Hey guys. I'm sorry it's been a while since I updated. There is a chapter now, I just need to go through some things for an A/N now.

First of all, like I put in the last chapter the page where I was making all of those edits, Polyvore was taken down. Instead of that, I have now put up an Instagram account where I put up my fanfiction-related stuff such as pictures of celebrity look-alike's, cover pictures, updates about what chapters I'm working on and more. And if you're interested in following it you can find it under the name "Linneagbfanfiction"

Second, I'm sorry I haven't updated for a while. I have been so bad at updating for weeks now and I'm really, really sorry. I currently have thirteen stories too which are a tad too many. Good news are- this story and five others are quite close to their endings. And when I've finished them I'll of course have time to work on the stories that are left. Except for this story, the other stories that are ending are these.

-How far I'll go
-Dancing in the rain
-Unpretty hurts
-The little girl
-Stranger defended.

So those can be expected to be updated frequently during the nearest times. Until they're all finished.

And then when I'm finally finished. Here comes the chapter.

"EMMA MONICA GELLER-GREEN."

I could hear when mum and dad came home later on the Wednesday when Keena had suddenly started wearing dresses. And if the day hadn't been complicated enough…

Mum wouldn't be using my full name if she wasn't angry. And even though I had a feeling it might have something to do with Poppy and what was happening at school. For the moment I could only guess when I got up and down the stairs. Where mum was pacing back and forth over the kitchen floor, and dad stood with his arms crossed over his chest leaning back against the kitchen counter.

"Do you have any idea about what this is about?"

Mum wasn't shouting when I had come downstairs, then tried to seem more secure and not ashamed than what I did when I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the doorway. Of course I knew what it was about- but just in case it wasn't. I didn't say a word.

"Well, what if I say this. I just had a call from Poppy West. Lily's little sister."

Well there goes that wishing.

"She told us there is a new girl in your school. One who's been talking about Ethan in front of you. And then you have told them that you don't know him. Is this anything you'd like to explain to me a bit more?"

I opened my mouth to say something. Then I realized I didn't know what and closed it again. Looking slowly from mum to dad and back to mum it could have been years passing by.

At least that's what it felt like.

"It's a bit more complicated than that." I said at last. "And now Ethan hates me so…" I shrugged- as if I could have gotten away that easily.

Well, to my defense. It felt terrible that Ethan really did hate me. And even worse since I knew it was only my own fault.

"Hate you, you say?" Mum questioned. "Well, I think I'd like his point of view in this too. I doubt he lets himself sink to your level right now. ETHAN? CAN YOU COME DOWN HERE?"

"He's not at home. He's going to be you know… one of these group of homework helpers after school. He went to a meeting with those. I don't think he's going to be home for yet a while."

A part of me wished that he'd come home in this very moment. That mum and dad would want to talk to only him for a while. Then I'd be able to go to my room, pack some things. And run away like a little kid. Or just bury myself under the covers and sink through the floor.

"Well then, are you ready to tell us a bit more about what you've gotten into before he comes home? Because as I've understood you've just told someone that you don't even know him. And that again when you got the chance. To both this new girl and to Keena. Thank heaven at least Lily and Poppy knows since before the truth."

I hesitated after mum was finished. Maybe I should tell her everything. About Michelle and how we'd been asked to show her around, about Keena and how she'd suddenly changed, about Ethan and how he…

Then I suddenly heard something that I'd regret saying for the rest of my life. Because it led to something more that I'd regret more than anything.

"But he's embarrassing. Don't you get that?" I kept on saying things I didn't even want to say. Even though I meant it. "When you come to high school you just can't keep dressing like a five-year-old. And he's so weird all the time never even talking to anyone."

"How is he supposed to talk to anyone when he doesn't have any friends? And you're his sister Em. You're supposed to help him with that."

"WHY WOULD I HAVE TO" I snapped and shouted. "I have my own life you know. And in all honesty. I felt quite good when I and Ethan was in different schools. I told you it wasn't a good idea for him to come here this year but you didn't listen to me. I, Lily and Keena aren't exactly the most popular in school. Well certainly not last year because we were only freshman. This was the year that I thought I was going to get a chance to change that. And there is this new girl… she is… different. And she hangs out with us of all people and with Ethan here. If they knew he was my brother then everything would be ruined in the blink of an eye. That is the way it works in high school. Don't you get that? Because Ethan for sure doesn't seem to get how you are supposed to act in high school. And believe it or not- your baby boy Ethan isn't a baby anymore. If he wants to make a change to his life then he's perfectly capable of making it HIMSELF."

After raising my voice for what felt like an hour and saying all I thought almost all in one word the silence rang in my ears. I had expected mum or dad to answer me. React in some way at least. But none of them said anything and I felt my stomach clenching when I realized they were both looking towards the doorway instead of towards me.

I didn't want to turn around, but of course I would still have to do it sooner or later. I wished for so bad that it wasn't what I thought it was while I slowly turned around. As if I didn't do it quick then it would mean that Ethan hadn't come into the house silently and into the doorway.

"I didn't think you'd be back for a while."

Dad sighed, mum was behind me and I couldn't see her so I looked from Ethan to dad and back to Ethan and hoped somebody else would say something. Anything at all. Hopefully something that could make this all better for me and for Ethan all along.

At last dad questioned one thing only. But that made it all worse…

"Can you imagine how hurt he must feel right now?"

I would have preferred for dad to shout at me instead of that low, wheezing disappointed tone. I would have preferred for Ethan to shout at me instead of only staring at me for a few seconds. Before he slowly turned, pushed his way past me and with heavy steps, walked up the stairs and to his room.

"I can promise you, I and Mon spent most of our childhoods hating each other. She was fat, I was the nerd. She thought I was embarrassing as hell and I thought the same about her. But never, not once, did one of us let others pick on the other without stepping in. You are Ethan's sister Em. Older sister. You have a responsibility."

"Why do I have to have that responsibility? You're the one who wanted to get kids. It should be your responsibility to teach them how real life works as you get older. And don't tell them it's okay to wear clothes with dinosaur-prints. At least I'm mature enough to get what is okay with clothes and what is not. Ethan seems to like that knowledge. And who could teach him about that? Not me, I want to be with my friends."

I really heard how stupid that sounded at that moment it passed my lips. I wanted to be with my friends. Well of course… Mum sighed, ran a hand over her face and then pointed towards the stairs.

"Go to your room. You're grounded for the rest of this month. And however you got into this mess- you're sorting it out yourself. Is everything clear and understandable to you?"

"Yes."

Without any protests, that would have done nothing anyway I passed the kitchen floor and continued up the stairs and into my room. The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent in silence. Even at dinner, when I just took a plate with chicken and rice and turned to go upstairs and eat in my room.

I could probably count the words I said from then and until I walked up to Keena and Michelle in the school hallway on one hand. And then I had decided I was just going to tell them right away. Nothing could get better from lying anymore.

"Hey Emma." Michelle greeted first, Keena turned too, closing her locker and holding the books to her chest. "We are going shopping again after school today. Do you want to come with us?"

"I can't. I'm grounded for lying and hurting my brother. Oh, and my brother is that guy with a dinosaur print on his shirt."

I realized I hadn't said it out loud after the last word had passed through my mind. But when I was on my way to say it I ended up answering Michelle's question instead.

"I don't have any money."

"Oh, that's fine. I'm using my dad's credit card. I can use it as much as I want since he feels so bad after moving here even though I didn't want to. Now, do you want to come or not?"

Michelle had the same snorting tone in her voice as she always did. Keena still held the books pressed towards her chest and hadn't said a word. My best, confident, loud, tomboy friend that always held her head up high in chest was sort of crouched and all quiet.

If I shouldn't have gotten that something was wrong yet then this was the moment I should have.

"Lord knows you could need some new clothes instead of dressing like… that"

"Look. There's something I need to say…"

And if you can't accept that, then that's up to you.

I silent when Lily came walking up to me. She looked quite ashamed, but I couldn't think of anything to say to her. I had quite a feeling she hadn't been protesting anymore at the moment Poppy had called up my parents.

Then I didn't have anything at all to say when I saw a group of football guys pass my brother in the hallway, one of them pushing Ethan up towards his locker and another one kicked the books and paper sheets Ethan had dropped so they flew over the floor.

Michelle must have seen me following Ethan with my vision. Because she turned in the direction I was looking and saw Ethan just as he had kneeled down to pick up the things he had dropped.

He just looked so hurt looking up at me. I would have preferred angry.

"Well, if someone dresses like a five year old they have to just blame themselves for getting in trouble with the bullies. Don't they? Whoever that guy is, he'll have to learn that sooner or later instead of just looking up like that… Now, what did you say? Do you want to come shopping or not?"

After what felt like hours Ethan looked away from me and turned in the opposite direction. Away he walked from me while I felt something clench in my stomach and Michelle waved in front of my face when obviously, I had been staring for a bit too long.

"Hello-o. Anyone home? I and Keena are going shopping today. Lily has to babysit her sister, again!" I looked to Lily who turned away from me hugging the books close to her chest. "God knows all of you three needs clothes- badly." With a snort Michelle looked down on my jeans and shirt. "Or do you have to ask your parents for permission first like a toddler?"

"Of course not." I said a bit too loud and fast. "I can come. Can you help me pick out some new shirts?"

I had perfectly enough of shirts.

Except by the second, and seeing the way Lily looked at me while we turned to go to our classroom made me feel worse than ever. Damn it! I had been so close this time. If only I…

"That boy, with the dinosaur shirt is my brother Ethan. If you ever pick on him again. You'll have me to deal with"

"What was it that you were going to say by the way?" Michelle asked and I shook my head and looked back at her for a couple of seconds before I remembered. "You said there was something you needed to say. What was it?"

Just say it Emma. "The boy with the dinosaur shirt is my brother Ethan. Don't you ever pick on him again"

"Nothing."

Random fact

As you probably have noticed- I'm not very good at writing fights. But I hope I got everything I needed to say said and that you all liked it.

Those who review will get a shoutout.