So... I meant to write more on my other stories, but I ended up working on this one instead... I just couldn't help it... Oh well. Too late now. (:

Yeah, I still don't own it.

Saturday, December 14, Tyler's Hummer

So I was sitting on the bathroom floor for so long that my butt was starting to seriously hurt. I was actually considering coming out of there.

That's when Tyler opened the door and came in. After shutting the door, he sat down on the floor next to me.

"Hey."

I buried my face in my hands and mumbled, "I feel like such an idiot."

"Don't worry. I think Reid's out there hyperventilating. He's never been rejected so forcefully." I looked up and saw a smile playing across his lips. Then, he got serious and asked, "Is it true?"

I rummaged around in my bag for a moment before I handed him a piece of paper. His eyes scanned the page and stopped when they neared the bottom.

"That's definitely his mother's signature. I've forged it enough times for Reid that I should know," Tyler said in awe, like he hadn't quite believed me until that moment. "But I don't see how it's possible…"

Well, obviously it wasn't impossible. What was so hard to believe about it? I mean, yeah, there's the initial shock and all, but he had proof in his hands.

"Why isn't it possible?" I questioned. Then I pointed out, "People give kids up for adoption every day."

Tyler looked at me. "It's kind of hard to explain." Then, he stood up and offered me a hand. "Come on. I've got to show this to the guys."

"What for? What's the big deal? I told you that I'm going back to Boston and catching a flight out." Suddenly, all I wanted to do was leave, escape. The Garwins didn't matter to me. I didn't want to meet them. I wanted to go home. I had made a big mistake in coming to Ipswich.

"Okay," Tyler said, after realizing that I wasn't going to budge, "you stay here and I'll show them."

"What about Boston?" I said, but he was already out the door. I let my head hit the wall. What had I just done?

Seeing that I couldn't just sit there, I get up. I was going to have to make them listen to me. They couldn't stop me from leaving.

As I walked back down the hall that I had come from, I could hear them talking. About me. I stood in the hallway, just out of their sight, and listened.

"—but it can't be true," Pogue said.

"But it is," Tyler argued. "You saw the birth certificate."

"Maybe it's fake," Pogue replied.

"It's not a fake," Reid said softly. "That's definitely my mother's signature. Looks like she filled my dad's name out, too."

"In the history of all four of our families, only one male child is born in each generation. No siblings, male or female, and no twins," Caleb stated thoughtfully. "So how could something like this have happened?"

"It couldn't," Pogue said forcefully. "It's got to be a fake. Why would she have just found out now? Why didn't she say something earlier?"

Um, maybe because my parents didn't tell me? And maybe it would have been just a little AWKWARD to say something at Nicky's like, "Hi, Reid, you don't know me, but, as it turns out, I'm your sister."

But I don't say any of that. I have a different plan.

"Fine. I lied. I'm not really his sister. Now, can I please just go?" I said and stepped out to where they could see me. "I just want to get to Boston and catch the next flight out," I repeated for the millionth time.

"It's not a lie," Tyler said and shook his head. "I don't think anyone could make something like this up."

"Besides," Reid adds, "if you aren't my sister, there is no way that you'd be repulsed by the idea of going out with me."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop trying to save your reputation. Now, whether you guys think this is all a lie or not, I'm leaving. I am going to Boston, catching a flight, and never coming back." Just for emphasis, I add, "Ever."

Caleb thought for a second. "Your birthday is in four days, right?"

I nodded. "So?"

All four guys looked at each other. It's infuriating when they do that. What do they know that I don't?

"What if she is telling the truth? Who knows what will happen," Caleb said finally.

"What are you talking about?" I hate being left out of the loop. And being talked about like I wasn't RIGHT there or something.

"If you stick around, we can explain," Caleb replied. "But if you want to leave, we won't stop you."

There it was. My chance to escape. So why did I hesitate? It's my damned curiosity. I need to know what the hell they're talking about.

I sighed. "Fine. I'll stay. But I want an explanation."

"You'll get it," Caleb assured me.

"But not tonight," Reid interjected. "Tonight we party."

"Is there any time that there's not a party?" I asked.

Reid pretended to think for a moment. "Nope. Welcome to Ipswich."

Anyway, now I'm in Tyler's Hummer because apparently they decided that I should stay at his place. Reid's staying there, too. (For some reason, his parents won't let him stay in the house while they're out of town, which is quite often. So he pretty much lives at Tyler's when school is out.)

They both keep harassing me to go to the party tonight. I told them that I'm not much of a party person, but they won't back down. Reid even threatened to steal this notebook. Jackass.

I've said no so many times that I'm starting to sound like a freaking broken record. I don't know how much longer I can hold out. I might just have to say yes just to get them to shut up.

Even if I did go, I don't know if I have anything to wear. I didn't exactly come to Ipswich planning to party or anything…

Oh, fuck it. I just told them yes. But only because Reid was about to pry this out of my hands. And then he would have read this. And that would be a MESS, to say the least.

I wish I were an only child again…

PLease review. Seriously, you have no idea how happy it makes me to get these reviews!!! I love the feedback. So yep. That's the end of that...