Hurt. Angry. Distraught. Confused. Depressed. Kree has left me broken and empty. It's been a month since he and Angel disappeared. He's not answering my phone calls or texts and I don't know what to do. The police seem to think they're involved somehow but I know him. Kree would never do something like this. I know he gets angry sometimes, but MURDER? It doesn't make any sense.

My mom has been comforting me daily, my dad has sworn revenge on Kree and Shay has pushed her own heartbreak to the side to be there for me. I've secluded myself in my room, not wanting to talk to anyone. Some may think I'm being dramatic but he was my first... everything. He is my first everything and I refuse to believe it's over just like that. There must be a reason.

Every morning, without fail, my dad comes into my room, sees the state I'm in and asks one vital question: 'Do you want me to kill him?'

And every time I crack a small smile and whisper 'No, dad.'

'I'm a doctor. I know the right drugs to make it look like an accident.' He furthers.

'I wouldn't want you to get into trouble dad.' I reply.

'You're right, you're right. You still need your dear old dad, don't you? No matter what age you are.' He nods to himself.

'Have a great day at work.' I smile at him.

'Please try and get out of the house, sweetie.'

'I love you dad.' I say, which I know gets him every time.

'Love you too baby girl.' He walks out of my room.

I take my dad's advice and get myself ready. Looking in the mirror, I catch the reflection of the necklace he gave me around my neck. Clasping onto the feather, my eyes threaten to betray me, as they fill up with water.

'Not today.' I whisper. 'Not today.' I exhale long and strong and head down the stairs.

'Oh, well you look like my favourite daughter.' My mom says.

'HEY!' Shay says, not once looking up from her cereal.

'Hi mom.' I sit down at the kitchen island.

'Hi baby. Would you like me to make you something fresh? Chocolate chip pancakes, waffles?' Mom is already grabbing the ingredients.

'You said you didn't have time to make me any pancakes.' Shay frowns.

'Ssshh Shay, you sister is hurting.' Mom shoos Shay.

'I'm hurting too, but no-one in this house cares.' Shay mumbles.

'Fine, I'll make you your favourite dinner tonight.' Mom rolls her eyes.

'Option A or B?' Shay perks up.

'How hurt are you?' Mom raises her eye brow.

'Oh, so hurt. This breakup of mine is just killing me. Not to mention seeing my big sister so distraught-' Shay piles on the faux hurt.

'Okay, okay. I'll make Option C.' Mom concedes.

'YESSS!!' Shay goes back to eating her cereal.

'I thought you weren't that upset about Luna.' I say, causing Shay to stick her tongue out at me.

'I'm not gonna say no to fried chicken, mac'n'cheese, collard greens, mash potato and corn bread.' She munches.

I chuckle a little and mom shakes her head at her dramatics. 'Sage honey, pancakes?' She asks again.

'I'm fine mom. I thought I would go and see Theia today.'

She looks up at me surprised. 'That's great honey. It'll be nice to get out of the house.'

'Yeah. I've avoided the world long enough.' I compose myself.

***

I knock on Theia's door and Mrs. Park opens the door. 'Sage, darling. It's so good to see you. Glad to see you're feeling better. The girls are upstairs.'

'All of them?' I ask.

'Yeah.' I walk in. 'I'll be in the kitchen if use need anything.'

I smile as she walks off. I head up to Theia's room and the door is slightly ajar.

'...what are we going to do about Sage?' I hear Theia asks.

'Nothing. She just needs time to process. She's dealing with heartbreak. They're not easy to get over.' Kerrys says.

'Well I think we should give her some tough love. Kree is a little bitch and she's better off without him.' Kayla says.

'You know, sometimes, I don't know how we're related.' Kerrys shakes her head.

'I question it too sis, I question it too.' Kayla retorts.

'Nice of use to invite me.' The girls jump at my voice.

'Sage.' Kerrys looks wide-eyed. 'It wasn't intentional. We didn't...' She sighs. 'We thought you still needed some time and you would come to use when you were ready.'

'You're better off without him.' Kayla says. 'And he better not show his face around here again, neither of them.' She threatens.

'I'm kidding.' I ignore her threats, walk into the room and sit on the beanbag. 'I've decided today is the day to move forward. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a bit sad though.'

'Should we order the Theia special 2.0?' Kerrys puts her arm around me.

'It's half ten in the morning.' I raise my brow.

'Heartbreak has no time frame.' Kerrys says.

'So that is the triple cheeseburger, turkey bacon and curly fries. Is that with or without the double chocolate chip cookie dough Oreo milshake?' Theia asks.

'With.' I reply. 'Don't forget the whipped cream and sprinkles.'

'What kind of friend do you take me for?' Theia dials the number for JOYS, making me smile.

My girls are the best!

***

I'm surprised I wasn't sick after eating all that food yesterday. Its been a while since I've had to order that much food. The girls managed to cheer me up before I went home. I'm glad I went out. I feel a little bad for neglecting them, but they've been so understanding.

Kerrys suggested we go to the cinema today so here I am, getting ready to go out for the second day running. Walking into the kitchen, it's rare to see both my mom and dad off from work.

'Going out two days in a row?' Dad fake gasps.

'I'm not a recluse.' I roll my eyes and sit down.

'You might as well be. You've even done your hair. No more looking like a racoon.' Shay says.

'Shay, don't be mean. Your sister is hurting.' Mom tuts.

'Actually, I've decided to channel my hurt into productivity, starting with hanging out with my friends. I feel like I've neglected them these past few weeks.' I say.

'Honey, it's understandable. You're going through a heartbreak but you'll get through it. When you're dad broke up with me-'

'Dad broke your heart?' Shay and I say question at the same time.

'Yeah and she's never let me live it down.' Dad mumbles.

'Was he on drugs?' I ask. Mom is the sweetest person ever. There's no way a sane younger version of dad would break up with mom.

'No. I was not.' Dad deadpans, whilst we all laugh.

'Anyway, I was heartbroken for months and months. But then luckily your dad came to his senses and won me back. Of course I made him work for it.' Mom looks over and smiles at dad, who rolls his eyes and smirks.

'You wouldn't be you if you didn't love.' Dad retorts.

'And look at us, twenty years later.' She looks at him dreamily.

'Wow! Who knew a young Priya and Isaiah went through drama.' Shay says.

'I doubt Kree and I will end up like you and dad.' I say solemnly.

'Don't worry. We're all right here for you.' Mom comforts.

'Yeah and we're here for breaking Kree's legs also.' Dad says.

'DAD!' We all chuckle. He won't be satisfied until he at least causes Kree some pain.

The room goes quiet and I catch mom and dad glancing between each other and me.

'What?' I ask.

'Nothing.' Dad hesitates.

'No, what?' I press.

'Well, it's just that... we don't think that they had anything to do with those murders.' Mom says.

'Neither do I.' Shay says.

I look down. 'I don't care.' I do, but for the sake of my already fragile heart, I need to push Kree to the back of my mind. 'Can we not mention him again?'

'Kree who?' Dad says, making me smile.

***

I head outside and get into Theia's car. 'Hey T!'

'That's new.' She looks over her sunglasses at me.

'Yeah, well I feel like you should have a nickname after years of knowing you.' I put my seatbelt on.

'Well I'll take it.' She nods. 'How are you feeling today?'

'Better. I had a little talk with my parents this morning and they just put everything into perspective for me.' I reply.

'That's good then Sagey.' I smile at hearing my nickname.

'How's everything with you and Luca?' I ask her.

'Oh that's done now. That's as done as a well done steak.' Trust Theia to bring everything back to food. 'I told him about the near-pregnancy.'

'Ohhhh. What did he say?'

'He understood why I didn't tell him at the time and said he would've been there for me either way. But I think he's just too nice for me.'

'Too nice?' She confuses me.

'Yeah. I like them moody and distance and he's too clingy for my liking...' She keeps her eyes ahead.

'You're gonna regret breaking it off with him. Mark my words.' I say, as Theia pulls into the Jewel Plaza.

'You can have him if you want.' She shrugs. 'Have we got time to go shopping?' Theia asks as we hop out of the car.

Ignoring her first comment, I reply. 'No. The twins will kill us if we're late. I don't even know what movie we're watching.'

'Kerrys' just text me telling us to hurry up and she's already bought the tickets.' Theia puts her phone back in her bag, as we head up the escalator.

We make our way to the ticket booth and we see Kerrys pacing.

'Finally! What took use so long?' She huffs out.

'Chill, there's still ten minutes until the film starts.' Theia rolls her eyes.

'Where's Kayla?' I ask.

'She's getting the popcorn.' Kerrys replies.

Theia's ears pop up. 'I'll help her.'

'No you don't need too-'

'It's food. I'm helping.' Theia retorts.

'Fine. Here's yours and Kayla's tickets.' She passes Theia the tickets and grabs my hand, pulling me to screen sixteen.

'Ker, what film is this?' I finally ask, sitting down.

'AFTER WE COLLIDED!' She whisper-yells.

'OH MY GOD!' I gasp. It's ready. I didn't even- I didn't even... Damn Kree for making me forget the sequel to my favourite film was coming out. I lurrrveee me some Hardin. 'The others better hurry up before it starts.'

The girls make it in time for the film to start, passing the snacks down, as we sit back and watch one of the greatest love stories ever.

***

'That was...' I inhale.

'Yeah...' Kerrys exhales.

'I still can't get over...' Kayla shakes her head in disbelief.

'Wow. Just wow.' Theia says. Bring on part three!

Walking out of the cinema, we stumble upon Bel and Belize handing out flyers?

'Oh it's thing one and thing two.' Kayla tuts.

'...the last time we saw her was at Sage's party. You know, Sage Carter? Yeah, the basic one.' These bitches did not just call me basic.

Sensing they're being watched, Bel and Belize snap their heads in our direction and then walk towards us.

'Lost your puppet master?' Theia says, smiling.

'No actually.' Bel scoffs. 'She's been taken.'

'Yeah and I'm Liam Neeson.' I roll my eyes.

'We're serious.' Belize says. 'By your killer boyfriend. I bet you just loved sleeping with a murder, didn't you Sage?'

'Yeah, you too Kerbear. I can see it in your eyes, use enjoyed it. With your psycho lovers that just go around murdering people.' Bel adds on.

'Hmm yeah.' Belize nods like a bobble head.

'Well by that logic, that would mean you slept with a murder too, right Belize?' I point at her. She's a fucking idiot that needs another punch in the face.

Belize grin falls off and she narrows her eyes at me. 'Well tell your boyfriend to bring her back. We need her.'

'He's not my boyfriend.' I remark. 'Beside, I'm sure he has better things to do than kidnap Bailey. Five minutes with her would make anyone want to stick hot pins in their eyes or send her back, than keep her for longer.'

'Well clearly, we're not going to get anything from these murderer sleeping- sleeping pe-people.' Bel huffs out.

'What?' Kayla shakes her head in disbelief at her non-sensical statement.

'C'mon Belize.' They both flick their hair and walk off, continuing to hand out flyers with Bailey's picture on it like technology doesn't exist.

'So what do you think happened to Bailey?' Theia asks.

'Nothing. She's probably getting dicked down by her man and they're having withdrawals from having no leader. I mean look at them. Poor fuckers.' Kayla replies.

'You mean her invisible man?' Kerrys says.

'I think he might actually exist you know.' I say.

'Yeah and pigs will fly.' Kerrys scoffs.

'C'mon on, let's go to JOYS.' We all link arms and head off to get some food.

***

I get home at around ten at night and both my parents and Shay are asleep. After a quick shower, I change into my pyjamas and look in the mirror, wrapping my hair up. The bags have deflated slightly under my eyes and I feel somewhat lighter than I have done in a while. Catching the reflection of the necklace around my neck, I clasp onto it, breathe in and decide to break one of promises I made to him. I unclasp the necklace and place it in a box in my drawer. Tomorrow is a start of a new beginning. Smiling into the mirror I whisper...

'I've got this.'

'I don't understand. I helped you with Angel; the dance, the halloween party. Even my birthday! I helped you make him believe he'd killed those people. Why would you do this?' She sobs. 'I thought we were in this together.'

He ignores her, walking towards the table, popping open his briefcase and pulling out a knife.

Bailey's go wide and she begins to move back. 'Micah!' She whimpers.

The masked man reveals himself. He bends down to a cowling Bailey, pointing the knife at Bailey. 'Because I can.'

With no hesitation, he slits her throat. The blood pours out of her neck, as she collapses to the ground.

He picks out his phone and dials a number. Going to voicemail, he leaves a message.

'Kree it's your brother. Call me back!'

***

😱