" FUCK YOU, Eli!" My mother screams at the man who ruined my family's life. "I don't need your goddamn money! We don't need you!"

    I see Rue turn up the volume on her headphones, trying to drone out the weekly fighting. I have become immune to it, and I think she slowly has, too.

    When Rhett called just ten minutes ago, she seemed intrigued since I never get a call. Plus, my blushing and laughing probably was strange to see, yet she didn't pester me. She simply plugged in her earbuds to her ipod and read her book.

    Our supposed 'father', every week or every other week, comes back here to give us money. He doesn't stay here anymore, even though I'm sure he'd rather be here than at Jani's place. Apparently she lives in a trailer with her two dogs and her child.

    Anyways, he only recently started doing this within the last year. He was 'too ashamed' to confront us earlier.

    For over two years he didn't connect with us! TWO YEARS! Like, seriously he can screw off.

    "Mai, please take it. I-I don't want my girls struggling-"

    A slap resounded in the apartment, and I know that my mother had slapped him for saying we were 'his' girls. He lost the right to call us 'his girls' when he decided three years ago that my best friend, Leila, would be a great person to hook up with. Then the accident happened which ruined everything.

    Yeah. There's more to the story...but that's all I'm willing to share as of now.

    "Mai! You know I still care about all of you. Please just take it..." Eli's voice is trembling, and I can't help the bitter laugh escaping my lips as I walk out of my room and into the living space where they are. My mother has her arms crossed and fire in her eyes. Eli's shoulders are slumped, but he turns over to look at me as I walk into the room. I usually don't come out of the room, but Rhett will be here in a couple minutes, and I'd rather wait for him outside.

    "Noa..." my father's voice shakes as he sees me. It's a rare sight for him because, like I said before, I usually don't exit my room when he comes around.

    "Eli. Why don't you shove that money up your asshole. We don't want anything from you anymore." My statement throws him off, but my mother smirks. She usually scolds me for my rudeness, but right now, she likes it.

    "Noa...you don't mean that...and I'm your father. At least have respect-"

    I clench my fists and cut him off. "Respect?! Says the one that fucked my best friend and-" I stop after feeling my phone vibrate in my hand, indicating that Rhett is here. I look at it quickly, texting a 'be right down' before looking back into the pale gray eyes. Eyes in which I, unfortunately, acquired from him. "I have somewhere to be. I suggest you leave, and if you aren't gone by the time I'm back, I won't hesitate to call the cops." At this I see tears forming in his eyes, but they don't affect me.

    He is nobody to me anymore.

    I turn to my mom with an apologetic smile. "Mom, I'm having dinner at my friend's house...I'll text you. Love you." She only nods as I exit the apartment. Rushing down the stairs, I am met with the image of Rhett and his sleek, black jeep. He is leaning against the door as I approach him. A hesitant smile spread across his lips.

    I boldly go up to him and wrap my arms around his neck, snuggling my face further into the crook of his neck. I hold back my tears because I didn't want my makeup smeared anymore, especially since I'll be seeing his mother.

    "You alright?" His soft voice asks me as he rubs my back. It's a voice in which I could never dislike. It's full of warmth and empathy. Completely opposite from mine. I pull back and nod.

    "Yeah. Just dandy. Shall we go? I'm starving!" He smiles and pulls back completely. Before he opens the door for me, I see him checking me out.

    "What happened to dressing like an utter slob?" I shrug since he's referring to my nice jeans with no holes--what a shocker--and my dark burgundy blouse with part of the back cut-out. I kept my combat boots on since my converse are a little ratty looking.

    All in all, I actually look nice and normal for once in my life, besides my pink hair of course.

    "You do know I was being sarcastic right? I wasn't going to present myself like that to your mom." He smiles as he opens the car door for me.

    "Well, you look beautiful." I feel my heart flutter at that, but instead of swooning like most the girls, I shove his shoulder a bit with a roll of my eyes.

    "Kiss-ass," I mutter as I slide into the passenger seat. I hear him chuckle as he closes the door and walks around to the driver side.

    Once we buckle-up, he starts the car up and drives towards his house. The drive is quiet but comfortable. It's like he knows I need some peace. After a few minutes of silence, we pull into his rich neighborhood.

    "My mom made lasagna...you like that right?"

    "Actually I don't..."

    His eyes go wide, and he starts to panic. Idiot. He still doesn't get my sarcasm.

    "Rhett, I'm joking. I love lasagna." He sighs in relief at my statement.

    He looks over with a smile before turning his attention to the road again.

    "I'd probably run and get you something else for dinner, but I'm glad you like it. My mom makes the best. Her being half-Italian helps..."

    I nod along as we pull into his driveway and exit the car.

    Walking up to the front door, I take a deep breath, nervous for some reason. He takes my hand in his with a smile, and whispers in my ear, "Relax. I'm right here."

    Walking into his house, I'm met with the smells of fresh herbs and spices, along with the smell of tomato and garlic. It smells heavenly.

    I watch as he slips his shoes off, waiting for me to do the same. I hesitate because I'm wearing mismatched socks. One is white and says "you rock my socks" and the other is a dark grey with cherries on it.

    "Sorry...usually I'd let you wear your shoes, but whenever my mom is home we don't. She's a stickler for it." I purse my lips together at his remark.

    Just my luck. The one day I wear different socks.

    "Fine. Don't laugh at my socks." I begin slipping my shoes off, setting them neatly next to his loafers. Once my shoes are off, he covers his mouth as he tries to suppress his laughter. "Ugh. Knock it off."

    Just as I'm about to shove him for laughing at my socks, his brother rushes down by us with a smirk.

    "I knew you guys were together. Saying you're 'study buddies' is a load of BS." His younger brother, Ripley, remarks with a cocky grin. Rhett gives him a look as if saying 'behave'. I only snicker since his brother and I are so similar.

    I miss seeing the little troublemaker, and, so, I give him a high-five. He happily high-fives me back.

    "What's up, dude?" I ask, ignoring the comment he had made earlier.

    He shrugs. "Not much. I haven't been in too much trouble lately, so I guess it's been kind of...boring. How's Rhett's rebel?"

      Rhett's Rebel...that has a nice ring to it.

      "Great. Shall we head in there? I'm starving." I turn my head from Ripley to Rhett. Rhett nods with a smile while Ripley wanders off, mumbling something under his breath.

    Rhett takes my hand in his, leading me to the kitchen area where his mother is taking out the pan of lasagna from the oven. As she sets it down on the heat pads, she turns over towards us with a smile. I can clearly see where Rhett gets his beautiful smile from. 

    She is wearing a slimming pale blue blouse with white accents, along with dark gray dress pants and black heels. Her hair is also clipped back in a nice up-do.

    She looks like one of those women from the 'Home and Life' magazines. The replica of Martha Stewart, except she probably has never gone to prison or even gone close to one.

    "You must be Noa. It's nice to meet you! I'm Rhonda." She brings her hand forward to shake mine, which I accept and shake it before she pulls me into a hug. I freeze instantly since I'm not one who likes hugs. Well, I don't like them when I'm not expecting them.

    "Mom!" Rhett whines as his mother pulls back.

    "Oops! Sorry, dear! I'm a hugger." I awkwardly smile back since that hug allowed me to feel her breast implants.

    Very perky and hard boobs.

    And very fake.

    "It's nice to meet you, too." I say sweetly back. Rhett gives me a strange look after hearing my fake-nice voice.

    "So, I have the lasagna and a house salad for dinner. Along with some garlic bread! You like that?" I notice how nice and neat the dinner table is set up, and I can see that she is a woman who worries about her image.

    "Yeah...for sure." I take a seat in a chair beside Rhett. His mother and brother sit across from us.

    As we begin serving up the house salad on our plates, the sound of the front door resounds. Rhett gives his mom a confused expression, and I can see a hint of guilt on her face. Ripley smugly smiles, and I just shove my face with the salad and homemade Italian dressing.

    As I am shoving a forkful of salad in my mouth, a low voice sneers.

    "What the hell is she doing here?"