“Come on, Leni, let’s sit. I’m sure you’ve had a long day.” James motions for me to follow him, and I do so begrudgingly. “How was your flight?”

“Oh, I took the bus, actually.”

“All the way from Wisconsin?”

“Yeah, it wasn’t too bad, though. I only had to switch buses a few times. Plus, I slept most of the ride.”

“I don’t like the idea of you being on a bus by yourself, especially sleeping. That’s not safe. I would have bought you a plane ticket if I had known.” There is a real note of concern in his voice, and I’m so taken aback that I don’t even notice how he is walking me straight into a lion’s den.

“Don’t be fooled by her looks, Dad. Leni can take care of herself. She bites.” Nix’s voice meets my ear, and my legs stop moving immediately.

My gaze swings past James to the two guys sitting at the dining room table. I haven’t seen Nix and Colt in two months, but it feels like yesterday. Being tormented every day is not something you forget easily.

Nix has always kept his hair buzzed while Colt grows his out at the top. Besides that, they look almost identical with their piercing blue eyes, dimples, and athletic bodies. In school, they were regularly mistaken for twins, though they were actually born ten months apart.

“Boys,” he warns. “Be nice. Please, Leni, excuse these knuckleheads. Sometimes they forget their manners.”

Once again, I’m left shocked by the way James so easily takes my side, almost as if he is protective of me. Maybe he is just being courteous, but with only us four in the room, there is no one to put on a show for.

James takes a seat at the head of the table while I stand in the doorway with my feet cemented to the ground.

“Come on, Leni. Sit with us,” Colt invites, but I don’t miss the undertone of sarcasm nor the devilish smirk on his lips.

It takes me another few seconds before I’m able to make my legs move and slowly make my way to the chair farthest away from Colt and Nix. Dropping my backpack on the floor next to me, I sit down, looking around the room to avoid looking at them.

“So Leni, how was your summer? Did you have a good time with your grandmother?” James asks curiously.

“Sure. It was nice. I hadn’t seen her in a long time.” I’m very cautious not to give too much information. In high school, I learned the hard way that bullies will use everything against you. It’s better to keep to yourself. Stay quiet, hidden, invisible. That’s where I’ll be safe.

“Do you have any plans for the rest of your break?”