I completed my overdue assignments in less than an hour last night! I can't describe how great it felt when I went to bed not worrying about not having all my homework done.

So I was in an exceptionally good mood this morning, though there was a heavy feeling in my chest that I tried to ignore. I keep telling myself I don't feel guilty and it's starting to help lighten the weight but it's still there.

I walked into school reading... a book. Not that anyone knows this, but I used to enjoy reading. I spent every spare minute with my nose in a book, doing everything I can to forget about my real life. It was an escape and helped get me through some rough times. But at some point reading became like a chore and I no longer had any interest in the written word.

My superintelligence has brought the interest back and I couldn't keep my eyes off the pages. I felt if I stopped reading I'd die. It was strange but I liked it at the same time.

I wasn't watching where I was going and ran into someone, making me drop my copy of Persuasion by Jane Austen.

I was about to apologize until I saw that the person I ran into was Chase.

"Oh, it's you." He said, not hiding his disdain in his voice. I rolled my eyes and he was about to leave but did a double-take when I picked up my book and went to find where I left off so I could book mark it. "What is that?"

"It's called a book. It's a thing filled with words to tell a story." I explained slowly like he was a child making him roll his eyes.

"I know what a book is. I mean, what are you doing with one. You hate reading."

"I never said I hated reading, I just didn't have the motivation to do it. But I'm finding it's a great distraction from a crazy thing called life."

"Didn't think crazy needed a break from crazy." Chase said and I laughed dryly.

"Oh haha. Jerk."

"Weirdo." Chase fired back.

"Know it all." I said a little louder.

"Underachiever! "

"Nerd!"

"Imbecile!"

"Conceited! " The bell rang, ending our insult battle before it could go any further. We were practically in each other's faces but backed off upon hearing the bell. I got the last word in but didn't feel happy over it. A few students were watching us but left one the bell rang. I bumped Chase's shoulder as I went around him to get to class.

This next week is going to be fun. Note my sarcasm...

When Bree answered the door it was obvious that Donny hadn't told the family I'd be coming by the confused look she wore.

"Your dad didn't tell you I was coming right?" I said right off the bat. Bree shook her head slowly.

"Uh, no. No, he didn't."

"Wimp," I muttered. "Can I come in?"

"Uh sure." She said, reluctantly stepping aside so I could walk in. I decided to fill the awkward silence with an explanation.

"My mom's going out of town for a few days and Davenport said I could crash here." I explained while going over to the couch and plopping my backpack and duffel bag on it. "Where is he? I need to talk to him."

"Down in the lab-" I superspeed down there, scaring the living daylights out of Davenport, Leo, Chase, and Adam who were in the lab.

"Your little ray of sarcastic sunshine is here." I said as everyone calmed down from the heart attack.

"What is she doing here?" Chase asked, casting a glare at me which I returned. Donny laughed forcefully while massaging the back of his neck.

"Oh did I forget to mention that Harper is staying with us for a week?" He asked, making the boys' jaws drop.

"WHAT?" All three boys exclaimed and I was a little hurt by their reactions. Donny had my back though.

"Hey, Harper is our guest and we will treat her as such. No whining, fighting, etcetera, etcetera." He got annoyed looks from the boys and I decided to clear the air.

"Don't worry, I'll stay out of everyone's hair." I assured and I turned to Donald. "Just tell me where I'm sleeping and I'll be good."

"Upstairs, in Tasha's sewing room. I turned the guest room into a personal spa for me." Donny looked rather pleased with himself and I rolled my eyes.

"Of course you did. Later." I superspeed out of there and grab my stuff on the way to the sewing room. I'm greeted by bright colored fabrics everywhere. Bright blue and purple curtains, yellow faux fur rugs, and two chaise lounge chairs, one with a blue flower pattern and the other decorated with weird shapes. That was just the tip of the iceberg. There wasn't a bed so I'm going to assume I have to sleep on one of the chairs.

I dump my things on the one I'm not sleeping on. I'm self-conscious already over the fact all of the clothes I own fit into a medium-sized duffel bag and still have room for other things. Like my journal, toiletries, my other pair of shoes, and a few other little things I might need. Every time I see Bree it seems like she has a new outfit and I only have two pairs of jeans.

Taking my phone out of my backpack, I casually sit down and spend the next hour doing random things on it. There's a knock on the door and I yell come in since I'm too lazy to get up and answer.

It's Bree and she tells me that dinner is ready.

"I'll spare everyone the awkwardness and pass on dinner." I told her but she didn't seem relieved like I expected.

"Great, I have to deal with Adam and Chase's moods myself." She said unhappily which caught my attention.

"Why is Adam in a mood?" I asked pretending to not know.

"He won't say. But it's really getting on my nerves. I was hoping you could cheer him up because he's always happy when you're around."

"I didn't think you'd want me to be around your brother or the rest of the family for that matter." I said and she shrugged while walking closer to where I was now standing.

"Well, I've been thinking. Mr. Davenport gave you a second chance, so maybe I can too. You were under the Triton App so it's not like you had control over what you did. And I kind of miss hanging out." Instead of being happy, I was frustrated. I'm trying to distance myself from this family and they're not making it easy.

"Really? What is it about me that you people like? Davenport, Adam, and now you." I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed deeply.

"Wait, did you say Adam?"

"Yeah-" I started then realized my mistake and I quickly shifted gears. "-no! No, I think you misheard." Bree was now suspicious.

"Did something happen between you two?" She asked and I scoffed, trying and failing to hide how uncomfortable I was getting. I used to be better at lying, I don't know why this is suddenly hard to do.

"What makes you think something happened?" I asked and Bree glanced at the door before leaning closer to talk quietly.

"Well, don't say anything but he's had a crush on you for months. Did he finally ask you out?" Sighing, I knew there was no way I could deny this because she could go ask Adam and he'd spill everything.

"Yeah," I admitted, running my fingers through my hair, something I do when I'm uncomfortable. "Yesterday during lunch."

"I'm guessing it didn't go well?" She concluded.

"Noooo. Quite the opposite in fact. Hence the reason he's probably in a mood."

"Do you want to talk about it?" I chuckled at her, thinking it's an empty gesture until I see the genuineness in her eyes. Clearing my throat, I shake my head.

"No, I'm good. I'm just going to try and avoid him and Chase while I'm here." Bree nodded but put a hand on my shoulder, and I surprise myself by not flinching.

"Well, I'm here if you ever need to talk. Want me to bring you up a plate of dinner?" I shook my head at the offer.

"Nah, I'm good. I'm not really hungry." Bree nodded and super sped out of the room to join her family, leaving me to attempt to push away the guilt threatening to consume me. There's so much they don't know, and I don't have the courage to tell them. I keep telling myself I don't have to admit to anything because it'll just make everything worse. I just have to push through until I get my bionics removed then I can push the Davenports out of my life before things get complicated. Though, I think it's past the point of being complicated at this point.

My plan to avoid Adam and Chase had already failed when I rushed downstairs the next morning to go to school. I was in a hurry because I thought I was running late. Imagine my confusion when everyone was still in their pajamas at 8:30.

"Why aren't you guys ready yet? School starts in fifteen minutes!" I exclaimed with my hand on the doorknob.

"Uh, no it doesn't. It's only 7:30." Chase said. I pulled out my phone for the first time this morning and Chase was right, but how?

"What? But the clock in my room said it was 8:30!" I heard beeping and turned to see Eddy on the screen by the door.

"That's because I set the clocks one hour ahead." He said happily and then disappeared.

"Seriously? I got pranked by a computer." I said, glaring at the screen. Everyone was amused and I huffed, throwing my backpack on the ground and going to sit on the couch.

"Well, now you won't be late for school." Donny said trying to cheer me up but I just gave him a look that said really?

"Want some breakfast?" He offered, changing the subject, and even though my stomach growled I saw Adam and Chase's stares from the corner of my eyes. The unspoken tension was already making me uncomfortable. Add Leo and his mom who obviously weren't comfortable with me too makes it worse.

"No thanks." I replied.

"But you didn't eat last night. You need to eat proper meals consistently to take care of your body and by default your bionics. Plus, you can't not be hungry."

"Mr. Davenport is right, Harper." Bree said.

"I normally don't eat breakfast and it hasn't affected me at all." I said while shrugging.

"Well, while staying here you will. No discussion." I snorted, making him frown.

"Seriously, that's how you're ending this? I just have to automatically listen because you said so?"

"Have you met Mr. Davenport?" I ignored Bree's comment and spoke my opinion next.

"I'm sorry, I don't think that's fair." I said while folding my arms across my chest with a look of defiance.

"I'm letting you stay here and eat my food for free. In return I want you to follow my rules. I think that's more than fair."

"But-"

"Now we can continue this argument that you won't win or you can eat breakfast which I think is a dumb thing to argue about don't you?" I glanced at the others who looked stunned at the mini arguement and I felt a little embarrassed. I held up my palms in surrender but wasn't pleased with Donny.

"Fine. Geez." I sat on one of the bar stools as Donny set a plate down with eggs and bacon which smelled delicious but I wasn't in the mood to eat anything at this point.

During chem class Leo took me by surprise when he initiated a conversation before it started.

"You were brave this morning. Talking back to Big D like that." He said.

"Was I?"

"Yeah. I've only done it a few times and he didn't get as irritated quickly like he did with you." I fiddled with my pencil as I tried to not get worked up.

"I'll take that as an accomplishment. That guy needs to be knocked off his high horse. I don't need him acting like a dad to me." Leo tilted his head and became curious.

"I don't think I've ever heard you talk about your dad." He said thoughtfully. I turned my face away so he didn't see the brief pained expression I got.

"There isn't much to say." I replied shortly. "Plus, you don't talk about your real dad so why should I talk about mine?" Leo did a half shrug.

"He's somewhere in Europe. He travels a lot for his work so I don't see him, not that I want to anyway."

"Well, at least you know where he is." I commented with a hint of bitterness in my tone which he picked up on and apologized quickly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I shouldn't have said anything but a part of me felt like you would understand."

"I don't think I do to the extent you think. He left when I was like three. I never knew him and so I'm not emotionally attached and not hurt by it." I let out a harsh breath, "Why are we even talking about this, I thought you hated me. Did you change your mind like Bree?" I asked, changing the subject. I told myself to calm down otherwise I might bolt out of class.

"Maybe." He said after a brief pause. I hung my head as shame washed over me.

"I never even apologized for what I did." I said quietly, wrapping my arms around myself as the memory of me shooting Leo with lightning played in my head.

"But you feel sorry right?"

"I mean-yeah but-"

"Then that's enough for me. Everyone deserves a second chance and I know you're not like Marcus." I forced myself to smile though I know it didn't reach my eyes. But Leo didn't notice.

"Yeah...right." I swear, this family is messing with me on purpose. They're being nice to me and it's having the opposite effect it should. I'm not sure I can make it through the whole week if this keeps up.