Access Control - Security Administration free essay sample

In todays world we consider access control as something that grants or denies entry to our homes and businesses using a system or device such as a key, access cards, security pins or even physical guards. Modern day systems can do much more than just restrict access to a given space, but their basic function is to do just that, restrict access. The Decision making process Do we need access control and why. Think for a moment how many buildings or facilities that you know of that don’t have at least a lock on the door. In todays civilized society we unfortunately also have crime and lots of it. Because of this, we must have access control.The main reason for controlling access is to prevent someone from entering that may want to steal and damage property or cause harm to those on the property. Why there are also many social reasons for access control, many companies also employ access control to limit liability and improve productivity by allowing people to feel safer in their workplace knowing that not just anyone can come in. We will write a custom essay sample on Access Control Security Administration or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The decision to have access control ultimately depends on the needs of the property or people being protected. Access Control Functions The basic function of all access control systems is to grant or deny access into a facility you are controlling. In order to be effective, an access control system must use certain processes, these processes are: Identification, Authentication, Authorization, and Accountability. The Identification process gathers information on the person requesting the access. Authentication is used to prove or disprove identification, this can be accomplished by several methods, but generally something like an access code along with a smart card works well (something you have and something you know) Authorization is determined by rules that determine who can enter and under what circumstances.The final process is accountability, the process of reporting and logging who has requested access and the results of those requests. Types of systems Starting with the basics, guards are a type of access control system that dates back to the medieval times. Even today, guards are still used to keep people out or at the least keep people under control. Locks and keys have also been around quite some time and are conside red to be a reasonably good access control system. However, over time, criminals have learned how to get past everyday locks and use tools of the trade to circumvent the key locking systems or simply cut padlocks.PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) are also a type of security system, but since pins are often lost and can easily be stolen, they are not widely used by themselves as a type of access control. Smart cards, which are still widely used today, offer a form of security that can require (something you have and something you know) the smart card being something you have and the pin for it something you know. Biometric access control systems are so far the best type of access control we have today. The reasoning for this is because it relies on identifying unique human characteristics such as fingerprints, retinas, hands, etc.Since these characteristics are unique to each person like DNA, biometric access control systems are considered far better than the other systems I have listed. When it comes to access control of comput er systems, many of the same types of control systems mentioned above are also used along with passwords and encryption. Uses of different systems There are many ways to use the systems I have already mentioned. Almost all buildings use keys to lock doors, but depending on the facility, they might also use smart card or proximity cards to control access into different parts of the building.By doing this they can enhance security and effectively control the access to different areas all through a computerized system. This allows them to easily grant or deny access in a very short period of time or only allow access during certain times of the day. Biometric access control systems can also be used in the same manner. Being able to control access in this manner also allows for good tracking and logging of who comes and goes. Components of an access control system Components of an access control system can be a door, turnstile, gate, elevator, or any other physical barrier where granting access can be electronically controlled. The most common access point is a door. An electronically controlled access door can contain several elements. The most basic might be just a stand-alone electric lock that is controlled by a security guard. The lock could also be automated by adding a reader that is controlled by a computer system that compares against an access list and determines who is allowed in by either entering a code, having a card or even biometrics. Most of the time due to fire regulations only the entry is controlled and the exit is uncontrolled. In cases where exit is also controlled a second card reader is simply added to the other side of the door.In cases where exit is not controlled, a device called a request-to-exit (RTE) is used. Request-to-exit devices can be as simple as a push-button or a motion detector. Access control topology Access control decisions are made by comparing the credential to an access control list. This can be accomplished by a server, an access control panel or reader. â€Å"The development of access control systems has seen a steady push of the lookup out from a central host to the edge of the system, or the reader. The predominant topology circa 2009 is hub and spoke with a control panel as the hub and the readers as the spokes.The lookup and control functions are by the control panel. The spokes communicate through a serial connection; usually RS485. Some manufactures are pushing the decision making to the edge by placing a controller at the door. The controllers are IP enabled and connect to a host and database using standard networks. † (Ref: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Access_control) Security Risks What are the risks vs. benefits Unfortunately, there are many risks, the most common of which is called piggybacking. This is when someone simply follows someone with access through the access control point. This risk can be minimized through training of staff on security awareness. Another way to mitigate this risk is to add a mantrap or security guard to the access control point, but this can be costly and should only be done in higher security areas. Another common risk is from levering or prying the door open. This is very easy to do on most doors and can be done with something as small as a screwdriver. One way to mitigate this risk is to add door monitoring alarms that sound when a door has been opened by force or notify security personnel.Access cards, specifically proximity cards are vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. Portable readers are readily available that can capture the card number from a user’s proximity card. The attacker just has to get closer enough to the card holder to read the card and can then use that information to access the secure door. Lastly, most all electric locking systems still have keys as a backup to gain entry. Mechanical key locking systems are easily picked using a method called bumping. Some of the benefits of access control are reduction in fraud. If an access card is lost or stolen, it can quickly be de-activated.Another benefit is the ability to create an audit trail. Since electronic access control systems can record who is coming and going and when, it’s easy to limit control in a very short amount of time if not instantly. It also allows administrators to quickly address security breaches. Another great benefit is cost control. Being able to control access to many different access control points from a single control center reduces overall cost and manpower needed to control access to the facility. It also reduces costs associated with having to replace locks when keys are lost.And most importantly, the ability to secure your workplace with access control systems. Conclusion Going back hundreds of years, access control systems have always been a part of our society. Modern day systems are more high tech and usually consist of electronic locks, keypads, card readers, or biometric devices. But these systems do much more than keep the wrong people out, they protect people and property. Protecting people and property are main reasons for deploying an access control system, but they also help improve productivity and limit liability.Whether an access control system is big or small or whether it is protecting a handful of people or thousands of people they all employ the same processes, just on a different scale. In the end they all serve the same purpose and that is to let the right people through the right doors at the right time. References Finger key, hand key and hand reader Retrieved October 1st , 2012 from http://www. officesecuritypro. com/office-security-articles/access-control-security-system. php Access Control Retrieved October 1st , 2012 from

Simple Dépêcher (to Hurry) Conjugations in French

Simple Dà ©pà ªcher (to Hurry) Conjugations in French How would you say hurry up in French? One way is to use a conjugate of the verb  dà ©pà ªcher. For example, you can use dà ©pà ªche toi for a single person and dà ©pà ªchons vous for multiple people. That is just one very simple conjugation of the French verb. There are many others that you will want to know in order to use  dà ©pà ªcher  beyond a quick command. A short lesson will run you through the most common forms. Conjugating the French Verb  Dà ©pà ªcher Dà ©pà ªcher  is a  regular -ER  verb  and that makes the conjugations a little easier to remember. This is particularly true if you have already studied similar words like  demander  (to ask) or  dà ©cider  (to decide). Thats because they share the same infinitive verb endings. Before you can add an ending to  dà ©pà ªcher, we must identify the verb stem:  dà ©pà ªch-. To this, the endings are added to  match the subject pronoun with the appropriate tense. For example, I am hurrying is je dà ©pà ªche while we will hurry is nous dà ©pà ªcherons. Subject Present Future Imperfect je dpche dpcherai dpchais tu dpches dpcheras dpchais il dpche dpchera dpchait nous dpchons dpcherons dpchions vous dpchez dpcherez dpchiez ils dpchent dpcheront dpchaient The Present Participle of  Dà ©pà ªcher Adding -ant  to the verb stem of  dà ©pà ªcher  gives you the  present participle  dà ©pà ªchant. Its helpful beyond the verb usage and can also be an adjective, gerund, or noun. The Past Participle and Passà © Composà © Another way to express the past tense hurried is with the  passà © composà ©. To construct this, attach  the  past participle  dà ©pà ªchà ©Ã‚  to the appropriate conjugate of  avoir, the  auxiliary verb. As an example, I hurried is jai dà ©pà ªchà © and we hurried is nous avons dà ©pà ªchà ©. Notice how  ai  and  avons  are conjugates of  avoir  and that the past participle remains unchanged. More Simple  Dà ©pà ªcher  Conjugations to Know When the action of hurrying is in question or uncertain, you might use the subjunctive verb mood. In a similar fashion, the conditional form implies that the hurrying will only happen  if  something else occurs. The passà © simple is a common literary form of  dà ©pà ªcher  and its likely you wont use it yourself. The same can be said for the imperfect subjunctive, however being able to recognize these is a good idea. Subject Subjunctive Conditional Pass Simple Imperfect Subjunctive je dpche dpcherais dpchai dpchasse tu dpches dpcherais dpchas dpchasses il dpche dpcherait dpcha dpcht nous dpchions dpcherions dpchmes dpchassions vous dpchiez dpcheriez dpchtes dpchassiez ils dpchent dpcheraient dpchrent dpchassent The imperative forms of  dà ©pà ªcher  are those short commands like, Hurry up! When using these, formality is dropped, so you can skip the subject pronoun: use dà ©pà ªchons rather than nous dà ©pà ªchons. Imperative (tu) dpche (nous) dpchons (vous) dpchons

Social networks and the internet shrink our understanding of the Essay - 1

Social networks and the internet shrink our understanding of the world. Argue your position on this statement - Essay Example At the initial stages, the excitement and hype involved in the development of new technology prevent to outlook the negative consequences. It becomes hard to find any people who are not connected to any forms of social media. The prime purpose of the report is to argue on the statement the internet and the social networks can shrink the people’s understanding of the world. The emergence of social media is a perfect intermediate for individual to connect with each other via internet. The introduction of social media has completely altered the human relationship dynamics in to new perspective. The pivotal cause of drastic growth of this new technology is the ability of creating user-generated content. The downside of the causal connection in electronic surroundings can shrink the understanding of the world. Recent survey states that, more than 90% of the total world population is some way or another connected to social media and internet (Giuffre, 2013, p.18). This resembles the massive growth of social media has encouraged people to provide power in their hand and can act as a communication tool. Social media has become an inevitable part of human lives as it created a global reach for human beings to share information, knowledge and communicate. In today’s society, routines and daily patterns of internet and social media has become more popular due to the upsurge of number of internet users (Lyron, 2010, p.8). According to Georgetown University, â€Å"the rise of social media and internet means that everyone is critic and publisher†. According to Ethan Zuckerman, the enormous amount of information can be acquired from social media and internet but problem arises when people do not necessarily know about the information and knowledge that are required to know about the world (Johnson, 2010, p.78). It is true that, the wider expansion of social media has benefited people to gain knowledge and discover

Business concepts 2 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Business concepts 2 - Coursework Example The first role is the provision of technological supervision in the corporation, which does not only entail the supervision of the other IT specialists but also the information systems and the communications networks. The CIO also oversees the development and execution of an excellent customer service platform relative to the organization’s practices. He/she also liaises with management teams and organizational leaders on any IT-related alterations, advances or probable approaches to enhance communication. Additionally, still under communication, the CIO maintains the corporate network infrastructure for utter connectivity and remote access. Other roles of the CIO entail participation in vendor contract negotiations, assessing and anticipating technology projects, and establishing and directing strategic and tactical objectives, initiatives and practices in the IT department. Finally, the top-level management also requires the CIO to flourish in the identification of user need s and resolution of problems. The core roles of the Information Department, relative to the name, entail dealing with most, if not all, of the organization’s information. The first significant role entails planning, where members in the department work with the Chief Information Officer in developing an IT approach supporting the corporate culture and objectives (Linton, 2015). The planning role of the department helps in building a resilient advantage over the rest of the competitors, which they achieve through customization of software and computer systems significant in meeting needs of other organization’s departments. Networking is also among the roles of the department as it is the backbone of efficient communication and collaboration between departments. The IT departments operations mostly relate to the organization networks and ways of making it more efficient. As modules of the network system, the IT department, through the different teams, engages in

The Wages of Maturity Essay Example for Free

The Wages of Maturity Essay Joyce Carol Oates had distinctively portrayed the harmful consequences that teens may experience when they act much older than their ages. In the story â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been†, Oates tells the story of a 15-year old girl who behaves more mature than kids of her age. Oates based this story on a Life Magazine story of a young man killing several girls in Arizona and in it she clearly wants to impart that maturity has its own time and rushing it up will only lead to unfavorable things.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Such thing happened to Connie, the main character of the story, whose ways are a lot more grown-up than her 24-year old sister, June. June was simple and plain looking, whereas Connie is obsessed with her appearance and the need to always look good. Oates describes Connie to have â€Å"a quick, nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right† (1). She goes out with friends who possess the same behavior and together they love going to the mall, restaurants, and movies houses up until an hour before midnight. One can never see them hang out in places where girls of their age usually are. Connie thinks that the sprees of a typical teenager are boring. And that’s the reason why she goes out in places where young adults spend time. She loves mingling with older boys and her mother never approved to any of those. Connie then, covers what she is doing outside her house by acting differently when she is at home. This is how Connie gets away with her need to show others that she isn’t an ordinary 15-year old with regular hobbies. She wants to show all the people that she was somebody different – somebody far more classy and superior to others.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At 15, Connie was adventurous and has cars and older boys enlivening her. She lives a wild and thrilling life when she’s outside. Her haven outside was the drive-in restaurant across the busy road where a lot of older kids normally hung out. It was a fly-infested restaurant, but Connie and her friends are pleased and expectant of the place as if it were a sacred building when they are inside it   (Oates 1). Connie’s love to live a mature life is exemplified by her preference for loud music and shiny cars. She chooses to talk to boys older than her when she’s inside the restaurant and ignores the ones who merely came from school. Connie is obviously caught in a world not apt for her, and she is yet to know how harmful that could be for her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      Connie never liked family affairs because she believes her personality wasn’t apt for those gatherings. She never liked household chores and doesn’t clean even her own room. One Sunday her whole family was invited to a barbeque at an aunt’s house. Connie, being uninterested about the matter, rolled her eyes to her mother and said she’d rather stay home. And that’s when her maturity pretense is going to catch up on her. Arnold Friend, a guy whom she encountered in the same restaurant she frequents, suddenly drove into their garage in his newly painted car. He looks much older than 18 years old, which he claims to be. He is enticing Connie to come and ride away with him, together with another friend Ellie, who is to sit in the car’s back seat. Connie was more than hesitant. But Arnold is clear that she doesn’t have any other choice but to go out with him. Arnold has something inside him that was both weird and scary – and something had made Connie totally helpless with the situation. She knew she was headed for trouble, but she can’t scream or run or do anything about it because Arnold has this supernatural power of disorienting her and making her house feel like a box of carton that is unable to protect her from the harm that he can do to her. Arnold was not merely human. In him is an evil soul and his physical appearance is merely a disguise of what he really is. Connie, unable to think right and is defenseless, have no other choice but to go to him and follow.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Maturity has its wages. People come to age when the right time comes. Rushing it up doesn’t make us more mature than what we really are. Posing to be mature won’t cause people to respect us more. Instead, doing so openly shows our insecurity and vulnerability to them. And that is something they can use against us. Acting mature doesn’t make us mature. It makes us weaker than we should be.

The Chryslids - Plausible :: The Chrysalids

The Chryslids   - Plausible    â€Å"The Chrysalids† by John Wyndham is an entertaining yet plausible story. It compels the reader to think about human nature and our attitude to the world around us that we often take for granted. The setting of â€Å"The Chrysalids†Ã‚   is several hundred years after a nuclear war. What is left of civilization is a few small towns here and there all over the countries of the world.  Ã‚   The population is by the leadership what the â€Å"true image† is apparently meant to be.   If you are not of the true image then you are sent to live in the fringes. Many people and animals are born with birth defects caused by the nuclear radioactivity that is still present from the nuclear destruction of previous years. The population that is considered of the â€Å"true image† are cruel to the â€Å"freaks† or â€Å"mutants†. Some of the people in the novel are also very bigoted like David’s father. He thinks he is the king of the castle and can’t be wrong. If he says something it should happen like where he has an argument with the inspector about the giant horses or when he burnt that families cat because it didn’t have a tail eg â€Å"It is your moral duty to issue an order against these so called horses!!† Various people including David’s father all agree that deviants are from the devil and should be castrated or thrown out of society. Another thing is that people are forced to agree with the laws and if they don’t they are also thrown from society where they would either be killed or spend the rest of their miserable lives in the sloughs of the fringe people. Their attitude towards the world is OK I suppose. They don’t really use that much of the worlds resources in Waknuk or any of the other little towns around. They don’t need to think about how much longer the supplies of these materials are going to last because all that they are using at the moment is trees, which they seem to have plenty of, and water which they get from wells and rivers. There food they grow or hunt and cook and bake things over open fires I would assume.

The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 7

Ella Dean's got his music blasting upstairs at full volume and it's rattling the ceiling. I start picking up the garbage in the kitchen, avoiding the confrontation of seeing him again. Propping the trash can against my hip, I drag my arm along the counter, pushing a line of bottles into it. I pull out the bag and tie the string shut, holding it far away from me. â€Å"God, that stinks.† â€Å"Still cleaning up after dad, I see.† Dean enters the kitchen. He's dressed in slacks and a button down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His dark brown hair is cut short and it shows off the scar on the top of his forehead, where I accidently hit him during a freak accident while we were playing baseball with a tent pole and a basketball. â€Å"Nothing changes around here, even when you leave for a year.† He opens the fridge and steals a beer. â€Å"Although, you do look different. Did you finally clean up your act?† â€Å"Do you really care if I did?† I drag the garbage bag toward the back door. â€Å"I think you made it perfectly clear the last time you were here that you don't give a shit what happens to me.† He pops the cap off the bottle. â€Å"Are you still on that?† â€Å"You told me I killed our mother,† I say quietly. â€Å"How could I be over that?† He sips his beer and shrugs. â€Å"I thought you left so you could move on with your life.† I summon a deep breath. â€Å"I didn't move on. I bailed just like you did.† â€Å"I ran away for the same reason you ran away because staying here means dealing with the past and our pasts are the kind that need to be locked away and never revisited.† â€Å"You mean dealing with mom's death. And the fact that it was my fault she's dead. Or that I'm responsible for her death.† He peels at the beer bottle label. â€Å"Why do you always have to be so blunt about everything? It makes people uncomfortable.† I'm changing back into my old ways and I need to collect myself. Opening the back door, I toss the garbage bag onto the back steps. â€Å"Do you want to go get some dinner or something? We could go out to Alpine where no one really knows us.† He shakes his head, gulps down the rest of the beer, and then tosses the empty bottle into the trash. â€Å"The only reason I came back here was to get the rest of my stuff. Then I'm out. I got stuff to go back to that's more important than family drama and alcoholic fathers.† He leaves me in the kitchen and a few seconds later, the music is turned up louder. It's an upbeat rhythm and it drives me crazy, so I crank on the kitchen radio, blasting â€Å"Shameful Metaphors† by Chevelle. I start sweeping up the kitchen, blocking out my brother's words. He always liked to nitpick me apart, which was fine, but at the funeral, he crossed a line we can never come back from. The back door swings open and the wind rushes in as my dad stumbles into the kitchen. His shoes are untied, his jeans are torn, and his red shirt is stained with dirt and grease. His hand is wrapped with an old rag that's soaked in blood. Dropping the broom to the floor, I rush to him. â€Å"Oh my God, are you okay?† He flinches from me and nods his head, staggering to the sink. â€Å"Just cut myself on the job. No biggie.† I turn down the music. â€Å"Dad, you weren't drinking at work, were you?† He turns the faucet on and his head slumps over. â€Å"The guys and I had a couple of shots during lunch break, but I'm not drunk.† He removes the rag and sticks his hand under the water, letting out a relieved sigh as the water mixes with his blood. â€Å"Is your brother home? I thought I saw his car in the driveway.† I grab a paper towel and clean up the blood he got on the counter and on the floor. â€Å"He's upstairs packing up some stuff or something.† He dabs his hand with a paper towel, wincing. â€Å"Well, that's good I guess.† I lean over to examine his hand. â€Å"Do I need to take you to the doctor? That looks like it might need stitches?† â€Å"I'll be fine.† He grabs a bottle of vodka, takes a swig, and then douses his hand with it. â€Å"Dad, what are you doing?† I reach for the first aid kit above the sink. â€Å"Use the rubbing alcohol from the first aid kit.† Breathing through clenched teeth, he wraps up his hand with a paper towel. â€Å"See, good as new.† â€Å"It can still get infected.† I take out the kit and set it on the counter. â€Å"You should really let me take you to a doctor.† He stares at me for a moment with his eyes full of agony. â€Å"God, you look so much like her, it's just crazy†¦ â€Å"He drags his feet as he walks out the doorway and into the living room. Seconds later, I hear the television click on and the air fills with smoke. Suppressed feelings surface as I put the first aid kit back into the cupboard. Cranking up the music, I drowning out my pain and busy myself with the dishes. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I wipe my hands off on a towel before checking my messages. There's the voicemail from Micha from yesterday that I still haven't listened to and a new text message from him. The text message seems like the less dangerous of the two. My hand trembles as I read it over and over again, then finally respond. I toss the phone on the counter and focus on cleaning because it's simple. And simple is just what I want. Micha I barge into Ella's house. Something bad happened, probably because of her douche bag brother. Ella is scrubbing down the counters with the same amount of energy as a drummer. Her hair is pulled up, but pieces hang loose in her face. She has the music on, so she doesn't hear me come in. I walk up behind her, wanting to touch her, but instead I turn the music down. She drops the paper towel she is holding and reels around. â€Å"You scared the hell out of me.† She presses her hand to her chest. â€Å"I didn't hear you come in.† â€Å"That's kind of obvious.† I search her green eyes, crammed with misery. She fidgets with a stack of plates and carries them over to the cupboard before backtracking to the sink. She's wound up over something and too much energy is in her. Her mom was like that a lot of times. But Ella's not her mother, whether she realizes it or not. I collect the plates from her hand and set them in the sink. â€Å"Do you want to tell me what's got you all worked up?† Tapping her fingers on the sides of her legs, she shakes her head. â€Å"I should have never sent you that text. I don't know why I did it.† She starts to turn away from me, but I catch the bottom of her shirt. â€Å"Ella May, stop talking to me like we're business associates. I know you better than anyone and I know when something's bothering you.† â€Å"I said I was fine.† Her voice is tight as she forces back the tears. The girl never lets herself cry, even when her mom died. â€Å"No, you're not,† I steer her by the shoulders toward me. â€Å"And you need to let it out.† She stares at the floor. â€Å"I can't.† I tuck my finger under her chin and raise her head up, looking into her eyes. â€Å"Yes, you can. It's killing you inside.† Her shoulders quiver and she lets her head fall against my chest. I rub her back and tell her it will be okay. It's not much, but it's enough for the moment. Finally she pulls back and her face is unreadable. â€Å"Where's Lila?† â€Å"I left her with Ethan at the shop.† I sit down on the kitchen table that's stacked with unopened bills. â€Å"She's supposed to come back here when her car's fixed.† She gazes out the window, lost in her thoughts. â€Å"She could just go home after Ethan's done. She doesn't need to come back here.† â€Å"Where does she live?† â€Å"In California.† â€Å"Then she probably shouldn't leave tonight.† I glance out the window at the sun setting behind the shallow hills. â€Å"It's late and she's going to be driving by herself, right?† Ella nods, spaced out as she twists her hair around her finger. â€Å"And I worry about her making the drive by herself. I mean she practically freaked out when we ran into Grantford at the restrooms over by the lake.† My fingers grip the edge of the table. â€Å"You ran into Grantford?† She lowers her hand from her hair and lets it fall to her side. â€Å"Yeah, but it wasn't a big deal. He just acted like himself and you know how that is.† I release the table from my death grip, trying to clear the anger out of my head. No matter what Ella says, Grantford never should have left her on the bridge that night when she was that out of it. I stretch my legs out in front of me and change the direction of the conversation. â€Å"How did you end up becoming friends with Lila?† She bites down on her lip, contemplating. â€Å"We were roommates.† She shrugs, letting her lip pop out from her teeth and it drives me crazy because all I want to do is bite down on it myself. â€Å"She was really nice and different from all my friends here and I wanted a change.† I hop off the table and move in front of her. â€Å"Change is good, but completely shutting down is a whole other story, Ella, have you†¦ Did you ever talk to anyone about what happened with your mom?† Her shoulders stiffen and she turns for the doorway, preparing to leave. â€Å"That's none of your business.† I block her path. â€Å"Yes it is. I've known you forever, so I get full rights to what's inside your head.† Her eyes narrow and she puts her hands on her hips. â€Å"Get out of my way, Micha Scott.† â€Å"What is it with you using my last name?† I say. â€Å"Before, when you'd get mad at me, you'd just call me a douche bag.† â€Å"I don't use those words anymore,† she says flatly. â€Å"I'm nicer than that.† â€Å"Really?† I accuse. â€Å"Because you sure seem pissed off at me all the time.† â€Å"I'm trying not to be,† she fumes. â€Å"But you're making it very hard for me.† â€Å"Alright, you need a time out. I've had enough of your stubborn crap.† I pick her up by the waist and throw her over my shoulder. She lets out a startled gasp, and pounds her fists onto my back. â€Å"Dammit Micha, put me down!† Ignoring her, I walk out the back door and down the empty driveway. I think about grabbing her ass just because I can, but I'm afraid she might bite me†¦ although, that doesn't sound bad. â€Å"Micha,† she complains furiously. â€Å"Put me down!† My mom steps out of the house as I carry her toward the garage. She's dressed in a black dress a little too short for her age. Her highlighted hair is fluffed up like a poodle and her makeup is caked on. She must have a date. She stops on the top step and tilts her head to the side to get a better look. â€Å"Ella, is that you?† Ella stops fussing and lifts up her head to look at my mom. â€Å"Hi, Miss Scott. How are you?† â€Å"Hi, honey, I'm doing good†¦ but is there a reason Micha's carrying you like that?† she questions. â€Å"Are you hurt?† Ella shakes her head. â€Å"No, I'm fine. Micha just thinks he's funny.† Which means she secretly likes what I'm doing, but won't admit it. â€Å"Actually, I'm taking her for a ride,† I say slyly, inching my hand up the back of Ella's leg, and she slaps the back of my head playfully. â€Å"I'm taking you for a ride in my car. And you think I'm the pervert?† My mom sighs, shaking her head, and opens her purse. â€Å"Well, it's nice to see you two together again.† She takes out her car keys and her heels click as she trots down the steps. â€Å"Micha sure has missed you while you were gone.† â€Å"Bye mom,† I wave her off, heading for the garage again, as my mom climbs into her Cadillac parked in the street near the curb. â€Å"Is she going on a date?† Ella asks curiously. â€Å"She's been going on a lot of dates lately.† I swing open the car door and set her down in the passenger seat. She tries to climb out. â€Å"I'm not going anywhere tonight Micha.† I gently push her back into the seat. â€Å"I'm not going to let you sit around in your room and sulk while your brother's around. Let's go out and have some fun.† She pauses, crossing her arms over her chest and her boobs nearly pop out of her top. â€Å"But I need to be there when Lila comes back. I can't just let her come back to Dean and my dad passed out on the couch.† â€Å"I'll take care of it.† I rip my gaze from her tits, take out my cell phone, and text Ethan. Me: Taking Ella up to The Back Road. Wanna get Lila and meet us up there? Ella slumps back into the seat. â€Å"What are you up to?† I hold up my finger. â€Å"Just a sec.† Ethan: Yeah, sounds cool. Me: Is Lila up for it? And make sure u ask her. Don't just assume. Ethan: She said she's good†¦ but is Ella ok with going up there? Me: We'll c when we get up there. Ethan: Dude, she's gonna kick ur ass. Me: C U there. I stuff my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and close her door before climbing into the driver's seat. â€Å"Where are you taking me?† she asks, trying to appear annoyed but her inquisitiveness seeps through her eyes. â€Å"It's a surprise.† Once the garage door is open, I peel down the driveway. â€Å"And Lila and Ethan are going to meet us there.† â€Å"A surprise, huh?† she mulls it over. â€Å"I'm not a fan of surprises.† My lips spread to a grin. â€Å"You're such a liar.† She stays silent and I know I've won this one, which is rare, but I'll take it. With a swift crank of the steering wheel, I align the car onto the road and spin the tires off into the night, happy because I managed to chip away a tiny piece of that armor she's wearing.