Hey, sorry about the wait for the next chapter. This chapter is around the same length. This chapter deals more with Marissa's past as well. We learn who Marissa was talking to on the phone. We find out why Sophia is being so secretive. As I mentioned before the names from the original show are different except Nathan, Dan, and Karen (they have different last names). The Nathan-Cole-Dan relationship won't start until chapter 5, that is including Peyton (in this story her name is Emma Richards). In the last chapter, we met Zoe (who is basically Brooke).


CHAPTER TWO: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOUSE

AND A HOME

MARISSA:

A tragic hero is defined as a person who makes some type of judgment error which leads to a destructive downfall. In Shakespeare's "Macbeth", Macbeth's downfall was caused by guilt and madness as he begins to see omens of a bloody dagger, Banquo's ghost, and the three apparitions who give him a hopeful prophecy of his fate. Shakespeare uses imagery to draw attention to the madness and the loss of control rather than fate.

People believe in the five elements of a hero that makes them a tragic hero. Born of a noble birth. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus was born and his father was King Laios. King Laios was given a prophecy that his son would kill him and sleep with his mother. Laios decided to send his son away. He gave his son to a messenger and sent him away. A messenger gave the baby to Polybos and Oedipus was raised by Polybos, believing he was his father. When Oedipus was young he received a prophecy that he would murder his father and sleep with his mother, Jocasta.

A hamartia. In Hamlet, the main protagonists, Hamlet's, hamartia in indecisiveness. He cannot choose between his dilemmas. Hamlet wants to kill his father's murderer, Claudius but instead ruins his life by delaying action. In the process, he sends Ophelia into such a state of depression that she commits suicide.

Peripeteia. Aristotle said it was "A change by which the action veers round to its opposite, subject always to our rule of probability or necessity."

All these stories and myths, they represent literature and culture and how our world is defined. Robert Shea once said: "The key element in tragedy is that heroes and heroines are destroyed by that which appears to be their greatest strength."

Is this true forever one, or it is just some metaphoric bullshit?


I slammed my door shut to my bedroom. The echoes of the slamming of the door went around the house and I could hear it hit my right ear. I felt my knees hit the back of my bed and I felt my self-sinking down onto the bed and my back hit the bed.

I could hear someone stomping up the steps. I turned my head to the right and saw out of the side of my eye was my book, One Hundred Years of Solitude. I sighed as I reached over and took the book in my hand. I tried to get comfortable as I wrestled onto my side. I opened my book to my last page and began reading.

I could hear distant footsteps becoming more defined as I heard a halt by my door. I knew this would happen. I felt like I had the transcript of his words he his going to throw at me. One part of me couldn't help, but feel like this was my fault. I knew he would get this way and acting like this was the only reason, that I would be some stupid girl falling for a hot guy.

How do you expect to live a normal life and build a relationship with not only your family, but other people, but also fully live up to the standards your family builds for you?

I heard the soft knocks on the door. I could hear him, talking to himself, trying to calm himself down. I felt the breath from my scoff exit from my mouth. I looked up and saw the door opening as dad walked in.

"Thanks for knocking.", I muttered as I turned onto my side to avoid eye contact. I heard him sigh.

I looked back to him and was shaking his head with the same expression I had, contempt. I felt the weight of the bed shift as he sat down on the bed next to me. I turned away from him again.

"Marissa, please, just talk to me.", he pleaded.

I looked away. I couldn't listen to this. It grew silent as we sat there for a few minutes waiting for one to talk. I sat there in silence as I stared at the wall. I looked over to the door headings. I could see the paint marks that leaked onto it when I painted my room. After a second of silence, I heard him break it with a sigh. I felt a weight shift off the bed as I heard the floorboard creak. I could see his shadow standing at the edge of my bed.

"Fine, I'll talk. Look, don't get me wrong. When I was sixteen and may I remind you I was sixteen too. All I'm saying is, that when I was your age, girls were great. I was a huge fan of girls. You don't get a girl knocked up at sixteen being indifferent to girls. But Marissa, guys are always going to be there. This school isn't. It's more important. It has to be more important.", he stated.

It hit me like a tidal wave. I looked up and saw the seriousness in his eyes. I swallowed hard. He was right. Keaton was important. I spent most of my life pining for Yale and putting hard work into my work.

Sometimes I think that maybe I don't belong at Yale. Maybe I don't deserve to go there. Maybe I don't belong there. Because I'm not worth anything. I sat here thinking. How do you believe you're anything when you are built on the belief from other people that you really are nothing?

I have never felt so empty. People have things. Girls have cheerleading. Some girls have horseback riding. Soccer. I have nothing other than being smart and reading books. I have never been interested in guys. They have always been there, but I haven't. I have spent almost 17 years putting my education first. But things change.

"Just, please let me go to sleep.", I muttered as I closed my eyes. Dad sighed.

"Marissa, I love you and the things you've always done. You didn't just jump into things you took a closer look at things and you were careful. You think cautiously about everything. You've always been the sensible one in this house. I need you to remember that feeling now. You will kick your own ass later if you blow this. I don't want to tell you "I told you so" later when your chance is gone.", he said as he tried to reason with me.

I couldn't help, but feel like this fell back into the category of him thinking I am him, but I'm not. I am tired of being compared to other people. I am tired of being compared to Sophia or my dad.

"Well, last time I checked, it's my ass, not yours.", I quipped back.

"Okay, you know what? We've always had a democracy here. Nothing happened unless we, your mother and your siblings all agreed. But this time, I'm going to have to lay down the law, because I will not let you throw away your life because of a moment of weakness.", Mike said as he raised his voice. "You're going to Keaton. I don't care whether you want to or not. Wednesday morning you will be there, end of story."

"We'll see about that.", I muttered as I got under the covers. I shook my head, in anger.

"Yes, we will.", he muttered back.


I could feel the cool air blowing against my face. The temperature is growing cooler and the days are growing shorter. We walked in utter silence. We stopped as we stared at the red oracle door. It was a consuming red that drew your attention.

It was the night of the incorrigible Foster grandparent's dinner. We had to dress nice. I wore a turtleneck sweater and a nice skirt with pale pink flats.

Dad wore a dress shirt and dress pants. We stood on the porch. Neither of us reached for the doorbell. Even though it was September, it was still cold. I never got used to it getting below 50 at night. I began to get annoyed as I saw him stare at the door expecting for something.

"Oh, my gosh. It's cold. So, are we going to go in or stand here and reenact "The Little Match Box Girl"?", I scowled.

Dad sighed and pulled me away from the door. "Okay, look, I know you hate me. I'm the most horrible father in the world. Message received. But I need you to be civil here, just for dinner. And then on the way home, you can pull a Menendez. Deal?", he proposed.

I sighed. I just wanted this night to be over. I nodded and we both headed back to the porch and dad rang the doorbell. Literally, half a second later, the door flew open. It was Patricia. She looked even more regal than before. You can tell that she just dyed her hair, again.

"Wow, this is a first. You're actually right on time.", she said as she crossed her arms. I could feel her eyeing me.

"Yeah, no traffic at all. Unlike all the other times.", dad muttered and laughed nervously as grandma opened the door wider to let us in.

We both moved passed her and walked into the well-nourished home. We saw a woman in a maid outfit. This maid was different from the last one I saw at the 4th of July party. She took our coats and hung them on the rack as Patricia closed the door.

The mansion has never been cleaner. The floor was a type of a pale beige granite floor tile. There was a chandelier that hung from the ceiling which had to be one of the most beautiful chandeliers I had ever seen. The smell of rose petals and lamb shops lingered throughout the entire house.

"I can't tell you what treat it is to have you two here.", Patricia stated. We both looked at her with a fake smile.

"Yeah. We're pretty excited too.", Dad stated as I bit my lip trying not to laugh. I saw Patricia as her smile fell when she saw dad holding his coffee cup.

"Michael, I know you have a coffee addiction for some reason. But is that a collector's cup or can I throw it away for you?", she asked. Geez, subtle much?

"Oh, I can do it.", he sad as he was about to it in the wastebasket by the coat rack.

"In the kitchen wastebasket, please.", she subtly demanded.

"Right. Sorry."

I felt startled when she looked at me and grabbed my arm.

"Now, let me get a look at my beautiful granddaughter. You are quite exquisite.", grandma said as she spun me around. "Oh, you have a wonderful complexion, darling. You're tall, you've grown taller than me."

I'm not used to this type of attention. The last time I saw her was five months ago for July. I was like 5'4". I grew like 4 inches since then.

"Yep.", I muttered, applying the same fake smile that God gave me. I looked at dad. He mouthed "Just go with it". I smiled, it was easier not to hate him when we share the same dislikeness for grandma. I nodded at his request. I almost jumped out of my skin when Patricia attacked me with a hug. I was surprised. She patted my back.

"Well, it's nice to see you too, grandma.", I said as I awkwardly patted her back as well.

"So, I want to hear all about Keaton.", she said as she dragged me into the living room.

I looked and I saw a rigid, well-dressed man sitting on the couch, He was wearing a nice, patted down suit. He looked like a wealthy businessman in that outfit. It was a grandpa. He was already deep into his newspaper on the million dollar couch they have.

"Derek, look who's here.", grandma said in excitement. He glanced up at me. Once he saw me he was shocked. His face went from bored to shocked in a matter of a second.

"Marissa? You're tall.", he exclaimed. Is this going to happen all night? I looked back to my dad.

"Oh my god.", I heard him say under his breath.

"I guess I am since, I guess, everyone is saying that now.", I said to grandpa.

"What is your approximate height so far?", he asked with curiosity.

"Five-foot-eight inches.", I answered back, nervously.

"That's tall." I could see my dad rolling his eyes from the corner of mine. Grandpa looked over to grandma. "She's tall.", Derek said to my grandma letting her know.

"Hey, dad.", he said, trying to change the situation.

"Michael, your daughter's tall." Dad sighed again.

"Yeah, I know. It's freakish. We're going to have her studied at M.I.T.", I could help but smirk and giggle. Patricia rushed away and went to the mini bar. She poured a glass of champagne us, even me.

"Champagne. Wow, fancy.", dad said.

"Well, it's not every day that I have my son and beautiful granddaughter here for dinner a day the banks are open... A toast.", She said as she held her glass up. "To Marissa Foster, my beautiful granddaughter, entering Keaton. And an exciting new phase in her life."

We all made a toast and took a sip from their glasses of champagne. I took a sip and I felt the liquid roll down my throat. It tasted sweet, not sour nor bitter. It kind of reminded me like an unflavored sparkling water added with lemon juice and some sugar.

"This is so exciting. An education is the most important thing in the world, after family.", Patricia stated.

It was a little awkward. "And cake.", dad joked. I giggled again. I saw grandma and grandpa looking at each other in seriousness.

"Joking.", dad quickly added as grandma and grandpa looked at him with a serious glare. I could see their expressions change and turned to relief from disbelief.

"Ah.", Patricia nodded as we all sat down on the couch. I sat down next to Derek. He started reading his newspaper again. The room sank into silence with dad and grandma avoiding each other's eyes.

I sighed. Out of nowhere, grandpa handed me a part of his newspaper.


I began to peck at my food. The food was amazing, but I lost appetite thinking about our argument again. Dad was doing the same. Ever since we sat down at the table, we have been avoiding eye contact. The last 24 hours have been hard. We have never had a fight before. We usually bicker and then hug and grow the hell up. I mean, it's normal father/daughter relationship, but we're not only that but we're friends too.

"So Marissa, how do you like the lamb?" I heard a distant voice asked as it broke me out of my thoughts. I looked over and it was grandma. "I heard it was one of your favorites. So I had Tina, our cook, make it.", she stated.

I nodded and she smiled at me. I don't hate grandma. I hate the way she refrains to people. People who may not have money like she and grandpa do, but they are still people.

"It's good.", I smiled. I like her. She does try to be nice, but... she tries.

"Not too dry?", she asked, hoping for my praise. Dad wasn't like them. He doesn't people in the higher archy or a higher power. He feels like that's how they act sometimes...Like they are bigger than life. I smile to myself. I never thought they were that way. They grew up out of money and tried to raise Mike out of money.

"No, it's fine.", I answered as I used my fork and took a piece to my mouth. It was really good, I'm just not great at small talk.

"She leaves it in too long. I'll have her make something else.", grandma jumped up.

"Please don't. It's really fine." I said to her. I didn't want to put Tina to work just for my ratification.

"Well, alright then.", she said as she sat back down. I looked over and grandma didn't even look down.

"Well, the mashed potatoes are a little salty though.", I heard a voice from across from me stated. I looked up and Mike was on the spot.

"Excuse me?", Patricia asked in disgust.

"So, grandpa, how's the insurance business?", I asked jumping in to save him. We all looked at him and we saw him put down his newspaper.

"People die, we pay. People crash cars, we pay. People lose a foot or an arm, we pay. People lose a house, we pay.", he said without hesitation. Wow, at least he has a new slogan.

"Well, at least you have a new slogan going on there.", Mike joked. I smiled to myself and shook my head. Derek sighed as he looked back at his newspaper. "And how are things going on as an officer?", he asked with an uninterested tone.

"Great. Michael was promoted to captain apparently last month. Isn't that just wonderful, dear?", Patricia said before dad could even utter a word.

"Speaking of which, you brother called yesterday.", grandpa stated, still looking at his newspaper. Grandma and I both looked up at grandpa then Mike. Grandpa crossed the line. For as long as I have known him he has compared to his brother. His brother was known as being a successful doctor and lawyer. Growing up, dad had big shoes to fill and never seemed to fill them in grandma and grandpa's eyes.

"Speaking of which"? How is that a "speaking of which"?", dad scowled.

"Well, he's doing well out in New York. He has got his own practice now.", grandpa explained without even looking down from his newspaper. I looked at dad who shot a look at grandma who just ignored it. She didn't say anything.

I saw dad, shaking his head in disgust. Grandpa and I never really talked or got to know each other as much. He just seems...severe.

Dad sighed as I heard the chair move back and scrape the floor as I saw dad rise from his chair. "Speaking of which, I'm gonna go get a more to drink… or a knife.", dad said as he went into the other room.

I sighed. I went to go get up. "I think I'm gonna go talk to -", I began to say as I heard grandma's voice.

"No. I'll go. You stay and keep your grandfather company.", grandma stated as she got up and rushed to the kitchen. Even though it was a different room, we could hear every word.

"Michael, come back to the dinner table, please.", grandma asked.

"Nope. I just need a second. You guys are a piece of work. He is a piece of work, my father", he said. I looked over at grandpa and he was still reading the newspaper. I looked intently at what he was reading. It was the New Yorker.

"Oh come on. Michael, He didn't mean anything by that." "Mom, I am really trying here for you guys and mostly for Marissa. But is this how it's going to be every Friday night? We come over here for dinner and I let Marissa watch you guys attack me?", he asked.

I heard grandpa lower his paper and I looked over as it was moved away from his face. Grandpa and I looked at each other hearing the conversation.

"Let's be a little real here. Aren't you just being a little dramatic?", Patricia asked. I could hear dad scoff.

"Dramatic? Do you even hear yourself?! I can't believe you, mother. I can't believe I'm actually hearing this. Were you just at that table now?", he asked as his voice rose.

"Yes, I was. And like always I think you took what your father said to you the wrong way.", she said in a stern, but the soft voice without it raising.

"Like always"? He asked trying not to make a scene. He sighed lowering his voice.

"How could you take that the wrong way? Huh? What else was left open to interpretation?", he practically screamed.

"Keep your voice down.", grandpa ordered. I looked at my food as I continued to peck at it.

"No! I can't take this anymore! Marissa is mad at me, she's not even sure if she even wants to go to Keaton anymore. And tonight has been a nightmare with you and dad attacking me.", dad hollered.

I started to think about everything. From the time I was 14 years old, all I thought about was Yale. I have a 4.5 GPA because I want to go to Yale. I felt my back stiffen and my nerves in my stomach were doing flip-flops. I felt uncomfortable. I looked over to Derek was staring at the newspaper like always without even the slight hesitation to look up.

"Why do you and dad pounce on every single thing I say?", dad asked as he calmed down.

"That's absurd. Don't be crazy. You haven't uttered a world all night to us. I've heard the mute talk more than you.", she exclaimed.

"Come on, mother. That's not true.", he defended and I imagined dad with his hands on his hips, giving grandma the glare of the year.

"Fine. You said "pie", she said. I smiled and chuckled a little. That was a little funny.

"Oh come on. Really?", dad asked as I heard him scoff.

"You did, didn't you. All I heard you say was "pie"."

"That's not the point. Why the hell would he have the audacity to bring up Jason for? He didn't have to do that. Was it really that necessary?"

"Unlike some people, your father and I like Jason.", grandma defended.

"Oh, really? You didn't seem to like him when he got a girl pregnant and took off right after his son was born or when he didn't even remember his name when we ran into him. Oh, but when that happened to me, it was the worst thing ever!", Mike scowled as he defended himself.

"Oh, well. Please. You were sixteen, he was 19. What were we supposed to do, throw the two of you a party? We were disappointed. The two of you had such bright futures and you guys threw it all away.", she explained.

"Yes, but here's the thing. I am happy. I am not like Jason having seven divorces.", I explained.

"I just wanted something better for you.", Patricia said in a soft voice.

"Something better for me or someone better for me of your choosing?", he asked. "I don't need your permission. I built a life. I built a home for my family. Some maybe I am not living in a million dollar home, but I would rather be who I am than those fake friends of yours. Do you understand that I get to go home to my family every night? I get to lay next to the woman I love and know that she will be there when I wake up and live the rest of my life with the life that I have now.", he yelled as his voice rose.

"Lena is not his mother.", she explained.

"Don't you dare say that! I married Stephanie for you guys. And what do I get from it? A divorce. I could have never loved her the way I should have, there was no possible way. I am sorry that I didn't marry her especially when we got pregnant. I had dreams, she had dreams. We waited. And by not getting married we got to keep those bright futures. I know you resent me for marrying Lena so she could replace his mother, but she couldn't and Will knows she is his mother."

"The fact is that when you get pregnant you get married. That's how it goes. A child needs their mother and father.", she defended, expressing her belief system.

"Mom, do you honestly think Stephanie would be we she is right now if we had gotten married? Do you think she'd be anything at all?", das asked for he honest opinion.

"Yes, I do. Your father would have put you in the insurance business and the two of you would be living a happy life. We offered to help you. We are offering to help you with Marissa's schooling. You took that girl and all your other kids and completely shut us out of their lives. You moved, you didn't want our help, our money...", she hollered as I heard dad interrupt her.

"Mom, you wanted to control our lives like always.", he corrected.

"You were still a child.", she said. I could hear her own voice cracking.

"No. I stopped being a child the time the strip went pink and I was stuck with a woman who was pregnant with my child. I wasn't going to let you guys pay for that! I had to build a life! If I found a good job!",

"Yeah. As a busboy. You could have gone somewhere. With your brains and talents.", she bellowed.

"I worked my way up. I protect people from harm and put my life in harm's way for other people. I built a life of my own, a family of my own. With no help from anyone.", he screamed. I looked to the side. You can hear Derek snoring. His head is back as he is dead asleep.

"You know what? This isn't me or your father's fault. If it weren't for your so-called ridiculous pride your life could have been better. But no. You were too proud to take anything from anyone. You were always too proud to take anything from anyone, not even us when we offered you the help.", I heard grandma holler. She was right. He has always been too proud for his own good.

"My ridiculous pride?! Hey! I didn't want to be here, mother! I came here for you and dad's help. I've never asked anything else other than your love, compassion and common decency towards to me and my family. I wasn't too proud to come here to you two, begging for money for my kid's school, was I?", dad hollered.

I looked up. What did he just day? I looked around to see if there were like cameras to see if this were some kind of prank show? I sat there in shock. I sat there looking at the kitchen door not knowing what to do and how to react.

I looked at grandpa, who is sitting there with drool coming from his mouth and his newspaper in his food. He is snoring louder than before.


I sighed as I looked out my window. The weight of the silence felt suffocating. I opened my window and dad then closed my window. I looked at him and sighed. I looked at him and he just focused on the road.

We sat there for fifteen minutes in bitter silence before any of us made a peep. I looked down at my leftovers. Tina, the amid, made the foil wrap into a dove. It was so cool. I should ask her how she does that.

"That was quite a dinner with the grandparents. You and grandma seemed to have such a nice talk.", I said as I smirked at him.

He smiled as he let out a laugh. "How much did you hear?", he asked nervously.

"Oh, not that much. You know, very little, little snippets.", I lied as I looked down at my shoes.

"So, you heard every single word is what you're saying?", he asked. I sighed looking down as I nodded.

"This is just great. Well, the best laid-back plans.", he said as I took a turn down a rode.

"I'm sorry, dad. I should have guessed why this dinner was so important to you. Like come on, you hate grandma and grandpa. Mom probably said it was stupid to go ask them, didn't she?", I asked. His stature changed. I didn't look at me and didn't answer. I looked at him intently and he was grinding his teeth. He was hiding something.

He looked at me and sighed. "She has no clue. So when we get home not a word to her.", he finally admitted while pointing at me.

"Dad, I just don't understand why you would put yourself through all of this especially for me.", I stated.

"What do you mean?", he asked in a dumbfounded expression. "Marissa... your grandmother is the second most stubborn, outgoing, intelligent, brave, courageous woman I know. The first woman is you. You are all those things. You never ask for money or anything really. All you ask for compassion, love, trust, and decency. And if this follows one of those topics I will do that for you because it's worth it, because you are worth it.", said in a gratified tone.

"Am I?", I asked as I looked down. I couldn't meet his eyes as I felt this sinking feeling in my stomach. "My past- doesn't say much about me other than assault and violence.", I said as I heard my own voice crack. "Sometimes I wonder if you guys made a mistake. Choosing me.", I admitted. I could feel his eyes on me.

"Marissa, you are those things I mentioned. I don't know why you don't think you are special. Don't know why you can be self-deprecating sometimes. You are worth it. Why would we care if it's not someone worth caring for?", he asked. I looked over to him and I could see the kindness in his face and smiled a little.

"You wanted to give up a lifetime opportunity to go to one of the best private schools in the country because you were worried about the money. You are more concerned about other people than yourself and I don't care what anyone says. You are the most intelligent and caring person I know. What happened to Cam and Jake wasn't your fault nor will it ever be.", he explained. There was one part of me that screamed he was right and another could help but disagree. I looked at him and smiled. I didn't care about our fight anymore. I didn't care for it. I looked up at him and he was smiling too.

"So, how many dinners will it take till we're off the hook?", I asked looking over at him.

"I think my funeral might be the last one.", he said jokingly. I heard him gasp and then he realized what I meant. He was always a beat behind. "Oh, wait does this mean you're going to Keaton?" "

Yeah. What? You really thought that I would let a perfectly good uniform skirt go to waste.", I asked. We both laughed.


It was 24 hours since the big Foster dinner at the grandparents'. I went to class. I sat at lunch. Somehow I expected everything to change, but nothing to change at all at the same time.

We were having dinner in the dining room for once. My dad suggested it. Everything was back to normal. The smell of spaghetti lingered through the entire first floor of the house.

"So, how was school today? Did you guys learn anything new today?", dad asked as he always did.

"Nothing really. Which reminds me. You know who Zoe Rivera is, right?", Sophia asks.

Zoe Rivera, ugh?! She is one of Sophia's favorite actors from one of those medical shows. I think she was kicked off the show, but who cares?

"Isn't she from that show you like?", mom asked.

"Yeah. Apparently, she's taking a break from her show for the summer and she's a new student at Lakewood.", Sophia added. How convenient, the same time her show ends, she comes here.

"That's amazing. I knew I recognized her.", mom said.

"Yeah. She invited me and Marissa to the summer festival concert downtown at the Seven. I was just wondering if I and Marissa could go.", Sophia asked. I could see the hope and desperation dripping from her voice.

"I don't see a reason why not.", dad agreed.

"But same rules as always. No alcohol or drugs. Curfew is 10:00.", mom stated.

"10:00? That is so early.", Sophia whined. A few days when we met Zoe, we bet that mom wouldn't raise our curfew.

"10:00 end of discussion.", Lena reinforced.

"But Kelsey doesn't even have a curfew. And remember you let us go to Paris for like three weeks.", Sophia explained.

"Where your curfew was 10:00 I believe.", mom added as she looked up at us.

"Dad?", Sophia asked with a puppy dog face. Dad sighed and I looked at him.

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but my hands are tied.", he stated. Sophia crossed her arms and scoffed. She looked so upset. I really wanted to go to the festival. I sighed and I put my fork down on my plate.

"Well, the concert really doesn't start until 9:30 and we'd only see like 5 minutes of the concert.", I explained trying to reason with them and come to an agreement. Dad sighed. I saw him looked at Lena. They were having a conversation with their eyes.

"Fine. Your curfew is 11:30, not a minute late and Jesus has to go with you girls.", dad stated.

We all looked at him.

"What?!", Jesus scowled looking up. He looked like he hadn't had been paying attention. "I don't want to spend my Friday night with them."

"It's either Jesus goes with you guys or you guys don't go at all.", dad stated. We both looked at Jesus. He looked back at us. We waited. Not that I like Zoe, but I hear all kind of bands is playing at the festival. He groaned them sighed.

"Fine!"

Literally, Sophia jumped out of her seat and started jumping up and down. She hugged him. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"You're welcome.", he stated.

Out of nowhere, we heard Sophia's phone ringing. Her smile fell, I was the only one to notice.

"May I be excused from the table for a minute?", Sophia asked.

"Sure, sweetie.", dad said.

Sophia rushed into the kitchen. She has been acting weird for the past few days. She has been sneaking off to make or answer phone calls and has been sneaking stuff out of the basket in the kitchen.


After dinner was done, I took the plates into the kitchen. I could hear Sophia's voice. It was above a whisper. I tip-toed in and I looked. Sophia was still on the phone.

"Alright. Where do you want to meet and what time?", Sophia asked the person the phone. I stood there quiet not wanting her to find me. "Sure.", she answered. "Bye." She hung up.

I put the plates in the sink and plates hitting the metal sink echoed. Sophia turned around then saw me. "Who was that?", I asked not trying to sound like I was there that long. "You were in here for a long time. Everything ok?", I asked as I had my back faced away from her trying to hide my face. I was washing my plate and clearing the leftover food that was still on the plate.

Sophia sighed. "It was just the wrong number. You really need to stop sneaking up on me like this.", she said laughing. I looked back and her hands were on her hips. I nodded. I looked back to the plates and I heard her shoes clicking against the floor out of the room. She left.

I couldn't help, but wonder what she was hiding? Why she was hiding it? I felt the curiosity rising in my body. I remembered back to this morning when I saw her take something from the basket above the sink. It looked like she was putting something in a bag. I looked back and then back to the basket. I reached up and took down the basket. I looked in it and all I could find were napkins and Jesus' ADHD medication. I remember that he just got it last week and there were only three pills left. Normally, they are supposed to last a month.

Out of nowhere, I heard footsteps approaching. I threw the bottle in there and rushed to put the basket back on the shelf. Dad comes in with his and mom's plates and headed over to the sink as I pretended like I was pouring myself a glass of orange juice.

"Hey, sweetie. So, mom was telling me how you haven't told the twins or even Will about applying to Keaton?", he asked as put the dishes in the sink. It's not that I didn't want to tell them, it's just they'll be upset that I won't be with them every single damn day.

"It's just that I'm worried how they'll react especially Sophia. She's not only my sister, but she's my best friend.", I explained.

"Are you sure you even want to go to Keaton? You know that you don't have to, right?", dad asked trying to make sure. Things have changed, I don't want to go, but they come with consequences. In the other room, we could hear the landline ringing.

"Yeah. God, I want to go. I want to go more than anything in the entire world. I just don't want to lose my best friend or my sister.", I stated.

"Mike, there's a call for you!", mom called from the living room.

"Coming! Do what you want to do and I bet Sophia will support you.", dad said. He left. I looked back at the basket. What the hell are you doing, Sophia?


WILL:

SEPT. 5TH, 2014

I remember the first day Marissa went to school. She skipped it. The day was so bright, but it didn't make an effort to shine on such a dark girl. It was around noon. I was talking to my friends. We were standing by an oak tree. I looked to my left and I saw her hurriedly rushing out of the building. She was wearing a faded, worn out jean jacket, she was wearing fifteen dollar payless sneakers, and the bruises on her face remained just as pronounced as the day before. She was running away from the building and I saw her throw her books away.

"I'll be right back.", I said to my friends. They nodded to me. I looked over and I quickly rushed over to Marissa. I could tell that she knew I was walking with her. She sighed and couldn't to avoid contact. "Running away? Not the smartest idea.", I said.

"What do you want?", she asked with a very annoyed tone without even looking back.

"You know that my dad is a cop. He can just send you back to Juvie.", I stated, trying to convince her to stop.

"Why don't you just mind you and your whole freaking family just your own damn businesses?!", she scowled as she began to look around.

What is her problem? We have been trying to help her. "We're just trying to help you!", I explained.

"Just stop! Go back to your perfect and privileged life!", she yelled even louder. I looked at her and I could see the sadness in her eyes. I couldn't help, but see he damaged she is.

"Marissa, just let us help you.", I started to say.

"You can't help me.", she said without any hesitation. I looked at her. It was like looking at a pillar of ice refusing to melt. I could hear a distant ring. I was brought out of my thoughts. My phone started to ring and I looked at it. It wasn't one of my contacts, it was an unknown number. "This guy has been calling me all day."

"Let me see that.", she stated. Before I could even say anything, she took the phone from me and answered the call. Her eyes lit up. She seemed like she recognized the member. She clicked on the accept button and put the phone to her ear as I heard her say, "Hey, It's me. I'm on my way."

"Who is that?", I asked her. She waved her hand around for me to stop talking.

Her facial expression changed and she seemed upset. It was like a huge wave crashed down on somebody and you realized you were the last one alive. Her face looked like she lost everything. "Jake? Calm down. Jake? What are you talking about?", she said to the person on the phone.

"What's going on?", I asked trying to know who she was talking to and why he was calling my phone.

She looked like she was about to cry, but not a sad cry, a cry full of fury. "Put him back on the phone, John.", I heard a voice hiss.

The other person on the other line hung up. Marissa scoffed, she pulled the phone from her ear and looked at it. She handed the phone back to me and continued to walk. I started to follow her.

"Who was that and how does he have my phone number?", I asked trying to get answers out of her.

"I might have borrowed your phone last night."

"Who was that? Was it like your boyfriend or something?"

She laughed. "No!"

"Then, who was it?!"

Marissa stopped in front of me and sighed. "It's my brother." She continued to walk and I still followed her.

"Let me help you. I can call my dad.", I stated.

"No cops!"

"Marissa, he's not like that."

"My old Foster father put in complaints about me and if your dad or the other cops check my file, I'll go back to juvie and Jake we'll be stuck there for another year! I need him. He is the only family I have left."

Marissa walked off and I just stood there. I understood why she acted so regal and disconnected. Should I let her do this? She could get in serious trouble and could get hurt. I looked back and then I looked at Marissa who was waiting for the bus.

I sighed and quickly rushed over to her.


MARISSA:

Present Day:

We got to the club and it was nice. You could hear the live music from the outside. It was dirty and wet outside from rain. Even though it rained, the air seemed fresh and clean. Two buff and tall bouncers were checking ID's to let people in.

Zoe walked in acting like she owned the place. She was wearing a designer Ralph Lauren floral print Ruffle split v-neck georgette blouse, a Ralph Lauren camel brown houndstooth tweed mini skirt, brown Kierstin Vachetta Sandals, a pair of black Diana Buchanan sunglasses while holding a black leather Gucci large top handle bag. All those things could probably pay for my books for college.

We all followed her. "Come on. We don't wait in line.", she stated. She continued to drag our bodies to the front of the line. We saw the gasps, nervously looks, and glaring eyes as she pushed people out of the way.

We got to the front of the line. We heard people yelling and groaning. I thought I heard someone asking for Zoe's autograph. "They're with me.", she stated as the bouncer unhooked the velvet rope. He began to let us in. I waited as I watched the guard let Zoe, Kelsey, Jesus, and Sophia in, but then stopped me as he hooked the velvet rope back.

"This club is 13 and up.", he informed me. I looked at him strangely. I have never heard that before. Guys have thought that maybe I was in college before. I looked down at myself and I saw what I was wearing. I looked back to Sophia. She was wearing a Victoria Secret black ribbed crop tee, high waist jeans, and knee-high black leather boots. She was wearing a decent amount of makeup that made her look older. Me on the other hand, I was wearing a baggy pink sweater with a puppy dog on it, bootcut jeans, and Vans sneakers. I was wearing like half an ounce of mascara and lip gloss. I felt like a child when I was the oldest out of all of us.

"I'm 16, idiot.", I mumbled. I saw Jesus and Kelsey rushing into the club, not waiting. Sophia and Zoe were both looking at me.

"Yeah, right.", the bouncer said sarcastically with a smile. He ignored me and went straight to the next person behind me. I moved out of the line and to the side. I looked over to Sophia and Zoe. They were staring at me. Zoe was smirking. Sophia had no idea what to do.

"Zoe, a little help here?", I asked as I saw her looking over doing exactly nothing.

"Sorry, my hands are tied.", she said, smirking still.

I looked to Sophia who didn't do anything as well. "Sophia?"

She looked at me, she looked torn between us. "I'm sorry, Marissa."

I scoffed and crossed my arms. "You're kidding me, right? This is unbelievable.", I scowled as I walked off in anger.

I rushed out of there. I tried to call Jesus, but I didn't get service. I went to an alley trying to get service. I still couldn't.

The alley was dark and disgusting alley. It is slimy and gross. You can hear the music louder from the club.

"This is so unbelievable.", I mumbled to myself.

Out of nowhere, I heard people talking and I looked up. Workers from the club were leaving from the back entrance.

I quickly walked over to the door and knocked on it pretending to be a worker who was locked out. "Hello?! I got locked out!"

"That's a nice try.", I heard a gruff voice call out. I quickly looked back and in the dark I saw him, Mr. Dreamy, David. I didn't think I would see him again.

"What?", I asked.

"Trying to pretend to be locked out? It won't work though.", he said as he smirked. His shiny blue eyes glistened and his skin glowed.

"It might.", I said.

"No."

"The stupid bouncer thought I was younger than 13.", I explained. He nodded and we shared smiles. "Haven't I seen you at Lakewood or something?", I asked pretending not to know him.

"I hope so, or that tour around town was for nothing.", he stated, flirtingly. I smiled. He knew what I was doing.

"I remember you."

"I certainly remember you."

I giggled, I couldn't help but blush at his words. "I'm working on trying not to walk into things. I'm not going to Lakewood anymore. I just got into Keaton. I'll be starting Tuesday."

"Keaton, wow. You must be some type of genius to get into there.", he stated. I shook my head and crossed my arms at his remark.

I saw him reach down to his pocket took out a pass. "Well, Marissa Foster, I may have a way to get you into the club." He held up a pass and it was to the backstage that read "manager". "You in?"

When we got into the club, he took us all backstage. Sophia wasn't here. There was another bouncer by one exit and one by the other.

"Make yourselves at home.", David stated.

"Thank you so much, Marissa.", Kelsey said. "This is so much better the arranged pre-hayride."

"Why are you thanking her? Marissa's new boyfriend is the one who got us backstage.", Zoe corrected.

I almost laughed. Boyfriend? We're not dating. "David isn't my boyfriend. He's just some guy I met.", I stated.

David laughed. I felt kind of embarrassed, because I kind of like him and he is really sweet.

"Wow. You flatter me.", David said sarcastically. I blushed as he winked at me. I could feel my heart melting by the sparkle in his beautiful blue eyes.

"That's how Marissa is.", Kelsey stated. "Last year, she had two guys fight over her until one of them -", she added.

"Kelsey, that's enough!", Jesus said cutting her off. I only had one boyfriend, had as in used too. We all have our past demons.

"What happened?", David asked in curiosity.

"Nothing!", I stated.

I know it sounded harsh, but my ex-boyfriend isn't someone I would like to talk about. I missed him a lot. I haven't really thought about him for the past few weeks. I remember talking to my dad about him when I was trying to move on. I was staying inside, under my covers, sleeping all day and awake all night staring at the ceiling wondering where it all went wrong. He told me about this time when he was my age and he was dumped. He told me that he that there were times when he thought he would never get over it. But time passed. He moved on. And then the day came when he didn't think about her as much. Then a couple more days came along, and, he thought about her even less. Then one day, he didn't think about her at all. And then that made me sad.

I heard ringing which broke me out of my daydreaming. I looked up and I saw Jesus walking over to the side answering a phone call. It didn't look serious, but after thirty seconds he hung up and came back over. I wondered who he was talking to.

"Is everything ok?", I asked.

"Yeah. It's fine. I have to go. Do you want to come with me?", he asked.

"No thanks. I'll just get a ride from Zoe. I don't think she would mind.", I said.

Jesus nodded and hugged me then kissed me on the forehead. "See ya later, sis". I nodded as I watched him leave.

That's one of the best things I loved about Jesus, he's kind. He may not get along with us, but he is so loving and so protective of his family, even when he is mad at us, he still cares.

I smiled and walked back over to the gang. After ten minutes, they were still talking about me and my past boy issues. I don't know why Zoe was talking, she showed up after two seconds and is already judging me? Hell no!

"Don't worry, Kelsey. If Marissa ditched you for a French guy, I'll be by your side. Modern Anatomy is very popular in Paris.", Zoe stated. You mean the show that you were kicked off of for sleeping with the producer?

"Even though your character's off the show now?", I asked.

"What? Is that true?", Kelsey asked.

"It's true. I read it off the show's network website.", I stated.

I looked over at Zoe who nervously laughed. Who one this round? I smirked to myself.

Out of nowhere, I felt a sharp edge stab into my foot. It was Zoe. She purposely stepped on my foot which caused me to fall before I had the chance to catch my balance. I dropped my water onto the music equipment. Smoke rose from the machinery and sparks flew.

I felt a knot in my stomach. I looked at the stage and it was quiet. I heard people booing. I looked and saw people glaring at me.

She trips and spills water that pours onto the equipment which causes smoke to rise and sparks to fly. I looked up and I quickly rose trying to block the smoke as I saw the bouncer come over.

"What the hell is going on here?", he asked.

"He works with the band.", I stated pointing at David.

The bouncer stopped and looked at David. He shook his head. "No he doesn't. Stay right there!", he order as turned and talked into the walkie-talkie.

This is so humiliating, even though it was Zoe's fault. I embarrassed, not only for myself, but for David.


SOPHIA:

I was at Bluff Park. I had to take two buses to get there. I was sitting on a rock, waiting for someone.

I looked around and it was pretty empty. I mean, people were around, but it wasn't the same amount during the day. Other people are around, night swimming.

"Sophia?", I heard a soft voice call out.

I looked back and I saw this woman. She was tiny, smaller and skinner than me. Her hair was messy and she looked like she hasn't slept for a long time from the baggage under her eyes. This was her.

This was my birth mother, Anna...

"Mom?", I called out.

"I can't believe it's really you. You're so beautiful.", she said, almost crying. I forgot what she looked like. The only pictures we had were ones of Jesus and me.

"You are too.", I said back.

I felt a tear go down my face and I quickly wiped it away. We looked at each other. I began to remember all the good times we had to replace the bad memories. We looked at each other for a few moments.

"So...Do you have the money?", Anna asked.

We got in contact a few weeks ago. I found out when she came back to town. She is rehab drug addict. She is trying to find a treatment center, she asked me for the money.

I quickly opened my purse to see if anyone one was looking around. I handed her the money.

"Thank you so much.", she said to me.

I smiled, but that soon enough fell. "I guess you should get home. It is getting late.", Anna added as she began to count the money.

I looked at her. I felt my stomach fill with butterflies, my heart pounding skipping every other beat, and my lungs in pain from the torturous idiocy. She used me. She put the belief that I spent most of my life looking for her and she used all the pain and compassion I had for her so she could use me.


MARISSA:

Jake, remember the day you told me that "People stem from a root planted in the belief that we are not what we were called. We are not abandoned cars stalled out and sitting empty on a highway. But our lives will only ever continue to be a balancing act that has less to do with pain, and more to do with beauty". That was also the day everything changed. So I say you lied. Is that all or was there more?

We were taking the metro to San Pedro. All I could do was think about Jake to keep my eyes open. I was exhausted. I could sleep.

I felt my leg hit Will's every time the bus moved and stopped. We sat there for an hour not talking and avoiding eye contact. The awkwardness was bearable. I saw his school bag and it had his little guitar key chain. He had his audition tonight.

"Don't you have that guitar audition thing?", I asked, mostly trying to break the awkward silence.

"Yeah, but this is more important than some audition.", he said looking at me. The bus stopped again and some more people got on and got off the bus. "So, how come you were sent to Juvie? You don't have to answer.", he asked. I guess that is the big elephant in the room, or on the bus.

"No, it's fine. It was about a year ago. I had just turned 13. There were 3 other Foster children already there and they got adopted like a few weeks later. One night, our Foster father, John Pierson, was working late at work. He was a construction worker. Every single night, he goes to the bar. That night, Jake was cleaning and doing his chores. He spilled water onto the TV and it was one of those old ones, the TV broke. I would understand being mad. I've never seen some lose their mind like John did.", I explained. I looked over at Will to find him looking at me. I couldn't find the words to continue. I had choked at the thought of saying it.

"He... he had beaten him to death.", I confirmed.

"Beaten as in... hit?", Will tried to clarify.

"Yeah. Remember that story on the news about that kid that had to be rushed to the hospital then was in a coma?", I asked as I looked over to see him nod his head. "I couldn't stop John. I was only and John was like three times my size. So, I took a baseball bat to his piece of crap car. But I was too late." I felt a tear goes down my face. "Jake had to go to the emergency room. John put him in a coma. Jake just turned 11. How is this fair? I was lucky. I was so angry. I hate him. I just wanted to kill him for hurting him. And it hurt, I couldn't sleep I could eat. I sat in my cell every night thinking I am here while Jake is there. He wasn't safe, no one was safe there. Nothing is going to be ok while Jake is there. I can't... I can't do this anymore.", I said as began to cry. "That's not the worst part. The waiting and the hoping. Not knowing if you wake up and I the one person who make breathe for a freakin' second, the only family you have left. All those things rattling around in my head wasn't the worst that happened to me. John called the police. He made up this story that I went crazy and attacked Jake then attacked his car. They didn't really care for my side of the story. That's the thing with me. When people look at my record they stereotype me as if I were a monster. I'm not a monster. So after they looked at my record, I went to Juvie for a year.", I explained.

He looked at me. All I saw in his eyes were empathy. "It's not right, Marissa. You were just trying to stop him. You're paying the time for a crime he committed."

"Yeah, I know."


I looked through the window and I could hear Will banging the door from out here. I saw John get up.

"Jake, what are you deaf all of a sudden?!", he scowled as he rushed to the door. Jake didn't hear the banging over the water from the sink.

John swung the front door open. I saw Will look back at me and I directed him not to. "What the hell do you want?", he scowled.

Will stood there speechless. "I was wondering if there was a metro nearby. I got off at the wrong stop and I have no clue where I am.", he lied.

I took a deep breath. I put hand on the handle and pulled the sliding door open. I crossed the border and closed it behind me.

I began to tip toe and reached the kitchen doorway. "So, the nearest metro stop is about 2 miles away. If you -", John began to say as I regretfully stepped on a floor board that creaks. John turned back and saw me. "Hey! What the hell are you doing here?!", he scowled as he started to rush over.

"Please! Just let me see Jake for -", I begged.

"No! Get the hell out of my house!", John demanded as he cut me off. I looked to my side and I saw Jake standing behind me. He grew. He was almost as tall as me. "Get the hell out!", he scowled as he pushed me.

"Don't push me!", I yelled back.

"Hey, get off of her!", Will yelled to John as he moved over to us to defend me.

John rushed to a drawer. That is when my heart stopped. He reached and brought out a gun. My first instinct was to block Jake.

I felt my back stiffen, the air in my lungs grow heavy, the blood in my veins go phantom, and my heart constrict. All the fear was building, but I never feared the explosion. I felt a tear go down my face as I raised my hands to surrender.

"John, please don't do this. I am sorry. I am so sorry for your car. I am sorry. I know what happened was wrong. I know. I am flawed, I am sorry, but what you are doing is wrong, just put it down and this can stop.", I said trying to reason with him as I felt the direct aim he was trying to figure as he continued to point the gun at me.

Will was in shock. My heart sped up a mile a minute. I was frozen. I felt like everything was moving passed me and I was stuck. I kept yelling at my feet to run over and stop him. From the corner of my eye, I see Jake looking at me as I still cry, but he remains strong.

"John, just put down the gun.", Will said calmly as he moved over to us.

"I want the both of you out of my house.", he said. We both looked at him in fear. I felt Jake lunge at my arm. "Now!", John scowled.

Before I knew it, I saw him move in finger form the clutch and pull. The loud noise went off and I felt someone push me to the ground and I everything went dark.

The forever part was talking about, does it exist or is it just falsifying everything to make us believe in hope or faith.

I felt the weight above my eyelids lessen. It took several heart wrenching moment before I could open them. looked up and everything was blurry. Things began to become clearer. I saw my sleeve, my button to my sleeve. I saw blood. I thought to myself that if this were the last thing I was going to see I guess I could be ok with that. But it wasn't...

The image became clearer as I saw Jake. His eyes were closed. His breathing had stopped. His skin went pale. I looked even closer and realized the puddle of blood came from him. I looked to the side of his neck and saw a hole and blood came out. At this moment, this is when my heart stopped, this is when everything in my body stopped and went phantom.


MIKE:

I heard the gunshot. We were in the back looking through the sliding doors. We rushed through the door.

John was still pointing the gun, smokes come from.

"Police! Freeze! Drop your gun immediately!", I scowled as I saw him drop the gun a I pointed mine at him. Stephanie and Carson ran over to him and wrestled him to the ground to handcuff him.

My heart stopped when I saw Will. He looked happy to see me as he was about to cry. He motioned to the left.

I turned my head to the left. That is when my heart stopped completely and everything around me stopped as well. Marissa was sobbing and crying hard. I took a closer glimpse and saw all the pain in her eyes. She was on the ground hugging and crying a little boy who had a gun shot in his neck.

I watched as a medic cleaned up Marissa's face. I watched as Lena and Will both watched a dead Jake who is covered taken out in a stretcher. Cops are around.

Lance Armstrong once said: "Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."

I looked over and saw Stephanie dragging John to the car. She shoved him in there and slammed the door shut.

"I'll take this guy back to the station. I'll make sure he'll have a terrible night.", she said.

I nodded. I felt my eyes drift over to Marissa. Have you ever seen someone so broken? I walked over to her and sat by her. I felt her pain, I felt the weight of the world crushing down on her.

I sighed and I let her rest her head down on my shoulder. I looked back at them rolling the stretcher with Jake into the coroner's van and then I looked back at Marissa.

Her sobbing grew only louder. "Shhh.", I said as I hugged her. "Come on, come on", I added as I took her to Lena's car.

I looked back as Lena walked over to me. Will got in the car with Marissa. Lena looked exhausted and she sighed as she took a glance at Marissa.

"Tonight was fun.", Lena said sarcastically. I nodded as I saw her take out her phone. "So, do you just wanna call Bill in the morning to pick up Marissa?"

"No".

"No?"

"After tonight, I realized she needs a family more than ever, maybe we may not be able to give her that, but she needs people to rely on. We're not sending her away.", I said sternly.

"I know. She needs people, especially after tonight, but remember what you told me? "We can't save them all". You really want her in the house after this? Do you think we really even have the money? Do we have the room?"

"We'll make room."


MARISSA:

I opened the door. The lights were still on. The house sounded quiet, too quiet. I gently closed the door behind me hoping no one will hear.

Out of nowhere, I hear footsteps rushing in and it was my parents.

"Where were you?", Lena asked.

I put my hands up surrendering. "Mom, dad. I know I'm late, but only by 20 minutes."

"We were worried half to death!", Lena yelled. I looked over to my dad and he had this disgusted and furious facial expression.

"Wait, is that marijuana I'm smelling.", dad asked.

Great. David was smoking marijuana and now I get in trouble. Mom started to smell it to and I could see her eyes light up in anger as well.

"Are you kidding me?", she asked.

"I know what you're thinking. The marijuana wasn't mine. I have a reason for being late. The stupid bouncer thought I was younger than 13. I went into an alley to the back entrance and met this guy from school. He said that he worked with the band and could get me backstage. The marijuana was his by the way -", I explained.

"So, you listened to a guy who was high on drugs?", dad asked crossing his arms in disappointment. I sighed.

"I know it sounds bad."

"Marissa. What are you doing? I know the last several months have been hard, but this rebellious outburst have got to stop", Lena stated trying to reason with me.

"What do you mean? "Rebellious outburst?", I asked.

"You haven't been yourself since Cam's incident.", she added.

"I can't believe you're bringing that up. He's gone. I have been acting fine, I am wallowing. I mean, I cried and I am trying to move on.", I explained.

"We know, sweetie. You have been going to parties and have been coming home at 3 AM. You have been fighting with us and we are trying Marissa."

"I know you hurt, and that is the last thing I ever want for you. I want you to be so happy, it's unbearable for us. I do want that. But we have been letting you slide, and don't think it has gone unnoticed, because it hasn't. Since Cam's accident, we have been letting you slide and be rude and disconnect from us, but this has got to stop.", dad scowled.

"I started thinking and I think this is the right call. If this is how you are going to act from now on, you can't go to Keaton.", Lena proposed.

"What? Dad? Is this really true?", I asked looking at him.

"I'm sorry, Marissa."

"This isn't fair!", I scowled as I began to storm off.

"Marissa -", Lena tried to calm me down.

"No. hate you!" Marissa sniffles and heads into the kitchen. Mike sighs.

I rushed into the kitchen and ran over to the sink. I heard the refrigerator close and I looked back it was Sophia. She was in her sleepwear already and was pouring a glass of orange juice.

"You were going to leave Lakewood? We're you ever going to say anything to us or did you just hope that we wouldn't notice that you we're never there?", Sophia asked.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you", I said.

"No don't say sorry like it actually means something. I can't believe you. You lied to me after everything we've all been through.", Sophia said as she threw the orange juice back into the refrigerator and closed the door.

"And what was that with mom and dad. That was a bit much about what you said. They're just trying to help you.", Sophia stated.

"What? You've never been late for a curfew before? You really shouldn't be one to talk. So, don't act like you're all perfect.", I said as I began to leave up the kitchen stairs.

"Yeah, but I'm not doing what you're doing though. I'm not lying to Jesus, Will or to you about anything."

I almost laughed. I walked back down the stairs to her. "Are you sure about that?", I asked implying how she has been stealing Jesus' medication.

"What's that supposed to mean?", Sophia asked.

"Nothing."

Sophia grabbed her glass of orange juice and pushed passed me to head upstairs.

I felt my phone vibrate and I looked down at my phone.

KELSEY: Did you get in trouble?

I looked back at the living room and I see my parents arguing. I began to type and responded.

MARISSA: Be over in 20 minutes.

I looked back and they were still arguing. I went to the kitchen door and I pulled at the handle. I sighed and thought about this for a second. I opened the door and quickly left.


Jake, you once told me, our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch. Is that true for everybody, or is it just poetic bullshit? If you could hear me, I would say that our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we've touched. You know what day I'm staring at, Jake.

By 22, Gandhi had 3 kids; Motzart, 37 symphonies; and Buddy Holly was dead. Someone's been trying to tell me something. Make it yours forever, and I'm working on the forever part.

Our story is about a town named "Cherry Hill", a somewhat average sized town, and the different people who live in that town. The people are so quiet, but the town is loud. It presents itself like so many other towns. Safe. Decent. Innocent...

Perspectives is what it is all about. From a look at everything and what we see determines what we think. It's not called unfairness or hatred against others, it is called body chemistry and human nature.

Get closer, though, and you start to see the shadows, known as people, underneath.

7.6 billion people live on Earth in the shadows. Men, women and children. Do you see someone like yourself?

I just want you to keep in mind, do not judge my story based on the chapter you have just walked in on.


I am sorry this chapter wasn't as long, but I promise I will make up for it.

Please review, please! Sorry if that sounded desperate. I really want to know what you guys think. The next chapter may take long, but I have structured it and it is really darker and deals with some mature content.

Where did Marissa sneak off to? Will Jesus cover for Sophia or rat her out? Who is Cam again? Who is Stephanie again?

All these questions will be answered in the next chapter.

- Laurie