'What was that look?' I ask Kree, once everyone has left us at the lockers.

'What look?' He shifts his gaze away from me, clearly knowing what I'm asking.

'The one between you and Angel when Bee's mom was here.'

'No look.' He shrugs. 'We should get to class.' He holds out his hand for me to take. I let it go because maybe I'm being paranoid.

'Can't we just skip today and go somewhere?' I ask, not wanting to part from him.

'Oh, is my little Sage wanting to break the rules?' He gasp, sarcastically.

'Shut up,' I lightly shove him.

He leans down. 'You're such a bad influence.' He whisper against my lips down, giving me a chaste kiss before dragging me into the direction of my class. 'Go.'

***

Art is one of those lessons which nobody in this school takes seriously, not even our teacher, who was brought in at the last minute to replace the promiscuous Mrs. Day. He's just here to collect his cheque and move on. There's a rumour that he sells weed to the students. Now I'm not normally someone who listens to rumours but he does look like a drug dealer.

I look around and see Kerrys on her phone, as usual, sexting Angel, Theia flirting with a girl who has fallen victim to her charms and Kayla watching Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging on her iPad. A phone rings in the class and I turn around to see whose it is. Unfortunately, I make eye contact with Bailey, who gives me a stenk face before answering her phone. Ugh, that girl.

'Hey baby,' she purrs. 'Yeah babe, all they keep talking about is Bee like seriously there are more important topics you know, such as me and my 17th birthday party.' She rambles on. She's so insensitive.

'I know but I can't, I'm at school.' She's engrossed in whatever conversation she's having. 'Oh alright then, just for you hehehe.' She places the phone down on the desk and starts unbuttoning her top. What is she doing? She then picks up her phone and takes a picture of her chest, showing her lacy pink bra and seemingly sends it. 'Check your messages babe.'

'Ugh, I thought I was bad, but she is even worse.' Kerrys expresses.

'I would.' Theia shrugs, eating a chocolate bar . I swear she's like a vending machine.

'I know I know, I can't wait to see you too at my birthday party.' She says lazily. This must be the older guy she's dating.'Yeah, I did what you asked, I sent everyone invitations.' She huffs. '...which is going to be amazing. You are coming right babe?... WHATTTT?!!' She stands up. 'What do you mean you aren't coming? It's my birthday.' She squeals. 'I need you there to show everyone that I have such a super hot older boyfriend.'

She sits back down slowly. 'Oh yeah sorry for shouting. Oh yeah okay, maybe we can do something together after the party.' This is amusing to watch. 'Oh really? Oh okay, well let me know when you can okay? She stutters out and the phone beeps. 'Babe, babe are you still there?' She pulls the phone away from her ear and once she realises whoever has cut off she stands up, shoves her phone in her bag and storms out of the classroom, with the rest of her liquórs following behind.

'Bailey wait,' Both girls say, rushing after her. I look at the teacher and he's asleep. Shaking my head, I focused back on my girls.

'The weirdest thing happened today. I got an invitation to Bailey's party.' Theia says, confusingly.

'Me too,' the twins say at the same time.

'That's strange, so did I.' We look at each other, wondering what her game is.

'Why would we want to go to her house, ever? We're avoiding hell for as long as possible thanks.' Kayla says. 'Now ssshh, I'm watching Georgia and Robbie swimming.'

***

'Sage, can you get the pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie out of the oven?' My mum shouts from her bedroom.

'Shay, can you do it, I'm still getting ready,' I shout to Shay from upstairs.

Shay huffs. 'Fine, but hurry up, I'm sooo hungry.' She exaggerates, like she didn't just have a thanksgiving lunch at Luna's house two hours ago.

'Shay honey your always hungry,' I hear dad say to her and I manage to catch the side eye Shay gives dad as I walk down the stairs. Mom follows me down.

'Is everything ready?' I ask, scanning around to look at the table decorations.

'Yes Sage, I have everything set.' Mom says as she lays down the last fork. 'What time did you tell them to come?'

'Ohh erm 4:30pm, what time is it now?' I ask nervously looking over to the clock on the wall hanging just above our family picture.

'Sage, darling, calm down its only just turned quarter past,' Dad says, bringing my attention away from the clock. I try to relax as I grab my glass from the table and fill it with water. As I take a sip, the doorbell rings and I almost choke on the water I just consumed.

'They're here.' I hear Shay scream from the kitchen.

'Yes, thank you Shay, I think the whole street heard your announcement.' Dad sarcastically says and I can just imagine the side-eye Shay is giving dad right now.

I'm frozen in my spot, causing my mom to walk past me and say 'Breathe, baby.' I nod and she goes to open the door.

Shay and dad walk into the dining room and I give him a look, whispering 'Be nice' at him. He gives me a look which says I'm always nice.

'Hi, come in, come in, it's cold out there.' I hear my mom say to Kree and Angel. I hear them all make their way into the dining room.

'I'm Mrs. Carter and this is Dr. Carter. Shay you've met and Sage is your girlf-'

'MOM!' I stop her from labelling us when we haven't even discussed one.

Kree chuckles. 'It's so nice to meet you Mrs. Carter, thank you for inviting us into your lovely home.' He grabs the hand she's put out and kisses it, making her blush. Suck up!

'Sir.' He shakes my dad's hand. 'This is my brother Angel.' Angel waves at them, looking disinterested. He knows whatever he does will have no bearing on my parents. Kree is the one they want to know about.

'These flowers are for you.' He holds out the biggest bouquet of carnations.

'Oh.' She looks stunned at his gesture. 'Thank you sweetie, they're beautiful.' She looks over at my dad and I know he's in for it when she mumbles, 'Why don't you ever get me flowers?' Causing my dad to roll his eyes. 'You didn't have to get me anything, Kree.'

'It was no problem, Mrs. Carter.' Kree replies.

'Darling, you can call me Priya.' She's under his spell already and I don't even blame her. 'I'm just going to put these in water. Please everyone sit.' She walks off to the kitchen and we all head towards the table.

Mom shouts dad to come help her with the dishes and whilst they're out, Kree grabs my face and gives me a toe-curling kiss, which has me forgetting where I am. 'Hey.' He breathes on my lips.

'Hi.' I say back, opening my eyes.

'Get a room,' both Shay and Angel mutter.

I look towards the table and see Shay and Angel sat next to each other, bickering.

Kree grabs my hand and we sit next to each other opposite them. Little chatter fills the room until mom and dad put all of the dishes on the table.

'This all smells amazing, Priya,' Kree says to my mom. 'I hope you don't mind, but we brought some dessert.' Kree looks over at Angel, signalling him to put the box he's been holding since he walked in on the table.

'Oh yeah, here.' He puts it down and continues. 'White chocolate filo tart - one of our favourite Greek desserts.'

'Well it looks incredible. It'll go really well with all our pies we've made.' My mom muses.

'CAN WE EAT NOW?!' Shay huffs.

'Don't be rude in front of Sage's boyfriend and future brother-in-law.' My mum winks.

'Oh my God, kill me now!' I drop my head down at my mom's words.

My dad clears his throat. 'Yes let's eat.'

***

We're all sat eating a mixture of our many desserts and the conversation is flowing, ranging from sports to education when my parents decide now is the time to interrogate Kree.

'So, a senior huh? Any thoughts about where you'll be attending college?' Dad asks.

'Uhm, I'm not really sure yet but I'm open to places either in or out of state. It just depends if I can leave my brother here all alone and not have to worry about him.' He looks over to Angel.

'Where are your parents?' My mom asks. The room goes silent and awkwardness fills the air. Kree shifts uncomfortably and Angel looks angry?

Kree clears his throat, glancing over at Angel before answering. 'Um, they died, just over a year ago.' Kree continues eating, not wanting to say anymore.

'Oh I'm sorry boys, that must have been really hard for use.' My mom says sympathetically.

'How did they die?' My dad questions.

'Dad, don't-' I start but I am cut off.

'Accident,' Angel says irritatedly.

'Oh dear. What about other family?' My mom asks.

Angel scoffs at that question and Kree pins him a look. 'No, just us.'

I grab Kree's hand and lace my fingers through it. This is the most he's ever talk about his family. I squeeze his hand, letting him know I'm there for him. He glares over and sends me a small smile.

'Well, that filo tart was amazing. You're going to have to sneak some over again next time. My wife rarely ever lets me eat sweet dishes,' My dad says, surprising everyone.

'That would be my pleasure, Sir.' Kree replies.

'Call me Isaiah.