It was three days later and still Edwin had not received an answer to his message. He was starting to think that he was never going to get one. The math problems and social studies had been turned in and were sure to be given A's thanks to Edwin's hours of research, numerous rough drafts, and solving the same problem five times to be sure he had the right answer. Right now he was typing a response to the first chapter of a book that Derek was being required to read for language arts. It was a very good book in Edwin's opinion, but alas, the work was still pushed on to Edwin. The only things Derek read were the T.V guide and the sports section of the newspaper… Maybe.

"You got mail!" the computer said softly in a male falsetto. It was the only free voice on Edwin's e-mail site. Edwin pulled up his inbox and opened up the message. It was from that girl he had e-mailed. SoccerGirlAbused. He was finally going to get an answer. He opened up the message and quickly read the words across the screen.

Hi. Sorry it took so long to answer. Soccer match. Hopefully nothing too bad has happened in my absence and I'm real glad that you want some help. Just give me the basis of the situation and I'll send back some advice.

Hey, you wanna be friends? I'd like to do so. Umm… do you like math? I could use some help…

A slow smile spread across Edwin's face and he replied immediately. Of course he wanted to be friends, he said. He also explained about his brother Derek and what he would do as "punishment." He also said that he would be more than happy to help her with her math and to just send over the problems. He'd help her.

The message was sent and Edwin continued to be happy, right through dinner.

"You seem awfully happy," commented George nonchalantly. "Something happen today at school?" He put a piece of bread in his mouth.

"No," said Edwin, his smile quickly disappearing, fearing Derek might do something later on or even tomorrow. "I just…. Got a really good group for a science lab at school," Edwin quickly fibbed.

"I see," said George. "How was your day, Derek?"

"Really good," said Derek, ripping up his steak with his fork and knife, almost clumsily. "I handed in today with confidence an essay and math homework. I believe I'll get another A on them."

George nodded and said, "I just don't really understand how you do so well on the normal work but not on the tests…." Said George with a sigh. "I suppose it's just nerves."

"Yeah, nerves," said Derek casting a sharp glace at Edwin while George got up and took his plate over to the sink.

Four year old Marti laughed at this and ended up corn up her nose.

"Marti," said George, coming over with a tissue, "Please try and me more careful."

"Otay," said Marti as she blew through her nose to get the corn out.

Edwin couldn't help but smile at his younger sister who hardly knew that Edwin was her older brother. Derek had made sure of this, making it seem like he was Marti's only older brother and cuddled and played games with her and treated her like a little princess. Edwin could never understand why Derek didn't like him but did like Marti. That was some useful information he had forgotten to tell SoccerGirlAbused. He'd have to remember next time.

"What are you smiling at?" said Derek almost hostilely.

"N-nothing," stammered Edwin quickly averting his eyes to look at something else. His eyes found a picture of an apple on the wall that George had bought at a street fair some years ago and had hung on that particular wall ever since.

Dinner was soon ended with George taking Marti upstairs for a bath and Derek pushing dishes duty off onto to Edwin once again. Luckily, Edwin liked this time to be able to think about everything. But today he would not be so lucky since Derek decided to torture him with banter.

"You told him didn't you?" said Derek slowly pulling on Edwin's hair.

Without crying out, Edwin managed to choke out, "No, I haven't."

"Then why exactly are you so happy?" said Derek letting go of Edwin's hair and proceeding to pinch him on a bruise.

"I met someone," said Edwin through gritted teeth.

"Who?" said Derek, pinching harder.

"No one," said Edwin.

Derek let go. "Forget about them. No one likes you. No one. Not me, not Marti, not the teachers, not anyone. Even dad just pretends." With one last whack to Edwin's head, Derek claimed the couch.

Edwin sighed. How on earth was he going to keep the Abused Angels site a secret?

A/N: Sorry for it being shorter! I just can't think of anything else as the moment and it was a nice cliffhanger and thank you so much for all the reviews and being paitent for me to update this story! A special that of Tilvir for yelling at me to update at school!