Worst part about having an adorable niece and nephew, Babysitting!

Yup my brother just dumped his kids on me so I had my hands full while he was with his wifey.

Yeah it's not an excuse I know but the kids are like the devil without Spongebob!!

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Chapter 27

~It's been a month since I sent Richard the letter telling him about Lily. He wrote a brief letter saying he needed to stay with his family, his real family. Apparently Annabelle is pregnant too, it's a boy.

I don't want my Lily to grow up without a father. Daddy stopped sending money a few weeks ago but luckily I had money saved up.

My faith in Richard is not completely gone. He sent me a couple bottles of vitamins today. Maybe things will be alright after all.~

Shutting the diary I laid it down on my bed. How could dad do that? How could he abandon my mom when she needed him the most?

After Jake and Ethan left I went up to my room to read the rest of the diary entries, from the beginning.

From when my parents fell in love after my dad broke up with a clingy ex who I presume was Annabelle. Everything was okay even after Melissa was born. My dad balanced everything out.

It's when my mom got pregnant that he completely disappeared without a word except for that short letter and vitamins.

Vitamins?! Pills! Could they be linked together? But that would mean my dad is responsible for my mom's breakdown. He wouldn't do that, would he?

No, he loved her she wrote it down before the pills. I saw the photo and the love letter he wrote her that was with the photo. He loved her than why did he disappear during her pregnancy?

Laying my head back against the headboard I tried figuring things out. Maybe two families became too much for him.

Standing up I shook my head. Dad wouldn't do that. I'm missing something here but I don't know what it is.

Shoving the diaries under my bed I decided to take a break. I went downstairs to the living room. Annabelle was sitting in front of the tv with it on much louder than needed.

She was staring at the screen a dazed look on her face. Her face was blank as her eyes were wide and looking at nothing at all.

"Annabelle?" I called out

With a quick shake of her head she forced another tight smile.

"Are you feeling okay, maybe you need an aspirin? I'll get you one." she stood up ready to race upstairs

"No, I'm fine." I said a little too loud

Her mucky eyes narrowed briefly as she sat back down. I took the seat beside her. Annabelle seemed a little out of it. Like her mind was occupied.

She cleared her throat and turned slightly to me.

"Richard said you found something in our room. A box?"

A warning flag went up in my head. Shifting nervously I racked my mind for a cover up. Everyone is still a suspect until they're cleared.

"Yea Aidan was hiding and he found it. I walked in and saw him sprawled on the floor." I lied

Annabelle drummed her fingers against her knee the tight smile still on her face. Her eyes were slits as she searched my face for any sign of a lie.

The kitchen door swung open startling me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked

Melissa shrugged with a mouth full of chips. With a large bag in her hand she plopped down on the armchair.

"She didn't feel like going today." Annabelle answered stiffly

Melissa nodded not paying attention. She leaned over Annabelle and grabbed the remote.

She didn't feel like going? When did that ever qualify as an excuse to stay home?

Leaning back into the sofa watching a reality show about some washed up celebrity looking for the spotlight.

"I need to run an errand but you two stay out of trouble." Annabelle said to both of us but was looking at Melissa

"Jeesh I'm not ten." Melissa snapped

Annabelle mumbled something but I couldn't hear it exactly although I'm pretty sure it wasn't a good thing.

"Behave." Annabelle said sternly as she left

Pulling my phone out of my pocket I saw I had twenty texts from Rachel asking if I was okay. There was one from Ashton asking where I disappeared, I completely forgot about him and our agreement.

Wait I'm with Ethan I can't continue with this flirting thing. I text him a quick excuse saying I couldn't be his fake fling or whatever we were.

From the corner of my eye I saw Melissa straining to see what I was writing. Talk about nosey.

Just as I was going to tell her to mind her business my phone rang. When I saw who was calling I couldn't help but smile.

I went into the kitchen away from Melissa.

"Do you really miss me that much?" I answered

"More than you could imagine." Ethan said seriously

I bit my lip to keep myself calm. Whenever I hear his deep voice I get so bubbly and girly. Its embarrassing but he makes me feel fluttery.

"What are you doing right now?" he asked the roaring of the cafeteria in the background

"Watching tv with Melissa." I answered sighing dramatically

"What's wrong love?"

Leaning my elbows onto the counter I said

"I'd rather it be you here with me."

"Trust me I wouldn't want anything but to be with you right now."

I felt my cheeks heat up and was glad he couldn't see. Ethan seemed to enjoy seeing me blush.

"Who you talking to And?" someone shouted

"His girlfriend. He has to check in every hour." Scott mocked

Stifling a laugh I listened quietly as the guys joked about how Ethan is whipped. Even Jake threw in a couple jokes.

"Ohh come on baby don't get mad." Jake cooed by the receiver

"Hey Andy's girl what's your name?" he shouted into the receiver

I couldn't hold it any longer. If only he knew. I heard Ethan cursing at the guys telling them to shut up. Than the noise of the cafeteria disappeared.

"Sorry about that, as you know they're morons."

I giggled at his exasperated tone. "I don't know I like the idea of Ethan Andrew local player whipped."

"That title no longer stands. Now I'm Ethan Andrew whipped and loving it."

His words were reassuring. Ethan has a past and to hear him say he didn't miss that lifestyle. I mean if he wanted he could get a different girl every night.

"Careful I might never let you go." I warned

"Good because I don't plan on leaving."

Ah yes Ethan has been crushing on me since grade school.

"Your a bit too clingy I change my mind." I joked

Ethan chuckled into the receiver. I felt that strange flutter in the pit of my stomach at the deep low sound.

"There you are let me talk to her." Rachel's voice echoed

"Wait I'm not done." Ethan whined

There was a loud crunching sound as Rachel ripped the phone out of his hands.

"Are you okay? Andy said your fine but your not here?! Are you traumatised?" Rachel said in one breath

I heard Ethan tell her I was fine but she shushed him. That's my best friend.

"I'm fine Rach." I giggled

"Good I thought this one here kept you up all night."

There was another crunch noise as Ethan tried pulling the phone back. "Hold on lover boy." she hissed

"You really have him hooked." Rachel muttered as she handed the phone back

"Damn that girl has super strength." Ethan said

Like an idiot I nodded. Rachel shouted that she'll call me later. "Speaking of later I'll be over in an hour."

"What if Melissa is still here I asked?"

As soon as her name left my mouth she swung in with the bag of chips crumbled up. Crap what if she heard my conversation.

"Did you forget, I'm Romeo."

I giggled earning a weird look from Melissa. She stuck her head into the fridge. I bet she was just trying to listen in.

"I'll see you later Romeo." I chuckled

"Bye love."

Slipping my phone back into my pocket I grabbed a can of soda.

"Who was that?" Melissa asked finally poking her head out of the fridge

"Romeo." I said before I darted upstairs with a wide grin

I felt like I was floating on a cloud. Haha this day was going great! Collapsing on my bed I was reminded of the diaries. Reaching under my bed I pulled them out.

~Still no word from Richard and I'm beginning to feel ill. I see things that aren't really there. My doctor ran some tests but they came back fine.

But I am not. There are voices that no else hears. Shadows that wait for me to turn around, they are after me.

I don't know what's going on.~

That makes two of us. Rubbing my eyes I put the diary away. I've read up to the time when she hallucinates but nothing sounds unusual.

She calls my dad and gets an ear full from Annabelle. She sends letters and gets no response. Her doctor said she was fine all through out her pregnancy.

A few days after my dad sent her those vitamins is when she began hearing and seeing things.

Than dad does have something to do with this. I slumped against my bed, but he loved her how could he?

Could it all have been too much for him?

The door bell rang interrupting my thoughts. When it rang again followed by a loud knock I realised Melissa wasn't planning on opening.

With a sigh I rushed downstairs to see her texting away on the couch.

I opened the door completely shocked at who was there.

"Ashton?"

He shook his head causing his shaggy blonde hair to bounce away from his face.

"Whoa what happened to your cheek?" he asked a look of concern on his face

"I fell." I lied

Maybe I should cover this up. I heard Melissa getting off the couch. Oh right he's her boy toy.

Stepping to the side I invited him in.

"Hi Ash." Melissa said fluttering her lashes at him

He waved not seeming to give her much attention. Melissa's nose flared with annoyance. Today is really taking a toll on her. No attention from anyone.

"Can we talk?" Ashton asked grabbing my hand in his

"Alone." he added as Melissa craned her neck at her hands

Slipping my hand free from his I nodded. No need to give him the wrong impression. Besides his hand isn't like Ethan's.

Ashton raised a brow at Melissa indicating for her to leave. Like a child she stomped her foot and went into the kitchen.

Leaning against the back of the couch I crossed my hands over my chest.

"What was that text about?" he asked

"It is what I wrote, I can't continue this charade." I admitted

Ashton shook his head his brows furrowed together. Did he really come all this way for that?

"Why aren't you in school?" I asked

"Most teachers aren't here so everyone just ditched." he shrugged

Everyone including Ethan. Looking up at the clock on the wall I could see it has been almost an hour since Ethan called.

Ashton is the reason why we got together but I don't want him to be the reason we break up.

"Look it was nice seeing you and all but I have something to do. We can still be friends though." I said as I pushed him towards the door

Ashton turned around and grabbed my wrists stopping me from pushing him.

"That's just it I don't think I want to be just friends."

Crap! He looked at me with those baby blue eyes. Tell me this isn't happening, I groaned internally.

"What about Melissa?" I said hoping to change his mind

"The time we spent together showed me that girls like Melissa come and go but you are one in a million. I like you Lily." he smiled at the end

I shook my head with my mouth slightly open. This had to be a joke! I looked up at the clock. Damn!!

"Your nice and all Ashton but I don't feel that way about you."

His smile fell as did the glow in his eyes. "But at the party you said.." he trailed off looking confused

"I was drunk Ashton. You really are a sweet guy but I just don't feel the same way as you."

The kitchen door swung open revealing an angry looking Melissa. She pointed an accusing finger at me her face beet red.

"You tramp! I don't know why mom has me going around telling people lies when you really are a slut!" she shrieked

Pulling away from Ashton I squinted at Melissa. Wait did she just say Annabelle told her to spread lies about me?

Ashton came up behind me placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Lily isn't like you." he spit

Melissa placed her hands on her hips and let out a loud sigh.

"You play with my feelings. One day you want me the next your on some other guys lap. Lily has been a friend unlike you."

"Oh please the slut was just working her way into your pants." she snorted

Stepping forward I raised my hands up. "The slut has something to ask."

"Look she even admitted it." Melissa said pointing a finger at me

I rolled my eyes at her stupidity. Ashton smirked obviously getting a slut wouldn't call herself a slut!

"It's really pathetic how jealous you are of our relationship." Aston said placing a hand on my shoulder

"There is no relationship." I said pulling away from his grasp

Tightening his arm he pressed his side to mine. Has he lost his mind!!

"Jealous of that waste of space. Pa lease." she said flipping her hair at me

Waste of space! I sent her a dark glare that she returned with a dirty look.

"Admit it your jealous of Lily because she gets all the attention. Everybody flings themselves at her ignoring you completely." he added his voice rising

The hurt that flashed through Melissa's eyes but she quickly covered it up. I tried reaching her to tell her otherwise but Ashton kept me close to his side, literally!

"I don't care. Not about her or you!" she spit her voice cracking

"Oh yeah." Ashton shouted

"Yeah!" she replied

Why am I in the middle of the fight? I'm just an innocent by stander. Besides these two sound like an old couple.

"Than you won't mind this."

Ashton grabbed the sides of my face taking me completely by surprise. Before I could pull away he slammed his lips to mine.

Squirming in his grasp I slapped his chest and tried pushing him away but it was hopeless. He moved his lips against my still ones.

Did he not get the message?! Clenching my fists tight I pounded his chest.

"What the fuck?!" Jake's voice boomed

Ashton pulled away his face pale with fear. The asshole better be scared because I'm going to kill him.

I wiped my lips with the back of my hand and turned to explain when I saw Ethan standing beside him. Ethan's jaw was flecked tight as was his fists, his knuckles were white with rage. But under the hard mask he had on I could see the hurt in his eyes.

Jake slammed the door shut looking just as angry.

"What the fuck are you doing in my house, kissing my sister?" Jake said stepping closer

Ashton stuttered looking at me for some help. But I was looking at the hurt expression on Ethan's face. His green eyes were dull as they watched me. It was like he was asking why.

"And you, I thought you were going to have a day off not a make out session!" he shouted at me

I flinched at the harsh tone Jake used. But it was enough to knock me into my senses.

"It's not what it looks like." I said my eyes on Ethan

Ethan shook his head looking away from my gaze. My heart sunk at the small action. He thinks I cheated.

Jake kicked the coffee table causing the vase to rattle. I took a cautious step back.

"You were fucking kissing!" Jake shouted eyes full of rage

Ashton looked at me with a fearful expression. I couldn't even think about him right now. Ethan was still looking down refusing to look at me.

"Jake man Lily isn't a kid. She is going to date and I'm a decent guy." Ashton said lifting his arms up

Ethan's had snapped up a blazing fire in his eyes. He took a step towards Ashton.

"So your the right guy for Lily." Ethan asked

Ashton being the moron he is nodded and smiled like a fool. Ethan chuckled and rubbed his chin.

"Let's test you out than."

With that Ethan slammed his fist into Ashton's face. Ashton stumbled on his feet but wasn't down.

Ethan threw another punch to his face this time it made a loud cracking sound.

"Oh my god he's bleeding." Melissa shrieked sounding terrified

Blood oozed down Ashton's nose like a river.

"Ethan stop." I pleaded my voice cracking

I tried grabbing his hand to stop him but Jake caught me by the elbow. He shook his head.

"Please Jake stop him." I begged my voice thick with emotion

Jake's mouth tipped up into an evil smirk. "Let's see if he's the right guy."

I shook my head not believing what he said. Ashton was now on the ground with blood streaming down his face. The spots that weren't covered in blood were red and ready bruising.

Melissa had a shaky hand over her mouth, her eyes were wide with fear. Fear was the right emotion. Ethan's handsome features held a dark violent shade that made me shudder in fear.

I know Ethan would never hurt me but when I see him like this. As this monster it makes me afraid.

"Alright Andy that's enough." Jake called out

But Ethan didn't stop. Ethan kept swinging at Ashton as he tried blocking his body with his arms. Jake let go of me and went over to pull him off of Ashton but Ethan pushed Jake off like he was a rag doll.

Melissa dug her finger nails into my arm tears streaming down her face. "Lily do something he's going to kill Ashton." she cried

Kill! A new fear rose in my chest. Could Ethan, my sweet, Shakespeare quoting Ethan kill someone? I was afraid of that answer but what could I do?

Jake tried yanking Ethan off again. Ethan looked up momentarily but the dark look in his eyes caused a gasp to escape my lips.

That was not my Ethan.

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I said Ethan was a bad boy ;)

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As always,

~LovelyDove43~