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My phone beeping inaardly so I could shove e from Alex

‘Where R U? Why R U not home if U left early?’

I frowned and looked at the time It was after half past four My eyes widened in shock Had I really been laying here, just thinking, for that long? I ju a text that I was on ot to my house I spotted a motorbike in the drive, parked behind Alex’s car I frowned at it wondering who it belonged to As I pushed openmy mouth water and my tummy rumble because I hadn’t really eaten all day - my lunch had been scattered across the floor when Luke and Zach had been fighting

"Maisie, that you sweetheart?" my mom called from the kitchen

"Yep," I confirmed As I walked up the hall, I was al, Chester He was a little black cocker spaniel and he was adorable But he was getting on in years now; he was almost twelve years old "Hey, boy" I bent and scratched behind his ears while he wagged his tail like crazy at me He followed behind me as I walked to the kitchen where I could hearboth ofhis head to the side quizzically His green eyes regarded me with concern, so I forced a shed, knowing they would hound the answer out of ht as well just tell them now "I had a little run in with Luke at school, I was just walking and thinking, that’s all I didn’t realise the time"

I saw my dad’s fist clench at thehimself actually; I was surprised that my dad didn’t punch Luke when he first found out

"What did that little punk do now?" he growled

I sighed "Nothing Can we just…" I trailed off, wincing; I really didn’t want to talk about anything today

My dad sighed too "I heard your brother got detention for fighting at school today Care to elaborate on that? He wouldn’t," he said, raising one eyebrow in question

A wave of love washed overabout the whole lunchroorateful to hi I owe hiure out what happened all by yourself?" I asked sarcastically

My dad grinned "I can actually; I just wanted so Luke’s face in I’ casually

"Clay," ratefully at her Movement behind me made me turn, and in walkedhis ar "You okay there, Maze-daze? Hard day?" he asked, looking at hed and relaxed into his embrace "I’ weakly