AN: Thanks for the reviews and favorites! They keep me motivated.

"Go to hell"

"Already there"

"No. Hell is where you're gonna be after I"-

"SIMON. DEREK. ENOUGH."

Dpov

I felt myself flinch at my dad's sudden outburst. Before all of this Edison Group shit, he almost never yelled, even when we deserved it. I hadn't heard his voice that loud or parenteral since Simon and I were kids.

Even though we were best friends for years, we weren't always close. In fact, we just about hated each other. I was 6 and he was 7. He was still taller than me at the time and thought that made him more important or something stupid like that. He bossed me around because I let him, because I didn't want any trouble.

The first year living with them had been hard. Simon didn't want me around dad and I didn't want to be around at all.

I couldn't help but compare the similarities of that first year and our current conflicts. Once again, we're fighting about how much attention someone else is giving us, and once again Simon is the only one being vocal. I guess some things, you just never grow out of.

I slipped out of my thoughts when I heard Simon slam the patio door and stomp back to our room. I'd heard them arguing, but after the morning I already had with Chloe, I didn't care about Simon being mad at me. He didn't have to understand why I ended things with Chloe and it wasn't really any of his business.

It wasn't my fault that he still liked Chloe. Why would it be, it was none of my business either? Their relationship was between them. And it's not like Chloe actually cares about him like that. I'm still having a hard time believing that Simon even likes her for who she is and not what she represents : the first girl who didn't try to manipulate him or show him off to other girls like a prize. the first girls that didn't blatantly use him to get a higher status with the general student body.

I looked at dad to see him staring back at the direction Simon had gone. I had a fork of cold eggs half way to my mouth when he spoke.

"You don't have to do that to him Derek."

"And what would I be doing? He's the one with the problem, not me. And as far as I'm concerned, his problem is with Chloe and he's just blaming us both. I didn't do anything wrong."

"And Chloe did?"

"If she knew she didn't like him from the beginning, that's her problem. And I already tried to talk to him. He doesn't want to talk to either of us."

"Derek."

"What."

"Stop provoking him."

"I'm not"-

"DEREK. Whether you acknowledge it, I know you don't like that Simon is still so blatant about his attraction to Chloe, even if she doesn't see it. You're not helping anyone by egging him on because you're being territorial."

"I am not being territorial. Simon's being a sore loser."

"Exactly when did Chloe become a prize to you?"

I had already had a retort ready but stopped short when he said that. For a moment, I didn't really know what to say.

I thought of the way things had been these past few weeks, between Simon and I, between Chloe and I. Every time I distanced myself from her, just to find us alone again. Every time I touched her or smiled at her, making sure that Simon was near, glaring at him when Chloe wasn't looking. He'd always glare back but he never called me on it, he'd just leave. When we broke up, it hurt.

It hurt more than I thought I could hurt. It hurt so much I was pissed. So pissed that I kept taunting Simon and confusing Chloe. She usually went along with it, because I know she wants to be with me. And I know it's selfish to drag her on when I'm the one that broke up with her. But I don't want to let her go, even if it's for the best.

"Derek. Love is complicated. It can make or break a lot of relationships and alter a lot of lives. It can make people more happy than they've ever been, and it can make people so sad that the spark inside them just fades away. I don't want you to hurt Chloe because you're scared to be with her. And I don't want you to hurt Simon because you're scared Chloe will want to be with him instead of you. And I don't want Chloe to feel so pushed around by the both of you that she lashes out and hurts everyone that cares about her. I don't like watching my sons act so poorly towards each other."

My dad was one of the only people that I voluntarily listened to, the only opinion that mattered. well, him and Chloe and Simon. His advice was usually sound. I hated disappointing him. I didn't want to hurt anyone, but as usual, I am the source of someone's grief and I probably did something to deserve it. All the confusion and anger I'd felt the past few weeks rushed to the surface and i prayed it didn't show on my face, but I'm not usually a lucky guy.

"I don't know what to do."

"I do. Talk to them, separately. Fix things with Chloe if you still have a chance. She's a smart girl and I seeing you with her. And if you don't, learn how to be a good friend to someone you're not related to. Apologize to Simon, whether you think you did anything wrong or not, because I'm telling you that you did. And I don't think anyone else will be eating breakfast this morning so you can just go at it."

With that said, he got a a few pieces of toast and a napkin and went back inside. I heard him talking to Lauren quietly and decided to go find Chloe. It'll be easier to talk to her. She won't run away. Like the way I ran away from her.

I am such an idiot.

I finished the rest of the food, washed the dishes, and left a note for Dad on the fridge.

Why the hell am I such an idiot?

AN: Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review! Just the let you guys know, I'm probably not going to update on a regular schedule. School just started again and I'm probably going to be a little busier than when I was taking summer classes. But don't worry, I plan on continuing this story and my other story for quite a while.

Thanks

Fletcher