A/N – I'm usually not big on the whole "I'll only post if you leave 20 reviews" thing because it's just not my thing

A/N: Second chapter's up because it's already typed, so why not add it? And thanks so much, I already got one review and I just posted a few minutes ago. Keep them coming!

FLASHBACK – 2 MONTHS AGO

The rain was pouring on my head as I made my way up to Derek's front door. I rang the bell and Mrs. Anderson came to the door, enveloping me into a hug.

"Holly dear, it's been a while since I've seen you! Come on in, Derek's upstairs with your friend Maggie rehearsing lines," Mrs. Anderson told me.

"You mean Maggie Fabris?" I exclaimed. "I didn't even know she got back from Italy, and I definitely didn't know she was filming a movie with Derek. That's so awesome!"

Maggie had been one of my closest friends from a while back. We were on a tv show together when we were 13, and we had remained friends ever since. She'd been in Italy filming a movie, and I hadn't talked to her for a while so I was definitely excited to see her.

"Oh, yes. She was the one chosen as Derek's twin sister in 'Fight and Protect', I guess the director decided to go with her instead of Abigail, luckily for Derek." Mrs Anderson replied.

"Oh, good," I sighed in relief. "I know how worried he's been about that."

Abigail was one of those actresses who thinks she's way better than she actually is – total diva. Derek had been worrying about working with her for weeks because she had been the director's first choice. But it seemed like Maggie came just in time to get the role.

"Why don't you head up there and say hello," Mrs. Anderson suggested. "I'm sure they'd love to see you."

I thanked her and ran up the stairs to Derek's room. "MAG-" I began, but what I saw when I reached the door caused me to quickly swallow my words. Derek was lying on his bed with Maggie on top of him, making out like there was no tomorrow. They quickly jumped apart at the sound of my voice.

"Holly!" Maggie yelled, running towards me with her arms outstretched. She backed off when she noticed my arms stayed firmly at my sides. I bit my lip to keep from crying, I wasn't going to give either of them the satisfaction.

"Look, you can't get mad at us," she began. "We were just,"

"Rehearsing a scene for 'Fight and Protect'," Derek quickly finished.

"I mean, you're an actress too Hol. You of all people should understand," Maggie said. "We were just rehearsing a scene, it means absolutely nothing."

I stared at Maggie and Derek, rage surpassing my urge to cry. I didn't understand how they could both so blatantly lie to me.

"Well, here's a little known fact for you two," I began, my voice strangely calm. "Siblings don't usually make out in movies, so next time you're going to lie to me try to think up a better one. And as far as I'm concerned, you two can be together. You deserve each other anyway."

And with that I turned, walked out the door, and out of their lives forever. I called Joe as soon as I reached the sidewalk. The feeling of crying was coming back, and I needed to get away soon.

"Hello?"

"Joe, it's me," I began, my voice breaking. "I need you to come get me."

"What's wrong?" he asked. The concern in his voice just made me break down.

"Just come get me, please," I sobbed.

"Just let me know where you are, and I'll be there as soon as possible," he said, his voice soothing.

I told him and within two minutes he was pulling up to the front of Derek's house. We rode in silence until we got back to my house. That was one of the things I loved about Joe, he knew not to pressure me to talk until I was ready.

When we got to my house he grabbed my hand, leading me to the woods. The woods were our special place. When we were younger it was where we had played games of hide and seek, caught bugs, played Indians, and we had even built a tree house together. It held many memories for us, and we still loved it to this day. When we reached the tree house he let go of my hand.

"Think we can still fit up there?" he asked, causing me to laugh through my tears.

"I don't know, but let's try," I responded.

Joe climbed up first, offering me his hand. Surprisingly enough, we both managed to fit.

"So, do you wanna tell me what's going on?" Joe asked.

As I spilled out the whole story Joe sat, listened attentively, and didn't say a word until I was finished talking.

"You know what I have to say about this whole thing? Screw Derek and Maggie. Who needs them? You have my brothers, Addison and people who really love you. I love you Holly, you know you mean the world to me. Don't let them get to you."

"Thanks Joe," I replied. He always knew what to say to cheer me up. "I love you too."

What neither of us knew at that time was how much I really loved him.

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