Above: David Henrie as Jackson Matthews.

I stood with my mouth wide open and my eyes full of surprise.

Tabitha.

The Tabitha who was John's ex. The Tabitha who was raped. The Tabitha who almost died. The Tabitha that had to go to a mental hospital. The Tabitha that was here, in Curmouth. The Tabitha that was standing next to Jack, holding his hand, directly in front of me, at the Seaside Cafe.

It was Tabitha.

I took a moment to think about everything right then.

Jack walked in with Tabitha.- Fact.
John was basically so overjoyed at the sight of Tabitha that he was almost drooling.- Fact.
Jack looked like he was going to sprint out of the Cafe to avoid whatever might happen in the next 30 seconds. - Fact.
Tabitha was so overwhelmingly gorgeous, and looked prettier than Hannah and Anna. -Most would say opinion but in this case it is definitely a fact.
John definitely has a gigantic crush on Tabitha, even though he already has another beautiful blonde, blue eyed girlfriend named Zoe who was also more pretty than I. -Fact.
The jealously and envy I have for Tabitha is insane. -Fact.
I am hoping so insanely hard that Tabitha is not Jacks girlfriend, and not Johns future girlfriend. -Fact.
This situation was about to become unthinkable. -Conclusion.

"Hello. Nice to meet you, I'm Tabitha.", She said giving me a small smile with her shiny white teeth, and reaching out her hand.

She was the prettiest girl I have ever seen. She had shiny blonde hair that fell to just above her hips. Her blue eyes were enchanting and pure. Her teeth were straight and white as snow. Her light pink lips were slightly pouty, but not too much. Her eyelashes were long and perfect looking, as were her eyebrows. Her face was perfectly shaped. She had a perfect body and was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

"Hello.", I said emotionlessly as I mechanically stuck out my arm and shaked her smooth hand.

I couldn't think about anything right then. It was like I was in a haze. Like meeting Tabitha was a dream.

"I'm Kendall.", I added.

John looked just ecstatic.

Jack looked down at his feet and bit his lip nervously.

Then I snapped out of my haze.

"Jack!?", I said, looking up at him.

"Tabitha. We need to leave.", Jack said, taking Tabitha's hand, and pulling her out of the Seaside Cafe.

"Nice meeting you Kendall.", Tabitha said, as Jack dragged her through the doors.

"No!", I exclaimed, running towards Jack.

I was not letting him avoid whatever this was for any longer. I was tired of the lies.

Jack opened the car door as I latched onto his coat sleeve.

"No Jack. No.", I say looking into his pure blue eyes.

"Kendall. Let go.", Jack said, grabbing onto my wrist even harder than I was holding on to his coat.

"I can't do this. We can't do this. Just tell me.", I said, tightening my grip on his coat.

"I'm sorry Kendall.", Jack said, grabbing my wrist and ripping it off of the coat sleeve.

Then he got into the car and drove off.

I can't believe he did that. He left.

Extreme sadness filled me.

How could he. What did that mean.

Deep down I knew.

Jack was Tabitha's boyfriend. And Tabitha was Jack's girlfriend.

And I was nobody's nobody.

John walked over to me.

"What a surprise!", John exclaimed, still beaming with happiness.

"Yeah. What a surprise.", I said dully.

•••

The rest of the day seemed like torture.

I called Jack's phone too many times to count, and each call went to voicemail. The rest of the time I was with John, all he did was talk about Tabitha. No bonding or catching up with John, just him talking about how wonderful and beautiful and fantastic Tabitha is. And I just sat there, with my mind filled with agonizing thoughts.

Why me? Just why?

"And you couldn't believe how great her personality is!", John gushed like a twelve year old girl.

Yeah, I bet.

"She's so amazing, Kendall. You guys have to meet properly.", He told me, smiling.

"Okay. So how was your first week?", I asked, hoping to change the topic.

"Fantastic. And Tabitha made it so much better. Did you know that she surfs too.", He told me.

Well that's just great. Is she a supermodel too?!

"I'm going to go to the bathroom. Be right back.", I said, mustering a fake smile on my face.

I needed to get away from Tabitha and her aura of amazingness.

I splashed water on my face and stood in front of the mirror for a few minutes, dreading to leave this bathroom which was my stronghold.

I can do this.

I am strong. I am brave. I can do anything.

I am Kendall Hanks.

•••

After my "bonding time" with John we came back home and I hid in my room.

I wanted to go back to Denver and live with my now deceased grandmother. I wanted to become a nobody again. I wanted to leave Curmouth and all of it's drama behind forever.

But I couldn't.

And to be honest with you, it really sucks.

I put my headphones on full blast and listened to my iPod on shuffle.

I let the music take over my brain, and let it block out the world. And it was a heavenly feeling to be able to think about nothing. And I wished it could last forever.

I heard a knock on my door and paused the music.

I walked over to the door a flung it open, finding Ms. Jameson behind it.

"Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes and we will be eating in the second ballroom today.", Ms. Jameson informed me.

The second ballroom was only used for special occasions, so it was strange that we would be eating there tonight.

"Why are we eating there?", I asked, curious about the occasion.

"I was told to tell you nothing, but you might want to dress a bit formal.", She said, scurrying down the hall before I could ask her more about dinner.

"Okay.", I said more to myself, closing the door.

As I dressed in a pretty cream floor length dress with a beaded neckline I thought about what might be happening.

Maybe an exotic vacation. Or maybe we will move. That would be ideal.

I curled my hair in loose ringlets and slipped on matching nude heels.

I was ready for dinner so I made my way to the second ballroom.

Since I started living with the Masons in late July, I learned my way around the mansion. But I only knew where the important rooms are located. Such as the second ballroom.

The ballroom was in the left wing of the first floor. When I got there, only Anna was seated, so that meant I was early.

She smiled at me. I smiled back.

Since last night, Anna was nicer to me. And she really was a great girl. She just doesn't have enough confidence in herself. I hope she does break out of her shell and becomes Anna, the wonderful girl and not Anna, the awful sidekick. It would help everyone out dramatically. But it was her decision to make.

Anna looked cute a sophisticated with a black sleeved lace dress that fell at her knees. Her hair was braided into a complicated looking up do and she wore pearl earrings and a pearl necklace. She wore black heels and a bit of makeup. She looked beautiful as always.

"Hey.", I said.

"Hey.", she replied with a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Before anything else could be said Hannah walked in.

It was clear that Hannah was still slightly hungover from last night.

Her hair was pulled back into a bun, showing that she couldn't bother doing anything with it. She was wearing a turquoise cocktail dress and neon pink wedges, signaling that she couldn't even pick out an outfit correctly. Her makeup was not too "perfect" either. And she teetered slightly as she walked and winced at any sound.

"Hello Hannah.", I said, smiling when she tripped over her heels at the sound of my voice.

She put out her palms to catch herself and pushed off the ground, standing back up.

"Shut up.", She replied, taking her seat next to Anna.

I covered my victorious smile with my hair.

Before any fighting could happen, John entered the ballroom.

I instantly fell under his spell. He looked handsome in a fitted tux and black Doc Martins. His gorgeous brown hair was styled to the side, framing every inch of his perfect face. Why does he have to be so beautiful?

"Hello girls.", John said, still happy from seeing Tabitha earlier that day.

Hannah winced in pain.

"Hannah. Did you go to another party?", John asked, his face instantly filled with concern.

Hannah rolled her eyes at him.

John cared about everyone, and despite John's efforts to get Hannah to stop partying and drinking, Hannah did what she did. And no one could change that.

"You did, didn't you?", John said examining her hungover state.

Hannah winced again.

"You need to stop going to those parties, Han. Drinking underage is illegal. You could get into serious trouble. I know you're better than that.", John said, clearly concerned.

"If you really want to help, stop talking. And you don't know who I am or what I'm like.", Hannah said angrily, glaring at us.

John was about to open his mouth when Mrs. Mason walked into the room.

And we became greatly surprised when we saw who she was with.

Mr. Mason.

He was back from New York a week early.

"Daddy! You're back!", Anna exclaimed, running up to him, and giving him a big hug.

Hannah let out a quiet groan at the sound of Anna's voice.

"Hello girls.", He said, giving Hannah and I smiles while hugging Anna back.

I smiled back.

"John.", He said, giving him a nod.

Mrs. Mason and Mr. Mason sat down at the table just as the dinner servers brought out the food on silver platters.

Dinner was always a formal meal with the Masons. And dinner was never about the eating part, it was more about the talking and and bragging part.

And I was extremely anxious about the reason why we were eating in the second ballroom.

"As you know, we are eating in the second ballroom tonight. And the reason why we are here is because I have a very important announcement.", Mr. Mason said.

Just get on with.

"I will be running for Governor of California.", He announced.

This was excellent news.

Mr. Mason was currently the mayor of Curmouth and was really into politics and became really rich, which is why we have the gigantic mansion all these other rich people things. And it was always his dream to become the governor or president or something of that political power. And now it could possibly come true. This was a really big deal.

"That's amazing!", Anna exclaimed.

"That's really great. Good job dad.", John said.

"Congratulations. That's really fantastic.", I said, smiling at Mr. Mason who was currently beaming with pride.

"Nice. That's really good.", Hannah croaked, trying to sound happy.

"I know, isn't it great. He's so wonderful. I can't wait to tell the garden club.", Mrs. Mason said, giving him a proud smile.

Mr. Mason smiled.

"I will start launching the campaign Friday. There will be a formal dinner party Friday and you must all be on your best behavior. This dinner party is critical to the campaign. Nothing can go wrong. It needs to be perfect.", He said, looking each one of us in the eye, to make sure that we got the message.

"Thank you all. Enough about me, how was your day sweetheart.", He asked Mrs. Mason, with a loving look.

Then we talked and ate our gourmet meal of prime rib, mashed potatoes with truffles, grilled vegetables and many other delicacies.

But whenever Mr. Mason talked about the formal dinner party I saw an evil glint in Hannah's eye. She would look at me with a strange smile that said, "you just wait till Friday, if you think my punishment is bad now, then you know nothing."

And to be honest, I had a bad feeling about that dinner party.

•••

"Beep beep beep beep!", My alarm clock screamed.

No. No, I will not get up. I don't want to go to school. I don't want to face Tabitha, Jack, John, Hannah, everyone. I just don't want to.

After about five minutes of the alarm clock screaming and me contemplating I turned off the alarm and got up.

I would just have to face it.

I skipped breakfast and started getting ready. I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. I ended up wearing an olive colored tee shirt with dark wash skinny jeans. I wore white converse and a leather jacket. Then I straightened my hair and pinned it to the side with bobby pins.

John and I rode to school in the limousine again.

He talked about Tabitha some more, making me nervous for some reason.

Then I remembered that the singing audition answers would be posted today.

Now I kind of want to be alone right now.

I kind of wished I had a car of my own. I already knew how to drive. I got my drivers license back in Denver. But Mr. Mason says and I quote that, "driving is for the lower class. If we have someone to drive for us why, do it ourselves." I personally think that that's stupid, but all well. His words, not mine.

We pulled up to Curmoth High and I opened the door of the limousine. I slid out and found everyone crowding around something.

What could it be?

I pushed my way through the crowd to find what I knew would be there.

Jack holding Tabitha's hand and pulling her through the crowd, glaring at all the guys who were looking at Tabitha like she was a vulnerable fish and they were sharks.

"Move out of the way!", Jack growled.

Surprisingly everyone backed away and after a while of Jack glaring as everyone else stared they minded their business and talked to the people in their groups.

"Jack.", I called out from behind.

He turned around glaring. When he saw me his face softened but he was still frowning.

"Jack, I-"

"Stop. It's fine. Let's just pretend nothing ever happened.", He said, glancing around nervously.

What!?

Jack saw a guy heading towards Tabitha.

"Look. I gotta go.", He said, turning around and grabbing Tabitha's arm, pulling her away from the guy who was attempting to talk to her.

Pretend like nothing ever happened? How could he.

"What? No, Jack.", I said, whipping around.

But Jack was already gone.

I felt tears stinging my eyes.

I ran into a building and locked myself in a bathroom stall.

Then I let out the tears.

It was all such a mess. It was a spiraling hole of doom which I could not escape from. I could only fall deeper. I just hope that at the end of the hole, there was an escape. A ladder perhaps. Maybe then I could climb myself out of this mess.

The bathroom door swung open and I could hear a group of gossips from inside my stall.

"Omg. I am so jealous of that new girl. Her boyfriend is a total hottie.", One girl said.

"I did some investigating. That girl, her name is Tabitha Rose. And the guy she was with: Jackson Matthews. And they're not cousins either. I don't think they're related. I bet they're dating.", another girl said.

"And she gets all that attention from all those guys. I bet Will forgets all about new foster girl, and goes for Tabitha. That Jackson guy and her make the cutest couple though.", Another girl said.

"Yeah. They really are. I heard that Tabitha girl is from Missouri or Michigan. Something like that.", the first girl gossiped.

Then the bell rang.

"Well we'll talk about it later. I can't let Miss Founders mark me tardy again.", Another girl said.

"Kay. See you all later.", The other girl said.

Then they all said their goodbyes and left.

I stopped crying.

I forgot all about that singing auditions tryout post.

I didn't feel sad anymore.

I felt determined.

Determined to find out the truth.

•••

I ran out of Mrs. Harrison's World History class and rushed to Will's locker.

I didn't care if Hannah saw me. I needed to talk to him.

I saw the back of his groomed blonde hair at his locker.

"Will. I need to talk to you.", I said from behind him.

No answer.

I tapped him on the shoulder. He shook my hand off violently. Then he slammed his locker shut and started walking to his next class.

What was up with him? He's usually so excited to see me.

But I was determined to get what I needed.

I ran in front of Will and blocked him from moving through the hallway.

"Woah."

Will's face was bruised and he had a black eye. His face had a couple of cuts on it too. His usual cheery smile was replaced with a frown and his bright green eyes were glaring instead of smiling.

What happened to him. Please tell me he wasn't abused or something. I knew all the signs of abuse from the pamphlet they made me read at the foster center.

"What do you want.", He growled at me, glaring with hatred.

"What happened to you.", I whispered.

"None of your business. Now move.", He demanded.

"No. I need to talk to you.", I said.

He glared with annoyance instead of hatred now.

"Jack and Tabitha. Are they dating?", I asked, holding my ground.

Will began laughing. Not from humor, but more because of insanity or mania.

"Can you hear yourself. Look at the facts. I know you're not THAT stupid.", Will said, with his eyes slightly crazed.

"What facts?", I asked, not sure what exactly he was talking about.

"What am I?", He asked.

"You're Will Farnsworth.", I said, still confused about what was happening.

"No. I'm a player. And what do players do?", He said.

"Umm. I don't know. What's this have to do with anything?", I asked, unsure what he was talking about.

"You'll figure it out soon enough. You're smart, Kenny.", He said, pushing past me.

I let him continue down the hall and stood there thinking about what he meant.

"Look at the facts"

"What do players do?"

"You'll figure it out soon enough."

What did he mean?

The bell rang and I forced myself to the chemistry classroom.

What did it mean?

Mrs. Ernestine interrupted my thinking.

"Good Morning class. We have a new student. Please welcome Tabitha.", She said motioning to the pretty girl who I basically knew was Jack's girlfriend.

The class gave their "hellos" and Mrs. Ernestine continued.

"There is now an odd number of students in our class so one group will have three people. That group will explain to Tabitha what project we are doing."

Please let it be us so I can bombard her with questions.

"Let's see. You will go with... Zoey and Kendall.", She said, pointing to the table where Zoe and I were sitting.

Yes!

Before I could begin asking questions, Zoe started talking.

"Hi Tabitha. I'm Zoey, you can call me Zoe if you want. This is Kendall.", She said motioning to me.

"So our project has a lot to do with the Periodic Table of Elements.", Zoe said.

After Zoe explained the project to her, she started asking her questions about the things she enjoyed.

I just wish I could ask her one question, but I couldn't due to Zoe and her friendliness.

After thirty minutes of questions, all I learned about Tabitha was that her favorite food is pasta with marina sauce, her favorite movie was The Little Mermaid, and that she had a fear of snakes.

I didn't even get anything relevant.

I just want one question.

Then I got my chance.

Zoe got up from her chair to throw something away.

"Hey Tabitha. Are you and-"

"Brrrinnggg!", The bell rang.

"Okay class it's time to go. Don't forget about the homework.", Mrs. Ernestine yelled as students filed out the door.

"I guess I'll see you later Kendall. Bye.", She said, grabbing her backpack and leaving the room.

Darn it!

Only a question away...

•••

After my last class of the day, I ran as fast as I could to the parking lot. I found Will's Ferrari and waited for him.

"Will!", I exclaimed with happiness.

He still seemed pissed for some reason.

I was still really concerned about the mysterious reason why he was all beat up.

"Hey. Did you figure it out yet?", Will asked, still angry, unlocking his car.

"No. Please help.", I said.

"Fine. Players go through girls like they're tissues. After they throw one out they get a new one. Just like that. Don't even think about them afterwards.", He said.

"Okay. But what does that have to do with anything?", I ask him.

"Did Jack even tell you anything about himself? Do you think he's a player?", Will asked.

"He's not a player. And yes, he told me a lot about himself.", I said.

"Then he is the opposite of a player. Then he doesn't go through girls quickly.", Will said.

"But what does that have to do with anything?", I asked.

Will sighed.

"It means, do you really think that he already got a girlfriend in what, two days, and met you, and went on a date with you. All in two days."

Then it all clicked.

"Thank you Will!", I said giving him a quick kiss on his bruised cheek.

Then I ran away to where the limousine was waiting.

I opened the door and flung myself into the back seat.

"Straight home please.", I told Charles.

Then he started driving away from Curmoth High and toward where my answer might possibly be.

During the drive I pieced everything together.

We pulled up to the house.

"Thanks Charles.", I said, eagerly running into the Mason Mansion.

I opened the electric blue door and closed it behind me.

I ran up the several sets of stairs.

Then I ran into my room.

I grabbed my journal off of the top book shelf and flipped through the pages.

There.

I grabbed the old receipt that Jack wrote his number on. I flipped the phone number side over and looked at what the receipt was of.

It all made perfect sense.

How Jack said he was from Bay Shore, Michigan.

How Tabitha was from "Missouri or Michigan" or "something like that."

How Jack said his "little" sister was obsessed with the little mermaid.

How Tabitha said her favorite movie was The Little Mermaid.

I read the receipt over and over again.

It read, "Tabitha R. Matthews. Bay Shore Mental Hospital."

"Tabitha R. Matthews."

"Jackson Matthews."

It all made sense.

Tabitha is Jack's sister.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
A/N

Oh. My. Flipping. Goodness.

Are you as mind blown as I am.

•Thoughts on the extra long and mind blowing chapter?

•What do you think about the big reveal.

T.H. is at 106 votes! Hopefully it will get higher.

I decided to enter "Things Happen" for the Wattys 2015 awards. I know it's a very small chance, but a chance none the less. And I would literally die of happiness if we did win.

•What team are you on:

Jack- #Kack

John- #Khon

Will- #Kill

Enough of me rambling on. I'll let you be.

But in the end.....

I seriously love you all,

Cora ❤️

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