I step into the living room with Austin next to me, and everyone is sat there in complete silence. I clear my throat, and their heads snap in our direction. Mrs. Emerson jumps up from her seat next to her husband and gives me a hug.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry," she says and I give a small smile.

"It wasn't you, but I'm okay. Well, for now." She frowns and takes her seat next to Mr. Emerson again. Nick gives me a knowing look and a sad smile.

"Are you okay, Annie?" Randy asks, a concerned look on his face. I shrug, not really sure how to respond.

"Since my dramatic exit there, I think I owe you guys an explanation," I start.

"Honey, you don't," Mr. Emerson says, shaking his head.

I shake my head and say, "I really do." I let out a deep sigh and tighten my grip on Austin's hand.

"Well, let's start with the real reason we're here. Whatever excuses we made up were lies. The real reason we're here is...is because...um...our parents died in a c-car accident," Austin mutters, looking over at me, making sure I'm okay so far. The ones who didn't know let out a gasp.

"Amy and Derek offered to take us in which we are very thankful for. Our parents listed them as our guardians in their will. And we're sorry for hiding this for this long, but we just couldn't...talk about it. And we still can't but...we owed an explanation for that little scene I put on." I let out a soft laugh and look at the ground, not sure what else to say.

"We didn't just offer to take you in," Mr. Emerson says, rolling his eyes. "You're family, Annie and Austin. So that means you're stuck with us until well...forever." Everyone laughs, breaking the tension in the room.

"Oh gee, I feel so much better," I tease. He chuckles and shakes his head at me. "By the way, is lunch ready? Cause, I'm starving."

"Yep, let's go eat guys," Mrs. Emerson says and we all walk through the threshold towards the kitchen. I take my usual seat at the island with Carter on one side, and Austin on the other. Nick on the other side of Austin.

"Pass the ketchup," Nick says, shoving a fistful of fries in his mouth.

I shudder and grimace as I slide the bottle towards him. "You're so gross."

"What? This is how I eat," he says, his mouth full of the fries. I hold back a gag and look away from him. How do they expect me to eat with him next to me? Carter chuckles next to me and taps my shoulder.

"Look," he says, turning his phone towards me. He took a picture of me giving Nick a disgusted look with the fries hanging from his mouth.

Austin lets out a loud laugh, looking over at the phone. "Dude, send me that. That's my new wallpaper."

"Sure man!" Carter laughs, proceeding to send it to my brother. I mock glare at the both of them.

I laugh and show Nick the picture. "You look so ridiculous."

"Me? How about you? You look so terrified," Nick teases, laughing at the picture.

I hand Carter the phone back and say, "Send that to me too, please." He smiles and nods.

"Sure thing," he says, popping a French fry in his mouth.

"I don't know how you can still eat those," I comment. He smirks and shrugs at me.

"I've gotten used to his eating habits," he admits, making me laugh.

"Annie, I've officially called a girls day. Just me and you," Mrs. Emerson says all of a sudden.

I nod, a small grin forming on my lips. "Sounds good. When?"

"Right now!" she says, grabbing my hand, and practically dragging me out of the kitchen.

—

"None of this is going to fit in my closet." I tell Mrs. Emerson with a pointed look as we carry ten shopping bags. All of them for me. She rolls her eyes.

"We'll make it fit, my dear," she tells me. I let out a sigh, completely worn out from shopping for three hours.

We've gone to Michael Kors, where we bought almost half of the store. But I must admit, I am in love with those handbags. Then we went to Coach, Forever 21, H&M, Sephora, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Victoria Secret. She had to drag me into VS. Yeah, drag. That store makes me feel so self-conscious.

But we aren't even done yet. She's still dragging me along towards Abercrombie & Fitch. Apparently, it's our last stop. But she's said that at least five times now. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely grateful for everything she's bought me, but it's definitely not necessary. At all.

"After we're done here, we'll go to Panda Express, then go home. Sound good?" she asks, pulling me into A&F.

"Sounds great, Amy," I say, trying to put enthusiasm in my voice. But honestly, I'm just so tired. Considering I didn't get any sleep, and we haven't stopped walking for three hours. This girl knows how to shop, and that is so terrifying.

I look around the store, as much as I can considering she's dragging me through it, and smile. I think I like this store better than the others. All the stores we went to today were so expensive. Too expensive for my taste, but Mrs. Emerson was extremely excited to have me as a dress-up doll.

"Welcome to Abercrombie & Fitch, need any help finding something today?" a masculine voice asks.

I look up and my eyes widen. Oh. My. Goodness. This guy is like the definition of perfect looking. Black hair, lightly tanned skin, bright blue eyes, and what I can tell from the tight shirt hugging his body, nice abs.

"Um..." Smooth, Annie. Look like an idiot in front of this god. "I-I'm good, thank you."

"What's your name?" he asks, a cute grin on his face.

A smile graces my lips as well. "I'm Annie. And you are?"

"Garrett," he says, stuffing his hands in his front pockets. "So, Annie. I know this is forward. Would you like to go out with me sometime?"

'You're not here to date, Annie,' a voice in my head says.

"I'm not really looking to date. But as friends?" I reply.

"Sure. Can I have your number, then?"

I nod. He smiles, and he grabs a pen from the counter behind him and hands it to me. I take the cap off of it and gently grab his hand. With a small smile, I write my number on the palm of his hand. "Call me."

"I will," he says, looking at his hand.

I grin and hand him the pen back. "Gotta go, but maybe I'll see you later." He nods and I walk away from him, over to where Mrs. Emerson is paying for whatever she bought.

"Who's the guy?" she asks as we walk out of the store, a smile on her face.

"His name is Garrett," I say with a small grin.

"I thought you weren't going to date anyone," she says with a knowing look.

I shrug and say, "I'm not going to date him. But a friend would be nice. No matter how much I miss them, they would want me to live my life to the fullest."

"I'm glad you realize that," she says with a smile, unlocking the car from a few feet away. We load all of the bags into the trunk of her car, and finally, make our way back to the house.

——

"Guess what happened at the mall today," Mrs. Emerson chirps excitedly as we take a seat in the living room. Wow, she sounds so much like a teenager.

"What happened?" Nick asks, looking amused. Probably thinking the same thing I am.

"Annie met a boy," she says in a sing-song voice. Everything becomes quiet. I raise an eyebrow and glance around the room. Nick and Austin look amused, Carter's scowling, Ryder's jaw is clenched, and Bradley looks completely bored.

"Who?" Austin asks, breaking the silence.

I look up at him and say, "His name is Garrett."

"Where'd you meet?" Carter asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Abercrombie & Fitch."

They both let out a scoff.

"Is that bad?" I add.

"He sounds like a tool," Ryder comments.

My jaw drops and I feel the need to defend Garrett. "You only know his name. You shouldn't judge someone you don't even know."

"Yeah, same goes for you," Carter retorts.

I stand up from the couch, completely annoyed. "You guys are the tools." I storm out of the room and bound up the stairs.

How can they judge someone so easily? They don't even know him! Granted, I don't know him either, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Not just judging him.

Austin walks into my room and shuts the door behind him. I raise an eyebrow at him. "They're jealous, Annie," he says.

I let out a laugh. "Jealous of what?" He rolls his eyes and throws himself onto my bed.

"Jealous of that Garrett guy. That's why they were acting like asses," he explains.

"Carter and Ryder are jealous of a guy I don't even know? Why?"

"You really are naive, aren't you," he mutters. "They like you, Annie."

I stare at him, not believing a word he's saying. Carter and Ryder like me? Not even possible. Carter probably has a girlfriend, and Ryder does have a girlfriend. I let out a sigh, and shake my head, completely confused.

"That's not true," I finally say.

He sighs and walks over to me.

"Do I need to prove it?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I think for a second, then nod. "Yes, please do."

"Hey, Ryder!" he calls out. A few seconds later, Ryder walks into my room.

"Yeah?" he asks, glancing at me for a second, then back at Austin.

"What should Annie wear on her date with Garrett?" Austin asks him. I give him a confused look, since it's not a date, and he gives me a pointed look in return. I almost gasp in realization. He's trying to make him jealous.

"You have a date with him now?" Ryder almost growls, ignoring Austin's question. "You don't even know him!"

"What better way to know someone than a date," I state with a shrug. Ryder's face goes blank.

"You really think that?" he asks, curiosity clear on his face.

I nod, narrowing my eyes at him. "Yeah, why?"

He gives me a small smile and says, "Will you go on a date with me?"