I hit the alarm on my bedside table and groan. Mondays...

I let out a sigh before tossing over the blanket and trek to the bathroom. I do my morning business and head back to my bedroom, walking up to the closet. I take out a grey baggy, off the shoulder, sweater and black skinny jeans. I glance in the mirror giving myself a once-over before slipping on my converse.

I grab my bag and head to the kitchen. I see grandma set a plate on the table. Pancakes and sausage.

"Thank you, but you don't have to cook me breakfast every day for school. An apple is good too," I say with a hint of guilt. She waves her hands in a dismissive manner.

"Oh dear, it's no problem. I love to cook and I don't want you going hungry. Gotta get some meat on these bones," she laughs while taking a seat with me. I nod my head with a small laugh before I dig into my food.

After I have finished I rinse my plate setting it in the sink and head towards the door.

"Emilia? Can I talk to you for a moment?" She asks. I have a feeling I know what this is about.

"I know I can't begin to understand what you have been through, but I think you should give your mother another chance," She says giving me a small smile. 

"Okay," I say with a faint smile not really wanting to talk about it anymore. I give a small nod before heading to the door.

"Have a good day sweetie," she says.

"Thanks, you too," I reply before heading out the door. Xander steps out of his house just as I did and we head to his car.

"Good morning Emilia," he says giving me a hug and quick peck on my cheek. I feel my face heat slightly. I'm not really used to the whole dating thing, because I have never had a boyfriend before.

"G-Good morning," I say hopping in the car. He gets in starting the car and driving to school.

"How have you been holding up?" He asks stealing a quick glance before turning back to the road. I let out a shallow sigh.

"I'm okay for now. Grandma said this morning that I should give my mother another chance," I say hoping I could face her again. Xander grabs my hand, rubbing his thumb on my hand.

"I'm here for you to talk or anything," he says. A smile forms on my lips.

"Yeah, I know, thank you,"

"No problem, Emilia," he says glancing at me then looks back to the road.

He pulls into the school and parks the car. We step out and head towards the building. Xander clasps his hand around mine giving me a huge smile. I smile back at him and continue our walk down the hall. We walk down the hall and everyone gives us curious glances. I hear murmurs as we walk by them. I try to keep my head held high but soon falter at all their judgmental stares.

"Don't mind them. They're just jealous," Xander whispers in my ear. I give a subtle nod before keeping my head slightly raised. We make it over to Adam, Tony, and Clara giving them a smile.

"Hey guys," I say. Clara looks like she is trying to contain her joy while Tony and Adam try to hide a smirk.

"Hey," they greet. The guys go on to there own conversation and Clara gives me a huge grin.

"Soooo, you guys...?" I smile.

"Yeah,"

"Finally," she giggles. I roll my eyes at her.

"Hey Emilia, do you wanna have a sleepover at my house?" Clara asks.

"Uh...what day?" I ask.

"Friday, if that's okay with you," she says with a smile.

"Yeah, sure, I can do that. I would have to ask my grandma first," I say.

"Awesome. You can bring a bag and we can go straight to my house after school," she plans out.

"Okay," I say. The bell rings for class and we say our goodbyes heading to class. Xander walks me to class and I give him a curious look.

"Aren't you gonna be late? Mr. Smarty pants?" I laugh.

"Yeah, yeah whatever, mom," He says before heading to class. I shake my head and enter my class taking a seat.

----

The bell rings for lunch and I head to my locker. I put in my combination and grab my library books. I head down the hall and see Xander heading my way.

"Hey. I just gotta turn in these books and I'll meet you in the lunch room," I say to him.

"Are you sure? I don't mind walking with you," he says. I shake my head.

"It's right over there, I'll be right there," I say. He nods his head before heading to the lunch room.

I walk down the hall to the library and enter heading over to the front desk.

"Hello honey, how may I help you?" She asks looking at me over her glasses.

"Uh, yeah, I just need to turn these in," I say setting the books on the table. I slide the books to her and she grabs them scanning each of them.

"Alright, that's all. Have a good rest of your day sweetie," she says before turning back to her book. I head out of the library and make my way down the hall.

All the sudden I get pushed from behind tumbling to the floor. I land on my wrist, a pain shooting up my arm. I let out a small cry and a whimper escapes my lips. I look up at the sight in front of me and cringe.

Makenna...

"So, you're dating Xander now huh bitch?! You such a fucking whore seducing my man and taking him away from me!" She screeches.

"That's not true," I whispered slowly.

"He likes me, not you! I'm prettier than you! I'm not a fatty girl like you! He probably thinks you're just a quick fuck," she says smirking down at me. I keep the tears from flowing down my face.

"That's not true," I say more firmly. She scoffs at my tone and looks furious. I quickly stood up rubbing the minor pain in my wrist.

"You're delusional Makenna," I spit out.

"I don't know who you think you're talking to fat-ass!" she yells. She raises her hand to hit me and I flinch away closing my eyes. I quickly raise my hand to avoid the pain.

"I don't know who you think you're talking to Makenna, but you need to back the fuck off!" I hear someone yell. Xander!

I open my eyes to see Xander holding Makenna's wrist in a death-like grip.

"She's messing with you, babe. Can't you see? She is just seducing you to take you away from me," she whines.

"Oh my god Makenna! I. Don't. Like. You! When will you get that?!" He yells. She lets out a whimper.

"B-But,"

"But nothing! You mean nothing to me!" He states before letting go and turning to me with softened eyes. He quickly comes over to me grabbing my arms.

"Are you alright?" He says softly gently grabbing my wrist I was holding.

"Y-Yeah, I just fell on it," I say.

"Ugh! This is ridiculous! You're delusional Xander! I'm better than her, prettier than her and you still go crawling back to her!" She screeches at him causing me to wince at her words. I can feel the anger radiating off of him. He slowly turns facing her. Her eyes widen in fright. He takes slow steps towards her till he his face to face with her.

"She is prettier smarter and way nicer than you will ever be...She has beauty on the inside and out...You have a dark and ugly inside and I can't stand you..." He says lowly seething with anger. My stomach flutters at his words and can't help but feel joyful tears in my eyes.

She scoffs and looks over at me then back to Xander with fearful eyes.

"Now get out of my sight!" he says lowly. She scurries down the hall almost tripping on her own heels.

Xander turns to me coming up to me with a smile on his face.

"Thank you, Xander, that really means a lot to me," I say with the happy tear rolling down my face.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't cry. I will always be there for you," He says pulling me into a warm embrace.

"These are happy tears," I whisper lowly squeezing tighter. I let out a long breathe and instantly relax against him.

I'm pretty sure I know where I would be without him.

I'm glad I have him in my life now.

----

It's the end of the day now and I walk out of the school building to meet Xander at his car. I look over to see him not there yet. I shrug leaning against the car. Must be running a little late.

I suddenly feel hands on my waist and jump looking up to see Xander giving me a faint smirk.

"You scared me!" I whine hitting his shoulder. He fake winces rubbing his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," He pouts. I peck his cheek and slip out of his grasp. I get into his car, him doing the same. He starts the car and we head home.

We pull into the driveway and I notice and an extra car in front of the house. I let out a shaky breath before slowly exiting the car.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Xander asks me.

"If you want to," I say hoping he says yes.

"I asked if you wanted me too," he lightly chuckles. I let out a sigh.

"Yes," I mumble.

"Alright, I'll be right behind you," he says as a start walking towards the house. I slowly open the door to see grandma and my mother. I enter with Xander behind me.

"Hello Emilia," my mother greets giving me a smile.

"Hi," I say taking a seat on the couch with Xander.

"Emilia, I'm sorry for everything. I know apologizing won't fix the problems I have caused you but I'm really am sorry for what I have done and hope you could give me another chance," She says looking at me with hope in her eyes.

"Will you please give me a chance?" She asks. I stay silent for a moment thinking it over.

"I-I think I can give you a chance," I say. She looks almost taken aback but a huge smile quickly replaces it.

"Thank you, Emilia. You won't regret it," she says. A moment of awkward silence blankets the room causing me to look at Xander. He shrugs and then a question pop into my head.

"So, what made you come back?" I ask. She lets out a sigh.

"I, uh, got a call from mom saying that you have been living with her and she was upset I didn't tell her about you. But Emilia, trust me when I say this, it wasn't my idea to lie it was Greg's. I didn't understand why he never gave me a reason," she says with a confused frown.

"I believe you," I say to her.

"So where do you live now?" I ask.

"I live a couple towns over," She says. I fiddle with my fingers waiting to ask my next question.

"Do..Uh..Do you know my birth father?" I ask curiously. She nods her head looking down with a smile on her face.

"Yeah, I'm married to him now. Would you like to meet him?" She asks me with hesitation in her voice.

"Uh...yeah," I answer.

"So...are you two...?" She asks point between the two of us.

"Oh...uh, yeah. This is Xander, my boyfriend," I say nervously with a small smile.

"Oh? How long have you guys been together?" She asks. I almost laugh at her question.

"Actually it's kind of new," I say.

"Oh?" She says with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, we just started dating yesterday," I say with a slight laugh. There is a knock on the front door and Amanda and Izzy enter.

"Hello everyone. Oh, and you must be Lillian," Amanda says while holding Izzy's hand.

"Mom this is Amanda," I tell her.

"Don't forget about me!" I hear Izzy say from beside her. I laugh at her cuteness.

"How could I forget? This is Izzy," I say as she runs up to me giving me a squeezing hug. She soon let's go running back to Amanda's side. They take a seat and Izzy sits on the floor playing with her dolly and pony.

"So you two are...together?" Amanda says a small smile growing on her lips.

"I knew it! I knew it!" Izzy squeals. I laugh at her little burst of energy and see her stomp over to Xander.

"Don't hurt her or I'll beat you up myself!" Izzy says with a glare on her face.

Laughter erupts from the room and Izzy gives me a huge grin. Xander looks stunned but soon recovers turning into a smile.

"I won't Izzy," he says glancing over at me. A blush creeps up my cheeks.

"So Emilia, would you like to have dinner with us on Sunday so you can meet your father?" My mom asks me. I feel nervousness flow through me. I would finally get to meet my birth father that I didn't even know existed?

"You can even bring Xander if you would like," she adds. I think about it for a moment turning to Xander with a questioning look. He gives me a subtle nod and smiles.

"Yeah, that would be great mom," I say with a smile on my face.

~~~~

Hello everyone! I first wanted to say, thank you, to @ValentinesExperiment for the cover she made for my book. I really appreciate it.

AND also we hit 100,000 reads today and I was so ecstatic when I saw it this morning. Thank you guys so much. I wouldn't have made it this far without you guys. My story is now ranked #136 in teen fiction and #18 in romance!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Until next time,

Ba-Bye :)