Amy had to get up early the next morning to get something that would cover up her black eye. Scott had already seen it so it didn't matter if he could notice she just didn't want her mom to see it. She had told Scott last night, he freaked out at first but she clamed him down. When Amy was satisfied that her mom wouldn't be able to notice it she walked back into her room to get ready as she heard the rest of the house wake up.

When Amy was dressed she walked back into the bathroom to make sure her makeup was still on and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was. Lifting up the left sleeve of her shirt she winced in pain, her whole shoulder was black and blue. She gently covered her arm back up and walked out into the kitchen where her brother was sitting going through hid backpack. He looked up when Amy walked in and studied her face. "You covered that eye up good kid." he said. "I've had practice" she replied smiling just before their mother walked in and started breakfast.

Amy and Scott were just finishing their breakfast when there was a knock at the door. "Bye Mom, bye Dave" They said in unison as they walked to the door. "Bye kids, we'll see you after school, have fun now." Dave said. "We'll see you in a couple hours Amy, unless of course you think you can keep from fighting." Mrs. Dumas added. Amy looked up at Scott who just shrugged and opened the door. "What can I say Ma?" she replied walking out the door and greeting Matt and Jeff when Mrs. Dumas appeared at the doorway. "Say you'll at least TRY and stay out of trouble Amy." she said. "Okay mom, I promise I'll try." Amy replied and started walking away, Matt, Jeff and Scott right behind her. "Keep an eye on your sister Scott." Mrs. Dumas told him. "Yes Ma'am." he replied.

"I don't see why she's so convinced I'll get into a fight today." Amy said to know one in particular as the four friends walked down the road. "Well Amy, it IS a tradition of yours to get into a fight on the first day of school." Scott replied. "Speaking of fights, Amy told me what happened last night. I owe you one man. Thanks." he said to Matt and slapped him on the back. "It was no problem at all." Matt replied to Scott though he was looking right at Amy. "Yeah, Billy and his brothers have been messin with us since elementary school" Jeff added. "Well I'm ganna have a talk with him today when we get to school" Scott said. "No can do man, they don't go to our school." Matt replied. Well what school do they go to?" Scott asked. "Mine" Jeff said. "No way, those guys had to be high schoolers." Amy said wiping off the makeup on her eye gently. "They should be but they failed like a million times." Jeff explained. "Damn, well then we'll just have to wait for them after school." Scott said and Amy nodded in agreement.

"Doesn't look like you'll have to" Matt said as Billy, his brothers and two friends turned off they're street and started heading towards them. Amy looked to her right at Scott and Matt who looked straight ahead at Billy and his group. Then she looked to Jeff who looked back at her. "Come on guys, they out number us." he said. "Then go home Jeff." Scott replied. "Scott don't be an asshole, If you want Jeff to go then I'm going with him." Amy said glaring up at him before Matt or Jeff had a chance to respond back to Scott. "Look, I'm sorry Jeff, that was harsh, you don't have to stay if you don't want to but we could really use your help." Scott said sincerely. Jeff thought a moment then nodded. "I'll stay." he said.

"Off to school kiddies?" Billy asked as the approached us. "Kiddies? I'm older than you dumbass." Scott replied and we all laughed. "Which one of you is Billy?" Scott asked. "I am, who's askin'?" he replied. "I'm her brother and if you want a fight, do it like a man. Don't get all you fucked up friends and gang up on a *girl* who's younger than you." Scott told them. "Well, your little *baby* sister needs to learn not to start fights then." he replied. "If I remember correctly she didn't start the fight, though she sure as hell finished it." Matt said. "What, she can't fight her own fights? She has to get her big brother and boyfriend to come fight for her?" Billy asked and Amy lost it. "We'll see who can't fight." she said dropping her backpack and tackling Billy.

Amy didn't know how long they had been fighting for but the next thing she remembered was the sounds of sirens and seeing Billy and his friends scatter. "Cops! Let's spit." she heard Scott yell and run the opposite direction that Billy had run. As soon as they were a safe distance away they ducked behind a building to catch their breath. "Wait a sec, where's Jeff?" Matt asked panicking. Amy looked back to where the cop car's were and saw a police officer putting Jeff in the back of the police car and driving away. "Oh man, Jeff got caught, we have to go back." Matt said and stood up. "Are you crazy? We got away!" Scott replied grabbing his arm but Matt jerked it out of his grip and ran towards the police station. "Come on Scott, we have to go back, we can't let them take all the heat." Amy replied. "Amy, you know I can't get caught, you know what'll happen." he said. "It's okay, go to school, I'll talk to you after, don't worry, you know I cant talk my way out of it." she said and ran to catch up with Matt.

"Where's Scott?" Matt asked Amy as they rushed to the Police station. "He's in this program and if he gets caught breaking the law in anyway he'll go to the DC." she replied holding onto her already sore arm that had gotten slammed into the ground and kicked. "So what are we going to do, just burst in there and confess that we were fighting to?" Matt asked as they slowed down some, trying to catch their breath. "Yeah, There's a good chance they'll go easy on us as long as we can give them the names of everyone in the fight, they'll most likely lecture us and send us off to our parents. Are yours ganna freak?" she asked. "Oh yeah, there's something I'm NOT looking forward to. My dad is ganna FREAK." he answered. "What about your mom? I know mine'll wait til I'm better then beat the shit outta me." she replied smiling and instantly wished she hadn't said anything when his face fell. "My...my mom died a couple years ago." he replied just above a whisper. "Oh...I'm sorry Matt." she said laying a hand on his shoulder and he just nodded. "I know how you feel, my dad left when I was about five." she said wanting to let him know that she knew what he was going through. "I'm sorry." he said putting his hand on top of hers. She smiled slightly and squeezed his hand. "Look at us sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves when we could be getting busted in that police station." she said standing up and, pulling him up with her, they began to walk up the steps to the building.

"Just let me do all the talking." Amy said and he nodded, opening the door for her to enter. "I got your back." he whispered jokingly into her ear before she walked in. "Help you kids?" asked the tall man sitting behind the desk. "Yeah, my name is Amy Dumas and this is Matt Hardy, you picked up his little brother Jeff this morning for fighting up by honeysuckle." she said and the man looked through some papers before nodding. "Yeah, here it is, Jeffrey Hardy, fathers on his way." he replied. "We were in the fight to sir and it wasn't Jeff's fault at all, or Matt's for that matter, this boy Billy Richardson came up to us on the way to school and started it. We just fought back in self-defense." she explained and he just looked at her.

"Come with me you two." he said and lead them down a long hallway into a room where Jeff was sitting with another officer. Jeff looked surprised and happy to see them. Amy guessed he was expecting his father. "Hey Capt., these kids say they were in that fight and have some things to say about it." Officer said. "Alright, leave them here and go back to the front desk." the Captain said. "Yes sir." the first officer said then left.

"Okay kids, have a seat and tell me what you know." The Captain instructed and they did. "Sir, My name is Amy Dumas and this is Matt, Jeff's brother. We were walking to school this morning when Billy and his friends came and started a fight with us." Amy explained to him who looked skeptical. "How do I know this Billy started it?" he question "Simple Sir, you picked Jeff up right before Gardenia Ave. right?" Amy asked and with his nod she continued. "Well, Billy and them live on Big Cypress and school is on Long Shore Dr. so you can see the went in the total opposite direction of school." she explained. Matt and Jeff gave her an impressed look before looking back at the cop who thought about what she had said. Finally he spoke. "Okay kid, you give me the name of all the kids in the fight and where I can find them and your off, I'll tell the boys father what happened. I have to tell you, that was real mature of you two, coming here. I can tell your all nice kids." he said. "Thank you sir." the three answered in unison. "Wait here and I'll get you when Mr. Hardy gets here. And as for you young lady, I don't see any reason in calling your parents down here, but I will send a letter home with you telling them what happened. If your mom or dad doesn't call in saying they got it, I'll call them, understand?" he asked. "Yes sir." Amy answered and he left.

"You came back." Jeff said after Amy checked to make sure the cop was down the hall. "Of course we did little bro, we wouldn't let you take the blame for all of us." Matt replied. "Scott couldn't come, he's on probation, if he gets caught he'll have to go to juvey." Amy explained to Jeff's unasked question. "I knew there'd be a reason, he doesn't seem like the kind of guy that would run away while you turned yourself in. Speaking of which, you are one smooth talker Amy." Jeff said smiling. "Totally, I could just see the hallow above your head appear when you talked." Matt added laughingly. "Yeah well, I am the best. Hey, I got us in this mess, I had to get us out." she replied. "And you did, but you know, it's not going to be over with Billy, he's ganna keep hassling us until he beats us for good and mends his hurt ego." Matt said and Amy nodded. "Well then, We'll just have to either stay out of his way or we get him so good he'll never want to come near us again." Amy said finishing just as the cop came back in.

"Come on kids, I've spoken to your father and explained everything. He's offered to take you home Amy." the cop said as the three of them followed him out to where Mr. Hardy was waiting. 'Time to lay down the charm. Come on back out hallow.' Amy said to herself. "You kids alright?" Mr. Hardy asked. "We're fine dad." Jeff answered as they walked out into the parking lot. "You must be Amy." he said. "Yes sir, nice to meet you, thank you for the ride home." I said shaking his offered hand. "It's no problem. Help her up into the truck Matt." he said and Matt jumped up into the back of the pickup, offering Amy his hand. She took it and he pulled her up while Jeff and Mr. Hardy went up front.

"Your dad seems nice." Amy said as they rode down towards their street. "Yeah, he is, he can be strict sometimes but not to strict." Matt answered. "Is your mom ganna be pissed that you got into another fight?" he asked. "A little, but she's expecting it, its like a bad habit I can't get out of, I always get into fights the first day of school, though this is the first time I didn't even make it to school." she replied smiling. "Why do you always get into fights?" he asked and Amy shrugged. "It's not like I go looking for fights, they just...come to me I guess. Besides, I have a bad temper that can go off at the drop of a hat." she explained. "Curse of the redhead's I guess" she added shrugging. "Mental note, never get on Amy's bad side." Matt said and they laughed as the truck pulled up at Dave's house.

"Doesn't look like anyone's home." Mr. Hardy said. "I guess my mother and Dave went somewhere." Amy replied as Matt helped her down and out of the truck. "Would you like Matt to stay and keep you company 'til your folks get home?" Mr. Hardy offered. Amy looked at Matt who looked back hopefully. "Yes sir, that would be nice." she replied and Matt smiled. "I wanna stay to dad." Jeff said but Mr. Hardy shook his head. "You still haven't cleaned your room, if you get finished in time you can go on over." he relied and Jeff grumbled getting back Into the truck. "Okay then, you just come on home when they get home Matt." he instructed. "Okay dad, I will." Matt replied. "Thanks again Mr. Hardy." Amy said as he drove away.

What do you want to do now?" Amy asked after the had raided the refrigerator. Amy was eating a ham sandwich and drinking a coke while Matt just had an apple and a coke. "I dunno, what do you want to do?" he asked. "I asked you first." she replied smiling. "I asked you second, first is the worst second is the best." he said smiling back smugly. "Fine then, let's play some poker." Amy said pulling out a pack of cards and tossing them to him. "You know how to play poker?" he asked dealing. "Of course." she answered. "Bet I can kick your ass." she challenged smiling. He smiled back and said. "Your on."

"Two pair." Matt said laying down his cards. "Four of a kind." Amy replied smiling. "Lets see now, that's what? Four games to one?" she asked chuckling. "Yeah yeah, come on let's do something else. My bruised ego needs time to heal." he said and she laughed, agreeing. "So what do you want to do?" she asked. "Hmm...Let's go to the lake." he suggested. "Where's that?" she asked. "Just down the street, it looks real nice this time of day." he answered. "Sounds good to me." she said and followed him out the door.

"Some first day of school huh?" Matt asked as they made their way to the lake. "Yeah, but it wasn't all that bad." Amy replied smiling up at him. He smiled back and gently held onto her hand. His hand was warm and gently and Amy couldn't help smiling widely up at him as he stomach did flip-flops. "Have you and Jeff lived here all your life?" she asked. "Yeah, we also work in my dads fields since we were old enough." he answered. "Must be nice to have a dad." she said sadly and he put his arm around her squeezing her shoulder gently. "It is, must be nice to have a Mom." he replied equally as sad and she nodded leaning into him. "It is." she whispered as they reached the lake.

They found a shady spot under a big tree and sat down. "I'm ganna miss you when you have to move back." Matt said breaking the comfortable silence. "I'll miss you to, and Jeff. I know I've only known you guys since yesterday but it feels like I've known you forever." Amy confessed. "I know what you mean." he said looking away from the lake to look her in the eye. "Amy...Can I ask you a question?" he asked shyly. She smiled trying to make him comfortable. "Didn't really give me much of a choice did you?" she asked and they laughed. "Go ahead." she said. "Well...I know your not technically in school yet but...in a couple weeks there's this dance and it's okay if you don't want to go but...I'd love it if you would go with me." he stammered out and she smiled happily at him. "I'd love to go with you Matt." she replied. "Really?" he asked hopefully. "Of course." she answered reaching over to hold his hand and he smiled, scooting closer to her. He looked into her eyes with a questioning look. 'Kiss me Matt' she thought to herself and half wondered if she had said it out loud because as soon as she thought it he cupped her face and, slowly leaning down, he kissed her. Her heart was pounding in her chest when he pulled away.

Amy opened her eyes and smiled happily at Matt. He put and arm around her and smiled back. She leaned into him and took a deep breath, breathing in his scent. They sat there most of the day, talking about everything. They exchanged stories of when they were younger. He told her happy stories of his mother then asked if she remember anything about her father.

"Not really. I've seen old pictures of him so I know what he looks like but no one ever talks about him." Amy answered. "I'm sorry you never knew him. I'm sure where ever he is he's proud." Matt said. She smiled and nodded at him laying her head down on his shoulder. "Thank you." she whispered to him and he just hugged her closer.

When Amy opened her eyes again it was dark outside and the moon was reflecting off the lake making it glow. She sat up stretching and she looked next to her to see that Matt was still asleep. Smiling slightly she leaned down and shook him gently. "Matt...Matt come on wake up." she said softly in his ear. He groaned, turning his head and slowly opened his eyes. "Hey." he said cupping her face and smiling. "Hey. We feel asleep." she replied smiling back and he shook his head. "Not uh, you feel asleep. I was just (Yawn) resting my eyes." he replied sitting up. "Oh really?" she said raising an eyebrow. "Yep." he answered and before she could respond he silenced her with a kiss.

Almost immediately Amy was jerked out of Matt's warm embrace. She looked up to see Dave looking at her angrily. "Do you have any idea what time it is? We've been looking everywhere for you, your mothers at home worried sick while your out here making out with the boy next door!" he said and it seemed like every word he said he squeezed her arm harder and harder, and as luck would have it, it was her sore arm. "Dave, lay of will you? That's my sore arm." she said and immediately regretted it. Before she knew it he had back handed her across the face. Matt was instantly at her side. "Hey! You didn't have to do that." he yelled at Dave pushing him away and standing in front of her so he was between them. Matt pushed her hair out of her eyes and gently rubbed when she had gotten hit. "You are grounded for a month." he said ignoring Matt. "You can't tell me what to do, your not my father." Amy yelled back at him placing her hand on top of Matt's who was holding her burning cheek. "Your right, I'm not but while your staying here you are my responsibility and you'll do as your told." he said and she had heard enough. She jerked out of Matt's grasp and ran away as fast as she could, ignoring Dave and Matt's calls for her to stop.

When Amy finally had run until she was exhausted she found herself at a waterfall. Sighing, she plopped down under a tree and pulled her legs up close to herself wishing for Matt to be near her so she could feel his heat next to her again. She closed her eye's again leaning against the tree, thinking to herself. 'I shouldn't have jerked away from him like that, I hope he doesn't I meant anything by it, I was just trying to get away from Dave, he'll understand....won't he?'. That was her last thought before the soft breeze and peacefulness surrounding her became to inviting to ignore and she fell to sleep.

"There you are." Amy heard Jeff say, waking her up. "I'll never understand how you can fall asleep in the most uncomfortable places." Matt said as the two of them sat on either side of her. "How you doin' Ames?" Matt asked becoming serious. She shrugged looking down. "I'm just sick of it you know? Sick of my mom falling in love every month with a new guy who thinks he's my father all of a sudden. Sick of moving around so much." she confessed. "I'm sorry Amy, I wish I knew how to help." Matt said and Jeff agreed. She smiled sadly at them. "I'll be fine. Thanks guys." she said putting an arm around both of them. "Are you going home tonight?" Jeff asked. "No, I think I'll just sty out here." she replied. "Are you sure Ames?" Matt asked. "Definitely, I've done it before, no one will worry." she replied. "We will." Jeff said and she smiled.

"So, we'll just have to stay out here with you, right bro?" Matt asked turning to Jeff. "Right." Jeff answered with a nod of his head. "You guys don't have to stay out here with me, I'll be fine, really." she said not wanting them to do something they didn't want to just because they felt sorry for her. "We know we don't have to, we want to. We're a team, the three of us and we wouldn't leave you out here alone." Jeff replied. "Thanks again guys, I'm glad you came out her to find me." she told them. "No prob Ames." Matt said putting an arm around her. Amy grinned up at him as the two starred into each others eyes. Jeff sat watching them with a small smile on his face. There was definitely something there and he was happy for them, Amy was nice, he knew she wouldn't hurt his brother.