I enter the house feeling slightly guilty about Xander. What if he hates me now? I sigh starting to head towards my room.

"Hey Emilia. How was you're day?" Car- I mean my grandma asks.

"It was good, great to be back," I say hiding my discomfort.

"That's good," she says with a smile on her face. If she only knew.

"I'm gonna go do my homework and study. I got tests tomorrow," I say chuckling pointing behind me.

"Okay dear. I'll call you for dinner when it's ready," She says before turning back to the TV screen.

"Okay, thank you," I say heading to my room

I set my stuff down on my desk and get everything out to study. 

After a while, I start getting tired and rest my head on my desk. 10 minutes, that's all.

I open my eyes to see I'm still in my room. It's dark outside. I look over and see a dark figure in the corner. I go to scream but my mouth gets covered.

"Oh, Emilia. What do you think you're doing?" Anothony's taunting voice echoes in the room. I try to speak but no words come out.

"You will never be free," He says evilly with laughing.

I wake up abruptly looking around my room. It was just a dream. I sigh in relief. I look to see it's 9:15. Just 10 minutes? Right.....I look at my desk and see a sticky note on it.

I look at the note with a smile on my face. She cared enough to do that for me? Guilt washed over me at the thought of her making this food for me and I just slept through it.

I sighed getting up and heading out the door. It's dark and quiet. She must have gone to bed. 

I enter the kitchen and go to the fridge grabbing the only wrapped plate. I take the foil off. There is some spiced chicken, potatoes, and green beans. I pop it in the microwave and wait for it to heat up.

While it's cooking I grab a cup and get a glass of water. I stop the microwave before it beeps so I don't wake her up.

I sit at the table digging into my food. It's kinda weird having someone spend their time to cook for me after years of doing it myself. It still is delicious. 

After I have finished I clean and put my dish away. I head to my room and sit on my bed. 

I grab my sketchbook from my nightstand and start drawing my favorite flower. A rose. 

I sketch out the petals, then draw the stem. My hand effortless drawing on the page. Now I start shading and adding details to the rose giving it finishing touches. I'm so lost I get startled at a light knock on my window.

The knock on my window caused me to jump, dropping my pencil. I look at the source of the sound and see Xander standing in the window. He waves at me and I wave back walking up to the window. I open it giving him a confused look.

"What are you doing?" I whisper.

"Can I come in?" He asks, ignoring my question. Really?

"U-Uh, Y-yeah," I say opening the window more. I step out of the way making room for him. He looks around my room before setting his gaze on me. I shuffle on my feet.

"Wanna sit?" I ask pointing to the bed.

"Sure," He says walking to the other side of the bed.

"What were you drawing?" he asks me. I grab my sketchbook.

"A rose. They are my favorites," I say opening it to the page I was on.

"That's really good," He says gently grabbing the sketchbook from my hand, looking at it closer.

"Thanks," I say as a blush creeps up my face. I look at his face to see a smile form on his face.

"They were my sisters favorite too," He says. He looks up at me catching me staring at him.

"Emilia?" He asks.

"Yeah?" 

"Can you tell me what happened at school today?" He says

"U-Uh," I pause looking anywhere but him. What if Makenna finds out? What if he confronts her about it and she tells everyone about what happened? What if-

"Emilia?"

"Yeah? Oh sorry," I say starting to fiddle with my fingers. I sigh before speaking

"Makenna, she...uh...accidentally saw my...arms...and she threatened to tell everyone i-if I continued to...hang out with you," I mumble. I don't want to tell him she hit me. He would definitely get mad. He looks slightly angry by what I said.

"I-I don't want everyone to know. It's embarrassing. They will think I'm a pathetic loser," I say looking at my hand bitting my lip trying not to cry.

I feel him gently grab my arms pulling up the sleeves. I instantly look away. It's disgusting. Tears start forming in my eyes. I'm pathetic.

I feel him move my wrist and feel his lips gently press against them. I look back at him with a shocked expression.

"Emilia, don't say that about yourself, please? These don't show weakness in you Emilia. They show strength. You are not a pathetic loser. Who cares what they say? There are people who care about you. We are here for you...I'm here for you," He says holding my eyes with his sincere ones.

Tears fall down my face as I stare into his eyes as I avoid his gaze. He gently grabs the side of my face, tilting it up slightly, staring into my eye. He wipes the tears away with his thumbs. His hands are warm bringing me comfort in his hold. His eyes hold slight sadness and adoration in them.

"I wish I could take away the pain you're feeling Emilia," He whispers putting his hand down. He looks over at me and starts leaning in slowly. What is he-?

Suddenly I feel his lips connect with mine and I stay frozen in shock. I have never been kissed before! This is my first kiss! 

My mind catches up with my body and I slowly start to kiss him back. My eyes closed as our lips move in sync. He hands snake up the sides of my face guiding me through the kiss. I feel happiness, I feel safe in his arms.

I feel something.

He pulls away and looks at me with a smile on his face. I feel my face heat up and I guarantee it's bright red.

"You're so cute when you blush," He says brushing his thumb over my cheeks, making me blush a darker shade, hiding my face in my hands.

He grabs my hands moving them away from my face.

"Don't hide it from me," He says jokingly, I roll my eyes. I look over and see it's 11:36.

"You should probably get back home, It's kind of late," I say looking back at him.

"Probably," He says giving me a sideways glance. He heads for the window and climbs out. He turns back giving me a wide smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow," He says before shutting the window. I go to my closet putting on some PJ's before heading to bed. I turn my lamp off and cuddle into the warmth of my bed.

I close my eyes falling into a peaceful sleep.

----

I woke up to the sound of my alarm quickly turning it off. I head to the bathroom doing my morning business and coming to my room to get dress. I put on a band t-shirt and navy skinny jeans. I grab my hoodie thrown on the desk chair and grab my bookbag heading out of my room.

I walk into the kitchen and see grandma cooking breakfast.

"I made biscuits and gravy, I hope you like them," she says setting a plate in front of me. It smells delicious.

"Thank you," I say digging in. It tastes really good.

"You're welcome dear," She says grabbing herself a plate and sitting at the table with me. We eat in silence and I finish my plate. I rinse it and put it by the sink.

"Thank you again for everything," I say giving her a hug.

"Oh, it's no problem dear," She says squeezing tightly before letting go with a smile on her face.

There is a knock on the door and I assume it's Xander. I head to the door opening it to see the one and only.

"Hey, ready to go?" He asks.

"Yep," I say following him out to his car.

----

We enter the school and meet up with Tony, Adam, and Clara. I continue looking around and over my shoulder, trying to find Makenna. I see her down the hallway sending me death glares, then her face contorts into a smug look. I tense at her action, which everyone around me notices.

"Hey what's wrong?" Clara says gently putting her hand on my shoulder. 

"Nothing, I'm fine," I say trying to wave it off. Xander looks around with a frown on his face untill it contorts into anger.

"Makenna," He says with disgust. He pushes past us and starts walking towards her. He's gonna make it worse!

"No, please don't cause a problem," I try pleading grabbing his arm.

"If we don't do anything now, she won't leave you alone," He says pulling away and continues his walk. They soon follow and I reluctantly follow behind them with my head down. This is gonna be terrible.

"I don't know who you think you are Makenna but you need to stay out of our business and keep to yourself," Xander says deathly serious causing Makenna to have a panicked look but tries to stand her ground. 

"Why should I? Do you know about her? She's a suicidal little bitch," She says looking my way. Tony scoffs.

"When are you gonna learn Makenna? Nobody likes a self-centered bitch" Tony adds sending glares her way. She seems unfazed by there on-slot and a smirk forms on her face as she looks over at me.

The bell rings for class but everyone stays planted on the spot.

"What is your brother gonna think when he gets back?" She says giving me a look like she knows what he would do. My eyes widen in panic. What does she know..?

They all look in my direction with confused glances. Xander turns back to Makenna with a furious look in eyes.

"What does it matter what he will think? I don't see him here now?" Xander says giving her hard glare.

"Oh, yeah maybe not now but he will be. He will come for you Emilia. You can't stay away forever," She says laughing and sending me a knowing look with smug smile tugs at her lips.

"Stay away from them if you know whats good for you, bitch!" She says before walking away. She's with my brother. Of course! How could I be so stupid?!

They all turn in my direction with curious glances.

"Emilia? Are you okay?" Xander asks gripping my shoulder lightly. I shrug it off.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say turning the opposite way, heading to class, sadness flooding in my veins.

There's that feeling again.