I awoke on Wednesday to the sound of the doorbell ringing. Assuming it would be a delivery, I'd gone to open it to find my sister Amber and her dog Hugo on the front porch grinning at me.

"Chloe!" She squealed, throwing herself at me. I inhaled a mouthful of brown curls in surprise, but hugged her back.

Once we pulled back I rubbed my eyes, still disoriented from sleep. "Hey. What are you doing here?" I asked, absentmindedly rubbing Hugo's fur.

"Mum told me you had no school today so I thought I'd stop by and surprise you. We haven't spoken properly in ages." Amber explained and I nodded, stepping back so they could enter the house.

Due to a teacher training day school was closed. I had plans to sleep the day away then revise for upcoming mocks, but Amber had different plans.

I locked the door and lead them to the living room. Amber sat on the couch, staring up at me expectantly. Hugo mirrored her.

"I just need to clean up and I'll be down." I explained through a yawn. Amber gave me a thumbs up like the dork she was and I took that as a signal to go.

After completing my hygiene routine I sat on my bed, contemplating. The truth was, we hadn't spoken recently since I'd been avoiding her calls. The guilt of her still not knowing what happened with Dave had been weighing heavily on me recently. I'd told John and Benji yet I hadn't even told my on sister. And based on their reactions, mostly Benji, I knew she wouldn't see me differently.

So why was I so afraid?

I resolved to tell her today, no matter what. She deserved to know.

After making my mind up I headed downstairs in higher spirits. Amber smiled at me as I sat down on the couch next to her.

"Judging by your attire we'll be staying in today?" She asked and I nodded sheepishly. I was still wearing my pyjamas.

"Okay, I could pop out and get breakfast from that restaurant nearby?" Amber suggested and I shrugged, not opposed to the idea. At my silence she frowned at me.

"Why so quiet? You've barely spoken a word since we got here. Do you want me to leave?" She asked with a hint of hurt. I sighed.

Out of both of us, Amber was the more sensitive one. You'd snap at her and she'd carry that hurt for the rest of the day. She often took things personally or looked for signs that weren't there, just like now, taking my silence as a hint I wanted her gone.

In reality, I just wanted to sleep.

"I'm just still tired." I assured her and her expression brightened. "And no need, we can just order it. They do home delivery now."

"Okay," Amber smiled, her hazel eyes shining. Whilst I'd inherited my dad's features, blonde hair and blue eyes, she'd inherited my mum's. Yet no one could deny we were sisters.

While Amber tapped away on her phone I focused my attention on Hugo. Amber had got him when he was a puppy, and that was ten years ago. The sloppiness in his movements was a sign his time was coming, no matter how heartbreaking that would be.

"Good boy." I said, ruffling his fur. He looked up at me lazily, licking my hand and I giggled at the ticklish sensation.

"Alright... done. Should be here in fifteen minutes." Amber told me, pocketing her phone. "So, update me on everything. Last time we spoke there was problems with John, how's everything now?"

"We've made up... I think." I replied uncertainly. Truth was, since I'd gone to his house that time and the truth had been revealed, I hadn't seen him at all. My texts went unanswered and I sat alone in English. I told myself he wasn't avoiding me, but I knew that was probably the case.

And it hurt. I'd shown him a vulnerable side of me only for him to avoid me, reinforcing the idea of me being tainted and unwanted. I wanted to regret telling him, but I knew if I hadn't he would have never forgiven me. Hopefully he had.

"What d you mean I 'think'?" Amber asked and I shrugged.

"It's always been a bit up and down with us," I started. "One minute we'd be fine the next, the opposite. A while ago I approached him and apologised, asking to be civil at least and he agreed. Then we started building our friendship from there. We've been hanging out more but it's not the same, you know? John's a completely different person now. I'm not sure if I like it." I explained and Amber nodded thoughtfully.

"How's he different?"

"Well, he gets angry pretty easily." I thought back to our argument over Benji, and his trashed house. "And he's a lot more... emotional?" Images of him crying flashed through my mind.

"Not that being emotional is a bad thing, its usually just negative emotions, like sadness, frustration, rage..." I trailed off at Amber's frown.

"That sucks. He was always so kind and cheerful."

"Yeah." I sighed and shrugged. "People change, I guess. Anyway, let me tell you about the rest of my friends. There's this guy, Benjamin but I call him Benji..."

I spent the next half an hour or so telling Amber all about him, only interrupted when the food arrived. Once I was done she stared at me with a wide smile.

"What?" I groaned and her smile widened. She leaned back, crossing her arms and regarding me with an amused expression.

"You like this boy." She stated and I covered my face with my hands.

"Unfortunately." I mumbled.

"Why's it unfortunate?" Amber questioned. I looked up at her.

"Because he's way out of my league. He can literally choose anyone else but me." I deadpanned and she rolled her eyes.

"Show me a picture of him and I'll be the judge."

I nodded, bringing up the picture we'd took when we were matching on my phone. I handed it to her and she inspected it closely.

"You're right." She hummed. "He is out of your league."

My mouth fell open and she started laughing hysterically when I shoved her.

"Rude!" I exclaimed.

"You know I'm only teasing." Amber told me once she'd sobered up. "You're gorgeous Chloe. How can you not be you're part of the Woods bloodline." I rolled my eyes, smiling.

"Don't ever sell yourself short, or else I'll get Hugo on you." Amber threatened, and we both glanced at said dog. He was staring back at us with a bored expression. We giggled and I got something for him to play with.

"Anyway, from what you told me he sounds sweet." Amber continued. "And it's adorable the way your whole face lights up when you talk about him. With John you were all slouched and monotone, but with Benjamin you looked so animated."

I was mortified. "No way. He probably knows I like him if I act like that!"

"Chill out drama queen." Amber laughed. "So, anything new on Maisie and Tobi?"

I wrinkled my nose. "Forgot about them. Maisie is dating this gang member so naturally we don't speak, and Tobi is besties with Taylor Marisetta, the bane of my existence who also happens to be Brock's girlfriend."

Amber stared at me with wide, shocked eyes. "We have to start speaking hourly or something because everything you just said sounds foreign. Spill."

"After we've ate the food." I responded, gesturing to where it was. "It'll go cold."

Amber shrugged, complying. After our food break I caught her up on everything: Maisie, Cyrus and Ian, Elijah and Maya and of course Taylor and Melissa's complicated relationship.

Amber let out a breath once I was done. "Wow. And I thought I had high school drama."

"Trust me, if I could get rid of it I would." I responded, running a hand down my face. "Sometimes I wish I was in Australia. Since I had no friends there was no drama."

"Oh yeah, Australia." Amber recalled. "It's a shame mum and that Dave guy never worked out. I thought he'd be the one, you know?"

"Y-yeah." I stuttered out, my heart thumping painfully in my chest. Now would be a good time to tell her he wasn't. Simply just a nightmare disguised as a dream.

"Well, all I know is you're coping really well, Chloe." Amber told me in a tender tone. "I know if I was in your position I would have had a breakdown and quit school. I hate drama."

"Drama got you Joe." I reminded her, referring to her husband. That lovesick look that came up whenever he was mentioned appeared on her face.

"Yeah." She smiled. Even after being married for a couple years they were still in love as if they were in high school. I wanted a love like that.

"Um, I want to tell you something, by the way." I forced out, fiddling with my fingers.

"Sure, just let me finish what I was saying, okay? I got side tracked thinking about Joe." Amber chuckled and I couldn't do the same.

She took my hands in hers, forcing me to face her. "Not to be sappy but I really am thankful for you, Chloe. A lot of siblings aren't as close as we are, even with a ten year age gap. I'm so happy because I know we'd never keep secrets from each other and confide in each other for anything, you know? You're a great sister." Amber told me fondly.

Thud, thud, thud. I wondered if she could hear my heartbeat.

I felt sick. We'd never keep secrets from each other... But I had. A massive one which could ruin everything. What kind of sister was I?

I looked at her fearfully, waiting for her to call me out. I felt like the word 'liar' was written in bold on my forehead. How could I tell her about Dave when she'd just told me this?

"So, what did you want to say?" Amber asked sweetly. I tried to hold her gaze but couldn't, looking away cowardly.

"U-um... I was just thinking we could go for a walk. Hugo looked like he needs the exercise." I lied with a pained expression. Amber looked at me unbelievingly.

"Sure. Is that it?" At my silence she leaned forward. "Chloe, I'm your sister. You can trust me."

I looked down at our joined hands. "I know. That's it."

Amber pulled away, sighing. "Okay, just come to me when you're ready, yeah?"

I nodded, trying to swallow. My throat felt like sandpaper. The guilt was eating me up but the fear was stopping me from talking. If there was one person I couldn't stand hating me, it was Amber. And I knew she would if I told her what happened in Australia.

*****

"That exam sucked." Maya groaned as we left the exam hall. I rolled my eyes.

"You say that now but you'll score an A or something." I teased. "IT is literally you're best subject."

"Not anymore." She grumbled, holding the exit door open for me. Our group had decided to switch it up and eat lunch outside; Teresa claimed the air was good for our brain activity or something.

With only a handful of students doing IT, we had the first mock exam. The rest started next week, and I was not looking forward to them. The amount of studying I had to do made me want to eat one of my mother's food inventions.

Yes, it was that bad.

After Amber and Hugo had left yesterday I'd mentally beaten myself up about keeping the secret to the point I was too exhausted to do anything else. I spent the rest of the day lying in bed, wallowing in self-pity.

When I woke up this morning, I'd squeezed some motivation from somewhere. Possibly my old therapists' words, that every day was a fresh start. So what I wasn't able to tell Amber the truth? I would eventually. Hopefully.

We approached the table where Teresa, Melissa and Cory sat, chatting. They looked up at our arrival.

"Cuz, Elijah is looking for you." Teresa informed Maya as we sat down. Maya rolled her eyes.

"He can keep looking. I want nothing to do with that boy." She responded. I raised my eyebrows.

"Isn't 'that boy' you're boyfriend?" Melissa asked.

"Not for much longer if he keeps acting up." Maya snapped, angrily bringing out a sandwich. I glanced at Cory who had a worried expression.

"Maya, if it's about the shopping incident-" He started but was cut off by Maya's glare.

"If you're about to defend Elijah blatantly flirting with another girl in front of me, don't waste your breath." She said heatedly. "I know what I saw; nothing you say can convince me otherwise."

"Hold on," Teresa raised a hand, frowning. "He did what?"

Maya silently unpacked her sandwich so we turned to Cory. He glanced at Maya who nodded.

"So I think they went shopping the other day, and one of the store workers took an interest in Elijah and started flirting." Cory started. "And Maya may have perceived it as him flirting back but he was being friendly-"

"Bye, Cory." Maya interrupted, getting her bag and standing up, looking very pissed off. Cory stood as well.

"Maya, he wouldn't do that to you!" Cory exclaimed, and Maya shook her head.

"He did, but he won't get the chance to again." She responded simply and Cory placed his face in his hands, defeated. Maya turned around; ready to stalk off when she bumped into someone.

"My bad." Maya mumbled, not realising it was Elijah. When she looked up, her face morphed into one of disgust.

"I take that back." She said her voice heavy with attitude. "Use your eyes and watch where you're walking."

Elijah frowned, holding her when she attempted to get around her. "M, you're not still angry are you?"

Maya scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "You can bet money that I am. And rightfully so."

Elijah ran a hand down his face, frustrated. "I told you, I wasn't flirting with the girl! You're being ridiculous."

There was a pause as Maya took in what he said.

I exchanged glances with everyone else who looked scared. I wondered why, but then realised they were scared for Elijah.

Maya turned around and dropped her bag on the bench. I had a clear view of her face, and it wasn't happy. "You wanna do this right now?" She asked, spreading her arms out.

Elijah's lips twitched. "You're making it sound like we about to fight or something."

"Worse than that." She snapped back. "You knew the girl was flirting with you, you're not stupid. Yet instead of telling her to relax, because you're girlfriend was with you, you carried on the conversation, encouraging her."

"Yeah, I knew she was flirting." Elijah admitted. "But I'm not a rude person, I wasn't about to tell her to piss off."

"But I would have!" Maya exclaimed, hurt clear in her tone. "Whenever a guy so much as glances at me, you lose it. If I was in your position, I would have set a boundary before he opened his mouth, because I respect you and care about you."

Elijah's face softened and he stepped closer. "M-"

"No." She sniffed. "I thought you felt the same, but clearly not." She grabbed her back and started to walk away. Teresa immediately got up, going after her.

Elijah let out a frustrated sigh, anger evident on his face. "Stop being dramatic, Maya! You're walking away again, like you always do!"

Maya turned around, her expression one of fury. "Oh no." Cory whispered.

"You want dramatic?" She shouted, loud enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear.

"Cool. We're done. Adios." And with that she walked away, leaving a surprised audience behind. Whispers immediately broke out among other students present. I glanced at Elijah who looked to be frozen in time, his expression one of shock and disbelief.

"Eli?" Cory prompted hesitantly, breaking him out of his stupor. Elijah turned to face us, forcing an easy smile on his face.

"It's cool, you know my girlfriend." He chuckled, moving to occupy the place she was in. His brown eyes looked wild and his olive skin paler. "She's just playing. She-she didn't mean it, right?" He looked at Cory for consolation.

Cory looked at him with a troubled expression. "Elijah... I think she meant it."

Elijah shook his head vigorously, his smile falling. "She didn't." He insisted. "Me and Maya, that's a forever thing, you know? We wouldn't break up over something so silly..." He trailed off when we saw Teresa storming towards us.

"Enjoy the single life, chico." She mocked furiously, grabbing her things and returning the way she came. Elijah winced as if she hit him.

"I'm not single, Teresa." Elijah shouted after her, his voice thick with tears. She turned around.

"Don't act like this isn't what you wanted." Teresa seethed. "You may have gotten away with treating your exes like this, but not my cousin. Delete her number and leave her alone."

Elijah watched as she walked away, his hands shaking. He suddenly got up; slamming the wooden table we sat at, a curse exploding from his mouth. He stalked away angrily and Cory hurried after him, leaving me with Melissa.

"Um, whoa." She said with a small smile on her face. I was anything but amused. So much had happened in the last two days, I felt like I was going through life at 70 miles per hour.

I heard footsteps and turned around to see Benji heading towards us with a smile on his face.

"Hey guys, what did I miss?" He asked, sitting down next to me. Our arms brushed and I moved away, not knowing Melissa was watching the exchange.

"You have no idea."

*****