"Guys, stop fighting! You can both play the game," Elisa said irritably as she watched Ira and Ivy fight over the controller. "No, we can't! This is a one person game, and Ira had been hogging it for two hours," Ivy complained. "No I'm not! It has only been 40 minutes," Ira said. "You are a liar!" Ivy screamed. "Am not!" "Are too!" "Alright girls, that's enough," Elisa scolded. It was a quiet afternoon and she wanted to lie down by the window and read. But now, it was not so quiet and relaxing anymore, thanks to the twins. Ira threw the controller across the room. The girl always had the worst temper. And now, at thirteen years of age, it has gotten even worse. "Ira! Do not throw things. I'm not buying you another one if it's broken," Elisa told her. Ira sighed. "I miss Audre. When will she get back?" "Me too. I miss her too," Ivy nodded. "The summer is almost over, so she'll be back soon. Until

"Do you think Kaelan would go after Audre?" Ansel looked at Elisa thoughtfully. "I wouldn't put it past him. I just can't believe what kind of man he had become. He had always been a kid who got himself wrapped up in bad situations. I tried to help him as best as I could, and I never thought he would fall this far," Elisa shook her head in disappointment. "I know you did, baby," Ansel said and kissed her forehead. "But he doesn't know where Audre is. How would he know that?" "I know, but still...what if he had been following her or something?" Elisa frowned. "You are right. We need to keep a lookout. Good thing the camp is almost over, but until then, maybe I should send someone to keep a watch over her," Ansel said. Elisa shook her head. "Audre will not be happy about this," she said. "I'll make sure she never finds out. So who is it that Kaelan owes money to?" Ansel asked. He hadn't thought about Elisa's brother ever since he almost

"I'm coming with you," Aleks announced. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" Audre asked. "Why wouldn't it be?" Aleks looked at her questioningly. Then he remembered he never told Audre that he met her parents already. "Well, I forgot to tell you. I met your parents so it wouldn't be awkward. Audre looked at him with surprise. She didn't realize when she would ask her father for help. He'd actually want to meet Aleks personally. She felt horrified as she thought what kind of questions her father might've asked Aleks. "Um...how did that go? Meeting with my parents, I mean," she asked awkwardly. Aleks chuckled. "They aren't that bad," he said. Audre felt relieved. "Okay, then you can come with me. I could use your support." Aleks pulled her into a hug and kissed her hair. "I am always here for you, Curls." Audre felt grateful. "Okay," she said and smiled. Steven drove her to her parents' house alongside Aleks. Audre

Elisa felt ill as she was on her way out. She almost changed he mind three times and decided to stay home and wait. But, she gave herself a pep talk and forced herself to go see Ansel. She couldn't wait until he came home from work. She needed to tell him now. The secret she had been keeping was driving her crazy. She felt like she was about to explode! She saw Audre in the kitchen and expected her to ask where she was going, but Audre was too busy chatting and laughing on the phone. "No, I love you more," Audre declared on the phone, then giggled. It's been a month since she came from the camp. Ever since then, she had been seeing Aleks. She is always on her phone texting him or having long conversations. Ansel groaned and complained about it at first, but he had eventually accepted their relationship. Aleks was a good kid, after all. "I'm going to have lunch with your dad. I'll be back soon," Elisa announced before leaving, even though she w