I think things were going pretty well.

Sure, Zoe crashed one of the driver's ed cars, but that's what insurance is for.

Besides that, things were definitely going more smoothly.

Guess I missed something, because Seth was blonde and storming off to his room the next time I saw him.

I'm pretty sure I should have noticed that…

Looking back down at the comic I was outlining, I wondered if I should put it off to check on my twin.

Shane coming down the stairs at a fast pace kinda tipped me off that Seth wasn't where I'd thought he was.

"Change any diapers while I'm gone, and start on dinner after Zoe preheats the oven." He ordered in a rush, still heading for the door.

"Yeah, yeah. Go already." I replied, shooing him away.

"Just don't be too hard on the boy."

He smiled at my joke before running out the front door, and I sighed before turning back to my comic.

"…I get the feeling I won't have a lot of time for you…"

"Lulu. Seth. Cece."

Taking my bagged lunch, I climbed into the far back seat with Seth, dropping my bag next to my feet.

I thought I was seeing things when Zoe sat in the driver's seat.

"You DO realize she's failing driver's ed, right?"

"Exactly."

Me and Seth shared a look.

"We're going to die."

Tightening my seatbelt and holding onto the seat with white knuckles, I prepared myself for a rough ride.

"Have you ever given a driving lesson before?" Zoe wondered, starting up the car.

"In a minivan? No. But think of it as a Bradley assault vehicle."

"Yeah, especially when Zoe's driving." Seth butted in.

Zoe gave him a look through the rearview mirror before settling herself comfortably…

And the minivan rushed backward faster than even she expected.

We stopped sharply, and I let out a startled breath.

"Okay, I say we let Shane drive now. I'm not ready to die."

"I'm with Cece on this one." Seth quickly agreed.

Then again, no one ever listens to the sane girl…

I am NEVER getting in a car with Zoe EVER AGAIN.

No matter what ANYONE says, I am NOT suicidal.

Jumping as she drove a wheel onto the sidewalk, I scrambled to get out before she accidentally hit the gas pedal again.

"LAND!" Lulu shouted, falling to the ground.

"SOLID LAND!"

"…I think it went well." Shane commented.

"What car were YOU in?" I demanded, legs shaking.

"We nearly got over by a TRUCK. TWICE!"

"Oh, that's SO dramatic!"

Watching Zoe walk up to the school as my knees stopped clinking 'Livin' La Vida Loca', I nearly laughed.

"Yeah, because WE were the only ones screaming bloody murder!"

"Stuff it, ghost!"

"Will do!" I shouted back playfully.

DAMN, it's fun to talk again…

I sketched out the superhero I had thought up for my own comic while sitting under a tree during my free period, liking the way she came out.

Sure, she had demon horns and could conjure the fires of Hell, but she was nice.

"Hey, babe."

I jerked when my sketchbook was knocked out of my hands, resisting the reflex to kick the offender between the legs as I glared up at Bryan.

"You don't have your bodyguard here to save you this time. Are we gonna do this or not?"

"NO."

The surprise on his face from actually hearing me speak was priceless, and I stood up, letting my rage out through words instead of actions.

"Did I stutter? I said NO."

His entire face darkened in anger, and Bryan grabbed my arm roughly.

"NO ONE says no to me!"

"There's a first time for everything." I reply, a low growl in my voice as I break free of his grip.

He seemed to realize that whatever grip he might have had was gone, and pulled back his hand as if to backhand me.

I tensed, but another hand wrapped around his wrist, and Shane pulled back the boy's arm.

I couldn't help the smirk that crossed my face, and crossed my arms in satisfaction.

"What was that about my 'bodyguard' not being around to watch my back?"

Knowing that he had lost, Bryan immediately turned tail and retreated back to his friends.

"How did that feel?"

"…Awesome." I admitted, grinning now.

"Can I do it again?"

Shane chuckled, ruffling my hair despite my protests.

"We'll see, ghost-girl."

When I got the paper saying that Murney was getting his butt kicked at three o'clock, I could only assume a Plummer was somehow involved.

It didn't really matter though, since I wasn't about to miss Murney getting knocked down a few pegs.

The gym was full by the time I got there, but I found a seat next to Zoe anyway.

Then I saw Murney in a wrestling outfit.

I am now mentally scarred for life.

Thanks, 'Murninator'.

"Oh, that is SO gross." Zoe muttered, covering Tyler's eyes from his seat in her lap.

I picked up Peter as Shane walked to the edge of the mat, pulling off his jacket.

"Oh, this is gonna be good…"

Settling down more comfortably in my seat, I tickled Peter under the chin to make him giggle.

Now if only I had some popcorn…

Then again, I would have choked in laughter when Murney ran into Shane's arm if I did.

"Rule number one, never be too eager to rush your opponent."

Murney's trash-talk continued once he got back up, but it didn't get any better.

Shane easily avoided a couple of the vice's attempted grabs, and caught his hand, twisting it back enough to make Murney fall to his knees in pain.

"From this position, it is relatively easy to manipulate your opponent."

He did so in a moment, bending Murney's arm backwards.

"First, we have the chicken wing."

Ah, so THAT'S what it's called.

I'd always wondered…

"The arm-bar. The crowbar."

Shane got a smirk on his face that promised great amusement, and I grinned in anticipation.

"And my personal favorite, the pacifier!"

The SEAL then proceeded to flip Murney in the air and onto the floor, and I barely restrained myself from erupting into laughter.

"Any questions? Anything you didn't understand?"

When Murney suddenly grabbed one of Shane's pecks, the SEAL laughed instead of crumbling in pain.

I couldn't help wincing and subconsciously shielding my own chest.

JEEZ, that would hurt…

"Ah, the nipple crippler. This is a useless, not to mention SHAMELESS, move that ultimately is a sure sign of desperation."

Murney was slammed onto his face, and the entire gym erupted into cheers.

Seth went down to count it, and I was happy to see him standing up against that stupid Murninator for once.

Yeah, things were definitely looking up…