Kyla just stared, wide-eyed at the motionless hamster on the ground. I glanced away from the floor, sickened at the sight. Dannon was emerging from the bathroom, wiping a paper towel on his arm to get off any blood remaining. He paused at my expression, his brows furrowing in concern.

"What's wrong?" he mouthed.

In answer, I pointed down at the ground where the hamster lay. Dannon's gaze followed my finger and his eyes widened a fraction. He stepped hesitantly into the room, not at all looking disgusted that there was a dead rodent on the ground. I wasn't sure what emotion was playing in his blue eyes. Maybe sadness? Maybe sympathy? It was hard to tell.

Ean, still crying, stood up. "We have to make him a coffin," he muttered, wiping his eyes. "And then bury him."

He left the room, sniffling as he did.

Kyla dropped to the floor, putting her head in her hands. I knelt down next to her, putting an arm around her shoulder. It was at times like these where I didn't care that I was being huggable. Kyla's shoulders were shaking, telling me that she was crying. "It's okay," I murmured, rubbing her back slightly.

Kyla shook her head. "No, it's not! I just murdered Ean's stupid hamster."

Dannon knelt down with us, bringing one of his arms around her as well. We sat there for a few moments, not saying anything except for comforting words in Kyla's ear. I kept my eyes away from the animal, not wanting to gag in the middle of trying to make Kyla feel better. I would only make her feel worse.

But, it was so hard not to look!

My eyes inevitably turned to the hamster. I gasped, pulling my arm off of Kyla. "Holy shit!" I hollered.

Mr. SnappleCracklePopple blinked, his beady eyes trained on me. How could he have possibly lived through that horrid fall? It just didn't make sense! I jabbed Kyla in the ribs so she would look. She cried out in pain, but looked down at the ground anyway.

"Ean!" she called. "Come get your stupid hamster!" She huffed, standing up, her energy immediately redeemed. "He's staring at me like he's going to kill me!"

"That's ridiculous," Ean argued, coming back into the living room, a box in his hand. "His eyes were closed."

He stopped as Mr. SnappleCracklePopple turned, ready to run. Ean scurried forward, catching Mr. SnappleCracklePopple in his hands as the hamster was about to lurch forward. Ean smiled brightly, scurrying over to the hamster's cage that was set next to the recliner, putting him gently inside.

"I forgive you, Kyla," he said shortly.

Kyla placed her hands on her hips, blowing her bangs out of her face. "This day has been way too hectic for me."

Dannon and I laughed. I stood up, my arms wrapping around myself securely. Dannon stood up, too, standing so close that our arms brushed. "Well, at least it lived," he said brightly, gesturing the hamster now sitting in his wheel. I didn't understand the need for the wheel. The most he used it for was a bed.

Kyla sighed, nodding. "Thanks, guys."

I nodded while Dannon simply smiled. "Well, now that this problem is solved," I mused, "we should probably get going. We didn't even start working on the project yet."

Kyla scrunched her nose in distaste. "Oh yeah. I have to get together with my partner."

The poor girl hadn't gotten Oliver for a partner as she's hoped.  Even though he was in her history class, it seemed like Mrs. Carl—of Miss Tanta if she chose the partners—didn't feel like playing matchmaker anymore.  Oliver was assigned to some girl named Hannah.  He'd made it quite clear to her later on that he wanted Kyla as a partner.  She'd been the only one he wanted to work with, apparently.  It looked like they were going to be the ones called "lovebirds" soon.

"You and William should have a lovely time," I said, smiling in amusement.

Kyla glared at me. She and William had gone out freshman year. The tension between them after the break up never seemed to leave. If it were any of her other crappy ex-boyfriends, I would have feared them getting back together. But, she hated William more than she hated any of the others. It was for a simple reason, really: she caught him making out with another girl.

Of course I had comforted her and grew a hatred for him as well, but this situation amused me.

"Whatever, Bri."  Kyla play-scowled at me, pretending to be angry with me when she really wasn't.  "You have fun doing your project with your boyfriend.  Ta-ta!  Farewell!"  She waved her hand in the front door's direction.  "Go on now," she cooed.  "Don't be afraid!"

I scoffed, patting her shoulder.  "See you tomorrow," I mused.  "Try not to have any more animal issues, all right?"

Kyla snorted, pushing me playfully toward the front door.  I giggled, letting out a small cry as I almost tripped on Dannon's foot.  Neither he or Kyla seemed at all fazed that I almost fell to my death.  In fact, all Kyla said was, "See you tomorrow, lovebirds!" as Dannon and I turned to leave.  How caring, right?

"Bye," we said simultaneously.

I pried open the front door and hopped onto the porch.  I was definitely not in the mood to run down the hill like I ran up it.  It took way too much energy.  So I walked slowly, taking my sweet time getting to the car.  Dannon, in step beside me, didn't seem to be in a hurry either.  We met each other's gazes and smiled.

"Well, that was interesting," Dannon murmured as we finally made it to the car and hopped inside. 

I grinned with a nod as I buckled my seat.  Dannon grinned with me, buckling his own seat and pulling out onto the road.  "Well, she is an interesting person," I pointed out with another laugh.

Dannon smiled brightly.  "So, what was all that screaming about?" he asked.  "And why was he on the floor motionless like that?"

I sighed, leaning back on my seat.  "Kyla threw him."

Dannon glanced at me, his lips kept in a straight line to keep himself from laughing. I stared at him, fighting back laughter myself. That look just wasn't for him.

Finally, we both gave in.  We laughed heartily together, so long and hard that our faces turned red.  I covered my mouth with my hands, my eyes closing as the laughter continued.  I couldn't breathe, but I couldn't stop.  Everything about the situation we'd just endured now seemed utterly hilarious.

Dannon pulled over.  Apparently he didn't want to chance us dying in a car accident.  That would be such a story.  "Two teens die in a tragic accident after having a great day and laughing together in their car."  Oh yeah, that'd be a killer.  No pun intended.

"Ah," Dannon breathed as his laughter finally ceased with a sigh.  "I haven't laughed like that in a long time."

I cocked an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance.  I had a hard time believing that—that he hadn't laughed like that.  It just . . . didn't seem right.  "Really?" I asked incredulously.  "I mean, you always seem to be laughing."

Dannon sighed again, shifting the car into gear and pulling back out into the road.  There was still a slight smile on his face, but it didn't really seem to reach his eyes.  I tilted my head to the side.  It wasn't the kind of smile where he seemed to be outright forcing the smile onto his face, but it didn't seem like his natural smile either.  What could possibly be wrong?  I hadn't said anything to upset him, had I?  And if I did, what could I have said?  I've said worse things than, "Really?  I mean, you always seem to be laughing."  It just didn't make sense.

"Are you okay?" I murmured finally, not able to take the half-forced smile any longer.

Dannon glanced at me and nodded, his smile growing ever so slightly.  Still, it did not quite reach his eyes.  "Yeah, I'm fine."  He let out a long sigh and brought a hand through his hair.  "I just remembered that I have to get home for an appointment.  So, I'm going to have to drop you off, get my stuff, and quickly get home before my dad flips."

I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek.  Another appointment?  How many could the guy possible have?  And for what? No one needed their teeth cleaned that many times.  "Oh, okay," I said instead of asking what I really wanted to ask, smiling slightly.  "Do you want me to run in and grab your stuff for you so you don't have to get out of the car?"

Dannon smiled, and this time the amusement finally touched his eyes.  I almost sighed in relief.  Why did it always scare me when he was upset—if you could even call it upset—like that?  I didn't at all understand why it scared me.  I knew that I should have been concerned or even curious, but scared? 

"You trying to get rid of me?" he teased.

"What?" I asked blankly, torn away from my reverie.  "No, of course not!"

Dannon grinned, patting my shoulder comfortingly.  "Don't worry.  I was just kidding."

I grumbled under my breath, blowing stray strands of hair out of my face.  Dannon laughed, apparently amused by my immature actions.  I studiously ignored him.  That was until I had to roll my eyes when he started patting my head.  I scowled at the car in front of us.  I was not a dog.  "Excuse me, Barone," I muttered, slapping his hand off my head, "but I'm afraid you have mistaken me for a golden retriever."

Dannon smiled, bringing his free hand back to the steering wheel.  "Really now?"  He chuckled at me.  "I could have sworn you were a poodle."

I gasped, slapping his arm.  "Hurtful!" I exclaimed.

Dannon laughed, letting his left arm fall from the steering wheel to hold his right one.  "It was a compliment really," he drawled, pouting playfully at me.  "I mean, who doesn't like poodles?"

"I don't," I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest.  "They're, like, the ugliest dogs ever."

"Now that's hurtful," Dannon mused.

I slapped his arm again. Dannon simply chuckled, deciding that he would stop antagonizing me now. That I was thankful for. I mean, who liked being compared to a poodle? They were poof-y and skinny at the same time. Talk about a conflicted animal. You're either poof-y or you're skinny. You can't be both. The stupid dogs needed to make up their stupid minds.

Dannon pulled into my driveway, and I hopped out with the promise that I'd be right back with his stuff.  Dannon nodded, sitting back in his seat.  I paused as his eyes shot the ceiling of his car.  What was he thinking about?  I struggled to figure what it was for a short moment, but when the frown began forming on his face I turned and hurried up the lawn, padding up the porch. 

"Garrett, can you get Dannon's bag?" I called as I opened the front door and stepped inside.  Uneasy butterflies thrashed around in my stomach.  Why was he frowning?  Dannon never frowned.  He just doesn't want to go to his appointment, I tried to assure myself.  Nothing big.

Why did it feel like that was only part of the reason?

"Yeah!" Garrett called back.

I trotted further inside, watching amusedly as Garrett darted not-so-gracefully into the living room and grabbed Dannon's bag.  He tripped over the rug, making him do a jolt-like move—like he'd been electrocuted. 

"Here," Garrett snapped as he finally reached me, thrusting Dannon's bag at me.  Apparently he wasn't happy to have been "electrocuted" by a rug. 

I grinned, taking the bag from him and throwing it over my shoulders.  "Thanks, bro."

Garrett raised an eyebrow.  "You're calling me bro now?  What is the meaning of this?"

I shrugged, turning on my heels and heading back outside.  I sauntered down the lawn, keeping my eyes trained on the ground.  I was afraid that if I looked up the frown would still be spread across Dannon's face.  I pursed my lips, finally lifting my gaze from the ground.  I was happy to see that the frown was gone, replaced by a smile as Dannon's eyes met mine.

"Here," I said simply, tossing the bag through the opened driver's window.

"Thank you, my dear lady."

"I'm not a dear," I drawled.  Fighting a grin I added, "Nor am I a lady for that matter."

Dannon's eyebrows rose.  "I'm dating a man?  You couldn't have informed me of this before you became my girlfriend?"

I snorted.  "You're such a dufus."

"Ah, but you love me anyway."  He let his head fall back on his seat, turning to flash me a smile.  He grinned at my expression.  "What?"

 "Why are you still here?"

It was a de ja vu moment, really. I could tell from the glint in his eye that he remembered that these were the exact words that I used on him the day we first started talking. "I'm finding motivation to leave," was his reply.

I smiled. "And how's that working out for you?"

Dannon shook his head, sighing dramatically. "You messed your line up!"

I rolled my eyes. "I was close enough."

Dannon opened his mouth to reply, but his words were cut short when my mom suddenly drove into the driveway seeming absolutely pissed.  Dannon and I watched as she practically threw herself out of the car and slammed the door shut.  She gripped a piece of paper tightly in her hand, glaring at the door.  I don't think she even noticed us as she stomped up the pathway and into the house.

"I'm kind of scared to go in now," I murmured, glancing at Dannon from the corner of my eye.

Dannon grinned, pulling my head forward and planting a kiss on my cheek.  "Well, I'd just love to stay," he said lightly, letting my head go, "but I have an appointment to go to."

I sighed as he got ready to leave.  "Take me with you!" I whined, not wanting to deal with the conflict that was obviously going on inside.

Dannon smiled, shaking his head.  "Sorry, but I'm afraid you can't come.  Besides, you wouldn't have fun there anyway."

I sighed, pouting at him playfully for a moment before deciding to let it go.  "Well, then I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yep!" Dannon waved slightly, and then he was gone, driving down the street.

I sighed again, turning and heading back inside the house. My mom's anger was directed at Garrett, I knew it was. I didn't know why she was angry, but I didn't exactly want to find out by going inside either. My mom yelling was never something fun to listen to. Especially when she was as pissed as she just looked. Suddenly, a boring doctor's appointment seemed so enticing that I wished I had one.

"Garrett, please just tell me why!" my mom shrieked as I stepped hesitantly into the living room, holding up the paper for emphasis.  "Why would you do something like this?"

I dragged myself toward them, not wanting them to notice my presence.  Garrett had his arms crossed over his chest with a glare shooting at the floor.  My mom stood a few feet in front of them, continuing to wave around the paper frantically.  My eyes widened.  What happened to make them so worked up?

"Garrett!" my mom shrieked.  "Answer me!"

I sat carefully on the couch, staring at them. I could have retreated to my room, but then I would feel like I was missing out on information. It wouldn't really make a difference anyway. I would still know they were arguing.

Garrett tossed a glance in my direction before settling his eyes back on my mom.  "Does there have to be a reason?" he asked, his voice sounding hoarse.

My mom threw her arms out exasperatedly.  "For something like this?  Yes!"

Garrett sighed wearily.  He glanced at the couch longingly, as though he wanted to lie down, fall asleep, and never wake up.  Why was everyone acting so down in the dumps today?  Everyone who was usually cheerful was acting so depressed.  It was scaring the hell out of me!

"Garrett, please," my mom pleaded, her voice thick with tears.  "You're better than this.  For you to just give up like this—"

Had Garrett dropped out of college?  My eyes widened.  Why would Garrett do such a thing?  He was the smartest guy I knew—well, when it came to school anymore.  He got into a great college.  Why would he give it all up?

Garrett bit his lip, looking up at the ceiling.  Then he sucked in a breath, seeming like he was getting ready to divulge.  I was right.  "I was being bullied," he muttered so softly that I almost didn't hear him.

My mom and I froze.  "What?" I demanded, her arms falling to her sides. 

Garrett sighed, falling beside me on the couch. "Everyone at my school kept calling me derogatory names, and they always took any chance they got in torturing me.  I couldn't take it anymore!"

I was beyond pissed.  How dare they treat my brother that way? I took a deep breath, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.  He glanced at me and attempted to smile.  It didn't work out very well.

"Honey, I'm sorry that you were bullied," my mom whispered.  "Why didn't you just tell us?  We could have called the school—"

"Mom, I'm in college."  Garrett shook his head.  "You really think that tattling is looked highly upon with adults?"

"I don't think bullying is looked highly upon with adults," my mom retorted, crumbling the news of Garrett's drop-out and tossing it onto the floor.

Garrett sighed.  "I just had to get out of there.  I'll apply to another college . . . sooner or later."

My mom sighed too, plopping down beside Garrett.  "I'm sorry for yelling at you," she mumbled.

Garrett grinned in an obvious attempt to ease the tension.  "Yell?  You call that yelling?  That was an excuse of a yell, woman!"

My mom shoved him playfully.  Garrett shoved her right back.  I snickered at them, scooting over to avoid being shoved myself.  The two of them were insane.  I hoped they knew that.

We all turned as the front door suddenly opened and my dad shouted out a cheerful greeting.  My mom shot us both pointed looks whispering in a hurried voice, "Not a word of this to your father."  And then she stood up, adjusted her shirt, and scurried to go meet her husband.

Garrett scooted over to me, shaking his head.  "Yeah, like I'd tell him," he said softly.  "He'd actually yell at me."

It was true.  My dad might have been against bullying, but he was even more against the victims of bullying giving up the fight.  If he found out that Garrett let them win, he would be pissed.  Garrett would forever regret dropping out of college.  In fact, he'd probably want to go back.

"If I ever get my hands on those assholes. . . ." I muttered, drifting off for a moment.  I glowered.

"Brianne, calm yourself," Garrett warned, placing a hand on my shoulder.  "Stop looking like you're going to commit a terrible act."

"I'm about to," I grumbled.

"Hey, guys!" my dad called cheerfully, coming into the room with a bright smile on his face.  "How was your day?"

And let the lying begin.