The next morning I woke up to the smell of bacon drifting upstairs. I could tell it was early and glanced at my phone. It was only 8:22. Why did I have to wake up now?

I threw my gray cardigan on over my pajamas and walked downstairs. I found Shannon, Bill, and Rian sitting at the kitchen counter.

"Oh, Addison, honey, your up. We were going to let you sleep in, but since your up. Would you like something to eat?" my aunt asked.

I nodded, my stomach was growling. "That would be nice." I took a seat next to Rian at the counter while Shannon made me a plate. He didn't look at me.

"Now that your up, would you like to come to church with us?" she asked as she set the plate in front of me.

I looked up with questioning eyes. "You mean I have a choice?" I asked. My parents just dragged me along; they never asked if it was something I wanted to do.

"Of course you have a choice, but I would like you to go," she said, watching me.

"Okay. I'll go," I said, somewhat surprising myself. It wasn't that I didn't like church. I just resented my parents for not giving me a choice in whether or not to go. I smiled before digging into my eggs and bacon.

After church I went to my room and sat on my bed. I pulled out my guitar and started to play. I didn't really know many songs, but I loved to play around with different chords. I never really played anything specific, nor was I trying to create anything. I played to keep my hands and my mind busy. Other than alcohol, my guitar was my only escape.

The day went buy fast, before I knew it I was getting dressed for bed. Tomorrow was my first day of school in Baltimore. I can't lie. I am nervous. I only know Rian and the guys in his band, so I don't really know what to expect tomorrow.

The next morning my alarm went off at 6:30, but I had been up for an hour already. I was just lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. I decided it was time for me to get showered and figure out what I was going to wear.

After I was dressed in a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, a Bayside band tee, and my red sweater (yes I wore it a lot!), I just stood in front of the mirror deciding what to do with my hair. I ended up pulling it to the side to make a loose braid and then grabbed my sunglasses and backpack as I made my down the hall.

Rian opened his door just as I was walking by. "Hey, ready for school?" he asked sarcastically.

I laughed. "Oh, yes! I've been sitting on pins and needles waiting!" Two could play the sarcastic card.

This was the first time Rian spoke to me since we came home from the party on Saturday night. I couldn't help but think he was mad at me for some reason. Then again, that's always what I thought when someone stopped talking to me, probably because in the past it was always true.

"Um. Alex and I usually carpool, and today is his turn to drive, so he should be over here soon."

I just nodded. Rian wasn't looking me in the eye; it was as if he was trying to hide something from me. I let it go.

"'Kay, well I'm ready whenever." I started to walk downstairs but was stopped by Rian's words.

"Look," he seemed kind of nervous, "I wanted to apologize about the other night. I shouldn't have made you leave. It's just that I know Alex and even if you thought all you were going to do was make out, I'm pretty sure that's not what he thought."

"I'm a big girl. I can handle Alex," I said turning away.

"I'm sure you can. I just. I don't know. That night you told me that the reason you're here all stems back to some party. I don't know what happened at that party, but I guess I was just trying to make sure nothing happened at this party."

"Thanks Rian. I'm grateful that your looking out for me and all, but can we make a deal?" he nodded so I continued. "If I need your help, I'll ask for it. Until you know my story, you wont know what you're trying to protect me from. I will come to you if I need you." I wasn't ready to tell him everything yet, and until I did, I wanted to be free to at least have a little fun.

"Sounds reasonable. One thing though," it was my turn to nod. "Please don't get involved with Alex."

I just looked away, not sure I wanted to agree to that. We walked downstairs to find Alex waiting on the couch.

"Hey, Rian. Addison. Ready to go?" When he said my name he locked eyes with me. I don't know why, but it made me smile.

We got to school at 7:45, which gave me enough time to find the guidance office to get my schedule. I had Calculus first period. When I found the classroom the bell had already rung. I walked to the teacher's desk to hand him the slip I had to have all my teachers sign.

"Addison Stuart? Nice to meet you. There's an open seat over there." He pointed to a seat by the window and I sat down. "Well, class. Since it is the first day, why don't we just get the formalities out of the way so we can relax for the rest of the period?"

I could tell I was going to like this teacher. When the bell rang I walked into the hall where I saw Jack.

"Addison! How's your first day?" he squealed.

"Exciting!" I said trying to sound enthused.

"I know, right? I hate school."

I laughed. This kid made me smile.

"So what do you have next?" he asked.

"Umm." I looked down at my schedule. "English. Room A12. Any idea where that is?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'll show you, it's this way." We walked together, hopefully in the direction of my next class. Many people greeted Jack apparently he was well liked. Not that it surprised me. "A12. Here you go," he motioned to the door on my right."

"Thanks Jack."

He hugged me before walking back down the hall. I smiled to myself as I walked into the classroom. I found a seat near the back and got out my phone. I had two new texts.

The screen read 'From: Tyler.' I opened the message, curious as to what he wanted to say. Miss you. Why haven't you called? I really need to talk to you.

I deleted it and moved to the next.

'From: Toby.' Hey, guess what? Mom said she missed you! Freaky right? I miss you too, be sure to call sometime soon. Love you!

I smiled as I started to type a reply.

"Texting in class, on the first day? Tsk, tsk. You are a problem child aren't you?" Alex had taken the seat next to me.

I was grateful to see a familiar face in one of my classes, especially this familiar face.

"Class hasn't started yet, so don't get too excited," I said smiling at him as I tucked my phone back into my pocket.

"Who were you texting anyway?" he asked, catching me off guard.

"Uh, my little brother. He said my mom actually misses me. I don't know if I can believe him." I grinned.

"Little brother huh? Is that supposed to be code for boyfriend? So I wont get jealous?" he asked with a smirk.

I froze before I caught myself. I mean, how could he know Tyler had texted me also? I laughed it off. "No, I'd tell you if it was my boyfriend," I lied, "I would so like to see you jealous."

He laughed turning as the bell rang, signaling the start of class. About five minutes before class ended Alex passed me a note. I unfolded it discreetly. Want to hang out tonight? I smiled to myself as I wrote back.

Don't think Rian would like that.

He wrote back quickly. And?

He had a point. What did it matter if Rian cared or not? I should be able to have some fun. I knew I could handle Alex, and if I needed Rian's help I knew where to find him. I did feel bad though. Rian expected me not to get involved with Alex. I hadn't exactly agreed, but I still felt like I was betraying him. The bell rang before I could write back.

"So?" Alex asked as we got up and walked into the hall.

"Why not? Just. Don't tell Ri, okay?"

"Whatever you say," he smiled as he threw his arm over my shoulder as we walked down the hall. My next class was in A25, which I assumed was at the other end of the hall. Alex walked me to the door and before he turned to leave he kissed me on the cheek. "So I'll see you after school?"

"Yeah." I didn't know how I was going to leave the house without telling Rian I was hanging out with Alex, or without lying to my aunt.

Luckily when Alex drove us home, Rian went straight into his room, while I went to find my aunt. She was in the small den off of the kitchen.

"Hey, Aunt Shannon?" I asked, still unsure of what my excuse would be.

"Yes, Addison?"

"I was wondering if I could go hangout next door?" I decided to go with the truth and just hope she wouldn't mention it to Rian.

"Yeah, of course you can. Is Rian going over with you?"

"Um. No. He's upstairs. I think he's studying." I didn't know if that last part was true, but I hoped it would help.

"Oh, okay. Well, have fun. Remember it's a school night, so be back by 8:00, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks." Seriously? 8:00? What kind of curfew was that? It was still light out at 8. Whatever, I'm following the rules now. Al least that's what I keep telling myself.

A/N: I know it's a short chapter, but the next one will make up for it. Hopefully I'll have it up tomorrow. Please remember to review.