A/N: Alright, another chapter finished. This story has become a fuckton of drama, but as I said last chapter it'll clear up eventually to a much more manageable level. Here, the seeds of how Nick and Sameera feel have been down into being more known yet still secret from each other, but it'll come sooner rather than later, as is my usual style of forming a plot. And the family issues only technically become worse for a while from this point, but I hope someone's at least getting a laugh out of this, cuz I put in some choice moments where I really do crack up laughing even when the situation is more serious, as shown in this chapter (Sameera freaking out on Keira). Anyway, time to start the next one. See ya

Chapter Two

Baby Steps

Second Period, Gymnasium..

Sameera stretched as she came out of the girl's locker room, her eyes falling on the newly-transferred Kari Rai as she sat on the bench, away from the other students. Why would she be all by herself? She asked herself, realizing Kari had looked shy any time she'd seen the girl, as few and far between as those sightings were. She sighed as she remembered Gail's words from breakfast. The kids deserve a chance.. "If it backfires, mom, it's on your head." She muttered to herself but found she was stuck where she stood, unable to move herself towards the lonely-looking girl. "Come on, I'm not a weak little girl to let this stop me." Psyching herself up, she walked over to Kari.

"Hey." Kari looked up and her eyes widened at the sight of her oldest half-sister. Sameera sighed. "No need for that reaction. Come on, you can walk around with me today." The girl didn't move. "Today, Kari. There are things you, me and your brother need to talk about."

"Nick doesn't want anything to do with us. Why would you?" The younger girl had an attitude, that was for sure.

"Be that as it may, you are not the issue we have, but our parents. You do know what they did to both of our families, right?"

Kari nodded sullenly. "Yeah.. Where is your boyfriend, anyway? I haven't seen Nick today."

"Ugh, he's not my boyfriend, why does everyone jump straight to that conclusion?"

"You two remind me of mom and dad.."

Sameera resisted the urge to blow up on her sibling. "How so?" She asked, her voice tight.

Kari shrugged. "I don't know. It's just like a feeling, really. I saw you two last night and.. I was looking at my mom and dad again, like when I was little and dad first came to live with us. I'm sorry they did such shit things to you both, I see how badly it's really affected you. You, especially, for the most part."

"Yes, Nicky has been very.. volatile, to say the least, when it comes to your mother. So, dad and your mom weren't happy?"

"No, no. They were, but in the beginning it was hard for them to really make anything work. I think the stress from uprooting himself really got to dad, he was so sad. Eventually some of that sadness went away, but either of you two would be brought up, Nick and you. When you were, either of them would get sad again.

"Then, I told them I wanted to meet you, see what my older siblings were like. That's why we all came here, even though both of you just keep shunning us away. I can understand why, but I was really hoping you'd be willing to at least get to know me before passing off harsh judgment on mom and dad. Or if even possible, one or both of you wouldn't still be so bitter about it."

Sameera hummed, the girl had a point. "Yeah, I guess that's fair. Neither me or Nick gave you even a chance to introduce yourself. It's just so hard for us to extend that courtesy because of how deeply scarred we are from your mom and dad leaving our supposedly happy families. I'm surprised you aren't pissed at them, even being your parents."

"I am, but they're my parents. Dad might not have always been there for me, but he's done his best since. They both cry over you."

"I guess it really wasn't just me and Nick that were affected by them leaving.. Well, little sister, you have me at least. For now, whether that ends with our parents pissing me off or Nick being his regular bull-headed self."

"Can't you talk to him, then? He'll listen to you, if no one else. I've already realized that in the short interactions I've seen between you and big brother."

Sameera sighed. "Yeah, I know he does. I might hate it sometimes, but it's good to see him being consistent. But, Kari, I don't know whether or not he will listen, not when it comes down to being related to our parents. But I'll try, alright? It's the best I can offer."

Kari nodded. "Alright. That's all I'm really asking for, I.. just want to know my siblings."

Sameera gave her a sad smile. "I hear you. I'm sure somewhere in his heart, Nick does, too. He always wanted a little sister." She winked at the younger girl, who beamed back.

"So, if you two aren't dating or anything, then why does it always seem like it?" The younger girl then asked about Nick.

Sameera giggled. "Honestly, I couldn't tell you. As far as I know, everyone but the two of us see us as either dating or in some weird, ongoing break from assumed relationships."

"Well, you like him, right? Why can't you just try? And dad isn't an excuse, because you were never far from Nick and it's obvious something hasn't been said with the two of you."

"Oh, yeah? Well, you do have a point, there. In fact, there are a lot of things that still go unsaid between your brother and I. It's just.. complicated."

"Well then uncomplicate it. Nothing's going to be resolved if you both keep circling each other like vultures competing for a carcass."

"I.. yeah, you probably have a point. And it will be handled in due time. Tell me though, Kari. Why aren't you even the least bit grossed out by the idea of me and Nick dating? We're both related to you."

"Nice try, Sameera, but Nick wasn't the only child in our family to inherit the big brain power." The younger girl laughed. "No, seriously though it shouldn't matter. Yes, you're both related to me by blood, but neither of you are related to the other in such a regard. And, our dad and his mom's remarriage doesn't pertain to you two, not wanting to do with them in the first place. And also because it makes you and Nick step-siblings, so you could always still date due to the lack of a biological connection."

"You're right, Nick isn't the only smart one in your half of the family. I guess Keira is the one he inherited it from. And you are right, but honestly? I don't even think Nick's thought about such things." Alright, even I know that's a lie. "But he'll come around eventually. He usually does, even when he seems completely ignorant of the issue."

"I can see it, Nick does seem a bit scattered."

"Yeah, sometimes." Sameera smiled, which in turn made Kari giggle. "You're thinking about him." She said matter-of-factly.

Sameera looked at her sheepishly. "You're quick to catch on, aren't you? Guess that's another thing you and the idiot have in common. How could you tell?"

"You two and our parents are, again, a lot more similar than any of you give each other credit for. Mom gets that same look when she's thinking about dad. Or Nick. Dad probably gives that look thinking of you, if I had to hazard a guess."

"Mm." Sameera hummed, trying not to let the thoughts of her father rile her up.

Kari noticed her sister's mental struggle. "I'm sorry, I know it brings up all the bad, mentioning dad."

"Don't be, it isn't your fault." Maybe a little.. "I have to get past it, or whatever this is between Nick and I might very well break down."

"Then do something about it, big sis! From what I've seen since we moved here, you've been pretty meek. Not at all like the assertive, tough woman I've been hearing about from my classmates. You know most of them are scared of you half the time, right?"

"As they should be. I have a reputation, Kari, as that unobtainable girl scarred emotionally by past family trauma. And as much as I would like to, I can't just uproot that reputation for something like a boy, not when everyone knows me as the man-hater around school. Even if that boy is Nick."

"But that's the thing, Sameera. Have you ever entertained the thought that maybe the real reason you can't figure yourself out is because you're still letting their opinions subconsciously affect your own?"

Sameera looked at the girl who looked to have aged several years with that sentence alone. "Jeez, Kari. That was deep for a fourteen year old."

"Thirteen, I was born just after the cutoff date for being the same age as my graduating class. I'll still only be seventeen when I graduate."

"That's fine though, Kar. Not everyone graduates at seventeen. Hermione from Harry Potter graduated Hogwarts at technically twenty, really."

"That doesn't count! She didn't go to Hogwarts for one year because of the Horcrux Hunt and was already a year older than everyone else because of the Time Turner."

"Doesn't matter, little sis. The age thing still occurs either way." They both stopped walking as the bell signifying five minutes until class dismissal rang, sending the students in the gym to the locker rooms.

The half-sisters came back out of the locker rooms just as the class end bell rang, and they both frowned at each other. "This was good, Kari. I wouldn't say I'm up to trying to talk to dad yet, but it'll get there, hopefully."

"Baby steps, right Meera?" Kari turned her frown upside-down as Sameera smiled back at her.

"Yeah, baby steps. Stay out of trouble, alright? And if you do get picked on, then you tell your brother he better help you out or I'll knock him out. He'll do whatever you need at that point."

Kari giggled. "Oh, I realized threatening him with you would make him compliant pretty quickly, especially how he was able to somewhat keep you calm when dad and I came over yesterday. But thanks for the advice." Suddenly, Kari was hugging her tight. "And thanks for giving me a chance."

Sameera smiled as she hugged the girl back. "Hey, anything for one of the girls, right?" She winked and giggled before they both started towards their next classes. Neither girl saw Keira hiding her tears behind a corner nearby, glad one of the kids at least seemed to be making an effort.

Nick, meanwhile, was dealing with his own issues as he sat down in his Psychology class, the guy sitting next to him being a douche canoe. "So, how's it feel to have to see your cheating whore of a mo-" Nick didn't give him a chance to finish his sentence as he threw a single punch and sent the other boy backwards- still in his seat- to the floor as Nick stood up.

"I don't give a shit about that bitch, Tyler, as you should very well fucking know. Say something again I'll put you in the grave myself. And I won't get caught, either, not when you're entire body is eaten by the pigs on Old Man Jenkins' farm."

The teacher, Mr. Hadrian Jones, nodded from his desk. "Good analogy, Nick. And nice punch. Tyler, I'm not stopping him anymore, so if any of you idiots want to unleash Nick's wrath, then say something else about his mother, which is the only subject I've repeatedly told you all not to bring up with him. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Mr. Jones." Came the unified response from the rest of the students as Tyler righted himself.

"Watch yourself, Negron. Or maybe us guys who have a problem with you should go after Sam-"

"Finish it, you will be back on the floor, asshole. Don't fucking try me, because I sure as fuck have no patience for you."

Hadrian facepalmed. It was sure to be a much longer year than anticipated now that the previously absent Keira was back in town, that was definite. "Nick, do I have to fetch Meera to get you to stop today?" It was a threat that always worked, but was very rarely needed, Nick able to hold back the worst of his anger for the most part.

"No, sir." Nick said, opting to switch seats with one of the girls in the back of the classroom, hoping Tyler would truly cut the shit.

In his next period, thankfully being lunch time, Nick sat outside in the inner courtyard waiting on Sameera, who had taken to joining him at lunch along with Leona who was more of an annoyance.

He was surprised, however, when not just Sameera and Leona but also Nashrah and Kari joined him at the table. He leveled a glare at Kari, who looked down shyly as Sameera smacked Nick in the head with her notebook. "Cut it out, Nicky. She isn't our enemy, and you damn well know that. But she is our half-sister, and that means we both have a responsibility to her to look out for her. Not our parents, her." She told him sternly.

"Ow, yeah, yeah. I get it. Jeez, is that damn notebook made of marble or something?" Nick said, rubbing his head where the notebook had left it's mark. "Sorry, Kari." He apologized to the now youngest of the group.

"It's alright, big brother. I understand where your feelings are coming from."

"Yes, she does, because I helped explain things to her, including how things tend to work in this school. Which reminds me.."

Nick shook his head, innately knowing what Sameera was about to tell him. "No, no.."

"You're her big brother, Nick, so shut your trap and listen. Kari is the little sister you definitely didn't ask for, but always really wanted, right?" Nick nodded dejectedly. "Alright, so it falls to you in our now partially combined family to be that big brother. I already told her that if anyone starts giving her trouble- meaning the assholes in this school that like to talk shit- then Kari goes to you. If it's another girl, well. I gotta do something for her, right?" There was a mischievous glint in her eye that scared Nick enough to know not to deny the wrathful angel sitting next to him.

"Yeah, alright. Any problems with the guys, I'm there. I thought you were still on our side of the fence when it came to handling the Rai family?"

Sameera scratched her cheek. "Yeah, I was.. But Kari and I have gym together, and she just looked so sad, Nicky! She's so much like you it's actually weird to think I'm related to her. Haven't seen much in that regard, other than her looks so far." The girls all giggled while Nick mimicked being choked.

"Can't.. breathe..! Too much.. Estrogen.. Ugh!" He finished the gag by falling flat on the table and the rest of the table burst into full hysterics.

Well, except for Kari, who was still too new to feel very comfortable, even with her own family. Nick saw this as he lay still on the table, his face turned towards her. He picked himself up after a moment and got up from the table, Sameera watching him as he went over to Kari. "Hey, you got something you wanna say to me, little sis?" She looked at him, wide-eyed. "Well, Meera's right. You are still my little sister. Our little sister, and that means if you need to talk, I'm here."

Kari looked to Sameera for assurance, which the older girl returned with a nod and smile. "He's a very good listener, when he wants to be."

"I've never once ignored you when you wanted to talk."

"No, no you haven't. You have, however, fought me over the topic of conversation."

"Oh, whatever, Meera. Anyway, you wanna go talk, Kari?" The younger girl nodded enthusiastically, her hair bouncing around her face as Nick smiled and nodded his head towards the far wall of the courtyard, where no one was either sitting or hanging around.

As the two went over to the other side of the courtyard, Sameera sighed while smiling. "You're doing it again." Nashrah said, taking a bite of her lunch while looking at one of her textbooks.

"Huh? Doing what?"

"Looking at Nick like you're gonna screw him senseless after school. Or earlier, if you got the chance." Sameera gaped at her little sister.

"Oh my God, someone else actually acknowledged it! How long have you seen it?" Leona asked Nashrah.

"Oh, I've always seen the looks, but the screwing part is newer, maybe since they both started high school."

"Mhm. Mhm. Exactly! Always enemies but definitely with something brewing between them. Something always left unsaid or something, but always conveyed in both Nick and Meera's actions regardless."

Sameera groaned, head in her hands as she looked over at Nick and Kari with wide eyes. "Nicholas Negron! Put that shit away, we're still in school!" She shouted across the courtyard, Nick putting something back in his pocket.

"The hell, Meera?"

"He was taking a joint out of his pocket. Seriously, where does he even get the money? I haven't heard him talk of another part-time job in weeks, really."

"Oh, the last one he did was behind the counter at the snack bar, down at the beach during the summer. Mentioned something to me about stocks and crypto, but I wasn't really paying attention." Nashrah explained, waving off Nick's own explanation.

"Oh, that makes sense.. wait, that means he's always with some kind of money, doesn't it?"

"Oh yeah. I think I saw him checking the account once, and I'll say it was impressive. A couple months resulted in so many zeros already, let alone what another few months could do for him."

"Just another item to add to the list of how Nick manages to deal with the hand he was dealt. And you, Meera, but his happened at a much more developmental stage in our lives and you know that's carried with him all these years."

"Yeah, he is pretty impressive, when you look at it like that." Sameera said, sighing.

"Yup, but that's Nick. Oh, they're coming back."

Nick and Kari came back to the table and both sat down, Sameera looking at the thirteen year old freshman. "Everything good, Kari?"

Kari nodded with a smile. "Yeah, I think things might just work out, if we keep up with taking baby steps to resolve all this.. drama."

"Drama is putting it lightly, hon." Leona said with a laugh. "What keeps these two similar to a pair of polarizing magnets is basically drama, but there's still a lot more they need to figure out, right guys?"

"Hush up, Leona. God, you're infuriating sometimes." Sameera groaned.

"Love you too, bitch." Just then, the bell rang for their next period, making the teens all get up and split off as they went to their next classes. Sameera hung back with Kari as the rest of the older teens left the courtyard. "So what did you and Nick talk about?" She asked the shorter girl.

Kari smiled. "Mostly mom, actually. Seems there's still more to big brother than even you really know."

Sameera giggled. "Yeah, you might actually be right on that point. That's actually kind of disappointing.. we both used to be able to read each other so we'll, and now.."

"You'll both be fine. He still knows you well enough. Yet another tick on the tally of how weird it is you two aren't a couple."

"Stop pushing it! Between you and almost everyone else me and Nick hang out with, you'll drive me insane."

"Alright, alright. I just think it's nice, having someone who knows you so well, and does what they can to try and keep you happy."

"That's fair.. He is apparently my defender in the shadows."

"He's a lot more than that, sis." Kari rolled her eyes as she stopped walking. "Well, this is me. I'll see you later?"

Sameera nodded. "Of course! Keep your nose clean." She winked at the younger girl.

"Then keep your flirting to a minimum." Kari laughed as she slipped into the classroom, Sameera staring after her.

"That little.. oh well, I guess a little sister isn't all bad." She said with a smile, continuing on her way to English class.

Two Periods Later..

The two seventeen year olds walked into Physics class holding hands, but soon realized what they were doing and slipped their hands away as they took seats near the back of the room, a precaution for keeping Nick from being as rageful as the day before. Keira nodded at the two, smiling at Sameera in particular. She mouthed a thank you to the girl as Nick narrowed his eyes and other students filed into class.

"It's alright, Nicky. She probably saw me with Kari earlier in the halls. Didn't you talk to her about your mom?" Sameera whispered to him.

"Yeah, we did. I can't just take her word for what she told me, though. Granted, I have been an asshole about it all, but I have a right to be."

"I know, hon. You do." Sameera said, taking her books out for class.

Nick glanced sideways at her as he took his own out, a small smile on his face at the slip of her tongue. He thought back to lunch, and the conversation with the seemingly very insightful thirteen year old. "She wants me to talk to my mom. About everything. What her leaving did to me, what it's made me lose. I told Kari I'm not ready for that yet, least of all without you with me."

With you? Does that mean dating or just as we are right now? Not that it seems to make a difference to most people around town. She thought as she nodded. "Whenever you're up to it, Nick. I'll take off work if I have to."

"Thanks, Meera. I'll let you know." Nodding at each other, the two paid closer attention to their class.

When Physics was over, Sameera bumped into Nick with a playful yet mischievous smile as he looked at her in surprise before he filed out of the room with the other students. As she was walking out, Keira called for her with a giggle. "Sameera, dear? A moment?"

Sameera turned to face the woman who was responsible for causing both hers and Nick's families to be initially shattered. "Yes?"

"What was that just now? Are you and my son finally together?"

Sameera blushed. "What? No, of course not. We're just finding each other again, is all. We haven't been this close since my father left town, after all." Keira knew the sweet smile on Sameera's face was just a mask, a cover for the rage that quietly boiled within her at the mere mention of her father. "See you tomorrow." The girl rushed out of the class leaving a stunned Keira standing there at her desk.

That girl really is a scary one. You sure know how to pick them, Nick. Guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree in some ways. She thought as she welcomed in her next class.

Today, Nick had Art class instead of a study period, and as he walked into the Art room he saw Kari and Nashrah together in one corner. He walked over and sat with them. "Hey, girls. How are you holding up, Kari?"

The youngest of the three nodded. "Yeah, things have been fine."

"And only partially because Kari and I share most of a class schedule together." Nashrah chuckled.

"Well, it's good either way. So, any idea what our new project will be this week?" Each week, the students had the two or three Art periods they had for that week to work on whatever project the teacher gave them.

Both girls shook their heads. "Nada. Plus, Mrs. Myloy isn't here, yet. Oh, nevermind, there she is."

"Good afternoon, class! Sorry I'm a bit late today, but wouldn't you know it, I had to park on the other side of the school after my lunch last period due to someone driving a white Blazer taking my regular spot before I got back."

Kari looked like she was about to laugh, and answered the unspoken question by her brother. "That's mom's car, but she didn't drive it this morning, so my dad must have brought it during last period before he went to work."

"Ah. So mom drives now? She isn't still deathly scared of being behind the wheel?"

"Not always. Sometimes she still goes into a bit of a panic, but she's usually fine."

Nick hummed, frowning as the teacher continued speaking after calming herself down. "So, this week's little project has to be fast, right? Only got you guys for two days this week. With that, I'd like for you all to draw something important to you, how you see it and not just how everyone might. If you manage to finish the assignment today, then on Thursday we might be able to just have a free period."

Nick had a piece of paper in front of him almost immediately, tapping a mechanical pencil to his chin as he thought of what was important to him. It took him several moments of trying to think to ultimately come to the conclusion that there was really only one choice in the matter as he started drawing. The initial, abstract image had Nashrah looking at it in curiosity. "What are you drawing over there, Nick?"

"You'll just have to wait and see, Nash." Nick said as his drawing became faster, but still precise enough that the girls could see the form of a person drawn in portrait format.

It took most of the period, but Nick finished his picture last of the three. Kari had drawn her family, even including Nick and Sameera standing on one side of the younger girl, opposite their parents. Nashrah had drawn a beautiful rendition of her golden retriever Sunny swimming in water, whether it was a pool or even the ocean was anyone's guess. Then Nick revealed his picture to the other two, and gasped as he realized he had been drawing on autopilot. "Shit."

"Language, Nick.. Oh, that's amazing. You really captured Sameera's eyes perfectly." Said Mrs Myloy as Nick put his head down with enough force to almost break the table him, Nashrah and Kari were sitting at.

"Aw, come on, Nick. It's beautiful, but I don't think you were aiming to draw Meera, were you?"

Nick shook his head. "No, but right now? She's definitely one of the most important things to me."

"I know. She always has. I'm gonna go show her!" Nashrah grabbed the picture and rushed out of the classroom, Nick cursing as he practically jumped over the table to head her off but failed as they both went into the hallway, the period ending as they did.

Downstairs on the ground floor of the school, Sameera was waiting for Nick and Nashrah to go home when she heard the telltale steps of Nick running. "Bring that back! She can't just see it!"

"But she will! Maybe this will help you two." She heard Nashrah then as the girl leaped diagonally over the banister and down several steps towards Sameera. "Meera, see what Nick drew in art class!" She was waving a paper about as she tripped on the third step up. "Fuck!" She shouted as she landed on the floor in front of Sameera, groaning as Nick rounded the corner at the top of the stairs.

Sameera looked at Nick inquisitively as she bent down and picked up the page Nashrah had been holding. Turning it over, she gasped at the sight of her face looking back at her, deep in concentration at whatever her gaze was pointed towards. She looked at Nick again. "Nicky.. You drew this?"

Just then Kari was with the group. "Yeah, he did. Mrs. Myloy praised him highly for it."

Sameera smiled, a blush present. "Yes, I can tell. You've never drawn like this before."

"Technically, you haven't seen how well I can draw these days, but thanks for the vote of confidence."

Nashrah finally picked herself up from the ground, hissing at the aching in her arms from the fall, or maybe it was her legs, she couldn't fully tell for herself at that moment. "Totally worth it. What do you think, Meera? I'm sure Nick is dying to know what you think of.. it.. Where did he go?" She looked around them, but there was no sign Nick had even been next to them.

Sameera held the picture to her chest as she looked around herself, frowning. "I.. don't know.." You better be at the café, Nicky.. There was no need to be embarrassed. But, then, what was I going to do? She thought, realizing she had been thinking of hugging Nick for it, maybe even giving him a little peck on the cheek. See how that made him behave later.

Or not. Came the voice of her self-proclaimed bitchy side. You know damn well by now that boy would do anything for you. He's said it himself! I really don't know why you don't just fuck him dry already. Not like you haven't thought about that, right?

Sameera felt her face heat up as the girls, plus Leona who had joined them just inside the school, separated for the day, Kari going off to meet Keira, who met the older girls at the gate. "Do you two have any idea why Nick just rushed out of the school, his face red as a stop sign on a sunny day, like a bat out of hell?" She asked them, looking at Kari. "This one just laughed at the question."

Kari stopped laughing but Sameera grinned. "Yeah, we know exactly what happened. He drew this, presumably for me. But Nashrah here stole it from him in class and ran out to find me. Almost killed herself, too, just for this." She held the drawing out, Keira taking it.

"Nick drew this? In art class?" She asked, her eyes wide. When Sameera nodded, Keira's eyes returned to the page. "This is.. Jesus Christ, that boy is talented. Do you even know what moment this is, Sameera? This had to be drawn from memory, right?"

Sameera shrugged. "My guess is that it's one of many times he's seen me in class. We've always sat near one another, but I never really thought he was paying me that much attention. Nice to see you caring." She frowned, taking the page back and slipping it into her notebook before returning the notebook to her own shoulder bag.

"Of course I care, Sameera. I'm still that boy's mother, before anything else."

"Yeah, but it's too late for that opinion, Keira. You left him alone and needing to deal with such a fucked up situation with Elias at home. You made him lose so much of himself that he has only ever held onto it at all for my sake. And he's apparently been an expert in hiding such things." She smiled then, making Keira sigh.

"I deserve that, Sameera, but I am here now, and I intend to make an effort in his life. I know my actions further hurt you when Aram left, and that's why I also know you're still the more sensible one of you kids. We want to have you guys in our lives. The lives of our children. In case something happens to us, Kari and Axel fall to you and Nick both as the next of kin."

Sameera looked at her incredulously. "Are you serious? Oh God, Keira! You make it sound like you're both going to die in six months or some shit. You seem perfectly alright and my dad looked just as ripped as he always did when I had to pick up a fucking drunk Nick at the auto body shop just last night. I'm giving Kari a chance, and Axel will get that chance as well when he's old enough to think on his own, but you and my bastard father? That's still off the table, down the drain and laying in the pile of shit at the bottom. I don't know what you can do to help Nick repair his relationship with you, I'm not his girlfriend or anything. Just his friend that knows when to keep to boundaries when it comes to sensitive topics." She ranted angrily, arms crossed.

"You're not his girlfriend but he draws something worthy of being hung in an art showcase for you? You need to stop ignoring your own feelings and act on what's been there between you all along. You feel the love you have for him, I see that you do, and you cover it up by calling it just mere friendship? Dear girl, what are you so terrified of?"

Sameera screamed to the sky. "I'm terrified of being compared to you and my father! Becoming the two of you in everyone's eyes! Nick and I are the children of broken homes due to you and dad cheating on your fucking spouses with each other and both running away to- eventually- be together. Then you both come back with the children your affairs resulted in. Nick and I are always being compared to you two, and it sucks that I had to turn myself into a bitch in order to stop my own sadness and fear from consuming me. I cannot stop myself from hating that precious gem of a boy and I hate it! I had to bring Nick to my house after I picked him up, and do you know why? No? Because you were at his own house earlier that day and he didn't even want to be around that old presence. He was so scared when I even mentioned it, Keira. Yes, Nick makes me feel free from everything you both did to turn us into the people we are now, but if I shatter that wall completely, then I know I won't stop myself from absolutely- mmph!" Nashrah and Leona went to cover Sameera's mouth, stopping the older girl from continuing her sentence as Keira looked down, tears already falling on the ground.

"That's enough, big sis, please." Kari begged her, making Sameera calm down as she turned away, the other teenagers letting go of her mouth.

"I'm sorry, but my point stands. It might be next to impossible to get Nick or I to be completely alright with you or my father. And as for how I may or may not feel for Nick.. When we're ready, we will tell each other everything. I already know that, but right now is just not the time. I'm not ready to take that step with him, and as ready as he may be, I can see that he isn't. Not fully. Come on, Nashrah, I gotta stop at home before I go into work, and I might be late already, at this point."

"Mom can-"

"No, Kari. I'll be fine, we'll talk about it more tomorrow, alright? I need to clear my head before work."

"But I wanna see where you work." Kari said, her head tilted to the left with an adorable expression on her face.

"So does half the school, Kari. Sameera and Nick are the only ones who know where and what her job even is. Other than me and our mom, but everyone who knows is sworn to secrecy under threat of highly-volatile and detailed murder."

"Alright, that I'm not surprised about, honestly. Fine, but I get to find out one day, too, got it? I'm family, right?"

Sameera's gaze softened as she looked at the younger teenager, nodding. "Of course you are, Kari. One day, I promise."

"Why do you keep it a secret?"

"Because women who have a job like mine aren't always talked about in positive ways, especially in high school social circles. I'm.. also afraid of what some of the adults would say about it."

"Sameera, if you'll listen to anything out of this woman's mouth, then listen to me now." Sameera looked at Keira with her lip curled up in a half-sneer. "You are a smart, beautiful, and beyond anything else a role model around your peers. I know that whatever your job is, no one will look at you differently for it, least of all your friends. Maybe you'll get teased over it, these things happen, but knowing you and my son, that behavior won't keep either of you down. Now go to work. Kari, let's go home. Your father should be home by dinner tonight, unless he has another unexpected guest at work himself." Keira chuckled as Kari gave Sameera a hug one last time.

"Be safe, Sameera. Keep him close." Sameera looked at the younger girl confused. "Big brother, silly. Not that you want him anywhere but close to you." She giggled, rushing off with her mom into the parking lot.

"You don't know what I want, Kari!" Sameera called after her, shaking her head as her, Leona and Nashrah started walking back towards their homes. "You really didn't have to wait up, you know." Sameera said to Nashrah, who had wandered past the entrance gates before the other two caught up.

Nashrah shook her head. "No, I did. I made Nick run off like he was Scooby-Doo. It's the least I could do to make sure you at least get home from school safe. Well, as best we can keep ourselves. Safety is usually in numbers, right?"

"Yeah, I know.. the crime keeps getting worse here. It makes me think about moving."

"Careful, there. Sounds like you're somewhat channeling your father, now." Leona laughed as she hopped out of the way of Sameera's incoming punch. "I'm kidding! I hear what you're saying, bestie. It makes sense. The crime rate in Crystal Springs rises steadily higher, or it has the last few years at least. Soon enough, we might not even have cops to help out if another shooting like the mall happens."

"Yeah.." Sameera thought back to when the shooting at the mall had happened, and how half the police force had been forced to retire- at least temporarily- to deal with the trauma they had all gone through. "Did you really have to make Nick act like that?" Sameera then turned her attention to her little sister.

"Act like what? He's showing you how much he care-"

"No, you did that, by stealing his picture and running out to find me. There was a chance I'd hate the thing, and then what would you have done with yourself?"

Nashrah sighed. "Alright, I may have acted too rashly there. I'll apologize to him tomorrow, not like he'll be holding a grudge. That boy is impossible to piss off when it comes to his friends, oddly enough. At least, when the one making trouble isn't you. You can piss him off, but it's also very temporary."

"Yeah, I know. Can we stop talking about him right now? Nick is currently the last thing I want to talk about." Seeing how talking about Nick makes my heart go all over the place..

"Fine, fine. We'll leave your nonexistent yet present relationship with Nick alone for now." Leona rolled her eyes. "So, what about your dad? I know he pisses you off to no end just with the mention of his name, but him and Keira really do seem to be trying to be part of yours and Nick's lives again. I'm not saying they deserve to be forgiven with no other effort, just that I think maybe there's more to their return than meets the eye."

"Oh, you got that feeling, too? Nick probably has, too, although God knows what that boy's truly thinking."

"It's not that hard to figure out. Sameera, you know by now just as well as I do that you are what he thinks about, and most likely how to continue keeping you happier as he has been making you lately." She laughed at Sameera's blushing face. "Are you really so dead set on keeping your feelings bottled up like this? It'll destroy you if you don't release those feelings, Meera."

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, doctor Phil. I know how bad keeping my feelings to myself is, but I'm just not ready to take that step. Why is it so hard for everyone to just leave me alone with that opinion?"

"I don't know. For me, I just want you to stop being so against what I can tell you actually do in fact feel. I'm just looking out for you, Meera, like you've always done for me."

Sameera smiled at her best friend, lucky to have her still in her life. "And I love you for that, Lee. You're as good as family to me, and probably Nick as well." She rolled her eyes. "Scratch that, Nick is family."

"You know, it's funny. All these years, you fought even the inkling of being friendly with Nick only to be told you're actually step-siblings now. You two could make porn."

"Leona! Why the hell would you even put that damn thought in my head?! Jesus, you need to work on forming a fucking filter for your words."

"Where's the fun in that? Me having no filter keeps you and Nick on your toes, let alone the rest of school. Not like you haven't thought about it, right? I know what you were about to say to Keira before me and Kari stopped you." Sameera looked at her, pale faced and horrified. "You were about to tell her that once you shatter the wall between you and Nick, the one that keeps all of your true personal feelings towards Nick, then you wouldn't stop yourself from fucking that boy into unconsciousness- whether for you, him or the both of you I don't know- and wind up even more like your parents than you already want to be considered? Not that anyone else fucking opinion should mean jack shit to you."

Sameera looked down as Leona continued. "I can understand wanting to keep your school rep intact, alright? Though you really don't need it to be considered a tough bitch. You are tough, because you've had to deal with stress most of us in town can't say we have, and that's impressive. It makes you and Nick impressive teenagers, even with Nick's fighting. The teachers all know he defends you, you know? He got into a fight twice with Tyler earlier, once for bringing up his mother, and once for him bringing up you. The teacher told Tyler to stop, not Nick.

"Then, let's not forget the real issue, your very weird bipolar attitude towards Nick. Like this morning, that sensual lean you did into him? Then the outburst at his mother? Both are totally different than how you otherwise would act with him, and it's getting more frequent, hasn't it? Since the night he told you your parents had come back?"

"Well, yeah. It's only been escalating, and don't think I like keeping myself from him. I don't. I don't like it at all. But I'm not going to let myself just devolve myself into such a cliché, falling for my childhood best friend after falling out and then reconciling." Sameera said, frowning.

"Sameera, bestie, oh man. Girl, so fucking what? Cliché or not, you have deep feelings for Nick, just like he obviously has been trying to make clear to you. If you want him, then go get him. No one in school is trying to stop you, no one would even attempt to cross the other one of you for the other. Even Nick's estranged mother knows you love that boy, so why do the opinions of those that don't matter mean so much to you? Nick knows you these days more than anyone else, even me." Leona's voice lowered as she sighed.

"Lee, it's not like that and you know it. He knows me because one, he stalked me to my job in the first place and two, we know each other better than absolutely anyone, it's always been that way. I wouldn't be surprised if those random gifts or whatever from admirers in middle school were just Nick showing me someone cared, since it was always on especially bad days for me. I do love him, okay? There, I've said it. But, the part of me that upholds the dissociation I have towards men is a part of me, and right now I'm unable to balance the two sides out. When I feel I can, then I will be with Nick, that's a fucking guarantee. But I don't want you, at the very least, bothering me over it anymore. Just give me time."

Leona smiled at her best friend. "Alright, I'll pull back, but I still have your back. You wanna be bold and act out? Go ahead, I got you. It feels good to actually say it, though, doesn't it?"

Sameera blushed. "Yeah, I guess.. it's different saying it to a best friend, though. Thank you for being concerned about my mental and emotional well-being."

"You would do the same for me. Where do you think Nick went?"

Sameera shrugged with a laugh. "Who cares? I'll probably see him later on, anyway. If he doesn't come into my job, he just waits outside smoking pot for me to get out and walk me home. His reason was the bowling alley shooting."

"Ouch, yeah that was a bad one." The friends continued chatting more as they finally arrived back at their homes and separated for the night.

Café Cristál, Soon After..

Sameera dreaded the night. He isn't going to leave me here at all without him nearby. She thought as she reexamined herself in the mirror of the changing room, the bunny suit she wore being the weekly theme of the night. Nick wasn't going to keep his eyes off of her, that was for sure. Why couldn't it be shrine maiden night? With Nick, she much preferred the more dressed costumes, especially now that she was being much flirtier with him nowadays. This isn't going to end well..

But when she came out of the back, Nick was nowhere to be seen. Odd. He's not here, yet? She looked to Giselle, being the day's hostess at the front counter. "You seen Nicky?"

Giselle shook her head. "Nope, your boyfriend hasn't shown up yet. The other three are, though." She giggled, pointing to the group of former would-be bullies.

Sameera rolled her eyes. "Oh, here we go. Those three better not tell anyone about tonight. I will go to jail for murder, and Nick won't be able to cover for me."

"Oh give it a break, Sam." Giselle laughed as Sameera walked off.

When her shift was done, Sameera exited the café and jumped at the sight of Nick, without a blunt this time. "Jesus, Nicky! Where were you tonight?" I missed you, despite hating tonight's theme..

"I couldn't go in there. Not with you in that outfit, not after the crap today. You've been different today."

"Yeah, I know. I'm.. how do I put this? I'm embracing myself more, I guess? It's complicated, Nicky."

"Whatever you say, Meera. I'm not saying it's bad, just different. I'm sorry if I worried you or anything."

"Yeah, yeah. Make sure Hayden and them stick to secrecy. Now let's go. I kinda wanna just go to bed right now."

"Yeah, same here. It's been a long day.." He wasn't fully there with her, Sameera could tell that much.

"Did you think about talking to your mom?" She asked him as they fell in step, her hand slipping into his almost instinctively.

Nick gave a sideways glance to their hands, but otherwise stayed focused on the walk. "A bit. I've been thinking about a lot, waiting for you. But, it's not important, most of it. What was important was that I make it back here to bring you home."

"You weren't waiting here the whole shift? That's unlike you."

"Yeah.. I know. I was kind of distracted by the bunny girl waiting tables to think straight." He chuckled as Sameera hummed. "Seems like you've been a bit of a loose cannon lately, yourself. What's eating you?"

"I.. I can't say, Nicky. No offense, I would but it's too personal right now. I'm not ready to say it, not to you."

"That's fair. This fucking bullshit with our parents, it's.. honestly exhausting."

"Yeah, and I'm even blowing up on your mom, although the last time I saw my father was picking you up the other night, and I wasn't really paying him much mind, you know."

"True.. I was a bit of a mess."

"You told me you had six hands." Sameera giggled. "You were totally wasted." And you said that damn comment that I'm thinking is likely why I've been acting out about this so much.

"I was. I don't know what possessed me to take something so damn strong. I should have stuck to something like vodka or just beer."

"You shouldn't have been drinking in the first place, Nicky. You should have been with me." As unsure as I would be about that scenario..

"No, I know I should have but, you know what I figured out? Or thought then, at least. I figured that it would be like your dad running off to my mom and I know how badly you're still affected by that and.. I was scared how you would react to me going to you."

"Nicky.." Sameera knew he may have been right. It was only after the entire afternoon of not hearing from him that had truly made her feelings stir up strong enough to go to him. If he had come right to her, she'd still be a bit raw from her father having been at her house when they were fixing the floor. "I hate that you're right. You see that, right? I'm not trying to be so spiteful, and to you I've been the least this far. It's hard for me, it's.. I'm imbalanced, or the sides of me that I know of are. On one side, you have the tough, no-no sense student council member with daddy issues and the other is, well.."

"You being your real, old self while you run around in a cute little maid outfit half the evening." Nick finished, Sameera nodding.

"Yeah, as you say, at least. I'm a little too deep in this to tell what side of me real and what's otherwise not."

"Meera, you are you, that's all that matters. Yes, you have a bit of a screw loose, but hey, so do I. It's why we can mesh so well together even after these years of not being close. That and because the trauma we've both been through is shared."

Sameera nodded. "Yeah, I guess that's true."

"Also, you know this is, like, the fourth night you've gone and had us hold hands on our walk home. I'm not complaining, just trying to figure out what's changed to warrant it?"

Sameera's arm flinched slightly, but she took a breath and steadied it. "I.. I don't know. Our parents coming back, maybe? At this point, I just kinda like holding your hand. It's helped me feel safer lately, calmer."

"Oh, alright then. You really liked the picture?"

"Yes." Sameera said without hesitation. "I love it, Nick. Thank you.. Makes me wish I had something to give you, though."

"Nah. Don't worry about it. The assignment was to draw what was important to me, and I've told you before that you are what's important to me, more than anything else I really still have these days."

"I guess that's almost true. We do have a responsibility to Kari and her little brother now, as much as we may not have wanted that."

"Yeah.. It's okay, though. I just wish I knew why mom and Aram actually pulled off the move back here. I hate not knowing the reason why."

"Yeah.." I can't tell whether your mom was serious or not, but there could be a potential reason why they did. "I.. I think you should talk to your mother. I know it's still too soon but.. she said something to me earlier that had me worried for Kari. I don't think she'll tell me, and I have to talk to my father myself about it. I just think your mom needs you, Nick, more than she'll tell you with how we both have been."

"Mm, I know. The way she looks at me, at us, she's definitely keeping something from us, but I don't know if I can, Meera. It hurts too much just looking at her."

"I know it does, hon. I do. I feel the same looking at my dad. But, we still have to do something. I know how you are, needing to know what's going on or you shut yourself out. But this isn't the kind of issue you should do that with, Nicky. Ignorance is bliss, but it's also problematic."

"Yeah, you're right.."

Sameera looked at him, his face scrunched up in such concentration she thought Nick's face would get stuck like that. Then the memory of her dream the night before flashed through her mind again and she looked forward again, hoping the blush on her face wasn't noticeable, although being nighttime already she doubted Nick could tell. "I'm here for you, Nicky. If you really need me there with your mom.."

"I don't know if either of us could actually stop the other if it comes to our parents, Meera. But, I wouldn't deny you being there for me, not after having you in the friend column again."

"True." But are friends all you want us to be? Despite that picture you drew of me, I can't be sure. "Just tell me when, then."

"You'll be the first to know, Meera, I promise."

As they arrived at Nick's house, Sameera found she didn't want to let go of Nick's hand. "We'll wind up like we did last night, Sameera." Nick warned her. Or did he? It sounded like a warning, but she could swear there was a bit of hope in his words as well."

"Yeah, can't have that right now, can we? We're already emotionally spent enough for one day, huh? I'll see you in the morning." She managed to let go and went her own way, waving back to him with a smile as she went to enter her house.

Neither teen knew that the truth would come out sooner than expected, and in a more unexpected manner than either could have predicted.