"My parents said they'll pick you up at your house." Dustin tells me as he drives me home from school. He had insisted on dropping me off at my house, saying he needed to tell me the plan for tomorrow.

I shake my head in response to his statement.

"Why not? We aim to leave at seven and picking you up would be on our way out, making it easier for everyone. Plus, my parents want to meet yours."

Good luck with that.

I shake my head again and Dustin sighs. "You're incredibly stubborn. I swear, it's not a hassle for us to pick you up."

I don't know how tell him that my parents are dead and my caretaker is at rehab without completely exposing my home life… so I lie.

Well… omit the truth?

No, I'm lying.

My parents are on a business trip. I type into my phone. He slows down the vehicle, glancing at my screen.

He raises an eyebrow at me. "Business trip?"

I nod.

He looks skeptical but then shrugs noncommittally. "Okay. We can still pick you up though."

I shake my head but he gives me a stern look. "We're picking you up."

Leaning my head back, I sigh. Okay. I mouth.

****

I had stayed up for most of last night trying to decide what to pack.

Faith was easy: formula, toys, a blanket and clothes. She has more variety in her closet. Me? I have mostly long sleeve shirts, hoodies, sweaters and jeans. Nothing appropriate for spring break at a friend's lakehouse.

I can't comfortably wear anything sleeveless when my arms are covered in scars along with the rest of my body.

Why did I agree to this?

The ringing of the doorbell almost makes me scream as I hastily shove the remainder of my clothes into the back-pack.

I stumble down the stairs with my two bags and a baby strapped to my front, opening the door with a way too cheery smile.

"Good morning," Dustin says. "You ready?"

I nod.

"Need help?"

I shake my head but he still takes the bags from me. I lock up the house, suddenly feeling very self-conscious about everything.

"Good morning!" Mrs. Swaz greets cheerfully. She's in the driver's seat while Mr. Swaz sits in the passenger.

"Hey, Blade." Miriam says to me from the back seat.

Dustin slides in next to his sister, buckling in his seat belt and reaching for Faith.

"Does she have a carseat?" Mrs. Swaz asks.

I shake my head, unstrapping Faith from her carrier and getting in.

"Let me hold her!" Miriam pipes up, not waiting for an answer before taking Faith from Dustin.

"Dustin, you're the dj," Mr. Swaz says.

"Of course, Dad." He puts on a song and Mrs. Swaz drives off.

******

The lake house is beautiful. It's a quaint two story house surrounded by big trees and a perfect view of the water.

Faith is dead asleep when we arrive, and Miriam shows me where I'll be sleeping so I can put her down. My room is spacious; a set of drawers, a desk and a double bed occupying the space. The set of glass windows show a lovely view of the lake and I know I'll be spending a lot of time on the chairs that look out. When I come back downstairs, all the bags are already inside.

"We're ordering pizza tonight. Any preferences for toppings?" Mrs. Swaz asks, looking at me.

I shake my head.

"You sure?"

I nod.

"Okay. Don't be afraid to make yourself at home and if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask." She gives me a smile before heading into the kitchen.

"Want a house tour?" Dustin asks me and I nod in response. He picks up my bags and shrugs me off when I offer to take them. "I got it."

"So, this is the bathroom," he says after dropping my bag in my room. "The shower looks complicated but it's simple. This dial is for hot water," he touches the handle, "and this is for cold. Towels are in there." he points at the small closet near the door.

He walks out and I follow behind. "My room is this one right next to yours and Miriam's is across from you. My parents have a room at the end of the hall. There's a small sitting room here," he opens the door next to his room. "It has a small book collection, t.v and fireplace but the main attraction is the balcony."

I follow him out onto the balcony that has a wonderful view of the lake and trees. Miriam is in the yard and Dustin shouts her name. She waves at us and then he leads me back downstairs. He proceeds to show the living room, kitchen, porch and patio with a fire pit before taking me down to the dock with a boat house. "Dad usually takes us on the boat. We get our big floatie and he pulls us around on it. It's super fun."

After the tour, we head back inside to freshen up. Faith is awake, bubbly as can be and I feel the same way.

There's a soft knock on my door, and I open it to see Miriam. "Dinner's ready," she tells me.

I follow her downstairs with Faith, sitting next to Dustin at the dinner table.

"Alright!" Mrs. Swaz says, clasping her hands together. "I ordered pepperoni, Hawaiian, plain cheese and veggie." The boxes are all on the table and there are plates stacked on the end. "Dig in!"

Miriam goes straight for the Hawaiian which earns a judgemental look from Dustin.

"I don't know how you can eat that," he says.

She shrugs. "How can you not?"

I settle for simple cheese since I don't eat pork. I'm not very hungry and only have one slice.

"I don't know how you can have only one slice," Miriam says to me.

"Yea, have as much as you want, Blade." Mr. Swaz tells me.

I smile, grabbing another slice even though I don't really need it.

"So what's on the agenda tomorrow?" Mrs. Swaz asks.

"Boat ride!" Miriam answers immediately.

"And a picnic on the beach!" Dustin adds, smiling sweetly at his mom who raises her eyebrows.

"You all aren't getting anything fancy. Sandwiches and lemonade." She tells us.

Laughing, Miriam speaks up. "As long as it's not peanut butter and jelly."

"You're like the only person I know who doesn't eat pb&j's, Mir."

Miriam looks at me. "Do you like pb&j's?"

I shrug which makes her grin. "I take that as a no which means you now know two people, Dusty."

He rolls his eyes at her. "Don't call me that."

"Okay, Dust Pan."

I laugh. That's a good one.

Miriam smiles proudly.

"Dust bin." Mr. Swaz adds in.

"Dusty duster." Mrs. Swaz continues.

Dustin huffs in his seat, crossing his arms. "You guys are mean."

I tap his shoulder, showing him my screen. Dust Bunny.

He groans, "Not you too!" He flings his head back dramatically and I giggle.

After dinner, Miriam, Dustin and I hang on the patio to star gaze.

"Good night!" Mr. and Mrs. Swaz tell us as they head to bed, and I give them a wave.

"Good night!" Dustin and Miriam say in unison.

*****