"I'm home!" I called out when I walked through the front door.

"Oh, hi, honey!" my mom greeted while frantically running around the house.

"Wow, what's going on?" I asked as I saw her throwing things in a suitcase.

"The trip was moved up so your father and I are leaving early," she told me as she packed any last minute stuff. "Didn't you read the messages I sent you?" she scolded.

"I thought you didn't want me to always be on my phone," I mumbled while rolling my eyes.

"What did you say, sweetie?"

"Nothing! You need help?"

"No, I think we have everything."

My dad came out of the kitchen with his phone against his ear. "Alright, thank you." He hung up and put on his shoes.

"The cab will be here any minute. We should get the suitcases outside," he said and opened the front door.

"How long will you be gone?" I asked my mom while she put on some lipstick.

"5 days. 6 if the meetings take longer." She put her lipstick in her bag and turned to me. "Oh, and by the way Nathan will be sleeping over at a friend's houses from Friday to Saturday. And he's at one of his friend's houses right now. The boy's mom will bring him back home later," she told me while kissing my cheek, probably leaving a lipstick stain.

I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand.

"The cab's here," my dad told my mom as he came back inside.

"Goodbye, sweetie. Take care of your brothers," he told me and kissed the top of my head. "Call us every day."

"Alright, bye guys!"

I watched them walk outside and drive away. I saw the cab drive around the corner and closed the door before walking up the stairs.

I saw Dylan coming out of his room.

"Hey, you're home!"

I glared at him and shoved past him, bumping him with my shoulder.

"Ahh, you're mad about that," he said, referring to the whole hickey thing at school. "It's your fault. You wouldn't tell me who you've been sneaking off with," he told me matter of factly.

My jaw dropped to the ground and I turned around very slowly, not believing what he just said.

"So? I don't ask you about every girl that you see or that gives you her number," I argued.

"Because you're my sister. Me, being your older brother, am obligated to interrogate whoever you see."

I gave him a blank look. "That's a weak excuse."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'm going out. So I'll see you later." He ruffled my hair as he walked past me and I scowled, trying to fix it.

I stood outside of my room, thinking if I should go out too. There was nothing to do here. And I've never been to the mall here so I might as well go. I called Isla to ask her if she wants to come with me.

"Yes? "

"Hey! So I was wondering if you wanted to go to the mall with me because I'm bored and I wanna go out."

"I would love to. Really, I would. But I have to help my mom around the house because we have family coming over today."

I sighed. "Really? Okay, I talk to you later then," I said.

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

I hung up and walk to my room. I changed into some jean shorts and a gray muscle tee with a black sports bra. I left my hair in the messy bun I had and don't bother to touch up my make up because it was still good.

I grabbed my phone, wallet and keys before heading outside and locking the door.

____________________

A good 15 minutes later I arrived at the mall and parked in an empty spot. I turned off my bike and took off my helmet, holding it in my hand as I headed into the mall.

It was pretty big and there were a lot of stores. I few of which I've never heard of. There was a good amount of people here. It wasn't empty but not crowded either.

I started to look around. Going into a few stores here and there but not buying anything yet.

10 minutes later I was walking past stores when I noticed someone I recognised. I looked closely and saw Ryder leaning against an entrance of a store a few yards away. I was going to go over to him, when I saw Ashlin walk up to him.

What was this bitch doing here?

She ran her manicured nails down his chest and leaned closer to him. Oh she was not...

She leaned in and started kissing him sloppily. I expected Ryder to push her away or at least look like he wasn't enjoying it. But he didn't do either of those things. In fact, his hand trailed down her side and grabbed her ass.

What the hell?!

I tried to seem calm but on the inside I was burning to rip off both of their heads.

They pulled apart and started talking. I moved closer, still blending into the crowd, wanting to hear what they were talking about.

"So I'll see you tonight?" Ashlin asked and batted her eyes flirtatiously.

No. No you were not.

"Sure, I guess," Ryder answered and shrugged.

"Great! It's a good thing my parents are out of town," she whispered in his ear and bit his earlobe, pulling on it softly.

My jaw dropped to the ground. He wouldn't dare. I mean, I know we aren't an actual couple or together in any way. But still. He was sure as hell acting as if he wanted to be. What about all the stuff he said to me on Monday evening?

I harshly turned around and stomped away furiously.

I was walking so fast that when I walked around a corner I crashed into someone before I could move out of the way.

I braced for the pain of the hard floor but instead felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist. I looked up and saw a guy looking at me.

He stood me upright before letting go of me.

"I'm sorry," I apologised while trying very hard not to check him out.

He had light brown eyes that gave of a warm and comforting vibe. He was well built and I'm sure he had a six-pack under his shirt. His dark brown hair looked really soft and when he smiled he had light dimples.

"No, I'm sorry. I should watch where I'm going," he told me and held out his hand. "I'm Luke."

I shook his hand. "I'm Kennedy," I introduced myself.

"That's a beautiful name."

I smiled at him. He seemed nice.

"You ride a bike?" he asked me and nodded at the motorcycle helmet I was holding.

"Oh, yeah. I got one for my 16th birthday," I told him.

He nodded and started to look around. He looked back at me. "Not to seem rude, but do you happen know where Hollister is? I was suppose to meet my sister and my mom there."

I pointed in the direction that I came from. "It's like 5 stores down that way."

He sighed in relief. "Okay, thanks."

"Your first time at the mall?"

"No, first time in this city. I moved here yesterday."

"Wow, that's interesting. I'm also somewhat new here. I moved here almost month ago," I explained . Suddenly, my phone rang and I checked the caller ID. It was Dylan.

"Excuse me," I said to Luke, while holding up my index finger and turning around.

"What?"

"Are you still at home? Nathan's being brought home by his friend's mom in about fifteen minutes and I can't make it."

"Uh, no I'm at the mall but I can go."

"Alright, thanks. Talk to you later."

"Okay, bye."

I hung up and turned around to face Luke. "I'm really sorry but I have to get home. It was nice meeting you," I told him and smiled.

"It was nice to meet you too. Hopefully I'll see you again soon," he said and started to walk while waving at me.

I waved back and turned around. I noticed that Ryder was getting close to where I was currently standing. He was texting someone so he hadn't noticed me yet.

I quickly left and ran outside before he could see me. I turned on my bike, put on my helmet and started to drive home.

____________________

"Alright, thank you for bringing him home," I told the mom.

She said bye and walked back to her car with her son. I closed the door and turned around to see Nathan taking his shoes off.

"Did you have fun?" I asked him.

"Yeah! It was really cool!"

"That's good. Are you hungry?"

"No. David's mom made us mac and cheese," he said before walking up the stairs and into his room.

My phone rang and I picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey," Dylan said. "Is Nathan home?"

"Yeah, he just got dropped off. When are you coming home?"

"I'm about to be on my way. Is it alright if I bring a couple of guys?"

"How much is a couple?"

"Like three."

"I guess. But they can't stay too late."

"I know. See you in a few minutes."

I hung up and walked to the living room. I made myself comfortable on the couch and turned on the TV.

_____________________

About 10 minutes later I heard the front door opening and guy's voices.

"I swear! He tried to punch me back but I dodged it and he fell to the ground because he was so drunk," someone said.

I turned around and saw my brother walking in with two seniors behind him. I thought he was bringing three guys--

Before I could even finish my thought, the last guy walked through the door.

My eyes widened when I saw that it was Ryder. My shock turned into anger but I masked it with a blank look.

"Oh, hey Kens," Dylan said.

"Sup," I said and turned back to the TV before I could lock gazes with anyone.

I saw the four guys walking towards me and sitting down. Dylan sat next to me and a senior sat next to him. The other senior sat on the floor while Ryder sat in the reading chair.

He smiled at me when he saw me looking in his direction. I immediately looked away and kept a blank look on my face while crossing my arms over my chest.

Did he really think I wouldn't find out about him and Ashlin? And why would he pretend as if nothing is going on?

"So what did you do today?" Dylan asked me while putting in a game into the play station.

I started inspecting my nails. "Nothing much, after you left I just decided to go to the mall but left when you called me," I said.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ryder stiffen but compose himself quickly.

"Anything interesting happen while you were there?" Ryder asked me.

I looked directly at him and raised an eyebrow. "No. Why do you ask?" I said without emotion.

"No reason," he told me and switched his gaze to the TV. He was squirming a little under my gaze. I didn't blame him. I was told I had a pretty scary glare.

"But I did meet someone new," I said casually.

Ryder perked up and looked at me. "Who?" he said and narrowed his eyes.

I narrowed mine too and we sat there, glaring at each other.

"That's none of your business," I told him coldly, not letting my gaze waver from our stares.

"Was it a guy or a girl?" Dylan asked as he sat back down.

"Like I said, I'm not telling. Everybody needs a few secrets," I said, looking directly at Ryder before standing up suddenly, making the guys jump slightly.

I stomped out of the living room and up the stairs to my room.

Who does he think he is? Not telling me about him and Ashlin and then expecting for me to tell him everything? Yeah, it doesn't work like that.

I heard the boys starting some video game and yelling at each other and the TV.

I couldn't stay here with him in the house. There was no way I would be able to stay here without lashing out at him.

But where would I go?

I decide to call Isla.

"Yeah? "

"Hey."

"What's up? "

"I don't know. I don't even know why I called. I thought that we could do something but you're with your family. I just need to get out of my house."

"What's wrong? Did something happen? "

"No, everything's good. I just don't feel like being here." I felt bad for lying but I had no interest in getting into any details.

"Okay, well you could come over. My cousin brought his friend too and I think I'm slowly starting to go insane because of my family."

"No, I don't wanna interrupt your family dinner."

"You wouldn't! Please come. I need you to keep my sane! "

"Uh, I guess..."

"Great! Make sure to dress up a little bit. Everyone here is dressed kinda fancy."

"What do you mean 'kinda'?"

"Well, no girl here is wearing jeans and they all have high heels on while the guys all have button ups."

"Okay, I'll find something. See you soon. Oh! And text me your address."

"Will do! Bye! "

I hung up and walked into my closet. I dug through my clothes until I found a navy blue skater dress hanging in the back. I also picked out some black heels and some silver earrings and a ring.

I left my hair in the bun and put on some more mascara and a nude lipstick.

I grabbed my phone and quickly ran down the stairs, trying to get out of the house before anyone could stop me. I grabbed Dylan's car keys and raced to the door.

I was about to open it when I heard Dylan's voice.

"Um, where are you going?"

I froze and turned around slowly to face the guys. "Uh..out?"I answered even though it sounded more like a question.

"And where would you be going dressed like that?"

"I'm just meeting a friend. Calm down," I said.

The other guys were all checking me out. One licked his lips slowly as his eyes went up and down. Ryder was staring at me with narrowed eyes and a questioning look. You could tell he didn't believe me. Even though I was telling the truth.

"Wait...are you meeting that guy that you met with on Monday?" Dylan asked me.

"No," I said through gritted teeth. "I have a feeling it'll be a while before I see him again."

Ryder gave me a confused look but I ignored him.

"Are you meeting the person that you met today?"

"I'm not telling. By the way, I'm gonna borrow your car," I said and quickly left before anyone could stop me again.