"Why would you wanna break a perfectly good heart. Why would you wanna take our love and tear it all apart now."

Spencer.

"I'll see you on Monday. Text me if those bruises don't heal up, they seem to just be staying fresh." I smile gently, squeezing Noah's hand and letting him kiss my cheek.

"Have a good weekend baby. Let me know if you wanna hang out." Noah smiles, cracking my car door open and stepping out, heading towards the large doors of his house.

I smile as he talks to the security guard, sweetly asking her questions about her day. I know what it's like growing up with so much security, you get used to seeing them all the time that they become sort of like family.

He gets inside and I start the car to head home. My eyes meet his back pack on the floor of my passenger seat. I groan and stop the car again.

I get out with his heavy backpack. Jesus why is it so heavy?

Standing before his door I knock, hoping he's not already too far into the large house.

It's opened only a minute later.

I almost think it was Noah who opened the door, only he looks like he's aged at least 10 years. Still handsome as always just not holding the same sort of kindness and quietness.

"I didn't know Noah had a brother." I smile. "Straight in there with the flattery. I like her." He laughs. Despite his compliment, his firm and unwelcoming stance stands.

 No seriously, I thought you were his brother. 

"His Father?" I smile as sweetly as I can, not letting my confidence shatter at his attitude.

"And you are??" He trails off with confusion. "I'm Noah's girlfriend." I grin, stretching out a hand for him to shake.

"Ohhh.. Naomi? Lovely to meet you. Noah's told us so much about you." His Father says with recollection.

Who the fuck is Naomi? Why has my boyfriend been talking so much about her to his parents. I didn't know he had an ex.

My smile falters. "Naomi?.. No, I'm Spencer." I hesitate.

He takes my hand, his firm one shaking mine. "I'm sorry, Spencer. My son hasn't mentioned you.. though he doesn't tell us much so I can't imagine it's personal." He laughs.

Oh so his parents know 'Naomi' but not his girlfriend?

"Well I just wanted to hand this in, Noah left it in my car." I pass him the backpack.

"Wonderful, thank you. I'm Reginald Harrison Thatcher. You can call me Reggie if you want. Come inside, we can have some coffee if you'd like?" Mr Thatcher offers.

"Oh that's really sweet but I'm actually in a rush to get home." I decline. I have nothing at home, but coffee with my boyfriend's Dad may actually be worse that death itself.

"Has my son invited you for dinner some time soon?" He asks.

Thinking about it, no he hasn't. I've never been to his place before but he spends a lot of time at mine.

"Uhh.. No." I say slightly awkwardly. "Well you must join us tonight." Mr Thatcher decides. Not offers, he decides.

"That's okay, I wouldn't want to interrupt." I decline politely.

"Nonsense. Be here by 6pm and we'll have our chefs make us something nice. Dress code is formal, we'll invite the rest of the family around and we'll make it your introduction to the whole family." He says pleasantly.

I'm taken aback. This man seems lovely despite his slightly cold exterior. But I know based off the most cold and sharp looking man I know that sometimes that's just a cover, Grayson has always been that way.

"Only if you're sure?" I ask unsurely. "Certainly. Any dietary requirements?" He asks. "Uhh.. no." I reply.

"Well I'll see you at 6, Spencer." He nods in farewell. I smile and head back to my car.

When I arrive home I find myself knocking on Avery's door. "Avery!" I scream frantically.

Jameson answers her door in a panic. I pause and glance between them, "Did I interrupt something?" I raise a brow. "We were just talking about-"

"Okay so it wasn't important. Brilliant. Now go." I dismiss my brother uncaring of the long ass story he was about to tell about the mystery they're chasing around.

"Me go? You go?" Jameson snaps. "Stay then, whatever. Ave, I need your help." I whine, flopping down on her bed.

"With what?" Avery replies, sitting down beside me on her bed.

"Noah's Dad invited me to meet the entire family at dinner tonight." I groan into one of her fluffy pink pillows.

"That's good... bad?" She starts before eyeing my face and changing her answer.

"It's.. confusing?" I suggest.

"Good confusing or bad?" Jameson speaks up, playing around with Avery's stuffed animal teasingly.

"Both? I mean Noah wasn't the one who invited me so maybe he doesn't want me to meet his family yet? His Dad seemed really nice and I want to meet his family but.. I don't know?" I huff.

"What you gonna wear?" Avery changes the topic, able to tell I don't want to think about this much more.

"I don't know. He said the dress code is formal." I shrug.

"Wear that one you wore at the old mans funeral." Jameson suggests, flipping through a magazine with restlessness. 

"Ah yes how jolly." I quip. 

"I'm being serious. It's the classiest thing you own." He points out.

"It's Vivienne Westwood. I don't like wearing my Vivienne Westwood outfits unless it's a special occasion." I frown.

"Like meeting your boyfriend of 1 months parents?" Jameson suggests. "I guess. I need to be there at 6. Should I take something? I'm gonna take wine. And I'll get his Mom flowers. Oh.. what if he has an aunt? And I need to get his grandma flowers. Does that mean I'm getting Maja flowers too? What if they have allergies? What if I don't have enough hands for all the flowers? Or what if I don't have enough flowers for all the hands?" I ramble.

"That doesn't even make sense?" Jameson sneers, Avery interrupting him. "Text Noah and ask how many relatives he has that are adults and girls. Don't get any for cousins that are under like 25. If he has more than one aunt then only get flowers for his Mom and Grandma's. No more than three." Avery explains simply, Jameson glaring at her with alarm for her knowledge in flower etiquette.

I do as I'm told, texting Noah. 

Me: hey, tell me evrey 1 in ur fam?

Noah: Weird question??

Me: i need the full rundown: age, ful names, how youre related??????

Noah: Right..

Noah: There's my Grams, she'd kill me if I told you her age, she's my Mom's Mom. Her name's Agnes Boyles. She's the one who saw your photo.

Me: wonderful.

Noah: My Gramps was called Charles Boyles. He passed away about 7 years ago.

Noah: Then my Meemaw, she passed away 10 years ago. Her name was Hilary Thatcher. 

Me: i'm so sorry

Noah: It's okay, I didn't really know them that well.

Noah: My Mom is 36, her name's Marissa. My Dad is 37, his name's Reginald.

Me: 36?!?! she was only like 20 when she had you and Maja? 

Noah: Yeah, she was 15 though when she had my brother.

Me: i didnt know u had a brothre??

Noah: His name's Warren, he's 21 and he ran away when he was like 16.

Me: you still contct him?

Noah: Sometimes. I also have an Aunt called Celeste. She's only 20. She's my Dad's sister.

Me: so she was only 10 when her Mother died? 

Noah: Yeah, she started living with my family though. Then when she was 16 she got pregnant and decided to move to Greece.

Noah: Anyway, her daughter is called Sophia, she's 4, so she's my cousin even though I've never met her in person.

Spencer: adorable!!

Noah: I have another Aunt called Juliana, she's 50 something and she married my Dad's older brother. My Dad's brother is 55 I think, and his name is Marcus.

Noah: Then she has four daughters. There's Stacy, she's 8. She has Natalie, she's 13. Then Annabelle is 16. And Greta is 18.

Noah: Then Maja too of course. Why did you want all that?

Me: just chcking i have enugh flowers.

Noah: What do you mean flowers?

"So that means I get his mom, grandma and Aunt Juliana flowers?" I clarify.

"What about his Aunt Celeste?" Jameson points out. "I'm guessing she's in Greece." I say.

"You're basing the entirety of your boyfriend's family liking you on a guess. Wow, I thought you were more prepared than that." He shakes his head with shame.

"Shut up!" Avery swats his arm in a hiss.

"Oh god." I groan, hands in my hair.

"Listen just go get ready, I'll help with your hair and makeup later. Jamie and I can stop by the florists and get some flowers." She assures me

I nod in defeat, heading to my room where I look out the dress. I try it on with excitement and nerves flowing all over my body.

When my body steps in front of a mirror my excitement fizzles away to nerves. This dress is not flattering. It shows off a lot of my lower thighs, which look especially large in this. My stomach which seems particularly huge at the moment.

So I turn to my best friend. Duct tape. I wrap a couple layers around until it feels tight enough. I reevaluate my appearance in the mirror, deciding this is adequate. 

Avery and Jameson enter my room a little later. Avery gapes in awe at me, grinning the whole time as she curls my hair and does my makeup.

"You look beautiful." She grins, helping me put some pearls around my neck. The entire time she helps me get ready, Jameson sits there with an uneasy look in his eyes.

"Heiress, why don't you go get those flowers?" My elder brother hints, Avery realizing and stepping outside.

I don't make eye contact, hurrying to put some earrings in.

"Spence?" He sighs. 

I blink and avert my gaze to him finally, he looks concerned and sorrowful.

"What?" I frown. "Does Noah ever say anything about you? Anything that makes you feel bad about yourself?" He asks carefully.

"No? What? Why?" I furrow my brows.

"Spence.. I.." He trails off, looking away and trying to find the words to say. "I saw the duct tape.. on your desk." Jameson clarifies.

He knows. I used to always do this so it's not exactly hard to guess what the tape would be used for.

"Jamie.. I'm not like that anymore. I used it to fix a hole in my pipe until the plumber can." I lie calmly.

It's true, if he goes into my bathroom he'll find a pipe duct taped up, but he'd find the same thing on my thighs.

His eyes linger on me longer.

"Is he treating you well?" He folds his arms. I realize I've finally escaped the 'concerned brother' stage and now i've reached the perfectly normal and common 'protective brother'. 

"He is." I nod assuringly. "You know what to do if he ever tries something with you?" Jameson challenges.

"He never would." I deny. "But if he did?" He challenges. "I punch him, run and tell you guys so you can kill him." I repeat the same thing I've been told since childhood.

If only I had listened when I really needed to. My brothers keep pressing me for a name, but they know I'm not giving them one any time soon (or at all).

"Good girl." He ruffles my hair, making me groan and fix it in the mirror.

"What do you two even talk about? I swear you're like complete opposites." He laughs.

"I dunno.. He just gets me." I smile gently. Jameson's mocking grin turns to a more genuine one full of pride.

"I'm glad you've got him." My brother says. "Me too." The blush on my cheeks are glowing brightly. 

Dean Albro drives me to Noah's house with the three bouquets of flowers. 

"Am I coming in? I wasn't briefed on my job tonight." He tells me, his eyes looking at me through the mirror of the car.

"No. You can take the night off, he's got plenty of security inside." I clarify. Albro nods, speaking to Oren through his walkie talkie as we drive through the gates of the house.

Whilst Hawthorne House is a more of a manor or somewhat of a palace, Thatcher Hall is designed as more of a neoclassical mansion. The walls are painted a clean off-white color, huge pillars stretching up to the first story balcony.

The lights on the walls are a orangish hue, shining in the dark night sky, appearing welcoming and warm. Blue and pink flowers are placed perfectly in pots on each stair on the way up to the porch. 

On all of the balconies, there is not one chair or coffee table, making everything look absolutely perfect. 

Hedges line the black iron wrought fences, somehow cut in one very perfect straight line, roses bursting through.

Not a tree overgrown, not a single blade of grass out of place, not a stone unpolished, not a chip of paint, not a flower squint. As a matter of fact, I'm struggling to find one thing that looks even remotely mistaken. This place gives Hawthorne House a run for its money. Despite the massively noticeable size difference, this place is probably a much more put together home.

I wave goodbye to my security guard and step through the huge double doors. 

The interior is as spectacular as I could have imagined. A long staircase winding up to the second story, marble flooring that makes a clink every step I take in my heels.

His Father greets me at the door, complementing my dress and leading me through to the dining room.

The dining room is very different to Hawthorne House, it looks somewhat modern. The walls are freshly painted a moss green color, curtains a silk fabric of a slightly dark shade than the walls, the chairs are cushioned with an almost black shade of green. Golden ornaments and historical photo frames dot around the room intricately. A crystal chandelier ands at the centre of the vastly long table. All the tableware is matching, china with gold floral patterns. There is a vase of colorful flowers sprouting in the centre of the table.

The room is otherwise empty, no other occupants.

"Is Noah around?" I ask politely, swallowing my nerves about my absent boyfriend — not to mention the rest of his family.

"I'll go fetch him. The rest of the dynasty are socialising in the drawing room. My son can escort you once he finally decides to join us. I won't give you the uncomfortable first introductions without him." He laughs kindly, exiting the room and leaving me alone with my thoughts. 

Three bouquets of flowers are balanced in my hands, my foot tapping with impatience. I count about 10 minutes of just standing there before Maja walks by the door, wearing a gorgeous dark blue dress. It wraps tight around her body, emphasising her small waist perfectly. 

She walks by with slouched shoulders, looking on the verge of tears. She glances inside at me, still completely unamused. That is until she does a double take upon recognising me.

Maja looks around herself as if making sure she doesn't get caught and then she slips inside the door.

"Hawthorne?" She furrows her brows, her heels clicking as she approaches me.

"Hey." I smile. "The hell are you doing here?" She demands.

"I.. uh.. Did Noah not tell you?" I frown with confusion. 

Noah.

Being told by my Father to wear a suit to a family dinner was not out of the ordinary. I place my glasses over my bruised face, not bothering to cover them, because quite frankly every person in family except my Grammy knows the cause of these bruises. 

My three cousins all get the same from my Uncle Marcus. I'm guessing my Grandfather who died before I could meet him probably hit the two of them and made them think it was normal. But I never let myself think about that, because naturally my heart makes me feel bad for him and think its maybe not his fault, but my mind knows he's evil with or without his own Father.

"Noah?" My Father walks into my room. No need to knock when you own the house, as he always excuses himself when he walks in on Maja or I naked and changing.

"Yes Father?" I sigh, correcting my posture and starting to tie my tie.

"Stop that. I'll do it. You have a surprise waiting for you in the dining room." He informs me, swatting my hands away and fixing my tie for me.

"A surprise?" I clarify, staring beyond him unamused.

"Yes. A surprise. Best behaviour tonight?" He warns.

"Yeah." I nod, he glares firmly at me. "Yes." I correct my 'lazy slang' upon his request.

"Let me see that back of yours." He tuts, turning me around to untuck my shirt and inspect the burn on my back caused by him.

"That's a sore one, Bud." He frowns sympathetically through the mirror. He presses down on it, I flinch away in pain. 

"It is." I reply, my voice cowering.

"I'm sorry. But you understand why I had to do it." He squeezes my shoulder. "I understand." I say flatly. "Good boy." He pats my back, re-tucking my shirt and helping put my blazer on.

"I wanted to ask when you got all those muscles?" My Father laughs.

"I'm not sure. Puberty I suppose." I lie. It's likely from the countless hours spent at 'violin practice' also known as soccer.

"Can't be that, you're still just a boy." He teases, ruffling my hair and stepping out of my room at last. 

I finally let myself breathe, fixing the hair he messed up.

Heading down the staircase, furious and anticipant of the worst possible Friday night plans possible, i'm pretty much radiating rage.

I walk down the empty winding corridors, my blazer flying behind me with the speed I'm pacing at.

My jaw clenched as I slam the door open to the dining room. Maja stands with her arms folded by the door.

That's when I see her. Spencer Hawthorne. Looking as beautiful as ever. A short dress showing off every curve of her body, her breasts looking amazing in this black dress. I can't help allowing my eyes to trail down. I've never been the kind of guy who stares at a girls body, but Spencer's right now is fucking gorgeous.

But despite the thought of that little black dress being on my bedroom floor, I'm stuck with the harsh reality that she shouldn't be here at all. I promised myself I'd never invite a friend over to this place (except Xander who invites himself) far less my girlfriend. 

Xander's lucky my Father likes him — as far as he lets on. I think it's because Xander's smart and funny, those are things my Father thinks he is. He's always outwardly kind to him, but theres something internalised that he wouldn't show.

"Spencer." I blink, my voice slightly startled. 

"Hi Noah." She smiles brightly. Her eyes are beaming up at me, a bunch of flowers placed down on the floor beside her feet.

"Spencer.." I breathe heavily in thought, trying to decipher what the hell is going on. "You need to go." I tell her firmly, picking up her purse and phone for her.

If my Dad sees her she's about as dead as me.

"What?" Spencer frowns in devastation.

"It was sweet of you to stop by but we're having a family dinner.. I don't know think it's a great time." I try to be polite, but also try to get her out of her before anyone can see her and ask questions.

The last thing I need right now is my one safe-haven being corrupted by this family.

"But Noah.." She knits her brows together, staring at me as if I should know what she's thinking.

"Noah he invited her." Maja speaks up. I don't need to be told who he is. I know immediately what he's up to, and I'm surprised I didn't realize the second I saw her.

"Your Dad invited me.. I'm sorry I thought he told you." She clarifies. "Oh.. right." I nod, my hand rubbing the back of my neck the way it does whenever I'm about to have a panic attack.

"Noah, take a breath. Just stay here with Hawthorne for a bit. It's fine." Maja assures me, recognising my nervous tic.

She walks out, leaving Spence and I. "I think I'll go." She smiles politely.

Yes. Please run before it's too late. 

"No, you're more than welcome here." I say despite my gut, I can tell how excited she is and how much effort she's put in.

"Are you sure?" She clarifies unsurely.

"Yeah, Spence. I love seeing you all dressed up.. you look so cute." I grin. "You look so serious with that suit on. You looked like you could kill someone when you were walking in." She giggles.

I smile gently, stepping forward and pulling her into my arms for a tight hug. When I'm holding her I decide I want to stay like this all night, that way nothing can happen whilst I'm holding her. My smile has dropped and all I can do is blink and squeeze her.

Soon enough she informs me we should head through, much to my dismay I lead her out, keeping my distance from her, hoping my whole family assume she's a friend — though that counts on my Father and Grams not telling.

I take two of the flowers from her, leaving her with one and her purse.

We enter the drawing room, Grams sitting on the couch, drinking wine and scolding Maja for texting. My parents are both talking to my Aunt Juliana and Uncle Marcus, all four drinking something bubbly out of expensive glasses, gathered around the piano for no particular reason. My three cousins are all by the fireplace, drinking beverages none of them are old enough to drink.

"Ahh just on time. Here they are." My Father walks in our direction, escorting the three others he's with over. 

"Mother, Uncle Marcus, Aunt Juliana. This is my friend, Spencer." I glance to each of them then present Spencer. It takes me a moment to process my words. Friend.

"Friend? I was under the impression this was your girlfriend." My Father looks to me curiously. But it's not curiosity, it's mischief, he's stirring the pot purposely.

"Yes. A slip of the tongue. This is my girlfriend, Spencer." I correct with gritted teeth.

I don't let myself look at her, knowing she's probably rightfully angry or upset.

"It's nice to meet y'all. I've heard so much about you." Spencer says nervously, I can tell when she's nervous because her accent comes out more and she giggles. It's adorable really. 

A lie.

I've never spoken a word of my family to her, and for good reason.

How can she be so casual and relaxed when all I feel is tense? The four of them are all taken aback by her saying 'y'all' as if we're not literally in Texas. My family is so polite it seems impolite, every word must be spoken properly and exactly. I get the impression nobody really knows what to say after that.

"Good things I hope?" My Mother smiles politely. "God, yeah." She chuckles.

My Aunt Juliana audibly gasps, the others just looking disgusted and shocked. 

Thatchers are a very religious family. And by that I don't mean a wholesome family full of believers gracing the world with peace — like it should be. I mean a family full of people who hate those with different beliefs. A family who swears against homosexuality, believes gender reassignment should be a crime and believes woman only live to carry children. They believe in waiting until marriage, and publicly donate to anti abortion organisations. All of which I firmly disagree with. Their excuse for every kind of discrimination is their religion. Which would be fine if they actually preached the bible and firmly believed in it. 

However they don't. They say they're religious but they're constantly going against the bible. If you ask me, I think they just say it to get themselves out of shit. 'Oh i'm actually allowed to hate crime you because your entire lifestyle goes against my religion even though it's not your choice'. 

That's not to say I'm against Christianity for that reason, I have no issues with it. I just don't believe in the crimes they're excusing on account of religion. Having it thrust upon me is hard, because I grew up being told these things as facts, but then I got into science when I joined high school and I started to think maybe I believed other things that physics correlates to.

So Spencer, being a non-religious girl stepping in here with her thick Texan accent, disrespecting our religion causes the conversation to fall silent.

"Mother, Aunt Juliana. Spencer bought you these gorgeous flowers." I smile, passing the flowers in my hands over to each of them.

"Oh how kind of you." Mom is the only one to fill the silence, trying her best to make things less awkward.

Spencer looks up to me with a glance of confusion.

"I'm going to introduce Spencer to Grams." I dismiss, leading her away from the awkwardness. Usually I'd hold her hand or at least act like I know her, but touching of any kind is frowned upon by this family. But that's not the case when it comes to Tristan and Maja, they lied and he pretended to be Christian, being trained up before he could meet the family.

"That was so weird." She whispers up to me, trying to come close but I step purposely further away. I just nod. If she doesn't break up with me after this, I'll do it for her, because I'm quite literally the worst boyfriend ever for this.

We reach Grammy and Maja on the couch, smirking and whispering about things I'm sure the others wouldn't approve of. This'll be fine. Grammy will love her.

"Grammy this is—" I start before she cuts me off. "Your first girlfriend." She grins excitedly. "And probably only." Maja snorts. I glare at both of them with fury, maybe this is worse than the awkward silences.

"I'm Spencer. I brought you flowers." My girlfriend smiles, happy to finally have someone who isn't uptight.

"And you are already my favourite. These will go gorgeous in my new vase. I'lo show you a photo, it's a cat, and the flowers go in the nostrils. I saw it walking past a thrift store, only 2 bucks." Grammy starts riffling through her camera roll, showing at least 6 photos of her vase to Spencer.

Maja looks to me with a smirk, rolling her eyes. I expect Spencer to be overwhelmed or invaded like most would, instead she's invested, a smile on her face as she complements the vase.

Grammy invites her to sit down beside her, placing the flowers in her large handbag and starting the interrogation with her.

I subconsciously fix her skirt for her, tiny as it may be it does the job of not flashing my entire family.

"Sit down would you Archie? Honestly, that boy just doesn't know what to do with himself." Grammy laughs at me. "Archie?" Spencer mouths with confusion.

I take a seat on the other side of Spencer, Maja swapping seats to the couch opposite us to give us more space.

I fidget with my hands, truly not knowing what to do with myself just as my Grams has always said.

Spence reaches over, placing a hand on mine to stop me fidgeting. I look around to make sure nobody is watching as I clasp her hand between mine. She doesn't even bat an eye, letting me play with the rings on her fingers.

"So Spencer. You're a Hawthorne, is that right?" Grams grills her. "Yeah." My girlfriend nods.

"Skye is your Mother?" She scowls. 

Spencer looks up at me, "You know my Mother?" She continues.

"Sweetheart everyone in the country knows your family. But yes, I had the great displeasure of knowing her personally." Grams nods.

"Grammy!" I yelp. "No that's valid." Spencer dismisses me with a scoff.

"She went to school with your Mother." She points to me, "They all went to that same school you know? Heights Country Day." 

Spencer, Maja and I all share a momentary glance. "Who did?" Maja speaks up.

"Spencer's Mother, Spencer's Father, Your Mother, Your Father, Your Uncle, Your Aunt." Grams lists.

"My Father? You know who my Father is?" Spencer asks eagerly.

"Dinner is ready." My Father appears behind me, his voice stern as he stares furiously at Grammy. I instinctively drop Spencer's hand so Dad can't see. The stare between Grams and Dad is intense.

On the way to the dining room I attempt to introduce my cousins to Spencer.

"I'm Annabelle." My nicest cousin grins sweetly, shaking Spencer's hand. She's 16, so my age and a year younger than Spencer. "I love your dress. It's literally gorgeous on you." My girlfriend takes pleasure in complementing.

"Shut up! Spencer Alice Hawthorne just complemented my dress!" She squeals, not too loud so the adults can't hear her excitement.

"Calm down Anna! Don't cream your pants, she was just being nice." My older cousin sneers.

"That's Greta." I introduce. She's two years older than me, a year older than Spencer. She scares me.

"No I just liked your dress." Spencer corrects honestly. "Don't get her started. You already spent 6 years on her wank wall." Greta warns.

Spencer's eyes widen with shock. "It was not! It was my vision board, and it wasn't her specifically, it was her outfit." Annabelle justifies.

Spencer laughs hysterically, if I were her I'd be scared off but she seems to be thriving.

"Where's Stacy?" I ask conversationally, my youngest cousin not present. "Got a sleepover." Greta dismisses.

"How much is he paying you?" Natalie scans Spencer up and down with judgement. 

"Paying me?" I gape with offence.

"Well she's pretty, popular, funny, rich, famous, iconic, pleasant to be around. And you're.. You're Noah." She states simply.

"I'm all of those things too!" I frown. "Yeah you are baby." Spencer smiles mid laugh, squeezing my shoulder.

"That's Natalie. She's 13. And very mean." I say humourlessly.

"Did she just call you baby? Seriously.. blink twice if he's holding you hostage." Natalie emphasises.

Spencer just laughs as we enter the dining room, I pull out a chair and invite her to sit down, taking the seat next to her.

Once everyone is settled at the table our servers begin bringing out bowls of soup. 

Spencer seems to be fine eating the bowl, which settles some of my nerves, I don't want her being uncomfortable enough to not eat at all.

"So Spencer, you're a senior aren't you." My Father asks, and I wonder for a moment how he knows that, until I remember he's done so much research he might know her better than I do.

"I am." She answers. 

"Like them older then?" Uncle Marcus laughs grandly. 

"With the way the months work out, Spencer is only 11 months older. I'm April 2004, and she is May 2003." I clarify, ignoring the slight shake in my voice from embarrassment.

"So you'll be turning 18 in around 8 months?" My Mother asks. "Yes I will be." Spencer must have caught on that to be respected around here she has to speak like a pretentious ass hole.

"And Noah is still 16?" Aunt Juliana interrupts.

"I'll be 17 a month before she turns 18." I interject, knowing where they're going with this. Absolutely any excuse to separate us. 

"So what are your plans upon leaving school Spencer?" Dad asks, assuming on his smug face that she doesn't have plans.

"I'm not really sure." She replies with discomfort. 

"You must have some clue? No hobbies?" Dad mocks a little, but he pretends not to, a couple snickers around the room.

Spencer looks at me, waiting for me to stick up for her. But I don't. I lower my head to avoid the stares of her and everyone else. I want to tell him to go shove his hobbies down his big mouth, though saying anything would get me in trouble so I ignore it as if my girlfriend who I love more than anything isn't being teased by my whole family. She can take the ridiculing but I don't know if I could take another beating.

"Yes I have hobbies. I'm just not entirely sure which I'd like to pursue." She replies on the spot.

"Ah yes. You play drums in Noah's jazz band, don't you?" 

I place my hand on her thigh under the table, grabbing her attention and silently signalling to her to go along with it.

"Yeah.. Yes, we were at the jazz camp together." She remembers what I had told her and goes with it.

"So you think drumming will be a career path?" Mom smirks mockingly.

"No, it doesn't really interest me much. I play other instruments I'd consider though." She replies honestly despite the clear mockery directed at her.

"Such as?" Greta challenges.

"Such as piano, violin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and of course the drums." She lists calmly, now she's the one wearing a small smirk as she finishes her soup.

I originally believed all of that, after a moment I assume she only lied to impress the others.

"Is that so? Well we have a piano right here, care to showcase your talents? I'm sure the theatre actually has all of those instruments you listed. Why not show us all of them?" Mom suggests with disbelief, knowing just as I do that she's lying.

"Would you mind?" She smiles politely, standing from her seat, folding her napkin and approaching the sage green piano to the left of the table.

I remember family dinners I used to have to sit on that stool, my feet barely touching the ground, playing tunes for my parents to gloat to their old friends about how talented their child is.

Spencer looks slightly unsure, placing her fingers on the keys.

I should stop her. I don't want her to be embarrassed.  

"This should be good." Aunt Juliana murmurs, everyone watching my girlfriend as the workers clear the table.

Her crisply painted fingers fall onto keys gently, before pressing down and making a horrific sound.

"Gracious I hope she admits defeat before the entrees arrive." Mom rolls her eyes impatiently.

That's when Spencer's fingers begin moving at lightning speed, 'Flight of the Bumblebee' serenading our ears at almost a faster pace than the original if that's even possible. Not a key is missed as her hands dance down the grand piano rapidly.

This girl loves secrets doesn't she?

Everyone is gaping in shock, anger and fury present on all adults faces, except Grammy of course who is simply smirking with pride.

And I have never been more in love. I find myself grinning like an idiot, infinite pride drowning my anxiety.

The second she plays the last note, she stands up and turns towards us again. Graceful as ever  she sits back down. "I'm a little rusty." She breaks the silence smugly, knowing she just proved them wrong.

I start applauding her, causing Maja, Grammy, Annabelle, Natalie and even Greta to join in. My parents, Aunt and Uncle begrudgingly applaud her flatly.

"How'd you learn to play like that?" My Father questions.

"Just my Grandfather, every year on my brother and I's birthdays since we were four he would give us a thousand dollars, telling us to pick a talent or interest to cultivate for the next year. The first one I ever did was piano." She explains.

I'd heard that before from Xander, I'd just never thought to ask Spencer what hers were.

"You were playing like that at 4?" Maja gapes.

"I suppose my fingers were smaller so it was easier." She laughs gently. 

"Tobias Hawthorne labouring his Grandchildren into being prodigy? Sounds like him." Grams sneers bitterly.

"You're Tobias Hawthorne's grandchild?" Mom stands up, her chair strapping across the floor.

"Yes, did you know him?" Spencer smiles sweetly. Somehow unable to tell how furious my Mother is.

"I know his daughter. Skye Hawthorne. I'm guessing you're one of her many bastard babies?" She accuses with rage.

My Father knew this information. Did he not tell her? Am I missing something here?

"Don't call her that!" I stand up now too, discarding the thoughts of the beating I'll take for standing up to my Mother.

"I'll call her what I want when she's in my home. Dressed like her slut of a Mother, trying to seduce my baby boy." Mom is hysterical now, screaming like she's insane.

"Stop it." I growl with embarrassment. 

"Noah sit down!" My Father barks. 

And like a foolish little boy, I obey. I cower down at my Father's order, sitting down and pleading silently for this moment to end.

"I'm not my Mother." Spencer defends herself, I'm glad she can because I know I can't.

"Tell that to the pole you'll spend your life dancing on." Aunt Juliana spits.

"Call me a slut all you want but only one of us has four kids." Spencer finally bites back. I wish I could say I was proud, I am of course, but my dread is taking over. I'm stuck feeling more and more anxious as the night goes on, knowing the worse this gets the more pain I'm in tonight.

"Excuse you!?" Uncle Marcus booms.

"You heard me. At least I know how to wrap it up." Spencer continues grilling.

I see Grammy smirk against her glass of wine from across the table, trying to hide it.

"How dare you talk these ways! How disrespectful!" Mom shakes her head.

"I'm so very sorry that you called me a slut and I defended myself." She laughs sarcastically.

"I think it's best for you to go." Dad settles, weirdly being the calmest one here.

"I agree." She scoffs, picking up her purse and walking out before I can stop her.

"Go after her and end things. Maja go with him and make sure he does." Dad smiles. It's now I realize this is what he wanted all along, that's why he's so calm. He planned it all. He somehow knew Mom would react that way when she found out Spencer was a Hawthorne. 

I race after her, no intention of breaking up with her.

"Spence!" I call out, chasing after her, stepping onto the porch where she already is, Maja steps out after us.

"I'm so sorry." I plead. "Why didn't you defend me?" She frowns with heartbreak in her eyes.

I fall silent. I have no excuse that I can tell her. It's either I lie: I'm just an ass hole and I agree with all that they were saying. Or I tell her the truth: I was afraid my Dad would beat me to death if I did defend you. Neither are particularly cheery.

"I'm calling Albro." She tells me, getting her phone out and finding her security guards number.

"No, the least I can do is drive you." I dictate. She ignores me for a little then nods begrudgingly.

I wish I could stay with her. I wish we could drive away and just run from it all. But theres so much more than just us. I've never put myself first. Theres my three cousins getting the same treatment from my uncle, then of course my sister, and Grammy. That's 5 women I love and promise to protect.

Thinking of the abuse Maja and I will take tonight makes me sick. Maybe there's a way for me to take it on my own.

"Hey what if you and Maja have a sleepover tonight?" I suggest, trying to be nonchalant.

"What?" She furrows her brows. "You're both girls.. I want you two to be friends now that we're dating." I suggest.

"Does she want that or do you?" Spencer lectures.

The front door soon crashes open, my sister having followed us as instructed. My Father sent her after us to make sure we break up, I know that she'll cover for me, no matter how much she dislikes Spencer.

"Ask her yourself." I prompt, shutting the door behind my twin and urging her to say yes silently.

"Fine. You want to have a sleepover?" My girlfriend mocks, a teasing smirk on her plump lips.

"Yes." I speak for her. "The three of us?" Maja asks with genuine confusion. "No just the two of you." I answer. She blinks for a moment, glancing between the two of us.

"So you'll.. stay here?" She repeats. "And you'll be in the safe comfort of Hawthorne House." I say with sarcasm, but eying my sister with pleading eyes that Spencer can't see.

"Okay.." She agrees through gritted teeth.

"Let me drive you guys home then, now go pack a bag.." I settle, practically dragging the girls towards the huge garage once Maja had finally returned with a backpack of her overnight stuff.

Waiting on the hood of my car is Grammy, her hand knitted scarf way too long around her small body.

"Took you long enough. Hurry Archie, Grammy needs a ride home." She clicks her fingers teasingly.

"Get in then." I sigh, opening the back seat door for her.

"You and your sports cars." She tuts, struggling to figure out how to shut the door on my car.

I laugh at her and pull the door down. I open the passenger door for Spencer and ruffle her hair teasingly as she slides in. I get behind the wheel, Grams and Maja in the back.

Grams makes sure the drive isn't quiet, talking about some new book she's reading at her book club. She doesn't address the train wreck that was dinner — that is until I'm helping her into her house.

"You ignore them, boy. That girl brought you back." She informs me fondly as she unwraps the many layers of her scarf. "Brought me back?" I laugh softly, helping turn her lights on and make sure her air-con is on. 

"You lost the shine in your eyes. You've always been my smiley boy, but you lost your shine a long time ago. That girl, it was her that brought it back." She tells me truthfully.

I stop in my tracks, faltering and glancing back to her. She doesn't say more on the topic, hugging me once, planting a kiss on my cheek and sauntering up the staircase.

I smile as I lock up her door, pocketing the keys as usual and heading back to the girls in the car.

I drop them both off at Spencer's house, hugging Spencer for extra long.

I go home peacefully with the knowledge that the 3 girls I love most are safe in bed even if it means I'll be sleeping in pain.

Dad is waiting when I get to my room. I lie, telling him I broke up with Spencer. He believes me, but still hurts me for standing up against my family. 

The shine in my eyes at this moment is not the cause of Spencer making me joyful, it's the pained tears pricking my eyes.

I have to sleep on my stomach to avoid the pain in my back that night, but the knowledge that my Father won't be making a pitstop in Maja's room is the only thing that lets me get some rest.