"Autumn, are you even listening to me?" 

"Yes." I said as I continued to read my book.

"Really? So you really do like the outfit I'm wearing? It brings out my eyes right?" Carmen asked, fixing her tinted glasses.

"Yeah."

"You're not even looking at me," she said, taking my book and tossing over her shoulder. A small squeak came out of my mouth, my book. My precious book!

"And I never talk about clothes."

"I was reading." I protested, going back to pick up my book.

She rolled her eyes. "I could see that."

Laurie chuckled. "Maybe if you'd take away her library card she'll stop reading."

I gasped, hugging the book for protextion. "Not my baby!"

"Her books are her kryptonite, lets see if we can rip up a textbook..." Patrice suggested evilly.

"You guys are so evil!" 

Carmen Guzman is one of my closest friends. I don't hang out with her that much because he doesn't know Brooke, but we have a lot of classes together. When Brooke isn't around, I hang out with my other friends. Carmen Guzman, Lauri Brewer, and Patrice Higgins with some other guy friends. I knew them after Brooke, in junior year when I had no classes with Brooke. But we hang out with each other when we can.

"Yes. Yes we are," Patrice said, fixing her beanie.

Carmen coughed. "Can anyone notice anything different about me?"

"You did something with your long, black hair," Lauri guessed.

"My hair isn't black, it's actually a really dark brown!"

I whispered really loudly to Patrice so Carmen could hear me. "She's in denial."

"It's true! Let me show you." She stepped into the sunlight.

"Carmen don't!" I exclaimed. "You're going to burn yourself if you go in the sunlight! Look, you're already sparkling!" 

She rolled her eyes. "Very funny. Just because I like to read vampire novels doesn't mean I am one."

"Or is she?" Lauri challenged.

"As you can see, my hair looks dark brown. Don't you see?"

"Uh huh." Patrice, Lauri and I said in unison.

"You guys, I'm serious. Autumn, what's the color of your hair?"

"A really dark brown," I told her, smirking. 

We all burst out laughing, even Carmen.

"No really," I protested. "You can see it in the sunlight. Watch this."

"I give up," Carmen said.

"Let's go have some snacks," Patrice suggested. "School's over for today, let's get some sushi."

"Wait, I have to go text my mom then."

I pulled out my phone.

I'm going to eat some sushi with my friends.

She texted back.

Autumn, I got out of work early. Stay at school, I'll pick you up.

I frowned, I want to eat sushi with my friends. But remember Autumn, don't be a fool, stay in school. 

I sighed. "Sorry I can't go, my mom's going to pick me up."

"Autumn, you need to learn how to drive." Lauri said.

"Say's the girl who has a beware of driver sign on every driving test school."

"She got a point there, Lauri," Patrice said. "Anyway, we'll save you a doggy bag, Autumn."

"Really?"

"Nope, cause I'll eat it before you do." Carmen laughed.

Well at least she was being honest.

"Fine, be like that then." I said. "See you tomorrow."

They waved bye and headed to the school parking lot. I silently thank my mother, with sarcasm of course, for making me miss some sushi. I went to the cafeteria, planning to finish my homework while I wait for her.

"Hey, Autumn!"

I turned to see Tucker Alvarez, he's in my math and English class. We talk now and then, mostly when we're bored. He smiled with me with a corny grin, pushing up his glasses. His black hair is combed to the side like his mom did it for him. He sat next to another guy that seemed familiar. Both of them were holding violins tuning them, they both must be in orchestra.

I sat across them. "Hey Tucker." 

Tucker said, "Sorry. This is Bradley Palmer."

"Oh," I said. "Hi, I'm Autumn."

"Hi." He smiled.

I totally forgot, Bradley's in English with Tucker and I. He usually hangs out with Tucker but I never really talked to him. He had brown eyes hiding behind his glasses. He had black hair, gelled back with at the front.

"So you guys know any songs?" I asked, starting a conversation.

"Yeah." Tucker said, opening his music folder. "There's Winter Wonderland, Mission impossible-"

"What about some modern songs?" I asked. "I already heard them in the concerts."

"I got one," Bradley said. "Guess what song I'm playing."

He pulled out his violin to his chin, tuning it some more. Then he began to play. The song started out fast, repeating the same melody. Then at times he would play in long strides and then once again play the same melody. I started to hum along, I know this song. Then it finally hit me.

"Secrets!" I exclaimed, really excited. "Secrets by One Republic! It's one of my favorite songs."

Bradley stopped playing and smiled at me. "You guessed it."

"Sorry, I made you stop playing." I said sheepishly.

He shook his head. "No, it's fine."

"Finish it, you're really good. And you too Tucker." I said, looking at him.

They nodded and started to play. I finally couldn't control it any longer and began to sing along.

"I need another story, something to get off my chest." I looked at them if my voice was good enough to continue. They nodded, eagerly.

"My life gets kinda boring, need something that I can confess." I sang, louder and clearer. "Until my sleeves are stained red, from all the truth that I said. Come by it honestly I swear, thought you saw me wink, no. I've been on the brink, so."

"Tell me what you want to hear," matching my voice with the tune. "Something that were like those years. I'm sick of all the insincere, I'm gonna give all my secrets away. This time, don't need another perfect lie, don't care if critics ever jump in line. I'm gonna give all my secrets away."

I looked around to notice a small crowd was forming around us. A lot of them were videotaping it with their phones, others were swaying to the music. It was time for the second verse so I sang.

"My god. Amazing that we got this far. It's like we're chasing all those stars, who's driving shiny big black cars." I mastered this part of the song, singing it fast like in the song. "And everyday I see the news, all the problems the we could solve. And when a situation rises, just write it into an album. Seen it straight to go. I don't really like my flow, no."

I gave Tucker and Bradley a look, that we should stop it early. They got the message, and I sang the chorus. "Tell me what you want to hear. Something that were like those years. I'm sick of all the insincere. I'm gonna give all my secrets away. This time, don't need another perfect lie. Don't care if critics ever jump in line. I'm gonna give all my secrets away."

Bradley and Tucker played the last few notes, then ended the song. Everyone applauded, we heard hoots and whistles. Then everyone scattered away, looking for something else interesting.

"You're a really good singer," Bradley told me.

I smiled. "Thanks, but my voice still cracks. I sing this song a lot, so it doesn't crack as much."

"You're voice doesn't crack, it's really good."

"Not as good as your violin playing." I said. "May I?"

"Sure," he handed me his violin. 

It was a bit big for me, I placed it under my chin. I played a couple of notes, a simple melody.

"I used to play when I was in elementary," I explained to them. "But I quit because the music teacher sucked. I still don't know how to read music."

"Let me show you." Bradley offered.

I put the violin back on my chin. Bradley sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder placing his hand on mine, on the fingerboard. Then the other with the bow, holding my hand. I looked at Tucker, who just smirked at me. I glared at him, he will feel my wrath.

"So this is how you read music. That note over there is a-"

"Autumn!" I heard a faint voice calling my name.

I turned, looking around. Who was calling my name? I gave Bradley back his violin and bow, and continued to look around.

"Autumn!" The voice yelled again.

"Is it me, or is that Luis Stinson and Dean Rodriguez waving at us?" Tucker muttered.

I looked at the direction he was staring and he was right. Dean and Luis were waving frantically at me, beside them were Wyatt and Cyrus.

"Autumn!" Luis called out.

I groaned. "You gotta be kidding me."

Tucker and Bradley looked at me in surprise.

"They're calling to you? Why?" Tucker asked, surprised.

"We're... friends." 

"With them? The Big Four?!" Bradley asked me.

"Yeah, not possible right?" I said, chuckling nervously. "It's a bit of a long story."

"Autumn, come here!" Dean yelled.

Note to self: Kill the idiots before they rule the Earth.

"You shouldn't be hanging out with them. Their a bad influence," Bradly warned me.

I shook my head. "They're actually really nice, once you get to know them. I have to go, they won't stop until I go to them."

 "Yeah sure."

"It's nice meeting you, Bradley. And see you at math Tucker."

"Yeah, bye Autumn," Tucker smiled.

I grabbed my backpack and headed to the cafeteria where they were waiting for me.

"Hi guys," I said, with no enthusiasm.

"Autumn!" Luis and Dean exclaimed, pulling me for a big bear hug.

"Hey." I said, trying to breathe. Thankfully they let go.

"You have a really good voice," Cyrus told me with a smile.

I blushed. "You guys heard?"

Luis snorted. "You kidding? We all heard, I bet someone already upload it on Youtube."

"What!" I went to Facebook and saw someone posted the video, tagging me.

They all crowded around me to see the my phone. I played the video and you can hear me sing.

I groaned. "I suck, my voice cracks!"

"No one seems to think so." Wyatt said. "There are a lot of likes, whoops yeah you're right. There's a comment that said your voice cracked."

"Really?" I asked, scrolling down the comments. I glared at Wyatt. "Liar!"

He chuckled. "You believed me."

"And that is why I'm putting the phone away." I said, putting my phone back in my pocket.

"You suck Wyatt." Luis and Dean said together. 

"Don't blame me and my sense of humor."

I sat on top of the table, swinging my legs. "So, why did you call me over here?"

"Cause you're our little Autumn," Dean cooed.

"I'm not little!" I protested. I looked at Cyrus and Wyatt. "I'm not little right?"

They looked at each other. I sighed, "I am not little!"

"What ever gets you to wake up in the morning, Autumn." Luis said, pinching my cheek.

"Ha ha," I said.

"I'm bored. Let's get some coffee." Wyatt said out of the blue.

"Great. Autumn, you're coming too." Dean told me.

"I am?" I asked. "Wait, I have to tell my mom."

"Aw, are you asking your mom for permission?" Luis asked me.

"No!" I denied. "She was suppose to pick me up, that's why I'm here. Give me a second."

I called my mom this time, and she answered after three rings.

"Autumn?" She asked.

"Hey, are you still picking me up?"

"Actually, I took a double shift."

I grinned. "Oh, that's too bad."

"Pick up your brother and head home."

"Is it okay if I grabbed myself some coffee with a couple of friends, first?"

"Yeah sure. And if they can, have them drop you and Adam off, okay?"

"I'll try."

"Okay, bye, Autumn."

"Bye."

I looked at them. "I'm coming."

Dean and Luis cheered. 

"But," I added. "Can you pick up my brother and drop me home?"

They all looked at each other. I played the Bambi card, giving them a hopeful and innocent look. 

"Please," I pouted.

Wyatt sighed. "Sure."

We walked to the parking lot, I could feel the many stares of everyone. Cyrus noticed my discomfort and looked at everyone. 

"Do you guys have a problem?" He demanded.

Instantly everyone turned away.

I smiled to him. "Thanks."

He shrugged. "No problem."

Wyatt pulled out a key and a car beeped. We walked towards the sound and I froze. 

"You like it?" Wyatt asked me with a smirk.

Wyatt drove 2013 Chevy Camaro convertible. I knew this from the many gossips about it at school, but I never really saw it since I don't have a car so I don't go to the parking lot. It had a beautiful, sleek design and rich red paint.

"It's just so... red." Was all I could say.

"Victory red," Wyatt grinned. "This baby cost me more than 40 grand. But it was worth it."

"I call shotgun!" Luis and I called out in unison.

Dean and Cyrus cursed not thinking of call shotgun. Luis and I went to a stare down, like duels in the wild west.

"Back down while you still can," I told him.

He smirked. "Not a chance, sweetheart."

"Ready?"

"More than ever."

"Rock, paper, scissors!" We said together.

I pumped my fist into the air. "Paper beats rock! I win!"

Luis held out his hand. "Good game." I shook it.

Wyatt opened the car door for me. The guys chuckled at his nice gesture, Luis was wiggling his eyebrows at Wyatt. But all that did just made Wyatt give them the finger.

I rolled my eyes. "Chivalry isn't dead," I told them as I sat down, then he closed the door. 

He started the car, there were a lot of people watching us. I swear, I could here their whispers from here. I'm going to hear a lot about this tomorrow. Wyatt drove out of the parking lot to the nearest Starbucks. The car was awkwardly silent, no one really talked. So Wyatt turned the radio on, and the last song I wanted to hear played. 

"Change the channel," I begged. "I don't listen to that."

Wyatt smirked. "So you don't like One Direction?"

"I actually have a life. Compared to the many many friends I have who believe they're married to One Direction."

"That's our Autumn!" Luis laughed.

"I'm glad you're one of the sane ones." Dean said as he ruffled my hair from the back seat.

"Can I please change the channel, I think I'm turning deaf."

"Be my guest."

I switched to my favorite channel, 104.3 MYfm. And the intro to Scream and Shout by William ft. Britney Spears was playing.

"Bring the action," Luis and Dean said together.

"Yup, you have a really good soundtrack, Autumn," Wyatt said.

I smiled knowingly. "I know."

Luis, Dean and I sang along to the song. Cyrus and Wyatt grinned as we make a total fool of ourselves.

"I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out." I sang. "And scream and shout and let it out."

"We say oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh," Dean and Luis sang. "We say oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh."

"I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out. And scream and shout and let it out. We say oh, wee oh, wee oh, wee oh." 

Then all three of us sang. "You are now now rocking with Will.i.am and Britney, b*tch."

All of us laughed as the song continued to play.

"You guys are crazy." Cyrus smirked.

Wyatt sighed in relief. "We're here. So no more singing."

"Not making any promises," Luis sang.

We got out of the car and went into Starbucks. We waited in line, as we decided what we'll get. I looked into my wallet, I barely have five bucks for a drink.

"Let me buy something for you," Cyrus offered. "My treat."

"Aw thanks C.J, you're the man," Dean said.

"I was talking to Autumn."

Luis snorted. "Some man."

I waved him off. "No it's fine. I can pay for myself."

"No really, I insist."

I hesitated, I hate it when people buy me stuff. Then I think of debts and stuff like that.

I sighed, "Sure, thanks." 

"So what are you getting?" I asked them.

"We go here a lot, and I want to try something new." Wyatt told me.

"Did you know," I told them. "Starbucks has a secret menu?"

"Ha, you're lying," Luis challenged.

"No I'm serious." I protested. "A couple of my friends and I talked about it, it's real. Here let me show you." 

I took out my phone and looked up Starbucks secret menu. There was a website of starbuck's fans who told different recipes. 

"Whoa," Cyrus said. "I want that."

"Look at that, it looks so delicious," Dean said."

"How about that one, it looks good." I said.

"What can I get you today?" The barista asked us.

"Do you think they'll think we're crazy if we asked?" Luis whispered to us.

"Let's try," I asked. "Can we order from the secret menu?"

The barista smiled like she knew a secret. "Sure. Name your drink."

"I want the caramel cookie bar frappucinno," I said.

"I want the nutella frappucinno," Luis said. "I love nutella."

"Vanilla and chocolate chip ice cream frappucinno for me," Dean requested.

Then Cyrus told her, "Can I get the smore's frappuccino?"

"Sure."

"And I want the," Wyatt took a look of my phone, and scrolled down a bit. "The bomb! frappucinno?"

I looked at the recipe of it then looked at Wyatt. "I didn't know you had such a sweet tooth."

He shrugged. "Sue me."

"Okay, that will be," she showed us the screen.

"Ooh," we all said in unison.

"Let's all contribute," I suggested.

They all agreed and we chipped in to pay for our drinks. Once we got our drinks, we took a seat at  a table outside. Luis sat down holding a couple of sugar packets. One by one he poured them into his nutella frappucinno. 

"Why are you pouring more sugar into that?"

He shrugged. "I don't think it would be sugary enough for me."

"Do you want a straw for that?" Dean asked, "then you could snort it." 

"It'll only be for my drink." When he was done, he took a sip.

We watched him to see his reaction. But all he did was smile and kept on drinking it. When he was probably halfway done he pushed it away.

Luis made a face. "I don't like it anymore."

"But you're barely halfway," Wyatt pointed out as he took a sip from his drink. "What's wrong with it?"

"It's too sweet."

We all burst out laughing.

"Luis, when you die from diabetes," Wyatt started. "I will leave you a Starbucks frappucinno on your grave."

"Thanks Wyatt."

"And write, I told you so, on it," he finished.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing. I quickly stopped when they all stared at me. "What? It's funny."

"Nothing, you just have a nice laugh, that's all," Cyrus said, finishing his drink.

They all chuckled. 

"Man, you're so cute little Autumn," Luis mused, ruffling my hair.

I took a sip from my drink. I might as well admit it.

"I want to tell you guys something."

"Shoot," Luis said.

"Well I honestly see you guys as my older brothers." I admitted, trying my best to blush.

They all looked at me, and I looked at my feet.

"I always wanted an older brother, but instead I got a little one. I wanted an older brother to tease me, and look out for me. The closest thing I have to an older brother is a cousin of mine, and he's off in college."

Luis and Dean pulled me to a hug. 

"Aw, cute little Autumn." 

"Of course we'll be your brothers."

I grinned and hugged them back. 

"I'm still not that little." I muttered.

"But of course I'm the better big brother, right?" Dean asked.

Luis snorted. "No way, I'm her better brother."

"No I am."

I popped the lid off my drink. And drank it, I didn't want to use the straw anymore. When I finished I set the cup on the table. All of the guys looked at me.

"Is something wrong?"

Wyatt quickly pulled out his phone, took a picture then put it back in his pocket. "Nope, nothing's wrong." He took a sip of his drink.

"What was that flash? Did you just take my picture?"

He smiled. "Maybe."

"You got a milk mustache," Cyrus told me, trying not to laugh.

"I do!" I tried to grab a tissue to wipe it off but  Luis got before I could.

"Luis give it to me."

"I'm your big brother." He licked the tissue. "Let me wipe it for you."

"No, I can do it myself!"

"Guys, hold her down."

Dean and Cyrus each grabbed my arms. Wyatt pulled out his phone again and started video taping.

"Stop it! Luis no, you licked the tissue!"

He started to chuckled evilly. He raised the tissue as it came closer to my face. My life started to flash before my eyes. This is where it all ends,  I stared into my murderer's eyes as the licked tissue came closer and closer to my face.

"Noooo-"

"Autumn?"

We all turned to see Patrice with Lauri and Carmen. All of their eyes were wide open as they stared at the scene. I was pinned to my chair by Cyrus and Dean as Luis sat on the table holding a tissue out to me with Wyatt calmly videotaping the whole thing. We all stopped, except for Wyatt, he was still taping the whole thing.

"Are we interrupting?" Carmen asked awkwardly, "because we can go if you want..."

"It's not what it looks like." I told them, then I shook my head. "I mean it's exactly what it looks like but-"

Luis saw this as his chance and wiped my milk mustache with his tissue. 

"That's unfair!" I said, I wiped my mouth with my arm. "And that was gross, you licked it! That's not brotherly at all!"

Then I remembered my friends were watching.

"Sorry," I told them.

I grabbed a tissue, glaring at Luis who was smiling in triumph. "This is Wyatt, Luis, Dean and Cyrus. You guys, these are my friends, Patrice, Lauri and Carmen."

"So gross, so gross," I muttered as I wiped my mouth with the tissue.

"Hello Dean," Carmen said coldly.

Dean smirked. "Hello Carmen."

"Hey Autumn, can we talk to you?" Lauri asked me.

"Yeah sure, if that's okay with-" Carmen grabbed my hand and yanked me off my seat.

"I'll be right back, after my friends murder me," I assured them.

They led me behind some cars and glared at me.

"Explain." Patrice demanded.

"Explain what?"

"Why did you ditch us and sushi for them and coffee?" Lauri demanded, then she looked at Patrice and Carmen. "Well who wouldn't?"

"My mom took a second shift, and they invited me to get some coffee. You guys already left for sushi, so I thought why not?

"But it's them!" Patrice said. "The Big Four, you're hanging out with them! You act so... normal around them!"

I shrugged. "I've gotten used to them I guess."

"I can't believe it, you're actually hanging out with them." Lauri said, suddenly jumping up and down. "I'm so excited yet jealous of you!"

"Thanks?"

"But why are you hanging out with Dean?" Carmen asked.

I forgot that Carmen and Dean hate each other. Ever since they were in middle school, she told me. They sat next to each other in math, and he always teased her. Now that can't stand to be in the same room as each other. I joked that they're going to have a love-hate relationship but she still denies it.

"He's actually really nice, like a big brother to me."

"Yeah sure he is."

"I'm sorry, but can I go back to them? They might worry."

"Yeah sure, have fun Autumn."

"Thanks, see you tomorrow."

We said our goodbyes and they headed to the sushi restaurant as I went back to my table.

"I never knew you were friends with that Carmen," Dean mused.

"I completely forgot you guys know each other." I said.

"We should go if we want to pick up you little brother and drop you off at home." Wyatt reminded us.

I checked the time on my phone. "Yeah you're right. Are you sure it's not any trouble?"

Wyatt shooked his head. "Nah, it's okay. We have nothing to do anyway."

"Except that thing." Cyrus said with that cough.

"That's hours away, we have time to spare."

"What thing?" I asked them.

"Nothing," they all said in unison.

"Oh okay." I didn't bother to press on. They were already being so nice, I didn't want to get into their business.

"Let's go."

We arrived to my brother's school in a couple of minutes, the high school is close to the elementary school. 

"So you used to go here?" Cyrus asked. "West Chester Elementary."

"It's an awesome school," I defended. "I miss this place."

I got out of the car and they all filed behind me. 

"You guys can stay in the car." 

"And miss the chance to see the school that turned you to you?" Luis asked. "No way."

We walked into the school. There were after school programs here with little kids running all over the place. I headed to the office of the after school program my brother went to. There were two people there.

"Hi Autumn, right on time," Ms. A told me. "And who are your friends?"

"Oh this is Wyatt, Cyrus, Luis and Dean."

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Ms. Arnold, but I go by as Ms. A." She introduced herself.

"And I'm Ms. H, but really Ms. Henry." Ms. H not looking up from the computer.

Luis took a seat. "So tell us, what was Autumn like in elementary?"

"Ms. A, don't tell him," I begged.

"This is punishment for not volunteering anymore like you did in middle school."

"Aw."

"She was a sweetheart, I remembered when she was in 1st grade and sang Crazy for You." She chuckled to herself. "It wasn't until middle school did she realize what the song was about."

All of the guys snorted, trying their best not to laugh.

"But she's a good kid, still is. She helps out a lot, won the science fair three times in a row, and became school president. You can even see her picture in the school's website."

 "Really?" Luis asked. "Can I?"

"Go ahead."

I couldn't do anything but watch as Luis went to the school's website and clicked to photos. I groaned and put my head into my hands as they cooed at how I looked. 

"Look, she has two ponytails."

"She looks so cute in the uniform."

"Autumn, why are you wearing glasses in this one?"

I looked at the photo of me wearing glasses posing in the science fair. "I started wearing glasses in 5th grade. Then I started to use contacts in freshman year. But I like using my glasses better than these annoying contacts."

"Wear your glasses one time, I want to see you in them," Dean said.

I shrugged. "Maybe."

"Well you should be picking up your brother, he's at the field. You can sign out here." Ms. A told me.

"Why is it that you sign your brother out?" Cyrus asked. "You're not even 18."

I took out a folder and signed my name. "They've known me for a long time, and we don't live far away. My mom's always late so I sign out for her and go home."

I waved bye. "See you Ms. H and A."

"Bye." 

We left the office and waved to my brother. He saw me and went to get his backpack. 

"Hi Ms. M and Ms. G," I said, the other staff of the after school program. "Where's Mr. S?"

"He's in the MPR teaching the drill team, and Ms. L and the kids are there watching." Ms. G explained.

"We have to go Autumn, it was nice seeing you again," Ms. M said. 

I saw Mr. R coming over with Adam.

"Was he any trouble again?" I asked him.

"Don't worry, he wasn't," Mr. R assured me. "He just got up from his seat and talked a lot. The usual."

"Oh okay, then. Thanks."

"No prob." Then he went back to the field.

"Do you have a little trouble maker?" Wyatt asked, ruffling my brother's hair.

I sighed. "Yeah, he may seem harmless, but he's a sister's worst nightmare."

Adam glared at me. "Autumn."

"Sorry. I'll make you snacks when we go home, okay."

He shrugged. "Sure."

Luis and Dean squatted down to be eye level with Adam. 

"So what you're name?" Luis asked me.

"It's rude not to introduce yourself before asking someone their name," Adam told them. "My sister taught me that."

I snorted. "Do you guys need ice with that burn, because we have ice packs in the office."

"Very funny Autumn." Luis said. "My name's Luis and this is my friend Dean."

"Luis like in Lucy? And Dean like bean?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, that's right." I said to Adam. "Luis once acted like a girl in class, like the name Lucy. And Dean has a brain the size of a bean."

"Wow that's cool." Adam said.. "How come you're not in 2nd grade like me? And do you get made fun of a lot because you're a girl?"

Luis and Dean stood up, glaring at my brother. 

"I can see why you call him a sister's worst nightmare."

"Yeah sorry. He's really talkative."

"I'm Cyrus, like citrus in orange juice. Can I get a high 5?"

"I'm Adam." But he didn't high 5 Cyrus.

"I taught him not to high 5 strangers," I said, chuckling.

"And this is Wyatt," I introduced. "Like Wattpad."

"Oh, like the books you write?"

"You write books?" All four of them asked in unison.

I glared at Adam then smiled. "Yeah, but you won't be interested in them."

"Can we go home now?" Adam asked me.

"Yeah sure."

We headed outside the school and Adam stared at the car.

"Wow, this is so cool! Who's car is this?" He asked, really excited.

"Mine, it is pretty cool, isn't it?" Wyatt asked, being a bit proud.

"Yeah." Adam looked up at me. "We're going to ride in this?"

"As long as you don't tell mom." I said.

Mom will kill me and feed me to the wolves if she found out that I let a bunch of guys pick me and my brother up and drop us off in a red convertible.

"I promise."

There were six of us and only five seats. So Cyrus sat in shotgun, while the rest of us fitted in the back. I had Adam sit next to me, he doesn't take that much space. We sat with Dean first, then Luis, me and then my brother. Wyatt started the car, I pulled out my headphones and iPod from my backpack and placed it on my Adam's head. I played a random song and out it a bit high, then he played a game in my iPod.

"Why is he listening to music?" Wyatt asked me, looking at us with he rear view mirror.

"You guys are bound to say something dirty in front of him, and I don't want him to think it's okay to say it."

Luis scoffed. "We won't do such-"

Dean exclaimed. "You guys look, 9 o'clock!" All the guys turned to the direction he was pointing at. "Damn look at that fine piece of..." He looked at me and smiled sheepishly.

"That just proved my point."

"Fine, but why do you have headphones and your iPod? Isn't that against school rules that you live by?"

"I take the bus so I won't get bored if I listen to music, and I like using headphones than earphones."

"Oh."

Wyatt stopped by some gas station before dropping my brother and I off. Since there was nothing much to do, I took out my phone and read a book in Wattpad. Went we went back on the road, I was getting really into the book I was reading. My eyes scanned word by word, sentence by sentence. I scrolled down, holding my breath at what I was reading.

"Oh my god!" I exclaimed.

Wyatt slammed the car to a stop, cars passed us honked. They all stared at me like I was crazy. Only Adam looked up then went back to playing his game.

"What happened?" Cyrus asked me. "Is everything alright?"

I blushed, I overreacted for nothing. "I'm so sorry, we could have made a car accident. I was just- I am really really sorry."

Wyatt sighed with relief and went back to driving. "As long as everyone's okay."

"Autumn, what happened?" Dean asked me.

"It sounds really stupid, since we almost killed ourselves from it."

"We kill ourselves all the time," Luis chuckled. "Especially tonight we-" he caught himself and looked away.

"What are you talking about?" I looked at them. "I'm not stupid, what are you guys planning to do tonight?"

"Nothing Autumn," Cyrus told me.

"You shouldn't worry," Wyatt staring at the road. "You shouldn't get involved."

"So what were you doing that made you scream that could've killed us?" Dean asked.

"I was reading... a book." I admitted with a sigh. "The characters were in a super heated argument and then..."

"Then what?" Luis, Cyrus, Wyatt and Dean asked in unison.

I was surprised they were all of a sudden interested.

"Then she..." I said.

"Just give it to me," Dean said as he grabbed my phone.

I pathetically watched as they read it. Their jaws were dropped, eyes were wide open. 

"I don't think Autumn is as innocent as we think." Luis concluded.

"Why, did the characters" -he looked at Adam who was still focused in his game- "did it?" Cyrus asked.

"No!" I denied. 

Dean sighed. "Sadly no. The girl slapped him because he cheated on her with her best friend who was dating his brother, but was also dating her cousin."

Cyrus blinked. "What?"

At a stoplight, Wyatt looked back at me. "So you almost killed all of us because this fictional girl slapped a guy?"

"Well yeah." I said. "It was so intense. I was begging her to slap him after all he did to her, but I culdn't help but feel bad for him.

I saw Luis and Dean were were still reading the book. I tried to my phone back they pulled it away.

"Autumn, we're still reading." Dean told me. "The guy is on his knees trying to apologize."

I gasped. "You spoilers! Don't ruin it for me!"

"Now she's hugging him, saying that she forgives him," Luis said.

I punched his back. "You guys are so mean!"

But all they did was laugh at me. 

"Kids, knock it off," Cyrus said.

"Yes mommy," all three of us said in unison.

Wyatt pulled the car to a stop in front of our house. "Autumn, this is your stop."

"Right, thanks you guys. I had a great day."

"Bye Autumn," Luis and Dean said in unison.

"See you."

"Later, Autumn."

Even Adam waved bye as they drove off, singing to the radio. I opened the door and went unto our house. My mom won't be back until morning since she took the second shift. She works in a hospital, she goes as Doctor Griffin at Sunset General Hospital. While my dad is a business man at a bank, and travels everywhere for meetings.

I heated some microwave food for my brother, then he quickly washed up and went to bed. I smiled when he said that he thought my friends were funny. I decided to skip dinner and took a shower and changed to my PJ's. A big Superman tee which was a hand me down of my cousin who went to college, and blue pajama shorts. I tied my hair into a bun, traded my contacts for my glasses. I sat on the couch and turned on the TV. My mom sometimes let's me sleep late if I did her a favor or stuff like that.

I was watching House when I heard the bell rang.

I turned off the TV and at up. It couldn't be my mom, her shift isn't even close to ending. It's barely 10 o'clock, who would be here at this hour. This time I heard loud, impatient knocks on the door. I grabbed a baseball bat that's my dad's and clutched to it. I held onto the doorknob, I heard another series of knocks. The I immediately opened the door, raising the bat over my head.

"Whoa! Whoa! Autumn, it's us!"

I gasped and dropped the bat on the ground. It was the guys, and they looked awful like the were run over, repeatedly. Luis had a black eye, that he had to close it and his lip was cut. Dean's nose was broken and I noticed his knuckles were bleeding as he clutched it. Cyrus' head was bleeding and was carrying an unconscious Wyatt. What happened to them, what did this to them? 

My hand automatically covered my mouth. "What happened, no don't answer that. Not yet I mean. Get inside!" 

They trudged inside and landed on the couch. I closed the door and ran to the kitchen. I looked at them, seeing what I was dealing with.

Then I brought back all the aid kits and ice packs I could have carried. I ran all over the living room, panicking back and forth. I'd give them ice packs, wrap their wounds with bandages, and kissed their boo boos (they begged for the last ones). I finally calmed down and treated Wyatt last.

He was lying in the couch, still unconscious. He looked horrible compared to Cyrus, Dean and Luis combined. He had a broken jaw and some broken ribs from what my mom taught me, and there's a large gash across his chest. So I had no choice but to strip him off his shirt, clean the cut, then wrap him with bandages. When I was done, I was blushing red from the six pack I saw. I crashed next to the unconscious Wyatt on the couch.

"Explain everything." I growled to them, clearly showing I was pissed off.

"I wish I was in Wyatt's shoes right now," Luis muttered to Dean.

"With a few inches close to death?" I demanded.

As if on cue, Wyatt groaned in pain. I placed an ice pack on his jaw.

Luis didn't answered and placed the ice pack on his eye. I couldn't help it to run my fingers through Wyatt's hair. I hope he'll be alright, I hope all of them will be alright. I don't know if my first aid will be that helpful to them, I hate watching hospital shows except for House.

"It's what we were talking about today," Dean admitted. 

"What, did you guys got into a fight?"

"You know the rumors about us being in a gang?" Luis asked.

There were a lot of rumors that the Big Four were a gang. No one could really prove it true, since no one had the guts to ask. But people say they do street fights, and are rivals with other gangs. But that's all I know like everyone else.

"Yeah, a bit." I admitted.

"Well it's true." Luis told me. "And today we were challenged to fight for the territory of Griffith Park at 8."

"But it was really trap," Cyrus said, then cursed because of his head. "It was an unfair fight, twelve to four."

"So you lost."

All three of them snorted. 

"It was three for each of us, we won. But we were left like this," Dean said.

"We couldn't go to the hospital, it was too far away and we couldn't even pass the door with the record we have. And we couldn't go home either, our parents would finish the job. So the headed to the first place we could think of."

"You," Wyatt muttered, staring into my eyes.

I quickly took my hand away, trying to hide my blush. Wyatt tried to get up but crashed back to the couch, his head resting on my lap.

"You shouldn't move, you have broken ribs and a huge gash on you chest."

Wyatt cursed and sighed.

"We're sorry, Autumn," Luis sighed. "We're so sorry we caused you all this trouble."

I smiled, "I'm just really happy you guys are okay. And once you guys get better I'm going to kick all your asses to never pull a stunt like that again. Okay?"

They all nodded, even Wyatt.

"What about your, uh mom?" Cyrus asked.

"She's not coming back until tomorrow." I explained, being a bit grateful to the shift. "Do you have anywhere to go, until you can get better?"

"Yeah, Wyatt's apartment. We couldn't go there because there's a doorman and Wyatt doesn't even have a band aid to save his life." Dean said.

"Ha ha," Wyatt said, then winced in pain.

"I'm going to heat up some soup, then I'll let you guys leave." I told them, moving Wyatt's head on a pillow.

"Thanks Autumn," they said in unison.

I grabbed the pot of soup from the fridge the put it on the stove to heat. I grabbed five bowls, I'm hungry too from all the energy I burned on treating them. I slowly slid down to the floor, hugging my knees.

Here I am, with four beat up guys in my living room, bleeding to their deaths. I barely know them, I don't even know their favorite colors. All I know is that they're the bad boys, their in a gang, everyone fears them. And here I am, scared for them when I should be the one scared of them. All I can do is worry about what they're doing to themselves. Then I realized how many times they must have done this to themselves, and how many times they crash onto the ground with little to one to help then when they needed. For some reason I just want to break down and cry, I care for them, I really do. They really are like brothers to me and I don't want them to get hurt. It hurts me when I see any of my friends get hurt, and they are no exception. 

"Hey, we wanted to see if you needed any- oh Autumn."

I pushed my glasses up my nose, wiping my nose. I quickly got up and turned my back to them. I checked the soup, pretending to be occupied.

"The soup is almost done," I said, my voice cracking. "Go back to the couch and I'll bring it over once it's-"

I was cutted off with Luis and Dean hugging me. I hugged them back, knowing I'm hurting them from their bruises.

"I'm sorry," I muttered. 

"No we're sorry." Luis said, ruffling my hair.

"We're your big brothers, and we're letting out little sister cry." Dean said, pinching my cheek.

My lips were trembling, I bit my lip so it would stop. I sniffled, and did my best to smile. "I'm your little sister and I'm letting my big brothers get hurt."

"That's because your big brothers are a bunch of idiots."

I let out a laugh. "Go back, the soup's done."

"Okay."

I poured the soups that were steaming hot into the bowls. I even heated up some garlic rolls that was leftovers from dinner yesterday. I placed the bowls on a breakfast tray and brought them into the living room. They all dove in, like they haven't eaten since forever. Wyatt was too weak to sit up so I had to spoon feed him. The other guys didn't bother to make fun of us, since he really needed it.

"I feel pathetic," Wyatt mumbled.

"Because you are," I answered, holding out a garlic roll to him.

He tried to reach for it, but in the last second I pulled it away.

"Hey!" He laughed, then coughed. "I'm hungry."

"And I find this amusing." I held out the garlic roll to him again.

This time he took a bite out of it. "Yeah, I guess it is."

"Nice PJ's by the way," Luis said.

I laughed. "Shut up and eat your soup."

"You know, this is the first time we've seen you wearing glasses." Dean pointed out.

"I'm nearsighted, I can't see far away." I took my glasses off.

"No, put them back on Autumn." Cyrus told me, chewing on a garlic roll. "You look cute in glasses."

I smiled. "Thanks."

When we all finished eating, I washed the dishes and put them back in the cupboards where I found them. Then we all sat on the same couch to watch some movies like Pirates of the Caribbean. The guys were able to laugh at the humor in the movie, so I knew they were going to be okay. Wyatt even got the better enough to at least sit up. I started to nod of to sleep, my eyelids were starting to become heavy.

Wyatt said, "You should go to sleep Autumn."

I yawned pathetically. "No, it's fine."

"No really, just rest your head."

"Fine." 

I pulled my feet up and placed my head on Wyatt shoulder who seemed to be okay with it. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and I drifted off to sleep. But not before I asked them this.

"If I snore, don't tell me."

This is probably the longest the chapter yet. I looked at how many pages it is and I was like, "WOAH! 11 PAGES!" So think of it as a present for waiting for so long. Sorry I added some more characters, but this is the last time. Maybe

Did you like the chapter? I sure did, this is my favorite chapter by far. But I'm going to love the other chapter I'm writing, but it's far off into the story. But here's the title of it, and it's big: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. At the right is Cyrus Jones and a video of Secrets starred in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Awesome movie by the way.

That secret menu thing really is real. But I never got the guts or money to do it. The website where I found the recipes is in starbuckssecretmenu.net. I know weird right? Net, not com.

Oh and if you can, read the book Up In the Air. It's a really good book, original like this one. It's by CrayonChomper, so read the book and share it, vote it, comment, tweet it, whatever you want.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and vomment!

RubixCube89201

Still can't believe it, 11 pages!