I later arrived home late and quietly walked upstairs to my bedroom. I almost made it to bed without getting caught, but when I turned on the light of my bedroom I saw Joselina sitting on my bed staring at me with a huge smirk.

My heart dropped.

“What are you doing home so late?” Joselina asked, already knowing the answer.

“I lost track of time,” I said, biting my lip.

“Mhmm…,” Joselina said, unsatisfied with my answer. “I bet I know where you were.”

I stood there waiting for her to speak.

“With my ex boyfriend making out in the backseat of a car,” Joselina said, getting angry.

“I…,” I started, trying to find a way to defend myself.

“Exactly. Do you know how mad Mom and Dad will be at you for kissing my ex boyfriend and stealing him from me?” Joselina said, even more angry now. “Just you wait. I said that you would regret it and you will.”

Joselina then got up off my bed and gracefully walked out of my room and into the hall.

“Oh and,” Joselina said, poking her head back into my room with a devilish smirk on her face. “Sweet dreams.”

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of crying.

I slowly crept out of my bed and rubbed my eyes trying to wake myself up. I stretched and yawned. I then put on my slippers and followed the sound of crying to the living room, downstairs.

The crying was coming from Joselina. My mom and Dad comforted her by hugging her in a small group hug.

“I can’t believe she would do such a thing,” My Dad said, disapprovingly.

“Me neither,” My Mom agreed.

“I told you both that she hates me,” Joselina sobbed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, confused, still waking up.

My Mom and Dad then shot me a dirty look and let go of their small group hug.

“Don’t act all innocent. We know what you did to your sister,” My Dad said in a stern voice. “I can’t believe you would steal your own sister’s boyfriend.”

My heart dropped. This was what I was afraid of.

“I…,” I started, trembling.

“I don’t want to hear it,” My Dad said, interrupting me. “You are grounded and you have to break up with Joselina’s boyfriend or else.”

“I’m not dating him,” I finally got out.

“Then you aren’t allowed to speak to him or else,” My Dad said, meaning every word.

I nodded and quickly headed back upstairs before they could see me cry.

The next day, I walked in the hallway with Riley and Gracie and filled them in on everything that happened.

“Aw, Dahlia, I’m so sorry,” Gracie said, hugging me.

“Me too,” Riley said, hugging me.

They both then pulled away.

“Could you please talk to him for me?” I said, my voice breaking.

“Of course,” Gracie said with a sympathetic look. “You know you’re always welcome to come live with me.”

“Or me,” Riley said, comfortingly.

“Thanks guys,” I said with a small fake smile. “But I can’t leave Chase alone with my parents.”
Chase was the only sibling that I had really got along with and knew what it felt like to be an outsider. Chase never told anyone in our family, except me, that he was gay. He has a sweet secret boyfriend named Leo too.

“I understand,” Gracie said with a nodd. “But my offer still stands.”

“Mine does too,” Riley said. “Heck, you can even bring Chase with you. Jackson would love another boy in the house.”

I gave a weak laugh.

“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.

“Of course,” Gracie and Riley said in unison.

At lunch, we walked right past Adrien, Rowan, and Ethan’s table to the table right next to theirs. They then exchanged questioning glances.

I sat down at the table next to theirs with Gracie and Riley.

Adrien, Rowan, and Ethan then walked over to our table and sat down. Rowan sat next to Riley. Ethan sat next to Gracie and Adrien sat next to me.

“I gotta go,” I said, grabbing my lunchbox and standing up to leave.

I then started walking off towards the library to eat lunch. It was always nice and quiet when I ate there.

Before I could reach the entrance of the library, a hand grabbed my arm and spun me around.

I turned around to see Adrien standing in front of me still holding my arm.

“Are you avoiding me?” Adrien asked, looking confused and concerned all at the same time. “If so, I don’t know what I did…”

“You didn’t do anything,” I said.

“Then why are you avoiding me? Do you not like me anymore?” Adrien asked, looking sad.

“No. No. Never,” I said, my voice cracking.

I then started to cry.

“Whoa! Whoa! Hey,” Adrien said, letting go of my arm and pulling me into his chest. He then wrapped his arms around me. “What’s wrong?”

“I…I can’t hangout with…you…anymore,” I said, each word like a knife piercing my heart.

“Why not?” Adrien asked.

“My sister…she,” I said, my lip quivering. I then cried harder. “I’m sorry, Adrien.”

“Hey. Hey,” Adrien said, lifting my chin up. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry for. Did your parents tell you to back off me?”

I nodded.

“Well, guess what? I don’t like Joselina. I like you. I always have,” Adrien said, comfortingly. “They can’t change my feelings or who I want to hangout with.”

I stopped crying.

“I decide that for myself and I want to hangout with you and go out with you,” Adrien said with a genuine smile.

Adrien then wiped away the excess tears from my eyes.

“Better?” Adrien asked.

I hugged him tightly.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“You’re welcome,” Adrien said, kissing me on the head.

I then looked up to look him in the eyes.

“I think I want to move out,” I said.