I woke up to see Zack, sleeping peacefully on the other side of my bed. A small smile made its way onto my face but it disappeared soon as I saw the time.

Oh, right. My phone isn't here, nor is the alarm set in it. Why didn't I think of that?

I rushed to take a shower but used way more time than I needed since my thoughts drifted to what my mom did yesterday. The whole time in the shower, I was only thinking about ways to meet her.

Water is calm. It's a wonder how it can make you feel relaxed, even it's only for a moment.

I went down to make breakfast and in a few minutes, Sasha joined me.

"Hey," she gave me a hug. "I assume what happened yesterday was something that shouldn't have. Theo had something like a nightmare yesterday, he screamed not to hit him."

The moment those words left her mouth, all the emotions came back running to me.

"But it's okay, alright? I just hugged him closer and said we're with him. And the next moment, he was asleep. According to me, there's nothing that a hug can't cure." She smiled, helping me in breakfast.

True, that is. Almost.

"Thank you, Sasha."

"No sorry, no thank you." She said at the same time Noel came.

The smile he gave me, was a bright one, like nothing happened yesterday.

But I was unsure. What if he had my talent of hiding everything behind a pleasant smile? What if he was still crying inside, but smiling just to make me relax.

"Let them ditch school," Sasha said, bringing me out of my thoughts and I frowned at her. "Trust me, it'd be better."

She said it'd be great if they could spend a day out and enjoy, to forget it, forget that their mother tried to hit them.

"Zack will take them. You and me, will go to college and stuff our head into the world of science." She smiled. "Speaking of, why the hell is my brother still sleeping?"

"He's playing with Theo." Noel replied, grabbing the remote.

"Oh, eskimo kisses?" She asked and I chuckled.

It's great that despite being sad, you get to laugh and be happy when surrounded by some awesome people.

"No," Noel laughed and turned to watch TV, "Video game."

"Ha, great. I'm gonna go annoy them and then go home, be ready for today's amazing class." She cheered, sarcasm dripping in those last words.

As said, Zack stood back to take them out. Any reason to ditch the school. Sasha drove us to college and when I was on my way to class, I heard Cassy calling me.

"Your phone." She handed me the thing I wished I had yesterday, the thing which would have helped my little brothers from getting hurt.

"Where did you get that from?" I frowned, taking it in my hands.

"Oh, we were at the office in the morning and Will tried to call you. This one was on their shelf." She said.

Oh, he left it at the office? How kind of him!

The first notification that caught my eye was a voicemail from Maria.

'Evelyn, dear. I'm so sorry, I can't come today. Something really important came up and I thought I'll inform you before it's time. Maybe you can call Sasha or Zack?'

I closed my eyes. A single call that I missed and it's them, who had to suffer.

If I had listened to it, if I had asked Sasha to be with them, nothing would have happened. They wouldn't have to witness a drug addict's fury.

If I had my phone.

"Ha, got it back, I see." I heard Tyler's voice, right behind me. "I hope you thought about what I asked you to since you had a lot of time to analyze."

I turned to see him smirk smugly.

Smirk? Seriously?

He did one single thing that made Noel's cheek red. That made Theo dream about getting hit. And that made me a weeping doll yesterday. And he's smirking now?

Something happened inside me. I felt tears burning my eyes. But more than sad, I was furious. Something I've never felt before and it somehow made me do a thing.

I only felt relieved when my flat palm, connected squarely with Tyler's left cheek, so hard that he stumbled a bit.

I slapped him. I should've done it ages ago.

He didn't speak for a whole minute. Neither did his friends or anybody around us. Everybody was gaping at us.

"What the fuck?" He asked once he regained his memory.

"Shut your mouth, Tyler. Don't speak a word. You're such an asshole who makes everybody feel miserable." I spat out the words, tears beginning to form with each one.

I'm aware that probably most of them would assume this as a dramatic breakup or something. But I don't care. He's part of a reason why my brothers ended up crying and I can't and won't endure that.

"What the hell are you talking about? I let you think for a lot and you decide to slap me? You think this would work?" He growled.

"You let me? You locked me up, Tyler. And you don't have any idea about what your little pranks can do to someone!" I was yelling and I couldn't control it.

"And you have no idea what you're about to see." He said like he was threatening. "How dare you slap me in front of everyone."

It's only a bunch of kids, but I didn't care. Because I know, the news will be flying across the hallways anyway.

"See, you just care about how you look, about your reputation. You are a selfish jerk." I said, turning back to walk away but he grabbed my wrist and yanked me back.

"What the fuck? I asked you to be mine and you're just doing a show? Who are you trying to fool? You're dumbass friends? Did they ask you to act furious before coming to me, so that people won't think you're a slut?" He whispered.

I was breathing heavily then, not because I was tensed, not because of fear. Just because fury was building inside me. After all the things that happened yesterday because of him, and he shows the audacity to address me as a slut?

I clenched my teeth, looking at his stupid face and those blue eyes which managed to intimidate me all this time.

That just made me more enraged. So, my hand worked on it's own, forming a fist and punching his face as hard as I can.

And to be honest, I think it hurt me more than it hurt him. My fist was throbbing, but I tried not showing it.

Since he was caught off guard again, his grip broke loose and he covered his nose. I gulped down the nervousness inside me and before he could step forward again, I walked away.

But what just happened?

I was clenching my teeth, thinking about what happened. Everything was my fault. I should've punched that jerk a long time ago.

I almost didn't hear a word what the teachers said. I was letting my bloody emotions slow down. And finally, when the bell rang, I rushed out of the classroom.

I sat at our usual lunch table, hands on my head and ignored some of the stares and focused on finding mom.

"Hey, girl! I heard something and please tell me it's true." Sasha came running and smiled excitedly at me.

Cassy too, came to me in the class and congratulated me. I had many supporters for doing this, more than I ever had in my whole life.

"If you heard the fact that I lost my control and punched Tyler, it's a yes."

"Oh my god, wow." She hugged me tightly, "You did a great job."

She made me feel like I just broke a world record.

"By the way, it was a punch? I heard it was a slap." She started eating happily.

"Both?"

"You're kidding me." She said smiling and then laughed. "Oh, I missed it. Why do I miss everything? And wait, what did you guys talk, what made you punch him? Not that I need any reason."

"I don't know, I don't remember anything he said." I sighed, it was like I was blinded for a minute there. "I got my phone back and heard Maria's voicemail. And I thought..."

"That message could've changed a day." She finished for me and I nodded.

"And I was angry at Tyler for taking my phone and the next second, he was talking rubbish to me. I just lost it." I shook my head, but she smiled.

"That's totally fine. It makes you feel good, right? I once punched a girl in high school who called my mom a slut and it felt so damn good." She sighed, thinking about it.

After all, she is Zack's sister, at least in the violence department.

"You should've lost it the first time you met him." She said. "Now, what are we doing?"

I furrowed my eyebrows at her and she shrugged.

"You said you have to do something after class. I'm coming with you, so what are we doing?"
.
.
.

"Are you sure?" Sasha asked as she stopped the car.

"I don't know any other way to get her." I sighed, looking at the house. It seems calm and quiet, a total contrast to the people living there.

"What if there are more than a few drunkards?" She asked, following my gaze.

We were at my mom's friend's house. Her only 'alcohol friend' I know, only because this the place she used to stay. I hope she still lives here.

"I'll stay out and ask for her," I said, getting out and stopped when she started following me.

"Don't open your mouth if you're gonna aske me to stay in the car. If it's anything else, you can speak." She said and I smiled, following her.

I was relieved to see a sleepy woman open the door. The truth is that, even though I said nothing's gonna happen, I had a fear of facing drunk perverts. But Sasha was ready to break a few noses, as I see.

"Is Shirley still living here? Shirley Ridge?" I asked, hoping she'd say yes.

"No, she's out. Who are you?" The moment that woman opened her mouth, the smell of alcohol filled the place.

At least she's still living here.

"Um, I'm her daughter. When will she be home?"

"Who knows," she yawned, starting to close the door.

"She said she's in need of money, so could you pass the message that it's ready and she can come anytime to get it?" Sasha said politely and I gaped at her.

"Sure." She closed the door with a slow nod and probably went to sleep. Or drink.

"Money?" I asked her in the car and she shrugged.

"That's what they want. Money, drinks and stuff. So she'll definitely agree to talk to you, or at least they'll force her to."

"That's a pretty good idea." I smiled and she winked.

"Psychological trick."

Yeah, right.

After reaching home, we knocked many times but nobody opened the door.

"Aren't they back?"

"Zack's car is here." She pointed out and finally, I used my key to open it.

And what a funny scene it was. Three of them sleeping peacefully in their room.

A five year old, ten-year-old and a twenty-one-year-old adult. All the three were sprawled across the bed, arms and legs over each other.

"Seems like they had a great outing." Sasha said, clicking a picture. "Gotta sent it to the boys. Seth will definitely comment something about this picture."

"You aren't going to work?" She asked once we made a coffee.

"I don't know, should I?" He probably would've talked to his dad about firing me.

I just lost the main earning I had, didn't I?

I'll struggle a lot for that, but it was totally worth it.

"No, stay here, take rest. We can go tomorrow."

I agreed with her by a nod and we sat there, talking for hours. And finally, three of them came down, yawning.

"Oh, a very warm good evening to each of you. Hope your sleep was good as your snore." Sasha said, smiling.

"Ivy!" Theo came running and I was happier than ever. If yesterday didn't change him, that's all I need. Because I won't let anyone hurt them ever again.

They described their whole outing. Amusement park, beach, chocolate, ice-cream... anything and everything.

"Oh okay, not telling me anything. I can live with that. I'm totally NOT offended." Sasha said, crossing her arms and Theo rushed to make her happy.

"I heard you did a great thing." Zack plopped onto the couch, next to me and smiled widely. "I never thought you'll slap him even though I kept encouraging."

I smiled at that. Everyone is happy I did it. Maybe I should've done it a year ago. But also, I didn't have this much people with me to support then.

"Also she said to take a look at your hands, I don't know why she said that. I'm sure she didn't say it in a romantic way." He said, taking my hands and applied a little pressure on my knuckles as he opened my palms

"Ow!" It hurts. I wish Tyler felt pain for at least a minute or else, this would be a total waste."Why did you do that?"

"Do what?" He gave me a confused look and then narrowed eyes. And that idiot checked it by pressing again.

"Uh," I pulled back my hand."It hurts a bit."

"But a slap won't-" he cut himself off and smirked, "You punched Tyler?"

I nodded and he laughed, "He badly needed it. Did you try ice?"

I shook my head a no. Why would I? It didn't hurt until he pressed them.

He went to the kitchen and came back with a frozen bag of peas. It felt good when he placed it on my knuckles.

Yesterday it was me who helped Noel and today I'm the one who needs help.

"The next time you punch someone, hold your fist like this," he showed me how to punch without breaking my beloved knuckles.

Who knew a simple punch had techniques.

"But please try not to punch the wall. Sometimes the person you're trying to hit will move quickly and you'll end up punching a wall, or maybe a door." He said and I rolled my eyes.

It's not like I'm going to punch everyone who comes into my vision. He's teaching me like I'm entering a fight competition or something.

But then again, it's useful.

"I still can't believe you punched him!" He said after placing the bag of peas aside, coming back to the reason of my hurt knuckles. "A peace-loving person punching is a great thing. That shows how much of a jerk he is."

"He's a jerk." I said nodding and he laughed.

"I think I love you now." He sighed, smiling and then I heard a gasp. We both turned to see Theo with an open mouth.

"Oh no," I murmured, hoping he won't start his train of questions.

"You said you love Ivy!" Theo repeated as if he needs more people to hear it.

"Um, yeah?" Zack knelt down and threw an arm around him. "What's the big deal? I love everyone. I love you, I love Noel. I even love Sasha."

Sasha was laughing and when she heard his 'even Sasha' her laughter quickly turned into a glare.

"Oh! That love?" Theo smiled.

That love? How many types of love does he know and why?

"I thought you are going to marry her as we planned." Theo said, smiling and looking at me.

Oh, no!

My eyes were widened and they were asking him to stop talking.

"Wow. I'm glad that you planned my wedding without even informing me. But who's this we?" He asked, raising his eyebrow with a smile and Sasha laughed.

"Me, Noel and-"

"Theo!" But I was too late. He added and. "Do you need milk?"

Zack turned to me with a smirk. "Nice subject change. Very subtle."

"Tell me more about the wedding." Sasha joined them and I was going to be dead.

"It was Noel's plan." Theo said cheerfully. "We wanted you both to stay with us and he said the idea."

"Aw, you want us to live together? I love you guys so much." Sasha pinched his cheeks.

"Not you? That's sad." Zack said to me and for my sheer unluck, Noel continued.

"It was Brandon's idea. Ivy marries Zack or Theo marry Sasha."

Shit.

"Or you could marry me." Sasha said to Noel. "Anyway, I'm ready. Shall we go to Vegas?" She asked Noel and we witnessed him blushing furiously.

"What did she say?" Zack asked and Theo giggled.

"She asked me to shut up and to not tell this to anyone."

What a nice kid!

"Ouch, it hurts." Zack said, frowning at me.

"You'll be my maid of honour." Sasha said grinning.

Right.

Rest of the day, I was subjected to immense teasing of wedding plans and honeymoon trips by Sasha.

******************

There goes the punch! 😝

Thanks, everyone for reading 💕