The next morning, I wake up to the sound of Greyson's snoring and as I turn onto my side, I realize everyone is gone besides him. After Greyson announced his plans to write, we all slowly found sleep and managed to find comfort in each other with the striking realization that our lives are never going to be the same. Not with the way things are looking.

Staring at the roof, a sigh falls from my lips as my argument with Dad weighs heavily on me. I have never been as mad as I was last night. Mad at him for telling me one thing and doing the other. Mad at the world for breaking up the two people that make me believe in true love. Mad at myself for not being able to control my anger and snapping at him.

It was all too much and I blew up. I feel bad for yelling at him. The look on his face when I told him to leave nearly broke my heart, but a small part of me doesn't feel an ounce of guilt and it makes me wonder if maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I have a right to be mad when he lies to me. Right to my face. He made a promise and he broke it.

Deciding to not dwell on it any longer, I toss the comforter to the side and crawl out of my parents' California king size bed. Tucking the loosen pieces of hair behind my ear, I rub under my eyes and pull on my red hoodie walking toward the stairs. My stomach growling, despite having eaten nearly a whole pizza the night before. A yawn falls from my lips as I step into the kitchen.

"Good morning to you too, sleeping beauty," Riker chuckles from the kitchen table.

I roll my eyes at him despite having my back turned to him, standing on my tip toes to grab a bowl from the cabinet while also grabbing a box of cereal from the cabinet over, tucking the box under my arm. Opening the refrigerator door, I grab the jug of milk and a spoon from the drawer. Not acknowledging that there is another presence in my kitchen until I sit down at the table in a huff.

"You always look this good in the morning, Nicks?" Felix asks and I look up from the bowl in front of me to meet his brown eyes. The small smirk on his face making my stomach fill with butterflies.

"Nicks?" I raise an eyebrow at him.

"You are named after Stevie Nicks, aren't you?" He questions and continues when I only stare at him in response. "Lead singer of Fleetwood Mac?"

"Yes, I know who Stevie Nicks is," I roll my eyes with a sigh before turning my attention to Riker. "Where are mom and Isaac?"

"Mom went into work, and Ike had practice this morning," he explains as his phone starts to buzz, turning it around on the table to look at the screen. "It's Lena. I'll be right back."

"Take your time, man," Felix waves him off as I move the empty bowl down the table, resting my head against my crossed arms. "Party hard last night?"

"No," I say, my voice muffled by the fabric of my sweater.

"You always this cheerful in the morning?" He asks and I turn my head on my arms to look at him.

"Are you always this irritating?" I shoot back as I put my elbows on the table, resting my chin in the palm of my hands. A sigh falling from my lips as I rub my face, leaning back in my chair to I stare at him. "Why were you asking about me last night?"

"I can't be curious?"

"No," I tell him flatly. "Not unless you have a reason."

"You are the reason."

Shaking my head, a sigh falls from my lips, "Smooth."

"I try," he shrugs. "I can't just make conversation?"

"I was part of your conversation?"

"Yes," he nods. "Like I said, I was curious."

"Well, next time you're curious," I eye him. "Ask me. Not my brothers."

"Noted."

I nod my head as a surprising shout behind me makes me jump in my chair, Greyson's voice echoing through the room. Shifting in my chair, I turn to glare at him.

"Lix! Hey," Greyson grins as he grabs his own bowl from the cabinet before wandering over to the table, pulling out the chair next to me. "How are you doing, man? It's been a while."

"You know each other?" I turn my head to look at my eldest brother.

"Yeah, Greyson was a senior and captain of the football team when I was a freshman," Felix answers my question. "He was kind of like my mentor."

"Kind of? I was his hero," Greyson teases. "How's it going, man? What have you been up to?"

"A busy few years, I guess," Felix shrugs. "I got captain last year."

"Right on!" Greyson holds out his hand and my face curls in disgust as I reach for the box of cereal again, my appetite back as I pour some into my bowl joining it with a small amount of milk. "That's great, Felix. You deserve it."

"Thanks, Grey," he smiles softly. "What about you? I figured you'd be in Los Angeles for school."

"I was," Greyson nods, running his fingers through his shaggy brunette hair. "Making some life changes and decided I wanted to do it in the presence of my family."

"And by that he means he dropped out of school and needs somewhere to sleep," I roll my eyes, bringing my spoon up to my mouth to take a big bite of honey flavoured cereal.

"And you've clearly met the littlest Alexander," Greyson eyes me. "Sweet, isn't she?"

"Shut up," I groan. "I am not little."

"You're kind of little," Felix laughs.

"You don't speak," I groan and get up, taking my bowl with me. "I'm going to my room."

"Hey, wait!" Felix says quickly, getting my attention. "I'm throwing a party tonight at my house. You're invited."

"I'll pass." I continue to walk.

"Awe, come on, Nicks," Felix pleads and I roll my eyes, a habit I seem to be growing into around him.

"I'm not coming to your stupid party, Felix."

"How do you know it's stupid? You've never been to one."

"You should go, Stevie," Greyson argues. "You'll have fun."

"I don't do parties."

"Please?" Felix begs and I narrow my eyes.

"Can I bring Isla and Robyn?"

"Absolutely," he bobs his head.

"Miles?" Knowing if I do indeed decide to go, Isla will want to bring her on-again, off-again boyfriend.

"Sure. Bring whoever," Felix agrees. "I'll see you tonight?"

"We'll see," I hum out as I head for the stairs, taking small bites as I walk.

Landing in my room, I climb onto the middle of my bed sitting cross legged while grabbing my phone off the nightstand. My eyes immediately going to the numerous social media notifications and anger runs through my veins when I see most of them are about my family. Public knowledge or not, it's none of their business. Not even in the slightest and I am suddenly thankful for my private Instagram.

Dedicated strictly to my photography, it is my only public account not attached to my name. It's all me and my tens of thousands of followers have nothing to do with my dad. I've earned those follows on my own merit, not that I care. I made the account to store my photos for myself, but it picked up traction and suddenly I had hundreds of comments complimenting my work.

It's the proudest I've ever been. While simultaneously being the most ashamed I've ever been.

Opening my messages, I tap my thumb on the message bar and set my cereal bowl on the nightstand to type out my message. I don't want to go to Felix's party, but I know that Isla and Robyn will somehow find out he asked me and kill me for not telling them.

felix montgomery just invited me to his party tonight

WHAT? WHEN?

a few minutes ago

hes kind of in my house

Damn, boy came all the way to your house to ask?

no, he has a project with riker

he said you could come...

but im not going

Uh...yes, you are.

Yes, we are.

WE ARE GOING TO THAT PARTY

FELIX MONTGOMERY'S PARTY.

Cool it with the caps!

But, yes, we're going.

And we're coming over.

We need to look cute.

no

no

and no

You wouldn't have told us if you didn't secretly want us to make you go, boo.

She's right.

i told you because i knew youd kill me if i didnt

Nope, your request is denied.

We're going.

Miles can come, right?

yes...i already asked

And you're trying to tell us that you don't want to go?

You're such a bad liar, Stevie!

I stare at my screen and toss my phone to the side as I lay back on my bed, wondering if they're right. I have never been interested in parties before. I just don't care about the social status of my high school career, but this all feels different. A small piece of me wanting to go.

While the other half is screaming at me, telling me it's a dumb idea. I'm nothing special. Felix only asked to be nice and that's it. I have to tell myself that because I've been proved time and time again that getting your hopes up only ended in utter heartbreak.

And even knowing that a small part of me still has hope.

a/n;

I just binge watched all of The Umbrella Academy and can I just say, Klaus Hargreeves is freaking amazing and if you haven't watched it. I highly, highly recommend. It's so freaking good. Like honestly, watch it. You won't regret it.