The weekend passed as usual. Leigh avoided coming home, and even at the gymnasium, there was no sign of him. On the other side was Lilith, my next-door enemy whom I've grown accustomed to living with. Snubbing each other had become our habitual routine, acknowledged even by Mom and Christian.

The thing is, I could handle every impetuous impact from Embry and the other girls, but Lilith's behavior on Halloween was something entirely new to me. I suppose anyone in my position would see it that way, considering she had always been a rescuer to me. Yes, we've had our ups and downs, but her bullying me and teaming up with her friends felt like a slap in the face, a very unexpected one.

On Monday, while I was on my way to school, I spotted the familiar Mercedes, and I wished the ground could split open and swallow me whole. Allow me to give you a brief summary of how my day started before the car, which I was sure would stop for me, pulled up beside the road.

I left home feeling lifeless after another argument with Sawyer. We were supposed to have a sisterly night, just like the Disney characters we've always dreamed of being. Not only was Sawyer mad at me for days, but even Mom was upset because of my uncontrollable attitude over the weekend. Everything seemed to easily provoke me, and for that, I blame myself for thinking I could fit into a world that was never meant for me.

Setting all of that aside, I couldn't find my homework, which I had spent three hours perfecting. I woke up this morning only to realize it wasn't on my shelf. That led to me running out of time, and I was certain I could be marked absent for first period. What could help ease the troubles of my recent dysfunctional life? You might say tea, right? Well, wait until I tell you that I had forgotten my flask on the island while searching for my homework folder, amidst shooting back at my unforgivable cousin.

Enough disasters, you might say. I thought so too until Embry's shiny red Ferrari passed by and showered me with black coffee. Now I looked like someone who had stayed up all night and received a brain electroshock. Thanks to my now sticky, damp hair and my stained-pink dungaree.

And then, the horn sounded as I played the preoccupied and oblivious card.

"Hey Ava," Arlen Garrett lowered his head, smiling as usual. He must have a great life because he looked organized and completely different from me.

"Hi," I smiled back.

Either he was expecting an explanation for my atrocious appearance, or he was simply being polite and would skip the "what happened to you" question.

"Get in, it's getting late," he offered. Although driving in close quarters with Arlen Garrett was the last thing I needed right now, I agreed. After all, I didn't want any additional punishment for being late, especially since I didn't have my homework file in my backpack. So I climbed into the passenger side.

"Your seatbelt?" He beamed, and I almost bit my tongue in annoyance.

"Thanks, Mum," I rolled my eyes but made sure to put on a fake smile, even though deep inside it wasn't a joke.

"Your brother is always blabbering about driving you safely. I want no trouble—we have a lot between us lately. He seems protective of you."

How could I control my anger? "He. Is. Not. My. Brother," I emphasized, straining to convey my point. Why did they all address Leigh as my brother? For one, our parents hadn't even married yet, and even if they did, we would only be step-siblings. "And trust me, he's not protective of me. He's just being neutral." I don't even know if that made sense to him because it didn't make much sense when I replayed it in my head.

"Yes, neutral," he replied with sarcasm, but I remained quiet until we arrived at our destination.

With a 'thanks' and 'I'll see you later,' I scrambled out of Arlen's car and hastily walked away, not because the bell had rung, but because I hoped he wouldn't take the chance to ask me out again.

To be completely honest, I don't even know who I am anymore. Going out with me is like wearing a red outfit and dancing in front of a bull.

"Your folder should be among the others," Mrs. Murphy told me as I stepped foot into the filled homeroom.

Do you know the feeling you get in the middle of the night when you think you've heard footsteps around your bedroom window? That's how I felt right now—fear.

"Can I submit it tomorrow, please?" I bit my bottom lip harder, praying that she would consider how diligent of a student I've been.

But, since I was meant to suffer in life, Mrs. Murphy shook her head, disappointed in me, I was sure. "Take one from the pile beside the folders," she commanded, and I did so without hesitation.

Granted! It was a detention pass, or whatever they call it in Las Vegas.

"Karma is a bitch," Lisa's sidekick whispered with a smirk. If I weren't a nonviolent person, I'd be fantasizing about stabbing her winking eyes with the blunt pencil in my hand. But instead, I smirked and acted as if I were okay with the fact that I had just received my first detention. Inside, though, fear and an icy feeling relentlessly gnawed at me.

Swallowing the pain, even though the anticipation of what detention meant was overwhelming my thoughts, I took my seat.

"What took you so long?" Evie mumbled as Mrs. Murphy continued explaining how important homework was for our grades.

"Long story. I can't believe I'm still alive," I know some might think I'm being dramatic, but surviving such a messed-up life like mine is an Academy Award-winning talent.

"What happened?" she replied in a similarly hushed tone.

"I'll tell you later."

***

After another sad lunch, where I had to hide in the girls' locker room to avoid Embry and Lilith, not to mention the whole of Hills High, I ended up performing poorly in my PE class. Mr. Carl always referred to us as his lazy family.

Though he never understood me, as I was a good runner but a slow swimmer, it amazed him in certain situations. Mr. Carl would always call me Fancy Nancy whenever I struggled to reach the end rope after everyone else had finished and left the pool minutes ago.

"This is so exhausting. How are we supposed to run if we can't even swim fast?" Evie whined, breathing heavily with her mouth open.

I only laughed at her. She was sweating and panting.

"Oh, of course, you're weird. I remember," she nudged me softly. "By the way, why are you still here? I thought you joined the cheerleading squad."

"I haven't signed up yet."

"So what does that mean? Are you doing it for free? Seriously, no one does that. At least if they don't pay you to rock those cute little outfits, they should give you good grades for it," Evie implied as we ran, circling around the busy field in our white and yellow shorts and short-sleeved shirts.

"I loathe cheering. I've never wanted to do it, and now I feel like I'm taking something that isn't mine. It's as if I'm occupying a spot that doesn't belong to me," I complained. This was the reason why I still didn't feel comfortable mingling with the cheer squad.

The break whistle went off, and Evie came to a halt, placing her hands on her hips. I took two steps before facing her, both of us panting heavily. "We're talking about Embry here, the girl who has grown to despise you for no specific reason. You should be glad to be on Sofia's right hand. That way, you could find some ease and even survive any explosion from those four girls who decided to become tough this semester."

"But..."

Interrupting me, her eyes began to twitch, and I shook my head in confusion. "He's coming," she mouthed.

"Who?" I still didn't grasp the hint.

"Your brother," she uttered with a grin on her face.

If it weren't for the fact that I was also losing my composure internally, as his scent began to warm and fill my senses, I would have thrown a fit at Evie for using the word 'brother' that was driving me insane.

I swallowed hard, feeling his proximity, and almost closed my eyes to savor the calming feeling his magnetic presence had on my entire body.

"Hey," he waved at Evie, and I swear she nearly fainted.

I didn't blame her. Even though he was technically my stepbrother, his presence had an unsettling effect on my body.

Evie couldn't speak, nor could she close her gaping mouth, so Finn added, "I'll borrow her for a minute." He clasped my wrist and pulled me further away to a spot where no one could overhear us. His simple touch ignited my entire being, and my breathing became heavy and fast.

"Hey," he mumbled, releasing his grip when he noticed the impact he had on me. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked down at the grassy ground. I suddenly felt jealous of those fingers, even though I also wished they would hold me.

"How are you doing?" he asked slowly.

"As good as I can be," I honestly answered him. "And you?"

"Just training all day," he replied, motioning towards the cheetahs in the middle of the field, wearing the same practice outfits as him.

When I didn't reply, he continued, "So, I was thinking about... what you said the other day." He still avoided looking me in the eyes.

Curiously, I wanted him to lift his gaze to me. I wanted to see the expression on his face. "What was that?"

"About coming home," he exhaled and finally faced me. "Do you want me to come back?" He asked, intensifying his gaze as he searched for an answer in my suddenly unstable eyes.

Swallowing, I tried to put up a facade and shield myself. "Your dad is..." I started, but he interrupted me by placing his hand lightly on my arm, stroking it gently.

"Ava, do you want me to come back home?" he asked again.

I stared deep into his beautiful green eyes that matched the lush surroundings, taking a moment to realize he was caressing my skin in a public area of the school. So, I tilted my head, hinting him at the gesture, and he abruptly pulled away, taking a step back.

Just as I was about to answer him, not that I even had a proper answer, Mr. Carl's whistle blew again.

"Ava!" Evie called.

With an apologetic smile to Leigh, I replied, "Coming."

***

Since the showers were occupied, I had to wait for a junior to come out before joining to clean myself, including my sweaty hair that I had managed to live with for hours.

The water was warm as I scrubbed my skin under the shower, feeling rejuvenated.

Rejuvenated, huh? I thought.

But as I reached for the towel and panties I had hung earlier beside the shower curtain, they were nowhere to be found. My blood ran cold, and my mouth went dry.

I waited for the bell to ring, hoping for some noise, but there was none. That's when I tip-toed, my heart about to burst out of my chest. What a perfect life I was living in Vegas. Who would do such a cruel thing to me? Why was my life so hellish?

The locker room was empty, fortunately, but unfortunately, my clothes were not there.

Great! Whoever did this must truly hate me and wanted to embarrass me to the fullest.

Thankfully, my phone was in my backpack, so I called Evie twice, but she was in class. I even dropped my weapons and called Lilith, but she didn't answer either.

Shaking slightly, not from the chill of the fresh shower, but from the fear of getting caught naked and having it go viral within minutes. I had seen what the internet could do to people's lives when used in the wrong way.

With horror, I began dialing my mum for help, but then I realized I had nothing to give her as an explanation. She would demand answers when she found out her daughter was being bullied to the point of standing alone, naked, while lectures were going on. What a great day, Ava!

That left me with no choice but one: Leigh!