shouts, loud shouts were what we were awaken up to. not the best way to wake up, but absolutely the most urgent.

''they are awake.'' Abby stated as a matter of fact. we rushed out of the room, all of us stumbling on each other. we should have fallen on one another, but we were on good luck. we descended the stairs, almost sliding down the steps, but again we did not. that's how urgent we were.

we stopped in our tracks when we took in the scene unfolding itself in front of us.

the living room was divided into two parts. half were Lucas and Logan stood, caged by Carter. the other half was were Noah stood, caged as well by Levi.

a circus was what it is.

''I don't even know why we ended up with an ass hat like you!'' Lucas shouted from across the room, his upper body forcing itself forward with so much power. Carter held onto him for dear life, not letting him take a step forward.

Noah groaned out loud, ''you are so childish! was it me who got so competitive over some stupid shots?!'' he raged out. Levi nearly whined as he had Noah by his broad shoulders, fixing him in place.

''STOP THIS MADNESS!'' it was me who spoke this time. they all turned to me in the same second that it felt a tad overwhelming, and i had to mask my uncomfortableness.

''i could have done that.'' i heard Carter mutter. i shook my head and turned my gaze back to them.

''you! don't get involved.'' Lucas said with a tint of anger lacing his voice.

fed up by their shit, i took a step closer and narrowed my eyes into slits. i was so mad. like really, really mad i could burn them all alive right now.

''can you shut up?'' my voice was calm, ''whatever it is between you two, sort it out, outside this house! not in front of us and absolutely not in Nora's house.'' i spat out, angrily. ''you got mad at me for a week! for no reason and i let you get your anger out at me, but you should know that i am fed up. what about i let out my anger at you, Lucas?'' i shouted, my voice steady, but my heart was running a marathon.

Carter left their side and came to me, slowly and quietly. my eyes shifted to his and i felt his eyes telling me he's sorry. ''you can go up, girls.'' he smiled reassuringly, leading us to the stairs.

without a word, i jogged up and into the room. the girls were with me, but no one was talking. i guess i wasn't the only one who was angry.

''let's go have breakfast at Jordan's.'' Nora stated, leaving no space for discussion. we got dressed and quickly descended the stairs once more. Nora went to the kitchen counter and fetched her keys. at that time everyone was giving off their stares.

for example, Lucas was looking at me with regret and sadness, but i replied with a glare.

Noah was staring at my face as if recalling something, but i didn't look for long before i averted my gaze as if his eyes burnt me. please don't remember whatever happened yesterday, Noah...

we headed out of the house without an explanation to any of them. we got into Nora's car and drove away to the not very far away diner.

today was a school day, so we were supposed to have breakfast and then go to school.

easy, right?

xxx

''oh my god, it's been so long the last time i saw you.'' Asher muttered the moment i sat down beside him. i smiled faintly and decided not to reply.

''you look good.'' he said, again. not finding a way out of this, i turned to him,

''you look good too, Asher.'' with that i looked in front of me again. thank god the teacher was not late and entered just on time before Asher would say anything else. i focused on the lesson as much as i can, not letting my head drift to anything else.

after the session had came to an end, i exited the class as quick as possible, my hands full of books that needed to be thrown in the locker. making my way through the sea of people, a leg specifically stopped in my way, making me fall to the ground with all the books.

i groaned, rubbing my nose as i quickly stood up again. Stella was staring at me with a victorious smirk on her face that i so wanted to wash away.

''it's okay, really. you didn't see me i guess with all the boobs going on.'' i smiled sweetly, bending down to get my books. i was in no mood to start a fight anyways, so let it be, i don't care.

she laughed, ''jealous you don't have them?'' wow, someone is full of themselves.

after settling the books again in my hands, i faced her, ''trust me, if anything, i am grossed out.''

before i could take any step away from her, she had already thrown the books again.

okay, now i am furious.

''bend and get them.'' i said through gritted teeth. my voice coming out strong and steady.

she laughed as if I've just said a joke and turned to go away. without hesitation, my hand curled around her arm as i twirled her around to face me again.

''get. them.''

her nose flared, ''who do you think you are?''

my hand didn't leave her arm yet, ''I am Emma, and i am telling you for the third time now to get my books the you had thrown twice.''

she laughed again and forcefully snatched her arm out of my hold, ''go. fuck. yourself. you whore.'' she whispered in my ear.

by that time, i didn't have any kind of control on my body. i lunged at her and took her arm again, but this time i twisted it behind her back, ''watch your mouth, you don't ever get to talk to me like that.'' i seethed out in anger.

''no wonder he left you.'' she said loudly, but her voice held pain non the less from my hold on her.

''get the fucking books and go!'' it was not my voice this time. i turned around and found Levi standing behind me.

i freed her body aggressively as she stumbled a little before gaining balance again. she looked at Levi in horror and with that she bent down and collected the books. however, she didn't hand them to me, and turned to give Levi the books. he didn't speak, but his eyes said a million word.

she as in impact gulped and turned to give me the books, but her eyes held twenty different kind of hatred. she left in a moment.

''sorry about her, she is too much all the time.'' Levi apologized.

i smiled faintly, ''it's nothing new, anyways. thank you.'' he shook his head.

''what happened, Emma?'' he asked. i knew what he meant, so i couldn't act fooled.

i bit my lip and looked away, ''i don't wanna talk about it now, Levi. but so you know, it's for the best.'' with that i was out his sight.

xxx

''i got you a beef burger, your favorite.'' Lucas muttered as he handed me my tray of food. ah, he is trying to makeup with me.

i gave him a side glance and took the tray from him without saying a thank you, something unusual of me. he sighed out loud and took a seat next to me. i could see Della and Abby murmuring stuff to each other from my peripheral sight, but i neglected all and unwrapped my burger.

''so you are not gonna talk?'' Lucas cut the silence. i turned to him, giving him some puzzled, innocent eyes.

''i thought we were getting our anger on each other now, or is it only fair for you?'' he groaned and raked a hand on his face.

we stayed silent for only seconds before he spoke again, ''i am so sorry.''

i took a bite from my burger and washed it away with a sip of iced coffee before answering, ''so?''

he took hold of my chair and turned it sideways, so i was facing him, ''we are as close as salt and pepper, and feeling as if you were hiding something from me was eating me alive. you should've known by now that it was out of love; however, I've never felt more guilty. the last thing i wanted to do was to upset you. you used to tell me everything when were young, hell! you one day asked me if picking your bogger was something normal or is it just you who were weird, and you didn't feel embarrassed saying it. not that fuck head, Logan, but me!''

without a word, i threw myself in his embrace, and he didn't waste a second before crushing me into him.

''i loved that, but you didn't have to get me involved, dude.'' Logan complained, throwing a French fry at us.

''it's not like he said anything wrong.'' Veronica muttered under her breath. Lucas and I broke the hug to see what will happen because we knew Logan heard it as well.

Logan cleared his throat, ''what did you say?''

Veronica in response stood up and took her bag with her, ''shit! totally forgot that paper at Mr. Andersons. '' with that she ran.

i chuckled at them and turned back to Lucas. he smiled at me, and no-one said a word. words sometimes aren't really necessary, just one gesture would be enough to seal the deal.

''hey babe,'' Levi pecked Abby on the lips as he passed by our table. she smiled, a blush creeping up her rose cheeks as she kissed him back.

by now Lucas was already next to Della, she giggling into his embrace. Nora and Carter were talking, but it did seem steamy, so i made a self note to ask about it later. as for Logan, he was zoned out, thinking about something that seemed to be out of this planet: Veronica.

call it a sisterly guess or whatever.

''what's bothering you?'' i nudged him as i changed my seat to a one beside him. he rolled his eyes and kept on sipping on his soda. ''you know you can tell me, and i promise on this burger that i will not tell a soul.'' i grinned, holding the burger up his face.

he scoffed in return, ''as if you are not tried...'' okay, there is a chance he could tell me.

i cleared my throat, ''i activated serious Emma, so you don't have to worry.'' i said sincerely.

he sank in his chair, both hands over each other on his chest, ''Veronica is weird, don't you think? i know she is your friend and everything, but can't you sometimes wonder if she is a lesbian?'' i choked on my burger.

i took his soda and drank a few sips, ''L-lesbian?'' that...that is surely weird coming out of his mouth.

he turned to me, a frustrated look on his face, ''she is not affected by me, Emma!'' he hissed out, ''do you get that? that's nearly impossible. i don't think scientists have reached an explanation yet for this phenomena.'' i giggled.

''you are seriously too full of yourself,'' i commented, ''and no, she is not a lesbian because she has a crush on some boy, anyways.'' i teased, taking another bite of my burger.

with that a whole new expression emerged out of his face, furious is an understatement, ''who?'' his voice came out harsh and full of venom.

''not my place to say, but to be honest, i ship! he seems to like her a lot.'' i continued on. he didn't seem happy anymore, or even annoyed, or teased. he just seemed absolutely and utterly angry. like green hulk angry that i kinda regretted messing with him.

''I'll go.'' a simple sentence, yet it came out so hardly from his clenched mouth. he pushed his chair loudly and went on his way out.

i felt...victorious.

does that make me less human, or a human who lack humanity? maybe.

do i care? No

xxx

it was the end of the school day when i told them i will be going to the library to fetch myself some books, and if possible study for a bit as i have been neglecting that lately. Della has cheerleading practice, so she insisted we would leave together after i finish at the library, so i said okay, it wouldn't hurt to have a partner.

the rest headed home to watch some football match, so we will meet at mine anyways.

i darted to the library quickly, and greeted the librarian lady with a head nod. she smiled back at me as i turned around and took a seat at the far end of the place. it was away from all the other people and quiet, which is something i majorly needed at the moment.

i got myself some dictionaries and started doing my assignment in concentration.

after what seemed like thirsty minutes, my phone dinged.

i got it out of my pocket and looked at the sender, it was an unknown number.

'please, meet me outside. It's Lea.' i swallowed hard at the message.

what does she want right now?

was Ethan with her?

just on clue, another message popped, 'Ethan is not with me, the cost is clear.'

my shoulders slumped down.

biting my bottom lip, i opened Della's contact and sent a message,

'when you finish, notify me. we will meet at the library, k?'

i knew she wouldn't answer right now because she was already busy with practice, but she would see it after finishing.

i quickly collected my stuff back in my backpack and returned the dictionaries back in their place and rushed out of the place in a hurry.

i didn't wonder around as Lea was just some steps away from me. her bump was now bigger than i last saw her. she was wearing a maternity olive dress with brown sandals, her red fiery hair in a messy pun. she smiled upon seeing me, and for some weird reason, my heart skipped a beat. i couldn't find it in myself to hate her, even after what she did to me. throughout the whole fight, i could sense her caring for me and defending me, and that's something i will not, no matter what, hold against her.

i took steps towards her, quietly until i was two steps away from her.

''hi.'' she said.

''i-i am fine... i -i mean...hi?'' i stuttered, not finding the right words. she giggled at my stupidness, and i found myself giggling along with her. it made me feel like the old days, when we used to hang out a lot; her, Abby, and I.

''i know you might be wondering, 'what the hell is she doing here?' right?'' she smiled, asking.

i nodded my head, ''is it something i should worry about?''

she shrugged, ''that depends on you.''

we started walking to the café near the school. it was a small one, almost cozy but with the people working it felt like a nightmare. we took our seats and ordered something. she ordered a decaf coffee, and i on the other hand ordered an iced one with no sugar.

''is it a boy or a girl?'' i opened up a conversation as soon as the waiter left us.

''a boy.'' she smiled, running a hand on her big belly.

my head shot up and i found myself asking the weirdest question ever, ''is he treating you right?''

that took her by surprise and i could sense the uneasiness oozing out of her at my question. ''he is abusive, but that had lessen now that i am carrying a part of him.'' my heart shattered.

''why don't you leave?'' concern laced my voice.

''mum and dad kicked me out when they got to know about me being pregnant, and he...well, he is not as you remember, Emma. he is dangerous and is supported by other people that i cannot do shit with.'' she mumbled.

''i am sorry...'' my voice trailed off as she cut me.

she held my hand in hers, ''look, i didn't come here to talk about me. i came here to tell you, i AM sorry, Emma for everything that I've caused. i want you to take care and don't get on his bad side, please.'' her voice broke at the end. there was a long silence before she spoke again, ''do you love Noah?'' her question took me by surprise.

i bit my lip, thinking if i really wanna tell her anything. do I?

''why do you ask?'' i gave her a confused look, ''it's not like it's gonna change anything.''

''it can...'' ''trust me, it can.'' she whispered, just as the waiter placed our orders on the table.

i didn't like the look in her eyes. it was as if she was broken. she didn't use to be like that. she was always bubbly, enthusiastic, and now it's like she's became a broken doll looking at a broken mirror.

i was about to drink my coffee when a voice interrupted my action.

''look who do we have here? my, my, is it the best day ever or what?'' Ethan...

XOXO

i love you anyways, mwah.

i want to thank everyone who is giving this story some time and voting.

that means the world to me, no kidding.

thank you again,