Recap:
I fumble with the keys in my hand, trying to unlock the apartment door but failing multiple times. I drop my keys after the fourth attempt to unlock the door, I pick them up off the ground, about to try and unlock the door once again to find it's already open. My mom stands there giving me a small smile, I look at her face and it's obvious from the tear streaks on her face she has been crying. "Mom, what's wrong?"

She just shakes her head and walks back into the apartment. I just follow her into the apartment, shutting the door behind me. "Andy, there's something I need to tell you about." she motions for me to sit with her on the couch with her as she takes a seat. "Andy," she begins to talk, but stops suddenly sighing as she rubs her temples. "I talked to your Dad today."

"What? Why?" I question leaning forward on the couch.

"I'll tell you, but only if you promise not to get upset." I nod, leaning back into the couch cushions. She pauses for a moment, before quietly speaking. "Andy, you're going to live with your father this summer."
//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\

My mother's words ring through my head for a moment, and she looks at me waiting for my reaction. I just lean back into the couch, a laugh escaping my lips. My mother looks at me with confusion as she asks, "What's so funny?"

I wipe my eyes, and compose myself enough to reply. "Nothing. I just thought for a second there you said I'm living with Dad this summer."

I watch her visibly wince as I speak, but quickly gaining her strength once again as she interjects, "That's because you are, well if you want to keep up your end of the deal that is."

"Wait, you're serious?" I stand up in disbelief and pace the floor as I talk. "Why? Oh, I'm sorry I forgot this is exactly the kind of thing he would do. And let me take a wild guess, that isn't all of it."

My mother hangs her head, shaking it sadly. "No, Andy, I'm sorry to say it's not. I know you two don't get along, but I wish you wouldn't talk about him like that, he is your father after all." She sighs as she continues, "You have to work for his company over summer." I grit my teeth and put on a fake smile in hopes of fooling her, but she knows me too well for any of that. I turn away from her, mumbling a feeble excuse to leave before heading up to my room, running up the stairs as fast as I possibly can.

Once the door is securely shut, I lean my back against it, and slide down it as I curl into a ball on my bedroom floor. Pain begins to flood through my head, e same way it always does from all the stress my father causes me. I reach into my pocket and pull out my headphones, plugging them in and falling into the only constant in my life: music. Through all my good and bad days, it's comforting to know that I'll always have music, whether it's been created by myself or someone else, it will always be my refuge.

I take a moment before I push myself up off the floor, and crawl into bed. I pull the covers over me and check the time out of curiosity. "It's only 4:30?!" I whisper to myself in disbelief. I don't feel like getting out of bed to do anything else, so I just nestle myself into my bed and drift off into a dreamless sleep.

//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\

I groan, pulling the covers further over my head. "Why am I awake right now?" I ask myself. But for the safety of humanity, I better be able to fall back to sleep, or get a cup of coffee. I let out a sigh, I know that I won't be able to fall back asleep, so I decide to get up in search for coffee. The moment I actually do sit up I instantly regret it, my head starts pounding and if feels like Skylar used my head for a drum set or that someone unleashed an angry Thor in my skull. I know, my analogies are a bit strange, but they're effective.

I squint my eyes as a beam of light comes in through the shutters, and a corresponding wave of pain simultaneously goes through my head. I quickly climb out of bed to go shut the blinds. The room becomes darker, and I'm finally able to open my eyes without extreme amounts of pain. My stomach rumbles and I look at the clock which tells me why. It seems as though I slept through dinner last night and well I got the middle of the day. I give into the pleas of my grumbling stomach, and start to head downstairs.

I start walking down the stairs for a moment before it hits me, something isn't right. I can hear the sound of clanging pots and muffled voices. I furrow my eyebrows, my mom usually works on Sunday, and if she is that explains all the noise. I make it downstairs and walk into the kitchen to realize my deduction was right.

"Hey, sweetie." She greeted in that gentle voice she has for me every morning. It's one thing that has never changed, she knows I hate mornings so she tries to make them as nice as she can. "You want me to make you something to eat?" She asks, I'm hungry but I don't really feel like eating much at the moment, side effect of a migraine. I just shrug as I sit on of the stools, laying my head down on the cool countertop. "Let me guess, you have another migraine?" I just lift my head and nod, wincing as a sharp pain tears through my head. "Just hold on, I have exactly what you need." I sit on the bar stool, again resting my head on the countertop as I wait for her to come back. I am so glad she knows what to do about this, because I am at a loss for what to do at the moment.

She returns a small smile on her face as she gently sets some fruit, and medicine in front of me. "Here, this should help. But, you need to eat before you take anything." I return the smile and nod, reaching for the food she set in front of me. She gives me a gentle hug, sitting beside me as I eat. It is the small moments like this that you have to appreciate, she's always working so the fact that she is even here right now is enough.

"Shouldn't you be at work today? I means, I'm happy you're actually here, but you usually work most weekends." I ask as I finish my food.

"Yeah, I usually do, but I didn't really need to go to the office today. So I'm just going to finish up some work from home." She tells me indifferently, but I know from the variations in her tone and facial expressions, that she is happy to be home for once. It makes me feel a little upset that I have to not be feeling well on the one day that she is home. "Here, take your medicine. Once you do that you should probably get some more rest."

I sigh, I really don't want to go back to bed. I love being able to sleep all day, but if my mom is home I'd rather spend the time with her, she' always working so that she can provide me with a 'good education.' She must have noticed my hesitation, because she gives me a knowing look before she says, "Alright, I have a suggestion. How about we sit on the couch and just watch movies all day?" I can't help but smile and nod at the idea. "I'll make the popcorn, you grab the blankets and pick some movies."

I get up from the stool, and grab a bundle of blankets from the hall closet and start selecting various movies. I start getting comfortable on our huge couch, I sit waiting for the movie to start and my mom to come join me. I hear her call that the popcorn is almost done, and only a moment later she returns with two large bowls filled to the top with hot buttery popcorn. We spend the entire day like this, watching movies, eating popcorn, just spending time together. "Alright, kiddo. You have exams tomorrow so even though it's early you should probably study and go to sleep soon." I just sigh, knowing she's right. I have finals tomorrow, and I can't risk failing them just because I wasn't feeling well. I tell her goodnight before returning to my cave (aka my room.) I quickly grab some clothes from my closet before walking into my bathroom and preparing everything for a shower. Am I the only one that does their deepest thinking in the shower? I don't know what it is, but something about it is just relaxing and helps me think.

Vanilla shampoo and peppermint body wash are literally some of my favorite things I have ever used. The scents of vanilla and peppermint drift through the entire room, I can even smell it as I dry my hair and brush out the tangles. I get myself completely dry, and dressed before I wrap a towel around my slightly damp hair. I go through my usual routine, you know brushing my teeth, combing through my hair, washing my face, etc.

I walk back into my room, climb into my warm sheets and drift back off into another dreamless sleep.

\/\/\/\/

"So this is what you meant... When you said that you were spent..." I cut the song off, fully awake thanks to my awesome alarm. I really love that song. I sigh, knowing I have to actually get up and out of my bed, otherwise I'll be late to school. It takes me a minute before I compose myself rolling out of bed, and landing on the floor. Yeah, this a daily occurrence for me. I push myself off the ground before grabbing my school uniform, which consists of a white button up shirt, and a knee length black and teal plaid patterned skirt. I know, a beautiful uniform, courtesy of my wonderful school. The school may have a great education, the rest of it isn't that amazing. The uniforms aren't flattering to anyone, and the students might as well be mindless drones.

I put on my uniform, setting my leather jacket on my bed, before walking into my bathroom. I out on basic makeup: foundation, eyeliner, the basics. I'm not a huge fan of makeup, but my skin isn't perfect, so I pretty much use it to hide the blemishes, and eyeliner to make me dark brown eyes more dramatic. I run a brush through my extremely frizzy hair, I wait impatiently for my straightener to heat up, while I study my notes for my finals today.

It only takes about fifteen minutes to be completely ready. I head downstairs and check the clock, which reads 7:30. Good, I have about fifteen minutes before I have to leave or I'll be late. "Hey, Andy." My mother greets as she enters the kitchen, preparing her coffee. "I'll have to borrow your car today, mine's in the shop. I'll give you money for a taxi, but it looks like you'll have to leave now to make it on time."

I nod my head, I'm not a huge fan of taking a taxi, but I don't have another option. I give my mom a hug before she hands me some money for a taxi and a mug full of coffee. "I love you, sweetie. Good luck on your finals."

"Thanks, Mom. Have a good day at work!" I reply grabbing my backpack and rushing out the door all the way into the lobby. I wave a timid hello to our doorman as he opens the door with a cheerful smile on his face. I exit the building, reaching my hand out shouting for a taxi. I silently pray I can snatch one before I'll end up late. "C'mon! TAXI!!!" I shout once more, entirely prepared to walk to school. Just before I'm about to give up, a familiar car pulls up to the sidewalk.

"Your mom borrowing your car again?" Skylar asks as she rolls down the window. I just nod my head, and inform her of what the situation is. "Hop in, I'll give you a ride." I climb into the passenger seat of her car. "You know, you're really lucky I pass your building on my way to school."

"Thanks for stopping and giving me a ride, Skylar. I really appreciate it." I tell her, we sing along to the radio the rest of the way to the school.

"I'll drop you off here, I have to go park. I texted the boys, they'll meet us in homeroom." Skylar tells me, as she drops me off in front of the school. I tell her that's fine. I walk in the door, the traditional rush of school, only with the added stress of exams. I take a long sip of my coffee, trying to finish it before someone inevitably runs into me and spills it everywhere.

I finally reach my locker. I take out my exam notes before stuffing my backpack into my locker. "ANDY!!!!" My name echoes through the hallway, everyone just rolls their eyes as Damain and Matt run towards me from the far end of the hallway.

"Seriously? Don't you think this whole 'let's shout Andy's name through the hallways' is getting a bit old?" I ask joining them as we walk to our doom, books in hand.

"Nope, it will never get old." Matt says, even though Damian always does the shouting. I just roll my eyes, walking slightly faster through the crowd, soon enough entering the classroom we have exams in all week.

"Hey, Luke." I say finding my seat in the back, Damian, Matt, and soon enough Skylar all join us.

"Hey!" Luke says, quite loudly I might add. "You all ready for the chemistry final?" We all shake our heads, how are you supposed to handle a year's worth of learning in one test? The answer is: you don't, basically you try your best and guess the rest of the time. We continue on with the conversation as we study, that is until our overly optimistic science teacher informs us of the worst: exam time.

A stack of papers are set down on my desk, I grab my pencil and begin the mental torture. The entire week goes by in one huge blur, all I remember are confusing question, and late nights of coffee hazed studying. "This is it, the last exam." Matt says, sweeping his dark hair to the side. It's true, this is the only exam we have left, music. What this means is that we sit around until the teacher calls our name for the exam, which is essentially a solo acoustic performance.

"So how do you think you did overall?" Luke asks everyone in the group.

"I think I failed them all." Matt says indifferently. I can't help but roll my eyes, he probably aced them all without even studying.

"Matt?! Doesn't that bother you?!" Typical Skylar response, seeing as how she panics over her homework grades.

"Not really." Matt says with a shrug.

"I think I failed, too." Damian says, but this is how it always is. He'll think he failed and almost make himself sick over it, when really he probably got no lower than a 'B.'

"But we all know why that happened though." All of us except for Damian share a knowing look as Luke continues to speak. "Because he's just too gay to function." Long story short, Damian isn't gay, we just really love Mean Girls.

"Guys! I'm not gay! I have a girlfriend." He says with an annoyed sigh.

"Oh he's right. He does have Danny." Matt says, knowing exactly how this conversation will go based on frequent experience.

"Exactly. Danny, also known as Damian's 'partner'..." Skylar waits for Damian to start getting his little explanation stated before she finishes, "...in crime. Why what did you think I would say, Damian?"

We all start to laugh, even Damian joins us as he realizes he fell for it yet again. "Alexandria, exam time." I sigh, I love music class, but not the music teacher. It would be so much better if he didn't use everyone's full names and actually let us sing. I stand up, walking into the other room, locating the instruments I planned on using.

I take a deep breath, and take a seat at the piano bench. I decided to do an instrumental version of Civil Wars' Poison & Wine, it isn't exactly my style, but it was on the approved list and coincidentally the only one I knew I could do with confidence.

I begin the song, making slight improvisations where I feel they're needed. The entire songs sounds beautiful, and I could not have hoped for a better outcome. I smile as the last note is finished. "Well, that was... interesting." Our teacher tells us, "You're grade will be posted before the end of the day. You are free to leave now. Enjoy your summer." I inwardly sigh because I highly doubt that this summer will be enjoyable, and that's when it hits me. I leave in three days, I've barely packed, an I haven't even told my friends. I walk out the door, ringing my hand nervously as I take a seat won't my friend. Mr. McLeery calls my band mates one by one, and the rest of us wait until we're all done before we leave.

We all walk out the room, I don't pay attention to what is being said, that is until someone nudges me. "What about you? What are your summer plans? I'm heading to the Hamptons over summer. Which reminds me, my parents said you guys are welcome to come with us." Skylar says, a smile on her face at her summer prospects.

My stomach knots as I remember our band was supposed to play the benefit concert. "Sorry, Skylar. I can't come... Let's just say I had an unexpected change of plans, and now I'll be in LA working all summer..." I quietly say not removing my gaze from the floor.

Luke's face goes from confusion to realization once I said 'LA.' He apparently decided to voice his thoughts, because he spoke up saying, "Doesn't your dad live in LA?" I just timidly nod, "So you're working for him? As an unknown part of the deal I assume?"

"Pretty much... I also should tell you I leave Monday..." my words leave an almost awkward silence in the air.

"But you'll be back in time to play for the benefit, right?" Skylar asks with a worried look.

"I'm really sorry, Skye. But I can't, if I want to keep up my end of the deal I have to stay with him until the very end of summer. I really wish I could come, but you guys will have to play without me."

"It's alright. We will work it out, but there's no way we're playing without you, I think speak for everyone for that." Every one nods they're head in agreement. "And we can't blame you for not telling us, we all got so stressed out with exams, it's understandable why you didn't say something sooner." Matt tells me placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. I give him a small smile in return.

"Oh! Stop with all this gloominess! Let's celebrate the beginning of summer! I vote for pizza!" Damian says, trying to cheer everyone up. Well it works, for soon enough, we all end up laughing in a small pizza parlor. I know one thing for sure, no matter what happens at the end of the summer, I'll always have these goofs as my best friends.