CHAPTER 4

I wake up early the next day. I don't want Ronnie barging in and making a fuss about me being late. Surprisingly my stepmom is already making breakfast for my dad and Ronnie.

"Hi." Ronnie says cautiously, she's still not over what happened last night but I'm glad she didn't to mention to either of our parents. "I was about to come and wake you."

"Oh you don't have to do that." I tell her as I sit next to her.

"You are up early today." My dad comments.

"Well, I am going to school so I figured I should be early."

Alice smiles at me. "Do you want anything sweetie?" She asks.

"I will have what they are having." I smile back at her.

While Alice prepares my food, I decide to bring up a sensitive subject to my father. "Dad," He looks at me. "I was wondering if you could get me an appointment with Riley."

Everyone is taken aback by my request because I have not seen my therapist since my last episode so naturally they are all alarmed.

"Honey, is everything okay?" My dad's voice is full of anguish.

"Yes, everything is fine. I had originally cancelled my appointments for this week but I'm a bit overwhelmed with school so I need to talk to her.

Not knowing what to say my dad just nods. Ronnie squeezes my hand, a gesture of support which I appreciate and Alice hugs me.

"I think that's great, sweetie." She says before kissing my cheek.

My family's reaction towards the fact that I still rely on my therapist has left me speechless. I have always known they are decent people but the fact that they give me their unconditional support amazes me. I'm not the easiest person to live with especially for Alice and Ronnie who are sometimes the subject of my cold attitude and indifference.

I guess some may say I have an excuse for not always being on my best behavior because of my difficult childhood. My life is not a typical one. I was adopted at the age of two by Aaron and Lauren Ross who already had two daughters of their own, Briana and Jessica. My two older sisters now live in New York pursuing their dream of modelling. Unfortunately Lauren died when I was seven and it took a toll on my already fragile mental health. I started seeing doctor Riley shortly after my mom's death and she came to the conclusion that I suffered from bipolar disorder.

When dad married Alice, it was easier for my sisters to accept her as their second mother than it was for me. I had already lost two mothers and I couldn't bear the thought of loving another one only to lose her as well.

After my dad drops me off I immediately spot Ella and Sky and now that I'm paying attention they do look alike. They both have striking blue eyes and they have the same shade of blonde hair.

"Hey Evie." Ella greets me excitedly. "Love the boots."

I blush at the compliment mostly because I'm not used to them. The only other person who gives me compliments is my dad and I suspect that's why he does it, because he's my dad.

I thank her before turning to her brother. "What about you, don't you like the boots?" I ask him.

He doesn't hesitate to answer. "No I don't like them." He says without even looking at them.

I'm not surprised by his answer, somehow I knew he would say that but I don't let it put me down.

"Sure you do." I say before leaning closer to him and whispering, "I think you may even like me too."

Sky is naturally surprised by my bold statement and if I'm being honest, so am why. I'm not sure why or how, but I really like him, a lot actually.

"Well, that just goes to show that you don't really think."

I giggle at his seriousness. "Easy there partner, I'm not proposing marriage." I say teasingly. "So what do you say?"

"About what?"

"Do you like me or not?" I'm sure he does, he just doesn't want to admit it.

"Evie let's get to class!" Ella shouts, breaking my little moment with her brother.

"Be right there!" I shout back and turn back my attention to Sky. "I will see you in class, partner." I blow him a kiss before running off to catch up with Ella.

I feel a pang when I realize that I don't have many classes with Sky but I decide to make the most of the ones that I do have with him.

Of course he isn't going to make it easy for me. The first thing he does when he sees me in chemistry class is roll his eyes but I'm not one to give up.

"Hey partner." I say and attempt to kiss his cheek but he stops me by grasping my shoulders.

"You do know that being lab partners does not make us mates for life, right?"

"Of course I do but with your hands on me it's hard to concentrate."

He immediately let's go of me and I laugh. "You are impossible." He says, shaking his head.

"I know."

The teacher comes in and she starts going on about mixing acids and how we might have an experiment later in the week. Of course I'm only mildly paying attention but Sky is seriously dedicated as he is writing down everything and listening to everything the teacher is saying.

I tear a paper out of my notes and write him a note seeing as I can't talk to him at the moment.

i like you too. The note reads. I pass it over to him and he frowns before reading it. I watch as his eyes widen after reading it.

"Is this a joke?" He must have forgotten we are in class because he practically yells, gaining the attention of everyone including the teacher.

"Mr Gomez, Miss Ross is something wrong?" The teacher asks as she makes her way towards us.

Sky starts to explain but Mrs Williams notices the note I gave him and reads it out loud. " 'i like you too' " She reads and the whole class erupts into laughter. "Hmmmm, you even put a heart on it. You are quite the post Mr Gomez." She refers to Sky and I notice how uncomfortable he is.

"Actually, the note came from me." I interject and she looks surprised.

"I know you are new here but love notes are unacceptable in my class."

I nod. "So I will let you off with a warning, both of you." She begins to walk back to the front of the class but I stop her.

"Ummmm could you give Sky the note back? I would really like him to have it." I add and again everyone laughs and I'm glad Ella is amused as this is her brother we are talking about.

Mrs Williams rolls her eyes then practically tosses the note to Sky. I pick it up and hand it over to him. I notice that most of my fellow students are amused by my stunt except the Rosemont sisters.

They are looking at me again but this time they sort of look upset. I see them whispering to each other, as if calming each other down. What the hell is their problem?