Bright pink nails tap my iPod, song after song. I don't know what I'm in the mood to listen to. Angry rock blares into my ears, and I want to run. Or at least walk swiftly. Away. I look back down at my nails, chipped flecks here and there. At one point or another there's been blood under these nails.

Don't let the pink fool you.

What would I do without my iPod to keep me company? Oh yea, pay attention in class.

I look over at Caleb and sigh. He's deeply ingrained in class, copying down what the teacher writes on the board. Who would have thought my brother was such a dork?

But I know he has dreams to go to Harvard, just like our dad. And Harvard requires certain grades

Yet another boring day at Spencer. Sometimes I wonder how I make it through the day at Spencer.

"Ms. Danvers, care to answer question?" Mr. Brogden said, pointedly looking my direction.

"Not particularly. Wait, is that the provost I hear calling? I should go check!" I say, pulling the headphones out of my ears and gathering my books, shoving them in my bag. I traipse down the levels of our elevated seating, and across the ground floor to the door. I feel all of the classes eyes on my back.

"Yes. Perhaps you should remind him this is your third visit this week."

"It almost slipped my mind. So kind of you to remind me," I bit out, turning around. A sugary sweet smile was plastered on my lips. Flipping my brown curly hair, I threw a glance back at my brother as I left. He didn't look happy.

Caleb was waiting for me outside the Provost's office, just as I had predicted.

"Waiting for me, brother dear? How kind." I stood defensively, arms crossed in front of me.

"Al, how many more times are you gonna pull this shit?"

"Bite me Caleb," I spat, pushing past him, and right into Pogue, Tyler, and Reid.

"Boys," I nodded, walking down the hallway.

I walk staring straight forward, daring anyone to get in my way. I'm just itching to punch something. A wall, or maybe something softer. Either way I'm hoping someone has the balls to step up.

"I don't know what her deal is these days, but if shes not careful, shes going to get kicked out," Caleb said, sighing.

"With your Mom and all...thats gotta be hard on her," Tyler offered.

Evelyn Danvers had died the previous week of alcohol posioning. Caleb and Allie had come in late from Nicky's to find her dead in an arm chair by the fire. Her funeral was held two days ago.

"I don't know Ty, but this had got to stop," Caleb said, looking at his sisters retreating form. "Maybe you could talk to her for me? You are her best friend."

"I'll see what I can do," Tyler said, rubbing his hands over his face. It seemed like the chore of calming Allie down always fell to him. But hey, what are best friends for?

"I can always try to get it out of her," Reid suggested, smirking. He thrust his hips forward, groaning. He attracted a few glances from females in the hallway and smirked. Yup, he still had it.

"Sick, man," Tyler said, hitting Reid in the arm.

"Sometimes, I worry about you Reid," Pogue said, lightly hitting him the head. They turned, walking down the hall towards the gym.

"Hey Al, wait up!" Tyler said, jogging to catch up with Allie.

"Hey Ty...hows it goin?" Allie asked, turning towards her best friend.

"What was up today in Lit? And then with Caleb?"

"I don't know...I just feel suffocated lately. Being in class all the time, and Caleb's overbearing ass..always on my case. You think he could learn to back the fuck off." Allie shook her head.

Her cell phone let out a shrill ring and she cursed, "See what I mean? School's over for two minutes and hes already calling."

"He's worried about you. We all are. With your mom and all..." Tyler said, sheepishly adding the last part. "I know thats gotta hurt."

"My mom was a stupid woman. She got what was coming to her." Allie said, bitterly scoffing her foot on the ground. "Look Ty, I've gotta go. Practice and all. I'll catch you out there."

Allie disappeared into the girls' locker room before Tyler had a chance to reply. He frowned, thinking about what Allie had said. She had always stuck up for her mother after each "episode".

I dove into the pool, relishing the feeling of cool water on my skin. It might have been frigid outside, but the school was definitley warm enough inside. I swam a couple laps, just to warm up, stretching muscles cramped from a day of learning. Me and Tyler's conversation ran through my head. I know he was just worried...they all were. Things were different now. Now that Mom was gone, and Dad always on the edge of death.

I guess lately I couldn't help but think about how things used to be. And how they would never be again. Me and Caleb's birthday was just another change to add to the list. Sometimes I just wish time would stand still. We could all remain young, and relatively care free.

Anger surged up in my body, making me kick harder, slicing my arms through the water, propelling me as fast as I could do. I flipped, and began the same harsh strokes, making my way back and forth across the pool until I was winded. I lost track of how many laps I completed.

I came up at the deep end, treading water. The boys were watching me, talking amongst themselves. I looked over Reid's body...not bad. Muscles just where I like them. If only I could get past that smart ass exterior. It was Reid's defense against the rest of the world. Keep everyone, even his closets friends sometimes, at arms length with smart ass remarks and they could never truly touch him.

Something about Reid lately was screaming anything BUT brother. He's always had a reputation for being a bit of a playboy, but right now I didn't care. Lately we were connecting more than ever before. More innuendos, flirting touches and glances.

I climbed out of the pool, wringing my hair out and adjusting my suit.

"Quite the workout you had there" Reid commented, looking down at me. I never realized how tall he was, how tall they all were compared to me.

"What can I say, I like a challenge" I smirked, looking straight into his eyes. Caleb coughed and Pogue chuckled. "I'm just saying." I said to know one in particular.

"See you at home Caleb." I said, grabbing the towel from his hand and wrapping it around my waist. I swung my hips back and forth a little more than usual, knowing that Reid was probably watching.

Reaching the door to the girl's locker room, I peeked over my shoulder. Reid was staring in my direction, head cocked to the side.

I laughed to myself, heading inside. Oh, there was definitely something there.