I stumbled through my front door, my body feeling weak as I turned on the hallway light. I leaned against the wall for a short second before I heard loud footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Dakota?" My brother asked, looking around for me. His gaze landed on me, his eyes widening as he took in my appearance. "Holy shit, are you okay?"

"Mom called. She thought it was so funny to tell me she fucked some random guy at a bar," I gave a dry laugh. "She also thinks I'm a whore because I 'stole' Jason away from her."

"Are you fucking joking?" Jace bellowed, his eyes narrowing into slits. "That bitch!"

He walked down the rest of the steps before stopping in front of me. He reached out his arms and encased me in a hug. He knew how horrible Jason was because when I "escaped" from him, the one place I would go to was Jace's room. He was never able to fully understand at such a young age, but as we got older he was able to put the pieces together.

"I just hope she doesn't bring him home again," I sighed, stepping back from his embrace.

"Dak!" I heard a little voice yell from the top of the stairs. Liv's small footsteps filled the room as she ran towards me. "I missed you!"

I put a fake smile on my face as I easily picked her up, gently tickling her stomach. "I missed you too, Liv."

Her breathless giggles filled the house as her smile showcased her missing teeth. I set her down and she immediately ran to the living room, playing with her dolls on the couch.

"Come play with me!" She giggled as she made airplane noises, pretending her toys were flying.

I looked over at Jace before heading to the living room. He knew I wasn't okay, but I pushed all the negative feelings down for Olivia. She doesn't need to know I'm not happy.

He gave me a disappointed look as he sighed. "Don't worry about me Jace, I'm okay." I reassured him, the lie easily slipping past my teeth.

He let out another frustrated sigh before he gave a hesitant nod. I turned away from him and went to play with Olivia and her dolls even though I was past the point of feeling exhausted.

Be strong for Liv.

~•~•~

"Did you know that snakes have two penises?" Braxton told everyone at our lunch table. He looked around to see our reactions but we just blinked at him. "You guys are no fun."

Nora snorted beside him. "You're just stupid."

He gave an offended look before stealing her sandwich and taking a huge bite from it. "You fatass! You just ate my whole sandwich in one bite," she squealed, pissed off that she no longer had a sandwich.

I chuckled before quickly covering it with a cough when Nora's eyes shot daggers at face. Surprisingly, Karson actually sat with us today. Although he was sitting on the other side of Braxton, he was practically staring at his phone the whole time.

Apparently after I left the guys house, Colton apologized to Karson for taking his fathers side on whatever was going on. Karson being Karson first declined and ignored him for a few hours before finally accepting his apology.

"My bad," Braxton choked, barely being able to get words out because his mouth was stuffed with Nora's turkey sandwich.

"Who let him sit with us?" Nora accused, looking straight at me.

"Hey don't look at me, they are the ones who wanted to sit here in the first place," I responded, my hands feeling slightly sweaty, nervous for some odd reason.

Karson scoffed before roughly throwing his phone on the lunch table. I winced as it's force made an obnoxious sound. He ran his fingers through his hair and his jaw was set in place.

"Is it your father?" Colton whispered only loud enough for Karson to hear, but his voice traveled far enough to where I managed to hear it.

Karson stiffly nodded as he grit his teeth. "He wants to come down here."

This made Braxton jerk his head over to Karson. "What?"

"I don't know what to do," Karson confessed, looking behind me, his thoughts wandering off.

Nora looked at the boys as confusion struck her face. "Your dad? What's so bad about him?"

This snapped Karson out of his thoughts and he glared at my best friend. "None of your fucking business."

His eyes snapped to mine, his emerald eyes darkening as I quickly averted my eyes, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. His gaze was so intimidating, I didn't like it.

"Daddy issues eh?" Nora joked, trying to lighten the situation.

I glared at Nora, warning her to shut the fuck up before Karson got pissed. He's already mad and she thought it would be funny to poke the bear even more.

Karson's nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. His face went rigid and he didn't answer her. I could tell he was trying to contain himself from saying anything bad.

His gaze traveled to mine and he closed his eyes for a split second before his emerald eyes glistened with an odd expression. I furrowed my eyebrows, confused as to what he was trying to do.

The bell rang as he opened his mouth, perfect timing. Braxton and Colton gave each other a cautious look before waving us a small goodbye. Nora chased after Braxton, slightly pushing him, making him stumble off balance.

It was just Karson and me.

As quickly as possible, I packed up my lunch and threw everything away so I could avoid an awkward interaction with the one person I couldn't stand.

I was almost out of the cafeteria when I felt someone's rough hand grasp my upper arm. I gasped when I felt an odd sense of warmth travel up my arm and immediately turned around, a part of me already knowing who it was.

I was still shocked when my eyes connected with an all too familiar pair of emerald eyes. He sighed before releasing my arm, his eyes traveling back and forth between mine, just staring into my dull, blue eyes.

I crossed my arms, trying to hide the wash of fear that flashed across my face. "What could you possibly want Ryder?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose as he let out a long sigh. "Look, I know you're not too fond of me and trust me, the feelings are mutual." I gave him a bored expression, motioning my hands for him to get on with it. "I fucking hate that I'm asking you this, but I need a favor from you."

"You're kidding," my eyes were saucer wide, not believing Karson Ryder needed a favor from me.

"Fucking hell," he cursed under his breath. "I just need your opinion, please."

He looked vulnerable, his facade finally breaking. I saw no amusement in his eyes, only sincerity. He was being serious.

"Make it quick," I huffed, giving in.

He let out a breath of relief before continuing. "I need help picking out a dress."

I blinked at him before I burst into laughter. I doubled over, not believing what I just heard. A few moments later, I looked at him with a huge smile on my face, finding amusement in this situation.

His gaze hardened as he narrowed his eyes at me. "Just let me fucking finish. In class, I heard you have a little sister, correct?" I nodded my head. "My little sister, Amelia, is coming into town and I told her that I bought her a fucking dress, like a welcome home gift."

So Amelia is his little sister.

"Okay? Why do you need my help?" I questioned, a small smirk pulling at my lips, very amused as I watched Karson try to get me to help him.

"I need your help picking out a dress," he mumbled, almost inaudible.

"Come again?" I pestered, enough though I heard him loud and clear the first time.

"I didn't buy a goddamn dress! I need your fucking help picking one out because you're the only girl I know who has a little sister!" He snarled as he clenched his jaw. I looked around and realized we were the only ones left in this cafeteria, I was going to be so late for class.

"You don't have to yell," I smirked, purposely pushing his buttons. Why not have a little fun?

"Don't fuck with me, Dakota. I'm not in the mood," he growled as he looked directly into my eyes, his gaze sometimes wandering off as he glanced at my hands when he noticed I was fiddling with my fingers. It usually played with my fingers when I was anxious.

I can't believe I'm going to help this son of a bitch. "Fine."

"Meet me in the parking lot after school, don't be fucking late," he growled before walking away from me.

"You're welcome, asshole!" I yelled after him as he walked away. He just flipped me off in return, his figure disappearing behind the cafeteria doors.

I told myself that I was only helping him because I felt bad for his little sister. Maybe Olivia could even make a new friend if his sister was her age. I smiled at the thought as I continued on to my next class, praying I wouldn't get detention because some piece of shit made me late.

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