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Doves POV:

"Okay I can do this" 'I can do this' I mumbled quietly to myself. 'I can't do this'.

I was standing in front of the room with my writing essay in my hand. I was shaking and my breathing felt as if it was shortening.

I looked up at Ezra and he gave me two thumbs up and a smile, like that's gonna make me feel better. "Whenever you're ready Ms. James" the teacher states I keep my eyes trained down on the slightly shaking piece of paper that holds the day that changed my life. I take a deep breath in as I look down at my paper and begin to read:

"April. April 21st was the day everything changed for me. It felt as if I was falling and I was stuck there. I never had the feeling of emptiness in my life until April. April 21st there were decisions made that I couldn't change. I was lied to, betrayed and most importantly hurt. There was a time I thought I would always come first, but that wasn't the case this time it was him or me and she choose him. I was her first, I was her only, and was suppose the most important, but no. There's a saying that someone's always gonna be there for you however in my case everyone left and no one was there. I was alone and miserable. Everyday I wish she'd chosen me, but she didn't. 10 years ago my life did not change for the better it changed for the worst. It's sad seeing the people you love leaving you, but it's worse actually getting taken away from them . Being only 7, scared and confused not knowing what was happening and still crying hard and out loud for my "mommy". I would never go back to that day, that day is the day I want to forget because then and now I just sit and watch the marriage of two people slowly fall apart. For 10 years because of them I stopped believing hope, I stopped looking for a future, I stopped believing love and I gave up on a reason to be living .

A tear falls down my cheek when I finished I let out a huge breath. I was to scared to look up and see my classmates reaction .

That's when I heard someone start clapping slowly for me . I looked up and saw Ezra he gave a sad smile . Everyone started joining in with him, they were all clapping for me and it went from slow to a faster clap.

"Thank you Dove for your presentation it was amazing, you may take a seat now" I turned to Ms.Lara she smiled at me as she wrote something on the paper clipped to the clip board.

I walked back to my seat and sat down . "You did amazing up there. Are you ok?" Ezra asks me . I turn to look at him " yeah I'm good thank you for everything" Ezra nods and turns to look at the teacher and I do the same.

The rest of the students present there essays some of them were sad some were really happy. Describing there past deaths of family or moments where they
made the highest in there class.

"Alright class by Wednesday I will have decided the 3 people who've won their A for the whole semester" Ms. Lara says. When the bell rings all the students head to their next classes.

The time comes for school to be over and everyone heads home and I have to put a few books in my locker.

As I put my books in my locker I look near my right seeing Ezra on the phone . He seems upset and frustrated. A nerve in me is telling me to go see if I can do anything but another nerve is telling me to stay out of it . Before I know it I close my locker at walk over to Ezra, he already hung up the phone and is about to shut his locker . I don't think he notices me yet because he slams his locker shut and I flinch a little at the loud noise, he turns around to start walking, but he bumps into me .

"Oh hey Dove I'm sorry I didn't mean to bump into you, or slam my locker I'm just trying to handle some things." Ezra states. " What's going on?" I question.

"I have some business to handle, but I also have to watch my little brother because my moms out of town and I've been trying to get in contact with my uncle, but he's being a pain in my ass and making up excuses so now I have to pay some babysitter I don't know to get to watch my little brother" Ezra explains.

"Well you know me, so I can watch your little brother and you don't have to pay me I'm just helping out" I offer. "Are you sure Dove because you really don't have to" Ezra Lilted.

"Yup! I am you can just text me the address and time."

"Well Dove I don't have your number" Ezra says looking around, but not at me . "Here give me your phone I'll put it in" I say. Ezra gives me his phone as I put my number in, I put my name as "DJ:)" and hand it back. "I'll see you soon Ezra" I wave and start walking out the school .I get a text from an unknown number as soon as I'm in my car.

Unknown: 4:30pm, 863 Brickell Key Street. Thanks again Dove.

I figured it was Ezra so I changed his name. It was now 3:23pm so I had about an hour to till I go to Ezras. I drive home so I can change into different clothes and grab a few things.

My moms car is not in the driveway which is a relief. I go inside and grab my purse and change into some shorts and a oversized sweater. I grab my keys off the counter, but stop and realize the picture with me and my father. I miss him even though I had little time with him. Knowing he left without an explanation leaves me thinking my whole life. I walk back to my car and see it's 3:57pm. Ezras house is 20 minutes away from mine so I'm just gonna go get something quick from Starbucks.

I pull into the drive way and order a Chocolate chip crumble Crème Frappe and a banana nut loaf . When I get up to window I pull out my card to give to them.

"The person in front of you just payed for your order" The casher says with a big smile . I look at front of me and the silver car drives around the corner.

The cashier hands me my drink and food as I say thank you and drive away. I see the car that paid for me waited, seems he stopped and pulled over to the side . I pull up next to him as he rolls down his window.

"Noah?" I say in a confused tone. "Yeah Hi DJ I saw you were behind me so I decided to pay. How's it going" Noah smiles. "I'm good. I can pay you back if you want" To be honest I didn't wanna pay him back it was free food so why not take it. "No that's fine I wanted to do it dont worry." Noah says.

I look down at the time on my phone and it's 4:08 so I need to be heading to Ezra's now. "Well I have to go Noah thank you so much and it was nice seeing you again" I say looking back up smiling.

"It was nice seeing you too DJ" Noah nods. We roll up our windows and I'm first to drive away.

I pull into Ezras driveway and I'm guessing that's his car parked into it also. I gather my stuff and make my way to knock on the door. Ezra opens the door after the first knock. He's wearing all black. Hot!

Stop.

"Hey Dove thank again for watching Asher he should be sitting down on the couch, come in" Ezra moves to the side so I can come in .

"It's no worries I never knew you had a brother how old is he" I question.
"he's 7 years old but he's super smart, he can walk, talk, throw water on my head to wake me up in the morning. He can basically do anything a dog can do" Ezra laughs after his statement and I laugh along with him .

"Asher!" Ezra calls out. A little boy comes walking over to where me and Ezra are at. His hair is a lighter shade of brown than Ezra and it's a little more frizzy.

"Who's this" Asher says in typical high voice for a child as he points at me. "I'm Dove, but you can just call me DJ, what's your name" I say in a little of a higher voice .

Asher looks at Ezra and Ezra nods his head. "I'm Asher, it's nice to meet you DJ" Asher states.

"Well I'll be back buddy don't give Dove any problems. Okay?" Ezra shakes Ashers head as Asher nods his head .

"I'll be back Dove. Thank you so much" Ezra looks at me as he kisses my forehead. "See you later Ash" Ezra kisses his forehead and walks out the door.

"Do you wanna play cars with me" Asher tilts his head. "Of course. Lead the way" I reach out my hand so Asher can grab it. His hands are so tiny to mine and they're warmer, Asher takes me to which I'm guessing his room and pulls out all of his cars. There are at least over 100.

Asher starts rolling a blue car back in forth "vroom vroom" Asher says . A smile stretches across my face as I watch him . I grab a red car so I can play with him and do the same .

"I think my brother likes you" Asher says still moving the car. My cheeks begin to heat up. "And why do you say that" I ask.

"Well he kissed you on the forehead and he talks about you a lot" Asher says still looking down at his cars. "Me and Ezra are just friends and him kissing me on the forehead was just meaning of kindness." I explain.

"oh, we'll my mommy told me when a girl kisses me on the forehead or on the cheek they like me and there just scared to tell me"Asher claimed . I gave him a small laugh. "Well maybe your mommy's right" I say.

We play with cars for about 45 minutes and racing the cars to see which one goes faster . Asher definitely won. Asher went to the bathroom a little while ago but he hasn't been back yet. "Asher?!" I shout . I look for him in the bathrooms, but he's not in there, I look in other guest rooms he's not in there. "Asher!" I call out again. I turn the corner to the kitchen "BOO!" Asher yells with two hands up .

I immediately jump a little for him to believe I'm frighten. Asher starts running away from me before I can say anything. "Asher I'm gonna get you!" I shouted. I chase after him and I'm able to grab him by the waist and pick him a little. We fall to the ground and I can here Ashers giggles fill up the room. I join in on him laughing, we're both out of breath as Asher lays in my arms on the floor both of us not being able to control our laughter.

I here the door open. It must be Ezra, he's back an hour early . "Well it seems you two are having lots of fun." I look up at Ezra smiling. Asher gets up from off me and goes over to hug Ezra's legs.

"Hi Ezra" Asher says. "Hey buddy" Ezra pats Asher's head.

"Well I better get going." I say standing up from the ground . "No! Please don't go DJ" Asher pouts. "Can she stay Ezra" Asher pulls on Ezras shirt .

"Why don't you stay for dinner, I'm ordering pizza" Ezra offers. It's almost 7 o'clock so I can be home around 10 o'clock and everything will be fine .

"I guess I can stay for a few more hours" I shrug.

"Yay!" Asher jumps up to hug me and I bend down to hug him back . "Oh Ezra can we have cake please" Asher ask.

"Not today Ash maybe another day" Ezra explains. "Come on let the kid have cake, we can make it" I tell Ezra.

" I don't know" Ezra trailed off. Me and Asher go on our knees and make "puppy dog" eyes. Ezra looks at both of us confused, wondering what we're doing. "Okay! Fine. Get the ingredients ready I'm gonna call for pizza" Ezra states.

Me and Asher bump fist and run to the kitchen. We get all the ingredients out on the counter. "Pizza will be here in 15 minutes" Ezra walks into the kitchen. "That's should give us enough time to put the cake in the oven." I state.

"Alright Asher go get the stool so you're able to help" Ezra says. Asher moves away from me to go get the wooden stool and put it next to me.

"Okay we need 4 eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1 stick of butter, vanilla extract, sugar, oil, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. We'll put the flour last" I state.

"Ezra you can crack the 4 eggs and Asher you can put the vanilla, milk, and oil in I'll just do the rest ." I add.

"I never knew Ms.James knew how to bake" Ezra notes .

"As a matter a fact I do, my dad and I used to bake all the time when I was about Asher's age" I give Asher the vanilla to put in the bowl.

"Well I think you and my Mom would get right along because she loves to bake treats." Ezra says as he cracks 2 eggs at the same time.

"Yeah, my mommy loves to bake cookies for me" Asher adds on putting in the last of the ingredient.
"Aw. Well I bet her cookies are the best." I tell Asher and he giggles.

"Alright it's time for the flour Asher it's on your side can you grab it" I ask. Asher starts to pick up the flour, but he seems to be struggle. I reach out my hands to help but it's to late before the bag of flour drops all over me and Asher.

"Uh oh" Asher says . "I'm sorry" Asher looks at me like he's about to cry .

"Hey it's okay Asher, we actually look like little snowman's ." I start to laugh. I hear Ezras laugh behind me as I turn to look at him and see that he's spotless.

"Hey no fair you have nothing on you" I pout .

Ezra continues to laugh . I look at Asher then back at Ezra . I think me and Asher are thinking the same thing, so I pick up Asher off the stool and we collect a lot a flour in our hands . We count to three in our heads and we throw the flour in our hands right at Ezras face .

The room is filled with Asher and I's laughing ,well mainly Ashers giggling. We clap our hands together and flour smoke goes up.

I look back at Ezra to see him also looking like a white snow man because his brown hair has gone mostly white and his black clothes are covered in white spots .

The room goes silent for a second and we all stare at each other and the mess we made .

We all burst into laughter and Asher continues to clap his hands together to make flour clouds. That's when Ezra throws more flour at my face.

"That's pay back" Ezra smirks at me and I begin laughing again to which I running out of breath and about to pee my pants.

When I hear the doorbell ring, everyone stops again and looks at each other.

Oh this is not gonna be good.

Who's gonna go get the door for the pizza if we look like huge marshmallows. We all stare at each other it's been about 10 seconds and no one has moved.

1, 2, 3 . "NOT IT" I yell out and point to my nose.

"NOT IT" Asher yells out also . I smirk pulls on my face and I look straight into Ezras eyes .

Ezra grunts as he starts dusting off some of the flour his face and clothes even though it's doing no good and he looks the same.

"How do I look" Ezra smiles awkwardly. "Perfect" I lie. Ezra takes deep breath and walks to the door . I get out my phone and start recording.

"Your total is 20$" the voice of a woman says. Ezra gives the women a 20 dollar bill and takes the pizza. "Thank you and sorry about the mess" Ezra says. "It's no problem I think you look cute" The women says . Something in my gut feels like it's falling when she says that, why am I feeling this way ?

Ezra nods his head and close the door. I turn off the camera and save the video for memory sake.

"This isn't fair at all" Ezra grunts. "After dinner Ash your going to take a bath and change into different clothes." Ezra looks at Asher and he nods.

"I'll put the cake in the oven and you guys start eating, After we're finish and while Asher takes a bath we'll clean up . Does that sound good?" I propose. Everyone nods their heads and do what they have to do .

While the boys eat I finish putting the ingredients together and put the cake in the oven. I look at them and Ezra is probably on his tenth pizza and Asher is slumped down in the chair with his hand over his stomach.

"Are you full Asher?" I ask and Asher nods his head "Alright buddy why don't you go bath and you'll have some cake after" Ezra tells Asher. Asher gets up to to bathroom and now it's just me and Ezra in the kitchen.

I start wiping off the flour on the counter and putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. "Want a slice?" Ezra ask.

"No I'm good I had something before I came here" I said to Ezra not telling him the real reason I'm not hungry. "Here let me help you out with the floor" Ezra grabs the broom and starts sweeping the flour of the floor.

When the kitchen is fully spotless the cake is ready to be taken out the oven . Me and Ezra frost the cake and cut a piece for when Asher gets out the bath.

"Do you have any extra clothes I can use to take quick shower in" I asked. "Yeah there's another shower upstairs in my room you can use that one. Asher usually takes one to two hour bath's just sitting" Ezra joked.

Ezra leads the way to his room. The room is pretty big and has a dim scenario to it . Not too bright and not too dark. He has a few skate boards, black comforter set, and lots of what seems to look like paper work on his desk.

"Here's a T-shirt and shorts and the bathroom is through that door" Ezra points to the door right through his room. "Thank you" I say as I start making my way to the bathroom.

"Hey Dove I can lend a hand while your in there" Ezra calls out. I face his direction and he winked as his smirk grew more to the side .

I take about a 20 minute shower and change into the clothes Ezra gave me . The shorts are a little big around the waist, so I roll them up and the T-shirt fits perfectly. I dry my hair and leave it out of its ponytail.

When I walk out the bathroom Ezra is on his bed with his laptop in his lap.

"Can I sit?" I ask. Ezra nods his head, I sit right next to him but a few inches away so were not touching."Where's Asher?" I question.

"He finished his cake so I put him to bed, he told me to tell you good night" I nod my head.

"Dove" I hear Ezra say as he puts his laptop down . "Mhm" I turn to look into his eyes . Ezra puts his hands my thigh and starts rubbing it in circular motion. I freeze for a second, but try to relax so it won't be weird.

"I'm sorry. You know about 10 years ago in your essay" Ezra says still not moving his hand.

"Oh. Yeah it's fine thank you " I don't want to go into further detail explaining my tragic past.

"My mom used to date this guy, he was very abusive and toxic toward my mother and me and my little brother, he would do bad things to me which would lead to near death and hurt my mom. Yes, he was Ashers dad, but he was no father, I will never forgive him for his actions and I'm glad he's no longer in my life,but he did make me a stronger person today and he made my mom stronger" Ezra began.

"Asher was only 3 at the time, so he doesn't remember, but I remember everyday of it, every scar, every tear, I remember it. I want to believe he was a bad person, but he was just another man in a world that does bad things. I still talk to my father he's a good man and he just like a father to Asher, but when I heard my mom and him were getting a divorce I never knew all theses things would happen right after it ." Ezra stated.

The room was silent for a few seconds. I was shocked by his words. Our lives weren't the same, however they were very similar. I think I could be able to share my past with someone who kinda went through the same thing. I just wasn't ready.

"I'm sorry Ezra, I know that's not enough, but I'm sorry" I state.

"It's Okay, that was 4 years ago my life is much better now" Ezra says . "I just want you to know your not alone" Ezra notes.

"I hope you know, I've noticed. I noticed the different scars on your body when you come to school some days, I noticed the way you tap your thumb against each finger when your nervous, or when you don't eat on certain days, I noticed it all, but I understand and I'm not gonna judge you for it. So when your ready to talk I'll be here, I'll always be here" Ezra noted.

I don't know what to say. he noticed .

"Thank you" I whispered. I can feel my eyes start to close knowing I should get back home so I