Alex P.O.V

It was tense, in the house- way to tense. I looked at the clock noting it was 12:25.

Dad was late. Again. Not that I ever minded but it was suffocating in this house, mom wasn't on speaking terms with me since last night- I hardly think she would look at me anymore. I sighed as mom's only words, probably only thoughts rang through my head.

'I'm very disappointed in you'

It wasn't the first time her mom had told me these words but it didn't the situation any less better. If anything, I feel even worse about what happened. I should have told mom the truth to begin with, even though I know she would have said no- I wouldn't feel this guilty.

My mind flashed to yesterday. My skin was tingling from where he held me, his head was leaning down about to meet my lips. I quickly scratched from before. I realized, I did feel guilty about lying and I would probably still be but… I would do it again if it meant being in his arms again. I sighed hugging the couch cushion close to my body as my thoughts wondered to about mom.

I wondered what she was doing cooped up in her room. She's been in her since she slammed the door the night before. And if she had to leave for something I think I would of notice as I been the in living room since 6 in the morning. My eyes caught the clock again- 5 minutes passed, meaning 30 minutes ago, I was supposed to leave. I really needed to take a breather or something to get out of this house but I knew that if I were to take a step out this house, I would be in even more trouble than I am already.

Suddenly the doorbell rang, making me jump as it startled me out of my thoughts. At the possibly it might be dad- hopefully it will be dad, I rushed toward the door opening it to reveal Seth

"Seth?" I couldn't keep the surprise from my voice. What was he doing here?

"Hey" he greeted with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" I asked voicing my thoughts as I quickly checked over my shoulder. If mom found Seth here… let's just say it be bad- like really, really bad. I hoped whatever Seth had to say he make it quick, I don't want any drama or an angry mother.

"Um, well I just wanted to apologize" he stated sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. I blinked, forgetting about mom as I looked at him confused.

"Apologize; What for?"

"For getting you in trouble" he answered as he let a loose shrug. "So I'm sorry" he stated looking at me guilty. I can't believe this, he's apologizing… for what? He didn't do anything but invite me and it technically wasn't even me, he invited Mandy who invited me. It was entirely my fault- after all I am the one who lied and I yet I made this innocent and incredibly cute bystander feel guilty as if he should be the blame for all this.

God…. He's way too good for me.

"Oh no," I quickly stated shaking my head. "Its fine," I lied with a bright smile but felt guilty almost instantaneously, it's one thing to lie to mom but it's entirely different thing to lie to Seth. I can't do that. "Well…. It's not really okay" I admitted rubbing my arm as I caught the look on his face it made my heart drop. It was like when a puppy gets get kicked and it was feeling the guilt for whatever the reason it got kicked for. It was heartbreaking.

"It's just a bit more tense then usual" I quickly stated and thought if it was a lie or not. I mean we aren't always tense but most of the time we are- very rare were things not that tense between the two of us. "But it's my fault" I continued on pushing the thought away. "I should have told my mom I was coming to the bonfire instead of lying about it"

A pause before Seth spoke up.

"How come you lied anyway?" I tensed up as I thought about Chloe's funeral, how everything just seemed to fall apart from there. Then I thought of how mom talked about Sam as if he were kind of monster, it irked me that she do that, she had no room to judge people based on things she heard from the grocery store. "You don't have to answer if you don't want too" Seth spoke up probably sensing how tense I was.

"No you deserve to know" I denied his polite request to not talk about this. He deserved to know, after all, he was going to find out sooner or later- better sooner I guess. "My mom is…" I tried to find the right word to describe her. Over- protective was too sane for her. "Overly crazy protective" that was a good word, it fit her perfectly. " of me…. She has been since Chloe died"

"Your sister right?"

"Yeah" I answered rubbing my arm. "She hates me leaving anywhere after its dark or someplace without adult supervision. Actually she hates me leaving the house in general- she thinks something bad might happen to me if I leave her eyes. I get it, she's worried about it but I really wanted to go to the bonfire and I knew she wouldn't let me go… so I just lied" I took a breath looking at Seth who kept his eyes on me. I felt my heart pick up as I looked in his eyes- were they always this intense? "You're not mad at me right?"

"Mad?" he asked confused. "Why would I be mad?"

"I don't know…. I guess I deserve to have people mad at me" I admitted looking down.

"No, you don't" he stated as I felt his fingers brush a strand of hair and tucked it behind my ear. The place he touched my skin- it felt like a burn… or it might be me blushing. He dropped his hand as I looked up at him as he seemed to be thinking of something. "Wait… we had supervision at the bonfire- if you told her that- wouldn't you been able to come?"

He just had to ask that question, didn't he? God, please just give me a break here- I'm trying to get a cute boy. However it seemed I didn't need to answer because he figured it out and looked at the ground, kind of sad but angry at the same time. I couldn't exactly tell- his face was slightly covered.

"Because," he stated as if hoping it wasn't true. "Of Sam?" I gulped as I gave a short nod. It was silent; it was tense- nearly as bad as when I was in the house. I felt the guilt rise as I looked at the ground. This is it, so much for a romance; Seth is never going to talk to me again.

"You don't believe in what they say right?" Seth spoke up after moments of tense silence.

"No" I quickly answered rapidly shaking my head and he sighed relieved.

"That's good…" he stated.

"Don't you… aren't you…. But-" he blinked confused as I tried to come up with an eligible sentence. Didn't he hate me? I would. "Don't… don't you hate me?"

"Why would I hate you?" he asked surprised and confused.

"Because of my mom?" I answered unsure and he blinked a bit before laughing. And by laughing, not your 'ha-ha', not it was gut holding kind of laugh. I felt my cheeks blush as I felt my anger boil, he was laughing at me. "I'm going in-thanks for dropping by-" Suddenly Seth grabbed me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh" Seth stated making me turn to him. A twinkle of high amusement was in his eye as I frowned at him. "It was just; I don't see how I can hate you because of your mom"

"A lot of people have" I admitted, highly aware of Seth's extremely warm hand.

"Well a lot of people don't realize how much of a wonderful and beautiful person you are" he stated as I felt the heat rush up. "And if it means anything, I would never hate you because of the people surrounding you"

I felt the tears prickling as I heard his words. Ever since Chloe died, everyone just kind of left me, out casting me and I became the girl whose sister died. And the people, who did try and come, quickly ran away from me when they realized just how protective my mom was. There were certain extents of how protective parents can me- mine has been the furthest.

I knew Mandy was with me no matter what, probably some people from the studio as well- not caring for my mom but this was the first time anybody has said it out loud and… It just kind of made my heart melt and cry tears of happiness.

I wonder when I became this emotional.

Seth blinked, startled by the tears quickly backtracked. Not that I blame for doing that, I mean say something and someone starts crying- first assumption is that you said something insulting. But Seth hadn't said anything like that; instead he found the most perfect thing to say to me.

"No, wait I mean-"this time it was me who laughed.

"I'm crying because you're the first person to say that to me" I stated wiping my tears with my free arm. "Probably really stupid, but it just means a lot to me and I'm probably rambling-" Suddenly Seth pulled me into his arms, wrapping me in a hug. The move my made my arms scrunched up against his chest as Seth laid my head on his chest, putting his on top of mine. I swear you could hear my hear racing for miles and slightly worrying if Seth can hear it.

"I'll say it to you a million times over" he mumbled as I smiled.

"Thanks" I stated and we just kind of stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms before I remembered something from last night and pulled away. "I'm sorry"

"Why are you apologizing?"

"For my mom, for yesterday- she totally ruined the bonfire and was so completely rude about it-"

"Don't worry, no one minded" Seth stated and I narrowed my eyes.

"You are such a bad liar"

"Okay, okay" he backtracked hands up. "They minded, but not that much"

I gave him a look before sighing.

"Just apologize for me please, I would but I'm probably leaving pretty soon and won't be back till the start of the school year"

"Yeah, don't worry" Seth stated with a smile which made me smile as well. "Thanks for showing up by the way"

"It was fun, tell Mr. Black I loved his story telling skills" he chuckled but nodded agreeing. "And I'm sorry for living you so long on my porch" I realized where we were standing. "I would invite you in, but my mom is still mad about yesterday"

"I don't mind, I'm just happy I caught you before you left" he stated.

"Me too" I agreed with a smile pushing some hair behind my ears.

"I actually… really want to finish last night" the almost kiss. I blushed so hard; I think my ears were red as I looked down, shyly meeting him in the eye.

"I do too" He grinned as he grabbed my hand. It was huge compared to mine but yet it felt incredibly right as he intertwined our fingers. He leaned close to me and I felt my eyes flutter close as he neared me. I could feel his breath; it smelled like mint- how fresh.

This was it.

"Alex" a voice stated from behind making me jump as my hand slipped from Seth's as I turned around to see…. Oh I'm in so much trouble. "I didn't know we had company" mom stated with a forced smile, a fake and strained polite voice.

"Oh well you were in your room and I wasn't so I got the door and I didn't want to bother you" I replied noting she was dressed in her bathroom, her hair a mess as if she rolled out of bed- which I wouldn't be surprised, I did get my sleeping habits from my mom. I felt a slight embarrassment blush roll its way up- she should of tried to look a bit more presentable, I mean come on- see the door open, you can see your daughter taking to someone- company and yet here she was dressed like a hobo.

Okay, Hobo is a bit harsh and not the right word- but come on, she can try and least look presentable to people in the morning. She's done it before.

"Well…." Her mom trailed off looking at Seth before focusing on me once more. I felt Seth shift uncomfortably. "Has your father arrived? I have something to discuss with him"

The embarrassment seemed to burn as I felt my button being pushed. She was being utterly and completely rude to Seth! Why was this- she was older, she was supposed to be more mature. However, I knew with mom- that wasn't always the case.

"No…" I gritted out, trying to keep my anger out. "Dad didn't arrive yet"

"Figures" her mom scoffed. I huffed annoyed at mom as she shot me a look and I shot one back at her. She knows I hate it when she bad-mouths dad, yet she keeps on doing it. I sighed as I watched her waiting for her to go back but mom just continued to stare at us.

Creepy, even if she was my mom. A tense and awkward silence floated in the air as played with the hem of my t-shirt.

"Well…" Seth stated getting my attention as I turned back to him. "I should go" he said pointing behind his shoulder. I felt disappointment rolling over me as I nodded.

"Yeah…" I agreed crossing my arms. "I'll see you?" I asked, a bit of hope rising.

"I'll see you" he agreed with a smile. "Bye Alex"

"Bye Seth" I stated with a smile with a wave. As he walked away, I turned to mom who was giving me a glare and sighed rolling my eyes. I looked out the corner of my eye at the road willing dad car would come by. A beat of silence before I sighed seeing no oncoming cars. I was on my own- hopefully it won't be for too long. Please don't let it be for too long.

I made my way back into the house, mom following, shutting the door behind her. Shutting? I mean slamming- the knickknacks hanging from the shelf shook a little.

"Alex, why was he here?"

"He wanted to apologize" I answered.

"I told you to stay away from that gang"

"Mom, there not a gang" I stated and she opened her mouth to respond with the usual 'Barbra told me this' or 'she told me that'. "Even if it was, you know you don't have any actual proof then some stupid rumors"

"There not rumors"

"And how do you know that"

"Because Barbra-" I groaned as I jumped on the sofa. "Alexandra, you will take your head out of that sofa and listen to me right this second-"

"Or what?" I asked grabbing the ledge of the coach to hoist me up. "You already ruined my start of summer"

"Start of summer? What are you talking about?"

"Never mind, just leave me be until dad comes" I cried out as I flopped upon back the couch.

Knock, Knock

"Don't move"

"Don't count on it" I mumbled moving my head to the side.

"Dave, you're late" Mom states sternly as I heard the door swung open. Of course- no 'hellos' because acting civil around your ex-husband is against mom's rule book.

"Hello to you to Cindy" dad greeted. "Where's Alex?"

I raised my hand to show I was on the couch before dropping it.

"What's she doing there?"

"That's what I actually want to talk about" mom stated. "Let's move to the kitchen"

I never got why she always moved private conversations into the kitchen, I mean it's not really all that private anyway especially since all conversations seems to be turning into an angry yelling competition.


"Cindy…" Dad stated; I could just see him pinching the bridge of his nose like what he does when something frustrates him (Usually only used around mom.) "I don't get why this is such a big deal, she wanted to have some fun with her friends"

"But she lied! Dave, she lied"

"I admit she was wrong but…" he trailed off before letting out a sigh. "But she's a teenager- what do you expect?"

"For her not to turn out like Chloe"

A silence as I slid down the wall beside the kitchen door, I can't believe she just said that. I'm not even sure if what I'm more insulted by. The fact that mom didn't know me at all- I just lied and that didn't even compare to half the things Chloe did, not even a quarter of it. Or the fact mom just used that- it was dirty to play like that.

Cindy's death was hard on all of us, and it sent mom into this controlling person who thought she knew what was best for everybody.

"Cindy, Alex's a good girl" dad stated, firmly- no room for any discussions.

"How do you know? She was just with a boy? Nearly kissing him" My jaw dropped – she was spying on me?

Well… I can't say much about that being that I'm eavesdropping and everything but still. She's a mother, a grown adult and I'm a teenager, I'm still a kid- I have room to make mistakes and I'm not saying mom doesn't have room to do that but she does but she should know better.

I should know better.

But you curiosity did kill the cat, but satisfaction brought it back and I'll definitely be satisfy to know what is going on first hand.

"Where you spying on her?" dad asked.

"No… I just happened to walk down the stairs and see the door opened with Alex and that boy kissing"

I gritted my teeth. That boy, mom has a name and his name is Seth.

Too bad I can't say that out loud- I blow my cover if that happened.

"Look, I don't like my baby girl growing up, but this was bound to have occurred Cindy, she's going to find someone and date and everything"

"Yes I get that, and it can be anyone! Anyone other than this boy and any other boy from that gang"

"Gang? Cindy… what are you talking about?" I patiently waited as I heard mom ramble on about how she heard about Sam and how the boys were being influenced by him and converting into drug dealers and alcohol- a bunch of crap if you ask me. I sighed. "Cindy, these are all rumors"

"But Dave-"

"Come on Cindy, you don't believe in every rumor you hear- do you?"

"Alright, fine forget the boy" mom waved off. "We need to punish her still for lying"

"I agree" dad stated. Something that only happens during on a blue moon, but I didn't doubt dad would agree. He's big on telling the truth and is always telling me honesty is always the best, so I was at least expecting from dad, minimum one week grounding and something completely outrageous from my mom. "I'll ground her for the week"

"No, Dave- she's got to be punished" mom stated. "I'm thinking of keeping her here for the summer"

"What?!" I yelled out standing up.

"I need an aspirin" dad mumbled as I barged into the kitchen.

"You can't do that, I have my ballet audition! And lessons and I'm helping out!"

"I'm sorry Alex, it's what best for you" mom snipped. "And don't go around eavesdropping- it's rude"

"Says the person spying on me, who then barged in." I yelled. "You were being completely rude to him, he was kind of enough to apologize when you should of"

Did I just say that? Out loud? I'm so screwed. Unspoken rule in the house- you never talk back to mom. I slapped my hand over my mouth as mom banged the table glaring at me. Well this escalated quickly…. I should learn to keep my temper in… or at least when I'm arguing- think before I speak.

"Alexandra, I'm am your mother and you will listen to me-"

"Will you bother shut up!?" Dad cried out shutting us both up. He sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alex, honey, get an aspirin," I followed orders. Another unspoken rule in the house, when dad is angry you listen. "Take a seat." he stated as he took the aspirin and water. "Both of you"

We both sat down quietly.

"Now, Cindy, I am not going to let Alex stay here for the summer- it's my time with her and she's not going to spend it here" dad stated firmly. "And Alex, tell us why you lied about going to this party"

"It wasn't a party, it was a bonfire" I stated as dad raised a curious eyebrow. "They hold one every couple of times a year- whenever the weather's nice enough. I got invited to one and I wanted to go out and have fun instead staying cooped up doing homework which yes, I did finish"

"It was supervised?"

"Yes, Billy black, Emily Young, Sue Clearwater, Sam Uley- all these adults were there, making sure to watch over us"

"No beer?"

"No beer" I stated.

"So why did you lie about it then?"

"Because I know mom would have said no" I answered looking at her.

"I might have agreed if you told me the truth"

"No you wouldn't" Dad and I chimed.

"Anyway, that's that- I'm sorry I lied but come on, it wasn't like I was drinking, doing drugs or sex" I pointed out.

"I still think she should spend the summer here" Mom stated. "I'll teach her proper manners, and she can finally stop that stupid hobby of hers"

"Mom, that stupid hobby is my life" I firmly responded. "It's not leaving, ever"

"That's enough. Alex, go to the car with your stuff- your mom and I need to discuss on a reasonable and proper punishment for you"

I got up from the table, stopping to get an aspirin. I'm getting a headache from just being in this room, I can't believe she still on that ballet is not something a proper lady does. Sighing, I made my way to the living room, grabbing a couple of things to take to dad's house, like a couple of books to read, mp3 player, etc.

I hopped into dad's car, throwing my bag in the back as I looked at the sun, still shining brightly. Well at least I get to spend with the nice sun for a bit.


"Night dad"

"Night sweetheart" dad stated from the couch flipping through the channels.

So my punishment ended up being that I be grounded for 1st month, only places I can go are- ballet studio, home and library. That also meant no TV, no computer, no anything technology-related things except for my mp3 player and phone.

I still think a month is over the top but it was either that or else I would be staying in la push in the summer. No offense to La push or my mom or anybody residing there, but I take a month of no hanging out with my friends or doing anything fun then spending 3 months with my over bearing and over protective mother.

Besides I still see Seth once a week, this punishment isn't so bad after all.