Pulling up into my driveway I took notice that Jada was in fact here already, just as I had predicted, and so was Mike. Luckily it was just them and my parents, no other family here, which was good because the last thing I wanted was for Drew to feel overwhelmed. I looked at her while she sat quietly in the passenger.

"Are you ready?"

She just looked at me, smiling, "Yep."

I took her hand, "They already love you. Don't be nervous."

She breathed easier this time, and then nodded, "Okay."

We grabbed our things and made our way to my front door, me realizing it wasn't even locked as we let ourselves in. I figured that since the weather was pretty decent they would be outside by the pool talking, of course they wouldn't be swimming because it was still fairly cold, but my assumptions were right.

Drew mumbled, "Your house is pretty amazing..."

I just grabbed her hand and led her upstairs, "Thank you."

She followed behind me, "So what do your parents do?"

I walked down the upstairs hallway, "Um, dad's a management consultant, mom's in real estate."

She made an approving sound behind me as I stopped at my old bedroom door, throwing it open and seeing it just the way I had left it for Christmas.

Drew finally commented, "That explains how this dance studio is happening."

I threw my bag down and nodded, "Yea, they know the right people, which is great. I plan on paying them back every penny once it's off the ground but... I need help to get it there."

We stood in my room for a bit longer, a look in Drew's eyes that made me realize I was craving her kiss a little more than usual. I knew now wasn't time time considering my parents were waiting for us, but after we said our hello's and talked for a bit we could escape and go downtown or something.

She walked closer to me, "Have I ever told you how amazing you are?"

I blushed, "Why do you say that?"

"Because," she started, "You're only twenty-one and already have your life together. You know what you want and you do what you have to do to get it."

I just blushed at her sudden compliment, loving the way it sounded when she revealed her admiration. I leaned into her, my hands wrapping around her as I leaned in and kissed her softly.

"It means a lot to hear that from you," I confessed.

She just tilted her head and smirked, "Then it's my pleasure."

I forced myself to pull away and grab her hand, "Let's go downstairs."

She followed behind me, my nerves tangling up in my stomach at the thought of appearing in front of my parents. The last time they had met Drew and I hadn't been official, and now we most definitely were. Of course they knew I was bringing her, but this here was the official meeting with her as my girlfriend.

I opened the door to the back patio and al eyes were on us as I heard my mom squeal in delight, "Well look who's finally here!"

I could feel Drew move from behind me, my overly-eager mother moving in to hug her first. I smiled at the sight, watching my dad stand and do the same. I didn't know how she reacted internally at affection, but the look on her face let me know she absolutely loved it.

My dad included, "So glad you could join us this weekend Drew."

I smiled, watching her nod in response, "I'm glad you decided to have me."

Then Drew and Jada exchanged quick nods, already having met officially Wednesday night.

Jada spoke, "We were actually just talking about the studio."

I felt my excitement bubble in my chest, "Is it finished?"

Dad shook his head, "Not quite, but it should be by the end of next week."

I moved closer to my family, Drew already loosening up around them. My mom was eyeing her with a huge smile on her face while dad gave me a look of approval.

I confessed, "I really want to see it."

Dad leaned back and crossed his legs, "Well you two go, show Drew around town. I doubt if you two want to be stuck in the house all night."

He gave me a sly smile as I glanced at Drew, "Looks like we're released."

She just laughed as we said our temporary goodbyes and bolted out the door. I was more than ready to see my studio, and I knew Drew was eager to see Philly, and I was willing to show her.

She asked, "This is the most excited I've seen you since the winter recital."

I looked over my shoulder and smiled, "I think I'm even more excited than that."

She just laughed as she climbed into the passenger seat next to me. I started up the car as she asked, "So what's after we see the studio?"

I shrugged, "I don't know but I'll figure it out. Don't worry. I have to outdo you from our trip to Boston."

"That'll never happen," she teased, "I'm a great tour guide."

I glanced over to her as I pulled off down the street and towards my old dance studio, knowing it was just around the block. Her hand landed on my thigh then, causing a fire to ignite all over my body. She really shouldn't do this when I was driving, but I still loved every second.

I had decided instantly after we saw the studio that we would drive to downtown Philadelphia since we still had an entire afternoon to kill. I didn't feel bad about ditching my parents considering we would be with them tomorrow for Easter, including the rest of my family. Today was our day.

Pulling up in front of our first destination I felt my heart swell at the sight, seeing the half-finished building standing before me. The building itself, at least the outside, was finished and painted. They were building the overhang at the moment but I couldn't help but love it already.

Drew spoke, "It looks great."

I nodded, "It does huh? It's a lot better than what it used to be."

I felt her slip her hand into mine then, a smile in her voice, "It won't be long till you'll be back."

I glanced at her then, "With you?"

"With me," she confirmed.

All I could do was smile like an idiot.

After showing her the studio I was instantly excited to show Drew more of Philly, which consisted of my favorite coffee shop, boutiques, and my old high-school. I didn't leave out the park either, where we walked around for about an hour talking about little things. She loved it, I could see it in her eyes, which only gave me a huge breath of relief. If she loved it here it gave me an even better feeling about her moving back here with me.

This could work, and I was hoping for the best.

If anything Drew was just probably relieved to be out of New York and away from Evan, who had disappeared after her last fight. I couldn't deny the fact that I was worried, but I had always pinned him as a coward.

He was just proving my theory right.

But there was that need in Drew, the need to run, even if it wasn't as big as it used to be. There was still the hint of fear in the back of her mind, and being here and away from New York only made it fade away even more.

She not only wanted to move, she seemed to need it.

We ended up at one of my favorite burger shops, me sitting across from Drew as I wondered how she felt about Evan's obvious absence. It had to bother her if it bothered me the way it did. I just didn't want to ruin the mood by asking.

But she broke the silence, "What are you thinking?"

My eyes snapped to hers and suddenly I was nervous. I really didn't want to spoil her mood but I was so curious. I couldn't lie either, she would know.

I signed, "Nothing really..."

"Liar."

She could tell I was worried about something because she had that cute, serious look on her expression. There was really no use in trying to hide the fact anymore.

"Are you at all worried about Evan all of a sudden disappearing?"

My question seemed to have caught her off guard, which was something I didn't like at all, but she studied me slightly before answering.

"Yea, actually I am."

I breathed a little, knowing I wasn't alone, "I don't know, I always kind of thought he was a flake but... I just have this weird feeling..."

She nodded, "I always have a weird feeling when it comes to him." She sipped on her water and stirred her ice, "But maybe that's just my paranoia. Maybe you are right, about him being all bark and no bite..."

I wanted to believe my own words, I really did, but my gut feeling was never wrong. Although, worrying Drew was the last thing I wanted to do while we were in Philadelphia. Evan couldn't do anything to her here.

"You think maybe he just gave up and moved on to his next target?"

Drew shrugged, "Possibly, I mean it was obvious he was getting no where's with me."

I confessed, "I just can't shake the bad feelings... But it could very well be because of what he did to me for your last fight."

Her worried eyes took me in, "He has a habit of scaring people by hurting them."

Her words were dark, which led me to believe she still and always would have a lot of hate towards him. I knew it had to be hard facing her step-brother, not to mention him threatening her. The strength she had always seemed to amaze me, and ever since I had stepped into her life I could tell she was already so much stronger.

"Sorry I brought him up," I apologized.

She shook her head, "No, I'm glad I'm not the only one that felt weird ever since..."

I watched her face contort into something a little more menacing, letting me know we were on the same page. We always seemed to be, even over the bad things.

I took her hands, "We're good here though, I promise."

She just smiled softly, the waitress bringing our food and cutting our conversation short. I let it fall, at least for now considering there was no point worrying about something we had no control over. Besides, this was Easter weekend and I wanted to enjoy it with Drew, not stressing over Evan.

Maybe letting the thoughts of him go would be good, and maybe there was nothing to really worry about. But somewhere deep down I still found it hard to believe.

~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning was hectic considering we were preparing for my family to show up for our annual holiday celebration. We were cooking and cleaning all morning, Drew helping right alongside us without any hesitation. Her and my mom actually got along pretty great, even Jada, who had now began to strike up casual conversation on multiple occasions.

I was starting to believe they liked Drew more than they actually liked me.

Eventually my extended family started showing up and Drew was now by my side, greeting them and introducing herself. It honestly never got old hearing her say she was my girlfriend either, and I couldn't help but smile like and idiot every time. My family seemed to response positively to her as well, which only gave us a little more room to breathe. Everything was going so well, and I started feeling better and better about moving back here with her.

We ate around noon, and now were preparing to host an Easter egg hunt for the little kids, Drew currently helping me spread out the bright plastic objects.

She hid one in a bush as she called, "Is this too obvious?"

I glanced over to her and laughed, "No, that's fine."

I watched her from a distance, realizing she was actually enjoying today which I was grateful for. I hid my last one and walked over to her, "Are you having a good day so far?"

She nodded, "I love your family..."

I felt my heart warm at the sound, "I'm glad because they seem to love you too, maybe even more than me..."

She looked up and shoved me slightly, "Shut up, don't say that!"

I laughed, "It's true though."

We walked on the outside of our property, planting a few more eggs before heading back. She broke the silence once more, "It's like, I don't have to force myself to smile around them. It's genuine, even when this is the first time officially meeting them you know?"

I teased, "Looks like good vibes run in the family."

Her arm fell around my shoulders, pulling me into her as her lips landed on the top of my head. She whispered, "I guess so."

We made it back to the house, watching the little kids take off and begin their hunt. This gave the adults time to actually talk and relax without having to worry about tending to the little ones.

I took this at the opportunity to lead Drew away and get some more alone time considering it was probably exhausting keeping up with my entire family. We made it to my front porch and sat on the swing, the silence easing my mind immediately.

She sighed, "I kind of don't want to go back."

I looked over to her, my hand falling on her thigh in comfort, "I know what you mean."

"It's just better here, more calm and suburban. The city looks less and less attractive the longer we stay."

I just smiled up at her, leaning in and planting a small kiss on her cheek. She was insanely cute whenever she talked about her thoughts, which was beginning to happen more and more. I loved her honesty, and encouraging it seemed like the right thing to do.

The early evening atmosphere was calming, and I knew we would be leaving around five so we could be back in New York before nightfall. I didn't want to leave, that was obvious, but we both had duties there we couldn't abandon just yet. This trip had just given us something to look forward to.

Then suddenly Drew's phone was ringing, Demarcus flashing on her screen.

Her brow furrowed as she answered, "Hey... What's up?"

She stayed quiet, her demeanor changing quickly as I heard Demarcus's panicked voice over the phone.

She responded, "What do you mean he's gone? The door was open?"

She was standing then, me right along with her as she raced inside of my house and up the stairs. All I could do was follow her, my heart racing inside my chest like it never has before.

She scrambled to her bag, collecting her things, "Yea okay I'm coming..."

She hung up, a look of panic in her eyes as I asked, "What happened?"

She shook her head, "Demarcus went to check on Milo at lunch and he said my door was open. He walked around and looked for him but he was gone. Someone fucking broke into my house."

My stomach fell at the anger and worry in her voice, something in my heart already knowing who had done it. Why was beyond me, but there was no time to waste.

I nodded, "I'll tell my parents..."

She shook her head, "I don't want to ruin Easter, if you want to stay I'll call a cab..."

I protested, "I'm coming, I don't want you to go alone."

She just watched me, a look of gratefulness crossing her features. She nodded, "Okay."

I ran downstairs, finding my mom first as she addressed me, "Honey where's Drew? Jada was asking for her-"

"We have to leave," I interrupted, "There was an emergency back at home and I want to go with her."

She was of course caught off guard but my mom was understanding, and she knew that I wouldn't bail on family unless it was super important. She just nodded, "Okay, well let me know when you two make it back."

I hugged her, "Tell everyone goodbye for us please?"

And then Drew and I were out the door, climbing into my car and me asking, "You don't think it was...?"

"It was Evan, it had to be."

My stomach tightened at the sound of his name, the thought of him breaking into Drew's house sending a chill right up my spine.

The ride there was hectic, me wanting to drive faster but not wanting to get pulled over. The last thing I wanted to do was make this day worse by getting stopped my a cop on the way home.

My thoughts were running rampant, Milo missing, the reason behind Drew's place being broken into. If it was Evan, what exactly was he expecting to find? Did he think there would be money just randomly lying around? Had he been searching for Drew herself? Or me?

We had all of these questions but absolutely nothing to answer them with, not until we got back to New York.

Drew broke the silence, "Looks like our bad feelings were right all along."

I glanced at her, seeing the worry in her eyes. If anything it was probably killing her that Milo was missing, but Demarcus was probably on search of him right now. I hoped anyway.

I shook my head, "I just don't get it. If it was him what would possess him to break into your house?"

She just stared out onto the road, "I honestly don't know. He could've been looking for money, or me... Who knows. All I know is that I swear if I see him... I'm going to kill him."

Her tone was dark, and although I could understand the anger she had towards him I noticed Evan brought out a different kind a Drew. She was calloused, her tone would change and the way she even looked would alter. It scared me, and I wasn't sure how to handle it.

I asked, "Do you think he would hire someone to do this?"

"With what money?" She disagreed, forcing me to realize this was definitely Evans last resort. It was the only explanation that made sense.

The next hour passed slow as we sped down the road back towards the city. Demarcus hadn't called us again, which meant there was no luck on Milo, which was getting to both me and Drew.

If something happened to him...

We pulled up to her apartment around five, Demarcus's bike sitting on the sidewalk letting us know he was already here.

Drew rushed inside, nothing looking out of place. There wasn't a forced entry, which meant he had to have used a key, which in my opinion was hidden in the most obvious place possible. He could've very well found it by just looking in any nearby object.

Drew disappeared upstairs to check out her bedroom while I joined Demarcus at the counter, "This is all sorts of fucked up."

He just shook his head, "I'm worried, not only about Milo but about Drew as well."

I couldn't agree more, but when Drew appeared at the top of her stairs I couldn't help but see the worry in her eyes.

"We need to find him," she pleaded, but I had a really bad gut feeling. The city was no place for a dog to be running around, especially unleashed. If he hadn't been caught by the pound he could've gotten hit.

The thought made me cringe.

Demarcus nodded, "You two go, I'm going get you new locks."

Drew just shot him a grateful glance as she pulled me out of the door. I followed behind her, calling Milo's name on the eerily vacant streets. I guessed that when Evan had intruded either Milo defended his territory or fled, because I honestly didn't believe Evan would kidnap a dog and hold him for ransom.

But the idea did sound like his type of crazy.

Drew and I searched the park, multiple streets and alleys before coming back because it was literally dark. She was a mess, I could tell that there was a lot of worry but a tiny glimmer of hope someone had found him and room him in.

I soothed her, "We'll find him," but somewhere in the back of my mind I was afraid we wouldn't. Not in a big city like this.

Her and Demarcus changed her locks as well, installing a chain one along with it after notifying the apartment landlord. Everything about this day has once again taken a turn for the worst, and soon it was just Drew and I sitting on her couch.

She ran her hands through her hair, "This is... I don't even know what to think."

I took her hand, rubbing my thumb against it as I attempted my best at comforting her, "He may come back, or someone might find him and post something. We can make posters..."

But right now she was too stressed out and shocked over today's events to do anything but sit on her couch and attempt to relax. I didn't blame her, I was even still shaken up, but I was trying my best to stay positive in the situation.

Lord knows Drew needed at least that from me at a time like this.

***A/N***

Hope everyone's enjoying the story so far, I've been working super hard for you guys to crank this thing out before summer ends. Your nice comments inspire me. Lol

Oh and hey Em, hope you like it because I'm keeping my promise and dedicating this chapter to you. My little musical prodigy <3

- Lauryn