Hey! This is a very short chapter but I felt like updating :)

Ava struggled to look up at the laptop screen. Her arms felt as if they were about to disintegrate while she fought to prop herself up off them. Age thought of how she would respond to her mother's (and step-father's) e-mail. Everything is good? It wasn't. As easy as it was for Ava to lie, she sometimes wished people could read her mind. She wished she wasn't such a good liar. Then maybe she could get help. Otherwise, she sure wasn't going to ask for it.

It sounds like you guys are having a great time. Yay! I don't have much to say... School's okay; I'm good. Nick and I are getting along great! Surprising, I know, since I don't get along with many. I can't wait for you to get back. The doorbell is broken-- we have to get that fixed.

Lots of love, Ava

Fending for some source of energy, she drank what was left of the water bottle on her bedside table, and she got up. Thank goodness it's a late start day. She thought. I don't know how I could've even fantasized about going to school if I didn't have to be there till 11:00 am. She met her hollow reflection in the mirror. Shake it off! She commanded herself. Last night's dream was of course what she was speaking of-- the one with her and Nick. It was especially biting, not because it was strange and maybe morally defective to have that kind of dream about your step-brother, but because she knew it was only a dream, a completely fiction based dream. Nick would never want her in that way, but as wrong as it may seem, that was all she wanted. She wanted Nick to want her.

"Where'd you go last night?" Nick casually questioned during the car ride to school.

"I had to pick up a prescription at the store." Ava concluded after vigorously searching for a cover up story.

"Hm." Nick responded, not seemingly suspicious. "I was thinking maybe if you wanted to we could sing together again sometime after school."

Ava smiled, "I'd like that," as they pulled up to the parking lot a few blocks away from school.

The school day trudged on much like the previous, and god-willingly the day did end at 3:05--well-- almost. Nick had told Ava he'd catch up with her at the car so she decided to start walking.

"Hey, Ava?" Shouted one of Ryan's friends. Ava spun around to find Ryan and his group walking about ten feet behind her and talking deliberately loudly. "How about me tonight?" A cluster of people, other students on the sidewalk, now paying attention, burst into laughter as Ava turned scarlet. She turned back around and tried to hurry away, but the group of boys sped up until she could see them on both her left and right.

"Are you really not going to talk to me ever again, Ava?" Ryan mocked. Ava remained silent, eyes focused ahead. With one snake like arm her pulled her into the inside of the sidewalk.

"Don't even think you can touch me!" Ava snapped furiously. She made a small attempt to wriggle free before she realized his grasp was too strong. In an effort to anger her further, he snapped the back of her bra through her shirt. His friends continued laughing. Total feelings of despise shot through her eyes.

"She let me last night." He sneered.

"What the hell are you doing?" Nick appeared, and the angry sound in his voice, so surprised even Ryan that he let Ava free. Ryan regained his cool.

"I said she let me fuck her last night."

The next event happened so fast, it was mostly a blur. Nick slung his fist into Ryan's jaw, causing him to fly back and onto the sidewalk.

"What the fuck, man?" Ryan shouted, his chin bleeding. But he didn't bother to hit back, probably understanding that he was outmatched. Ava stood in shock, until Nick grabbed her hand and lead her the rest of the away to the car. As he drove, Ava broke the silence. "Nick... why did you do that?"

He didn't answer immediately. "Because you're my step-sister."

"I don't need you to fight my battles just because you're my step-brother. I can take care of myself." She replied, soon regretting her rude tone. He pulled into the driveway of their house.

He turned and stared at her.

"Ava. I... did it because I couldn't stand the way he was treating you. And I like you. I really like you." He admitted. Her face lit up with joy and then fell, unconvinced.

"Really?" She looked for confirmation. He didn't say anything. Instead he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. She kissed back, leaning forward into his body. He pushed her through the opening between the two front seats and into the back of his car. As she assisted in moving backwards, her foot hit the radio, flipping it on. Her hair fell on the leather seating, and the music synchronized with her pounding heart beat. Every single inhibition of hers floated away, and she wanted to give him everything. He pulled his face away,

"I'm sorry. I'm going to fast. I'm pushing you too fast."

"No! No." She vehemently argued. "Don't stop. By the way, he lied. I left." He returned to her lips, and continued lovingly caressing her waist. His strong hands made her feel overwhelmingly secure, and this was a new feeling. For the first time, she did not feel ashamed for being this close with a boy. After several slow minutes, they reconciled to lying next to one another, her head on his chest, in the now memorable back seat.