Michelle’s eyes slowly fluttered open and the first person she saw was her brother sitting at the foot of her bed watching her intently. She still couldn’t believe that she actually found him. She remembered the pain and heartache when they told her that he had died in the car accident. Her brother had always been her best friend and her support. No one made her laugh like he did. When she lost him, it was the worst possible thing ever and she pretty much died inside. Her parents were just like zombies as well at the loss of their son. Mikey was broken. And then in that same week, her best friend also died. Her boyfriend got fed up with her wallowing in misery and left her. It was just the last straw; the little push she needed to tumble over the edge of the cliff. That’s when she made the decision to take her own life. She remembered ditching her last few classes and leaving school early. Her parents weren’t home yet when she arrived. She made sure to lock her bedroom door before she headed into the bathroom and also locked that door. She found a razor blade and slid down onto the floor, putting the blade to her skin.
The teen bit down on her lower lip and shook her head in an attempt to expel the dark memories from her mind. She was reunited with her brother and at this point happier than ever. The brunette smiled up at her brother.
“Good morning, Gerard.”
“Hey, Chelle. Sleep well?” he asked.
“Very well,” she assured him.
Gerard watched his sister as she sat smiling. He could tell that she was really happy. It just killed him that she would take her own life. Maybe they were reunited now, but that doesn’t rectify what she did. She was seventeen and had her whole life ahead of her, yet she chose to end it so soon.
“Is something wrong?” she suddenly asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
“I’m just wondering why you would do something as drastic as taking your own life,” he replied honestly.
She lowered her eyes, a frown creasing her brows.
“I told you last night,” she mumbled.
“I know, and I get it, but I don’t understand why you would do such a thing. You’ve always been such a strong girl. You could’ve gone on to take over the world!”
His sister cracked up, “That is so not true. But I hear what you’re trying to say. I’ll be honest though, I’m not sorry that I did it. I’m here now and as far as I can remember, I’ve never been happier.”
He couldn’t help the warm smile crossing his lips.
“So, how’s your stay at Ray and Tati’s?” he asked as they made their way to the kitchen for breakfast.
“I love them! They are seriously the coolest people I’ve ever met.”
“Morning you two,” Nana smiled as they entered the kitchen and sat down at the table.
“Morning, Nana,” they replied in unison.
Gerard could hear Frank and Rae’s voices as they approached the kitchen and got an idea. He sat down in Frank’s usual seat and then concentrated.
“Good morning, Nana!” Frank greeted cheerily. “Hey, Chelle!”
He walked over to his chair and sat down, only to immediately jump up again looking down at his chair in both shock and embarrassment. Gerard reappeared, laughing hysterically.
“Son of a bitch! You nearly gave me a heart-attack,” Frank exclaimed. “If you pull that invisible shit on me again, I swear I will kick your ass!”
The teen’s rant only caused Gerard to laugh harder. Michelle smiled as she saw the red color in Frank’s cheeks. She was obviously very attracted to him, but got the feeling that most girls were. She caught the hint of jealousy in Erin’s voice when she spoke about him. The laughter subsided and everyone took their seats at the table. While they enjoyed breakfast, Gerard couldn’t help noticing the secret glances his sister and Frank shot each other. He slightly frowned, because even though he liked Frank, he knew what his relationship with girls was like. This was going to be troublesome.

*

“Chelle!” someone called her name and the brunette turned around to see Erin hurrying towards her.
“Hey, Erin,” she smiled. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. I just saw you walking alone and thought I’d join you. I have an off period,” the blonde informed her.
“Me too, that’s why I’m out here all alone,” Chelle told her.
“Ah, I was wondering where your self-employed chaperone was,” Erin giggled.
“Frank?”
“The one and only. The two of you seem inseparable,” she noticed.
“Yes, well Frank’s very nice. He’s actually helped a lot, because there is no way I was ever going to figure out this place on my own. It’s huge!” Chelle stated.
“Yeah, Frank’s a good guy. Sometimes he just forgets that little fact,” the blonde replied, looking at the girl walking next to her.
For some reason, she was taking a liking to the older girl, despite the fact that she appeared to like her crush as well. Then again, she didn’t want Frank anymore after what he did to her and Alex.
“So do you like him?” she couldn’t help prying.
“Who?” Chelle asked, slightly caught off guard by Erin’s sudden question.
“Frank of course!” the girl exclaimed.
“I… I… He’s really nice,” Chelle stuttered. “I guess so.”
“Aww!! That’s so cute!”
“But please… don’t tell him,” the brunette begged. “Please.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Erin assured her. “He’s currently still avoiding me, so you really have nothing to worry about.”
“Thanks,” she smiled, genuinely relieved.
From the other side of the courtyard, a girl with long, straight, dark brown hair stood watching them curiously. She squinted her eyes at the smaller of the two. The girl spun around and ran down the school corridor, around the corner. She skidded to a halt and slid down to the floor, breaking into sobs. It couldn’t be her imagination. She wasn’t crazy. But it was impossible. Her best friend was supposed to be alive and yet she had just seen her. Her shoulders shook violently as she cried. She wasn’t supposed to remember her loved ones from her life. Ray said she wouldn’t remember for a while. This was still too soon. She couldn’t handle it yet.
“Are you okay?” a soft voice asked her and she felt a hand on her shoulder.
She looked up to see a slightly skinny kid looking down at her with a caring expression.
“I’m fine,” she sniffed. “It’s just… I’m starting to remember. You know what that’s like, right?”
He nodded quietly, sliding down next to her.
“This moment just happens to make my mind go crazy, making me see things, because I swear I just saw my best friend in the school’s courtyard and that’s insane, right?” she looked at him with teary eyes.
He shrugged, “Maybe you didn’t imagine it. It could’ve been real, you know? New people show up here all the time.”
“I know that, but she’s not supposed to freakin’ be here!” she slightly yelled upset. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you,” she apologized sincerely.
“That’s okay. You’re upset.”
“I’m Annabel,” she introduced herself, “But you can just call me Bellz.”
“Bellz,” he smiled. “I like that. I’m Arin by the way.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Arin,” she smiled in response.

*

The kitchen door swung open just as Ashley entered and Bob’s large frame stood in the doorway.
“Ashley,” he smiled warmly. “How are you today?”
“I’m better thanks. Stuffed, warm and safe,” she replied gratefully.
“I’m really glad to hear that,” he stated, still smiling, putting his jacket over the back of a chair. “Can I make you some coffee?”
She nodded in response and went to stand at one of the table’s corners, fumbling with the table cloth and biting the inside of her lip nervously. Bob saved her the night before and she trusted him with her life, but he had an overwhelming presence.
“You look ten times better,” he told her, his back still facing her. “Your skin is already glowing again. And is it just my imagination or is there a hint of a gleam in your eyes?” he asked, turning around and flashing her a shy smile.
She looked down at her hands a deep red appearing on her cheeks. She carefully concentrated, picking at her cuticles, desperately avoiding eye contact with the broad shouldered man standing across from her.
Bob’s gaze softened as he looked at the girl in front of him. She was terribly cute with a small nose, thin lips and beautiful flowing dark brown hair. She also had the perfect shape, slightly curvy. He gulped and turned back to making coffee.
“So is Gabby being nice to you?” he wanted to know, clearing his throat.
“I haven’t really spoken to her. I’ve kind of been in my room all day long,” she admitted.
“You have nothing to be afraid of,” he assured her, turning to face her again. “Gabby is a sweetheart. She’s a little younger than you are, but I’m sure you’ll still get along just fine.”
“How do you know my age?”
“I don’t, but I’m guessing you’re about twenty,” he told her.
“I’m actually twenty one,” she corrected him.
He nodded, “Okay, well, here’s your coffee. Let’s go see what she’s up to.”
The pair found the teen in the living room reading a book.
“She should be a little more social and make Ashley feel more welcome,” Bob lightly scolded the redhead who beamed up at him.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were home. You’re so quiet.”
“That’s okay,” Ashley replied. “I don’t expect you to entertain me.”
“I don’t mind,” Gabby assured her with a warm smile. “It’s nice to have another female in the house. Bob isn’t always the most talkative person. Some new company is very welcome.”
Ashley went to take a seat next to Matt on the other couch. She thought it was going to be awkward, but to her surprise Gabby immediately started talking freely and asking questions, making her feel more comfortable already.

*

Frank arrived home slightly late that afternoon after detention. That’s one thing he hated about Una. Why the hell couldn’t they change the detention rule? That was just the stupidest thing ever. Maybe he wouldn’t have hated it so much if he wasn’t constantly getting detention. He plopped down on the couch, sighing deeply.
“Boo!” someone suddenly whispered next to him.
“Fuck it! Gerard!” he yelled annoyed. “You really have to quit this shit! How fucking old are you?”
Gerard cracked up, reappearing, “I just love the way you react.”
“Well, cut it out! I’m not in the mood,” the hazel-eyed teen growled, aggravated.
“I want to talk to you about something,” Gerard stated, pulling the boy back onto the couch.
“What?” he grumbled, looking straight at Gerard.
“Chelle… Are you into my sister?”
That caught him completely off guard and his throat suddenly felt dry. He knew Gerard wouldn’t approve of him dating Chelle, because, unfortunately, Gerard knew what happened between him, Alex and Erin.
“What are you talking about?” he tried to act innocent.
Gerard sighed, “You know exactly what I’m talking about. I see the way you look at her and even the way she looks at you.”
“Really?” the teen asked, his hazel eyes lighting up hopefully.
“Frank, I don’t know about the two of you,” Gerard stated and Frank lowered his head in disappointment. “You’re a great person, but I’ve seen the way you treat girls and I’m not going to let you do the same to my sister.”
“But I won’t!” he exclaimed.
“My sister doesn’t deserve to have her heart broken,” Gerard continued. “Think about that.”
With that, Gerard stood up from the couch and went in search of Rae. He found her in her room, earphones inserted. He smiled as he watched the red-head lying on her bed, eyes closed and singing along to the song playing. She opened her eyes as soon as she felt him sit down next to her.
“Busy day?” he asked her.
“Not really,” she smiled. “That’s why I’m just chilling out.”
“At least you’re in before dark. I’m sure you don’t want another encounter with The Rebellions,” he joked.
“Not if I can help it,” she stated firmly. “If you didn’t have such an awesome Talent, we wouldn’t be here.”
“But we are here and that allows me to do this…” his sentence was finished in the form of an action when he pressed his lips to hers.
They parted and rested their foreheads together.
“Between everything that’s happened since yesterday, I still haven’t forgotten about you,” he smiled, eyes locked on hers.
“I’m glad to know that,” she smiled back, moving closer to him.
He grinned in response before kissing her again. Her arms slowly moved up his chest and around his neck. He pulled her into his lap, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist.
“You drive me crazy,” he breathed against her lips.
“Good,” she smirked satisfied, deepening the kiss.

*

Frank sat in the living room thinking about Gerard’s words. Sure he may have played Erin and Alex, but it had been a one-time occurrence. It wasn’t like he was some kind of man whore. And Chelle was different. He didn’t know how. He just knew it.
“Screw Gerard,” he muttered, getting up and running out the door.
It was already dark outside, but he’s never been afraid of the Rebellions. He’s always been faster than they were anyway. It wasn’t long before he reached Ray and Tati’s house.
“What’s up, Frank?” Tatiana smiled when she answered the door.
“Hey, Tati! Is Chelle here?” he asked, slightly out of breath.
“Sure, she’s in her room, just down the hallway,” she told him, standing aside to let him in.
Michelle sat on her bed, doodling on a notepad. Suddenly the teen felt like turning around and running away. He didn’t exactly know what to say to her now that he was here.
“Chelle?” he spoke and she immediately looked up, their eyes locking.
Her whole face lit up at the sight of him.
“Frank!” she exclaimed happily. “This is a nice surprise!”
“Hi… I. uhm… I want to talk to you about something,” the boy stuttered out nervously.
“Of course. Sit down,” the brunette invited him.
He stared at her and thought she looked really beautiful with her long, wavy brown hair up in a pony-tail, face clear of any trace of make-up and wearing a white tracksuit. He took a seat next to her on the bed and looked at her nervously.
“I, uhm… Hm… Okay, so, Gerard… No, let’s not talk about him just yet. I like you, okay. A lot,” he confessed.
Chelle could feel her heart skip a beat as the gorgeous teen confessed his feelings for her. She knew she liked him, but thought that he was just being nice whenever he walked with her. The fact that he felt the same, made her really happy. In fact, if Una had a moon, she’d be jumping over it right now. The fact that he brought Gerard up though, was slightly strange. She shrugged it off as Frank worrying about her brother being over protective. Gerard might have a problem with the two of them dating, but he’ll get used to the idea. Frank was a good guy. Even though she hasn’t known him for that long, she at least knew this much.
“Now would be a good time to say something,” Frank said nervously, when she didn’t respond.
“Uhm, wow, I honestly didn’t expect that,” the brunette admitted.
Frank’s face fell at her words.
“It’s a good thing though,” she hurriedly assured him when she noticed the disappointed look on his face. “Because I like you too.”
“You do???” he exclaimed excitedly, his whole face lighting up.
“Yes,” she nodded slowly.
“Great!” he grinned broadly. “So it’s okay if I ask you out tomorrow? Lunch? No wait, come over for dinner.”
“I would love to,” she accepted.
“I… yeah… I’m gonna go now,” he said, still grinning like an idiot. “Sweet dreams.”
He leaned in and pecked her lips before he was out the door. Chelle was glad that he left so quickly, because now he couldn’t see her scarlet cheeks. The excitement burst inside of her and she let out a happy squeal.
“Someone just got a boyfriend,” Tati teased from the doorway.
“Not yet, but he admitted that he likes me and he invited me to dinner tomorrow night,” Chelle blurted out in one breath.
“Wow,” Tati chuckled. “Good for you. Frank’s a hottie and he’s a good guy.”
“I know,” Chelle smiled, lying down on her back and dreamily staring up at the ceiling.

Notes

Sorry for any mistakes!