Seven days later

I get home right after school.

Things with Emily are going well. Let's say she's perfect for me, and I am perfect for her. It took me while to realize that, but now that I do, I can't stop but kiss her in the lips and wrap protective arms around her. Since exams are coming very quickly, we spent that week studying. I am barely home, and so is she. She says her mother is back to normal now, which surprises me. I mean, she's a bitch. When Emily told Mrs Sonnett that she was kinda dating me, she got mad, but hopefully Emma was here to defend her twin sister and make her mama understand that there is nothing bad about that.

So, basically, everything is perfect except in my family. I mean, my teammates have been pretty cool with us those past weeks, and even Moe and Cari are trying their best not to rip Emily's head off, already threatening her to if she hurts me. But as soon as I get at home - around 11 PM every day - I rush into my room and lock myself in there. And then, the next morning, I am gone before the rest of the house wake up. My dad is not the problem : Tobias is in a business trip in Europe again. But Allie is here, and I fear the way she will look at me. She probably things I am weak or something. She's angry ; I can tell because her friends are not coming to hang out recently, and even Bati seems somewhere else.

But today, I need to get home. Moe asked for my sweatshirt because I promised I'd give it to her when the temperature is getting colder, because she's tiding her room and can't find anything to keep her warm. When I open the door, I jump a little bit. Someone is standing right in front of me, a cool black suit on.

It's Servando.

"Hey dude" he lets out.

I frown. "What happened to you ? How did Alex managed to let you drop your hipster clothes to wear something fancy ?" I sarcastically ask.

He nods. "Let's say she can be pretty persuasive when she wants. But this suit totally is a hipster suit."

"Whatever" I let out, rolling my eyes. "Why are you even dressed like that ?"

He seems pretty surprised. "Don't you know what date it is ?" He then throws a fancy grayish dress at me and rolls his eyes. I am slightly confused, not even capable of remembering what date is it today. When he realizes I really have no clue, he seems chocked. "It's your sister's birthday !"

"OH SHIT" I scream, bringing my hands on my face.

How could I even forget that ? As I am panicking big time, Servando grabs my arm and drags me inside. We go through the stairs and end up in my room. Bati is here as well, and when his buddy tells him how I forgot about Allie's birthday, he burst into laughter.

Servando leaves the room, and Bati grabs my shoulders.

"Okay, kid. Your gift is on the bed. It's a loudspeaker because Allie has been dying to buy it. I took your credit card to buy it, so that's technically your gift to her. The others are downstairs, waiting for you to show up. So, be nice, be quick, and be my little champion, okay ? It's gonna be alright."

As he is leaving the room, I yell : "Bats !" He turns around, and I shamefully look at him. "Thanks, you're my life savior."

"Anything for my bro".

**

When I finally make it downstairs, my breath is cut short.

Not only Alex, Tobin, Christen and Kelley all are perfectly dressed in beautiful dresses suiting each body of theirs, but Servando, Bati and Ashlyn are rocking their suits. But the most surprising person I see is Emily freaking Sonnett, standing among them, a beautiful red dress on. She smiles at me, as I am walking toward the group. When she sees me stare, Tobin advances to me.

She pulls me into a tight hug.

"Sorry" she lets out. I pull away, slightly surprised. I should be the one apologizing for avoiding everybody in that room for several days. As I am about to ask her what the fuck is going on, she takes the lead in a very chill voice : "We all reacted badly. Em explained to us how you felt like we weren't supportive, and we all wanted you to know we're okay with everything that makes you happy. Sorry, kid."

When I hug her as well, Kelley is the one yelling : "GROUP HUG BITCHES", and soon I am surrounded by the people I consider as my family. Only Emily is shyly standing here, taking a picture with her phone. Once those weird people finally release me and start laughing in sync, I walk toward her.

She smiles, before checking me out.

"You look beyond beautiful, Linds" she says in a soft whisper. Her facial expression suddenly grows worried. "I hop you don't mind me being here..."

I quickly lean in and kiss her lips softly. She immediately answer by closing her eyes, and when I pull away, I see a shy smile on her beautiful lips, before she bites them. I don't really know what she told everyone, but everything seems to be okay again. After we both blush because everybody around us is making noises such as 'oooooooouh' to underline the fact that I kissed her, I stare into her eyes and grab one of her hands.

She looks perfect, I think to myself.

"Of course not" I smile, before squeezing her hand. "You belong here now."

She smiles. And before I can kiss her again, we all hear the door unlock, and turn around to face the door. My sister's here.