Loretta POV

"Hi" I said quietly.

"Well, nice of you to join us. How was your little expedition after your rudeness?" My Grandmother scolded me.

"Lovely"

"That's nice, who is this?"

"This is my friend Paul"

"Friend? Where did you two meet?"

"The beach, Grandma"

"It is too cold to go to the beach"

"I needed some air when I got here. Paul and I talked, now we are friends who are going out to dinner so if you'll excuse me I need to go change." I brushed past her. I was vaguely aware of footsteps behind me, but I ignored them.

"Can you please explain why you always feel the need to run away from your problems?"

"Care to explain why you insist on blurting out everything except the most crucial details?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Jake's your boyfriend"

"Yeah" she said, almost with shame.

"That didn't come up anywhere in last night conversation.

"We just decided"

"I see, well good for you. I hope you are happy"

"Why are you acting like this?"

"Why did you call Paul?"

"What?"

"Why did you call him?"

"Because he is your friend and I thought he could be of some help" I whipped my head around at her, finally facing her.

"Help? On what planet do I need help? And how long have you known me? Since when do I explain my issues to other people? I am more than capable of handling it myself"

"No you aren't- you tried to drown yourself, you threw up at the sight of a piano. All because of everything you keep locked up inside you"

"I was swimming, I ate something that didn't agree with me and the piano makes me sad."

"Lies, lies, lies. How the fuck do you keep up with them? Why can't you ever just be yourself?"

"Since when the hell do you care?"

"Since-"

"Since I am the only solid thing left in your life? Yeah- suddenly now I am an asset. You're happy, so we can be okay. Don't forget it's my fault mom and dad are dead before you get too far into your fantasy world" I whispered. I threw on new jeans and a nice shirt. Thea stood there staring at me.

"It's not your-"

"Yeah, it is and you blame me. Fine. But please stop pretending that you care. You were too busy staying here with Jacob to come after me so you call in the reserves. You know if our situations were switched, I would drop everything." I walked down the stairs. "Bye Thea, I'll see you later. Have a nice night" I turned to Paul, "Ready?"

We walked out of the house in silence and got into the car. "Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere" I drove to a little diner and got out of the car. He met me quickly. After ordering, I was met with a stare.

"So let's talk about it"

"What?"

"You said you would talk about it next Saturday, it's next Saturday"

"Oh, that"

"Yeah, come on Loretta, let me in"

"Can I ask you something first?"

"Sure"

"Why do you care?"

"I feel drawn towards you. You matter very much to me" I nodded at him.

"Sunday night was my recital. I asked my parents to go but they had their annual yacht trip. When I say annual, I mean they decided that day they were going to make it annual. They did, however, force Theadora to go to my recital. I got a standing ovation and I raced home to show them the DVD." I felt my breath quicken. "Uh, they weren't there but the police were. The rest of it is kinda a blur. I remember them saying there was an accident. No survivors. They asked if there was anyone they could call. I gave them my Grandparents number. We met with the lawyers. We were told our Grandparents were our guardians. The funeral came and I… you found me on the beach"

"Why did you try to drown yourself?"

"I didn't"

"Yes you did"

"No!" I said loudly then hushed my voice. "Everyone at the funeral kept telling me how proud my parents were. Then we got on a plane- no one talked to me. I am scared of heights. We got here and I felt like I couldn't breathe. Everything was so loud. All I could think was that I just wanted it to be quiet so I could think. So I went into the water to block everything out. Then you grabbed me and my life has been turned upside down" Paul sat there looking at me. "I know, it's dumb. People lose their parents and they don't act like me-"

"I know it's not just their death- I feel like you are keeping everything inside"

"Not you, Paul, I already told you more than anyone else." He nodded understanding. Our food came and we chatted about the movie. After we finished, he paid and took my hand. We walked to the car and he opened the driver's side door.

"Loretta- I am never going to leave you. Ever" How did he know to say that? I felt him leaning in. Then he kissed me, quickly, but passionately enough that my knees were weak.

"I promise".

Teddy's POV

How the hell was I going to explain all this to Jacob? How do you explain two emotional breakdowns all in one day? Stupid Grandma and that stupid piano!

"That's our car!"

After she had driven away I called Paul and we started our search. I should have known that she would have gone to the movies. We pulled up next to it.

"Ok can I call you to come pick us up when the movies over?"

"I'll go."

"I think it might be better-"

"Let him go." Jacob took my hand and gave me an encouraging smile.

"Ok." I was hesitant, "But if you screw this up I will hate you."

"Thank you for having so much faith in me."

"Go!"

I was antsy the whole way home and one than once he had to physically restrain my legs from bouncing. When we pulled in to the drive he shut off the car but made no inclination of getting out.

"I suppose you want an explanation."

"Only if you want to give it, but it would be nice."

"Ok, um, have you ever met a person where after you were finished talking to them you wanted someone to apologize for every thing they said and did?"

"I guess."

"Cause that's the entirety of my family, with the exception of Loretta."

"I think that might be a bit of an exaggeration."

I sighed, oh Jacob, so naïve so trusting. "When I was ten my mother thought it would be ok to give me a mimosa because it had orange juice in it. Until I was fourteen I thought it was ok to have alcohol at ten in the morning as long as it was mixed with something fruity."

"Wow."

"Yeah, and don't get me started on the cello, or that fucking piano! Sorry."

I finally turned to look at him, "the only reason I'm even here is because my parents got caught in a storm and drowned while out in their yacht."

And instead of the traditional 'I'm so sorry' he replied with, "you had a yacht?"

I burst out laughing, "oh Jacob," I slid over and wrapped my arms around his neck, "thank you."

"Any time."

"Alright, lets go have lunch. I, for one am starving."

Lunch went by ok; I had never seen someone eat so much in my life. I told a few more stories from New York and it made me feel better.

"Do you really have a shrink on call?"

I pulled out my cell phone and scrolled down the contacts before handing it over.

"Dr. Harvey Melnick. Huh."

That was when I heard the car pull into the drive. I rushed to the door and they had barely entered the house when I attacked Loretta.

"Thea I can't breathe."

"Sorry." I let go instantly then I playfully nudged her shoulder. "So how was your date?"

We were both surprised when Paul grabbed my wrist, "don't hit her."

I pulled free, "don't tell me what to do."

"Pau-"

He stepped up to me, big mistake. "Don't. Hit. Your. Sister."

I closed the gap and had to crane by neck up just to look into his eyes. "Don't. Tell. Me. What. To. Do. Do you know what she's gone through today? No, so why don't you let some who does know handle the situation."

"What are you getting mad at me for? I didn't screw it up."

I chuckled, "and yet I still hate you."

He growled in what was supposed to be a menacing way, but it only caused me to growl back.

"Stop it!"

We both looked over at Loretta.

"What?" We said at the same time before continuing to glare at one another.

"Why are you acting this way?"

"Because he's being an asshole!"

"Because she's being a bitch!"

"Well cut it out! Now!"

"He started it."

"No I didn't, you did!"

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"I don't care who started it! I'm finishing it. Now Thea say good bye to Jacob and go to your room."

"What?!"

"You heard what I said!"

"I heard it I just can't believe it."

"Go!"

"Fine I'm going." I put my hands up in surrender and gave a smiling Jacob a kiss on the cheek before climbing the stairs for bed. And she wonders why I call her 'mom'. I had just gotten my pajamas on when there was a knock on my window.

"Wha- Jacob?"