"Grandma, Grandpa- this is Paul, my boyfriend"

"About time"

"Duh"

"Honey- we already knew that" Those were the responses I received. How did everyone know I was dating but me? Paul took their reaction wonderfully. He thought it was funny. I didn't.

"Loretta, you worry too much"

"Maybe you don't worry enough"

"Nope, you definitely worry too much"

"Can I tell you something- seriously?"

"Of course"

"I have a bad feeling"

"About us?" he looked wounded.

"No!" I said hastily "You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I just feel like something is coming. Like- something bad is going to happen"

"Yeah, your sister is gunna get fed up with your silent treatment and lose her fragile temper with you. Then I am going to get very upset."

"What do you want me to do- apologize?"

"No, I don't want you to do anything, I am just saying." I sighed dramatically and leaned my head against his shoulder. His laughed rumbled through me. That night I went to bed with horrible nightmares.

School went by fairly quickly. Sam and I had become fast friends. I was really glad I met her. Even Kevin would smile when he saw me. I know he preferred my sisters company. The duo was very quirky but I was not about to tell him to forgive her. She needed to take responsibility for her actions. Apparently she did because the car ride home was filled with them chatting. I looked out the window. It was Thea's turn to drive so that meant I got to relax. As much as I could with her at the wheel anyway. It was my job to correct when she was wrong- no one else would. Suddenly she begins this long elaborate speech. She actually started to tear up. However, I wasn't going to give in that easily. She could put it all flowery and give me backhanded compliments all she wanted. My sister's idea of an apology always includes how it was my fault, not just hers and compliments that actually end up hurting my feelings. I don't know how she does it. She came to a stop sign but didn't press the break early enough- jerking my forward in my seat. She pressed on the gas- I turned to look at her when all I could see was a huge van charging towards us. I didn't even have time to scream.

I woke up to the sound of sirens. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Instinctively I screamed for help. I looked at the seat next to me. It was empty. I tried to undo my seat belt but it was stuck. My head was screaming in pain. I couldn't move. I started to panic but relaxed when I realized that I was just squished into the car. Nothing hurt too badly, so I was pretty sure I was going to be fine.

"Thea!" I screamed. An officer came over, trying to calm me down. "Where is my sister?" He didn't answer, just asked me all these stupid questions that I answered with ease. He asked me where I lived- but I couldn't remember. My head was pounding to badly. "Can you just get me out of here?" I begged him.

"The firemen are coming soon, you need to stay calm"

"Then tell me where the hell my sister is"

"She is on her way to hospital"

"Is she okay?" She had to be better than me- I was still trapped in here, right? The van hit her head on. "She is alive isn't she?" I started to panic.

"Honey, you need to stay calm" a nice-faced woman said to me.

"Then answer my question- Damn it!" I struggled to get out of the seat.

"She is in critical condition- that is all we know. Now stay still!" he commanded. I immediately stopped moving. She was going to be fine. She didn't have a choice- and as soon as she was all healed I was gunna beat the crap out of her. Until then I was tired and needed to rest my eyes. That's when I blacked out.

Teddy's POV

"Hey Kevin."

He resolutely ignored me.

"Oh please, look at me. I brought your favorite. Cranberry and chocolate chip muffin, with sugar on top."

I saw his head twitch in my direction before turning farther away from me.

"And a vanilla chi…"

"This doesn't mean I forgive you." He replied taking the muffin and coffee from me.

"I know, it's just a small bribe to get you to talk to me again. I just wanted to apologize, and say that I was an insensitive bitch who was having a crap day and took it out on the last person who deserved it."

He sniffed, "and why am I the last person who deserved it?"

"Because you're smart, and witty, and charming, and gorgeous, and the complete love of my life."

"I thought Jacob was the love of your life."

"Pfft! It pales in comparison to my love for you."

"Well as long as you recognize it. I hope you know that it will take a lot more than a muffin for you to be back in my good graces."

"Oh I know and that is why I have planned a romantic beach date for you and that sexy lifeguard from First Beach."

"Oh! You know me so well."

I laughed, and hugged him. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, Loretta, sweet as she may be, doesn't hold a candle to your conversation skills."

I laughed again and kissed his cheek. "Come on, let's get to bio. The sooner it starts the sooner it's over."

"Amen."

The rest of the day passed without much incident, much to my enjoyment and soon it was time to get home. I was so excited, I actually got to drive! After Kevin got out at his house the once pleasant car ride turned stony and silent.

"I know it wasn't you." I said after an unbearably long silence.

"Wasn't me what?" Loretta asked distractedly

"The cello, I know it wasn't you. I was just so angry…no surprise there huh?"

She didn't say anything, she just kept looking out the window, so I kept talking.

"I'm still angry. I don't understand how you can lecture me about being responsible for one's actions when you yourself can't even face your own actions yourself."

I saw her stiffen, but she still hadn't turned toward me. "And I don't blame you for mom and dad's death you know. It was their own fault. That's another thing I'm angry about. How you bare all the blame for everything that's wrong in the world and carry it off with such grace and dignity. St. fucking Loretta.

But most of all I'm angry about how you wont let me in. you're my sister and you'd rather "swim away" than talk to me. That's why I yelled at you about the cello, I figured that it would feel better for you not to talk to me because you were angry, not because you didn't want me as your sister. I'm your orphaned baby sister! And as selfish as this sounds you can't leave me!"

I sniffed and tried to blink away the tears.

"Make sure you come to a complete stop at this stop sign."

I slammed the breaks making the car jerk to a stop. "Good enough stop?"

"Try getting it a little more behind the white line next time."

WHAT!?!?!?! I stepped on the gas, "is that all you all you have to say to me?"

She turned to look at me, finally, but her eyes went wide with fear. I quickly turned to look in that direction and my face quickly matched her own. A set of headlights was barreling towards the car.

BAM!

And that was the last thing I remembered.