I woke up to see a familiar room, recognizing it be my own my room. I turned around to see the time- it's 9:30 a.m. Oh no! I was late for school and I had already missed my first lecture. I hate missing classes. I tried to get up hurriedly but I felt a sharp pain in my stomach making me collapse back onto the bed.

I raised my shirt to see familiar bandages on my stomach. All the events from last night came flooding back to my mind- the investigation- the black warehouse- the masked man- the knife- activating the tracker- and then I blacked out.

I still don't understand who that masked man was? His voice seemed familiar. Not that familiar but I am sure that I have heard it before. But currently, I should focus on going to school. I can think about last night later.

I slowly tried to get up but as soon as I did, my stomach started paining and I had to lie back down. Normally I would love to get cosy in my bedsheet but now all I can think of is going to school.

I think someone heard me cause I could hear some muffled footsteps nearing towards my room. The door was pushed open revealing Ethan, with a happy and relieved smile on his face. I wonder what story my mom and Selena have come up with this time.

"You're awake! What happened? Selena told me that you stumbled from the stairs and ran straight into the sharp edge of a table so you got hurt. Are you okay?" So that's the story they have come up with.

"Ethan don't ask her so many questions. She just woke up. Give her some space." This voice belonged to my mother. She was standing behind Ethan. I gave her a small smile.

"Mom, Ethan, I have to go to school. You know I hate missing classes." Both of them looked at each other and sighed.

"Nessa, you have been out for 4 days. It's Saturday, today. You don't have school." My mom explained to me. What!?! I missed school for 4 whole days. No. This can't be happening. I can't miss school. Ethan noticed my distressed look and hugged me.

"It's fine. Selena, Claire, Tessa and Abby got it covered." He informed. I sighed. I love my friends so much.

"To cheer you up, today I am going to give you one of the treats that I owe you." Ethan grinned.

"Only if I'm able to stand." I shrugged.

"That you will be. Mom told me that you will feel the pain only for some time after you get up. Once you are fine, we are going out." That's some good news.

"Okay..." At that moment my mom came in with some medicines and a glass full of water.

"Take these. You'll feel better." I thanked her and took my medicines.

"Ethan, she needs to rest. Leave her alone dear. She needs to get some sleep."

"Yeah, whatever." Ethan sighed. He got up and started walking towards the door. I knew he didn't want to leave me alone. And even I didn't want him to leave. I love being around him. His vibes always give some sort of fresh energy.

"Mom, can Ethan stay till I fall asleep?"I innocently asked.

"Okay, fine. Ethan let her sleep. Don't keep talking or disturbing her." As soon as mom said this, Ethan's face lit up and he ran towards my bed. Nobody would believe that he is an adult. He still acts as silly as a child.

"Thanks, mom." He said as he sat on my bed and resting my head on his lap. He kissed my forehead and started stroking my hair. I don't even know when I drifted off to sleep.

**********

I woke up to the sound of faint snoring. I have always been a very light sleeper. I looked around and saw Ethan snoring. He might have not slept properly for a past few days with me being in this condition. I know him too well. I tried to sit and surprisingly it didn't hurt. I tried to stand up to get out of the bed and it happened with ease.

I stood up and walked towards the mirror. I raised my shirt to see the damage. All the scars on my stomach were covered with a large bandage. My stomach has always been my weakness. I have been hit there too many times. And somehow the person who stabbed me knew that it was my weak point.

I pressed my wound to check the intensity of it and as soon as I did it, a sharp pain arose in my stomach making me flinch. I turned around to see whether Ethan had woken up by the noise, although I was sure that he didn't. He is a very deep sleeper. Even if we start playing the drums beside his ear, he won't wake up.

I carefully took a shower, without wetting my bandages. When I came out, the bed was empty and I saw a note on the dresser. The note brought a smile to my face.

Get ready, we are going for the treat. Permission already granted.

-Ethan

However old Ethan may get, he is still scared of mom. I quickly changed into my Adidas white t-shirt with my olive green jacket and blue jeans.

I went down, only to see Ethan already waiting for me in the living.

"Where are we going?" I cheerfully asked. Treats have always been my favourite.

"Wherever you want. It's your treat." Ethan shrugged.

"Starbucks, here we come!" I announced as I ran towards the door.

But as I neared it, my stomach started paining, making me abruptly stop, holding my stomach. Ethan quickly came to me.

"Hey, you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah. I'm good." I smiled.

"Then what are we waiting for." He said as he opened the door. We both hopped into the car and drove off.

**********

We sat down at Starbucks. After some time a waitress came.

"What can I get for you two here?" She said in an annoyed tone.

"I would like a caramel frappuccino," Ethan said. She winked at him but he completely ignored her.

"Make that two," I said, breaking her out of her trance. She scribbled something on her notepad and went away.

"You have a boyfriend and still, you are after mine. I thought you were all goody two shoes. Slut." A voice came from behind me. I turned around to see Sarah, the biggest slut in our school. She took a chair and sat on our table. While doing so, she winked at Ethan. And she calls me a slut!

"Hey! How can a hot guy like yourself be with this stupid little flirty b*tch?" She twirled her hair, trying to flirt with Ethan. Wait a minute. Does she think that Ethan is my boyfriend?

"You think Ethan is my boyfriend?" I asked.

"Obviously. I just don't understand what did he sees in you. You might just be a charity case for him. And why the f*ck are you behind mine?" As soon as she said that, I and Ethan start laughing like idiots.

She thought that he is my boyfriend. Oh god! I knew she was stupid but this is just something else. I and Ethan don't look much alike to seem like siblings but a boyfriend? Seriously!?! I just couldn't stop laughing. And who is her boyfriend? Did she get herself a new jerk?

"Firstly, he is not my boyfriend. Secondly, he is my brother. Thirdly, who is the stupid jerk that agreed to be your boyfriend" I asked, trying to control my laughter. And miserably failing at it.

"That's what everyone says when they are caught with their secret boyfriend. And yes. I do have a boyfriend."

"Who is so unfortunate to be your boyfriend?"

"Stefan Thompson. And stop trying to take him away from me." Sarah glared. That's when I started coughing. Ethan was still laughing.

"Last time I checked, he didn't have a girlfriend. And secondly, I don't like him. He is all yours." I rolled my eyes.

"It better be that way or else I'll have to break your bones." The moment she said that, I started laughing even more. She had a confused look on her caked up face. People around me would think that I'm crazy. But what could I do? She just threatened the gang leader of the Elites to break her bones.

"And he is seriously not my boyfriend." I clearly stated.

"That's none of my concern. Anyways, I always thought of you to be a slut."

"You know what. Get lost." I glared. But the irony was that I was still slightly laughing.

"F*ck off." She glared at me and stood up to leave.

"And if you ever get bored of her" she pointed at me, "you can always call me." She slid a paper towards Ethan.

"Oh trust me. I'll never get bored with her." Ethan hoarsely said, the tease clear in his voice.

Sarah glared at me and stomped away. You might have noticed that my brother attracts a lot of attention towards himself. Female attention. I look at him and we both start laughing. Again.

"I still can't believe her. She thought we were dating." He laughed.

**********

Our coffee arrived. We sat there, sipping our coffee and talking. And that's when something popped up in my mind.

"So I think I'll have to tell Shirley to be careful and keep an eye," I smirked. His expression changed within a second.

"What about her?" He demanded.

"I'll have to tell her that her boyfriend gets girl's attention very quickly."

"We are not dating." He quickly said, defending himself.

"Oh, you wish for that. I know you like her." And now he could be compared to a tomato. He was blushing so hard.

"No. I don't."

"Yes. You do." I teased him. He was glaring at me. If looks could kill, I would be dead by now.

"You're not going to tell her a thing. And you know what. Your treats have officially ended here. You are not getting your next treat." And with that, he stood up and walked towards the door. No. I can't miss my treats. I quickly followed him.

"Hey, you can't do that," I whined.

"We'll see." He smirked. He paid for our coffee and we drove back home.

**********

I opened the door of our house and saw a person standing beside the couch. He turned around and I was completely stunned.

"Look who finally decided to show up." My dad said.

A/N:

Hey guys!

Hope you liked this chapter...

What do you think about the stupid Sarah who seriously thought of Ethan and Vanessa to be a couple?

See you soon...