Lucas' POV

Kaira, Hayden, Nick and I stayed all weekend with Isla and her siblings. We were supposed to go home last night since it today is Monday and we have school, but we decided we would stay with her another night, as we don't want her to leave Isaac and Isabelle alone. We even offered to stay home with her from school, but she insisted that we go to school. She said it would be good for her, Isaac, and Isabelle to have some alone time.

I wish I would have just skipped school today. I can't think of anything, but Isla and I'm worried about her. I was planning on going to see her after school, but I forgot that we are supposed to be meeting some girl for Beth. Kaira also told me that Isla had something that she needed to do this afternoon anyways. Thankfully, Kaira volunteered to watch Isaac and Isabelle for Isla.

It was already lunch and the first half of the day seemed to drag by. I was sitting under the willow tree at lunch waiting for the others to show up. Ever since we became friends with Isla, we now always sit under the willow tree with her. Of course, today feels odd because Isla isn't at school. I don't know when she plans on coming to school, to be honest.

Hayden walks over to me with two lunches. "Dude, I know you're worried about her, but you need to eat." He says handing me the second tray.

I grab the tray from him and look at the burger and fries. Normally I would be thrilled with a burger, but my stomach is in knots. "Thanks."

I take a few bites of my food before Kaira and Nick show up. "Can we just skip the rest of the day?" Nick says while grabbing a few fries from off my tray.

"I'm in for skipping. I don't want to be history with Isla." Kaira says.

Hayden throws his stuff in the trash and leans against the giant tree, "Maybe we can head over to Isla and see if she's doing okay."

"I think she wants some alone time with Isaac and Isabelle." Kaira says. "I'm going over later this evening to watch the twins for her."

I give Kaira a puzzle look. "Where is she going?"

Kaira shrugs, "I don't know. She said she already had this planned before her parents passed away, and that it would be rude of her to cancel. I told her that they would understand why she was cancelling, but she said it might actually help her to go to the meeting."

"We have plans tonight too, but I'm sure we can stay the night once we take care of what we have to do."

"That sounds good. I told my parents about what happened, and they don't mind me staying at Isla. They're normally out of town most of the time anyways." Kaira says.

Nick smirks at her and puts his arm around her waist. "Well, baby, if you're ever feeling alone, I can stay with you," he says and winks at her.

Kaira immediately shoots him a glare. "You disgusting pig. I'm fine alone. I just want to be there for Isla to offer moral support." She punches him hard in the stomach.

"Jeez woman! You really are a violent one. I was trying to lighten up the moment." Honestly, I think Nick has a thing for Kaira. She would at least be able to put him in his place, I chuckle to myself. Hayden must be thinking the same thing because I see him trying to not to laugh at the interaction.

We start walking to the parking lot when I hear the annoying voice of Chelsea. "Lucas... Nick... Hayden..., Wait up. I just wanted to let you know that I'm having a party this weekend and y'all are invited." She looks at us and Kaira and then starts to grin. "I see that y'all have finally gotten rid of the trash. I'm glad y'all wised up." She then points at Kaira, "You can come too. I will forgive you this one time for the way you treated me the first time we met. You didn't know you were wasting your time trying to be friends with her. Isla doesn't want friends and even if she did, she was a bad friend. So, are y'all in?"

I'm standing her dumbfounded by what Chelsea just said. The anger is slowly starting to build up in me when I hear Nick laughing. Hayden and I look at Nick to see what could be so amusing by the whole situation. He points at Kaira. Kaira is fuming. Her eyes glaze over, and she looks like a tiger that is about to attack its prey, while Chelsea is staring down at her phone, twirling her hair.

"So.... Are y'all coming?" Chelsea asks impatiently.

Kaira stomps over to Chelsea, grabs her phone out of her hand and throws it onto the ground. "You bitch." Kaira growls. Chelsea's eyes widen with shock at first but are quickly replaced with fear once Kaira grabs a fist full of her red hair. "NO! We will not be coming to the party. Isla is not trash. You are. She is not a bad friend; you were to her. Talk about my friend again and I'll make it where you won't be able to speak ever again."

Kaira releases her grip on Chelsea's hair. "Nick... Lucas...Hayden... are you going to seriously let her treat me like that?" Chelsea grabs Nick's hand hoping he will protect her

Nick starts laughing again and pulls his arm away from Chelsea and wrapping it around Kaira's waist instead. "Chelsea, this is my girl here." He says and winks at Kaira. She in return rolls her eyes but smirks at Chelsea. "If my girl says we aren't going to your party, then we aren't going to your party."

Chelsea opens and closes her mouth a few times like a fish, before she scoffs and turns on her heels and walks back inside to the school. Once she is completely out of eye shot Kaira elbows Nick in the side causing him to groan and release his hold on her. "Your girl?" She says with a raised eyebrow.

Rubbing his side, "I can dream, right?"

Kaira rolls her eyes, "Only in your dreams, Nick. Only in your dreams." Hayden and I burst out laughing at Nick while he gets into the car and pouts.

Isla's POV

Since my friends left for school this morning, I have been sitting here lost in thought. I am thankful that my sister and brother are finally sleeping. They need rest. This is hard on me, but I know it's even harder on them. What am I supposed to do without my parents? Am I making the right choice by agreeing to be their legal guardian? What am I going to do about finishing high school? I mean I have to graduate high school, but what about college? I can't go off to college without leaving them here with some else or uprooting them.

My head is spinning, and I can't breathe. I need to take this one day at a time. Whatever I decide, it must be in the best interest for the three of us. We are going to continue to live in this house, because the house is already paid for. It may be hard because of the memories of my parents, but why move and have an added expense. I am so thankful for Kaira. She said she would babysit the twins for me tonight and that she would also stay the night. I am not sure I am ready to face a night alone yet.

Since it's already past noon, I decide to start making lunch for me and my siblings. I have plans for tonight that I already had made before my parents passed away. I'm hoping that it will keep me distracted for a little bit. I search through the freezer and I decide on making fish sticks and tater tots because it's the twins' favorite meal.

When I finished making lunch, I head upstairs to wake the twins up and to eat lunch. I walk into Isabelle's room finding her already awake. She is curled up in a ball crying, hugging her stuff bear that my dad had bought her for her birthday.

I wrap my arms around her tightly while she cries. "Isla, please say they're coming back," she begs.

Tears start rolling down my cheeks as I tell her the truth. "Isabelle, you know they're aren't coming back. I miss them too, but we will get through this together."

"I love you sissy. Promise me you won't leave us too."

I kiss my sister's forehead and smile at her. "I'm not leaving you or Isaac. We are a family and we will stick together." She gives me a small smile back. "Come on. Let's go and wake up Isaac. I made lunch and we don't want it to get cold."

We walk into the hallway where Isaac is coming out of his bedroom. "Do I smell fish sticks?" He asks with a smile.

"Yep!" I say while giving him a hug.

"My favorite!" He looks at Isabelle and grins. "Race you downstairs!"

"You're on!"

"Be careful you two." I chuckle. At least they can still smile at the little things.

I meet them downstairs and they are both stuffing their mouths. I laugh seeing the ketchup that dropped onto Isaac's shirt. "Kaira is coming over to watch the two of you for a bit tonight. I have to be somewhere, but hopefully it won't take too long."

Isaac drops the fish stick that's in his hands and looks down. "Isla, nothing bad is going to happen to you when you leave, right?"

My heart shatters into a million pieces. I didn't realize that he was afraid that the same thing could happen to me that happened to our parents if I left. I run over towards him and engulf him in a big hug. "Isaac, I will be fine. I just have to go talk to a few people for a little bit. If you get worried you can call me and I will answer my phone and tell you that I am safe, okay?"

"I guess, as long as you promise you will be okay tonight."

"Yes, Isaac. I promise I will be okay." I smile and decide to change the subject. "So, what do you think of my new friends?"

Isaac smirks, "I'm going to ask Kaira to be my girlfriend."

"She's a little old for you." I laugh. He looks at me and pouts.

"Kaira's my best friend. Plus, I think she should go out with Nick." Isabelle retorts.

"What do y'all think about Lucas, Nick and Hayden?"

Isabelle taps her finger on her chin like she's thinking. "They look scary but seem really nice. I still don't want to get cooties from them though."

"I like the guys a lot. Are they coming too?" Isaac asks eagerly.

"They have somewhere they need to be while I'm busy, but they might come over afterwards." I grab the empty plates and cups and start washing the dishes. "You two get upstairs and get clean up. Kaira will be here before y'all know it."

When I am through cleaning the kitchen, I head upstairs to get ready for my meeting. I take a quick shower and brush my teeth. Once I'm finished with that, I put my hair into a high ponytail and put some make-up on because I look dead from all the crying I have done over the weekend. I then walk into my closet and put on my teal flowy skirt and a white ruffle blouse paired with my white flats.

I head downstairs just as Kaira is walking through the door. I gave her a key this morning, so she can come over whenever she wants. I trust her and she has shown me that she is a true friend. I'm even thinking about giving the guys a key. I know it seems crazy, but I really do trust them.

"How are you feeling?" Kaira asks as I enter the living room.

"Okay, I guess. I'm feeling numb now to be honest. I've cried until I couldn't cry anymore and now, I just feel numb." I shrug. "There's money next to the fridge for dinner. Y'all can order whatever y'all want."

"Nope." She says, popping the p. "I'm cooking for y'all tonight. A home cook meal will make everyone feel better."

"This is why you are my best friend. We've only known each other for a week and yet you go above and beyond to make me, and my siblings feel better. I am so thankful for you." I hug her, "I love you."

"I love you too, Isla. I will do anything for my best friend and her siblings. Now get going before you are late. It's already five o'clock."

"Okay. Thanks, Kaira for everything. I should only be gone for a few hours. If Isabelle or Isaac give you any problems, call me."

Grabbing my keys and purse, I yell goodbye to my siblings before heading to meet Ms. Owens.