I walked into the living room to find my mom only looking out the window. I'm so dead. So very, very dead. "H-hey mom," I stammered as I walked towards a chair. She turned around and I could see the disappointment in her eyes.

"Can you explain to me why you of all people, got a detention today? And not to mention, you are late for dinner?" she asked in a harsh tone.

I fumbled for a good answer. "I uh, made a joke and the teacher didn't like it. So she sent me to detention and then…" I trailed off, not sure if I should mention the fact that I spent nearly an hour with Michael Prince. "I got side-tracked."

My mom pursed her lips, "Side-tracked?" I nodded. "So you mean to tell me that you got side-tracked on your way home?"

"Mom, it's not a big deal. I stopped to get some coffee and I ran into a friend. We talked for a little bit," I answered truthfully.

"Then why didn't you answer my phone calls?" my mom asked me. I frowned and searched my jean pockets and found that they were empty. "Let me check my bag," I amended quickly as I ran to the kitchen and searched for my phone. It wasn't in there. Crap! I thought hastily. I reentered the living room and my mom was sitting on the loveseat opposite of the chair I was sitting in before.

I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. "I, uh, think I left it in my work locker."

My mom only shook her head. "This is why you need someone to watch you at all times—."

"Mom!" I cut her off. "I'm not two years old anymore! I left my phone at work, big deal, Chris will find it and give it to me when I go back to work on Friday. Nothing bad is going to happen."

My mom seemed to calm down and her anger vanished. "Can I ask you a question about Margaret?" I asked her. She nodded. "Of course."

I took a deep breath. "Why let her go? She's the best in the business! And if you think that you can't afford her, I can chip in. She does amazing and she always gives me the gossip about Vail." My mom looked hurt and I frowned, wondering why. Then it hit me. "M-mom…I…" I stammered for an explanation. My mom only got up and nodded. "Margaret can stay. But you have to chip in for a while until things get settled. And before you apologize for what you said, don't. I know you didn't mean it that way."

My mom walked upstairs and I only collapsed in the chair. The house phone rang and I answered it on the second ring. "Hello?"

"Is this the Erela residence?" the familiar voice asked.

"Yes, this is. Who are you?" I asked back.

"This is Michael Prince, I'm calling on Breanna's phone; she left it at Starbucks today."

My heart goes into my stomach. I left my phone at Starbucks?! If my mom ever found out about this, I would be more than dead. I stood there for a moment, trying to find a way to word the next sentence. "Uh…" flew out of my mouth before I could stop it.

"I can give it to her tomorrow before school starts. Sorry if I interrupted anything."

Michael hung up and I shakily set the phone down on the receiver. My heart was hammering in my chest and my mind was going foggy. Soon, another migraine pounded its way through my skull and I sat on the chair, my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands.

Breanna will understand. She has to. She has known that I'd move on sooner or later.

I opened my eyes at the same moment that my mom came down the stairs. I only looked at her for a moment before I abruptly walked past her and into the kitchen to grab my bags. "I'm, uh, going to my room to study. Call me down when dinner is ready." My mom only looked at me as I ran up the stairs and when I closed the door to my room, I burst into tears. I slid down the side of the door and I silently sobbed at the mere thought of my mom dating someone else.

Air hitched in my throat. My mom didn't say that out loud. She thought it. I rested my head on my arms and took deep breaths. "What's wrong with me?" I whispered.

Nothing is wrong with you.

I groaned when I heard that run through my mind. I was a freak, and I'd always stay that way until the day I died. I only looked down and just thought about everything. My dad, Arianna, my life. I knew I was always different. I lifted my head to see a picture of my dad. He was decent. Short brown hair, green eyes, a playful smile that you didn't see in grown men. But he had this air about him that made people gravitate towards him. "That's how I fell in love with him," my mom had told me when I asked her how she and dad fell in love. Then the accident.

I sat like that for a good half hour until my mom knocked on my door. As the door handled turned I scrambled from my weeping spot and sat on top of my bed. I made it look like I was putting my books away when the door opened. "Dinner's ready," my mom smiled, obviously all traces of my breakdown were gone.

I nodded and followed her down the stairs. We just had left overs for supper and the night was pretty uneventful. One worry down, another worry to go. I needed to find out why Arianna was acting so cold and help her cope with whatever problems she might be having.

"Good night," I waved to my mom as I went upstairs to my room.

The next morning, Margaret was whistling when I walked down the stairs, wearing a white camisole, jeans, and a V-neck t-shirt and a light brown leather jacket. "Morning," I smiled, realizing I was up way earlier than I normally would be.

Margaret smiled at me. "Thank you, Breanna."

I only smiled and nodded as she gave me a bowl of oatmeal. "You're welcome. You're practically family." Margaret seemed to like that and I only giggled quietly. I ate my oatmeal quickly and drove to school—of course today was Friday so Arianna would be at school early. Lucky me, I was there way too early and I rushed into the gym to see the Girls Swim Team running laps. Coach Lucas blew the whistle and the girls almost collapsed when they reached their water bottles. "Take two minutes to recover then abs, then shower up!" Coach shouted.

I saw Arianna make her way to the water fountain and I rushed over to her. "Hey," I whispered. Arianna did a spit take and started coughing. "Sorry," I amended as I helped her.

"Stay away from me!" she growled. I took a step back and I noticed that Nicole and Mira looked our way. "Arianna, what the hell is going on with you?" I hissed.

Arianna turned to give me a dead look. "Nothing. I'm fine. Now go to the commons. You aren't supposed to be here." I noticed the deadness and hostility in her voice. Nicole and Mira raced over and stood behind me.

"Come on Breanna. Ari's cranky in the morning," Mira whispered as she gently gripped my shoulder. I walked with Nicole and Mira and they looked at me then each other. "We need to help Ari," Nicole hissed to Mira.

"But we swore we wouldn't tell a soul." Nicole shook her head. "Breanna is the only one that can get through Ari's thick skull."

"Uh, excuse me?" I said. "I'm right here. What's going on?"

Nicole and Mira led me to a secluded spot in the gym and cornered me. "Look," Nicole whispered as she looked behind her back. "Arianna is struggling. Not just in school, but in swimming too. She's volatile, unpredictable. Her times are erratic and slipping. The schools that signed her are beginning to consider pulling out of the scholarship."

My jaw dropped. "Arianna wouldn't sacrifice swimming like that…or her grades, or her future!" I hissed.

Mira nodded. "We know. But she won't tell us, Coach is ready to remove her from the meet roster this Saturday and it's an Invite! Coach told her to see the counselor but she just nodded and blew him off."

I only looked down and shook my head. "I can talk to her. But…she seems to be fine now."

Mira gave me a look. "She was the first one in the locker room this morning. I was the second and when I went over to greet her, her eyes were red and puffy. She's upset about something but she won't tell anyone."

Arianna's gaze fell on us and Nicole and Mira looked back at her and gave a weak smile. "Shit, we're dead," Nicole said through the fake smile. Mira gave a fake wave. "She has no idea what we told her."

I only sighed and rolled my eyes. "It's been nice chatting, but I need to go before the wolf comes over here with the fangs exposed."

Mira and Nicole let me go and I went to commons. I took a seat and groaned as I rested my head in my hands. "Is everything okay?" someone asked.

"No."

They slid in the seat across from me and I lifted my head to see Michael looking at me, holding an object out to me. "Your phone," he clarified.

I blushed. "Oh, um, thanks."

"You're welcome. So, what's bothering you? You're never here this early."

I sighed and considered telling Michael what I just learned about Arianna. "It's Arianna. Mira and Nicole told me she's acting out of character." Michael only frowned as his brow furrowed. I fought the urge to run my finger over it and smooth it out.

"That is strange. Arianna is the loud one right?" he asked with a spark in his eyes.

"You jerk!" I hissed, but the insult was wasted when I cracked a smile. It's true. Arianna is the loud one out of the two of us.

"Hey," he defended himself. "I'm being honest here."

I sighed. "I know. But I wish I knew what was bothering her. I don't want her risking her life for what's bugging her."

Michael looked at me. I noticed his necklace was out in the open. It was gold and stopped just below his ribcage. The design was weird. Two wings extended fully with an amber topaz in the middle. The same amber as his eyes. "Nice bling," I commented as I pointed to the necklace.

"Thanks. But we aren't talking about me. Perhaps she'll tell someone when she's ready," Michael suggested.

I heard some rustling behind me and I saw Nicole and Mira walking towards me with frantic expressions. "What's wrong?" Michael and I both asked.

Mira took a lungful of air. "Arianna collapsed!"

I bolted for the locker room without a second thought and Michael was hot on my heels. "Why're you coming?" I asked. He gave me a look. "I highly doubt you know CPR."

I only rolled my eyes and Michael and I stumbled into the locker room to find Arianna on the ground—thankfully clothed—unconscious. Michael got on his knees and rested his ear to Arianna's chest. I kneeled down and expertly found a pulse on her wrist the same time Michael said, "There's a heart beat. She's breathing…but weakly. Does anyone know if she's diabetic?" he asked.

Everyone shook their head. Arianna wasn't diabetic, as far as anyone knew. A few girls squealed in embarrassment as they came back into the locker room to see Michael in there. "Someone go get a candy bar or soda!" he ordered gently.

Mira and Nicole practically destroyed the locker room—with the help of thirty-eight other swimmers—and Nicole gave Michael a Hershey's bar. He gently tilted Arianna's head up and put the food into her mouth and helped her chew. I watched—I was kneeling on the other side of Arianna—and saw flat silver in Michaels eyes and he was glowing faintly, and I could see a thin outline of something on his back. After a few minutes, Arianna began moaning and her eyes fluttered open. The entire locker room sighed in relief. A few girls even whispered, "The Athletic Director is going to kill us for destroying the locker room." Another whispered in response, "I think the Athletic Director will understand when we explain the circumstance to her."

"Welcome back," Michael smiled as he moved from kneeling to crouching on the cement floor. Arianna shook her head. "Wh-what happened?" she mumbled.

I stood up and helped support Arianna as she stood up. "You, uh, collapsed."

"All I remember is feeling light headed and the next, waking up to…" her voice faded as another headache pounded its way through my head.

All I remember is feeling light headed and the next, waking up to your god-like face.

I squeezed my eyes tightly as the minor headache passed. Again, I heard someone thinking. Michael only gave a small, warm smile. "Well, the Nurse should be in by now. Breanna and I can help you there."

Arianna went red—and I mean red. "B-but I'm not showered or decently dressed!" she complained. Michael only nodded. "I think the Nurse will understand why you are dressed like this. I'd feel much more comfortable if you were being looked after by a trained professional."

Arianna nodded and swung her left arm over my shoulders while she swung her right arm over Michael's shoulders. Arianna whispered into my ear, "Thank you for coming this morning. I'm sorry if I snapped at you."

I only gave her a smile. "It's okay. I forgot how cranky you are in the morning."

Arianna gave a weak laugh and about five minutes later, I was sitting with Arianna in the Nurses station. Michael had left, stating that he wanted to make sure that Coach Lucas was informed of the incident and that Mrs. Jens was aware that her once pristine—or as pristine as a locker room can get—locker room was now a war zone for swimmers and other gym students.

"So," I sighed in an attempt to make small talk, "why did you collapse?"

Arianna gave me an uncomfortable look. "It's nothing…" I glared at her. "Arianna, you are the healthiest person I know. What's wrong?"

Arianna sighed. "My parents are getting a divorce okay?" My jaw dropped and Arianna nodded. "I had the same expression when I found out two days ago." I only looked down and shook my head.

"What's that mean for you? I mean custody wise?" I asked.

Arianna grumbled. "My mom can't afford to keep me."

"Oh," I said. "Perhaps your dad will be able to raise you."

Arianna shook her head. "I wouldn't go with him if the world depended on it."

I gave her a puzzled look. "Why not?" Arianna drew in a long breath. "Because he's moving to Vancouver."

Again, for the third or fourth time, my jaw dropped open. "Vancouver…as in Canada?" I exclaimed.

"Yep."

Arianna rested her head against the papery pillow and just stared at the ceiling. "My dad got a job at a University there. They offered him triple what he makes now. Of course, my mom was against it and it broke out into a fight. I guess I knew sooner or later it would happen. I just wished it would've happened later."

I looked around uncomfortably. My eyes rested on the clock. Ten minutes before the first bell rings for us to go to our first hour class. "I'm sorry Arianna."

Arianna only giggled weakly. "Nah, I'm a big girl. I want to prove them both wrong that I can be all that I can be." I gave her a smile. "You planning to join the Army?" She shook her head. "No. I just want to prove to them that I am not going to be like them. Pretending that everything is fine when its not."

A light knock came at the door before I could answer and Michael poked his head in. "Sorry if I'm interrupting but Breanna? We need to get going. There's an assembly first period."

I started to stand up. "What about me?" Nurse Hawthorne walked in just as I was about to respond. "You are staying right here until you get some food and water into your system." Arianna sighed. "Yes ma'am."

Michael and I walked to the assembly and I noticed people were staring at us. "Uh, did you tell them we're a couple or something?" I asked nervously. Michael only chortled. "No. They just never see me talking with anyone or walking next to anyone." I nodded. "I thought you don't believe in rumors," Michael whispered in my ear. Cinnamon and ginger swirled in my nose, along with leather, sandalwood, and bonfires.

I just continued to stare forward and entered the auditorium. I walked to the middle of the auditorium and sat down in a row that was basically empty. Michael slid in the row behind me. I leaned back in the uncomfortable chair and waited as the rest of the student body filed into the auditorium. While everyone was walking in, my mind wandered back to the fact that Michael was glowing when he was helping Arianna.

"Attention, attention students…settle down!" the Principal ordered. The students quieted down. "Thank you," said the Principal. "Now, the reason why I have asked for all students and staff to attend this is because I received a call from the Hospital. Mr. Brandt has been given three months to live." The news was met with gasps from shocked students and sobbing from some of the teachers. Michael gave an incredulous growl. I turned to see what his problem is, but his eyes were closed and I could see his muscles tensing. "Now," the Principal continued, his voice was beginning to crack. "We mustn't dwell on the future, but enjoy the present. We will be making a card and sending it to the Hospital with a vase full of flowers. Any student is welcomed to sign it and donate one dollar towards Mr. Brandt's medical bill. That is all."

We were only there for a few minutes. I walked to my locker and then right to my first period class. Jenny was already there, setting up the lab today. "Hey Jen," I smiled weakly. She gave me a nod. "Hey Breanna."

We didn't talk much during the lab. As we were cleaning up, Nicole—who had AP Literature this hour—walked in and went up to Mrs. Krystal. "I need to speak with Breanna for a moment," Nicole whispered. Mrs. Krystal nodded at me and Nicole walked over. "Hey Jenny," Nicole smiled then looked at me. "We need to talk in private."

I nodded and followed Nicole to an abandoned classroom. "So, what's the deal with Arianna?" she asked. I bit my lip. "Her parents are getting a divorce." Nicole only looked at me like I was joking. "You're kidding right?" I shook my head.

Before I could say anything further, I heard someone talking.

"I'm asking you to help him. He has people that care about him," the voice pleaded.

There was no response to the first person. Nicole looked at me in question. I placed my hand on my lips to silence her.

"I already helped Arianna Kingsley. I'm drained for a while yet."

Arianna? I poked my head out to see Michael sitting in the hallway looking disheveled. "Fine."

He stood up gracefully and walked back into the main hallway. Nicole looked at me. "Who was it?"

I shrugged. "A freak," I lied. Nicole nodded and left for her class.

Fourth hour came around and Miss Kinston was giving me the stink eye and I gratefully returned it. Michael walked in right after me. I turned to see him giving Miss Kinston a death glare. I only bit my lip and made my way to my table. Michael slid gracefully into his seat and looked at his notes. "What is she doing here?" he growled.

"She's our teacher?" I replied, making it a question.

Michael stared at me. "She's not just a teacher. Trust me," his voice was flat, void of any emotion.

The bell rang and the lesson was basically Latin. Michael seemed to keep up well enough and I was barely understanding it. "Uh, can you help?" I asked him. He looked at my notes then his own. "Here," he said as he handed me his notes. "I can copy them later."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," he smiled. "I have a good memory."

The rest of the day went by in a flash and I was walking to my car when I saw Michael leaning against the school wall, looking at something in the distance. I got into my car and started it up…only to hear the engine click. I tried it again and the gas and battery light came on. "Are you serious!" I grumbled. I got out of my car and slammed the door shut.

"Is there a problem?" he asked.

I jumped at his silent approach. "My car died! I have to get to work in ten minutes!" Michael gave me an understanding nod and looked at his car then me. "Maybe I can give you a ride?" he asked innocently.

"Okay? But what about after work?" I asked him back. He gave me a crooked smile. "I can pick you up. Do you want my number so you can let me know when I can come and get you?" I scoffed. "You didn't put my number in your phone when you had my phone last night?"

Michael shook his head. "No." I stopped laughing and we swapped numbers. "Where do you work?" he asked as he slid into the drivers seat.

"Varsity Fitness Center," I replied. Michael nodded and drove me to work. As I was getting out, he gently grabbed my hand. It felt like a jolt of electricity was running through my blood. "Breanna, I'll call a tow truck for your car or I can run to the store and get a new battery and fill up a container of gas and take care of it for you…free of charge."

My mind was screaming tow truck but my instincts were screaming let him fix it! "If you want, you can fix it. Let me reimburse you at least." Michael chuckled and shook his head. "Nope. I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. Go to work. I'll pick you up when you call and I'll take you back to school so you can pick up your car and go home. I'm pretty sure your mom wouldn't like you coming home in a strangers car."

I laughed. "If my mom knew it was you, she might be okay with it." My phone beeped and I realized I had two minutes to get into the building. "See ya!" I waved as I ran inside the building.

Michael waved back as he hit the gas, burning rubber in the process. When I was sure he was gone, I let a sigh escape my lips. He was amazing. I shook my head and walked in and Chris greeted me. "You have a boyfriend?" he asked. I shook my head. "Just a…" I trailed off. Michael wasn't a friend. "Just a good citizen."

Chris chuckled as he looked back at the computer. "I've heard that one before. Well, get dressed and then do a quick clean up of the equipment."

I nodded as I went into the back of the building to change. I opened my locker to find a white feather resting inside of it. "Where do you keep coming from?" I whispered.