I arrived on time thankfully.

I started sifting through the supplies I needed for the night and shortly after I prepared all the newly canvased easels my students were walking in. I saw West shortly after. He was holding open the door for a few of the other students. I smiled and waved at him. He approached me, looking a little listless. I didn't want to pry, but it seemed serious...

About thirty minutes into the class I walked around, as usual, observing everyone's progress. I usually had one class reserved for their 'artistic expression,' and when I reached West's canvas, there were a lot of darker themes. A black rose, with destructive imagery around it. It was beautiful, but darker nevertheless. I sat beside him.

"Art... often reflects the artist's heart..." he turned to look at me and I attempted to smile. He returned the smile looking a little happier.

"To be honest... my mom is sick right now..." my expression fell a little. It sounded really painful to go through... I should know it best...

"I'm sorry to hear West, and I'm sorry for--"

"No, it's alright. I'm actually glad you asked. Sometimes I just feel a bit alone... so when I heard the news, I was a little taken aback. I didn't have many people to share it with," I touched the top of his arm briefly.

"We can go for coffee anytime... just say the word, alright?" he smiled back at me. I'm glad I asked him. I patted his arm, and then slowly got up. I whispered to him that I hoped for her speedy recovery and he nodded.

I did more rounds around the students, complimenting their work and offering constructive feedback where needed. After class I waved goodbye to West, who was the last person to leave. When I closed up shop I began walking back on my usual route, but before I knew it I heard a car horn honk.

When I turned around, I saw a familiar car. It was James. I couldn't believe it...

He pulled over to the side and lowered the window. I looked over at him and he turned to look up at me.

"Where did you come from?"

"The library... I have to pass by this area..." I stared at him a little suspiciously. He cleared his throat.

"Well, get in..."

"Don't want to," he looked at me shocked, and I turned around, walking away. Moments later I heard him get out of the car. I couldn't believe he was following me... he caught up to me quickly and I stopped, turning around.

"What is it?" he looked like he was trying to find the right words to respond to me.

"Let me make this simple for you, alright? Do you feel guilty for the way you've treated me? Or do you want to prove your point by personally investigating me by hoping to find out all of my dark secrets? Are you trying to get close to me in order to expose me?"

"What kind of story are you writing, Miss. Rose?"

"It's not far-fetched... considering all that has transpired between us all," he paused, thinking through things, and then finally replied.

"Maybe you're right. I do feel a little guilty for acting rashly. It was immature of me. I know my grandfather wouldn't have asked you to stay at our house without a reason, deep down... I'm a little more level headed than Kai at least," I rolled my eyes... albeit that was true. I had to prove myself in front of Kai in more tangible ways whereas for James, he seemed to have seen my 'character,' for what could be considered 'good timing.'

I could tell they were both wary of me but the way to their conscience was different.

"And yet, maybe I'm also hoping to find out something about you..." he stepped in a little closer to me and I stayed in place. "That's why I want to stick around you a little more."

"As opposed to avoiding me?"

"I suppose so..." he pushed up his glasses again as they were falling down. I scoffed, looking at the gall of the members of the family. "It works to my advantage, regardless, of getting to know you," he was standing very close to me...

"So, what you're saying is..." I stepped forward, causing him to step back, "that you want to spend more time with me?" I chuckled and I thought I saw him blush a little.

"That's not the case at all. Today, I was just offering to give you a ride."

"Oh, offering? I thought I was supposed to just 'get in,'" he paused for a moment and then said...

"Sorry, I mean... would you like a drive back?" I smiled, thinking about how knowing what correct buttons to push with these brothers was a journey, but finding some more common ground was a good feeling.

I didn't need them to trust me immediately, but being able to understand that I wasn't coming from an impure place, with evil motive, was something I wanted to ensure got through their thick skulls.

"Sure, thanks for asking..." I walked forward and he headed back to the driver's seat. I got inside the car, smiling to myself. When he got in, he turned the radio on. I leaned my head on the back of the seat, closing my eyes.

Moments later, though, I couldn't help but re-open my eyes. I thought I had seen someone standing across the street looking at his car, but there was no one in sight. I felt a slight shiver down my arms. There were some goosebumps... I wondered what that was...

***

I picked up some more freelance work in the last week, so I woke up feeling a bit tired. I didn't know how much I slept but probably no more than 5 hours.

I also couldn't help but feel a sense of pressure from the relationship budding between myself and the Ravenwolf family, little by little. Any wrong 'move,' and I'd be checked out for sure.

When I was on my way to the art studio, Nathan called me to let me know, as usual, I needed to attend some meetings. I agreed to shuffle around my art studio work again and he thanked me.

After a few classes I thought I would go out a buy a few things for my room. I hadn't really decorated the space because it felt unlike my own, but after spending more time there, I wanted to bring life into the room.

And how would I do that? I would go and get a ton of plants.

When I found a local nursery nearby, I picked up some citronella and a few succulents that would fit along my window sill. I smiled, thinking about how nice they were going to look indoors.

When I got back to the mansion I had to kick the door shut. I walked forward a few metres, trying to balance the plants in my hands. I could sense someone was coming down from the staircase, but I was concentrating on not letting anything fall from my grasp. However, in a matter of seconds, everything changed.

Someone came rushing inside the house quickly, and not realizing I was there; bumped into my arm. I dropped one plant. Thankfully it landed upright. I could ask the gardener for some more soil.

When I looked up it was Charlie. He had a cut on his cheek. I was more worried about him, so when I reached out, he avoided my touch and instead he mumbled under his breath, "sorry," before racing upstairs. I could hear James in the background now saying: "Hey, Charlie!!"

I bent down to collect the plant. Moments later, James was there helping me with the plant. He was walking down from the opposite side of the staircase.

"I don't know what's wrong with him these days... he didn't use to be this reserved..." I looked up at James. He didn't seem apathetic towards his family member's lives.

"Did you see his face?" he looked up at me curiously. "I've seen him like that for a while now... none of you have noticed?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm surprised... I've been trying to figure out how to help that kid to no avail..." I looked at him seriously in the eyes and said, "he's being harassed at school" it seemed to take James a moment to process what I was saying.

"Harassed? What's this about?" he stood up and I followed. "How long have you known?"

"I think those are the wrong questions to be asking, big brother..." he stared at me a little frustrated, but angry nevertheless. He turned around determined and started racing towards the staircase. I raced towards him and grabbed his arm.

"You can't confront him right now. That would be rash... he's in a vulnerable state..."

"You... stay out of our business..." he glared at me and although I knew that was the case. It still hurt, nevertheless. I let go of his arm and he flew up the steps. I naively thought I could do something about this, and I just made it worse.

I moved to sit down on the step and exhaled. Feeling defeated, I held my hands to the top of my head and lightly knocked my fist into the side of my head. Foolish of me...

I could hear James banging on Charlie's door, demanding he open it. But I knew he wouldn't let James in. No one was going to get through that easily to someone who has shut themselves off from the world... it was a hard place to get out of when you think you're alone.

I saw there for a while thinking about what to do next. Regretting I let it out all at once, but grateful that at least one person outside of myself and Cassandra knew...

When I was ready I walked upstairs heading to my room. James hadn't stopped knocking on the door. Charlie was now blasting his music. I looked at James and he stared back at me briefly. I then looked away when he did and decided to spend the rest of the evening working on some of the work I took on of late...

When I was at the art studio the next day, I couldn't help but feel a bit distracted by all that had transpired in the last 24 hours. I desperately wanted Charlie to feel like he could talk to his family, but I had no idea how that would happen or what I could do for him because he was just so cut off from the rest of everyone.

The more I thought it, the more confused I got.

I also regretted how I left things off with James.

Soon after my class, while walking to my bus stop, I happened to see a bunch of teenagers walking together.

Several of them laughing. But there was something off about the atmosphere around them.

There seemed to be one uncomfortable person sandwiched in-between them... being brought along unwillingly.

When I stopped to look a little closer at the situation, I fixed my eyes on the young man in the middle and he looked familiar... when I squinted a little more, I recognized Charlie... and they were heading into the alleyway together.

There was definitely something wrong about this situation... so I raced forward... hoping that kid would be alright...