"Alright, pens and pencils down everyone," Mrs. Wilson declared, "and pass your papers forward."

Keeley set her pen down and looked at the paper in front of her. It was riddled with scratched out words and arrows. So much for English being her best subject. She could barely string two words together; much less write a short essay. With a small sigh of frustration, she handed her essay to the girl in front of her. The girl glanced at Keeley's paper and raised a single eyebrow in a patronizing manner before turning back around. Guess she wasn't impressed by Keeley's essay either.

"Psst!" a voice hissed. "Keeley!"

She looked over at her best friend who was sitting next to her.

"How did you do?" Nicky whispered, once she caught Keeley's attention.

Keeley made a show of wrinkling her nose in contempt.

"That bad?"

Keeley nodded. Her eyes darted to Mrs. Wilson. Good. She was busy collecting the papers so she wouldn't notice them talking. "I don't know what's wrong with me," Keeley complained in hushed tones. "My brain seems to have shut down."

"Big surprise," Nicky muttered under her breathe.

Keeley's eyes narrowed slightly. "What does that mean?"

"Just that for the past couple of days you've seemed..." Nicky hesitated, "distracted."

"No, I haven't!" Keeley exclaimed loudly.

The girl in front of Keeley whipped around and gave her an icy glare.

"Sorry," Keeley quickly whispered before turning back to Nicky. "I haven't been distracted," she repeated in a low voice.

Nicky rolled her eyes. "At lunch yesterday, you walked right into the cafeteria door because you were too busy staring at your phone. Not to mention all the times you've zoned out while I've been talking to you. Half the time I have to repeat what I said."

Keeley winced. Okay, so maybe she had been distracted. But who could blame her? It was Friday and she hadn't heard one annoying peep out of Talon. Zip! Zero! Nothing! Not that she wanted to hear from him of course, but still! Shouldn't he at least be apologizing for drunk dialing her?

Keeley clenched her hand to form a tight ball. She shouldn't even be obsessing about him. She had better things to think about like her visit with Brent. He had emailed her back Wednesday night, saying he was looking forward to her visit. He was going to pick her up at the train station Saturday morning and drop her off Sunday night.

Her heart sped up at the thought. She was so excited for her visit! Yesterday, she and Nicky went to the mall and spent hours searching for the perfect clothes to bring. She ended up buying two new tops and a gorgeous sundress. She hoped it would catch Brent's eye.

"See? You're doing it right now," Nicky accused. "I know you're excited about your visit with Brent this weekend, but seriously, get it together! You're giving me a complex."

"I'm sorry," she murmured apologetically, feeling guilty for not giving Nicky her full attention.

Nicky eyed her a few seconds and then sniffed, "Well, I'll accept your apology on one condition."

"Anything," Keeley said solemnly, trying to keep a straight face.

"You have to buy me a large double chunk chocolate chip cookie from Cookie Crazy."

The corners of Keeley's mouth twitched in amusement. "Only one?"

Nicky loved those cookies. She could eat five in one sitting and not get sick, which was saying something. Those cookies were huge. They were they size of a small grapefruit.

"Well," Nicky paused, "maybe three."

Keeley grinned. Her best friend was so predictable.

Suddenly the bell rang, indicating the end of the school day.

"Can you give me a lift home again?" Keeley asked her best friend as they packed up their bags, and headed toward the door. For the past week, she had relied on Nicky as her main mode of transportation. Zach had been busy with late football practices and hazing the freshmen football players, so he couldn't drive her home.

"No problem. I have to go to my locker and get a couple of books. Meet you at my car in five?"

Keeley nodded in agreement and walked down the hallway, dodging students who were rushing past her. As she passed the gym, she saw Cory and a couple other football players leaning against the building, taking a water break. She picked up her speed, hoping Cory wouldn't notice her.

"Keeley!" Cory cried out moments later.

"Crap," she muttered as she watched him jog over to her. She really didn't want to deal with Cory. All he ever wanted to talk about was Van and surfing. He kept asking her questions like "what kind of wax does Van use?" and "how often does Van change his surfboard fin?" She didn't fricking know! And quite frankly, she didn't care!

"Hey," Keeley greeted, forcing a smile. "Coach has you guys working the weight room today?" She motioned to his blue and white sweats.

"Just the linebackers and offensive linemen. Coach says we need to bulk up some more."

"Seems like Coach has really been pushing the team this year," Keeley commented, thinking about Zach and all of his late practices.

Cory wiped at a bead of sweat that was trickling down his face. "It's because of Crosswell. We heard their team is really good."

"Well, it still must suck. I don't know how you guys get your homework done with all those extra long practices."

Cory's brows scrunched in confusion. "What are you talking about? We haven't had any long practices this season."

"You haven't?"

Cory shook his head, his black hair flopping to and fro. "Coach isn't starting that till next week. He's waiting till it's closer to the big Crosswell/Edgewood game."

Keeley's jaw dropped. Zach lied to her? That meant he had been lying to her the whole week. A sharp pang coursed through her body. They had always been truthful to each other before. It was an unsaid rule between the two of them. How could he have lied to her so easily?

"Then what the hell has Zach been doing all week?" Keeley demanded, crossing her arms. Hurt was starting to turn into anger.

Cory's eyes widened a fraction. "He didn't tell you?"

Keeley shook her head vehemently. "He said he's either been having late practice or doing something with the freshmen players." Keeley watched as Cory looked away, refusing to meet her gaze. "He lied about the freshmen hazing, didn't he?"

"Uh..Well...I-I.." Cory stammered, seeming like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Keeley huffed. "Never mind. I'll find out for myself. Talk to you later," she muttered as she stalked off.

Keeley fumed as she twisted the dial on her locker and jerked it open. Why wouldn't Zach tell her the truth? It's not as if she would tell their parents. Did she blab when he broke the neighbor's window with a stray football? No! Did she blab when he puked all over the leather seat of their mother's new car? No! Did she blab when she found a naked girl in his bed? No! So then why the hell wouldn't he tell her what he was up to for the past week?

A morbid thought crossed Keeley's mind as she collected her things. What if it was so bad he couldn't tell her? What if he was involved with drugs? Keeley heard stories about football players getting caught up in steroids. Maybe it was a gateway drug like pot.

Keeley's mind raced with the possibilities as she slid into Nicky's car. "I think Zach might be doing drugs," she divulged as soon as she closed the door.

Nicky glanced at her sharply. "What are you talking about?"

Keeley explained all of her reasonings as Nicky drove her home. "And he's been acting so suspicious lately," she added. "He practically bit off my head the last time I asked where he was going."

"Do you really think he's taking drugs?"

Keeley nodded slowly. "It's definitely a possibility."

"Well, then you need to confront him!"

Keeley bit her lip. "You're right. I need to talk to him and get all the facts."

Nicky pulled into Keeley's driveway and gave her a grim nod. "Good luck. Call me when you're done."

Keeley squeezed her hand. "Thanks."

For the next couple of hours, Keeley waited anxiously for her brother to come home. During that time, she scoured the web, looking for any information about drug addicts. She even looked up different rehab programs, hoping her brother would agree to go.

At exactly five o'clock, Zach strolled into the house, looking tired but pleased with himself. Keeley waited till her parents were busy watching the evening news before excusing herself to confront Zach.

She stood in front of Zach's door and knocked loudly, hoping he would hear it over the music blasting from his stereo. Tucker was standing right next to her, his head leaning against her thigh, as if offering silent comfort.

"Come in!" Zach yelled.

Keeley opened the door and saw her brother sitting in front of his desk, hunched over his laptop. He didn't move or turn around as she walked into the room and close the door. "Can we talk?" she asked cautiously as she turned down his music.

He looked up at her briefly. "Give me a minute. I'm in the middle of a college application."

Keeley nodded and made herself comfy in his blue beanbag chair. She silently petted Tucker while looking around his room, staring at all of his football paraphernalia. It was a little overwhelming. There were multiple posters of his favorite football players as well as college pennants hung up all around. She didn't know how he lived in the room without going cross-eyed.

After about two minutes, Zach saved his work and turned to face her. "What's up Keels?"

Keeley took a deep breath, bracing herself for the confrontation she knew could get ugly. "Maybe that's what I should be asking you."

"What does that mean?" he asked cautiously, his tone bordering on defensive.

"It means," she said in a low, firm voice, "what have you been doing for the past week? I know you've been lying to me, Zach. There are no extra long football practices, no late afternoon hazing of the freshmen players."

His lips narrowed into a straight line. "That's not any of your business."

"I'm your sister. Your twin," she said, emphasizing the last word. "Of course it's my business."

Zach's jaw tightened. "Just leave it alone, Keels."

"No! Tell me what's going on," she demanded, her voice rising.

"Leave it, Keeley," he warned through clenched teeth.

Feeling tense, she leapt out of the beanbag chair, needing to move around. "Why won't you tell me Zach? Is it bad?"

"No!"

"Then why won't you tell me?" Keeley started pacing around the room, growing more agitated by the second. Tucker whined, sensing his owner's distress. "Is it drugs?" she blurted out. "Are you on drugs?"

"What?" Zach shot out of his chair, looking incredulous. "Why would you even ask that?!"

"It's okay if you are," Keeley said hurriedly, ignoring Zach's outburst. "I understand." She paused. "Well, not really, but I'll try to. And-"

"Keels-"

"-there are some really good teen rehab programs in the area. I looked them up." She continued pacing back and forth, twisting her hands together in a nervous gesture. "Of course, we'll have to tell Mom and Dad."

"Keels-"

"It'll be tense and a little uncomfortable. You know Mom will cry, but don't worry, I'll be there with you the whole time-"

"Keeley!" he shouted.

Startled, she stopped mid-rant and looked across the room at him. He was standing with his hands on top of hips, looking like he was torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to shake her senseless. "What?" she asked stupidly.

"I'm not on drugs."

"Oh." Keeley felt a surge of relief. "You're not?"

The ends of Zach's mouth tipped up. "No."

Keeley slowly sank back down in the beanbag chair. "Then what's going on? Where have you been?"

Zach sighed, running a hand through his hair. He walked over to the wall of shelves, which housed all of his football trophies and awards. He was silent for a couple of minutes, staring at the gold plaques and statues.

"Zach?" Keeley prompted.

"I've been at the football fields," he confessed. He reached out and touched one of the plaques, running his thumb over his name. "I've been running extra drills after practice. Yard sprints. Throwing exercises. That kind of thing."

Keeley's jaw dropped. This was the last thing she had expected he would say. Football drills? Seriously? Zach never practiced on his own. He didn't need to. He was by far, the best player on the team. The quintessential golden boy. "Why?" she questioned, her voice sounding perplexed.

"Because...." Zach trailed off and sighed. He turned toward his bed and flopped down on it, face first.

When it was clear he wasn't going to continue, Keeley started to guess. "Because you lost a bet? Because you've gained a couple of pounds and are worried about your girlish figure? Because you-Oomph!"

A pillow smashed into Keeley's face, taking her by surprise. She grabbed it and glared at her twin who was sitting crossed legged on the bed, grinning. "Idiot," she murmured and threw the pillow back at him. "Spill."

He stared at her for a couple beats, and then hung his head when he realized she wasn't going to let the issue go. "Because I'm worried," he said in a low voice.

"Worried? About what?"

"God, this is so embarrassing," Zach moaned as he buried his head into his open hands.

"Zachary Andrew Brewer!" she growled. "You tell me right now!"

"Fine!" Zach exclaimed. He sent her an aggravated glare. "I'm worried about not getting recruited for USC, okay? Happy now?!"

"Zach," Keeley murmured sympathetically. She knew how much USC meant to her twin. It was everything. USC had been his dream since he started playing football when he was ten years old. "You'll get in. You are one of the best quarterbacks in the state."

He let out a frustration groan. "Exactly! I'm one of the best. Not the best. I've heard USC is only looking to recruit one quarterback this year. What if they decide to go with someone else like JT? I can't let him beat me. That's why I've been practicing extra. I need to hone my skills."

"Is that even safe? I mean you're already practicing two hours a day, six days a week. Adding an extra hour can't be good for your body."

Zach shrugged nonchalantly. "I feel fine."

Keeley sent him a worried look. "Still. You should tell Coach. Ask him if it's a good idea."

"Yes, mother. Whatever you say," he answered sarcastically.

Keeley narrowed her eyes in mock anger. "Smart-ass."

"Know-it-all."

"Idiot."

"Loser."

"Nerd."

Zach laughed at the insult and threw his pillow at her. "Jock."

Keeley stuck out her tongue at him in response. The tension and strain seemed to have melted away between the two of them, letting Keeley breath freely for the first time in hours. She grinned at him happily, feeling like everything was right with the world once again.

With the pillow in hand, she started to rise from the beanbag chair. "Fine. I'll drop the subject, but you'll have to do me a favor in exchange."

"Deal," he said immediately. "What is it?"

"I need a ride to the train station tomorrow."

His eyebrows drew together. "Where are you going?"

"To visit UC Santa Barbara." She hesitated before adding, "Brent is giving me a tour of the campus." Keeley felt herself start to blush as she said the words.

Zach hooted. "Visiting lover boy for the weekend!"

She threw the pillow back at him, her cheeks burning bright red. "Shut up!"

"Hey, speaking of lover boys, you need stay away from Gavin."

"Gavin?" she parroted. Why would she need to stay away from him? He was a sweetheart.

"Yeah, he's been asking a lot of questions about you." Zach sighed and massaged the back of his neck. "I think he may have a crush."

"Aww," Keeley crooned. "That's kind of flattering."

Zach visibly gulped. "You don't like him or anything right?"

Keeley chuckled at his expression of horror. "No. The only guy I like is Brent. Your freshman is safe."

Zach let out a breath of relief. "Good. That would just be weird."

Keeley shook her head in amusement and headed toward the door. Tucker was right on her heels. "See you tomorrow morning, Bro. Seven am. Bright and early." She laughed as she heard Zach groan and mumble something about devious sisters.

As soon as she reached her room, she pulled out her cell phone and called Nicky, wanting to update her on the situation.

"So, how'd it go?" Nicky asked eagerly. "Do we need to stage an intervention? I have some rope to tie him up in case he runs."

Keeley rolled her eyes. Nicky sounded way too excited about the prospect. "Turns out it's not drugs."

"Oh," Nicky stated, the disappointment in her voice evident. "That's good I guess."

"You could sound a little happier, you know," Keeley commented dryly, as she pulled out her suitcase from beneath her bed.

"I am! I just thought it'd be fun to..."

"To what? Tie my brother up? I think someone has been reading too much Fifty Shades of Grey."

"Gross! That's disgusting!" Nicky shrieked.

"Hey! That's my brother!" Keeley defended. She dropped the suitcase on top of her bed and unzipped it.

"You know I don't think about him like that. I just thought it'd be fun to save your brother from complete and utter ruin. Kind of like superheroes."

"Superheroes?"

"Yeah, you know. Normal high school students by day. Badass drug fighting heroes by night. Saving one messed up football player at a time."

"Christ," Keeley cursed under her breath. "If you show up at my house in red spandex and a cape I'm shutting the door in your face."

Nicky just laughed. "So, what are you doing right now?"

"Packing." She looked down at the empty suitcase. "Well, attempting to," she amended.

"Do you think Talon will show up tomorrow?"

Keeley sighed. "No. I don't think he will."

"What happened with that phone call Sunday night? You never did tell me what he said."

Keeley sat down on the bed next to her suitcase. "Well, basically he called me drunk, to tell me that he had asked around about me."

"Sounds creepy," Nicky commented. "Like a stalker."

Keeley chuckled. "Kind of. But anyway, he starts listing all the things he's learned and one of them is that people are calling me a prude. I get mad at him and then it evolves into us shouting at each other and the next thing I know, I'm listening to the dial tone."

There was a weighty pause before Nicky responded. "Huh."

Keeley frowned. That was all Nicky was going to say? "What? Did you think I was in the wrong?" Keeley questioned dubiously.

"Don't you think you overreacted a little? I mean he was just repeating what other people told him."

"I know, but he could have edited that out."

Nicky didn't respond.

Keeley sighed and leaned against the suitcase, re-evaluating her conversation with Talon. "Crap," she muttered after a couple minutes. "You're right. I'm such a b*tch." Keeley threw an arm over her head."What do I do?" she whined to Nicky. "He hasn't contacted me in five days."

"Well, Alexander Graham Bell invented this great little device in 1876. It's called the telephone," Nicky drawled.

"He probably doesn't want to hear from me."

"Bawk! B-b-bawk! Bawk!" Nicky squawked loudly into the phone.

"I am not a chicken!"

"Says the girl who's too afraid to send a simple text."

"Nothing is simple with Talon," Keeley muttered, sitting up.

"Bawk! Baw-"

"Okay! Okay! I'll do it," she pledged. "Just stop making those god awful noises."

"Good," Nicky said with a fair amount of satisfaction. "I'm going to hang up so you can send it. Text me later."

"Okay. Thanks Nicky."

"No problem. Bye!"

Keeley stared at the phone debating what to text him. A simple "I'm sorry" or something more elaborate. Keeley looked down at Tucker who was by her feet. "What do you think buddy?"

He cocked his head and stared at her.

"Simple?"

He continued staring.

"Or elaborate?"

"Ruff!" he barked happily, wagging his tail.

"Males," she muttered. "Always sticking together." Keeley tapped on Talon's name and composed the text.

Hey! Long time no talk. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for freaking out on you earlier. Hope you're okay. –Keeley

She set the phone down and set about the task of packing for her visit with Brent. Five hours later, there was still no response from Talon. Keeley's shoulders slumped forward in defeat. Looked like he wasn't in the mood to forgive her anytime soon.

The next morning, Keeley took a seat on the train, anxious and nervous for her mini adventure to begin. She looked out the window and wondered what Brent had planned for her visit. Definitely a campus tour, but what else? Whatever it was, hopefully she wouldn't do anything embarrassing.

"Is this seat taken?" a deep voice asked her, breaking her thoughts.

Keeley's breath hitched at the sound. Did Talon decide to come? She whipped her head around, but was instantly disappointed when she saw a squat, burly man standing in front of her. "It's taken. Sorry," she said congenially. She really didn't want to spend four hours sitting next to a complete stranger.

The man nodded and moved on.

Immediately, Keeley placed her jacket on the empty seat, wanting to discourage people from sitting next to her. She turned back to the window, silently berating herself for hoping that Talon would show up. Of course he wouldn't. He didn't even bother to respond to her text.

Suddenly the train jolted forward, starting its journey along the West coastline. Keeley leaned back in her chair, getting settled for the long ride.

A few minutes later, her phone vibrated with a text. Her heart jumped when she saw whom it was from. He had finally responded to her. She quickly opened it.

I knew you couldn't stay away from me for long. –T

As cocky as ever, I see. –Keeley

What can I say? You bring out the best in me ;) Miss me baby doll? –T

Keeley shook her head in silent amusement. Of course, he would ask that. The guy thought the world revolved around him.

No. –Keeley

Keeley leaned her forehead against the window, waiting for his response. God, she didn't realize how much she had missed his egotistical texts. A goofy grin spread across her face. He called her baby doll. That must mean he forgave her.

Your smile says otherwise. –T

Keeley's head popped up.

How do you know I'm smiling?? –Keeley

Her phone vibrated a second later.

You're not very observant, you know that? Turn around. –T

All the air in her lungs suddenly left her as she read his words. He was here? On the train? Slowly, Keeley rose from her seat, her heart pounding with anticipation. She set her knee on the seat cushion and turned to look at the passenger behind her.

"Talon," she breathed.

He was casually leaning back in his seat, with his arms crossed over his chest. Keeley couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked, even though he was only wearing a grey hoodie and dark jeans. His piercing blue eyes were trained on her, never leaving her face. He cocked his head to the side and gave her a lopsided grin.

"Fancy seeing you here, baby doll."