"Good morning class!"

The rest of the class greeted Mr. John who gave us a toothy grin in response. The girls sighed dreamily at this, me on the other hand merely rolled my eyes.

The seat beside me was empty, a certain bad boy did not show up in class. Again.

"Today's a good day isn't it?" Mr. John said, eyeing a few of us with the smile still on his lips.

"Get on with it!" One of the students exclaimed, earning a laugh from the class.

Mr. John chuckled,"Well, winter break is coming and I won't end the year without a bang hence why, drum rolls please," He turned to a few guys who immediately started tapping on the desk.

"We're going on a camp!" He exclaimed, raising his hands up in excitement.

The class erupted with cheers and yells, I couldn't stop the giggle that left my lips when one of the jocks started to twerk.

"I'm happy that you're all as excited as I am. Hence why, I added a little plot twist on our our camp."

And just like that, the room went completely silent at his words.

I bit my lip, hard. The weary expressions on all their faces made everything so funny and I tried hard to stop the laughter that was bubbling in me.

"The Puppy Camp. That's what we're going to call it. I know you've all been bonding with your puppies and this is the time to prove it to me, not only with your puppies but supposed to be husbands too. This will be a three day competition and would basically cover half the percentage of your grades. So better think twice in trying to get out of this," He said, offering us a dark smirk.

"Now, the date hasn't been set yet but I'm gonna give you the slip for your parent's consent." Mr. John explained, taking a stack of papers out of his folders before handing it to the front.

My phone buzzed and I discreetly glanced at Mr. John before taking a look at my phone. It was a message sent by Eliki and I couldn't stop the disappointment that flooded in me.

I badly need a skipping session. Go with me please? :((

I felt a frown slip on my face at the message. I glanced at Eli to see her already looking at me, a puppy look on her face.

I gave her a small nod in reply. I wasn't exactly a good girl but I've skipped classes a few times, although I try to avoid it because my fear of getting caught usually gets the best of me.

Mr. John dismissed us all early and the students rushed out in excitement. I made my way towards Eliki who was fixing her things, My. John called my name before beckoning me closer to his desk.

"Yes sir?" I asked, my hand fiddling on my phone out of habit.

He gave me a dashing smile,"How are you?" He asked, earning a confused look from me.

"I'm good sir. Although I know that's not what you're meaning to ask me. What is it sir?" I said, cutting straight to the chase but still lowkey being polite.

"How are things going on between you and Mr. Adler?" A mischievous look graced his face, not even surprised by my outburst.

At the mention of Tyrone and I in the same sentence made me blush and I mentally patted myself for, once again, using foundation today.

"I-uh, we're okay." I stuttered, my mind flashing back to the events that happened after the party.

I didn't go to school that day because my head was ringing and banging painfully. Eliki, who spent that day with me, woke me up with a big grin on her lips and congratulated me for being high for first time.

I completely panicked since I couldn't remember what happened much. Although I knew Tyrone was the one who took me home, I could only remember a snippets of what happened including bumping into David and him offering me that delicious chocolate chip cookies.

A complete scam that's what it was. I couldn't even believe that David, the innocent candy floss seller, managed to mix some drugs into a freaking pack of cookies!

He gave me an all-knowing look,"Then I presume grumpy is alright?"

At mention of the little rascal, I felt a grin form on my lips," He's okay sir. We've been taking turns on taking care of him but he usually stays at Tyrone since he's kinda grumpy with me. Well, he's actually grumpy already but he gets more grumpier. You know what? Tyrone and Grumpy are actually quite alike. They're not exactly friendly but when you get them to trust yo-" I didn't even know I was rumbling like an idiot until Mr. John and Eliki were chuckling.

I felt my cheeks grew hot even more and I bit my lip in complete embarrassment. The bell rang indicating it was time for second period.

Mr. John nodded,"I'm glad things are doing okay and I'm happy that things are going really well between you guys. Now get along you two, goodluck."

I only nodded in reply, feeling like a complete idiot for babbling that to my freaking teacher. Eli looped her arms around my own and dragged me out of the classroom, saving me for further embarrassment.

"Where are we going?" I asked, placing my phone on my jean pocket.

She glanced at me, a cheeky grin on her face."It's a secret ginger," She replied, before hastily making her towards her car.

The cold air nipped my face playfully. I shivered slightly, it was almost the month of december and soon, snow would cover the ground.

"What a secret," I said, shaking my head upon seeing the familiar diner, a smile gracing my lips.

Eliki closes her car door, giving me a sheepish smile,"Lilah misses you and besides, I'm craving their apple shake." She shrugged, both us starting to head towards the entrance.

The diner only had a few customers and were happily eating their order when we entered. Delilah who was behind the counter beamed at the sight of us and let out a wolf whistle.

"Look who decided to come back!" Delilah teased, poking me on the arm."Thank you for dragging her to come here." She turned to Eliki who gave her a kiss on the cheek in reply.

I swatted her hand away playfully,"FYI, I came willingly. I'm sorry for completely slacking off on the job lately. Tell Uncle Benny to cut my salary off." I said, pulling her in for a hug.

"Ple-ease! You know dad wouldn't do that. He loves to spoil you rotten! It's okay babe, I just missed talking to you." She said, tightening her hold on me.

"Group hug!" Eli exclaimed, opening her arms wide. Del and I giggled before pulling her in for the hug.

"You better start telling me the details between you and that gorgeous brooding bad boy Zoe," Delilah pointed out as soon we pulled away from the hug.

I felt myself choke on air at her words before once again, feeling my cheeks heating up. Eli gave me an 'innocent expression' earning a shake of head from me.

"There's nothing much to te-freaking fine." I grumbled, completely not immune to Delilah's puppy dog face which she's currently doing

I spent the next hour filling up Delilah and somehow Eliki on the things that have happened between us ever since the 'orange juice incident' and by the time it was done, my arm was painfully red from the excited slaps that Delilah kept giving me every time there was 'sweet scene' and my ears were ringing at how many times Eliki's squeal of excitement met my ears.

"I'm not even surprise, I knew something went down between you two when we heard your little panic attack. I honestly thought it was because both of you were fighting but seeing Tyrone's twinkling eyes, I knew it was far from that." Eliki said, her mouth stretched in a wide smile.

There were a few chapters that I've kept to myself but hey? It's okay to keep some secrets to yourself sometimes especially intimate moments with a certain bad boy.

"Some girls would have jumped his bones for confessing but somehow, you keep doing a complete 180 degrees on him and gave him a freaking panic attack." Delilah chuckled, amusement lacing her brown eyes.

"That wasn't a confession Del," I bit back, my cheeks heating up at her words.

I think I'm officially having doubts wether I'm really human because of the way my cheeks have been heating up a lot lately like its a freaking damn toaster.

At my words, Delilah and Eliki looked at one another before a smirk graced their lips."That's what she said," Eli shrugged innocently.

I let out a loud 'hey' and they both bursted into giggles. That was how the rest of our skipping session went on, it was full of laughter and random chit chats between the three of us.

It felt good, talking to them, it somehow reminded me what my life was like before I met Tyrone. It made my life somehow normal.

"I'll see you tomorrow ginger!" Eliki blew me a cheesy kiss before driving away.

I shook my head at her antics before turning around and walking towards my porch. It seems that no one was home, funny because it's almost

I quickly let myself in and felt my stomach grumble for food. I hastily took off my shoes and socks before making my way towards the kitchen.

I was tying my hair in a sloppy bun when I noticed that there was a note stuck on the fridge.

Zoey,

your siblings and I went to visit your grandma. Jack's at the diner and we would probably be home late. You're 18 so don't order takeout and use that freaking stove, okay? I love you.

Mom

I groaned at the thought of cooking. It's not that I didn't know how to cook, it's the process that is the pain in the ass.

I could've just order but it's my mom you know and the fact that she's a mom, she will surely know that I didn't follow her.

Le sigh.

Seeing as I didn't have a choice, I decided to change into something comfortable before starting to cook.

A complete thirty minutes later and I was happily shaking my hips along to a random song in my knee length socks, a worn our grey crop top, and booty shorts whilst stirring my spaghetti sauce when the doorbell rang.

I felt myself pause and grow confused. It was around 7 in the evening and nobody would go to my house this late or maybe?

At the thought of a certain bad boy visiting me made me jump in excitement. I quickly turned off the stove before patting my face and loose bun to make sure there wasn't any dirt.

I looked down at my outfit and opted to change but the doorbell rang again,"Shit," I mumbled before hastily making my way towards the door and opening it with a smile.

"It's good to know that a ce-" I felt the words clog up on my throat, my eyes widening in complete horror at the sight that greeted me.

"I didn't know where else to go." He coughed weakly before stumbling towards me, droplets of blood falling unto the 'welcome' carpet.

I quickly took a step forward to catch him before he completely went slack in my arms. I stood shell-shock for a moment, disbelief coursing in me at him showing up in my front porch all beaten and freaking bloody.

"Aron freaking Thompson," I gasped.

Hi cardishes!

So this is the promised update that I've told you guys and I just wanna thank you from the bottom of my heart for the non-stop support and for being patient with me on the updates🥺💚

What did you think of the chapter? I honestly can't wait for you to unravel the upcoming chapters! It's gonna be a fun ride!

How are you cardishes? It's day ??? of quarantine and I hope things are going well in your respective places! Stay at home and stay dehydrated! We'll get through this :)

Sending you a biiiiig hug💚

You are loved. You are beautiful. You are you.