Serenity gazed at her new friends’ brother, she had only just met him, and already she knew something was up.

She met him a few weeks ago; he had called the “Teen Hot-Line” where she worked. Calling for some advice on what he should do about his depressed friend.

She could only tell him that his friend needed more than a good listener, but someone who would be able to understand him, and a number that could give more advice and counseling services.

When she asked who it was, he had fumbled over his words. After a few tries, he simply stated that it was just a close friend of his that needed the help.

It was yesterday though, when he had called back, and asked to meet her.

What she feared had come true; his close friend had actually attempted suicide. He slit his wrists, but was thankfully saved by him and his younger brother. The “friend” had been home for a few days now, and was seemingly not even close to being “normal” or his “old self.”

He then started to beg and plead with her, just to meet with him and his friend, even though she had repeatedly told him that it was against the policy of the hot line. But it only sent him into another begging episode.

In the end, she just wanted to shut him up and caved in. They were to meet at the local library, outside in the parking lot.

Serenity had agreed, but was thrown off guard when she met Taylor Hanson and his younger brother Zac, waiting for her in the county library's parking lot.

She had been infuriated, thinking that it was all some form of a joke. But when she had seen their solemn faces, she knew that it seriously wasn’t. And her anger quickly dissipated.

They quickly introduced themselves, and glanced nervously over at their brother who was behind the wheel of a white van. She had guessed it had to have been the family car. No known teen would drive such a car if they didn’t have one of their own. And most wouldn’t ask for such a car as their own.

They shuffled her to the van and helped her inside, and she gave Taylor a questioning look. Asking what it was all about, assuming that it had been him that talked with her on the phone.

Taylor shook his head slowly, before looking away. “We’re ready to go, Ike.” He said softly as he buckled his seat belt.

Zac, who was sitting next to her, did the same, and she followed their actions. She looked down though, when Zac held her hand lightly in his, giving her a weak smile.

They rode in silence all the way to their home. Serenity was in awe when she saw what the outside of their house looked like.

There were giant walls, security camera’s, and an electrical gate.

Almost like prison. She thought moodily as she watched the iron gates close behind them.

When she looked at the three brothers she noticed that they weren’t smiling either. Could they possibly think the same? She asked herself. That this is what they get? That this is how they must live, in a prison, for doing what they love?

She was going to think more, but Isaac had parked the van, and Zac had nudged her to get out. Slowly she unbuckled herself and pulled the sliding door open.

Kindly, Taylor had given her his hand to help her out, and she took it. After she stepped out onto the ground, Zac followed and slammed the door shut.

Isaac had already left them.

“We want to tell you about our friend…” Taylor started looking down at the ground as he shuffled his feet nervously, like a little boy would have standing in front of strangers.

Serenity looked over at Zac; he too was staring at the ground. She turned back to Taylor and he looked up at her. She shook her head slightly. “It doesn’t take a genius to know you’re talking about Isaac.” She said quietly.

Taylor was about to deny that statement, but realized that Serenity already knew, and that there was no use in hiding it from her, at least. She was here to help, not make things worse for them and Isaac.

No one but the family knew about it, well the doctor knew, but he had already been paid off and signed an agreement to keep it quiet. Isaac had only gone in for a check-up that’s all. At least, that’s what the medical chart stated. And those never lie.

Quietly, Taylor led the way inside. Isaac was sitting in the armchair staring aimlessly at the TV and other objects as his mind wandered unfocused. Serenity eyed him now and again. She doubted he had caught her, or had known she was doing it, because he didn’t do anything. Didn’t look in her direction, or even acknowledge that she or his brothers were in the same room as them.

Their mother, Diana Hanson, had walked into the room. Her smile wavered when it landed on the strange girl, but Taylor had gotten up and talked quietly to her. After that her smile grew tight, before she looked over at her eldest son, then walked out on unstable feet.

Isaac had walked out also. Only he went outside, and Serenity followed.

“Hi.” She said softly, when he turned around to see who was following.

“My brothers are inside.” He told her warily when she stepped up behind him. He didn't turn to acknowledge her, just kept his gaze focused on some far off object.

Serenity nodded. “I know," She replied lightly. "I came to talk to you.”

“And why would you want to do a thing like that?” He asked as he watched the ground while walking alongside the house to the backyard.

“Because I was brought here to.” She answered simply.

Isaac looked up at her in disgust. “Let me guess.” He said in false thoughtfulness. “You know exactly how I feel, and you want to help, right?” He questioned, a cold smile upon his lips.

Serenity nodded her head nonchalantly after a few seconds. “Somewhere along those lines, yeah.”

“Well forget it.” He stated shaking his head. “I’ve already been through that and I already have one quack of a shrink, I don’t need someone else telling me about it too.”

“I wasn’t going to.” She commented shrugging. “I’m here to help you understand, and for me to understand as well.”

“For you to understand what?” Isaac asked curiously.

“You.” She stated simply.

“Don’t try and understand me!” He snapped harshly. “You’re going to try and get all buddy-buddy with me, and then you’re going to say I’m wrong, and that I’m crazy!”

Serenity shook her head. “No, I won’t.”

“Don’t lie to me! Don't fuckin’ lie!” Isaac shouted as he grabbed a hold of her shoulders. He shook her hard. “Don’t lie!” He shouted again.

Not even batting an eye, Serenity reached up and slapped his right cheek hard. Her hand stung after she heard the loud smack of flesh hitting flesh.

Isaac stumbled back dazedly, and instantly covered the red hand mark growing on his cheek. He stared at her for a second, before his eyes focused, then turned and ran.

Serenity followed him. Running just as fast as he was, and catching up to him quickly. She jumped in front of him, nearly causing him to crash right into her. She grabbed at his arms, and pushed up the sleeves of his black sweater. She saw the still healing flesh, on his left wrist.

“This is what I understand, Isaac!” She shouted at him, breathless from the run she just endured.

He tried to jerk his hand free, but she only gripped it tighter. “Don’t you see?” She questioned, her eyes burning into his. “You’re not alone. People feel the same way as you do!”

Isaac finally shook his arm from her hand; he thrust the sleeve back down and glared at her. "I told you." He whispered fiercely. "Don’t try and understand me!” He shouted back. "You don't know me. You don't know anything about me!"

His eyes went large as he looked around him wildly. “You don’t understand what it’s like here. Girls screaming at you. Never staying home longer than a week. Everyone always criticizing you, whether or not you dressed right, or acted perfectly, or if you said the right things or not."

"Everyone always wants to know all about you, but you never see them again. Never getting privacy even when you come home!”

Then he waved his arms angrily around himself. “Look at this place!” He told her. “This could be some fortress in a freakin’ war.”

Serenity watched as he continued on. This was what he needed. To get everything out, and not bottled up inside no more. She fought the urge to smile up at him.

When he was done, she took his hand again. But this time she held it loosely in her own.

He flinched at her touch. Feared what she may do, but none the less, didn’t break away from it.

“Why did you start music?” She asked him quietly, as they both gazed at the backyard. Not really looking, but more thinking about the images and the thoughts in their head.

“It was so much fun.” He said quietly. “Just singing, and snapping, and tapping.” He shook his head, a child-like smile upon his lips. “When I first wrote a real song for us to sing, it was so awesome.” He confessed excitedly, reliving the vivid memory again in his mind. "It was just my brother's and I, and our voices."

Serenity grinned at him, and gave his hand an encouraging squeeze.

Instantly his hand tightened his grip on hers. “It was so much fun then.” He told her quietly.

“It can be again, you know?” She replied.

His clouded eyes looked upon hers. “No.” He murmured softly, "It will never be like that again."

She shook her head slowly. “Remember how you and your brothers used to practice?” She asked. “Remember how you would sit and talk and laugh with each other?”

Isaac nodded his head. “Yeah.” He said quietly.

She nodded also. “Then do that. Remember everything you used to do and love, and do that again.” She told him. “Who cares if it seems childish. Be a child!” She said laughing.

“You still are one, you know.” She stated.

“I know.” He sighed.

Serenity looked him over, and then slowly started to remove her hand from his. “You’re going to be all right, Isaac Hanson.” She told him smiling a slight knowing smile.

Isaac was silent a moment, before he nodded reluctantly.

She gave him a quick kiss on his lips, before she walked away from him. It wasn’t a loving or lustful kiss, but more friendly and reassuring.

She was confident that he was going to go back to being a kid, and realize what fun was all about again, before the harshness of reality destroyed his childhood more than what it already had.

Taylor caught up with her on her way out. “Hey, wait up!” He called to her.

Serenity turned to look at him. “He’s going to be fine, Taylor.” She answered before he even asked anything.

He shook his head. “Not what I was going to ask first.” He responded.

“Oh?” She asked smiling. “Then what were you going to ask first?”

“How are you going to get home?” He questioned.

She laughed lightly. “I can walk. I need the fresh air.”

Taylor was about to object to that when she shook her head. “Okay, then what’d you do to Ike?” He asked. “I saw you two fight first, now you seem like friends.” He said, his bright eyes confused.

Serenity lifted the sleeves to her sweater. She revealed matching scars on her wrists. “Don’t try to understand, Taylor.” She told him gently.

He stared for a second, but then nodded his head. Still confused, but knowing he would never fully understand what had transpired between the two.

She smiled at him softly, then she pulled the sleeves down and walked up to the iron gates. When they closed with her on the side she waved to him. And he waved back.

He knew that there were just some things in life that you just don’t understand, and you don’t even try to either.