It was later that same day. I had just gotten Amy to take her to grandma's when we passed a muffled scream from inside someone's car. When we got closer I immediately recognised the car that has been parked outside of my house so often lately. I walked up and saw Bianca yelling at nothing in particular. I leaned in and knocked on the door,

"Having car problems, Duffy?"

She paused mid-rant to glare at the offending shadow. "My fucking car won't turn

on."

"Would you like me to give you a ride?" I asked.

"No," She said quickly. "I'll just call?￢ﾀﾝ She paused.

"Come on, Duffy," I said, grinning at her. "You know you want to ride with me." I bent down to look her in the eyes. "What's the worst that could happen?"

"That's okay." She said, so sure it kind of scared me. What had I done?

"Don't be ridiculous. You can call someone later. There's no point staying in the parking lot until dark. I just have to drop Amy off, and then I can take you home." I saw the look in her eyes and knew I had won, I reached past her and pulled her keys out of the ignition.

"Fine," She said, snatching her keys back, and dropping them into her purse. "Let me get my stuff." Once she had everything she needed, she locked the doors and followed me to my car, which was easy to spot because it was the only porsche in the parking lot.

"Now, Duffy," I said as I climbed into the driver's seat. She slid into the back so Amy could sit with me."This means you'll actually have to admit that I do nice things for people on occasion."

"I never said you don't do nice things," She said as she attempted to get comfy in the small back of my porsche. "You do. But only when it benefits you in some way."

I scoffed. "Did you hear that, Amy? Can you believe what she thinks of me?"

"I'm sure Amy knows what you're like."

I went silent, my grandma was one thing but Bianca didn't need to help with the lessening of opinion my sister had for me. Amy laughed, but I know she was just trying to be nice. She's very shy I know. When she's alone with me she is a smiling, happy girl, but in front of people she doesn't know she sort of shuts herself off and only talks when she needs to.

When we got to the house Amy turned to Bianca, she knew more than she let on. Amy knows me better than anyone in the world, and I mean everyone. She figured out something was different and by the time I took her home she knew I had a friend in Bianca. And I know her well, she thinks I like Bianca but is too nice to say anything cause she knows I'm still trying to figure things out.

"Bye. It was nice to meet you," She said before ducking out of my car.

"She's sweet," Bianca said.

"She needs to break out of her shell." I sighed as we watched her hurry up to the front porch. Once she'd disappeared into the big house I looked back at Bianca. "You can take the front seat if you want."

She nodded and got out of the car. She opened the passenger's door and eased herself into the seat Amy had just abandoned. Right around the time she got her seat belt fastened, I saw my grandmother hobble out of the house and I knew I was in for some trouble. I didn't want to do this in front of Bianca. Especially because my grandmother will probably think Bianca is just another girl. I let out a low groan.

"What's your problem?" She asked, looking up. But she knew the answer before I even had to answer.

I probably looked like I wanted to go hide, and I did. As she got closer and closer I dreaded it more but I tried to avoid it. When she got closer I rolled down my window and greeted her with all the politeness I could muster.

"Hi, Grandma Rush. How are you?"

"Don't play with me, Wesley Benjamin. I'm furious with you at the moment."

"What did I do this time?" I asked with a sigh. I was tired of this bull-shit. "Wear the wrong shoes? Or is it that the car isn't clean enough today? What mild imperfection are you going to throw at me this afternoon?"

"I would suggest you refrain from using that tone with me, live your life how you like, but leave little Amy out of it."

"Amy? What did I do to Amy?"

"Honestly, Wesley," grandma said with a dramatic sigh. "Why don't you just let Amy take the bus? I don't approve of you driving her around with your"—she paused—"friends in the backseat." She looked across me, her eyes locking with Bianca's for an instant before shifting back to me. "I wouldn't want them to be a negative influence on your sister."

At this point I was so fed up. She doesn't know Bianca. Bianca is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and could only improve the influence I have on my sister. Not that it is any of her business. I looked at Bianca she shouldn't have to go through this, it was my fault. She didn't look at me, she just turned her face and started to stare out the window. I was so mad I could have punched something. Bianca shouldn't have to deal with this, and it was all my fault. If this was a cartoon by now I would have steam coming out of my ears.

"That is none of your business," I growled. I've probably never been this pissed before, and I just wish Bianca wasn't here right now. "You have no right to disrespect my friend, and it certainly isn't your place to decide what I do with my own sister. You should know me well enough to know that I wouldn't do anything to harm her, despite what you've convinced her of. I'm not the monster you tell her I am, you know."

"I think I should drive Amy home from school after today."

"Go ahead," I said. "But you won't keep me away from her. She's my sister, and Mom and Dad will have a fit if I tell them that you're trying to break apart our family, Grandmother."

"I'm afraid your family is already broken, my dear."

I just couldn't take it. It was true my family was broken, but my sister was the only family I had and I loved her. God I hate my grandma. I rolled up the window, and revved the engine. Grandma backed away and the tires squealed as I left. Bianca glanced over at me, and I knew she didn't know what to say, and I wouldn't blame her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know she was coming outside. She shouldn't have treated you that way." "It's okay," She said.

"No, it's not. She's a shrew."

"I gathered that much."

"And the worst part is that she's right."

"About what?" Bianca asked.

"About our family," I said. Well she's seen it first hand so there's no mask to keep on anymore. "She's right. It is broken. It has been for a long time. Mom and Dad are always gone, and Grandma's managed to come between Amy and me."

"Amy still loves you."

"Maybe," I murmured. I hope, cause she's all I have that is concrete. "But she thinks less of me. Grandma has her convinced that I'm some no-good son of a bitch. I've seen the way Amy looks at me now. She looks at me like she's sad. Like she's disappointed in me. She thinks I'm a horrible person."

"I'm sorry," Bianca said quietly. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have made the joke about you only doing nice things for? for benefits."

"It's fine." The car was slowing down a little. "Honestly, you're right. And Grandma is, too. I just never wanted Amy to see me that way."

She reached over and put her hand over mine. It felt so nice, it felt real, and right. I loved it. I knew I cared, of course I cared. And maybe she does too.

Ten minutes later, the Porsche pulled into her driveway. She grabbed her stuff and reached for the door handle.

"Thanks for the ride."