Looking at my alarm clock I saw that it was already 11:00. I had slept a long time. Usually I was up and at it, by nine, but I guess our late night talking made me tired. Grabbing my bath robe, I headed to the bathroom. After washing and brushing my teeth, I went downstairs to the smell of bacon.

"Hey, lazybones!" My Mom greeted me, cooking at the stove. She like me had yet to get dressed, but it's not like she had an office to get to. She worked whenever she wanted in her studio.

"Morning," Nodded Andrew, who was sitting at the table scanning the headlines, like this was habit. He was clad only in pajama pants and a white t-shirt. Leaning against the doorway I smiled, I could get used to this, my family, almost all my family. Last night we hadn't really gotten on the topic of Dad, and I was dreading telling Mom my decision to live with him. She was so happy now, I mean last night she had gone and gotten her camera and had taken like a roll of film of us. And, now she was cooking, she doesn't cook!

"So, what's on the agenda today?" My Mom asked, scraping the bacon out of the sizzling pan.

"Well, I thought I might show Andrew around town." I replied, slowly dropping down across from Andrew. My Mom nodded, setting a place mat in front of me. "That's an idea, perhaps-" She was interrupted when the doorbell rang. Looking at me confused, "Who could that be?"

"Beats me," I replied, casually looking over a section of the newspaper.

"Well, one second," She called as she left the room, heading to the front door. I had my ears perked to hear who was there, I was quite curious myself. I heard as Mom opened the door, but then it was silent.

"Mom?" I shouted down the hallway.

"Yes dear?" She questioned, I heard the strain in her voice and wondered who could be at the door. Andrew obviously wondering the same thing stood when I did and followed me to the door, only stopping to see my Father standing in the open doorway, looking awkward, as Mom stood leaning against the banister gaping.

"Dad!" I smiled, and ran his way. Andrew looked less than thrilled to see his Father on his new turf.

"I thought you were going to give us till Tuesday." He remarked, standing near Mom. Tristan looked from me to Mom and then to Andrew.

"Well, I wrapped up my deals early, and decided to come see you and-" We all heard a whistle of the kettle coming from the kitchen.

"Oh, the kettle!" Mom exclaimed, escaping down the hall.

Going into the kitchen, I shook my head. Tristan… Tristan in my house? I knew this day might come, especially after meeting Andrew. I should never have been so blind, it's obviously what he wants here. He wants custody of Maddie. Oh, great, he can have that and then I can just live alone! I mean it doesn't matter, I'll be old and grey and have no one, but my maybe some cats. Oh, damn him, why does he have to show up? Shakily I poured the tea into the mugs.

"So, this is where you grew up," Startled, I looked around to see the three of them had followed me into the kitchen and that, Tristan was now looking around curiously. Trying to hold all my different feelings back, I turned to them.

"Tea, Tristan?" I questioned.

"No, thank you." He replied smiling. Whatever. Don't let him get to you, I repeated over and over in my head. He and the children were now seated at the table. Taking up, where I left off I served the breakfast to Maddie and Andrew first.

Looking to Tristan, "Breakfast?" I asked, again he shook his head with a smile. I nodded in accordance, and set to clean the kitchen. Not even caring if they wanted to talk to me. By the end of the meal it was planned that Maddie would go show Andrew around for the morning, which was alright with me. I had no idea what Tristan was doing, but I hope he was to be included in that tour. Maddie and Andrew had both gone upstairs to shower and dress, and I was left alone with Tristan. I tried to forget he was there and carry on washing the dishes.

"Don't you want to know why I'm back?" He questioned, I could tell he was watching me.

Not turning around I replied, "Oh, I think I know."

"Well, why then?" He asked, getting up, and coming closer to me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him lean against the nearby counter. His nearness was aggravating me. Not just that, him being here was infuriating me.

"I don't care why you came back!" I responded, in an annoyed tone. Scrubbing the dishes harder, "You're their Father, but that's it!"

"You always were so defensive." He reminisced.

"Don't, don't you dare do that!" I told him, finishing the last dish and turning of the tap.

"Do what?" He acted innocent. At that moment, I was tied between kissing the jerk or punching him. The rational side of me told me to do neither.

"You know bloody well!" I told him. Turning to him I clutched my bath robe. "So, where are the papers?" I questioned him.

"What papers?" He asked, truly confused.

"The custody papers, you're probably here for me to sign! The papers where I sign you over as the legal guardian of Maddie." I replied.

"What?"

"Don't play dumb with me! I know that's what you want; I know that's why you're here! I mean why else would you come here?" Trying to compose myself I calmly breathed in and out, telling myself I could do this.

"Summer," His eyes pleaded with me across the distance, and I had to mentally kick myself to look somewhere else.

"No, no, don't you dare do that, no." I shook my head, looking to the floor.

"But, let me explain…" He whispered, across the silent.

"Let you explain, that you want to take away to only thing I care about? The only thing I have ever had to love?" I looked up at him through sad eyes. "I'm right... this is what you've come here to do?" I asked in a hushed whisper.

I walked into the kitchen to see both my parents staring intently at each other. I was definitely interrupting something. What I was interrupting was the question.

"Hey!" I smiled, walking further into the room.

"I'm ready," We heard Andrew call coming down the stairs.

"Well, I guess we're ready," I mumbled, looking to say something to end the awkward silence. Instead of replying my parent just seemed to back away from each other. "Dad are you going to come with us?" I questioned him, not sure of his plans.

"Sure, yeah, it will be a nice outing." He replied, although he wasn't at all enthusiastic.

"And, Mom?" I asked, looking to my Mom, who had her eyes glued to the ground.

Looking up startled, "Oh, honey, I'd love to, but y'know I have work to do."

"C'mon Mom! How often do you have a chance to go out with both your son and daughter? I mean it's not like Mark's going check up on you!" I grinned, trying to win her over.

"Who's Mark?" Andrew questioned, having entered the kitchen.

"Mom's boss kinda person," I replied, shrugging.

"Not my boss, just well I guess you could call him my agent or manager. He sells my work." She corrected, explaining to Andrew.

"Well, whoever he is, Mom you gotta come with us!" Andrew added.

"Y'know what, maybe you should just go with your Mother and I'll stay behind." Dad suggested. "I mean well, you both and I have already had time together. Perhaps it should just be you two and her."

"Dad!" I complained. "Why can't it be the four of us? I'm not asking you guys to be married, that's not what I'm asking! All I want is to go on an outing all four of us, I mean when was the last time we were all out together?" I smiled, trying to soften my argument.

"Madds, honey, I'm not sure if this would be, well if is a good idea," Mom responded.

"Please?" I pleaded.

I was a genius. That is how twenty minutes later we were all packed in Mom's old Volvo. I wanted my parents back together. I'd be lying if I said I didn't. But, as much as I wanted them together I wasn't going to break up Dad and Rory's relationship or break apart Mom from her freedom. More than anything I wanted them together, but more than anything I knew I couldn't do anything about it.

"Where to?" Mom questioned behind the wheel.

"Allison Gellar! Could your kilt get any shorter?" Looking around I noticed my older brother watching me look in the mirror.

"And, could you could be any more annoying?" Sighing, I knew this was as good as it was going to get. The Chilton uniform was definitely not fashionable.

"You know, your kilt is going to be shorter than your blazer…" My twin brother Matthew added walking downstairs. He was only technically two minutes older than me, but that didn't stop him from still being just as over protective.

"You ready, cause I really don't want to be late," Connor didn't bother to wait for our reply before walking out. Following, we headed outside of our mansion to the garage.

"I'm so sorry, y'know, I forgot we can't be late for school!" I replied, sarcastically, walking over to Conner's jag. Yes, he had his own jag. Matt and I didn't, you know why? Cause, we weren't on the freaking honour roll, meaning our grades kinda suck, but nonetheless, giving one kid a jag and the others nothing is really heartless. And, age is not the question, seeing Conner got his first jag at our age, sixteen.

"Shotgun!" I shouted, before stealing the front seat from Matt.

"Don't, don't even think about baiting me. You could take the bus," Conner growled in my direction, before starting the ignition.

"Someone's grouchy this morning," I mumbled, into my bagel before I took a bite.

"No eating in my car..." I looked over at him, still having the bagel in my mouth. Breaking into a grin, he added, "…Unless you give me some,"

"Fine," I smiled, giving him half of the bagel.

"Matt?" He questioned, looking in the rear view mirror at Matt eating an orange. "Share the love," He reached his hand back as Matt gave in and handed him some of the orange.

Looking up Matt looked at me curiously, "Hey, Allie, I was wondering , are you and-"

Interrupting him, I grinned, "I don't know. And, well, to be truthful, I don't think we're anything yet. I mean it's hard to tell sometimes… guys are just so confusing!" I threw back my head in frustration.

"No, we're not; I mean we're so straightforward." Turning my head I looked at him as if he was crazy.

"Never are guys like that! I can't even tell whether a guy is interested! I mean you guys are supposed to be making the first move, but you like never do!"

"Nah, sure, we're supposed to make the first move, but first we need a signal. Not many guys can operate without a signal, it's tricky," Connor explained, stepping in. "I however can." He added grinning.

"Any egomaniac like you can," Matt whispered.

"What is this like battleship to you?" I questioned confused at their antics.

Matt considered that before saying, "Perhaps more like risk?"

"Is that a joke?" I questioned him laughing.

"Okay, when you have to ask me if it's a joke that just ruins it. Way to shoot me down!"

"Whatever," I laughed. Yeah, me and my brothers got along pretty well, besides when they were being asses and way too overprotective.

It's only us three. I always wished we had a bigger family. My parents however seemed to be content either way, they said just to let nature take it course. My parents are like the only parents of all my friends that are actually still together. They're just as much in love with each other as when they first met, or at least that's what they tell me.

"I wish I were in New York!" I muttered as Nick pulled the car into the Chilton parking lot. Not because I didn't like it here, more because well I was curious, well nosy to know what was going on with Maddie.

"Don't we all." Danny grumbled in the passenger seat.

"I don't. I like it here!" Ricky smiled.

"Of course you do, you have a girlfriend." Nick laughed and we all joined in. Ricky did seem to be the luckiest in that department, well besides Danny, but no one knows about his romance. And, then I guess me too; I mean Chris did kiss me!

In class I was bored, the teachers just drone on and on here. It's so painful. At lunch however I had a good time, I sat with Kristina again and this time another guy named Matt joined us.

"So, how long have you been here?" Matt asked. He was really cute, but I tried to ignore it, because what about Chris?

"About a week almost," I replied.

"Oh, so you don't know many people?" He questioned.

"Well, not many." I smiled, watching curiously as Matt stood and looked around the hall. "Who are you looking for?" I asked him finally.

"Yeah, Matt, you're kinda scaring us!" Kristina joked.

"I'm looking for Allie, she's my sister, my twin sister, you might like her." He explained, continuing his search.

"Oh, that's so cool, I'm a twin too!" I told him grinning. "My twin brother is…" Getting up I looked around, seeing Danny only like two tables away, "Danny!" I called, beckoning him over.

"What?" He questioned me annoyed.

"Danny, this is Matt and you know Kristina," I introduced him. "Matt is a twin like us." I explained, Danny really looked as if he couldn't care less, but he put on a polite face and smiled.

"So, you have an annoying one like her?" He questioned, nodding towards me.

"Yeah, Allie's a piece of-"

"A piece of what?" Looking up, we saw a girl standing next to Matt, looking at him accusingly. She had short brown hair, it was almost a boyish cut, but nonetheless it was stylish. And, she was really pretty. I remember seeing her in the hallway when we first came to Chilton with boys surrounding her.

"This is Allie, my twin sister," Matt smiled, ignoring her earlier comment.

"Hey, I'm Holly and this is my twin brother, Danny." I introduced.

"Hi," She grinned at us. "So, what was my immature brother telling you about me?"

"Well... well," I mumbled, not knowing what to say.

"Three wells make a river." She responded, trying to get me to go on.

"Hey Holly," Looking up I saw Chris walk by smiling. Happy to be interrupted I grinned at him, as he came to join the group. "Hi," He said looking at the group, I noticed though he avoided looking at Allie.

"I better get to class, can't be late," Allie smiled at us, before walking off. Danny and I looked at each other confused, what was that.

"Chris c'mon!" Some jock, called from the doorway.

"Yeah, well I better go, see you guys later," He grinned, following his jock friends out.

"What was up with Allie?" I questioned the minute Chris was out of sight.

"Oh, she and him. They just have a pretty bad history." Matt replied, and that was the end of that. Grabbing our books we all headed for class.

Leaning back in my seat I tried to ignore the teacher's voice. I never was too fond of school. And, without slacker high, I seriously had trouble getting myself to school each morning, besides the fact that I had to drive my three siblings here too. Luckily however this was last period.

"Did you see her today?" I heard Scott ask Parker, who was sitting behind me. I was quite familiar with both of them, they had been the ones along with Andrew DuGrey who welcomed me to their group.

"Yeah, looking good, eh?" Parker grinned back.

"Who?" I whispered casually looking back.

"Oh Nick, she's great. Allie Geller," Replied Scott. "She's a sophomore, but you'd be crazy not to want her."

"You guys are in to youngins?" I questioned, I really hoped they really weren't, considering Holly was in the sophomore year too.

"Yeah, they're the best at this school. The older girls are just too used. The young ones are fresh meat, but we wait until they're in about tenth grade. " He laughed. These were the kind of guys I was friends with at slacker high. They might've been more crude, but they had known that Holly, and even Maddie were definitely off limits.

"The only problem is everyone knows Conner's way too protective," Parker confided.

"Boyfriend?" I questioned.

"No, brother... We've all been friends for a while, he just hates when we talk about his sister like that." Scott whispered, looking away when the teacher glared our way.

After class, the guys found it necessary to find and point out Allie to me. We were waiting in the courtyard where we knew she would come out. And, once I saw her I had to admit she was fine, she had short brown hair, and shady blue eyes.

"Hey guys," A voice from behind us called.

"Conner!" Scott smiled. We turned as he walked towards us.

"Hey, party this weekend?" He asked grinning at all of us.

"What your parents going out of town?" Parker questioned.

"You got it. Yeah, so I was thinking Friday..." He suggested, then looking across the courtyard he shouted to his sister, "Allie!" We all watched as she rolled her eyes, and made her way away from the people who she had been talking to, and over to us. I could tell both Parker and Scott were admiring her, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't too.

"What?" She asked annoyed coming closer.

"Just wondering if you were ready to go home," Conner said, it was obvious he was uncomfortable with the way his friends were leering at his sister, but you could also tell he was used to it.

"Ok, well I guess I am." She replied, then looking to me, she squinted her eyes as if trying to place me, "We haven't met. I'm Allie Geller," She grinned extending her hand. "Nick Mariano," I smiled in returned shaking her hand.

"You look familiar," She stated, looking at me intently.

He did look really familiar where did I recognize him from? "Oh, I know, do you have a brother and a sister in my year?" I questioned, the cute boy.

"Yeah, twins, uh, Holly and Danny," He replied. That was it, those were the two I had met at lunch that Matt had introduced me to. I nodded.

"Hey Nick," Speak of the devil. Looking up, I noticed Holly walking our way. Both, Scott and Parker seemed to shown interest towards her as well. "Uh, you ready to leave?" She asked, uncomfortable, now that not only Scott and Parker, but also my brother Conner were looking at her interested.

"And, this is?" Scott asked, looking from Holly to Nick.

"This is my sister Holly," Nick replied, glaring at him. Obviously not liking the way they were looking at his sister. "In the tenth grade," He added, it seemed like kind of a threat and the minute he said it the guys all stopped smiling.

"Then you know my sister Allie?" Conner questioned her, true to form and acting like a polite gentlemen.

"Yeah, we met today at lunch," Holly replied smiling shyly.

"I'm her older brother Conner," He added, extending his hand. Shaking it she smiled.

"I'm Parker," He grinned also extending his hand. And, then of course Scott had to introduce himself, because well the other two already had.

"Oh, and I'm Scott," He grinned, but instead of shaking her hand, he brought it to his lips and gave her hand a kiss. "I'm in grade twelve," He added smirking. We were interrupted again by Matt and Danny walking over.

"Hey, Nick, Ricky said he was heading over to Julianna's, k?" Danny told his brother quietly. Nick nodded, and I tried not to swoon. This boy was something. He was polite, kind, hot, and everything. Well, I've only known him a couple of minute, but he is so I don't know, so different, a good different.

"Yeah, well we better go," Conner told his friends. "But, this Friday party my house, let the troops know-"

Interrupting I repeated, "A party?" Not again.

"Great, eh?" Parker winked at me, before Conner sent him a death glare.

"You're welcome to come," He told Nick and his siblings. I could tell his invitation was really directed to Holly. "It'll be cool, all of you!" And, with that he led Matt and me to his car. This annoyed me to hell, not this, but his parties annoy me to hell for many reasons. One the drunken idiots that then inhabit my house; two the drunken idiots that make moves on me; And, three the huge mess that I always end up cleaning, or at least finding a remote cleaning service that will do it, without letting anyone know.

And, one of the last parties was terrible. For many reasons I have no idea where to begin, well I guess I know. And, well I guess I should tell you, I mean it will explain a lot. A while ago, at the beginning of this past summer, I was dating Chris Forrester. And, it was great, he's a wonderful guy, I mean he was so nice. My brother and his friends found out, and hated it. My brother is really good friends with Andrew DuGrey, he's Chris's step brother, and they don't get along at all. They like detest each other. So, naturally my brother and all his friends tried to break up the relationship. They tried everything. Then at one of these shindigs, I was forced to go, well dragged to go. It was at the DuGrey's and I hadn't talked with Chris so I wasn't sure if he was going to be there, but I hoped to hell he would be. I shouldn't have gone; looking back I can see that my brother and his friends had so planned for that night. When we first arrived all my brothers friends had been giving me drinks, and usually my brother wouldn't allow it, but that night he didn't seem to mind. I was really drunk, but not drunk enough to not realize where I was or what I was doing. And, I can't blame the alcohol for anything that happened. It was just all my stupidity.

Flashback

Stumbling around the house I still hadn't found Chris, and I really wanted to see him. Walking back upstairs from the basement, I held the railing with both hands.

"Whoa, be careful there," Looking behind me, I saw Andrew, Chris's stepbrother come up the stairs behind me. Putting his hand on my waist he guided me up the stairs and into the kitchen where all my brother friends were. "Have any of you guys seen Chris?" I questioned all of them.

"Nope," My brother replied, while the rest of the guys shook their heads.

"Well, I guess, I'm going to find him," I told them, getting up to leave, I grabbed another beer too. This night was going bad enough, I might as well drink.

"Wait, we'll help you," Parker told me, and a bunch of them followed me suggesting maybe we look outside on the patio, a crowd had started out there. Before we actually began to look for Chris, Parker had suggested I do some shots, because well I was at a party. Having no idea what I was drinking, I copied the guys and did a few shots.

"I've got to find Chris," I mumbled, staggering off. And, the next thing I knew I was in their pool, yeah, I had fallen in. Accidentally, I do not know. But, Andrew being the closest had dove in to get me. I noticed, also when I had gotten out of the pool, that Conner had not followed us out of the patio. Looking back, perhaps it was because he didn't want to be involved with their plan. He wanted me not to be with Chris, but perhaps he felt guilty when they began to execute the plan.

"Oops," I whispered laughing, still clinging to Andrew as we got out. "Sorry," I mumbled in his direction, removing myself from him. "Oh, thanks," I added, trying not to look at him, for I was only human and he looked really good with wet clothes.

"Here, come to my room. I'll get you some dry clothes," He grasped my hands, and dragged me upstairs behind him. In his bathroom he handed me some boxers and a t-shirt to wear until my clothes dried.

"Thanks," I whispered again.

"Anytime," He grinned, handing me a towel for my hair. He was now out of his wet clothes, but had only put on a dry pair of boxers. "Hey Scott!" He called out the door, out of no where came Scott, handing him our wet clothes. "Can you take these to the dryer?"

"Sure," Scott smiled, past Andrew at me sitting on the bed. Since, I was a bit intoxicated I grinned in return. Before, Scott left he whispered something to Andrew. Laughing Andrew smirked and whispered something back. I was too out of it, to even consider what they were saying.

"Want a drink?" Andrew asked shutting the door after Scott left. "Or, do you want to go back down to the party?" Looking down at my outfit I shook my head.

"Not like this, Conner might freak." I laughed. I tried to stand, but I stumbled and fell back down on the bed. "I'm a little tired," I giggled at not being able to stand. "Just a little," I smiled up at Andrew, I was now lying on the bed, trying to stop to calm my giggles.

"You want to sleep?" He questioned, looking to me.

"That might be nice," I replied, moving towards the pillows on the bed. Then thinking twice about it, and starting to get up off the bed. "Actually, Andy, perhaps I should go find another bed…" I told him, stepping off the bed, trying not to stumble.

"No, don't worry about it, there's enough room for both of us," He told me, helping me back down onto the bed. "Look, I just have to go downstairs; I'll be back… just sleep now, k?" He commanded, tucking me into his big bed. Kissing my forehead, he left the room.

The next morning I woke up and found myself curled around Andrew and his arm around me. I guess during the night we had moved closer. Slowly as not to disturb Andrew, I slipped out of his embrace. Remember the night before; I thought of Chris, where had he been? Finding my clothes neatly folded on a nearby chair, I began to change, when suddenly the door opened.

"Hey Jerk! Some of your passed out friends downstairs are beginning to wake up, and wanna know where you are!" I froze as I heard Chris shout that. He can't see me in here, not that I did anything wrong, but he'll for sure think so. "Allie?" I heard him ask. I slowly turned around knowing I couldn't hide.

"Hey," I whispered, covering my body, well hurrying to put on my clothes.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" He questioned me heatedly.

"I, uh, last night my brother dragged me to the party, and I fell in the pool, and Andrew let me borrow some dry things, and then I fell asleep," I confessed, being completely honest.

"So, you just slept in here with Andrew?" He asked in disbelief.

"Honestly, I was out like a light," I grinned, trying to make light of the situation. But, by now I knew that things were pretty much going to suck.

"What's going on?" Andrew asked sleepily sitting up in bed. Why couldn't that kid wear anything to bed, from here it looked like he was naked! But, he obviously had his boxers on, I hope Chris knew that.

"You… I can't believe you! She's my girlfriend!" Chris shouted at his stepbrother.

"Nothing happened!" I tried to reassure him.

"Yeah, right! Look, it's obvious. I'm not stupid." Chris looked at me so betrayed, I just wanted to cry. What had I done?

"Nothing happened!" I repeated dumbly. "Look, Andrew has his boxers on!" I reassured him, going to pull the blanket off of him.

Holding the blanket to him, Andrew smirked, "Actually I don't…"

"I can't believe this!" Chris exclaimed.

"Look, Chris, why would I lie to you? All that happened was I was wet he gave me some clothes and I fell asleep!"

"I find that hard to believe, seeing that I came in and you were getting dressed and he was… he is lying in bed naked!"

"So, you basically don't trust me?" I asked him. I was torn between anger and wanting to cry. But, knowing that there was no way I'd cry here, I chose to be angry. "I mean Chris, you really think I'd do that and ruin our relationship! Is that how low you think I am? That I'd screw your step brother?"

"I don't wanna think it!" He told me quietly. Before he could say anymore I ran out. I couldn't stand it! Why should I have to defend myself for something I hadn't even done?

End of Flashback

And that had been that. We hadn't spoken since that morning. But, I hadn't really had to see much of him until school started back up last week. Luckily we're only in one class together, so I can handle it. But, still seeing him makes me so frustrated to know that something so great was ruined.