As we walked to find a table, I saw Jonah, Sean and Austin and quickly tried to turn the other way. They were the ones who told me I had to try at least one cafeteria lunch to get the full school experience and I didn't have the heart to tell them I didn't want it, nor did I want Nick finding out I wasn't having anything for lunch.

"Ash!" Austin called out. I pretended I hadn't heard him, but within a few seconds he was tapping at my shoulder. "Sorry, can I borrow Ash for a few minutes." He said to Gabby and me. They nodded and walked off. "Why are you ignoring us?" He glared.

"I wasn't." I told them, although I didn't sound confident enough and the three of them just rolled their eyes.

"Where's your...oh, I see." Austin frowned as I stood there uncomfortably.

"I'm going back to meet Tate and Gabby." I turned and took a step, only to ram straight into Sean. He was surprisingly strong it seemed. "Fine. I don't like anything there."

"Then you clearly didn't see everything." Austin grumbled. "Go with Jonah and get something."

"You're not the boss but whatever." I said under my breath, only earning more glares, which I sent straight back.

"You know Nick would have a fit if he knew you're trying to not eat. That freak is obsessed with nutrition and 'balance consumption'." Jonah rolled his eyes as we joined the line, again.

"He's not a freak." I felt the need to defend Nick, he did so much for me, even if he was very annoying at times.

"Are you seriously trying to defend my brother from me?" He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Our brother." I grumbled.

"Mine by blood." Jonah retaliated, under his breath. I couldn't believe he went there.

"I'm going. I don't want anything."

"Fine."

***

I sat quietly in the car the whole way home, being blunt and quick in all my responses about my day. Thankfully Nick wasn't there, since I think everyone remembers what happened last time I came home not my usual self. Jonah had ruined my day, even though I was so happy to have finished my maths test and was proud of myself for feeling semi-confident in my pending result. Once we got home, I ignored everyone, which was easy since the only people who were home were the people I'd been in the car with, and went straight to my room, locking the door behind me. I flopped on my bed and checked my phone, seeing that Gabby had indeed made the group chat and both Tate and Gabby had confirmed they were free on Friday to go shopping, so now it was just up to me. Morgan hadn't texted yet, and I was a bit concerned, so I FaceTimed her. She was good to vent to, even though so far it had never been me complaining. The one time it was, now, she declined my call.

Sorry, just had a procedure and don't feel too good. Call later? xo

Are you alright? What was this one for?

She didn't respond after that, so I figured she really mustn't have been feeling well. I didn't have time to dwell on it though, as someone started knocking on my door.

"Ash, open the door." Ryan huffed, mumbling why anyone let me have a room with a lock. I appreciated that he couldn't just barge in whenever he wanted to.

"Not right now. I'm, um, getting changed!" I thought on my feet. I didn't want to talk to him right now.

"Well could you hurry up and just chuck a hoodie on or something. I need to speak to you." I sighed and accepted I couldn't have my peace, so got up and opened the door. "Liar." He shook his head, noticing I had, in fact, not been getting changed since I was still in my school uniform.

"I didn't bother."

"Sure." He rolled his eyes, not commenting on all the lies. These were harmless though and since we both knew; it was a whatever situation. "Now, care to tell me what's wrong with you?" He flopped onto my bed.

"Just a bad day." I told him, flopping down next to him and smushing my face into the pillow.

"Poor ashy." He patted my back. "Who did what though? I need to know if I need to bash anyone's head in for upsetting my baby sister. No boys better be trying to get in your pants either, just in case that's relevant in this situation."

"Why would anyone be trying to 'get in my pants'. That makes no sense Ryan." I stared at him with a puzzled look.

"Uhh, that's true. I don't know why I said that."

"Also, I don't think mum and dad would like that." I told him, ignoring his response, and continuing to respond to his action inquest.

"I don't care. So, what happened?"

"Jonah was rude."

"Oh phew, only my brother and not some other dufus." He let out a sigh of relief. "Tell me what happened." I explained the whole situation and essentially my inner monologue to him as I explained why I felt the need to defend Nick and why that was so upsetting. "That motherfu-," I covered his mouth. "Sorry, forgot I was talking to you. Although, Ash, I think that name is appropriate, don't you?" I shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

"You're not going to 'bash his head in', right?" I asked. Although Ryan was amazing, him physically fighting someone wouldn't surprise me. Same goes for all my brothers if I were honest.

"Maybe. He deserves it." Ryan responded nonchalantly.

"You can't!"

"Oh Ash." He laughed. "You're too good for this world."

"And how about we don't tell Nick either."

"Why?"

"Because he'll have a go at me for not having lunch!" I exclaimed.

"That's not important. Although, does that mean you haven't eaten since recess?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's go get you food before you start disintegrating. And we can discuss the whole 'telling Nick' thing whilst we're at it."

"Telling me what?" Nick appeared. Every. Single. Time.