A/N: Okay so just saying that any sentences like this mean its most likely one of Nita's thoughts. And THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to my AMAZING reviewers! (PS. I'll right more the bottom.)Kay, so there are three parts to this chapter just cuz it would be so long if i didnt split it up.

Chapter 7

Oh hey, Ive been travelin' on this road to long

Just tryin' to find my way back home

But the old me's dead and gone,

dead and gone, dead and gone

-Dead and Gone by T.I

I woke up to the smell of sweet, sweet pancakes. Slowly I sat up and felt a small uncomfortable ache somewhere in my back. Turns out, when a couch looks lumpy it normally is.

I stood up and stretched not that it did much good. I was probably a mess.

For once, I didn't go straight to the pancakes in the kitchen. Instead, I headed toward the bathroom and closed the door, satisfied when I heard the lock make a soft click. Using the door to support me I let out a long breath I didn't know I was holding. It's not easy staying in a house full of steroid-inflicted male models. Okay so there were only two, but it felt like the house was suffocated with them. It seemed like they were everywhere.

I lingered by the closed door for a moment before hesitantly making my way to the mirror above the sink.

When I thought I was a mess, I wasn't prepared for this. My chocolate brown hair was dull and my spirally curls hung limp. Narcissism was never my thing and I never used a lot of makeup but my eyes needed serious work and my cheek was red and puffy from last night. With light fingers I traced aimless patterns on my cheek. I was going to need cover-up, and a lot of it.

I opened the sink's cabinet drawer and shifted through it but alas, no makeup what so ever. Sighing, I ducked my face in my hands. I really didn't want to go to school today. Keanu was going to be there and I didn't want to deal with that. My own brother just let me walk out of the house. If Keanu was even my brother. Not to mention there was a Spanish test today and an in class Social Studies essay. I didn't even want to think about Math.

A new problem hit me. I didn't even have clothes. Or money. And I was not going home if it was the last thing I do. Who can survive without clothing or money? Not me, that's for sure, nagged a very mean thought. I sighed again and picked my head up.

Step by step Nita. Derek's advice rang in my head. I quickly pushed him out of my mind. He was right, but I still didn't want to think about it.

I glanced at the door. I'd have to come out sometime.

Don't be a coward.

Uncertainly I crossed the small space and reluctantly opened the door. Wavering a little bit, I silently walked into the kitchen where Brady was still flipping pancakes. He didn't notice me yet but at least that gave me the small advantage to mutedly climb up on the kitchen stool and watch him.

"Your phone's been ringing," Brady said deeply without looking up from cooking. I was surprised, I didn't think he noticed me scamper in. On cue, the shrill sound of a phone call filled the tight kitchen.

Without a word a stretched across the table and snatched my cell into my hand. I took a quick peek at the caller I.D.

Derek.

I stared at my phone but just let it ring.

"Aren't you going to answer it?" Brady asked finally turning around with a plate of pancakes. I didn't look up.

"Nope."

I popped the "p" at the end. The ringing finished but I didn't stop staring at the device in my hand. Derek was persistent. Sure enough, the annoying ringtone filled the air once more. I moved my thump and clicked the end button placing it back on the table. Wordlessly, Brady laid a plate in front of me before sitting across the island.

We sat in silence eating. After a few moments I broke through the awkward, quite air.

"You know, pancakes are my favorite." It was random but the tense atmosphere was getting to me. "I liked chocolate chip. My brothers used to make it for me when I was upset." I stared out the window, aware that Brady was looking at me, always watching.

"Do you have a pet?" I asked abruptly turning toward him. Brady smirked like he knew something I didn't.

"No, do you?"

I shook my head.

"No, but I always wanted a dog. "

Brady's smile grew more amused and his hazel eyes were crinkled at the end with unspoken laughter. I decided to ignore it.

"We used to have wolves near where I lived," I informed him, "I always wanted one as my pet," Brady's smile stayed in place, "When I was younger my… dad—" I struggled with the word "—gave me a glass figure of one. It's in the attic," I added and paused waiting to see if Brady was going to say anything. He didn't so I continued my monologue, "He died in Iraq. That's why I wear his dog tags," I gestured to my neck, "My brother is there now. Derek… you don't know him, he's there right now."

I let Brady process this information. I haven't told any of my friends in La Push this yet, not even Sarah. It just never came up. There was no real reason I was telling Brady this. I guess after a night like last night I just needed to get it out.

"When you found out your dad died what happened?"

I wasn't expecting for Brady to ask this question. I wasn't really expecting him to ask any. And out of all the things I just said he picked this to ask me. It surprised me most because no one else ever did.

I looked down at my pancakes before meeting Brady's eyes. For once, I would not shy away.

"Well," I started slowly, "I got a tattoo."

I wasn't supposed to say that but I wanted to see his reaction. Brady looked momentarily shocked.

"It's a barcode," I continued cautiously, "The numbers are the date he died."

My hand moved to the back of my neck and I rubbed the tattoo self-consciously. Not even Derek knew. It was supposed to be a secret. So much for that.

Brady still looked dumfounded.

"It was my way of rebelling," I paused, "My last fighting effort."

There was a silence again. Brady still hasn't said anything. What if he thought I was a slut or something? I mean it was a tattoo. I shouldn't have said anything.

"You do that when you're nervous."

"What?" I stared at Brady unsure if I heard right.

"You do that when you're nervous," he repeated and motioned to my hands toying the metal tags. I was stunned. Only Keanu figured that out.

"Uh-h. Y-ya," I stammered. We sat in dead air. I went back to stuffing my mouth so I didn't have to speak.

"We should go to school," Brady reminded me, "I'll drive. We have to pick up Jennifer, too."

That one was like a blow to the gut. Stop being so jealous, I chided myself, he's not yours.

"Right. Where's Lucas?"

Brady visibly tensed. Ha. How good does it feel now? Totally not jealous.

"Work. Why?"

I shrugged trying to hide a smile at his discomfort.

"Just wondering."

I looked away.

"I'm not going to school," I resolved after a moment.

"What? How come?"

I didn't want to tell him the real reason; Keanu was there. And everything else I didn't want to admit yet. Like being in the same car as Brady and Jennifer. Not jealous, I reminded myself.

"I… need to do a few... things… in Seattle."

Well it was partly true. I needed to get more information on my biological family. It will be hard but I'm determined to find out what my family never told me. But not in Seattle.

"You can't drive."

Shit. Think…

"I'll… walk."

Brady looked at me.

"It's Seattle."

I sighed.

"Please?" I asked him batting doe eyes. Brady stilled.

"Fine—"

I smiled triumph fitly.

"—but I'm going with you."