"Luke!" I squeal, running past the kitchen and towards my boyfriend who is standing in the doorway with his hands open wide. I attack him with a hug and Luke chuckles, his hands holding me tightly.

"Good morning beautiful. Ready for school?" Luke asks and I nod.

"Yes but I have to say goodbye to someone first." I say and run back inside to give Bennet a hug. He let's out a laugh and stumbles back, making us both fall down over the couch and onto the floor.

Believe it or not, Eve got home at midnight because she had to go to the hospital in the city for a checkup. I had no idea why but Eve just told me because of the pain she is having. When I introduced her to Bennet, Eve was in shock. She denied it at first, saying that he is probably a homeless person off the street but when I told her about everything, she believed me and decided to let Bennet say the night. Eve went to bed since she was tired but all Bennet and I did was watch movies and laugh to the most stupidest things.

To say that I feel happy is a huge understatement.

It's like the whole in my heart is now in one piece. I may have lost both of my parents but I still have one last person left that I can call family.

Bennet.

It's like that saying. 'You lose one but gain one'. That's exactly what's going on but instead of losing one, I lost two. And still to this day, it hurts.

"Wait, is that the guy from yesterday?" I hear Luke ask once I get up and I nod.

"Luke, meet Bennet... my brother." I say and Luke's eyes widen. He stares between the both of us before laughing. When Bennet and I exchange weird looks, Luke stops laughing and points at the two of us.

"Oh, your not joking..." Luke says and I shake my head.

"No, I'm not." I say and Luke stands up straight and clears his throat. He walks over to Bennet and holds his hand out for Bennet to shake.

"Uh, nice to meet you?" Luke says, a little confused with the words that are coming out of his mouth and Bennet clears his own throat, standing up straight. He shakes Luke's hand and nods.

"Take care of my sister, Luke." Bennet says and Luke glances over at me.

"Are you sure this isn't a joke?" Luke asks and I chuckle, shaking my head once again. Luke looks back at Bennet and nods.

"I'm doing exactly that." Luke says, his tone now confidence but by the way his free hand is slight shaking, I can tell he isn't going to adjust to this anytime soon.

"Good. Now, you two run along. You don't want to be late, do you?" Bennet asks and we both shake our heads. Luke grabs my hand and begins to drag me out the door.

When we reach the car, Luke turns to me once more. "Now... are you positive you two aren't playing a trick on me?" Luke asks and I let out a laugh and slap his shoulder, shaking my head.

"Just hurry up and start the car."

●●●

Once Luke and I enter inside the school building, the bell rings loudly through the halls, making everyone immediately begin to sprint to class in fear of being late. My eyes widen and I look up at Luke, hoping that he will say a quick goodbye so I won't be late for class.

I have already missed a few days off school. I don't need to miss anymore school time.

Luke glances over at me before rolling his eyes playfully. "Go on. Get to class, goody-two-shoes." Luke laughs and I thank him before placing a short kiss on his cheek and running down the hallway to class.

I notice a few people still entering and let out a sigh of relief. I walk into the classroom and take my original seat. Once everyone is settled, the teacher begins to write the agenda on the board for today's lesson. As I watch the teacher, I hear my phone buzz in my pocket and grab my phone, switching it on.

I look back up at the teacher to see him still writing on the board. I glance back down at my phone and begin to type my reply to Nicole.

I look back up at the teacher again and let out a sigh of frustration. I raise my hand up, hoping that he will be able to let me go. "Sir?" I call and Mr Simonds stops writing and turns to me. I notice everyone's eyes go to me and I gulp.

"Yes, Grace?"

"Uh, may I be able to go and visit the nurse? I don't feel to well." I say and Mr Simonds frowns.

"Do you realise how many days you've been absent? This won't look good on your end-of-year report." Mr Simonds explains and I nod.

"I know. Can I just... please?" I beg and Mr Simonds sighs. He walks over to his desk and grabs out a yellow note before writing on it. I stand up and throw my bag over my shoulder. I walk over to the teacher, taking the note from him.

"Thank you, Sir." I say before turning on my heel and walking to the door. I quickly exit the classroom and I look down at the note, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness..." I mutter before beginning to make my way to the bathroom where Nicole said to meet her.

This better be good.

●●●

I walk into the bathroom to see Nicole standing in front of sink with her hands resting on the edge of it, her head down. I frown and walk closer to her.

"Nicole? Is everything okay?" I ask, my voice quiet and gentle. Nicole breathes out a sigh and looks up at me. I gasp in shock.

"Do I look okay?" Nicole asks and I look at her face, taking in the purple bruise that is around her eye. I frown and look back in Nicole's blue eyes.

"W-What happened to you?" I ask and Nicole shakes her head, looking back at the mirror.

"My stupid father. I knew he wouldn't understand or believe a word I had to say about James. He thinks I am lying about everything and when I told him yesterday, he hit me. My father thinks so much of that idiot and I guess he doesn't even give two shits about me." Nicole says, her voice laced with anger. My eyes widen when I hear that Nicole's father hit his own daughter.

"Did you tell your mom?" I ask and Nicole shakes her head.

"I didn't even bother. If my father doesn't, of course my mom wouldn't. I just can't believe he went to the extent of hitting me..." Nicole says and I let out a sigh, walking over to Nicole. I hold out my arms and Nicole turns to face me. I bring her into a hug and she rests her head on my shoulder.

"Its no use. James is going to still be out in the world, ruining people's lives." Nicole says and I shake my head, pulling her back.

"No, he won't be. We just need proof... and I know exactly where to get it."

●●●

"Wait, so where are you again? At the police station?" Luke asks and I nod.

"Yeah." I say and Luke let's out a sigh.

"If I ask why, will you tell me or make me wait?" Luke asks and I chuckle.

"Sorry, Luke. I will call you later and explain everything, okay? Don't worry about me." I say and Luke let's out a chuckle.

"Thats a little hard since your my girlfriend and all." Luke says and I roll my eyes.

"Just don't worry. I have to go." I say and before I hang up, I hear Luke shout 'wait' extremely loud. I pause and press the phone back to my ear.

"Yes, Luke?" I ask, my eyebrows furrowing. After a few seconds, I hear Luke speak.

"I love you." Luke says and I can't help but smile. My heart tightens and the butterflies begin to appear in my stomach.

"I love you too." I say before hanging up. I place my phone back in my pocket and look up at Nicole who has her eyebrows furrowed.

"Honestly, you two make me sick." Nicole says and I roll my eyes. Before I can reply, the person I have been waiting to see for the past ten minutes walks out from his office and I smile.

"Jackson." I greet and Jackson sends me a nod.

"Good afternoon, Grace. Now, what could possibly be keeping you out of school on a Thursday, huh?" Jackson asks and I let out a chuckle.

"Numerous things but right now, I need you to help Nicole and I will something." I say and Jackson looks over at Nicole. Nicole sends the police officer a small smile and Jackson nods.

"So, what can I help you two with?"

●●●