"I should get going," Dominic said, standing up and stretching his arms like he was trying to shake off the weight of today’s tension. He glanced at . "Let drop you off at ho."
I slung my bag over my shoulder. "Can’t. I’m actually heading to pick up Alia."
His head tilted. "Alia?"
"Mm-hmm. Her teacher texted this morning, said she wanted a word."
Dominic’s lips pressed into a smile. "Alright. I’ve actually missed her. Been so busy lately, I barely noticed how long it’s been."
"Tell about it." I laughed quietly, trying to make it lighter. "I just hope it’s not because she did sothing chaotic again."
He bumped my shoulder as we started toward the stairs. "Please. It’s Alia. Chaos is her middle na."
That actually made laugh for real. "Facts."
We walked down, voices from the living room drifting up to et us.
Dominic slowed when we hit the bottom. He gave a small wave to everyone gathered, then crossed to Liam’s parents.
He hugged Mrs Everhart, and wiped her tears. "I’ll co by tomorrow. I promise."
She nodded, and hugged him. Mr Everhart just gave Dominic a quiet pat on the back, and also hugged him.
Across the room, Ian was wiping a speck of food from June’s mouth, rolling her eyes but smiling anyway.
Dominic noticed, he just smiled at them and shook his head.
Then he squeezed my hand, "let’s go," and we stepped outside.
The door shut behind us, and the air hit different.
Dominic exhaled, his shoulders dropped. "God... it feels like I can finally breathe."
I glanced at him, the way the sunlight caught the edge of his jaw, and smiled. " too."
We got into the car, as he started pulling away from the Everharts.
I glanced back, looking at the house. I just hope they’ll be okay.
Dominic’s hand on the wheel kept shaking, no matter how steady he tried to hold it.
"Hey..." I reached over and parted his hand gently from the steering wheel, letting my fingers rest against his. "Are you good?"
He let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh, but it wasn’t. "Yeah. Just nervous, I guess."
I squeezed his hand. "About your parents?"
His jaw clenched, but he didn’t answer right away. Just squeezed my hand once, like that was enough of an answer.
I leaned back, trying to shift the mood. "You know what still has shocked? June and Ian."
That pulled the corner of his mouth into a smile. "Right? I swear I thought she had a thing for Ren."
I laughed. "We all thought that. Trust , June’s unpredictable."
He shook his head, eyes back on the road. "Look, Ian’s my bro, I love him, but he’s...still typical Ian. He flirts with every lady in the room. I’m just saying...if he hurts June, I’ll call him out. I don’t care if how close we are. She deserves better than that."
Sothing warm spread in my chest. June was my best friend. And here he was, worried about her like. I couldn’t stop the smiling.
"You’re really sothing, you know that?" I said quietly.
He glanced at , eyebrows raised. "What?"
"Just... you. Looking out for her. For people I care about. Makes feel like we’re on the sa team."
"We’re always on the sa team, Rivera," he muttered, but the smile stayed this ti, softer, like he needed the distraction.
The car slowed as we pulled up in front of Alia’s school. I sat there for a second, still holding his hand, still feeling that warmth in my chest.
"Okay," I said softly, giving his hand one last squeeze. "I’ve got to go now. But... if anything happens, if you feel off, please text . Don’t keep it bottled up, Dom."
His eyes flicked to , a little teary, like he wanted to say sothing but didn’t trust himself to. "Yeah. I will. Promise."
I leaned in and kissed him...just a quick kiss, but lingering enough to steady him.
His patted my head like he didn’t want to leave. I just had to, Alia was my first priority at the mont.
"Bye, babe," I murmured.
"Bye. Don’t take too long, or Alia’s gonna make jealous." He managed a small smirk, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
I chuckled, sliding out of the car. "She already likes you more than , admit it."
"True," he shot back imdiately, and waved to .
I shut the door gently and waved once before turning toward the gates.
As I walked in, the buzz of kids and parents filled the yard.
My chest tightened a little, hoping this eting wasn’t about Alia doing sothing wild again.
Please, not another one of her stunts.
Her teacher’s text had sounded urgent, but with Alia, "urgent" could an anything from an actual fight, to drawing on the walls just because she thought the classroom was too boring.
I adjusted my bag strap, took a deep breath, and headed toward the office, bracing myself.
Please don’t let it be another ’incident.’
I knocked lightly before stepping into the office.
Mrs. Torres looked up from her desk and gestured to the chair in front of her.
"Mr. Rivera, welco. You can have your seat."
I slid into the chair, nervous already. "Please don’t tell she did sothing wild again. I already talked to her about..."
Mrs. Torres shook her head. "It’s not that. Actually, she’s been improving."
I felt relieved a little. "Oh. Okay... So... what is it then?"
She leaned forward, folding her hands. "I’ve just noticed she’s quieter than usual. Keeps her head down on the desk. Even talks less."
I frowned. "She’s probably just tired. She stays up drawing half the night sotis, playing with the nurses and kids in the hospital. You know how kids are."
Mrs. Torres gave a soft smile that made my stomach twist. "Ash, I know you’re trying. I see how much you do for her. Acting as both her parents, while still being in high school yourself."
"Yeah," I said quickly, rubbing my palms on my jeans. "I know it’s not perfect, but she’s my little sister. It’s my responsibility."
Her eyes softened even more. "Not really."
I froze. "...What do you an, not really?"
"Alia needs help from an actual adult," she said carefully, as if choosing each word.
My chest tightened. "I am an adult. I’m turning twenty next year."
She gave a sad little smile. "Ash, I think maybe you should consider letting her be placed in..... let’s say a foster ho. Or at least talk to child services about..."
The words didn’t even finish hitting my ears before my stomach dropped. My whole body went hot and cold at the sa ti.
"Wait, what?!" I shot up so fast the chair legs scraped the floor. My voice shook, louder than I wanted. "Child services? Foster ho? Are you serious right now?"
"Ash.."
"No. No!" My hands clenched into fists. My heart was racing faster than ever. "You think I’m just gonna hand her over to strangers? That I’ll let sobody take her away from ? She’s my sister."
"Ash, I’m not saying.."
"Yes, you are." My throat burned, eyes stung, but I didn’t care. "She’s all I have. And I’m all she has. You don’t get it. You can’t get it. So don’t you dare suggest that again."
I couldn’t sit back down. Couldn’t calm down. All I knew was this: no one was taking Alia from . I don’t care who it is, not ever!
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