2

I was a good kid. I stayed to myself and to my friends, didn't get involved in drama or with the wrong crowds, I didn't bother with materialistic, fake people and overall, stayed under the radar because I just wanted to get through high school peacefully so I could move on - more specifically, move away from home and make a name of my own, do something myself that my parents, especially my mom could be proud of. Just me, no strings attached to Avery. So far in my life, it seemed everything I did, Avery would do better.

I started volunteering in the ER at the hospital, a week later Avery rescued some stray dogs. Or so she said.

In fifth grade, I won the science fair award. Avery started a 'mad scientist' club for the whole school.

In freshman year I started dating a guy named Brock. Not soon later, Avery started dating his older brother and then Brock left me anyways because I 'wasn't good enough'.

Eventually I learnt that it was best to not involve myself with anything that has to do with Avery. If I lay low and stay out of her way, she'll stay out of my business and let me live with at least some peace.

"Hey, Mar."

I reached the bottom of the staircase to see Kaden standing by the front door, a bright smile on his face in the early morning, keys in one hand and a tray with two coffees in the other

I reached the bottom of the staircase to see Kaden standing by the front door, a bright smile on his face in the early morning, keys in one hand and a tray with two coffees in the other.

My eyebrows pulled together in confusion. I thought he had gone home late last night. "Kaden, hi. What are you doing here?"

"Your mom let me in when she was leaving for work," he told me, watching me walk over to him. "I came to drive Avery to school because she told me to pick her up. Turns out she already left."

"And... you're still here because?" The confusion didn't leave my face. If she was gone, why was he still here?

He gave me a flat look as if he were looking at an imbecile. "Thought I'd give you a ride since I'm already here. I got you coffee. You were up late last night."

He grinned as he held out the tray for me to take one of the coffee cups.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "You got me a coffee or you're giving me the coffee you got for Avery?"

"Come on, Addison," he gave me another flat look but remained grinning. This time, he used my name instead of saying 'Mar' which I still didn't understand. "I got both of you coffees. Actually, your sister prefers iced, sugar-free lattes with soy milk."

"You got me coffee?" I questioned, hesitant to believe him and still confused.

"Yes," he laughed at my disbelief. "I gave your sister's drink to your mom. I figured the least I could do was get you some coffee for scaring you and then keeping you up last night."

"You didn't keep me up," I mumbled quietly as I grabbed my bag that was laying on the recliner before slipping on my shoes and grabbing my keys. I didn't say anything as I headed out the house, waiting for Kaden to follow so I could lock the door.

"Thanks," I exhaled when we both got into his car. "for the coffee and the ride."

"It's nothing," he sent me a smile as he reversed out of the driveway.