Jacob felt nervous as he left for school the next morning. He didn't know why, but he just felt like he needed to be with Lucy. She cried as he left. He kissed her on her forehead and told her to be good to mommy, then left with James and Mil.

    Jacob told Alex about the money they had gotten from Hayley and Collin, and the two of them stared for aa moment before answering excitedly about college and everything he and Lucy could use the money for later in life. They all agreed there and then to not tell Lucy or the other kids about it until the time was right. They then gave Jacob a safe that they no longer used since they had rotten a new one. He put the small safe under his bed and put the money, Hayley's ring, and all the photos in there. His father used to be big in photography, so Jacob took his expensive camara he had gotten the year before. It was a camara Jacob could only dream about, yes, Jacob loved taking pictures.

    Mil told Alex about her old wedding ring. Alex simply sighed and told Jacob to keep it in the safe also, that way either he or James could give it to their future wife one day. Alex did keep the certificates though that Jacob had taken. She needed also the document Don had given to him stating Hayley's will. She said she needed it as proof that Lucy and Jacob were now legally in their care.

    Jacob smiled as Brook got into the truck. she sat down next to him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Everyone sat in silence as they road to school.

***

Mil sat fiddling with her pencil as Shawn spoke in Spanish class. She thought over the past few days and how much Jacob hurt when he heard his father was dead, and how much he looked like he was going to feint after coming out of Hayley's room at the hospital. Even that morning, he looked like he was going to cry as he kissed Lucy goodbye and walked out the door.

   Shawn told everyone to go around the room asking others in Spanish what their favorite color and food was. Before he dismissed everyone to do so though, He asked that Mil come and talk to him. Everyone began to speak in Spanish and Shawn took Mil by the arm, leading her out into the hall way.

"What's the matter with you today? You seem very upset." He said.

"I am. Shawn, Jacob has gone through so much this past week, and I don't know how he's still holding up." She said. She closed herneyes for a moment. "He has lost his little brother, his step mom and his dad. All within a day of each other. I only lost a brother, and I can barely think it hurts to much." She let out a small sob and he took her hand, pulling her to his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair in an attempt to calm her down.

"I know it hurts Mil, My mother had a miscarriage when I was thriteen. I was devastated, thinking about how it could have been Daniella. I was scared for her ever since, and I still am. You want to protect those you love." He said.

"Jacob is so hurt. why is life so cruel?!?" She let out another sob and he kissed her forehead.

"We all have trials, Mil, we simply have to keep on going, everything will get better." He said. She looked up at him, cracking a small smile.

"I never knew you were such an inspirational speaker." She teased. He shrugged.

"It's my strong point." He said jokingly. through the door they could hear the voices growing louder. Shawn smiled.

"Wipe away those tears Mil." He said. She did as she was told and followed Shawn back into the room.

***

   James and Jacob sat in P.E. class as their teacher explained how tryouts for sports iin a few weeks would take place. James played defense and was already on the team, so he didn't need to retryout, the coach already accepted him. But Jacob was trying out for Quarterback. Their previous quarterback was a senior and had gone on to play college ball that year, so the spot was open. After he explained, they set them out to play a round of dodgeball. James and Jacob were luckily put on the same team. The whistle was blown and the game started. Jacob had already gotten three people out within the first thirty seconds, James close behind him with two.

    A freshmen that was on their team stood beside them.

"So I heard a rumour that your mom died." He said. Jacob looked at him in confusion. He instantly knew who this kid was, Frank Livostra. Nikkis little brother.

"Where on earth did you hear that?" James asked in horror. Frank looked so much like his sister, that Jacob felt suddenly afraid of the kid.

"Oh it's floating around the school." He said.

"Knock it off Frank." Danny Felmont said. He was on the opposite team, but he could still hear them talking as he dodged the balls and threw them.

"But I heard it was true! There was another one going around saying your mom killed your little brother." Frank said. Jacob was starting to get angry at this kid. and obviously James was too. "So tell me, who died?" Frank smirked. Jacob clentched a ball in his hands and took in a deep breath.

"I said knock it off Frank!" Danny yelled. He threw a dodge ball at the kid hard, and it hit him in the face. everyone in the gym froze as they heard the sound of Frank hitting the floor screaming, clutching at his nose. The teacher paused the game and ran to where Frank was lying on the ground. Franks nose was bleeding badly, and Danny didn't look a bit sorry at all. The teacher helped Frank stand and told two kids to escort him to the nurse while he talked to Danny in his office. Every kid in the gym was staring at the twins.

"I think we should have waited till Monday to come back to school." James whispered. Jacob nodded his agreement and they both walked out of the gym, not caring that they weren't suppose to wander the halls during class.

***

   Danny was no where to be seen during Math, so Jacob concluded that Danny was sent home. Nikki was glaring at Jacob fericly the whole time. When the bell finally rang, he went to leave, but Nikki stopped him in his tracks.

"I heard what you did tto my brother in gym today!" She said. He rose an eyebrow.

"I did nothing to him." Jacob said innocently. She glared at him.

"Where have you been the past few days?!?" She snapped. He returned her glare.

"None of your business."  He wasn't about to tell Nikki of all people that his dad and step mom were dead. He pushed passed her and let out a deep breath, fighting off the urge to yell as he stormed off to the truck.