I held my favorite stuffed teddy bear with a red ribbon close to my chest. I watched mama scream at the speaker. The man was making mama angry,she was crying. I watched mama fall to her knees bawling her eyes out.

"Why Richard?Why don't you want me?" she whispered

"Denise please listen to me where is Lily?" he asked

Mama's head snapped to me. Her eyes red from crying.

"Your the reason he does want me!" she screamed grabbing the metal object from the ground.

I gasped as she walked to me anger in her eyes.

"Mama?" I asked frightened

"Denise what are you doing to her?! Denise don't you dare hurt her!"

Mama ignored us both pulling me up to my feet.

"It's your fault!" she shouted bringing her arm back

"DENISE!!" the man shouted terror in his voice

"Mama no!" I pleaded

Snapping out of my thoughts I felt hot water burning my body as I stood in the shower not realizing it had gone that hot. I jumped out of the shower wrapping myself in my robe and towel drying my hair.

Sneaking into my room careful not to wake my parents and my siblings.If they actually slept here last night, I thought bitterly. I slipped on some breathable dark skinny jeans and a white t-shirt with a navy blue cardigan that reached just below my hips covering half of my butt. I slipped on my favorite black boots that reach inches below my knees. With no jewlery except for the silver ring with a dazzaling emerald that I wore around my neck. I tucked my necklace under my shirt, Annabelle hated it.

No make up, no jewlery just the way I liked it.I pulled my dried hair up into a messy ponytail. I examined myself in the mirror behind my door and smiled at my reflection. My look is simple and that is what I loved. I sighed, but Annabelle would freak out if I left the house like this.

Lily you weren't blessed like your sister and brother. Make up will cover your flaws. Annabelle had said that when I use to refuse to wear make uplike her and my older step sister Melissa. I was thirteen and I remembered feeling ugly compared to all the other girls and when Annabelle said that it hurt like a blow to my face. I remember bawling my eyes out all night.

That was than when I was a child now I know I'm beautiful. I'm not stick thin nor too big I was just the right curves with slightly bigger boobs than average. Your average teen.

I grabbed my eyeliner and traced the black pencil lightly on the inside of my eye. Adding a couple quick strokes of mascara. Stepping back a bit I saw the effect of my little touch as my caramel colored eyes shimmered and I barely did anything. I went to my drawer and dug for my chapstick applying some on my full red lips. I am always biting them that lipstick was never needed besides I hate it even gloss. They're so sticky and gross tasting unlikey my cherry chapstick that I loved.

I slipped my chapstick in my pocket for later. Pulling out my hair band I brushed my almost knotless hair letting it fall against my shoulders down to my back almost reaching my butt. I took a black headband that had a little blue flower on top from the same draw and slipped it into my thick chestnut hair.

The other look was more relaxed but this was good too. Satisfied at compromising Annabelle's style and mine I headed downstairs to make breakfast.

I love mornings, it was always peaceful. First I made a pot full of coffee. Striding over to the drawers I pulled out what I needed to make pancakes.

As I was making the last batch my brother Jake walked in in his basketball shorts shirtless with a groggy expression. He plopped on the chair eyes half open. Dozens of girls would kill to see my stepbrother shirtless and they had good reason. Jake is what you would call a muscle head. He obsessed over staying fit but wasn't disgustingly fit. He is lean with arms and legs that are well sculpted. He barely has a four pack even though he swears its a six pack, its a four pack.

Jake not only had a well defined body but he also had a face to go with it. Dark brown eyes closer to black that could pierce you to your seat. A nose that has a slight bump at the bridge, thin pink lips and a square jaw that alone was perfect. Yes my brother is hot.

"Morning Jake."

He gave a loud grunt in response. I took out a mug looking over at him. My brother is hot but defitnely not a morning person.

"Long night, huh."

He didn't speak only letting out another grunt. I grabbed a plate of pancakes and drowned them with maple syrup just the way Jake liked it. When I placed the plate in front of him his eyes widened as he practically inhaled his food.

I knew that would wake him up. I cleaned up after myself as Jake eat half of the pancakes I made but that was why I made so many. I grabbed a couple pancakes for myself when the back door opened, Melissa walked in holding my red pea coat. She wore a blue dress that reached mid thigh exposing her perfect legs,a few beaded necklaces that hung around her neck were now tangled, and stellitos in her hand. Her bleached blonde hair frizzed, her lipstick smudged over her left cheek and her eyeliner smudged to the sides of her face. Her perfect dark eyes were red from her night that obviously just ended.

She stumbled to the bathroom without a word as usual. Jake and I didn't pay attention to her instead we ate in silence.

A few minutes later Melissa walked in in her bathrobe her make up wiped clean to reveal her tan flawless skin, her hair pulled back in to a high ponytail and that perfect grin on her face.

" Mornin' all." she said in a cheeky tone

Melissa sat by Jake across from me. She had a good night.

" How was your latest party?" I asked not really caring

Melissa beamed and pulled my plate across the table digging in to my breakfast.

"It was a blast Warren knows how to please a gal." she said with a mouthful of food.

Funny that it was Tyson's party but I had a feeling she was "pleased" in a different way. Not wanting any details in what my sister did I gave her a smile that was meant to show I my approval but I'm sure I was grimacing.

Jake laughed at my face conforming my guess.

"Sorry I just don't want to hear that." I admitted.

Melissa grabbed more pancakes in to her plate. She shrugged.

" Your both immature children." she said with another mouthful.

For a skinny girl she could eat but never outside of this house. In front of people she takes little bites but at home she leaves no pan untouched. Jake reached over the table and grabbed my mug washing down his breakfast.

"Hey!"

Ignoring me Jake said

"Children who were safely tucked in our own beds."

Melissa laughed barely keeping her food in her mouth.

" Oh please I saw you last night sneaking out of the house with Cindy who by the way I just passed outside."

Jake's grin faded as his face turned a dark shade of red. I couldn't stiffle the laugh that bubbled to the surface. I heard Jake sneaking in after his curfew and unfortunetly I also heard Cindy later on. My room was right next to his so I heard pretty much eveything.

I only sleep with my pillow over my head.

Jake shot his sister a dark glare before gulping down the rest of my coffee. I refilled his cup and patted his shoulder before bending down to his ear.

"I figured all those moans weren't only from you." I whispered

His eyes widened as his cheeks went red. I held my laughter in not wanting to embarrass him anymore than he was. I poured myself another cup of coffee this time standing by the counter to ensure I would actually get to finish it.

"So what did you do last night?"

Melissa asked with a smirk.

I took a sip of my coffee feeling angery with Melissa. She knew damn well what I did. Unlike my hormone crazed siblings I never snuck out( for a party atleast) or snuck anyone in my room. I was a good girl who followed the rules.

I shrugged.

"Oh you know the usual drinking and messing around." I said trying to keep a straight face.

Both my siblings looked at me with a yeah right look before we all bursted out in laughter. Even I knew that would never happen.

"Well look at this all my kids together having a good time." a deep voice said

I walked over and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Morning daddy." I said

He gave me his crooked smile that revealed his slightly gapped front teeth. Daddy's smile was a geniune one that made his dull brown eyes spark with life. That was my favorite part about his smile.

"Morning sweetie." he said before taking my cup from my hands.

I didn't mind though. He took a long gulp like Jake did. How they could swallow hot coffee I had no clue.

"Yummy pancakes." daddy said running to the table stacking a bunch on his plate.

Melissa glared at him as he took the remainder of the stack. My family sure could eat. Daddy stuffed his mouth full and I knew where my siblings got there appetite from.

I smiled at him before noticing it was five past eight. I went to slip my white pea coat on seeing how Melissa borrowed mine. I pulled my red hat over my head not caring if my hair messed up. It was the beginning of February and still pretty cold for early spring. I grabbed my bag slipping the long strap over my head.

I kissed my dad's cheek.

" Bye daddy."

"Wait your siblings will give you a ride sweetie." he said

Both Melissa and Jake froze. They never went to first period doing who knows what and I being the good girl I am didn't want to miss class. Besides they obviously didn't want to choufer their half sister around in their precious cars.

"No thanks daddy I like the walk."

It wasn't a lie I didn't mind walking, it is a fifteen minute walk. My siblings relaxed as they avoided dad's eyes. He sighed than nodded before turning back to his plate.

"Okay have a good day sweetie."

I gave him another kiss for reassurance, I am his youngest and I know he is just worried.

"Bye guys." I waved to my siblings.

They each gave me a weak smile before I left.

When I finally arrived at school I headed to homeroom not wanting to get detention. I raced to my seat relieved. Detention was hell I don't know how people like it.

"Lily!!" someone said their country accent heavy saying that one word.

I reconized that high pitched voice and I groaned internally. As I turned to the direction of the voice she tackled me to the groud trapping me in a bear hug.

"Rach your killing me." I croaked from beneath the blonde haired, blue eyed petiet girl who just squeezed harder.

"Yeah babe show me some tongue." someone shouted.

It was then I heard whistling and more peeverted comments about my best friend's obsession with hugging me. Rachel didn't care though.

" Oh Lily I have the greatest news ever!" she squealed as she sat up on my lap.

I saw her perfect pearly smile reaching beyond her ears as she jumped up and down lightly. It defenitly was good news. I opened my mouth to guess but she beat me to it.

"Nikki asked me to the Heartthrob dance!!" she screamed in my ear.

Nikki was the guy Rachel has been crushing on since the first day she entered this school. She gave him her own personal nickname and flirted with him all the time but never asked him out.

" That's great Rach but ahh.."

Her dazzling smile disappeared at my words, it was like the sun went down.

"But?" she asked confused.

"But can you get off we seemed to have attractted an audience." I nudged my head behind us.

"Whoa ride her cowgirl."

"Give to her hard."

She blushed at the comments as she stood up helping me as well. I heard a few groans and boos. I ignored them.

"So are you a couple or just for the dance?" I asked already knowing

Rachel immediately brightened up again.

"He asked me out too, we are going on a date tonight!!!" she screamed hugging the life out of me.

I smiled through the pain knowing how excited she was and not wanting to ruin it for her. Besides I knew Nick was going to ask her out I helped him get enough courage to. Both were afraid to make the first move. But why ruin her moment.

Thank goodness the bell rang for first period or I would have passed out.

Rachel linked her arm around mine knowing I hated when she did that.

"Now we need to find you a date or should I say get you to accept a date."

I have been asked but by guys who were more interested in the action they get after the dance. But Rachel was worried I wouldn't go because I don't have a date.

"I told you I will go Rach."

She gave my arm a squeeze to show her thanks. For some insane reason she is obsessed with us going to the first dance she has been assigned to organize, my best friend is in the stupid dance commitee.

"I don't need a man." I said immating her accent perfectly

We both laughed all the way to first period leaning on each other for support.

"Oh come on Harry I'm not that bad."

I shouted a bit ticked off.

The skinny freshman shook his head before running in the opposite direction of me. Damn no one wants to be my partner. I sighed and told the gym teacher Mr. Monett just that.

"Now I bet someone has asked you and you declined them." he said pointing to his pericous jocks

I looked over at those muslce heads as they took turns on the exersice equitment.

"I might as well be running with a 200 lb bag of meat." I mumbled

Coach Monett chuckled and I went scarlet when I realized he heard me.

"Fine how about Nick!" his voice boomed

"Yeah coach."

Before I knew it Nick was jogging towards us and never has the required gym clothes looked so good.

"Lily here needs a running partner."

I saw Nick's lips moving but I was trapped by his amazingly hot body that was sweaty from his previous work out. His black hair reaching below his eyesbringing out his beautiful ocean blue eyes.

"Problem solved now get on the red line." he shouted before blowing his whistle

With ringing ears I ran to the red line as well as the whole gym class.

"When I blow the whistle you and your partner are to run side by side at a compromised pace. You will run ten lsps, the first lap you will jog. The last lap will be a light jog. Does everyone understand." his voice booming through the room.

A few people grunted in response.

"You better cause I'm not having anyone past out in my class. If you feel tired slow your pace down a bit."

"Ready.Set.."

I steadied myself than turned to my partner,Nick did the same and gave me a little grin.

"Go!" coach half said as the whistle blew

Nick and I jogged with a small group that surprising was almost all the athletes with cheerleaders beside them trying to keep up. I rolled my eyes, figures the guys partnered with those airheads.

We led the pack as some teams fell behind.

"What's the matter Jack you gettin tired?" I teased.

Jack the last muslce head who asked to be my partner in a rude way. He said " if you faint from trying to keep up I could care you or if your lucky give you mouth to mouth."

Followed by I raised eyebrow. I told to take his head out of ass and go find a partner.

He gave his partner a dark look before turning to me. He stupid grin spread across his face as he ran pasted the half way mark.

"Nah but I sure do got a good view." he said staring at my butt.

His partner hit him on the arm as my face burned up. I turned my attention back front when I heard a few cat calls and whistles.

I had to open my big mouth. When we hit the starting line I sprinted into a run with Nick running right by me. We immediately separted ourselves from the pack but I could still here those jerks talking about my butt.

"So I'm only your last resort?" Nick asked

I turned to my partner . I flashed him a huge grin. Nick my brother's friend is the nicest guy I have met. I have known him since for 4 years and he was a sweet kid who always helped me out. He use to come over and spend more time with me than my brother.

When Jake had sleepovers Nick came to check on me and say good night before I fell asleep. Sometimes I wished Nick was my brother rather than Jake but I always feel guilty later on. Nick practically is my other brother. Nick still is that sweet little kid I have known except for his sudden growth spurt freshmen year, he went from dwarf to the hulk.Girls are throwing themselves for one hook up,talk about desprate. Nothing has changed between us though.

"You looked a little busy before." I mumbled

Busy with hormone crazed girls looking for a excuse to be near him. I knew he wasn't interested at all he only has eyes for Rachel.

Nick fell for Rachel when he was still a dwarf and she the same. After he exploded a few months later after joining the basketball team the groupees came along. Nick though Rachel would turn in to one of them too but Rachel stayed bubbly Rachel which made Nick like her more.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder pulling into his sweaty hard chest.

I pushed against his sweaty body.

He didn't budge or even stumble, he only flashed me a smile that he only gave me. The smile that was so wide the corners of his eyes crinkled.

"Now Lily how many times must I tell you you are the only girl for me. Seriously your cooking is whoa mama."

"You ass that's all you think I'm good for." I playfully hit his chest

He let go rubbing his chest.

"Are you sure your not part man?" he asked jokily

I laughed speeding up but I didn't lose him.

We ran past a few teams who were walking which caused coach Monett to blow a freakin' gasket. Coach's voice boomed through the room as he threatened to make anyone who wasn't running to stay afterschool until they did it right. Suddenly a miracle happened as everyone picked up their pace.

"So Nikki I heard from a certain beautiful country girl you adore that you are going on a date tonight."

Nick turned bright red as he nodded sheepishly with a grin that nearly cracked his face in half.

"Yeah we're going to La Bella for dinner and dancing."

Honestly I was happy for them they both are great people who deserved each other. I asked for all the details about their date and with a that same huge grin. He told it was an elgant restaurant which I have to remember to tell Rachel to dress that way which shouldn't be a problem for her. We continued to run our remainder laps as Nick gushed about Rachel.

By the way he spoke of her like she is a goddess I began thinking maybe Nikki has fallen for Rachel. It was not impossible when it came to these love birds.

Just as we began jogging our last lap we pasted Jack who was trying to get his partner who was drenched in sweat to pick up her pace. I felt sorry for her Jack is an idiot but she chose him. I stuck tongue out at him as we headed to the starting line. I heard Nick chuckle from beside me.

"Well done now go change you reak." coach said with a pinched face at Nick

We both laughed before heading off. We were one of the first few who finished so the locker room was almost deserted. I showered and changed in time to see Nick dashing out of the gym as coach was shooting at the remainding teams. I had a hunch where he was off to.

I smiled and snuck out as well. Coach wouldn't mind I finished for the day and there was only five minutes left. I headed down the hall to my science class when I saw Danny the worldest biggest idiot. Seriously he is a walking, talking block head. I went out with him once only because Annabelle told me to "give him a chance he is a very sweet boy" she said. Pfft that was a load of bull.

Danny came over charming Annabelle acting all yes sir to my dad that I considered him a decent guy but that's where he showed his true colors. Danny took me to see a movie when we got to the theater he led me to the back, which should have been my first clue. Barely after the movie began he pulled up the armrest pulling me to his chest. I thought awww he wants to be closer, thst was an understatement. A few minutes later that idiot drops his hand from my shoulder to my thigh then to the hem of my shirt and slowly reaches up my shirt . When I felt his hand on my stomach I punched him in the gut and stormed out walking home. Annabelle was disappointed when I came home early. If she only knew.

I held my head high walking past him and a few of his delinquiet friends. I let out my breath not realizing I was holding it in as I ran by him and almost into my class.

A hand pulled be back by my elbow, crap!

"Lily why if I didn't know better I'd say you were running from me."Danny said smuggily

I yanked my arm away and gave him my deadliest glare ever which only caused that stupid smile to grow.

"Oh come on are you seriously still hung up on that whole date thing. Who actually still watches a movie?"

The delinquits laughed along with him. Was he that stupid or was he just putting up a front for his friends. I gave him a fake smile.

"First off your an ass." I said raising my thumb up to his face.

"Secondly your "techniquic" needs work." I raised my index finger

Danny's smug look disappeared as his friends snickered behind him.

"Thirdly I still watch movies. Fourthly if you touch me again my pretty boot is going to hit you where the son don't shine." I brought my middle and ring finger up.

His friends still laughing at him if they liked that they will love this.

"And last but not least." I said raising my pinky up with a smile before I slapped him across the face.

"That's for the date."

Danny stuck his tongue through his cheek as a smile crept up his face, what the hell?

His friends ohhed as Danny bit his lip. Shouldn't he be mad I just slapped him and by the red hand print on his cheek I hit him hard. Danny smiled before grabbing my shoulders roughly.

"If it was a real date I forgot this." he said through clenched teeth

What the hell is he talking about? Before any other thought crossed my mind Danny crashed his lips to mine. His lips moved roughly against my still ones. I pushed his chest only for him to press it against mine hard. I gasped as he literally squished the breath out of me. Danny took that to his advantage as he slipped his tongue in my mouth. His tongue began exploring my mouth causing me to choke as he shoved it practically down my throat.

I pounded his back with my fists with full force. He pulled away gasping for air grinning.

"Now I know you liked that." he said

Anger boiled through me, is he that dense.I smiled sweetly which probably wasn't.

"Yea as much as you like this."

I brought my foot back before forcefully shoving it hard to where the sun don't shine.

Danny fell to the ground moaning and cussing me.

"I warned you."

I walked fowards before Danny grabbed my ankle. Damn he is like those serisl killers in those horror films, he just keeps coming back.

"Let her go." a familiar voice said

My heart sped up oh god no not him. I turned to a the direction of the voice. Right behind me Ethan Andrew stood with all his glory. His usual dazzaling emerald eyes were dark and literally pinning Danny down. I could see Danny was scared silly who wouldn't be he is Ethan. Ethan local bad boy.

"Mind your business Andrew."

Danny stood up trying to frighten Ethan. He had no luck. Ethan wasn't as built or big as Danny but from what I heard he could take Danny and his friends no problem.I shuddered at the anger in Ethan's eyes which he saw I'm sure.

"If you touch her I will rip your arms off. Your lucky I haven't for pushing yourself on her." Ethan said with a clenched jaw

He saw that! I looked down at Ethan's balled up fists his huge knuckles white as snow. Oh crap he is going to hit him. Thinking quickly I stood between the towering guys placing one hand each of their chests.

"Stop it both of you."

I said more to Ethan than Danny.

No dout went through my mind that Ethan would swing if I weren't in the middle. I knew Ethan well enough that he would never hurt a girl no matter how pissed he was.

""This doesn't concern you Lily." Ethan hissed

Did he just hear himself, of course it concerned me. Just as I was going to tell him just that Ethan's big hand took hold of my arm tugging me behind his body. His clenched fist rose. No,no that's not good.

Think! I shouted at myself. Without a thought I wrapped my hand over Ethan's. My hand was tiny compared to Ethan's enormous hand and it was warm, soft too. I mentally slapped myself before walking in front of Ethan. I stared him straight in his now slightly softened green eyes.

"Stop Ethan." I said in a stern voice

Ethan wasn't looking at me his wide eyes were on my hand over his.

I felt myself blushing in embarrassment. Did I seriously do that?!

I turned to Danny not really wanting to think about Ethan right now.

"Get out of here."

Without a single protest they left which was due to Ethan still around and not my telling them. Turning to Ethan I aburtedly took my hand off his.

"Thank you helping me but your anger wasn't necesarry."

He said nothing and I took that as your welcome. I gave him a weak smile before running into my class absolutely morrified I sunk in my chair. I saw him watching me from the hallway and I wished the ground would swallow me whole. If the bell hadn't rung I could of sworen he was heading my way.

People flooded out into the hallway but Ethan was the one I watched slowly making his way to class until he disappeared in the crowd of people. I will never live that moment down especcially because the last time I saw him was even worse. I never get a break when it comes to Ethan.