Chapter Four: I'm so sick of when they say, 'It's just a phase. You'll be OK. You're fine.'~The Last Night by Skillet

Nick came out of his room with his pajama bottoms and a T-shirt on. His wet hair starting to re curl after his shower. He pattered down the stairs to the living room where Meredith was being scolded by the rest of the family.
Meredith was curled up on one side of the couch and Joe was sitting on the other side with his hands in his lap. Paul and Denise were both standing in front of their daughter. "I understand you want time with your brothers but you need to talk to me first!" Paul cried. "A whole day of filming for the show, ruined."
Denise stepped in, "And a goth store of all places? Honey we understand you're going through a phase but there's no need to drag Nick into it." Meredith pulled her legs closer and wiped at her eyes roughly with her shirt sleeve. Joe remained silent. Kevin was pacing back and forth as he chatted on his cell phone, apologizing to the producer. Nick looked from one parent to the other and sighed. "Please stop? She didn't drag me, OK? I had the choice to say no and I didn't. I forgot about the filming, but it's no big deal if it's pushed back a day right? Kevin and Joe got all their scenes in?" Paul shook his head. "No Nick. This episode the only scenes Kevin and Joe are in are ones with you in them too."
Nick winced, "OK. Well, I'm sorry."

His parents nodded. "We understand. It's a teenager thing. But next time ask permission. It's not OK to sneak around. There are stalkers out there!" Joe snorted,"Now you guys sound like grandma."
Denise chuckled and ruffled up Joe's hair. He protested loudly but the rest of the family ignored him. "Alright Meredith you're free to go if you want. And you'll have your license back tomorrow." She nodded and got up from the couch. Nick padded back to his room with Joe following him. He didn't realize his older brother was there until he heard the door lock behind him. "Hey Joe." he said. "You wanted something?" Joe nodded and rubbed his hands together nervously. "Nick, I want to talk about your um, your problem." Joe said. Nick crossed his arms. "My problem."

"Why are you cutting yourself? Nick you have people to go to. What's so bad you can't tell your family?" Joe said, his voice getting slightly louder. Nick backed up, feeling a bit defensive. Joe snatched a pair of open scissors off the dresser. "How does this," Joe asked slicing a long cut into his own arm. "make you feel any--" Joe's eyes closed and his head fell back. Nick could only stare as he watched his brother. "Oh my god, Joe!" Nick cried stepping closer, panic and adrenaline making his heart beat faster. Joe raised a finger shushing Nick. He opened his eyes and nodded slowly. "I see why you do this now."

Nick pushed Joe on to his bed and quickly raced to the bathroom grabbing a fist full of band-aids and the tube of Neosporin. He came back and fixed up Joe's looked each other in the eyes. Nick's voice shook, "We're going to be OK. You're fine." Nick said knowing this was a horrible lie. Joe nodded, "Sorry I snapped at you Nick. I didn't know." he got up and walked out of Nick's room. Nick locked the door behind him and slid to the floor letting himself cry, knowing he was alone now.

In the hallway Joe nearly ran into Meredith who was on her way to her room. "Sorry." he said. She said nothing, just silently kept the grip on the towel that was wrapped around her and tried to get past. Joe watched her and shook his head. "Oh it's OK Joe, I should have been watching where I was going." he said in a mock tone of his sister's voice. He flipped open his cell and found his girlfriend had recently sent a text message.

LeotasNotRude-Hey Joey. Where u been all day?
DJDanja-Ben tryen to find Nick and troublesum sis
LeotasNotRude-O did u find them?
DJDanja-Yah u'll nvr guess where
LeotasNotRude-Can u jest tell me?
DJDanja-Hot Topic
LeotasNotRude-Ooh Shoppen
DJDanja- Ur such a gurl
LeotasNotRude-I'm ur gurl! :)
DJDanja-Yes u r. Hang on, getten a diff text.

DJDanja-Hello
ICanWalkEgyptian-What's up?
DJDanja-Oh Hey Janie.
ICanWalkEgyptian-Wanna hang later?
DJDanja-...
ICanWalkEgyptian-Not like a date. Just coz we're exes doesn't mean we can't hang right?

Joe stared at his phone. He quickly exited out of both chat boxes and went to Nick's room. He knocked on the door. "Nick? I need the scissors."

Author Note:Don't hate me for making Joe cut. Reviews? You all seem to love this story so much more than I thought people would. Over 70 reads on this story so far. I'd appreciate a comment. By the way, I know this chap is short. I apologize.