The next morning wasn't as pleasant as it should be.

I woke up to the sound of the bird knocking on the glass of my window. The sunlight was all over my face since I never shut the curtains. And of course, the smell of my favorite breakfast was all over the place. I stepped out of my bed and headed downstairs. Mom was standing in front of the stove, making pancakes. Whereas David was drinking Orange juice.

"Good morning," I said as I sat on the stool yawning.

"Good morning, Hun" Mom said as she offered me a cup of coffee and a plate of pancakes with honey on top. David acknowledged me with a nod. Everything was going great. Perfect as my last morning with my family should be. But perfectness doesn't last long, does it?

Kevin came into the kitchen greeting my Mom with a hug and a kiss on her right cheek. He acknowledged David with a nod and ignored me completely. I stared at him confused, but he never made an eye contact. Something was beyond wrong. He made himself a mug of coffee and sat on the stool sipping it silently.

" Did you pack what you need for college, Eve?" Mom asked me, oblivious to the way Kevin is treating me.

" I will pack as soon as I finish my breakfast" I answered her.

" Good. Kevin doesn't have to work this morning so he's driving you back" She confirmed me. Great!

"OK," I said not having the choice to protest as she stands up ready to leave for school.

" Take care of yourself!" she told me as she gave me a side hug and a poke on my cheek.

I nodded. Said nothing. David was next. He gave me a hard bat on my back that I almost choked on my coffee. He bent down and kissed my right cheek.

" Bye, Eve" He whispered into my ear.

" Bye" I whispered back, but to no one, as both Mom and David had already lifted the house. I shifted my attention to Kevin who finally found the guts to look at me in the eye. And that's when I saw the pure anger in his eyes.

" Mind to spell it out?" I asked bothered to know what's his matter.

He raised a brow. His right hand went to his jeans pocket. One beat of my heart and two seconds later and I found the white powder in the plastic bag right in front of me. Oh, my!

" Mind to explain?" He asked.

I said nothing. Just stared at the plastic bag blankly.

Four days ago, when Mason was finished talking he gave it to me so I return it back and the one who claimed to be me best-friends would never know that there's one bag missing. But I never returned back to that room, and so is the plastic bag!

" It's not like what you think " finally, The words came out.

" what's it like, then?" He asked impatiently.

" A friend gave it to me, so I'd return it back to its place." I said honestly. Even though, it hurts to know that he thought of me in that way.

" A friend, huh?" He was irritating me. couldn't he just drop it?

" listen Kevin and listen clearly, you out of all people should know that I would never do drugs. Never. And you know me well. I oath that thing. That piece of shit." I growled out. I was rigged by the time I finished speaking. My heart was beating fast as my breath was fast and short.

" Calm down, would you? I was just concerned about you. You said you were feeling homesick, but you never stayed long enough at home. Yesterday, I came home early just to stay with you while Mom and David were at school, but you weren't at home.. and that's when I found it." He said looking at the small plastic bag filled with white powder.

" believe me, it's not mine" I said shaking my head.

" I know, why else would I ask you to explain? Just watch your back, this shit may ruin your future, OK? Just promise me you would be out of it" I couldn't ask for more understanding brother. If only he know what I'm already involved into. If only I could tell him.

" I'm a big girl, remember?" I said trying to lighten the mood.

" whatever" he shook his head unbelieving me.

I stood up and reached for the plastic bag to take it with me. Kevin stared at every movement I made which made me feel anxious.

" it's not mine, OK? I just need to return it back" I told him irritated.

" You already told me that! Just go and pack whatever you need, we will complete this conversation later"

" there isn't much to talk-" I was interrupted.

" we are leaving in an hour" with that said he left. He left me alone without even helping in the dishes! Ugh!

I washed the dishes as fast as I could master and went upstairs to my bedroom. I pulled a small suitcase from under my bed and put some clothes, books I would need and some equipment. I then went to David's bedroom, opened his drawers and shuffled through his electronic games for a small device that can be used as a voice recorder. I found the right one that will fit my jeans pocket and took it with me. I headed back to my bedroom, put the recorder inside my suitcase and zipped it. I finally headed for the bathroom to have the longest shower I could have before leaving for the university. Because God I hate the public bathrooms that are in there!

By the time I stepped out of the bathroom, I noticed that my suitcase was gone. Probably Kevin has taken it downstairs for me. And probably the one hour is already gone. I took my time getting dressed and blow-drying my hair. Kevin must be joking when he said we will leave in an hour. Who the hell will be finished in an hour? But then, I heard the honk of his car. Oh, really he wasn't joking! I hurried downstairs stepping two at once. He was already at the doorway waiting for me.

" finally!" he said in exhortation as we both stepped out of the house.

I just rolled my eyes. said nothing. He locked the door.

We both slide in the car, I on the passenger seat. He on the driver seat. Ready for our two hours journey. But obviously, it's two hours for me and four hours for him. Poor Kevin!

" so.." he started as we drove out of Auburn, Alabama.

" so what?" I asked.

" who is the friend?" so much for the understanding brother. He won't drop it anytime soon.

" Not anymore." I said shaking my head desperate for the end of the conversation.