A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Please continue!

All Along

By: KNE

Chapter 4-

Party at Stanford's

-


Chris frowned as he walked into the classroom. Detention was no where close to amusing. It always contained the same god damn people that he had seen since the beginning of the school year. Sitting in the back corner was always James Jackson, the typical punk with more than five hundred body piercings. Chris always took notice that he was always muttering to himself. In the opposite corner would sit Lexia Rodriguez. The girl who beat up everyone. At times Chris was even afraid of her face. The girl had drawn-in eyebrows and had the face of an "angry bull", according to Neely. Just the thought of seeing anything other than her face gave Chris the chills. Sitting in the front would be Michael Hamps and George Greene. The two trouble makers who had set up the cherry bomb in the girl's bathroom last year. And then finally, everyone else that filled the seats was basically friends of Chris.

But…this time, it was somewhat different. A certain figure made it different. A girl with dark red curly hair sat near the front of the room, her head bowed down low scribbling in her notebook. She wore a brown zip up over a grey shirt and faded Capri jeans that were folded at the bottom. Chris couldn't help but smirk. The bitch was here.

He slowed his pace and gripped the notebook in his fist tightly. Maybe it was time to confront her and put the little devil in her place. When he walked in front of her slowly, she made no movement to look up. That frustrated him the hell out. Who did she think she was? He smirked again and slid smoothly into the seat behind her. He yawned and leaned forward, edging closer to her. She was still too busy scribbling in the damn notebook.

"Gabrielle Potter is it?" He asked in a low voice. He bit his tongue in amusement as he saw her back go rigid and her head lifted slightly. And then as quick as it had happened, her back slouched once more and her head fell back to its original position. Chris frowned instantly, the fuck….?

He glared hard at her figure and then cleared his throat again. "Hey, I'm talking to you…" this time he skipped the mocking voice to the serious angry tone that he had learned from his sister plenty of times. He heard her snort lightly and he suddenly wanted to grab her and whip her around. The little….

"SILENCE EVERYONE!" Mrs. Erlenmeyer announced as she marched into the classroom with a clipboard in her hand. "This is after school detention! No talking!" Chris growled quietly and leaned back in his seat. She stopped in front of the board and made a sharp turn to face the students like a military boy. "Unfortunately, there is an important teacher's meeting right now that I have to attend to. Miss. Potter will be in charge of this detention," she pointed to the red head that still had not turned around. Then Mrs. Erlenmeyer pointed a crooked finger towards them. "And don't expect her to go easy on you guys. If hear that one thing went wrong, I will have Miss. Potter write down the names. If I hear that any of you are being disrespectful, I will add on two more weeks of detention and Saturdays as well. Is that clear?" She declared in a hoarse voice.

No one replied, but it seemed like the message had gotten through. Chris only raised an eyebrow and turned his head to look at the girl in front of him. So Miss. Potter was a goody goody. He almost laughed out loud. Mrs. Erlenmeyer snorted triumphantly and then dropped the clipboard on Gabrielle's desk. "All the names of the students that should be here are written here…." She muttered, before standing up and leaving the classroom. At once the room began buzzing. Chris snorted and stretched. So how was the bitch going to handle the class now?

Gabrielle slowly slid out of her seat and turned to face the classroom. It was the first time Chris had actually gotten a full view of her face. The two words that came to his mind were…very petite. The girl had a delicate yet angelic face. Her violet colored eyes blinked rapidly and she nervously glanced down at the clipboard. Chris grinned playfully as he tried spinning his pen on his finger. Maybe she was a mute….

"Everyone shut up please!" Her sudden voice blasted through the room, shutting up even Michael Hamps and George Greene. All eyes slowly gazed up to her. Chris frowned….so she had a voice! The girl peered across the room, eying each person dangerously. And then she cleared her voice. "If I recall correctly, Mrs. Erlenmeyer made it clear that detention shall remain quiet…."

"Shut up!"

Chris's head snapped up lightly to hear a voice call out from the back of the room. Usually in this case, it would have been him if he was back there. He slowly turned around to see a few of the football players grinning up at them playfully. The rest of the students laughed silently with them but Chris remained still. He couldn't laugh, only because it was the bastard Aiden McAdams who had said it. There was no way in hell Chris would be caught actually laughing along with the airhead. Football players were dumber than doornails. Instead, Chris yawned and stared up at Miss. Gabrielle Potter. Unfortunately, she didn't flinch at all.

Her eyes wore an amuse glint and she lifted her chin slightly.

"Aiden McAdams is it?" She questioned loudly. Aiden laughed hoarsely from the back of the room.

"Damn right!" The class chuckled along again at his arrogance. Gabrielle then slyly smiled before she returned to looking down at her clipboard.

"Good…." She muttered loud enough for the rest of the room to hear. "That's two detentions and two Saturdays." A small smile danced on Chris's face as he finally lifted his head and turned around to take a look at the bastard's face. Aiden McAdams had been taken by surprised as well. He had straightened up and was now glaring at her aimlessly. The idiot….But her threat had worked well and now the class was silent. Chris curiously watched as she cleared her throat to take attendance. She must have been pretty hard headed to not care about her situation. Starting shit with Aiden McAdams meant that starting tomorrow she would probably be hunted down by the Clemington Aiden McAdams fan club. Sucks for her….. Chris lazily lifted his hand high enough for Gabrielle to catch it from the corner of her eye. She slowly turned and glared down at him, her facial expression basically yelling a, 'what do you want!?" look.

"I have to go use the bathroom," Chris grinned and dropped his hand to the desk. The humorous glint that she held with Aiden had disappeared and now she was glaring at him full force.

"This is detention. You can't use the bathroom." Yeah, he knew that. But hey….if he had to ask to piss just to strike up conversation with the bitch, the he had to.

"But I really gotta piss…" he said, sitting up. Her eyes narrowed.

"Then pee in your pants for all I care. You can't leave the classroom….and I know you know that Donovan." Her words almost sounded venomous….but unfortunately for her, Chris Donovan had a sister as well. And so far, no one had ever bitten his head off the way Neely had. But this girl….

"You should at least let me go seeing that it IS your fault I'm stuck here in the first place," Chris suddenly spoke, making her head lift from the clipboard again. She snorted lightly.

"Hate to break it to you, but you coming to class unprepared has nothing to do with me." She had a point….the bitch! Chris's eyes narrowed, she had no right to speak to him like that! She was the reason!

"Yeah but if I remember correctly, you were the one who decided to snap at me for asking for a pencil." He saw her jaw tense and she took a step forward, dropping the clipboard on his desk.

"Look Donovan, get over it. Shouldn't you be busy planning your weekend plans or something? You couldn't possibly hold a grudge over a little detention. From looking at the records, you come here a little more than often," her chin lowered and then her lips opened slightly. "I don't care who you think you are, or how great you are. But you're nothing to me. You're lower than dirt, so don't try to threaten me or scare me. You don't intimidate me one damn bit. If you have any other rude remarks, keep them to yourself or I would gladly like to add your name along with your buddy back there." Her chin lifted towards the back of the room to indicate that she was talking about Aiden. She straightened and then triumphantly stared down at Chris.

Chris would have punched her if she wasn't a girl. No one. No ONE spoke to him like that. That little fucking bitch was only a damn stereotypical twit who based her assumptions off the stupid idiots that attended Clemington.

Something suddenly came over Chris like a typhoon. He would prove to the little shit that he was more than what meets the eyes…


I slammed the door behind me and quickly leaned back on it. My hand was still gripped tightly around my bag. What the hell was up with that? My heart was pounding….actually pounding over Devon?! I swallowed and slowly took a step forward.

"What is wrong with me?" I muttered…letting my bag drop to the ground as I headed toward the kitchen. Maybe it was because he used my name. I nodded at my thoughts. That was probably the reason! I was only getting flustered because Devon used my name in place of his 'mystery girl'. I shuddered, remembering how close we were inside his car. I forced a nervous laugh again. It was Devon! Only Devon! Devon the boy who pulled incredibly lame pranks with my brother on me…..Devon the boy who didn't care if I burped louder than him!

So why was I worked up over him? I sighed and slid into the wooden chair around the dining table. What the hell was wrong with me? I suddenly straightened up and narrowed my eyes. Maybe Steven was lying when he said he caught me. I probably DID fall and hit my head HARD on the ground when I passed out. And not only had that happened….I acted like a complete IDIOT! I was probably blushing like Emma Rose or Trista Rowen when they saw my brother. No….no…..what the hell was going?! Devon probably knew right away when I started acting weird. How could he NOT notice?

"Arghhh!" I screamed in frustration and scrambled from my seat. Nope….I was NOT blushing over Devon. I wouldn't admit to it even if I was. Devon Matthews would never make me blush…maybe turn red out of anger but not BLUSH over him. Plus…..I had a date with Steven Carmichael tomorrow night.

My eyes widened at the sudden realization. I was going on a date? Five minutes ago I had actually confessed that I wanted a boyfriend senior year to Devon without even realizing that I had a date. A DATE! Was that a good thing or bad thing? Was I supposed to be excited….happy….giddy? I shuddered again and hugged myself. Tomorrow, would I be fretting over what to wear and how to comb my hair? We were going to party…. a PARTY! I never went to parties…I've been to parties but never actually went to A party. Parties….like the ones Chris attended every night where people stripped and got drunk (described by Chris and Devon every morning after hangovers). Would the party I go to….be like that? I didn't even know who was throwing it and I agreed. Suddenly all these question bombarded like hungry piranhas.

And then the main question smacked me in the face. What would Chris said if I told him? Better yet….What would Chris DO to Steven if he ever found out?


I ate my cereal silently as Chris gobbled down his toast. The boy looked like he had just rolled out of bed, with his long hair sticking out in six hundred different directions. Ever since he had come home from detention, he had been bitching out on every body. I swallowed the last of my Frosted Flakes and sent another weary look at my brother.

Not a good time to bring up a certain something that I had promised to a certain someone yesterday. I licked my lips and slowly slid out of the seat. Chris sighed and then his eyes averted towards me. I wondered if I looked guilty….

"Neels. Do I look conceited to you?" He suddenly asked, his green eyes blinking back at me. Dark bags rimmed the bottom of his eyes. Someone didn't get much sleep….. I raised a confused eyebrow.

"Are you seriously asking me that?" I asked. Chris nodded quickly and crossed his arms over his white shirt.

"Am I?"

"From what point of view? Mine or someone else's?"

"Both."

"Then you're conceited."

I saw his eyes flash dangerously and he stood up abruptly. "No I'm not," he hissed. I shrugged and watched as he stomped towards the bathroom.

"Then why did you ask me if you're not going to even listen to what I say?" His reply to that was to slam the bathroom door hard. I frowned. What was up his ass?

I didn't have time to think before our house phone began to ring. I rolled my eyes at the bathroom door and trotted towards the phone.

"Hello?" I answered in a monotone voice. Chris never made sense. You would think that I as his twin would at least sense something out of him. But he was such a hard person to read.

"Is Neely there?" A masculine voice spoke up. My eyes widened and I lifted the phone from my ear and peered at the receiver. Why I did that? I was odd…. "Hello?" The voice asked again.

"This is her….." I trailed off slowly. Who would call her now?

"Hey, it's Steven…." I sighed, Steven would call now. I managed a smile and quickly glanced back at the door my brother had disappeared through. Hopefully he wasn't a snooping idiot.

"Hey…how'd you get my number?"

"Asked around…." He muttered. I raised an eyebrow and my mouth formed a small 'o'. "Yeah, seems everyone knows who Chris Donovan is." My 'o' turned into a grim line and I rolled my eyes. Typical.

"Yeah...guess they do." I heard him chuckle on the opposite line and then he cleared his throat.

"About tonight…..are we still on?" Still on? Did that mean I could back out?

"Yeah." Me and my mouth.

"That's great. The party starts around seven….what time do you want me to pick you up?" He asked. I heard him shuffling through something but decided to ignore it.

"Doesn't matter…." Maybe after Chris left the house….if he was.

"Seven thirty then?" He suggested. I smiled and nodded, forgetting to use my mouth. My heart dropped when I saw the bathroom door and Chris trudge in (still mumbling to himself). He stopped at the threshold and glanced up at me. "Neely, you there?" Steven called out again.

"Yeah." I quickly replied turning my back towards my brother. Why couldn't I just tell him? It wasn't like Chris would make a big deal out of it….WRONG.

"So seven thirty is good then?"

"Yeah…." I trailed off. "Sounds good." I heard him chuckle again.

"See you then."

"Bye…." I trailed off, feeling Chris's eyes burn holes through my back. I gulped as I gently set the phone back into the cradle and turn to face my worst nightmare. Chris had one raised eyebrow and then he sighed.

"Am I really conceited Neely? Like really? Like when you look at me the first thing you see written across me is 'conceited'?" I sighed in relief….and then frowned. What in the world was he babbling about? "I mean if I was conceited….I would boast a lot right?"

"You DO boast a lot." His eyes narrowed.

"But I don't prance around like I own the school."

"You don't own it, your rule it, Chris." I saw him growl quietly and then cursed.

"Am I intimidating?" My jaw dropped.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Just answer me. Am I intimidating?" I shook my head out of annoyance.

"Why are you suddenly asking me all of this?" His lips curled lightly and he leaned back against the wall.

"Okay one last question then….." I groaned and walked passed the idiot. "Do I look like a party animal?"

"Chris, I don't know what you're on, but can't you answer these questions yourself? What do you do every freaking night?" His shoulders sagged again.

"Parties…" he mumbled. I Nodded.

"Where will you be going tonight?" I took a step closer. He sighed.

"A party."

"Exactly. So…..are you a party animal?

"Just because I go to parties doesn't make me a party animal." I gave him a dead silent stare. Chris sighed as he caught my drift and then pushed off the wall. "So I get a little drunk…."

"Chris! Stop with the twenty questions!" He backed up against the wall and raised his hands in defeat.

"Fine….god."

I only shrugged and trudged towards the stairs. Maybe Chris was finally turning over a new leaf like I was. He was beginning to doubt his….ways. And I….I Neely Donovan…..had a date tonight.


My mother raised an eyebrow as she walked into my room. Her light blonde hair was tied into a messy pony tail on top of her head. The two rubber yellow gloves in her hands meant only one thing: She was in cleaning mode.

"Neely, what are you doing?" I was sitting in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection.

"Mom….you think I'm makeup material?" I asked, turning my face from side to side. I heard her snort and walk up behind me.

"Everyone is makeup material. But not everyone is naturally beautiful…." She crouched down to glance in the mirror as well. My mother was supermodel material. Even with her hair as messy as it was….she looked like someone straight from Sports Illustrated. I always thought blondes were dumb, but my mother had set out to prove them all wrong. She had bright green eyes (where Chris and I had inherited our eye color) and luscious lips that were always a fair shade of pink. She was one of those naturally beautiful that she had just referred to.

Just thinking of it brought my mind racing back to what Allison Hart had said to me during lunch. She had called me gorgeous. The thought almost made me laugh. I was no where close to gorgeous. My mother always said I was pretty….and I knew I wasn't hideous. But there were times (many times) actually, when people would come up and say how beautiful I was. My body was no where close to my mother's. Like I said, she had a body that could model bikinis….while I had more of an athletic built. Instead of light golden hair….I had dark hair (inherited from my father). And since my father WAS half Serbian…I inherited golden tanned skin. I'm not saying I glow and I'm not completely dark…I just have the tint of gold…but I'm not pale like my mother either… I wasn't a fake like the rest of the girls that walked our halls. Chris said….I looked natural.

I was taller than my mother…which I believe was the only trait that ever beat hers. She stood around 5'6 while I stood a spanking 5'8. Not VERY tall, but not VERY short either. I played volleyball though….. I weighed a good 125 which I thought was pretty good for my height. And I doubt that I had curves the way Allison had described it.

Chris on the other hand….we didn't look too much alike. In fact it was almost a 180. We had the sibling look…not the twin look. Instead of my pure brown dark hair, Chris's hair was a dirty blonde (mix from father and mother.) We both had the same color eyes…one of our other similar traits. I have never found anyone with the same kind of green eyes as ours. He was tall…standing probably 6'1 or 6'2. He made me look short…but that was because he had every right. He was a boy after all. I remembered in seventh grade when I WAS taller than him. Jealousy and fights between the two of us occurred a LOT that year. Then come freshman year when suddenly he was the talk of the school. Anyways….Chris was built. Not overly built where all you see are muscles muscles muscles…..but it was in a way where everything evened out correctly. He was slightly tanned as well was lighter than me. I guess he took more of my father's side.

Speaking of which….my father had passed away in an accident when Chris and I were six. Meaning yes….we were single parented….and yes, fatherless. But remember when I said my mother had set out to prove that not all blondes were ditzes? Well she was a busy woman….working every day of the week as the wonderful lawyer that she was. Giving my brother….all the time he wanted and needed to party. The only time she WAS home was during the day time when we were at school (most of the time) and during the weekends she would work at night at the office.

"Why are you asking?" My mother asked, setting down the sponge in her right hand on my counter. I shrugged. She smiled (showing her white teeth) and turned to face me. "You know…you look more and more like your father every day. It's a no wonder I've been getting phone calls from Jean Harper about those modeling offers." I rolled my eyes. Did I mention I get the weirdest offers?

"Mom….but seriously, am I dull?"

"Why would you be dull?" Her eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed… "Did your brother say something mean again?" I laughed and shook my head. "Then what is it you're trying to ask?"

"Am I likeable?" I piped out quietly. From the reaction in my mother's face…. I knew I had just crossed over THAT line. The line where your mother will finally sit you down and give you 'the talk'.

"Why wouldn't you be likeable? You're a very pretty and intelligent girl…."

"Yeah….but people tend to like girls who are sexy and brainless…" aka Chris. It seemed like Chris wasn't the only one asking more than one question today.

"But you're better than that. Neely….if you're talking about those girls that I see Chris and Devon bring over here….you are so much better than that. Yes….those two are somewhat….stupid at times. But I raised your brother well (well enough)….to know how to judge people. He knows that those girls aren't anything but entertainment. He's only doing it for the kicks…." Ahh….she is our mother. And she knows us so well.

"So you never answered my question. Am I makeup material?"

"Little makeup…." She said, standing up. I heard the sudden familiar ring tone of my mother's cell phone. Feliz Navidad. My mother smiled at me and hurried out the door. Seconds later I heard the familiar saying…

"Natalia Donovan speaking? How may I help you?"

I grinned and glanced at my reflection again. This oughta be great!


Chris hastily took a large bite out of his apple as he neared Neely's door. Apparently the conversation with her earlier did not make him any happier. Chris made a fist and took another bite. He didn't know why he was so worked up over some girl who he didn't even give a crap about. All she did was TRY to tell him off, but he wasn't supposed to be so affected by it. Damn her!

"Yeah….but people tend to like girls who are sexy and brainless…." He heard Neely's muffled voice from the other side of the door. He froze and leaned in.

"But you're better than that. Neely…if you're talking about those girls that I see Chris and Devon bring over here…." Chris frowned at his mother's choice of words. How could Neely even compare herself to them? They were just meat that he used for entertainment! "….you are so much better than that. Yes….those two are somewhat….stupid at times…." Stupid? He was NOT stupid. He and Neely had the same GPA last year! Chris almost bolted in to scream his head off. Why was everyone so keen on getting him pissed off lately?

"I am not stupid…" he mumbled leaning into the door, taking another bite from the apple.

"But I raised your brother well…" Well enough….Chris mentally thought as he backed away from the door. Anyways…this conversation was going somewhere far beyond 'boy world'. It was starting to actually become 'girl talk' and Chris did not want to be around when 'the talk' came around. Fuck, he didn't even trust his mom to give Neely THAT talk. Their mom may have been the parent of the house, but that didn't mean she knew MORE than Chris did. In fact….Chris may just be the master of it all. He grinned to himself….but no way in hell was he planning to go anywhere that subject with Neely. Plus….she went to high school too; it wasn't like she was left completely out of the dark. The girl didn't walk around the school in basically a bikini….THANK GOD!

And fighting off boys was a big issue when it came to Neely. Yeah…Neely had every right to go and 'date'….but Chris knew that half of the male population wanted more than just to 'date'. And he would never admit it her face….but Neely wasn't raggedy Anne either. He never really gave a shit what Neely did until middle year when guys (LOTS OF THEM) randomly asked Chris about Neely.

Neely was a loser. In the eyes of the big brother (by half an hour), the girl would remain the dimwit who wore pigtails and gave him a bloody nose every damn day of their life. But what other guys were seeing was pissing Chris the hell off. Thankfully, eighth grade year Chris had met Devon; therefore, recruiting another partner to help fight the horny bastards from his little sister.

Neely was too good for them. And if he EVER caught her with some guy he didn't like….he would kick her ass shortly after he murdered him.

To make a long explanation short. He was and would probably forever be…..an overprotective brother.


Chris watched as his mother rushed down the stairs. The annoying tune Feliz Navidad was ringing next to him. She glanced up at him and smiled.

"Eating something healthy for once?" she muttered, before picking the silver cell. He only shrugged and popped the carrot into his mouth. He had a big appetite! And luckily for him he had the kind of body that would never get fat. Basically he had one hott body.

Chris swore to himself when he found himself being 'conceited' again. He knew he was good looking. No….that was an understatement. He was VERY good looking…..hott. According to every girl that he had ever met…..he was… 'the hottest guy they've ever met'. And he wasn't stupid either. Jocks were stereotyped as stupid and airheads (which most of them were), but Chris was an exception. Yeah he was….a party animal, but he managed to do just as well as Neely who actually studied from time to time.

So he was a perfect score. Looks, body, grades, power…..womanizer. He frowned as he watched his mother chat away. Okay…so he liked women. But every seventeen year old going on eighteen boy liked women. It was like a rule…tradition….a FACT. But again, he didn't always waste time chasing them. They came to him. He just went along with the flow…and he couldn't very well control himself when he was drunk. People like Casey Craig, Emma Rose or even the dark hair whore was in his least interest. They pranced around showing thigh and wearing designer boots when their personality sucked hell.

But….there was no one that Chris had ever met that ever did NOT want him. It was supposed to be a game for him. Lose one get another. He was smart….

When he didn't want to be bothered, he made it clear that he didn't want them to waste their time. He never cheated (and even if he did Neely would hunt him down for all he was worth)…and he watched himself. Chris Donovan did not want to be father at the age of eighteen. So yes….he watched himself.

Chris's eyes averted to the rapping at the front screen door. He sighed and trudged slowly, grabbing another apple. He watched as Devon helped himself in and glanced up at him.

"What up?" Devon asked loudly, closing the door behind him. Chris shrugged and tossed the apple at his friend. Devon caught it swiftly and brought it to his mouth. "We're leaving soon." He mumbled as he took a bite.

Chris shrugged again and plopped down onto the stairs. Devon glanced over at his friend. "What are you pissing about now?" Chris sent a glare at his friend and yawned.

"Do you find me intimidating?"


I froze as I heard Devon's voice from my bedroom. Shit…. Weren't they supposed to be gone by now? I quickly hurried to the door and placed my ear against it. Sure enough, Devon was speaking to my brother.

"Why are you asking?

"Just answer the damn question Dev, do you find me intimidating?"

"How should I know?"

I almost laughed. My brother was so VERY odd.

"NEELY!" I groaned as I heard Chris yell my name throughout the house. "NEELY!"

"I'm coming!" I screamed as I gripped the handle and jerked it open.

"NEELY! GET YOUR ASS…"

"What do you want?!" I screamed as I reached the top of the stairs. My heart nearly jumped as I saw Devon look up at me from the door. He wore the usual baggy jeans and a white undershirt under his black leather jacket. His blue eyes peered up at me from under his bangs. I gripped the banister and took a deep breath. What was I doing? Now I was actually taking notice of how Devon looked? I jerked my eyes away from his and peered down at my brother. "Stop calling my name."

Chris turned around lazily and looked up at me. I almost cringed as his eyes turned into saucers. He was up in an instant.

"What the hell is that?!" He pointed roughly at my body. I only peered down and raised an eyebrow…though I knew very well what he was talking about.

"Don't act dumb. What the hell is THAT?" This time he marched up and jabbed his finger towards my jean skirt. I swallowed.

"It's a skirt Chris. I thought you would know at least a thing or two about women's clothing…." His green eyes flashed dangerously and he pointed again at me.

"A god damn short skirt is what it is! Where the fuck do you plan on going in that?!" I rolled my eyes and looked down at myself. It was no where close to….short.

"Chris….this is NOT short. Look at it!" It really wasn't. Most jeans skirts that I had seen Casey Craig or Trista Rowen or even the rest of the female population wear were at least close to being underwear. My skirt…yes had the tight fitting look that most skirts did….but it fit perfectly well and stopped at the border of my knee. Chris shook his head again.

"What's this?" He screamed pointing at the slit that cut from the middle part. I rolled my eyes and focused my attention at the silent figure still leaning against the window. He was only staring up at me. For some reason, Devon Matthews staying quiet at a time like this was not normal. I lifted my chin up and ignored my brother's ranting.

"Spit it out Matthews..." I hissed at his serious expression. He seemed to have jolted back from day dreaming and he suddenly straightened up.

"Why are you all dressed up?" He asked slowly. I frowned. I wasn't dressed up. It was pretty casual to me. Chris and Devon were probably getting all worked up because I usually never wore skirts. My hair was combed neatly this time, and I wore a bit more makeup than I usually did (which consisted of eyeliner and lip-gloss). I chose a top that my older cousin from Chicago had bought me….a dark red vintage button up.

"No reason. I decided to wear it today…." I said, walking past Chris who had at some point shut up. I could feel the idiot glaring at me. I smiled triumphantly and began skipping down the stairs passed Devon. "So what time will you guys be home tonight?" I asked, walking into the kitchen. I could hear Devon and Chris's footsteps behind me as I scooted onto the breakfast bar and pulled out a carrot.

"Dunno…." I heard Devon reply as he walked around the granite counter to face me. Chris was as quick as he was….both staring at me.

"What's wrong with you two? Never seen a girl in a skirt before?" Totally untrue….but the two were acting like complete morons. Chris shook his head violently.

"I've know you for seventeen years…..and I know when you're lying to me. Neely what the hell are you planning?" He narrowed his eye dangerously. I sneered at him and stood up.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Neely stop trying to change the subject!" Chris turned abruptly and grabbed Devon's collar. With a jerk forward Devon slightly stumbled in front of me. I rolled my eyes again. "Devon, tell her she looks ridiculous." Devon bit his lip and continued to peer down at me. Why the hell was he being so quiet?

"You look ridiculous…" he finally muttered. Before I could say anything, two skinny hands suddenly pried my brother and his best friend away from me by the ear. I smiled as I saw my mother's head poke in between the two of them.

"She looks fine. You two stop making Neely fell subconscious about herself. Look at those beautiful legs I gave my baby…." I felt a blush creeping up her face as her mother spoke and she turned away quickly.

"But Mom!"

"Stop Christopher. If I let you waltz around in those baggy jeans of yours showing those unattractive boxers…then I might as well let Neely wear a skirt." Chris's eyes narrowed and he sent another death glare at me. I couldn't help but giggle and shrug. My mother smiled again and turned to face Devon. "Now Devon, please don't tell me that you don't think she looks gorgeous in that outfit."

This time I blushed again. What in the world was my mother doing? She saved me from a pack of hyenas and now she was feeding me to the wolves! "MOM!" I screamed, covering my face. My mother ignored me and gave Devon a friendly squeeze on the arm.

"Don't you think she's beautiful?" I heard Chris snort and then a slap most likely from my mother. My hands dropped from my face and I glared at Devon. He was probably going to sneak in a rude remark or something. Something that he and Chris always did! And once my mother was out of view and I was back in my sweat pants….I will definitely be trying the new death hold on him.

"Yeah….she's beautiful." My ears perked and then my head snapped up. Did I just hear….? My green orbs suddenly met the icy blue ones. Once again I felt it. My heart was racing like it had the day before. What the hell is wrong with me?! Another blush was going to dance on my face soon. I pouted. His eyes remained on mine and he wasn't making much movement either. In fact he was pretty much ignoring my brother who was punching him in the arm rather harshly.

"You liar," I said coldly. His eyes made a take back, and then the suddenly cool confident look returned to Devon's eyes. An annoying smirk came flying back onto his face.

"Though you might try shaving a bit…." He started, glancing downwards. I gasped at his remark and angrily let my jaw drop. That little son of a…. He took a step closer and lifted my chin with one finger, turning my head from side to side. "I guess the extra pound of makeup did fix you up a bit. Now you actually look worth walking next to…."

"DEVON!" I screamed, pushing his finger off my face. The ranting from my brother had disappeared long ago and now he was practically on the floor laughing his ass off. Devon smirked and took a step back. "You are impossible!" I turned around in rage and rushed towards the staircase. I hated them…I truly hated my brother and his best friend.


"Christopher Dane Donovan!" Chris winced as his mother pointed a finger at him, and then turned to face Devon. "Devon Jonah Matthews!" Devon winced as well. They were in trouble. "I can't believe you two! You should at least treat her with respect for once! Neely is a girl after all!"

"Hardly doubt it…" Chris started before his mother's hand smacked him across the head again.

"You just had to go and upset her once again. How many times do I have to tell you that girls aren't as emotionally strong as boys are? Neely has to live with the two of you on her case twenty four-seven!" Chris sighed as he edged closer to Devon. Yet again….another one of Natalia Donovan lectures. She then whipped around and pointed down the hallway, that lead towards the stairs. "Now I want the BOTH of you to apologize to her!"

"But Mom! We have to go!" He whined. Yes….even Chris Donovan whined against his mother. Unfortunately Natalia Donovan knew her children well.

"Nope. Not until one of you guys apologize!"

"I'll go." Devon had finally decided to speak up. Both heads turned towards him. Chris groaned and pushed his buddy towards the stairs.

"Make it quick."

"Why? We always show up late at parties anyways."

"Yeah but I don't want to waste time apologizing to the Nazi upstairs." Devon nodded and slowly headed up the stairs. Chris sighed and glanced back at his mother who was now glaring at him. He was alone to face the wrath.


"Stupid boys…" I muttered as I leaned down to look in the mirror. How dare Devon speak to me that way? How dare he! I wasn't even as dressed up as they made it sound! All I wore was a jean skirt! I rolled my eyes and sat back on my bed.

"Neely?" Devon's voice echoed from the opposite side of my door.

"What do you want?" I hissed. I heard the door open slowly and Devon stepped in….the same annoying smirk plastered onto his face. I groaned. "What?"

"Chris and I are sorry…." He said quickly, stuffing his hands in his pocket and looking around. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah right. I bet my mother pulled the, 'Christopher Dane Donovan' and 'Devon Jonah Matthews' on you," I imitated my mother's voice. Devon's smirk turned into a softer smile and he sat down on my bed.

"Yeah well….we are sorry." He said, rubbing his eyes.

"Right," I replied. Devon's eyes flickered up to meet mine and he suddenly reached out to grab my wrist.

"You know I was just kidding, Neels." I raised an eyebrow and slid my wrist from his grasp.

"Is that so?" Devon groaned and stood up, pointing an accusing finger at me.

"You know your brother. He hates every guy that even thinks about turning their head to look at you. And wearing a skirt isn't going to make it any better," he snorted and turned his head away like a two year old. My jaw dropped and I scrambled up as well.

"Well excuse me for being a GIRL."

"Yeah well we're tired of beating every guy that you walk by. Give us a break for once!" I was so…SO close to tackling him. Instead I pointed a finger at his nose.

"I never ASKED you to do that! Stop being so immature!" Devon rolled his eyes and slapped my finger away.

"We're just protecting you."

"From what?"

"From guys like us, Neely!" I snorted.

"I can take care of myself, thank you very much. I know how to judge guys….." Devon's eyes seemed to hardened and I knew he was hesitating on saying something. Instead he swallowed and nodded his head.

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Tell that to your brother."

"Like he'll listen."

"Next time you need help, don't come begging me…."

"Never have….never will."

And with that….Devon Matthews stalked out of my room angrily. Him and his temper! I wanted to scream into a pillow at that moment.

"Stupid boys…." I muttered again, before slamming the door close.


Chris grinned as they approached Stanford's mansion. It was very well situated far back in the woods….so that meant that cops never came around even if the party got too out of hand, which was why Stanford always threw the best parties. There was another thing about parties that people had to learn. Never drive your own car. Yeah it was easier to go from places to places….but when the cops did raid them; it was easy excess to disappear without the trouble of the car, which was why Devon and Chris always got rides from someone on the soccer team.

Stanford's place was rather large. He was probably the richest boy in the county. From the looks of it the place was beyond packed. People were obviously wasted already. Hundreds of people stood outside laughing and climbing on each other crazily. Others were bent over the bushes and trees throwing up. Loud music could be heard from inside, and judging from how many people were outside, a lot more were probably inside. Chris cast Devon a devilish look.

Devon on the other hand looked pissed as well. Somehow….Chris had his money on the fact that Neely had probably said something to piss him off once again. Jason's car came to a stop and some people turned to look at the new arrivals. People from different schools drunkenly turned their heads as Jason and a few soccer players scrambled out. Chris only nudged his friend who held the dark expression.

"What did she do?"

"Who?"

"My sister."

"Nothing."

"Then why are you pissed?"

"No reason…." Devon answered turning to look out the tinted window. It always seemed that Chris Donovan and Devon Matthews were the last to get out of the car. It was tradition. The grand entrance!

Devon turned and pushed open the door and climbed out. Chris only shrugged and turned to open the opposite door. A sudden gasp from the crowd of people could be heard and Chris couldn't help but smile. Hell yeah….

Everyone knew Chris and Devon. Everyone.

"Omigod! They're actually here!" He heard someone scream from the lawn. If they added a red carpet….it might as well be the Academy awards. Chris slowly walked up to Devon side and snorted.

"Fuck it…." He mumbled loud enough for the dark haired boy to hear.

"Chris!" A sudden screech penetrated the air. All heads turned to the front porch where Trista Rowen was stumbling in a white mini skirt and orange bikini top, one plastic red cup in her hand. Chris swallowed.

"Shit…." He muttered. It was too late; the girl slowly jogged up to him and threw two skinny tanned arms around him. He caught her with an 'oomph' and stumbled back against the car. The scene even received a snicker from Devon.

"You look so hott tonight!" She slurred, as Chris tried prying her off his neck without looking too rough. She laughed again and attached herself once again on him. "But then again you always look hott!" Chris smiled nervously and cast another deadly glare at his friend who watched with an enlightened look.

"Get her off me…" he hissed quietly. Devon shrugged.

"Fuck it…" Chris would have tackled his friend if Trista hadn't pulled back and began dragging him towards the door. Devon slowly followed in suit.

Once inside, bottled beers were thrust into their faces. Chris smirked and took a hold of one while Devon did the same. People turned to look at them while the whole room seemed to echo with sweaty bodies shouting their names. Chris only nodded as Trista continued to drag him towards the living room. A lot of people were dancing on the floor, laughing and making out…quite typical at parties. Chris waved at his friends as he was weaved around the packed room to the sofa where he was suddenly tossed.

He saw Devon not too far away laugh and turn away as Trista was suddenly on top of him, kissing his neck madly. Chris shrugged as he brought the alcohol in his hand around her back and take a sip. Yep…tonight he was going to get drunk fucking good….

Fuck Gabrielle Potter for pissing him off.


I pushed open the screen door and waved as Steven's green Jeep Wrangler pulled onto my driveway. He waved back and watched as I hurried to the car.

"You look great!" He commented as he unlocked the door for me. I smiled back and climbed in. Steven wore baggy khaki's and a nice forest green collar shirt. It seemed he looked like a boy who dressed well even if he went to parties. Chris on the other hand, had left the house wearing once again baggy jeans and a red t-shirt.

"Uh…so where are we going again?" Yes, a stupid question….but he never really gave me much details. Steven smiled and twisted his torso to look out the back. I blushed as his chest almost hit my nose. He smelled good….

Stupid me.

Steven turned back and faced me, his hazel eyes twinkling as he spoke.

"Party at Stanford's."


A/N: So I updated as soon as I can, and this was supposed to be longer but I just wanted to get it out. So can you tell…..

From Neely's POV to Chris's. Hope you guys don't mind.

And I'm sure you guys already know exactly what's going to happen next….hopefully. About the language….Chris swears a lot. But that's how his character is.

Not a lot of Devon and Neely in this chapter….but there will be a lot in the next.

So from out of the guys….most of you guys liked Devon! Good.

Thanks for all the reviews!

Chookstar, CATs177, that-is-so-barbie, PassionObsession,LiLaTLuv. Fading Shadow of Vengeance, Cbprice25, Springfry, Jolly B, WickedIceMaiden, bipolar-magician, girldevil, No Life, msQTpa2T, DEADFISH, xTAmx, sugaraddict13, AttitudeE01, Falle1, FamousOneLiners,

Thanks for all the reviews and to the anonymous ones too. If you have any questions email me.

What do you think will happen next?

If I get a good amount of reviews, then I'll try to post as soon as possible.

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