~~~Sydney Pov~~~

Violet and I rode all the way home in silence.

"I-I can't belief..." I started.

"Yeah" Violet added.

"Her... of ... all people." I continued.

"Yeah." Violet continued.

I turn to look at her, she was looking straight ahead. Like she was in a daze.

"What am I going to do?" Violet questioned.

"You want to come in? "I offered her

"No, I'm just waiting for it to get darker so I can drive back." Violet looks straight ahead.

"Breathe... Sydney." Violet reached over, and rubbed my shoulder. I looked down at my hands and I was shaking.

Violet slowly turned her head "We can never share. What happened?"

I nodded my head " Of course." I gathered my strength, and opened the door.

"How am I going, to fix my car." I said monotone. "My dad, is going to kill me." I cringed at my choice of words.

Violet took a deep breath, " I know a guy that can fix it. Maybe it will be done by Monday."

"Okay" I said. I opened the door.

I remember running towards the car. When leaving earlier, when I went to the party. In contrast to now I am dragging, my feet like a zombie, to my bed. The pace of life really is swift.

As soon as I opened the door. "Your home late" My dad's voice boomed at the top of the stairs

My head shot up, in shock "WHAT !"

He started to descend down the stairs "What is this that I'm hearing, about you threatening your principle."

I tried to take hold of my breathing. "Oh umm....Umm." My heart fell into my stomach. My arms feel like noodles. Suddenly my legs couldn't carry me no more.

My father looks at me up, and down. "Did you finish running a marathon?" My Dad inquired. I froze and just looked at him. Every time I took a breath, the air felt like sharp razor blades.

"Look you the Mayor's daughter. Just having you in their school sets, them in a good light. I make extremely generous donations to that school." He walks to me and gives me a kiss on the forehead "It's going to hurt them. If you fail or drop out..."

I bit my lip and nodded my head slowly. And took a step back " I understand."

"You don't need to blackmail people. We have a reputation to uphold. We shouldn't do anything, to stain our good name." He stopped and rubbed his chin " Is there anything you are hiding? Because let me know. So, I can handle this situation while it's early?" My Dad inquired.

"Nothing I CAN'T HANDEL ON MY OWN .....yet" I blurted out but whispered the last part. I rushed to the kitchen, to get bottled water.

"Yet?" He stood in the doorway. I took a huge gulp of water.

I peeked out the window. I saw Violet pull away in her car.

I didn't turn around, but I answered him "Yeah ,yet."

----------------

I was laying on the couch flipping through channels, with snacks and empty snack packets all over me. My Dad came down the stairs, in his well-pressed suit. He stopped dead in his tracks.

"Have you been sitting here all night?" My Dad said with his scrunched-up face. "No. Don't judge me" I said with my mouth full of ice-cream

"Did Something happen, between Branson" My dad asked. " No." I muttered

"Did something happen between you and Violet?" My dad continued. "No." I lied. "Geeze just chill out I'm fine Dad."

"You better watch your attitude." My dad bespoke. I took a breath. "Sorry, I just want to have a lazy day it's Saturday Dad." I rubbed my shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

He walked towards me, and gave me a side hug. "Okay I'm leaving. Please don't stay on that couch for too long."

"Okay okay." I gave her back a hug.

My Dad looked at his watch " I'm running a bit late." He stood up and walked out the door. And I stood up. To take a shower. I took off my clothes.

I jumped in the shower. And opened the hot shower. The hot water, was peeling my skin. It felt really soothing. I sat down on the shower floor. The water felt, like bullets on my back.

"Hello.. oh my gosh." The shower curtains opened. I looked up to see Susan. She grabbed my arm. Pulled me out of the shower. She closed the shower. I grabbed the towel. I saw the bathroom was all foggy.

"Look at your back." She shrieked

"I'm fine." I pulled my arm out of her grip. 'Just let me be."

"Oh, I'm sorry ..sorry." She started to turn around, to walk out of the bathroom.

I rubbed the nape of my neck "I'm sorry I'm just ..."

"It's fine. I just thought someone left the tap open. Why were you sitting, on the shower floor like that." Susan asked me.

"I've just been stressed. So, I wanted to make my own Mini Sona." I looked down and then away

Susan pulled a face "don't you have a spa membership."

"I'm getting cold, let me get dress." I rushed out of the bathroom. In hopes to end. The conversation

"Breakfast will be ready in 5 minutes." Susan yelled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I come downstairs to the kitchen table in pink sweats. As I walked into the kitchen. My eyes carried, to the sight of Brandson's face.

My chest felt heavy. and it came crashing down to my toes. When he flashed me a bright smile.

Branson stood up and gave me a kiss "Hey, " He said

I slightly flinched when he touched my back, during our hug. Pushed him away, took his hands. Then I lead him to kitchen island. "Hi." Susan was watching our interaction.

When she saw I was paying attention to her. She put a plate of food in front of me.

"You good?" He asked me. He seems so happy I'm guessing, he doesn't know, or it was all a dream. "Nothing, just some period cramps." I whispered before giving him a lingering kiss.

As we continued to talk, he was picking at my plate. If this were another time. I would've have stopped him.

I gently rubbed his thigh. "You're in a great mood." I still felt a smudge of guilt

"Well, I am dating the prettiest girl in the whole entire school." I blushed at his sweet words. A great idea popped into my mind. "Wait let me feed you."

He started to laugh " How romantic you going to feed me bacon."

"We got grapes." I wanted to stand up. He held my wrist.

I gave him a confused smile "Don't go. It's fine to feed me the bacon." I sat down on my seat smiling.

Then we started laughing. "How long did you stay after we left?" I said while putting the bacon in his mouth

"Yes, and I passed out. On Ben's couch. I took a shower there. Then came straight here." He stated

Buzzzz Buzzzzzz

"Sorry my phone." He pulled out his phone. "Wait- Wait....slow down." He jumped up. from his seat and his eyes widen in realization.

My nail broke at his reaction. It didn't bleed or anything. I just got to book an appointment.

"My Sister.....not my sister." His voice broke. He quickly started to blink rapidly. He grabbed his things. "Come on Sydney my sister's in the hospital." I stood up and followed him with a heavy chest.