I know I am a day late. I had to study. Why can't school just end? Speaking of school…

Ian

I get out of Kyle's car and sigh. God, I wish I was just done school already. I really don't like the idea of leaving Wanda alone with mom and her tutor all day either. I sigh wistfully again. Wanda. She has lived with us for a week, and she had already changed the family drastically.

Mom and dad are trying harder. Our family meals and talks are becoming more frequent, and mom is even cooking more elaborate meals than I ever thought were possible. Kyle is more quiet and respectful, and Mel is happier now that she has another girl in the house.

And me. Wanda is changing me. She brings a fierce urge to shield her from the world and help her heal. I dig my nails into my palm, and I shove open the front door to the school. I hate the fact that Wanda was hurt. I can hear her crying at night, and she screams in terror into her pillow. Everyone else can hear it too. Mom and dad go in to comfort her, and I know dad has tried to get her to talk about it during therapy. To be honest, I just want to hug her while she spills all of her secrets, but even walking next to her causes her to have a panic attack.

I unclench my hands and I see angry red marks on my palm. I wave high blindly to a few people and slowly open my locker, still deep in thought. I smile slightly when I think of holding Wanda's hand, the second day she came here. I haven't pushed her any farther, but I want her to get used to touch soon.

"Hey man!" Jared yells in my ear, making me jump and I hit my head on the top of my locker. I wince and turn around to face my best friend, angrily rubbing my head. "Opps, sorry dude. I guess I have to add that to the list of things I need to apologize for," Jared looks down sheepishly. "Look, I am so sorry about the other night. I really wanted to see you Kyle, and especially Melanie, and none of you were answering my texts. I didn't know about Wanda, and I didn't mean to scare her like that," Jared trails off. "Is she okay?" He asks.

I swallow tightly and take a deep breath. I know it wasn't Jared's fault and it is actually her dick head fathers, but I still feel pissed at the world. "Yeah, she is fine," I say and slowly breathe out.

"What's up with her anyway?" Jared asks sincerely.

I look into the sienna colored eyes that I have been looking at for years, but this is as serious either of us had ever been. I lean against my locker and pause. "I can't tell you everything, because hell, I don't even know everything. I do know that Wanda has been to three foster homes, and at each one her fucking foster fathers abused her," I spit out bitterly. Jared looks worriedly at me.

"That is terrible. I know you are like her brother now, but why are you so angry?" Jared asks, instantly noticing how I talk about Wanda. Sometimes, I hate having a best friend that knows you better than you know yourself.

I turn my head away from him and the lockers cool my burning cheek. I cover my face then whip back around to face Jared. I pull my hand away and frown. "I don't know. I just feel very protective of her. I want her to be happy." I mutter.

"Dude," Jared scoffs, "You like her don't you. And I mean like like her." I laugh wryly at Jared's immaturity. He acts like we are little girls in Grade 5.

"No," I say and begin to walk away, completely ignoring the idea. I walk into my first class, which luckily, Jared doesn't have with me.

Jared isn't in any of my classes until lunch, so I make the most of my peace and quiet to think. I do like Wanda, but I can't like her anymore than a sister. Before she came here, dad said that she needs to be part of a normal family and try to live a normal life. Dating your foster brother is defiantly not normal. Not that she would want to date me anyway.

I get to lunch and sit in the middle of the cafeteria where the other soccer and football players sit. I know I could rule the school if I wanted to, but I never felt the urge. Jared prefers to say he is just asking for a favor or help when he decides to take over the school for a few days. Being a sophomore captain has its perks. But today, all I want to do is sit at the table in the corner, far away from Jared's questions.

But, of course, I can't.

As soon as I walk in, Jared swarms me. "Ian, you were totally ignoring my question this morning. What's up?" Jared asks while he takes a big bite of his sandwich. I open my mouth, ready to respond, but my view of Jared is obstructed when a swirl of brown hair covers his face.

I blink and realize it is Melanie, and she just sat on Jared's lap, giving him a kiss then taking the seat next to him. I snap my mouth shut and turn my attention to my food. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jared say hi to Mel, then turn back to me.

"Ian!" Jared yells and snaps his fingers in my face, spraying crumbs everywhere.

"What?" I snap. All of his questions are confusing me, and I need time to think.

"So, what were you saying…" Jared gestures for me to continue. I act confused and shake my head slightly, looking at Mel. No way in hell and I talk about this with her. Jared looks annoyed that our conversation was interrupted again, but nods slightly, understanding. He doesn't ask me anymore questions about it for the rest of lunch.

I head to my next class, English, which is a class I have with Jared. We sit in the back like we always do and he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

"Class! We are going to be watching a movie today!" My teacher, Ms. Robinson calls. Ms. Robinson is old, and her face looks like a hawks, especially when her glasses slip down her large nose. She grimaces when the class cheers, yet I groan slightly.

The lights are flicked off and Ms. Robinson wheels out an old television on a big cart and sets up the movie. Oh god, it is Romeo and Juliet. I hoped it would be some movie that would distract Jared from his questioning, but I know he won't watch this.

Jared discreetly moves his chair next to mine and whispers in my ear. "Can we finish our little talk we had this morning?" Jared smirks.

"I said no. I don't like her like that," I respond confidently.

"Dude, you are totally lying," Jared laughs quietly.

"Mr. Howe!" Ms. Robinson snaps. "Watch the movie!"

"It was all Ian, Ms. Robinson." Jared smiles innocently and I punch his arm. Ms. Robinson just points silently to the movie.

Jared is quiet for a moment, but leans over to whisper once she turns around. "Whatever you say man. But we haven't actually fought like that since that time in fourth grade when I forgot to tell you to dress in your Halloween costume and everyone asked you who you were being. We barely even fought when you caught me making out with Mel, and she is your sister. Wanda has been your foster sister for a week."

I frown, deep in thought. I just want Wanda to be happy after everything she has been through. That's normal. But I also want to be the one that comforts her when she has her nightmares. I want to be the one she can talk to about her past. I want to be the one that helps her heal and be comfortable around men. I want to be the one who kisses her to make her feel better.

I widen my eyes and look at Jared. He freezes then grins. "Yes!" He yells and pumps his fist in the air.

I vaguely hear Ms. Robinson telling him off and yelling at him for interrupting the movie twice, but I am too focused.

Oh God.

I like like Wanda.

Hehe that chapter was fun. And there you all go! IAN LIKES WANDA! Yay. Let's do a happy dance. Actually, I didn't plan on ending the chapter like this, but it sort of happened. So I am even surprised. I plan on updating on Sunday or Monday. Please follow, favorite, and REVIEW!