Myrtle was right. The moment Stephie and I see James Marsden's character get shot, by his own family, we break into sobs. Honey is also tearing up.

"Ugh!" Myrtle pretends to stab her heart and rolls onto the floor. "Every time!"

"What in the hell are you watching?"

We all look up and see Maddox standing in the doorway with his black jacket slung over his shoulder.

"Chick flick," Myrtle replies, pushing up to her feet. "An ugly cry, chick flick. Shouldn't you be at work by now?"

"Supposedly," he shrugs. "I was told I could come in a little later, so I showered."

"Right, so get," Honey says, crossing her arms.

Maddox rolls his eyes at her and turns back to Myrtle.

"I left that thing in your room," he says, putting his jacket on and flipping the collar up. "I need it back tomorrow."

"You'll have it back," Myrtle says, motioning for him to leave. "Shoo."

"Right."

He nods and leaves, looking rather disappointed. Myrtle sighs and returns to her spot between Andrea and me.

"What thing did he leave in your room?" Honey asks; she looks about ready to jump up to find out.

"Keys to his car," Myrtle replies, "I have to be at work early tomorrow and he's staying at Charlie's. I asked to borrow the car, since it'll just be sitting in the garage until he gets back. Can we finish watching the movie, please?"

I look at my sisters with raised eyebrows. Stephie just shrugs, but Honey seems to be thoroughly invested in this new development.

The thing is, we all know Maddox has been bothering Myrtle since my sisters and I arrived in the group home. Probably even before. This is all new behavior that we've never witnessed before. Maddox doesn't let anyone borrow his car. The one he saved up and paid for on his own. And Myrtle never would have asked him to borrow the car. What the heck is going on?

***

"Do you think Maddox is planning something?" Stephie asks as she, Honey and I enter our room. "Like, he'll try to get Myrtle in trouble about driving his car?"

"That's what I'm worried about," Honey says, marching to the closet and rummaging through her clothing.

"I can hear you plotting in here," Myrtle appears in the doorway. "Honestly, I'm already planning revenge is the douche decides to pull something stupid on me."

Honey sighs and goes over to her.

"Why would you even consider asking him to borrow his car?" she asks, placing her hands on Myrtle's shoulders. "All Maddox ever does is bother you. It bothers me!"

"It's supposed to be raining bad tomorrow," Myrtle replies, patting Honey's cheek affectionately. "And I don't feel like taking a bus. It won't kill me to ask for help now and then. And I bugged him to let me borrow the car. Threatened him if he didn't. All the bases are covered."

Honey sighs, but she nods. Myrtle hugs her and then disappears. My sister closes the door and leans against it with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Want to go shopping?" Stephie asks, pulling out her purse.

"With what money?"

"I saved a few months allowance, and Mama sent a birthday check."

Honey closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

"Alright," she says, smiling when she open her eyes. "We should do as much as we can together. Because when I leave for college, I'm praying you two get to go home. You'll miss me."

"We will miss you," I say, laughing as I toss a pillow at her.

She gasps and it becomes a party of pillow tossing and fighting.

***

Shopping does the trick. When my sisters and I return to the group home, we're all smiles and full of goofy giggles.

"Did you see the way that guy looked at you, Honey?" Stephie asks, growing very serious. "He was totally checking her out!"

"And she totally ignored him!" I reply, shaking my head.

"Knock it off," Honey says, slapping the back of both our heads. "He wasn't my type anyway."

"He was cute!" Stephie protests as the giggles return. "He totally would've asked you out if you'd approached him."

"Eh."

My twin and I share an eye-roll.

"I bet you'd have gone up to him if he were Jesse," I mutter; I mean for it to go unheard, but Stephie snickers and Honey smacks my shoulder. "Hey! You were talking to him at Charlie's party."

"Like I had a choice," she says, groaning. "He sat with me. I had to oblige him. Maddox came and messed with the moment anyway."

"Didn't realize you were having a moment."

The man himself is walking through the front door. If I look passed the obnoxious smirk, I can see that Maddox is tired from a long day. Or half day, whatever. His dark hair is matted with sweat to his forehead.

"I thought you were staying at Charlie's," Honey says, crossing her arms; her shopping bags hang on either side of her.

"I am," he replies, moving to walk past us. "I forgot something. Don't worry, I'm not going near Turtle tonight."

He marches towards the hallway, as if on a mission.

"Have either of you noticed how mild he's been since Myrtle got drunk?" Stephie asks, leading the way to our room.

"Ugh, do not say you think he actually cares," Honey groans, pushing past her. "C'mon; I don't want to lose the good mood I've been in."

Stephie falls next to me and we share a look. We love our sister. Wouldn't know what to do without her.

"Let's do our nails," Stephie suggests as we enter our room and she closes the door behind us. "I still have that home kit."

"Sure," Honey says, holding up the new dress she got. "Let me just put this stuff away."

"Doing your nails will help you relax more," I chime, dropping my bags on my bed. "You'll feel way better."