"No you're wrong!" I heard Alex exclaimed as I approached to their table during lunch. "Waffles are way better and pancakes!"

"Excuse me?" Lori exclaimed. "Pancakes are delicious and fluffy!"

"Hey guys what's going on?" I asked.

"Good Astrid's here," Alex sighed with relief. "What's better, pancakes or waffles?"

"Waffles without a doubt!" I answered without hesitation as Alex fist bumped me.

"Are you kidding me?" Gigi exasperated, causing Mason to chuckle beside her. "Waffles are basic!"

"And pancakes aren't?" I retorted.

"Ooh she's got a point," Alex pointed out as he first bumped me again.

"Who has a point?" Daniel asked as he approached to our table. Throwing his bag onto the floor, he sat next to me, however, he made sure there was a distance between us.

"Astrid," Mason smirked as he looked at both of us.

That idiot...

"Whatever," Gigi dismissed. "Pancakes are way better than waffles."

"Oh no they're not." Daniel smirked. "Waffles are food for the gods!"

"Oh really?" I laughed. "Cause you didn't say that last night!"

The table went silent as soon as those words left my mouth. Everyone looked at both of us with confusion and shock. Once I realised what I said, I noticed that Daniel froze and I looked at him, only to see him looking down at me with the same shocked expression.

Why?

Why does this always happen to me?

"What did you just say Astrid?" Lori and Gigi asked slowly.

"I umm...ahh," I couldn't find any excuse. I looked at Mason and he quickly understood my situation and backed me up.

"What Astrid is trying to say is that Daniel and I-"

"Don't even think about lying to us Mason," Lori threatened, causing Mason to gulp. The table looked at both Daniel and I with curious eyes, as if they wanted us to confess our relationship.

"Well?" Chelsea inquired. "What's going on between you two?"

Daniel and I looked at each other, his dark green reassuring eyes meeting my brown ones that were filled with hesitation. Daniel must've noticed my nervousness as he placed an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close to his body.

Not that I was complaining of course.

"Well," Daniel started as he looked at me, smiling. "I guess we could say that Astrid is my girlfriend!"

The table still remained silent. I expected the girls to squeal and clap their hands together and the boys to first bump Daniel. But no, they decided to remain silent, causing the atmosphere to be awkward, even though their facial expression changed, from curious to shock.

"YES!" Alex thrusted his arms up into the air, causing people to turn their heads towards our table."I WON, YOU BITCHES OWE ME MONEY!"

The rest of the table expect for Mason, groaned and grabbed their wallets.

"Wait what?" I asked. "You guys have been betting on us?"

"Obviously," Alex shoot me a 'duh' look. "Isn't it obvious? There was a lot of sexual tension between you two." The rest of the table nodded with agreement. I groaned and covered my face with embarrassment as Daniel laughed and kissed the top of my head.

"Well, I glad that you guys are finally together," Gigi began as she turned to face her boyfriend. "And I'm fucking pissed that you didn't tell me!" Mason scratched his head nervously and stared at the table, as if it was the most fascinating thing he saw.

"Bro code babe," he answered, causing the other guys to nod in agreement.

Gigi, exhaled and leaned against him, "bro code my ass."

The rest of the lunch period turned out to be ok now that Daniel and I told our group about our relationship. As we talked about whether the tomato could be considered a fruit, a debate that Alex started. During the humorous debate, I felt my phone buzz against my leg and pulling it out, my stomach dropped.

But that wasn't the only thing I received. Below the notification, a message from was shown from the last person I expected to send it. Fearing that Daniel could see it, whether it was accidental, I refused to let him know about it. Standing up, I began to head outside, only for a hand to stop me causing me to jump.

"You okay?" Daniel asked concerned.

"Yeah, it's nothing," I dismissed. "I'm just going to the bathroom."

Daniel nodded and let go of my hand, without hesitation, I left the hall and headed out side to open the message.

Tomorrow marks the death of your friend, What was her name again? Anyways, I miss your friends, shame, she was good in bed. Here's the evidence if you didn't believe me...

I clicked the picture and nearly dropped my phone in shock and disgust. A naked Emilia was lying on the mattress with the sheets barely covering her. Another was sent from Matteo. Shaking, I unlocked my phone and as soon as I saw the message, I dropped my phone.

You believed the rumours weren't true... Apparently I was going to be a father.

Emilia...was pregnant?

Oh my God.

So the rumours were true.

Vile rose up to my throat as I ran towards the closest tree. As I threw up, I felt the tears stinging in my eyes, wanting to be released. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and picked up my phone as I looked around to see who watched me. Once the coast was clear, I headed home.

Halfway through, I felt my phone buzz alongside the song Heart Shaped Box, picking it up I saw it was Daniel. Crap. I haven't told him that I left the school property. I lead out a shakey breath and accepted the call.

"Hey," I whispered.

"Astrid," He sounded relieved. "Where are you? Lessons just started! I was looking for you!"

"I'm sorry...I wasn't feeling well."

"I noticed at lunch, like the text you received didn't seem to good. Want me to take you home?"

My hearted warmed up by the fact that he was looking out for me, but at the same time, I didn't want him to. I mean, let's face it, who wants to look out for an ex drug addict?

"No it's fine," I rushed. "I'm already at home."

Before he could complain, I hung up my phone and walked the rest of the journey without looking back.

***

I looked at my phone to check the time for the hundredth time.

23:57.

Underneath the time, I read the messages I received from everyone, asking me if I was ok. I responded everyone except for one.

Daniel.

Why? Because I was scared. Scared by the fact that he will look at me differently, causing him to distance himself from and and eventually leave me. Scared that he will think that I will return back to square one. I couldn't let that happen. I can't lose him...

You love him

No I don't

Please, every time you see him you get all cheery...

STOP

My mental debate was interrupted by a phone call. Daniel. I sighed and declined the call.

23:58.

I stared at the screen again and unlocked my phone. Going through my contacts, I pressed my father's and began writing.

I hope you're enjoying your life with the people you love surrounding you. I just hope you'd believe me if I showed you this.

I sent him the picture and lead out a sigh of relief. I was supposed to feel good. Happy even. But I couldn't. There was something in me that didn't allow me to cry with relief now that my father could possibly believe in me after sending him proof of what kind of monster Mateo is. Maybe it was the fact that I ignored almost everyone today, or the messages I received from Mateo. Maybe it was due to Emilia's pregnancy.

23:59

The next 60 seconds determined how strong I was throughout the year. How I was able to realise that my coping mechanism didn't help me at all. In fact, it made it worse. Right now, I could be getting high or Matteo could be assaulting me now. But I've escaped. Tears streaming down my eyes as I saw the clock tick.

0:00

I've made it.

I could keep it up.

The tears continued to trickle down my cheeks and I looked up and whispered, "I made it."

But the victory was cut short when my bedroom door banged open. Staring in shock, I stared at the figure that walked down the stairs until it stood in front of me.

"Daniel..."