I was torn. On one hand, I really liked Foster. But, I wasn't sure if he really liked me back. He completely cut me off at school, but acted like he was totally in প্রণয় with me when we were alone. It was strange. I could usually read people really well, but Foster left me speechless, and I had no clue what to think.

"Do আপনি whatever আপনি feel is right," Grandma said. That did not help. I had no idea what was "right." And honestly, I wasn't sure there was a right and wrong in this situation. I wasn't so sure about asking Echo. She still hated Foster no matter what.

Echo came over one দিন after school. She had a little boy with her, holding her hand. I wasn't expecting it, but it was nice to have her over either way. She smiled shyly.

"Hey," she ব্যক্ত quietly. "Um, can we stay here for a while?"

"Uh, sure." I stepped aside, letting them in. "Is everything ok?" She shrugged. The little boy standing পরবর্তি to her pouted, and shrinked into her side.

"Um, this is my little brother, Ace," Echo introduced. I waved at him, but he buried his face in Echo's side.

"Cosette, who is it?" Grandma asked, coming in. "Oh, Echo. It's you! How are you, sweetie?"

"Good, Mrs. Hayner, thank you."

"Is it ok if they stay for a while?" I asked.

"Sure, that's fine," she smiled. She went out front to go read on the porch. Echo and I went and sat in the living room. Ace sat in Echo's lap. It was then, I realized a bruise on her cheek, somewhat in the shape of a hand.

"What happened?" I breathed. She stared at the ground, and shook her head.

"It's fine," she mumbled.

"No, it's not!" I said. "What happened?" Echo just stared at the floor, and refused to speak. Ace looked at her, then me, and back and forth.

"Mommy and Daddy hurt her," he ব্যক্ত shyly. Echo winced. I hugged them both tightly.

"I'm so sorry," I sighed. "You guys can come over whenever আপনি need to. Whenever আপনি want to."

"Thanks," Echo mumbled. I heard the door open, and someone walk in, who didn't sound like Grandma. Foster walked into the living room, and stopped.

"I, uh... Your grandmother let me in..." he ব্যক্ত awkwardly. Echo shifted and hugged Ace close.

"That's ok," I said. "Do আপনি wanna--"

"I can see you're busy," he said. "I'll see আপনি later, Cosette." He turned to leave. I looked back at Echo, and she looked at me with sad eyes.

"Just a sec," I said. I got up and walked after him. He stopped just before he got to the door. "You can stay, y'know. Echo---"

"No thanks," he said. "I'm not... I don't particularly like her," he whispered. I stood there for a second, my mouth hanging open a little.

"Do আপনি even know her?" I asked. He sighed.

"I gotta go, Cosette. I'll see আপনি later." He kissed my cheek before leaving. I stood there for a moment, and then rolled my eyes and went back to the living room where Echo and Ace were still sitting.

"Is everything ok?" Echo asked. I nodded.

"Fine. How're আপনি feeling?" She shrugged.

"Come on," I said. "Let's get some ice for your cheek."

***

Echo and Ace stated for the night. Ace slept on Echo's lap, while she slept on the couch, and I slept on the floor. It wasn't the most comfortable, but at least she was. I felt so bad for her. No one should be afraid to go home.

The পরবর্তি day, Echo had to leave a little early to drop Ace off at kindergarten. She ব্যক্ত she'd meet me at school.

When the time came, I left for school. Then like usual, Foster rode up alongside me.

"Hey there," he smiled. I pursed my lips, and waved shyly at him. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," I grumbled.

"Good," he said. "So what was Echo's problem yesterday?"

"Family issues," I said.

"Gosh," he muttered. "She's such a complainer..." That stopped me.

"Don't আপনি dare talk about her like that," I snapped.

"Oh, come on," he said, rolling his eyes. "Let's not fight about this now--"

"Why? It's not like we're going to argue at school অথবা anything..." I said, getting আরো frustrated with every word. I couldn't even look at him. I shouted at the sidewalk.

"Cosette, you're being ridiculous," he said. I folded my arms. "Just... Just leave me alone until আপনি stop অভিনয় so stupid." He rolled his eyes and muttered "bitch" as he rode away. I clenched my hands into fists.

***

I told Echo what happened. She was not happy at all.

"I'm gonna kick his ass!" she said, standing up. At first, I didn't think she'd really do anything. She got halfway down the hall, when I realized she was serious. I ran after her, and dragged her back.

"Liste--" I grabbed her hands, and then realized she had something in it. I opened it up, to see a rock. "Why do আপনি have a rock?! Where'd আপনি get it?!" I asked, incredulous. She examined it in her hands and shrugged.

"I found it on the way to school. I thought it was pretty... I figured I could use it to beat Foster in the head... It's still be pretty, even with some blood on it, I guess." She spoke so casually. My eyes widened, and I slowly took the rock from her.

"I'm gonna hold onto this for you..." I ব্যক্ত slowly. She sighed.

"Fine..." she grumbled. I raised an eyebrow. She looked back up at me. "What? At least আপনি can't say I'm not there for you." I thought for a quick moment and shrugged.

"I guess." She hugged me, and I hugged her back.

"I've got your back, Cosette." I laughed.