Emma

i threw on a hoodie and started packing up my school bag. i already ate breakfast, which was hard actually since i had that killing pain in the pit of my stomach. not only did i wake up with a headache, but i also felt like my skin was on fire.

neglecting all the symptoms, i wore my white converse shoes and went to the door while tying my hair in a bun. Mum looked at me worryingly, examining me from head to toe in case of any injury. i guess i looked that bad. i coughed as i descended the stairs earning a few glances from my brothers and dad.

Lucas chuckled at me and started shaking his head, ''still not gonna say that you're sick?'' i rolled my eyes and shook my head. what? i am not sick...

''that's only because i am not, Lu.'' i argued back. dad muttered something under his breath, but i held myself back from asking what was he saying about me. not much after that we were packed in the car as usual, only this time with Abby throwing jokes at me and keeping her distance, blabbering stuff about how she doesn't want to catch it.

i had biology as my first period, and to be honest i am not looking forward to it. especially after that phone call with Asher, we were supposed to meet up today. i sneezed quietly on my way to class, still battling with myself if i really caught a cold, or would it just go away. i hate being sick, and in bed, taking medicine, and not feeling the taste or smell of food. that's my worst nightmare, and that's why i always deny it at first, but end up taking the medicine like a child.

i sat down in my normal seat, and took out the biology book, placed it on the desk, followed by my throbbing head. ''you look so good today, beautiful.'' i heard the semi annoying voice of Asher from next to me, making me close my eyes for a moment of preparation.

i cleared my throat and looked at him through my half closed eyes, ''what?'' he smirked and looked at me proudly. agh... so much to ask for, right?

''are you ready for today's evening?'' he asked with the same smirk on his face but this time wider.

i shook my head gently, afraid of the headache that never left my head since i woke up, ''i can't, Asher, i am sorry.'' his smirk fell.

''look, it's not gonna be something major, i promise. let's just grab something to eat at diner or something. you get to choose.'' he tried to persuade, but the pain in my body kept on nagging more, making me more persistent on not going.

''it's just that i am very sick today as you can see, and i am afraid it would get worse, plus i told you on the phon--'' he cut me off by placing a finger on my lips. my eyes went wide, and almost instantly my hand pushed his finger away. ''get your hands away, Asher.'' i hissed, ignoring the pain in my head.

he raised his hand in surrender not affected by my apparent glare, ''jesus, chill.'' he pinched my nose, and i again pushed his hand away but harder this time. why is he touching me? tf...

''stop touching me, dude.'' with that i got up from my seat, but before i've gone far he stopped me.

he grabbed my arm, ''is it because of Noah?''

the air around me changed. it felt tighter, and more tensed. the voices of students in the background faded away. my brows frowned when i was yanked away from Asher's grip and behind a solid body that was pretty much familiar.

Noah lunged forward, grabbing Asher by the shirt collar, and the second thing i heard was a big smack indicating that Noah hit Asher head to head, making Asher stumble backwards. gasps filled the air. Noah was shaking with anger, he was breathing hard.

not a moment after i was yanked away from Noah, making him turn sharply to me. i looked up and saw Lucas giving him a deadly glare, which made Noah somehow relax. ''what the fuck is happening here?'' Lucas asked in rage.

''n-noth--'' i was cut off by Noah.

''that mother fucker touched her...'' Noah's nose flared, his eyes were a darker shade of silver, almost black. his chest was still rising up and down noticeably.

''what the fuck is your business i--'' Asher came forward with an angry expression on his face, but before he could say anything Lucas kicked him in the stomach sending him on the ground once more.

everything after that happened so quickly, Noah and Lucas started hitting Asher who obviously couldn't defend himself with these two bulls not giving him a chance. i shouted at them but no avail; thus, i dropped my bag on the floor and decided to interfere. i hopped up on Lucas's back, curling my arms around his neck. not knowing who it was, he shook me off, landing me in front of him and Noah. the emotion in their eyes changed once they saw me, and instantly i felt them relax.

''you're hurt?'' Noah asked too quickly, concern filling his eyes, his hand reaching to caress my cheek. Lucas rapidly took hold of his hand giving him a deadly glare.

''what is happening here?!'' the voice of a teacher boomed in the class.

xxx

''so you three got detention for tomorrow?'' Nora questioned as we all sat down in the cafeteria waiting for the boys to arrive. Veronica snorted her water on her t-shirt, making Della and Abby chuckle. rolling my eyes, i brought my phone out to distract myself.

''promise no more making fun, but tell us the real tea, sis!'' Veronica whisper yelled, bringing her water to the side of the table.

sighing, i rubbed my eyes tiredly and placed one hand on my pounding head, ''Asher was persuading me to go out with him,'' Abby wronged him under her breath, ''all of a sudden, i don't know he just touched my lip and when i glared at him he didn't seem to take it seriously,'' i shrugged, ''so he touched my nose, but sorry, dude it was freaking annoying so i got up and that's when he gripped my arm,'' i stopped, but their stares made it seem like the story was incomplete, ''well that's the part when Noah enters the class and lunge into him.'' i finished off, giving them confused stares.

they all aww-ed together, making it look like they were watching Titanic.

a chair was pulled from next to me, startling the poor soul inside me. Lucas sat down, looking at me with angry eyes.

''what was that scene?'' he asked, pinching his nose. oh, man...

i opened my mouth but now words came out, ''w-what exactly?''

he took a deep breath, ''why was Noah fighting someone who touched you?! as much as i can remember, you don't concern him!'' anger was oozing out, sending me over the edge.

i shrugged, ''maybe out of masculinity? if you were in his place, you would have done the same.'' i reasoned out with logic. he closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them again, he didn't seem convinced.

''what do you take me for? an idiot?'' he questioned slowly and quietly. is this like the calmness before the storm? because it really feels like it.

i looked at him, confused by his behavior, ''what's got into you?'' i asked him, getting impatient with him, and the pain that all of a sudden shot through my body. damn you cold!

i know i was lying to him, but how could i ever bring myself to tell him when he is acting that way even before knowing. what is the really big reason behind this enormous venom between them?

''what's got into me? ask yourself that! you've been acting all weird since God knows when, and i am done with it. you are hiding something and whatever it is, i know i am not gonna like it, so man up and tell me what the fuck is going on!'' he shouted taking me by surprise. i gaped at him not knowing how to answer. he has never been this angry with me, and it all seemed so odd. i felt hurt by his language, he never cursed in front of my face. i swallowed the lump in my throat, and stood up from my chair.

''Emma,'' Abby whispered in a low voice. i closed my eyes once i stood up feeling dizzy by just looking at my surroundings. Abby came quickly by my side, and made sure she had a secured grip on my upper arm.

i gave Lucas one last look, before walking off, followed by the girls. when i turned around, i faced Carter and Logan, who probably listened to the whole conversation. Logan looked sad, while Carter gave me an apologetic look before i scurried away and out of the cafeteria.

once i got out, i broke into a fist of sobs. i couldn't hold it in me anymore. i was so tired of the chase, and needed a break, but how could i?!

Abby was the first to hug me, as the others joined us, letting me cry silently into them.

xxx

i hardly convinced Logan and Carter to let me walk home this one time. i needed to clear my mind off a few things, and walking will surely help, i guess. Abby seemed uncertain, but she still knew that walking will surely help me. she planted a kiss on my cheek before entering the car.

they faded away after a while of watching them. i sighed, looking around me to find no one. the school was empty, as well as the street.

i haven't seen Noah since the incident. people talked about how he stormed off school once we were out of the principle's office. i tried calling him a multiple of times, but his phone was powered off.

i started walking, my hands around me body, tugging onto my hoodie. i liked the calmness of the street, only the sound of my footsteps was all i heard. i smiled in content, and resumed walking.

arms got hold of my body, and i was thrown harshly on the ground in a valley between two buildings. i winced when my head hit the concrete, but i was fast to recover not wanting to be controlled here. i looked quickly at the body in front of me, and a gasp escaped at the sight.

Ethan was standing in front of me with a knife in his hand, a smirk playing on his face as he got closer to my shaking body. i gaped like a fish out of water, my mouth not forming a single letter.

''afraid i will hurt you again?'' he asked, putting a strand of my hair behind my ear. i flinched away from his touch, but soon regretted it when had me held against the wall, pressuring my body into his. it felt disgusting.

he laughed sickly, ''what did i tell you?'' he brought the sharp edge of the knife up to my cheek, threatening me. i swallowed the lump in my throat and allowed a single tear to exit my eyes. flashbacks from what happened before started playing themselves in my head, and i had to exert a lot of effort to stay awake and not fain right there and then.

''why didn't you break up with lover boy?'' his eyes turned hard. i bit my lip and closed my eyes in pain. ''you love him?'' the question took me by surprise that i opened my eyes, shock apparent in them. ''you know he will end up hurt, right?'' the knife stopped at my throat. my breath hitched when i felt him pushing the edge through my skin.

''w-why are you doing this?'' i choked out, finding it hard enough to stand.

he chuckled, ''i can't see you happy,'' he shrugged carelessly, ''don't you know by now that i am psycho?'' i didn't really have a chance to say anything as i felt his fist contact with my stomach. i screamed out the pain, and this time i let the tears out.

''s-stop, please!'' i cried, but only received another fist in my ribs. i brought my hands away from my sides and practically started scratching his face with my nails, that weren't really long, though. he hissed out when one of my nails scratched the inside of his eye. i breathed hard when he got off me, and involuntarily touched my cheek to see if there was any blood but thankfully there wasn't.

''your choice. dumb him or he is already dead.'' he hissed, using his hand to choke me to the wall. i gripped his hand for freedom and air, but he was way stronger than me. ''are you that selfish? he will get killed because of you.'' his words knocked sense into me. his grip got loose, but i was already in another land. am i really that selfish? what if Ethan kills him? i know Ethan is capable of doing so, he once almost did it to me.

''what do you say?'' he played with the knife in his hand. my eyes got teary as i thought of what was happening, but i nodded non the less.

''good girl.'' he slapped the knife blade on my cheek, causing a stinging sensation to follow. and he left...

i fell down on the harsh ground and sobbed till i had no energy.

xxx

''you won't eat?'' mum asked me as i ascended the stairs in my pajamas. i shook my head and decided to resume my walking before she speaks again. once in the room, i huff out air of frustration and decide to just sit on the bed and stare at the ceiling. perfect...

not ten minutes after, the door opened and dad entered the room with a frown on his face. i sat up with crossed legs and waited for him until he reached the bed.

''care to explain what's happening between you and Lucas?'' his eyes looked sad, and i hated it.

''n-nothing?'' i said, uncertain myself.

''don't lie, he didn't hug you all day, and we both know Lucas is a big cuddly bear, especially with you.'' he pointed at me. i felt my eyes go teary as i thought about how kind Lucas is, but now he can't even look at my face.

he sighed, noticing the tears pooling in my eyes, ''Lucas loves you so much, and you two have a special bond since when you were young. and when someone gets too angry that's usually out of love and fear. fear of losing that bond with that person or feeling a little distant might cause a big damage to a sensitive person. Lucas is all big and puffy, but he is a little boy inside, who loves his sister dearly.'' he kissed my forehead.

i sniffled, ''he doesn't hate me?'' a tear escaped but i was quick in drying it with my sweater.

''of course not! how could you say that?'' he shook his head, pulling my body into a hug. ''you are our princess, we can never hate you no matter what you do.'' he kissed my head, and i felt a small smile play on my lips.

the door opened again but mum entered this time. she smiled upon seeing us and without a word she joined the hug.

''you alright, baby?'' she caressed my cheek after we broke the hug. i leaned into her touch and kissed her palm, as she embraced me. they stayed and talked with me for a while before bidding their good-nights and scurrying out of the room.

xxx

sleep didn't visit me today, as i stayed all night on my bed, overthinking every single detail in my life. Noah hasn't called or even texted which saddened me but i couldn't bring myself to think he was at fault. it's alright, people need space.

i still don't know how am i going to break up with him when I've grown so attached to him in no time. i care about him a lot and hate to see him upset. his frowns are ugly because his smile is beautiful. the way he pinches his nose when he is angry, or how his nose flares. his eyes sparkle when he is excited, and when he laughs, his nose shakes. he hugs me from behind, and kisses my temple on occasions. when we are chasing each other, he always carries me over his shoulder and twirl me around until i am dizzy. the way his kisses feel so good and so right, makes me want to spend eternity like this. with him. just feeling him around makes me warm and...complete.

i love Noah?

OMG...

i love Noah.

a knock on my window shook me of my thoughts. growing alert, i moved to the window and pushed the curtains aside to get faced with Noah.

Noah?!!!

XOXO

love ya,