Here's chapter 10, the big One-Zero. Finishing up the conversation between Zane and Jade. I figured that I would bring in Zane's POV because he will play a minor part in this story. Also, if I could have a guy, he would be it…Sorry, just putting my own feelings into the story. Read on, my fellow readers, Read on.

Disclaimer: Meh…

Inside Big Brother's Head-Zane's POV

"The other night, I heard her, Zane. She was sitting in front of me, touching me, saying how much she loved me." My little sister was wrapped up in my arms, her head resting lightly on my chest. I had hummed to her quietly, trying to get her to relax. The tension in her body slowly left as I rubbed my hands on her back in small slow circles. Realizing that I wasn't the only one that heard mother talking in my ear was difficult. I never wanted anybody else to suffer from this. It was tough enough having to live with this problem, now Jade was dealing with it as well. She's not strong enough for this. My little sister was the last one to see mother alive before the incident. The genetics we shared left us with a curse that both of us had to live with.

"She still loves us, Jade. She's just not here anymore to love on us. You know how much Brian and I love you. Just remember that, okay? She's not really here, you have to ignore her. She means well, she just can't stop loving us." I ran my fingers through her hair, doing my best to soothe her. Dad didn't know what we were going through. He didn't know that I had dropped out of law school. He didn't know that I was going to school for art. He also didn't know that I had designed the tattoo that was across my back. I got it when I moved out, as my first rebellious act away from home. I had easily sketched it out, the inspiration coming from leaving my two defenseless siblings with the monster we called a father. Dad had lost it after mother passed away. I can't say that I forgive him, I gained my fair share of bruises from defending Jade and Brian from his raging fists. Everything happened behind closes doors, and when Jade had been sent to the hospital because of her attempt I was devastated. I couldn't leave school, because I was afraid of what I would do. I was so mad that Dad had let this happen. I trusted him to take care of them, and I was barely gone for a year then that happened. I came back this time as a favor for him, because he was furious. He claimed that Jade was doing it on purpose, to gain attention. He had no idea what she and I have had to deal with. The tattoo on my back stood for my love for my younger siblings, and how much I wanted to protect them. If I could, I would be their guardian angel for the rest of my life. I couldn't sit back and watch while Dad tore them apart. I knew that Jade favored the fairer sex, I could tell by the way she watched the girls on the TV shows we would check out. Her eyes would follow the young women I would bring home, and I could see the despair as she would retreat to her room immediately after dinner. I accepted her for who she is, while she hid herself from Dad. She and Brian stuck together for the most part because I was no longer here to protect them. My life was never more important than theirs, and I should have never left them alone with what our father had become. "Shh, Jade, it's alright. You're going to be fine…"

"How do you know, Z? I slipped under once. What if I don't wake up next time? What if I'm too weak to stay here? What if my love for you and Brian isn't enough to keep me sane?" I put a finger on her lips to silence her rambling. I clucked my tongue, effectively hushing her up and gaining her full attention.

"Don't think those things. You can't think like that, because you won't wake up next time if you do. You are a stubborn girl that will do anything for us. This is evidenced by your defense for Brian, and how you stood up to Dad. You are not weak. You are the strongest girl I know. Focus on me, and Brian, and even your friends Beck and Cat. Don't think that just because you had slipped once, you will fall again. You have plenty of people who will help you out. I even see someone that can make you smile. I have a feeling that this girl will come around more often, and I love the idea of seeing you two together. Yes, I know how you feel towards the same sex." I saw her eyebrows rise on her forehead, and her eyes sparkled at my next words. "I don't care who you fall in love with. I just want you to be happy."

"Zane…I don't know what to do anymore…" She murmured quietly against my chest. I sighed, rubbing my hands down her back as I contemplated what to say next.

"Carry on, soldier, carry on." I grinned as she laughed lightly at what our grandfather used to say to us when we would fall and scrape our knees. I hope that you can.

Jade's POV-One Week Later-Asphalt Cafe

"Hey, there's a party going on tonight, you wanna come?" Andre asked from his spot beside Tori. We had gathered after school, not having practice for Sikowitz's play for once. We had nothing to do, and just simply sat around blathering about what we had been doing in classes.

"Sure, where's it going to be at?" Cat replied, twirling a strand of red hair on her finger absent-mindedly. Her head was on my shoulder, and she had one arm linked through the crook of my elbow. Beck was on my other side, flipping through the pages in his Theologies textbook.

"Northridge, where else, dingbat?" Rex retorted, his head bobbing unnecessarily with his words. I was swift in snatching him from Robbie's grip as I chucked him across the parking lot, the puppet cursing the whole time.

"Jade?! Why did you do that?" Robbie proceeded to get up as he scurried off to pick up his discarded "friend". I growled, seeing no logic in his question.

"Because you bumbling idiot, you insulted my best friend. What did you think you were going to get? A pat on the back?" I sarcastically replied, snarling at him as he brushed off the sardonic puppet. Cat giggled at his disheveled appearance, liking my attempts to silence the insulting twat. I turned back to Andre, regaining my calm and cool exterior. "So, what's the dress code?"

"Anything you want, I guess. The dude didn't really give me much to go on except that it's going to be the best dance party we've ever been to. I recommend staying away from the punch, that means you, Cat." Great, it was going to be one of those parties. I was going to need to watch my petite redheaded friend and keep her from indulging herself on the spiked drinks. She had a tendency to forget that most parties had college fraternities crashing them.

"I'll play it safe and just keep an eye on her. I won't be touching that stuff. It's not known for good things in my family." Beck scratched the back of his head, eyes glued to the page in front of him. He glanced up, giving me a cautionary look as his eyes looked over at Cat. He knew how she acted at parties, and he had agreed to watch over her if we went to any parties after that. The last party we went to, she was head over heels drunk, and I was one of her many victims. She had kissed me roughly and made it clear that she wanted to be more than friends. Me, being the courteous and non-drunk person that I was, politely refused and handed her off to Beck to take her home. That had been an interesting thing to explain as she had a raging hangover afterwards. She understood that I didn't share the same feelings, because I was afraid that I would ruin the one friendship that I valued more than anything. I was anxious about this next party though, not liking the sound of it due to the lack of details. I needed to get out though, and Zane encouraged my interaction with my friends. Dad hadn't come back yet, so Zane had to stay for the past week to "take care" of us.

"Alright, sounds like a plan. Who's riding with whom?" Robbie asked, hand covering Rex's mouth to keep him from further insulting anyone.

"Same ol' same ol', right?" Andre was talking about the same rides we did with every party. I would usually drive Cat or Beck, with Andre taking Robbie and Tori.

"Umm, I was wondering if I could ride with Jade this time…Is that okay?" Tori piped up for once, holding her backpack in her lap with quivering fingers. I squinted at her, confused at her question.

"Yeah, sure? What time do I need to pick you up?" I tried to understand what would bring her to change our usual technique. I pushed the questions back, wanting to think on them later. Tori visibly brightened, her shoulders squaring and she straightened up. Her eyes shone darkly, and she was practically vibrating in her seat.

"It starts at eight, so seven-thirty?" I nodded, grabbing my pack and twisting out from under Cat's arm. She grumbled unhappily, and I easily ruffled her hair in an attempt to appease her. She sighed as I walked away, twirling my keys around my fingers nonchalantly.

"See you then, Vega."

So, chapter ten. Did it answer any questions you guys had? If not, let me know, and I'll see what I can do. Next chapter is going to be the party. Can you guys guess what's going to happen? Go on, try me, guys.