. "So now I guess I have to figure out exactly what it is that needs to be changed." After a few moments of silent contemplation, she glanced over at Ashley. "Hey Ash."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think something happened in Italy with Ben this summer?"

Ashley looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. "What makes you say that?"

"I don't know. I can't put my finger on it, but I know something definitely happened there. At least during the couple of days I couldn't get in touch with him. And when he came back, he was different. First, he kept talking about how he wanted him, John and I to be a family and do family things. And then, he keeps pushing the sex issue. And now, all of a sudden, he stops bringing up sex and surprises me with a cooler full of chicken wings, telling me that he wants to have a romantic, Sunday afternoon picnic."

"I get what you mean. It's a little fishy, isn't it? If there's anything Ben's known for, it's his stubbornness and consistency. Which are usually the same thing." Ashley glanced over at her sister, who was now sitting up looking a little anxious. "What would you do if he did do something behind your back this past summer?"

Amy looked defeated for a moment. Then she met Ashley's eyes with a determined gleam shining in them, "I'd break up with him."

This time, Ashley sat up. "Seriously? But don't you love him?"

"I do." Amy took a deep breath. "But being with someone who lies and hides things from me... I deserve someone better than that. But you know..." Amy fidgeted a little.

"What?"

"Even if he didn't do anything..." Amy trailed off looking into space for a moment. "I think I would still want to end things."

"Why?!" Ashley was genuinely surprised at this point.

"Because Ben and I are just not on the same page anymore. I'm finally getting used to being John's mother and all the things that come with it, including dealing with Ricky and Adrian practically every day..."

"...But Ben hasn't," Ashley finished.

"Exactly. He gets jealous of Ricky, and the more I think about it, it just seems like Ben only wants to have sex with me to feel more secure about our relationship. Like, he wants this security so badly that he overlooks my emotions. It's like he doesn't understand me anymore, and he's not trying to." Amy sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "I understood from the very beginning that Ben is a sheltered kid. He's been protected by money his entire life and he's used to getting what he wants. And when he doesn't, he behaves like a bratty child. He's being too needy... Too greedy. I have John to look after, and the last thing I need is a boyfriend who needs my attention 24/7."

Ashley looked at her sister with a small smile on her face. "I think you just grew up a little." Amy glared at her. "Oh, no. Don't take it the wrong way! I meant it as a compliment! It's just... Amy, you let people walk all over you too much. You're nice, and people like that about you, but it's also one of your greatest flaws. But now you're standing up for yourself. You know what you want, what you don't want and most of all, what you deserve."

"Thanks Ash." Amy got up and hugged her sister.

"I never really liked Ben anyway. He's too... naïve." They both laughed.

"You're right!" Amy sat down again and pulled her knees to her chest. "Now that I've cleared that up... How should I do it? Should I just call him and get it over with before school tomorrow? Or should I wait until I see him in person...?"

"Maybe you should just call him now. Seeing him in person might make you lose your resolve, and I can't guarantee that someone will be there to help you if he tries to corner you or drag you outside to 'talk.'" Ashley said thoughtfully.

Amy pulled out her cell phone. "Okay. I'll do it now." She took a moment to find Ben's number and then pressed the phone to her ear. "I'm actually not nervous," she said while the phone was ringing. Ashley smiled encouragingly at her.

"'Ello," an unfamiliar voice answered.

"Hello?" Amy looked confused.

"Ciao!" It definitely sounded like a girl.

"Um, is Ben there? I need to speak with him."

"Chi è questo?"

"What?!" Amy was starting to get agitated.

"Maria!" Amy could hear Ben in the background laughing a little. "What are you doing?" Pause. "Who is it?" The phone sounded like it was being muffled by something. Suddenly, Ben's voice came on the line. "Amy?"

"Ben? Who was that?"

"Uh, a friend..." Ben sounded nervous.

"An Italian friend?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

An awkward silence passed. Ashley was waving her arms frantically in the air, as if to say, What are you doing?! Amy shook her head and cleared her throat. "Well, Ben. I was just calling to tell you that I don't think we should be together anymore. It's not that I don't love you, I just don't think a relationship with you is the best thing for me at this point in my life." Before Ben could respond, Amy quickly hung up.

Ashley and Amy waited for a few minutes to see if he would call back.

He didn't.

"School should be fun tomorrow," Ashley remarked with a grin on her face. "How do you feel, Amy?"

Amy let out a deep breath. "Strangely relieved. I hope he doesn't make a scene in the hallway. He might lose it and say something rude to me and I don't want to get suspended again."

A/N: Thank you for reading! I know this story's starting off a little slow, but this first chapter is extremely important! Feel free to leave reviews and/or constructive criticism. ^_^