Just a few more months. That's all I kept telling myself since the day we moved to Beverly Hills. My senior year would finally be over and off to college I go. Away from him. That's been my life's dream since I could remember. But what always holds me back from that seemingly perfect vision, is Ava.

How could I possibly think of leaving her here without me to protect her? If I'm gone, what will happen? Will he direct his harmful ways on her? She's just a little girl. But that didn't stop him with me. That's what worries me.

"Ana! Daddy is coming! I repeat, daddy is coming!" I jumped up from the lounge chair I was so relaxed in, soaking up the California sun from my own backyard with a smile upon my face from the mere tranquility of the day. Until the devil himself came home. I practically flew across the yard and to the tennis court, starting the ball machine and picking up my racket just strung about. I knew eventually I would have to pick it up today.

"Hey sweetheart. Your form looks good today. Just keep practicing like I showed you and you'll go places." I simply smiled from his over the top niceness towards me once they managed to reach the court, hitting ball after ball to keep him happy and off my back. I would never do championships because I wasn't all that interested in it. But I did it to appease him. Like usual.

"You could give the boys a run for their money! She's good Nick." And that's why he's being so damn nice. Jose Menendez. The 'perfect man' in my fathers eyes. He sees himself in him. It's honestly scary how alike they are. But there's just something about Jose that rubs me worse than my father.

"Thank you sir!" I waved to him before getting back to it, just waiting until they were completely gone to finally stop and take a breather. I had been going non stop for the last few minutes, completely unprepared. I deserve a medal just for that.

"Is the coast clear?" I practically jumped from the sudden voice of Erik on the court, seeing him coming up behind me after I placed my racket at the edge of the fence. We figured out that the hedges between our houses were perfect for sneaking over to each other's places undetected.

"Thank. God. Yes. I hit so many balls, my arm is going to fall off. I managed to set it at a higher speed because I was in a hurry." I rolled my eyes from his humorous grin, seeing he had his usual tennis attire on. He has to practice constantly. He was out there at 5:30 this morning, just playing away. So he'll have time to get more practice in before school, is what his father says.

"Are you serious?! Erik, you're still practicing?" We walked to the pool house to get out of sight, just in case my father decides to come back for another round of controlling 101. It's practically our little hide out, considering hardly anyone ever comes out here.

"Yeah..... the minute I got in the house he was on me. I'd much rather be out playing tennis than with him in the house." We finally sat down at the little kitchen nook overlooking the entire pool and lounging area, the sun shining down onto us like a beacon. I could see our said fathers talking out on the patio with odd smiles upon their faces. And I say odd because my father hardly ever smiles.

"I don't think I've ever seen my dad smile this much. It's kind of frightening." We both laughed from my comment, before fully relaxing into our seats and just forgetting about our parents for a while. I've only known Erik for such a short time. But it feels as if I've known him my entire life. We have so much in common. He's incredibly sweet, easy to talk to, fun to hang out with. He makes me forget about the horrors that await me day in and day out in that house of mine.

"So this is where the party is at! Thanks for inviting us." We were both startled by the sudden sound of Lyle's voice filling the pool house, seeing Craig standing there right along with him with a humorous smile directed at Erik and I from our coziness to each other. Craig is Erik's best friend. He's honestly a cool guy. And him and Erik? Are great together. They're so incredibly talented. Especially in writing. Another thing we have in common.

"Yeah. A party titled, the hiding out from our dads and so far succeeding event." I chuckled from my own comment as my eyes landed back on them outside, just talking away. My father is so hell bent on keeping me from hanging out with practically anyone. But especially 'those Menendez boys' as he calls them. School is my best and only friend. My extra activists are my lovers. Those are his words. But there's no way in hell i'm going to listen to the no friend rule anymore.

"Well let's ditch this popsicle stand before it becomes a full on war zone. Cheesecake Factory on me!" I instantly jumped up from the mention of Cheesecake Factory, practically dragging Erik along with me.

"Last one to Lyle's car actually does have to pay the entire bill!" Erik and I took off, shoving Lyle and Craig out of our way to dodge through the hedges like we were some action stars, running away from danger. We instantly flung his thankfully unlocked doors open and jumping in just in the nick of time. Those hedges are now my new best friends for getting us here a lot quicker than the sidewalk.

"Well Erik my man, we got away with that one. So let's make sure we order the most expensive thing on the menu." We both laughed, just looking at each other with goofy smiles on our faces and our breathing completely out of control from our track star level running. His hand suddenly rose to my face to tuck in a stray piece of hair just hanging there, giving me that adorable smile of his with it.

"Okay you cheaters. No food for you...." We all laughed from Craig's sour face, him being the last one in the car. Lyle had ran for his life and left him behind so quickly. It was honestly hilarious.

"Oh no. We had a deal sir. I want all the food. And stat!" Lyle got his car into gear and we took off with all the windows down and the wind rustling my hair. I felt so.... free. But awaiting us at home, was something we didn't want to imagine. We had no idea that from the family room window in my house, was our fathers watching us take off down the road.