The Fear Of Falling Apart

-9-

Tanith's POV

Someone knocked at the door, but I ignored it and continued taking asthetic photos with Fin. "You gonna get that?" He asks, sitting up a little bit.

"I really don't want to." I sigh. I know it's probably her. I don't like her.
"Tan." Brendon calls from downstairs. I groan audibly and get up.
"Wish me luck."

"Good luck." Fin says, saluting me sarcastically. He heads down the stairs with me before walking into the living area to sit with Jenny while he waits for me and Diane to leave. He's staying the day because Patrick's got stuff to do. I wish I could stay too.
"Tanith!" Diane smiles, walking in for a hug.

I take a step back. "Please don't touch me."
Suprisingly, Diane respects this and steps back.
"We've gotta get back to the car." She informs me and Brendon. "Lucas is in there."

I don't even point out how irresponsible she is to leave an infant in a car alone, but instead say goodbye to Fin, Brendon and Jenny, although when I spoke to Jenny it wasn't very heartfelt.

I climb into the back of her car and smile softly at my little brother. "Hey Lucas." I whisper, putting my seatbelt on.

I got another note yesterday. This one seemed to be more hate filled then all the ones before it.

But I don't bring it up as I wander through the shopping center with Diane and Lucas.

I actually ended up enjoying myself a little bit (but I'll never admit it.)
She seemed more open to the idea of music, even letting me go into the music shop and playing a couple of songs.

I bought Lucas a stuffed dog toy, which he seemed to love instantly, and actually smiled a genuine smile. I think he likes dogs already.

And life went on like this for a little while. I was stuck around Jenny at home, and once a week I went out with Diane. It wasn't great, but I kept going anyway.

Pete was kept for an extra week of observation and told that when he went home someone had to stay with him. But he went home with a smile on his face, and Fin's life began to improve.
I'm so happy Fin's got their dad back and is doing better. They were in a really dark place for a little while, but they're okay now.

So that brings us to right now, when we're about to head over to the Wentz household for dinner with everyone and to hang out in general for our Friday night. Everyone's made sure that tonight's free, and I can't wait to see Tyler and Josh and My Chem again. It's been a few weeks since I last saw them all. The awesome thing about this is we don't have to dress nicely or act differently. These people love us, and we love them, and nobody's going to go over the top. It's like your all over again, but this time we don't have to live out of suitcases.

I'm already dressed in a crew shirt from last year and my typical black skinny jeans, a snapback sitting over my head backwords and black converse. Let's be real, who expected me to wear anything different?

Well, Jenny apparently.

I was texting Fin as I waited impatiently for Brendon to give the all clear to get in the car when Jenny walked downstairs in her tight black dress, heels and a full face of makeup. I turned to shoot daggers at Brendon. "I thought you said she wasn't coming."

He gives me a fatherly glare. "Behave, Tanith."
I just scoff as she looks me up and down, her lip curled into a look of disgust. "Shouldn't you be wearing something nice? We're going out for dinner."

I sigh loudly, ignoring Brendon's glare. "I can give you three good reasons off the top of my head why I'm not dressed 'nicely'." I use finger quotations to make my point. She gives me a look, but I continue anyway.