Haylooo everyone, hope you enjoyed the last chapter, and I will try to post more often from now on. God, I think I'M falling in love with Zander now… I made him too freakin cute. This may be the SECOND LAST CHAPTER so read with cauti0n because epic feels ahead 3 READ IT LOVE IT PEACE #

Stevie's POV

I sit, legs slightly spread apart, as I crumple out at the bottom of the haystack. My mint green, oversized sweater hardly covers my legs, so they are freezing. I feel Zander's soft hands playing with my hair, curling it.

The past week has been tough. Child services came on Monday after the funeral, and they said that, since my mother and father no longer live here, I either have to live with my father, buy a house, or go to their centre. Right now, none of those are an option.

I just can't stand the thought of living with my father at the moment. He's a mess. I didn't realize that this would hit him so hard, but he doesn't need anyone else right now but Grace and his girlfriend. And he doesn't want to live in the house. He says it'll bring up too many memories.

I could have gone to stay with Kacey, who went to live with her parents on Tuesday. But her parents have never taken a liking to me, even though they never met me. They think I'm one of those snooty rich kids who gets whatever she wants.

Kevin went to live with his uncle and cousins, and Nelson went with him. I would have gone with them as a last resort, but the tiny house can barely fit them all in, let alone me as well.

And then, there was Zander. I would have gone with him without a second thought. But he has nowhere to live and no family left. I'm starting to understand the feeling.

"Zander?" I ask him, staring indirectly at the corner of the room. He makes a light sound, to let me know he's listening. " I know I've asked this everyday this week, but…where are you going to go?"

He simply continues playing with my hair and smiles. "Wherever you go." Just like he's said everyday this week when I ask the question.

I turn to him, all fluff aside. "I'm serious. You-"

He shushes me, and squeezes my hand tightly. "So am I."

I smile at him, slightly surprised. "Zander, what are you saying?"

He takes a deep breath and pulls me close, foreheads touching affectionately. "Let's buy a house together. I turned 18 last month, and I can buy a house now. But I'm not going anywhere without you. I love you, Steviekins."

I pull him in for a kiss, short, but so sweet. I pull away and wrap my arms around his neck.

Yes, Zander. Yes.

…

"This is the last one?"

'Yeah Steves. Let's hope that it's good."

Zander and I stand, hand in hand, in front of a small, sandstone house. It's quaint. My mother would hate it. But I like it so far.

We walk up the path, and enter the house.

…

"Well?" Zander asks hopefully. Truth be told, I had been kind of demanding when it came to what type of house I wanted. But not this one.

"It's perfect."

I nuzzle into his neck as he smiles and agrees with the real estate agent on the house. Luckily, it's within our price range. Bad news; it's in a town that's pretty far from dad and his house. If he were to visit it would take him at least 2 hours to drive up here.

I hope he's okay with it, because I really do love this house. Zander and I finish talking and we walk back to his car.

…

"You want to…what?" Father asks, his eyes widened and shaking. I grin back, nervously, at Zander, and squeeze his hand tighter.

"We want to…buy a house. Together."

"You, me, Zander and Grace?"

"No. Just me and Zander." I say, looking at the floor.

There is an awkward, yet peaceful silence. I can practically hear the thoughts whirring through my fathers head at this shocking news.

I can also see the look on his face when he tells me, "No."

"You, you can't do this! I love him and this is what's best for all of us!" I say, louder, choking back tears.

"You are not to see Zander, ever again! Am I understood?!" His voice begins to sound so similar to my mothers. My sobs echo through the room, which I snow a vortex of voices, telling me to 'toughen up', 'listen to your father', 'go your own way' and 'be a lady'. I don't know what to do. Not without Zander.

I hear his voice, panicked. "Stevie…Stevie…STEVIE!"

"STEVIE!" My father says, snapping me out of my fantasy. "Did you hear what I said?"

I look at him, obviously confused at his outburst.

"I said yes. Yes, I approve of you living with Zander."

I must look like the Cheshire Cat on a good day, because my smile stretches across my whole face and I wrap my arms around him, sobbing once more. But this time, they're happy sobs.

I feel Zanders arms and his smile as he joins us.

…

"We did it. We really did it."

I stare at the house, then stare back at Zander. He hasn't turned his head from my direction.

"Yeah, we did."

I walk further towards him, wrapping my arms around his neck. I lean my forehead against his, our lips inches apart. He smiles, leaning in.

"Not so fast!" I pull back slightly, his lips brushing my chin as he misses my lips. "I want a piggy back ride. You owe me one. Then you get a kiss." I cheekily say, winking. And from the look on his face, the wink got him really convinced. He is flushing and pulls his collar out a bit on his shirt, grinning.

"You're such a dork." He says, chuckling, picking me up and putting me on his back, as I wrap my legs around his chest and my arms around his front. I giggle and squeal as he runs me into the house. God, Zander. I love you, you dork.