ZENDELLA: My favorite couple is Reuce but I also like Tynka and Cy

SUNSHANNIE-SIUFAN: Oh I know what Tynka is. They're one of my favorite couples lol

"Marcie, we've been through this already!"

"And we're gonna keep going through it Curtis. You know I can't stand it when you take me to those parties."

"You're my wife, Marcie!"

"And you're my husband. You're supposed to defend me when your snotty little friends pass judgments at me."

"Snotty? You're calling my friendssnotty?"

Ugh. I got up and turned the TV on hoping to block out the fighting. My parents had been fighting like this for weeks. And it's not like I haven't heard disagreements before but the fighting seems to be getting worse and worse. Whenever, they fought in the past I would go to Ty's room and the both of us would play games. He would always do something to make me laugh and take my mind off things but now he wasn't here much. I sighed and decided to text him even though he was out with Tynka.

Hey. They're at it again. Come hang out?—Rocky

Sorry sis. Inside the movie thater. Is it bad?—Ty

No. Don't worry 'bout it—Rocky

I hated lying to my brother but he really didn't leave me any choice. I wanted him to be here like he used to be but I didn't want to ruin his movie date either. I couldn't go over to CeCe's because they were out to dinner with Mrs. Jones' new boyfriend. I decided to call Deuce.

"Yo, what's up?"

"Can I ask a favor? " I asked him nervously. "It's kind of illegal…"

"What?! No, Rocky. I ain't selling you drugs. You got your whole life ahead of you! What about Harvard and all your other smart girl dreams? Think about the kids!" Deuce cried out.

I cackled on the other end, so much so that my stomach started to hurt. See what I mean? Even when he didn't intend to, Deuce was always making me laugh.

"No, you dummy! I don't want drugs. I can't believe you would even think that!" I said in between fits of giggles.

"Oh…well then what do you want?"

"Do you still have a key guy?"

"Yeah."

"I need a key to the Shake It Up studios," I confessed.

"Por Que?" he questioned.

"Ok you remember the pact that we made when we were kids? If we really needed something and couldn't talk about it one of us would be there, no questions asked? This is one of those times," I stated.

"Alright then. I'll make a call and I'll be at your place ASAP," Deuce explained

"No, you don't ha-"

"Rocky, if you think I'm gonna let you go on your first illegal outing with no backup, you're crazy! I can't risk letting you go to jail. Nice girls like you don't belong in the slammer," he said.

"Fine," I gave up. If I was being completely honest, I was happy he offered to have my back. I would never suggest doing this if I was in my right mind.

"Ok. I'll be twenty minutes top. Don't do anything dumb," Deuce sounded worried.

"I won't. Promise," I smiled and hung up.

"So…breaking and entering huh? Aren't you a little young to be having a mid-life crisis?" Deuce joked.

We were halfway to the studios and he was persistent in trying to get me to spill the beans. I was freezing my butt off and starting to regret my decision.

"It's not a mid-life crisis. I just need to get out of my house."

"And 'Deuce, can I come over to your place' wouldn't have sufficed?" he started laughing but stopped when he realized I wasn't smiling. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know it was that bad. Want to talk about it?"

"Not now," I shook my head. I just wanted to dance away my problems. It's all I knew how to do.

"Hey, for real are you ok?" Deuce stopped and faced me. I fidgeted with my scarf and looked down at my sneakers. I couldn't look him in the face when he was being all caring and supportive. I couldn't let him see how much that meant to me.

"Rocks," he lifted my chin and stared at me. My heart beat quickened and I started to stutter.

"U-umm we should…we should k-keep walking," I pushed his hand off and started walking again.

"Well don't leave me behind!" he started after me.

Once we reached the outside of the studio, I looked over at Deuce. He handed me the key and I opened the gates. I turned on the lights and found the dance floor just as shiny as we left earlier that day.

"Could you wait outside?" I asked him.

"For real? You want me to wait outside in the thirty degree snow and freeze my butt off all while trying to make sure we don't get arrested?" he whined.

"Yes," I said slightly annoyed. "Look, I'll tell you what's going on later ok but I just really need to be alone right now."

"Then why'd you call me?!" he said angry.

"You offered to come. I just wanted the key!" I huffed back.

"Well excuse me for trying to make sure you don't end up killed!"

"Deuce, please just wait outside? I won't be long, I promise," I said calmer this time around.

"Aye, the things I do for you girls," he shook his head and walked outside.

I walked over to the electronic equipment and turned on the stereo. I put the volume on full and starting jumping in the air. I'm just doing anything to make my mind calm down. I do spins and turns and leaps, up movements, down movements, I'm all over the place. After twenty minutes, I figure Deuce has suffered enough so I turn the stereo off and all the equipment. I make my way downsatairs and turn off the lights. Deuce practically jumps me as I open the front door.

"Thank you!" he wraps me in his arms. "I'm pretty sure my fingers are growing frost bite," he laughs. I don't understand how he could be in any sort of happy mood after what I did to him but I'm grateful. I pull him closer and squeeze him a little tighter.

"Thanks, Deuce."

"You're welcome," I feel him smile against my cheek before he pulls away.

"You're a great friend," I smile at him.

"You got that right," he smirked and locked up the gate behind me. "Aren't you supposed to be studying for a history final anyway?"

"I was…before my parents started yelling at each other," I said.

"Aw man, I'm sorry chica," he frowned

"Yeah, me too," I said and we walked the entire way back in silence.

When we got to my front porch, I thanked him and hugged him one last time.

"Don't mention it," he smiled and waved goodbye.

I unlocked the door and carefully tiptoed in when I heard a voice.

"Rocky, whaere have you been?" I jumped at the voice.

"Ty, you sacred the crap outta me!"

"Yeah, likewise. It's 10:30. Do you know what kind of thoughts run through a big brother's mind when his little sister isn't home and it's pitch black outside?" Ty said in his "big brother" voice.

"Oh, so now you care?" I spat at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he replied.

"It means all you care about lately is Tynka and her happiness. You've been gone so much lately, I was starting to think you forgot you even had a sister!" I yelled at him. He looked back at me hurt.

"Is that what you really think?" I nodded and wiped the tears that were starting to fall.

"Come here," he pulled me into a hug. "Rocky, I love you alright? You're my baby sis. I'll always acre about you. I'm sorry that you feel I've been leaving you out of my life."

"Really?" I asked, now not even caring that I was crying.

"How bout I plan a day just for us? Likw a brother-sister play date?"

"You promise?" I stuck my pinky out.

"Promise," he smiled and shook it with his own pinky. "Now get in bed before mom and dad kill us both," he smiled.

"I love you, Ty!" I said hugging him.

"I love you too, Rocky," he returned the hug and then locked the front door.