They returned to class and before it was time for their presentation, Andrer's mother walked in.

''Valerio, could I have a word?''

Lucrecia got very nervous and wanted to follow him and hear what was going on. By Valerio's face she realized it was not good news about his mom. She got up from her chair and started walking to the door. Teacher was not happy about it.

''Go to your place Miss. Montesinos Hendrich.''

''I am sorry, but I can't. Valerio needs me.''

''He is with Mrs. Munoz.''

''I know. I can see. I have to go and check if everything is allright.''

''You can't leave the classroom. Class is in session.''

''I don't care.''

''Lucrecia, if you walk out, I will have to talk to Mrs. Munoz to ground you somehow.''

''Do what you have to do.''

People in the class were surprised by the attitude she had. Now all the eyes were on the glass wall and events in the hallway. Lucrecia came to Mrs. Munoz and Valerio and Mrs. Munoz shared the news of his mother getting worse with her. She dropped her purse and books and opened her arms for him. She held him and he almost started crying.

''Do you want to go home Val?''

Mrs. Munoz turned to Lucrecia.

''Your mother said she sent driver to pick you up. He should be here in twenty minutes.''

''Thank you Mrs. Munoz.''

''I am very sorry Valerio.''

He turned to Lucrecia with a strange facial expression.

''I can't go home. I have lecture to give with Ander.''

Mrs. Munoz gave him sad smile.

''I am sure Ander will understand.''

''No, I can't fail him. His grade depends of this too.''

Lucrecia managed to calm him and bit and smiled at him.

''It's ok… I will give lecture for you. I had a chance to learn it last night. I couldn't sleep and it was only thing I could reach to read.''

He got USB out of his pocket and gave her.

''Pictures are here and in order… First ten are Ander's.''

''You go with Mrs. Munoz and I will be there at the end of this class. I'll get your things too and then we can leave. Ok?''

Mrs. Munoz entered the classroom and just whispered to the teacher what was going on. He looked at Lucrecia and Valerio standing in the hallway. He understood why she got out as soon as she saw Mrs. Munoz with him. He would not punish her for being a good sister to him. Mrs. Munoz left the room and turned to siblings.

''Let's go Valerio.''

Lucrecia smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

''Will you be ok?''

He just nodded and followed Mrs. Munoz to her office. Lucrecia entered the classroom and came to teacher.

''I will be giving his part of lecture.''

Everyone looked worried for Valerio. The clown of the class and source of a lot of entertainment at their school was never seen like he was now in the hallway. Ander came to her and whispered.

''Is he ok? What happened?''

''His mom got in an accident yesterday. She is not doing ok. We are leaving after the presentation to go to Santiago and see her.''

''I can give lecture by myself… You don't have to.''

''I made promise to him that I will do his part.''

Ander just nodded.

''Ok. Let's do it now.''

Before they started teacher addressed the class.

''As you all see, Valerio will not be in class today and following few days. He has some family emergency so he and Lucrecia will be leaving for Chile tonight.''

That got a lot of surprised looks from the class. Lucrecia spoke next.

''Val's mom was in an accident. We are going there so he could see her.''

Guzman looked worried. To him death in the family was still very fresh.

''Is she ok?''

''No, not really… That is why we are going. There might be a chance for her not to make it. So, can we please start this presentation? As soon as I am done, we are leaving the school to go get ready for the flight.''

Lucrecia and Ander did an amazing job giving the circumstances. Mr. Ramos was satisfied with the work boys did and very proud of Lucrecia for taking the initiative to give her brother's part of the lecture. As soon as they finished she went to her place and picked up her bag. Nadia had Valerio's things ready for Lucrecia and she just took them. Before she left Valerio's desk, Nadia stopped her.

''Can I please ask you to keep me informed of how he is. I know you don't like me and have no reason to… But I really care about him and his friendship.''

Lucrecia just nodded and left. She found Valerio sitting in the Mrs. Munoz's office and having some tea.

''I am done. We can leave now.''

Principle got up from her chair and gave them a smile.

''Have a safe trip and tell your mother to send an e mail with all the data we need to excuse the absence.''

''I will.''

As soon as they arrived home, Marta was waiting for them.

''Your bags are in the living room, you just need to finish getting the hand language and change.''

''Are there any news?''

''I am sorry Valerio. Nothing new. Your aunt might call soon. If she does, I will tell you.''

''Thank you.''

Lucrecia went to her room to finish packing. She changed into light jeans and baby pink shirt and cardigan. She didn't want any dark colors on herself. She believed brighter colors would make Valerio think of death less than if she was dressed in black. She removed most of her makeup and took pink topcoat. Her small suitcase and backpack with their tickets, phone chargers, headphones and passports were also packed. She was ready for the flight. She got down and waited for Valerio to come. He came back dressed in grey track suit and black sneakers with black sport coat in his hand. Lucrecia made sure to pack him other coat in the suitcase…in case he needs it. She hoped his mom would recover and there would be no need to think of funerals and things like that. Driver took their things and put them in the car. Marta was at the door wishing them safe flight and telling them to call her as soon as they landed. Valerio found it funny how after learning about this accident Marta became more present and very maternal. He didn't hate her or her actions…he just found it all strange.

They arrived just in time to the airport to check in their language and pass all condoles.

''I hope you didn't bring any drugs. If you did, we are in trouble.''

He smirked at her.

''We are in trouble even without any drugs. Thirteen hours on the plane and who knows how long in Santiago alone in my mom's house. That is trouble by itself.''

She just rolled her eyes at him.

''You are insufferable.''

''And that is why you love me little sister.''

''Half-sister Valerio!''

''Of course.''

They got to their seats and he let her sit by the window. She always loved sitting by the window and when they flew together, he always let her. No matter how much he loved sitting there as well. He put their bags in the compartment and took his seat. Since it was a big plane, they were no third seat with them. It was just two of them and by them row of six seats and two again. Valerio was happy for all the leg space they had and she loved the list of movies that were offered. She finished the first movie and noticed that he was looking in the distance thrugh the window by her side.

''You ok?''

''I am... I was just thinking.''

''About what?''

''We are going to a place where no one knows us. Only few people knows who we are…''

She understood what he was talking about.

''Just like that summer in Brazil?''

''Yes, just like that…''

''I will not survive something like that again.''

''Lu…''

''We had entire month to be together and not care about any social norms and stuff and then I came back home where life slapped me in the face.''

''This time you are not coming back alone. I am coming with you.''

''Yes, but again back to reality where things are pretty clear. We still have no idea what mom and dad will do with knowledge of us. Your mom's accident came before they had time to figure it out.''

''We both know he will send me away somewhere.''

She took his hand and laced their fingers.

''I will not let him.''

He just looked at her.

''I will not let him hurt you ever again. I promise.''

''Lu…''

''I will find a way to keep you near… If you leave I will die… You are my only family Val… Only family I could ever count on.''

He kissed her hand and then her hair.

''I know… I know…''

''No, you don't… If anything happens to you, I will die.''

''Lucky for you I am not going anywhere then.''

''Don't you dare Valerio Montesinos Hendrich.''

''I wouldn't dare… I am scared shitless of you.''

They shared a kiss and she smiled at him.

''In public?''

''Do we know anyone here?''

She giggled.

''I have no idea.''

The rest of the flight went by with some PDA and Lucrecia trying to keep his mind of things waiting for him in Santiago. They talked about their summer in Brazil, sneaking around during summer vacation with her parents and their friends, sneaking around the house. Him loving being naked in the pool. He teased her that she loves seeing him naked and that he is the best looking guy she's even seen. She had to agree with him and they laughed some more. Valerio even managed to sleep a little. She didn't. She stayed awake watching over him just as she did last night. It was middle of the flight and almost everyone was asleep. Valeria was watching a movie and he woke up and watched her. She was really focused on the movie that she didn't notice he was awake and watching her. He approached her and kissed her cheek. She turned to him and smiled.

''You are awake…''

''Yes, I am… Did you sleep?''

''No, I am not sleepy.''

''You should try Lu.''

''I can't.''

He opened his arms for her to cuddle up to him.

''How about now?''

She smiled.

''Hm… Not sure but I like this.''

''Me too.''

He held her and eventually they both fell asleep. They woke up an hour before they landed. It didn't take them long to pick up their language and find Valerio's aunt. She looked exsosted and worried.

''Hello Valerio.''

''Hi aunt Sara. How is she?''

''Not well.''

Sara nodded at Lucrecia and tried to be polite.

''How was your flight?''

''It was good. We even managed to sleep for a few hours.''

''That is good.''

They put their bags in her car and she drove them to the hospital.

''I'll take you to see Sofia first. You can leave your things later.''

''Ok.''

Valerio took a seat by his aunt in the front and Lucrecia sat in the back. It took them about forty minutes to get from the airport to the hospital. Sara parked her car and they got out. Lucrecia followed Valerio and his aunt to Sofia's room. She noticed that Valerio's aunt didn't really like her and was not that happy Valerio came with her. In Valerio's family on the mother's side, her father and the family he made with Marta were not favorite topics. No one really liked her and her mom over here. They blamed Marta for ruining Sofia's life. Sofia was having an affair with Lucrecia's dad when she got pregnant. Marta refused to divorce him and she also got pregnant sometime after Sofia and Lucrecia's father had to stay with her. She was his legitimate wife and also part of a very rich family so he didn't wat to piss them off more than he already did with the news of the affair. Marta accepted for her husband to claim paternity and she also said it would be ok for the boy to visit. At first, Lucia's dad was coming to Chile alone and after that Valerio started coming for family holidays with them. Lucrecia met her brother for the first time when she was twelve but he didn't stay long with them. He moved in two years ago and then her father sent him away again. That is when their thing started, two years ago when he came from Santiago to live with them. She met Valerio's mom and she was not crazy about her, neither was Lucia crazy about her. They reached the door and Valerio turned to her.

''Lu, I am going in to see her.''

''Ok. I'll be here. I have to call mom to tell her we are safe.''

''Ok.''

He got in and she took out her phone. She found internet and called her parents. Her mother answered her phone like she was waiting for the call.

''How is everything?''

''We just go to the hospital. He is inside with aunt Sara.''

''And how was the flight?''

''It was good. I'll call with news.''

''Ok… Take care.''

Valerio took a seat by his mother's side and took her hand. It was unreal to him to see her like this. Sofia Ambos was one of the most active people he has ever seen and seeing her in bed and not making a single noise or move was unreal. She was also very beautiful woman and he knew that many men showed interest in her and showered her with attention. Now this woman in front of him didn't look like her. Her perfect face was full of cuts and bruises and very swollen. Her hands were also covered in cuts, one of the arms was in cast and one leg was smashed and in cast. It would be long and painful recovery if she wakes up…WHEN she wakes up. He wanted to tell her so many things. He wanted to tell her that he doesn't really hate her and that he is sorry for the pain he caused her and that she also hurt him by some of her actions and comments. He wanted to tell her he was in love, but he knew she would not receive the news in a best way. She would be bothered by the fact they were related, but she would be even more bothered by the fact that he is in love with Marta's daughter. She really hated that woman with all that she had. She did get involved with their father when he was already married to Marta, but she hoped he would leave her for the baby she was having. When Marta said she was pregnant too, she wanted to hurt her and do a lot of stupid things…but she never did. She kept it to herself. He wanted her to know that he forgives her all the crazy things she did and said. She was fun person to be around, but she was hell as a mother. Her social calendar was the most important thing and she didn't pass any of the parties and men who courted her. She loved the attention and loved to be showered with gifts and attention. After an hour in the room Valerio told his aunt that he would like to go to his mom's house and have a moment to rest. She just nodded and they left the room. Lucrecia was sitting at the same place he left her and she was waiting for him. She gave him a weak smile and he smiled back.

''How is she?''

''Stabile…''

''That is good.''

''I guess… I still haven't spoken to her doctor.''

''Maybe we could try to find him?''

''No, Lu, it's ok.''

He turned to his aunt.

''She is taking us home. Are you ready Lu?''

''Yes, I am dying for a shower.''

When aunt Sara moved away from him he whispered to her.

''So am I.''

That was the moment Lu knew she would not have that shower alone…and she loved the idea.