Chapter Two: The First Week

School was school. After Ethan, Ed, and I walked up the sidewalk, three dorks, and I mean complete dorks, asked if I needed tutoring. I told them no, and Ethan pushed them away. I thanked him, and we continued to the friends that I hadn't met. "Dudes this is my sis. Kat."

"Sup." lame, I know, but I was staring at Max and the other jocks. They were all gorgeous. I mean I'm not the girl to go gaga for a guy, or a group of them, but I was staring and I was pretty sure that my mouth was hanging open at their hottness.

"Kat, this is Jeremy, Dylan, Ron, Daniel, and Andrew." Ethan said, pointing to each of his friends. Obviously he hadn't seen that I was staring at the jocks. And Max.

"What are you sta-" started the youngest looking. I think his name was Ron, but I wasn't sure. He became speachless as Max came over to our group.

"Not you again." Ethan had pushed me behind him and Ed. This was unamusing. I totally didn't need to be protected from a jock that I could beat up, if I tried.

"I see that you weren't arrested. Anyway, yo Kat you wanna hang?" he pointed at the jocks and cheerleaders.

"No she's not going to 'hang' with you or your gang. So back off." this was going to be a long war between my brother and a hot quarterback.

"I believe taht this is a free country. Kat can decide for herself. She can decide what she wants. She's not a kid." he was a keeper. With the way he defended me, I was surprised. Most guys would just back off if they encountered Ethan.

"Max, my dad told me that I wasn't allowed to hang with you, and I can't go against him. I'm sorry. That's how he, and Ethan here, are. I'd love to, but I can't. I'm really sorry." I was almost in tears because it was so unfair.

"See ya later then." I could hear the hurt in his voice. I felt so bad. I wanted to go to him and hug him but I couldn't. Ethan and Ed were still in my way. When they turned around I made sure that I looked pissed.

"Whoa, calm yourself Kat." Ethan was making this all a joke. How dare he do this to me on my first day of school. So uncool.

"What the hell! Why'd you do that to me Ethan? Seriously, I'm trying to start over here and you just decide to step in. He only wanted to hang out. Not hook up or make out. Though I'd do both with him. Just chill, please." I sat down.

"He's not good for you. He's the only guy in school who's scored every chick that he takes out. Some of them refused to go all the way for him, so he forced them. I don't want you hanging out with him. I know you wouldn't do that and you could fight him off, but he's stronger than you. I barely beat him last year."

"Whatever. I don't need you or your friends protecting me, or trying to, from every God damned guy." the bell had rung and I followed Ethan to our first class, Current Language and Literature. Great.

The teacher was boring and thought that Ethan and I were twins, though we told her that we weren't. Max was in the same class and Ms. Kenna put us next to each other. Talk about fate. She put Ethan on the other side of the room, in the very front.

While she was talking, and writing on the board, Max passed me a note.

Why'd you let your bro order you around before school today?

Damn. This was going to be hard explaining. I replied.

I didn't. My dad really did say that and I don't-no can't-disobey him because he'd send me back to my mom's, and I don't want to go back.

Oh. Why don't you like your mom's?

Because of her new husband. He's not that nice to me...only his daughter.

You going to the dance Friday? We could meet up and your dad'll never know.

I don't know if I'm up for a dance. I might if Ethan's not going to it.

"Mr. Theryn, is that something that you'd like to share with us?" Ms. Kenna had come back here. This wasn't good...not good at all.

"No ma'am, just some strategies for the game." he replied.

"Alright then. Do a good job on Friday. Make the school proud." she walked away from our table and continued the lesson. That was amazing. He didn't even get in trouble.

He's told you the rumors about me hasn't he?

Yeah, kinda. I just don't believe that someone as sweet as you would rape a girl because she wouldn't do it willingly. It's just...monsterous.

I'm glad you don't believe them. You're right I wouldn't do that, ever. Come to the dance and game Friday. You'll like it.

Maybe. I'm not all the way unpacked yet. I'll have to ask my dad and he'll send Ethan, and ugh, I don't know. Maybe.

The bell rang and left my final reply on the paper with Max putting it in his pocket. Ethan came up and pulled me away. I waved good-bye and followed my brother to U.S. History.

Mr. Edelyn was a very..interesting teacher. He was one of those 'friends with everyone' teachers. Annoying but cool/weird. He talked only about the Gulf war for the whole hour. This was going to be fun.

As soon as the bell rang, I followed Ethan out of the room. We had Car Care next and I didn't want to be late for another fun class. We got there with seconds to spare, and saw and old, rusted Jetta. It needed a ton of repair. "Can anyone tell me what this is?" asked the dude in the room. He pointed at the Jetta.

I raised my hand and said, "an old Jetta. Probably 1986. The engine looks like a V8, but this car's too rusty to handle it..." I swear his mouth fell to his knees when he realised that I was right. I usually was when it came to cars. My dad had worked on a lot of them with me and Ethan before the divorce.

"How-how'd you know all of that?" he asked. He was still dumbstruck. Probably because I was a girl and knew so much.

"My, um brother and dad taught me." I think his and Ethan's egos boosted because Mr. Megall, that's his name, gave the rest of the class homework. Me and Megall were going to be good friends.

The hour ended and Ethan drove to McDonalds when me and Ed got in the car, for lunch. California wasn't that bad. He left me and Ed in the Monte to go get the food. It was silent for a while until Ed broke it by saying, "so why's he uptight about you dating?"

Good question. "Um, probably 'cause I'm his only sister, 'sides Jen, but she doesn't count 'cause she's John's daughter."

"Who's John?" he was prying. Probably to get info on Ethan that wasn't talked about.

"Annoying, perverted, step-dad. My mom married him five years ago. He's the reason that my parents got the divorce."

"Oh, sorry. You know I'm here if you need to talk. Any time of day." he wrote something on a scrap of paper, "my number," and handed it to me.

"Thanks. I'm gonna hold that to you. Ethan's lucky to have you as a friend."

"So, speaking of Ethan, what were you and Max writing about?"

I knew it. I was going to play this up. "We were talking about my ex's baby. I'm due in about...five months." his eyes bugged out. I looked solemn in the rearview mirror and continued. "That's the real reason why I moved here. He-he threatened to k-kill me if I didn't t-terminate it, but I j-just c-couldn't." I know, a bit over the top, but hey this was so fun.

"I understand completely. Any guy who would want his baby killed is a monster."

"Please don't tell E-Ethan. I don't want him to know. I'll do anything if you don't t-tell him."

"I'm gonna hold you to that. Tell him, but if you don't I will." He had turned aroud and looked sincere. Crap. Ethan was walking out the door and I nodded. This was going to be tough.

Ethan got in, passed out our food, and started the car. "What's happening?" he asked.

"Nothing. Just, uh, taking about boys and such." Ed replied.

"Ed, don't tell me that you're gay!" laughed Ethan.

"Oh hell no. That ain't me. She was just telling me about... Nevermind. We gotta get back, class starts in fifteen."

Ethan drove really fast adn we were at school in five minutes. We threw away our trash and walked in the building. I told them that I had to use the bathroom and not to wait for me. When I was done, I walked out and saw Max waiting by the door.

"Hey babe, how's the bro going?" he asked, smiling.

"Got rid of him, finally." I replied, blushing. This guy was fiiiine.

"That bad?" I nodded and he continued, "why don't you come with me. We'll blow this joing."

"But Ethan'll know if I'm gone. Then he'll tell my dad and...I'll get sent back."

"I'll take care of it. Follow me and act deathly ill." I wondered what he was talking about but I followed instead of questioning him.

We ended up at the attendance office and I made myself feel sick. "Hello Max. How's your day going?" asked the lady. Max got a lot of attention here.

"I'm good. Um, Kat's sick ans she needs a ride home, and to be excused. I can take her home but I can't excuse her."

"Of course Max. As long as she doesn't make a habbit out of getting sick. I hope you fell better, sweetie."

I nodded and Max led me outside. He was awesome. We were outside and he led me to a 2008 Mustang. It was midnight black, a good color. The inside had spider seats, black apolstery, tinted windows, and the Pioneer stereo was kickass. "Wow." I said.

"You like?" he asked turning to face me. He turned the car on, after I nodded, and some Nickelback osng came on. It was really good and I got into it. After the first verse and chorus he said, "this is like your brother."

"I know." we were driving past tons of houses.

After the second set of verses I said, "and that would be my dad."

Max turned off the car. We were at the beach. Great. I had no swim suit. "C'mon." he got out and waited for me. I followed, nervous because I didn't want to be totally lame. I also didn't like swimming...in big oceans..with sharks.

We walked down the sand and sat at the edge of the water, so our feet only got wet. Luckily we took our shoes off. "Race you into the water." Max yelled as he took off his shirt, revealing a toned chest. I stared and stayed in the sand. I didn't want to swim. I hated big things of water. He turned when he didn't see me behind him. I smiled as he came back up the beach, toward me. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I've never liked large bodies of water, and I don't have my suit on." I blushed because this was so embarrassing. I mean, the other girls must love water around here.

"Ok." was all he said as he picked me up. No joke. And carried me to the ocean, while I was clawing at him and telling him to put me down. He didn't listen and took me, waste deep, into the water.

"GOD DAMNIT I HATE FUCKING WATER!" I spluttered as he let me go. I started to swim for shore when he grabbed my waist and kissed me. Full on the lips. Kissing made me forget the water, and everything else. I put my arms around his neck and held on, so I wouldn't sink.

When he pulled away, I smiled and he crushed me to him. I just happened to glance at the beach and see Ethan there. With my dad. They looked pissed.