Annika and I stood on the street and watched Austin make a U-turn to head back to the hospital. After the last of his car disappeared from the street, we were faced with a very quiet neighborhood. The stillness of the night was slowly being disturbed by a rise in activity. A man passed by in jogging gear and a lady walked to her mailbox. Annika faced me, totally exhausted. She was in a baggy white shirt and her ponytail had drooped over the last couple hours. I didn't even want to know how I looked. She stretched, "I'm not jealous that you all have school in two hours." "How old are you?" I asked and clapped my hand over my mouth. I didn't mean to blurt that out. Tired me is not a thoughtful me. She laughed, "Twenty-two. I've been through high school and I promise you it ends. Night!" I already have a big sister but tonight I felt like I gained a new one. What I mean is that my conversation with Annika felt like one sisters would have. "Night," I waved, "And thank you." ** I didn't think sleep was the best move. Waking me up with only two hours sleep was close to mission impossible. But coffee, that's always a good idea. I went to the kitchen to brew myself a batch. My mom and sister would surely grab a cup once they wake up. While I waited, I texted Luke back. He'd asked me if I'd gotten home OK and I asked him if he was grounded for life. Luke's mom had woken up to a living room of smashed glass, blood on the floor and wine stains on the couch. And none of her kids were at home. I plucked a carton of milk out of the fridge and waited. The smell of coffee wafted into the air and lifted my spirit. This weekend, tonight, the conversation with Jake and Annika... the argument with Luke, the fight with Kaden and Jake... it had all sent my head into a spin. I picked up the coffee pot and poured the piping hot liquid into my mug. I added sugar and milk and my mind drifted into silent thoughts, questioning my actions tonight. Was I right to criticize Luke like that? I didn't like how he got aggressive when he got angry. He could've handled the situation with Kaden differently and he definitely should have with Jake. I like how loving Luke is with me. He's caring and sweet, but I'm not down for the aggressive, bad boy vibe. Why didn't he care when Annika went missing at the lake house or when his brother had blood dripping out of his mouth? Sure, he cared but he could've shown it more. I wanted my boyfriend to be caring, to be the kind of guy who would look after others – maybe he didn't think any of it was a big deal. In his defense, he made sure Jake saw Dr Taylor. My head hurt from how tired I was and how confusing these thoughts were. I took my cup of coffee and sat on the living room couch. I thought through the day ahead and wondered how much energy was needed. Do I have enough brain cells to get me through the day? And before I knew it, I was fast asleep. ** ~Luke's POV~ I got into my car with Little Miss Bo Beep in the passenger seat. "Luke, you better make sure he doesn't get teased because of this," mom told me from outside our front door, "I will not have rumors of domestic abuse coming into this household." It was 7.45AM and I was being forced to bring my half-brother to school. Mom looked down the street to make sure the neighbors didn't see her in her dressing gown before slamming the front door. "Don't bleed anywhere," I told Jake as he reached to turn the heating on. He hated being in my car. I hated him in my car. But here he was, in my car. The guy had a motorbike to prove he was a daredevil. Show me a daredevil that doesn't know how to duck a jab. I even gave him a warning before I did it. "I know why I'm angry at you. Why are you angry at me?" Jake asked, though his words came out muffled from his injury. Because you don't know how to take a punch. "No anger," I shrugged, "Just tolerance." "You tolerate me?" Jake snapped, "Nice." What else would I say to him? You sing too much? My eyes gravitated across the street to her house. These days, Minnie was the only person who could take the edge off. Hers was the only voice that didn't sound like background noise. I wanted more of her. I've said so many stupid things in my life, but I was sure of this one. Millie was everything I wasn't and that made me mature. I wanted more time with her. Why is it that when we're alone together, we get interrupted? Why is it that we don't spend every night together? Because we're in high school. We have parents, exams, sports, friends and college looming in front of us. Senior year kicked off in high gear. The stress, the pressure, the commitments. I'm just listing things at this point. What I wouldn't do to go back to summer camp. Simpler days in a little cabin, just the two of us – and a bunch of hyperactive eight-year-olds. But they weren't that bad. "Luke, why aren't you driving?" Jake asked me. I had stopped my car on the side of the street to look at Minnie's house. Her car was parked in the driveway, next to that garden gnome she always talks about. Damn near as much as she talks about that raccoon. Jake looked at the time, "Luke, we're going to be la-" "Talk less. Doctor's orders," I said, pushing the door open. I thought I punched him in the jaw, but he's still chirping. The fact that Minnie's car was still by her house meant she hadn't gone to school yet. I was so sure that she passed out and was not going to wake up for school. I went to get her.