"Elle?" I call out as I enter the apartment after school.

"Hello." A deep voice replies, my head instantly shooting up as an unfamiliar man walks into the room, smiling. I, understandably, scream.

"Who the fuck are you?" I grab the lamp from the table behind me.

"Anna relax. This is Patrick. My new boyfriend." Elle calls out as she appears behind him. I look over him, probably mid-twenties, messy brown hair that's tucked under a snapback cap, baggy sweatpants and a gold chain around his neck. He smirks, eyeing me up and down and I struggle at hiding my distaste.

"Boyfriend?" I echo and Elle wraps her arm around him, smiling at me.

"Yes Anna! I met him at a club."

"A club?" I mindlessly repeat what she says as I look between them.

"Yes Ann, for God's sake!" She snaps and I whip my head back to face her. What? Since when were my sister and I at odds?

"Sorry... I didn't know."

"I was going to tell you when the time was right." She smiles, leaning into him and gazing into his eyes like a lovesick puppy. A puppy? My sister has never looked at anyone like she's dependent on him to survive before.

Stop. This is ridiculous.

"When the time was right?" I echo again, desperately trying to process the words.

"Stop repeating everything." She snaps, letting go of Patrick and walking towards me.

"Sorry, I'm just trying to understand."

"There's nothing to understand." She grimaces, gesturing behind her. "Patrick is my boyfriend." She repeats, "End of discussion."

"Okay." I reply, looking over towards the dirty man, "Lovely to meet you." I manage and he grins as Elle snuggles in to his side once more.

"You too!"

"Excuse me." I say lowly, quickly turning away and walking to my room. What the hell? Elle always tells me if she's seeing someone new, we've always shared this stuff with each other. We always laugh over her crap first dates, her shit second dates and she always asks me what she should wear and how she should do her hair when she goes out.

Or at least she used to...

When did she even meet him? As far as I'm aware she hasn't been to a club in months and he literally looks like he rolled in from the streets. He better not be staying long, something about him gives me the creeps.

I groan, throwing my bag in the corner of the room and jumping onto my bed, burying my face in the pillow as I hear the happy couple laugh with each other from the kitchen.

I'm glad someone's happy.

*~*~*

"You finished Anna?" Jade calls as I make my way back to the dressing rooms.

"Yeah, been working since four! Good luck out there!" I reply and she winks at me, throwing her platinum blonde locks behind her.

"I don't need luck!" She grins, whipping off her robe, leaving her in skimpy red lingerie, before strutting off towards the stage. I hear the cheers of the men and shiver, glad I'm not dancing like Jade does. I'm glad she enjoys it.

I take off the revealing navy dress and pull on my sweatshirt, jumping at the sudden clatter of someone entering, hurriedly pulling my top down as I turn to face the intruder. Great. The boss.

"Eric, this is a ladies changing room!" I hiss, grabbing my jeans and holding them in front of me.

"It's my club. I'll go where I want." Eric snaps back and I bite my tongue, "A man dropped this off for you." He hands me an envelope before leaving as quickly as he appeared. Looking down at my handwritten name I grimace, feeling anxiety rise within me. What kind of a person delivers a letter in a club? And who would deliver anything to me?

Pulling my jeans on I stuff the envelope into my pocket, beginning to make my way to the exit but the curiosity eats away at me and I curse, stopping and whipping the letter back out. Opening the envelope I gasp as a wad of twenty dollar bills fall out, quickly grabbing them and unfolding the note. 

Savannah,
You don't deserve to work here. It was my fault that you failed your driving test. Please use the money to pay for your lessons.
Brett

What?

*~*~*

I hammer on the door as hard as I can.

The absolute nerve of him!

Slamming my fist against the door once more for good measure I halt as it's pulled open, an elderly lady looking out, slightly terrified.

"O-oh! I'm so sorry!" I stutter, my eyes wide in surprise. Oops! "Is Brett home?" I manage and she smiles slightly looking behind her and opening the door wider. Brett is walking down the stairs and his mouth curves up into a breathtaking smile as he spots me. He truly is mesmerizing, his smile leaving my brain foggy, unsure of why I'm even here, standing on his doorstep.

Focus, Savannah. Damn it, what's wrong with you?

The poor lady slowly retreats, sending me a quick smile before walking away.

"I see you've met Ettie." Brett grins as he walks over towards the door. "Probably gave her a heart attack with that aggressive knock." He smirks, "Anxious to see me were you?"

"You are so arrogant." I snap immediately.

"The ladies love it."

"You are so..."

"How can I help you?" He cuts me off, smiling down at me as he leans against the door frame. "Couldn't stay away?"

"Are you serious?" I snort, crossing my arms as I glare at him.

"Alright, if that's not why you're here, then why?" He asks. I reach into my bag, pulling out the envelope and holding it up.

"How dare you!" I yell and his smile immediately fades, replaced by a look of confusion.

"What did I..."

"I am not a charity case. I don't need your help Brett." I snap and his face hardens.

"I didn't think you did."

"You clearly do." I laugh, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Savannah I simply wanted to help." He holds out his hands, looking down at me. I sense something in his eyes, grimacing when I recognize pity.

"I don't need your help!" I snap, taking a step towards him. Brett's eyes widen in surprise at my anger. "I don't need your money either!" I exclaim, grabbing the cash and smacking it against his hard chest. He ignores it, letting it float down to the floor.

"Savannah..." He reaches out for my arm and I jerk back. 

"I did perfectly fine without you in my life Brett."

"I didn't mean to upset you, I just..."

"Just what? Thought I was the little poor girl on the other side of town, just begging for money?"

"No." He snaps, "I didn't."

"It's just so hard being rich boy Brett Winters isn't it?" I taunt, gesturing at his house, "So hard that you have to give money away because you feel guilty."

"Shut up Savannah. You of all people know that isn't the case..."

"Stay away from me." I yell, "I mean it. Keep out of my life and stay away from me." I finish, my voice quietening significantly. His face hardens and his eyes finally begin to show another emotion besides apologetic pity.

Anger.

"All I did was try to help. Why are you so ungrateful?" He snaps, glaring down at me, "God Savannah, don't you worry, I'll stay as far away from your ass as possible!" He finishes, his words cutting into my heart as he steps back inside, a look of resentment now clear on his face.

"I hate you." I snap back at him before whirling around and storming away from his front door with haste, hearing the door slam behind me. I instantly lower my head, letting my blonde hair fall over my face and cover the tears that begin to fall. Why did he even try to help me? I am not a charity case.

I quickly make my way down to the road, desperate to get away from this rich side of town, my head down as I attempt to stop the traitorous tears.

"Sav?" A voice calls out and I grimace, wiping my face with my hands before whirling around to face her.

"Becky!" I greet. She stands beside her driveway, her long black hair perfectly waved, slim figure gorgeous in a long black dress. She frowns at my the sight of my red blotchy appearance.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah... I... yeah." I stammer, shooting her a shaky smile which clearly doesn't convince her.

"Want to come in?" She asks, smiling softly.

I should go home. I have so much homework to catch up on but I also really don't want to see Elle and Patrick curled up together, loved up on the couch.

"Why not?" I reply, walking towards her. She grins and we walk up the driveway, entering her house and walking through to her kitchen. She tells me to sit down and I slouch down onto a chair as she grabs a bottle of water. Walking back over towards me she sits down across from me and shoots me a questioning look.

"Tell me what happened."

"What makes you think anything..." I trail off as Haydon walks into the room, his black shirt undone. Well, damn!

"Hey." He exclaims, spotting me.

"Hi." I manage, smiling slightly as he grins.

"You came back? My sister didn't scare you last time?"

"She did a bit." I reply, smiling, "Had to come back for the big house though."

"And to see me." Haydon grins and I raise my eyebrows.

"Alright!" Becky cries, throwing her hands up in the air, "Goodbye Haydon."

"Are you okay?" He asks, peering at me a little closer. I guess my cheeks are still red, my eyes probably still bloodshot. Great.

"She's fine Haydon!" Becky snaps.

"Are you sure?" He asks, peering over his sister's shoulder as she points towards the exit.

"Haydon!"

"I'm fine." I smile at him, "Thank you."

"Alright." He sends me a smile before glaring down at his sister, turning and walking out.

"What happened?" Becky asks and I shake my head.

"It's just money."

"Money?" Becky's eyes widen, "Why are you all the way over this side of town, worrying about money?"

"I..." I can't help the stuttering that's coming out of my mouth. How can I lie about this? My parents had a rich friend who lives in this part of the town? I'm tutoring someone from school for money?

"Sav?" She questions and I bite my lip.

"I... I was giving money back to Brett." I blurt out, wanting to trust her.

"What?" Becky frowns, "Why?" She asks, "Did he pay you for something?"

"No!" I exclaim, shaking my head. I sigh as I fiddle with the sleeves of my top. "He gave me money because he caused me to fail that driving test." I explain, shaking my head as I look up into her eyes. "Who does he think he is?" I snap, glaring at the memory. "I took the money back and we got in an argument."

"He offered to pay for your driving lessons?"

"Yeah."

"I'd take the money." Becky snorts, leaning back in the chair.

"Becky!"

"That boy doesn't need it!" She exclaims, gesturing to the room behind her knowingly. Brett's kitchen is probably double the size of this one.

"He thinks I'm a charity case!" I grimace.

"I don't think he does Sav." Becky shakes her head. "Don't get me wrong, he's a complete idiot." She scoffs, "But I don't think he gave you that money because he felt sorry for you." She continues, "Maybe he genuinely felt bad for causing you to fail?"

"Yeah, good one!" I snort, smirking at the idea. Becky gets up, walking over to one of the cupboards.

"I can barely believe it myself." Becky smirks as she throws something over at me, "Have some chocolate."

"Thanks."

"Always makes me feel better." She grins, tearing her own bar open and taking a bite.

"Don't tell anyone Becky." I say softly and she looks at me quizzically. "That I was here, and that Brett..."

"I won't." She cuts me off. "Brett wouldn't be telling anyone anyway, he doesn't want anyone finding out he has a nice side."

"Surely that would make him more attractive to girls."

"Not according to guys. They seem to think we want them to treat us badly." Becky retorts, grimacing.

"Idiots."

"You got that right." Becky giggles, "You should take my approach, bed them and ditch them."

"No thanks!" I chuckle as she winks at me.

"It's fun."

"I'll leave that to you." I reply, taking the final bite of my chocolate bar.

"Alright." She grins, "Do you want some more?" She asks, gesturing towards my empty wrapper.

"I..."

"Here." She grabs another bar from the cupboard, throwing it over to me. "Eat." She orders, "I promise you'll feel better."

"Fine."

I can't help but feel happier just from stepping foot in this house. Becky really cares about how I am. Plus, she gave me chocolate.

"Haydon!" Becky yells as she continues raiding the kitchen cupboards, myself nearly dropping the chocolate in shock at her outburst.

"What?" He calls back.

"Did you eat all the cookie dough?"

"Yeah."

"Idiot!" She snaps as he walks in, raising an eyebrow at the empty chocolate wrappers that are gathering on the table in front of me.

"Sorry, I didn't realize that you were going to scoff your face with as much food as possible." He shot back before looking over at me. "You look happier."

"Thanks?" I reply softly.

"You ate it all?" Becky accuses, her hands on her hips. "Fat idiot.".

"Shut up." Haydon glares at her, "It's my food too you know!"

"Well you didn't have an emergency, did you?"

"I don't think your hunger classes as an emergency." He scoffs.

"No, but Savannah's sadness does." Becky snaps, gesturing over towards me.

"She looks fine to me."

"I..."

"She wanted cookie dough." Becky cuts me off and I can't help but chuckle at the bickering siblings.

"I'm not going to buy you more."

"You're making her sad again." Becky points to me and I bite my lip to keep my giggles contained.

"I am not."

"You are."

"Not."

"Are."

"I..." I begin and they both look over towards me as I stand up. I can't help but smirk slightly as Becky grins, "I was really looking forward to some cookie dough." I let out and Haydon shakes his head, a small smile appearing on his lips.

"Fine." He agrees, throwing his hands up in a surrender. He points directly at me as he grabs his jacket from the corner. "I'll go to the shop. You owe me."

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