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"We are all on this earth to help each other.  What the others are here for, I don't know." - W. H. Auden.

Dedication: Caesium- for the amazing cover! Thank you so much!

Recap:

"That's it," Mr Hyder sighed, pursing his lips. "You're both in for after school detention."

Scowling, I tried to fight the anger, but I couldn't. Picking up his pencil, I snapped it, needing to break something.

Just great.

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"If you don't shut up, I'm going to stick this pen in your eye," I snapped.

Chase just grinned at me. "You wouldn't ruin my pretty face like that."

I scowled at him. I wanted to remark that he didn't have a pretty face, but considering my boyfriend was literally identical to him, that would be a bit awkward. And he knew it, too.

"Can't even deny it," he remarked, his grin widening. "I knew you'd eventually start to like me."

I let out a laugh. "Like you? Don't flatter yourself."

"Let's hang out on Sunday, what do you say? Go for a romantic walk, have dinner by the water..." he trailed off, wriggling his eyebrows.

"I can do all those things with your brother. Thanks for the offer."

"Not on Sunday," he taunted.

He did have a point there.

"Doesn't have to be the specific day."

"I would always make time for you."

I just rolled my eyes. "Visiting your grandmother is a bit more worthwhile than taking a walk, don't you think?"

"Not when she doesn't even know who he is."

"You are such an ass," I bit out. "Don't you ever get sick of the sound of your own voice?"

He opened his mouth to retort, but Mr Hyder slipped back into the room, a cup of coffee in his hand. He glanced down at his watch.

"You guys can probably head off now. But I just want to make it clear, I won't have you disrupting my class again. I don't want you seated together anymore. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," I remarked.

I'm glad he asked us to be separated. I would stop turning up to my favourite class, just to be rid of Chase's presence.

After inhaling a deep lungful of the fresh air, I began to stride home.

"Want to-"

"Fuck off," I snapped.

"Woah."

I whirled around, glaring at him. "I don't know what game you're trying to play but I'm not interested. Leave me and Xavier alone, got it?"

"Where's the fun in that?"

"I swear to God-"

"I hear your dad's back."

My words died down as I stared at him. I didn't reply.

"You get along with him?"

"Why?" I asked slowly.

He just shrugged. "Would just be a shame if anything happened to him, that's all."

The blood in my veins turned cold.

Chase was going to be a dead man, if he laid one finger on my father.

***

After staying up, completely freaking out half the night, I had finally passed out into a coma-like state.

Which was now being interrupted.

What did Chase mean by that? Was that an actual threat? 

Someone was prodding at my cheek. I slapped the hand away, grumbling. "Go away."

"Come on, wake up."

"Beat it."

"I'm bored!"

Peering through my right eyelid, I stared at my dad, who was grinning at me.

"Go do adult stuff," I mumbled, smooshing my face into my pillow.

"Come on, let's go do something."

"I'm busy, sorry."

"I have to punish you for your detention."

"Mr Hyder already covered that."

"Well, I decided to wake you up. I know that's punishment enough for you."

"And now that you have," I said, rolling over to the other side of the bed.

Suddenly, the sheets were ripped from me. I groaned. He was just like Xavier.

Wrapping his arms around my waist, he hauled me up. I screamed as my legs began flapping in the air and my forehead head-butted my dad's kneecap.

"What the hell!"

Slowly wading to the bathroom, dad did this weird shuffle thing and somehow I managed to get to my feet without falling head first into the tiles.

"Now, be ready in 10 minutes."

I glared at him. "That is impossible. And what the hell were you thinking?"

"See you downstairs!" he sang, skipping out of the room.

I just shook my head.

My father is a child.

***

I missed driving with my dad.

I missed the smell of the leather seats. I missed the loud engine. I missed the tear in the seat I had accidentally caused when I was younger.

"Well, you've had an attitude adjustment," dad commented. "Amazing what a shower can do to you."

"I can't function without one," I agreed. "Where are we going?"

He shrugged. "Thought we'd do the headland walk, like we used to."

"Oh cool. We haven't done that in ages."

"I know. Thought it was about time." He nodded, drumming his hands on the steering wheel. "Where did you say Xavier went?"

"He visits his grandmother every Sunday."

"That's nice of him."

"Sounds like she did a lot for him." I said, not sure how much I should tell dad. "I wish I got to meet my grandma."

"Me too," dad sighed. "She was fiery, just like you."

"Sounds like a cool chick."

"She was."

"How did she die again?" I asked.

Dad didn't really talk about his parents much. I don't associate with mum's because she isn't apart of the family anymore. Which sucks. I would have liked to have a relationship with at least one of my grandparents.

"My dad had a heart attack at the wheel. They both died in the same accident."

My stomach clenched. "Ah... That's right. That would have been horrible for you."

"It was."

I grew silent, wishing I hadn't asked.

"That's why I've made sure we were close. Nothing like losing a parent."

I stared at him.

"I basically have already lost one."

"Faith."

"No, don't sit here and defend her. You always do and that really pisses me off."

"I think you should try and have a relationship with your mother. I know she hasn't been a good parent, but you might regret not trying one day."

"God, you sound just like Xavier," I sighed. "If she wanted me in her life, then she wouldn't have abandoned us. She could have divorced you and still had some custody of me. She didn't need to pack up and want nothing to do with us."

He pressed his lips into a thin line and didn't respond. He knows I would only retaliate. My mother is always a topic that increases my blood pressure.

We were silent the rest of the trip. The truck came to a shuddering stop as dad pulled into the car park. I tumbled out of the car, grateful for the fresh air.

There was a beach, that only the locals went to and knew of, in our town. It was secluded, down a track. If you walked the long distance of the beach and make it over the rocks (which was only achievable at low tide), you could go up a track that took you to the headland. There, was a grass glade overlooking the entire town.

The view was breath taking.

My dad and I used to take food out there and have lunch. It was just something we used to do. I hadn't realised how much I had missed it.

Slipping my sunglasses onto my nose, I flipped my red hair over my shoulder. I was in a loose, white, beach dress. Sliding out of my thongs, I chucked them in the back of the ute.

Trailing after dad, we wound our way down the boardwalk. It really needed replacing. The wood was chipped and worn from the weather.

Sand squished in between my toes as we made it onto the beach. I took a deep breath of the salty air. I had missed watching the waves crash into each other. I had missed taking the time to sit and watch the water.

"You coming?"

"Oh," I mumbled. "Yeah."

I jogged so that I could walk beside him.

"I'm sorry we stopped doing this." He sighed.

"Things happen. Life gets busy."

"We should always make time for each other."

"We will, dad." I promised.

"Good."

We walked in silence for a few moments. I tilted my head and watched the seagulls soaring over head.

"Things going okay with Xavier?" he asked.

"Yeah, things are great," I replied.

Except his family is completely nuts.

I had a sudden urge to just pour my heart out to dad. I wanted help. I needed help. The things Xavier told me, I didn't know how to help him.

I opened my mouth to let it all out, when dad cut me off.

"Isn't that Xavier?"

I glanced over near the sand dunes, where Xavier was standing there, his hands on Megan's hips. I squinted for a moment, before realising it was Chase. I stopped and folded my arms across my chest as I watched him talk to her.

Okay, her and Jacob clearly broke up, considering he was back to pining after me and she had moved onto her next victim. Or she was the victim. I don't know, they're both probably as bad as each other.

But since she can't have Xavier, I guess she has to settle for the next best thing. His psychotic brother.

"Oh hell no," dad snapped, pushing his sleeve up to his elbow. "I'm going to kick his ass."

"Oh, er, that's not Xavier," I said, reefing him back. "But do feel free to hit that asshole."

"What?" he asked, looking at me. "Are we looking at the same people?"

"That's Xavier's twin brother, Chase," I explained. "He's a douche. We hate him."

"As in me and you hate him or you and Xavier?"

"All of us."

"Okay and why?"

"Well-"

"Faith?" he called out.

"Oh dear God," I muttered.

Jogging over, with a reluctant Megan in tow, he breathlessly stopped when he reached us.

"Hey girl!"

"Chase," I said coldly.

Considering when I saw Chase yesterday he threatened my father, I obviously wasn't thrilled to see him.

"You must be Faith's father!" Chase grinned charmingly. "I'm Xavier's big brother, Chase."

He threw his hand out. Dad shook it, after a moment of hesitation. "Hi, Chase. Michael."

"Do you know Megan?" he asked pleasantly.

She at least had the decency the force a smile onto her face. Gee, how big of her.

"Ah, yes, the girl who has relentlessly bullied my daughter for years. How could I forget?" His tone was clipped and cold.

I mentally high-fived him.

She stared at him in shock. The charming smile on Chase's face wavered.

Yeah, he is no push over. Someone raised me to be this way. Although he really is a wimp about some things.

"Yes, I know who you are, Megan. I would advise you to stop messing with my daughter. You must have a very boring life, to want to hurt someone as amazing as Faith. If I hear about you doing anything to her again, I will be the one dealing with you. Is that clear?"

I could not stop the grin from spreading across my face. I had never seen her speechless. It was wonderful.

She just nodded, her eyes wide.

"I think we've all started here on the wrong foot," Chase laughed nervously.

"Oh shut up, Chase," I snapped. "You're no better."

He must have some plan of appearing good in front my dad. He obviously doesn't realise just how close we are.

"So, if we're all done introducing ourselves," my father said politely, his smile so fake that I had to bite my tongue not to laugh. "I'm going to continue my walk now. Have a nice day."

With that, dad and I continued walking the way we came, leaving the gruesome twosome staring in shock after us.

My dad was officially the coolest guy ever.

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What do you think of Chase being with Megan?

And how Faith's father stood up for her like that?