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I was finally home and Puppy Camp flew in just like that, yesterday was our day of exams for the year and it was officially winter break.

Now that I was finally home, my thoughts kept running back to the secret that I've been keeping from Tyrone.

It rested heavily on my shoulders and the fact that it involved with someone that made him have trust issues made everything even more complicated.

I reread Aron's message over and over again, contemplating wether I should tell Tyrone about it.

Need more time Zoe. They're unto something big, give me one more week. Don't fucking reply or call.

There was minuscule part of me that trust Aron and a whole other part of me that screamed it was a trap.

But what if he said was true? We'd be killing two birds in one stone. We put him in jail and his father, the one who's actually the mastermind of this.

I'm not saying that Aron's actions were exempted, he still tried to kill Tyrone but he did it because he was brainwashed.

A loud knock before the door to my room opened and I quickly pressed home on my phone, locking the screen. Grumpy didn't stir from the bed and continued sleeping on one of the pillow with his teddy bear, gramps.

He's been staying with me since we got home from the Puppy Camp and have been my official cuddle buddy in bed. Grumpy adores my pillows and tend to sleep on one of them every night, his head nestled to my neck.

Peggy stood on my door, a hesitant expression on her face. She quickly pushed a blonde lock behind her ear, entering the room.

"Is everything okay?" My brows knitted, concern shooting in me.

Peggy wasn't the type to show hesitation. She was usually outspoken and couldn't give two fucks what other people think of her.

Seeing her so unsure and nervous was making me weird. Peggy closed the door and made her way towards the bed, sitting on it.

I quickly pushed my swivel chair towards her, leaning back on the seat and placing both my feet up.

"Everything's fine. I-are you busy? I wanted to talk to you." She cleared her throat, her pale blue eyes darting around the room.

That made my brows rose higher than the trees. Peggy is never the one to initiate talks between us.

We were close, all of us and I knew she loves Neo to death despite being a huge pain in the ass but that was before she entered freshman year.

She somehow became a lover of her own solitude and demanded that we give her the space that she needs for growing up.

It just somehow changed when she entered her freshman year, she became closed off and demanded that we gave her space.

She's now a sophomore.

I nodded, somehow eager to have a chat with her."Of course, what is it?"

"I'm being bullied ever since freshman year." She bluntly said, staring at her chipped nails.

"What? Why didn't you tel-"

Peggy waved a dismissive hand."Don't worry that shit doesn't bother. It's just their childish way of coping whatever bullshit they're going through but," She paused, her cheeks flushing.

"There's this guy," Peggy pushed herself back, bringing both her feet up and sitting indian style.

I tried to reel in my surprise. A boy? Well, he's probably a unique one to make our ice princess crack and blush against her 'no bullshit' exterior.

Ever since dad left, Peggy took it the hardest and swore off on men.

A small encouraging smile graced my lips, I nodded my head to her knowing that it's been a while since we had a heart to heart talk. I somehow felt guilty that I didn't pay much attention to her since then.

Peggy breathed out softly."There's this guy that I've been paired up with in English and he's completely annoying the fuck out of me. He wouldn't leave me alone when I tell him. He doesn't cower away when I curse the hell out of him and even giv s good comebacks at my fucking retorts." She babbled, her blue eyes somehow twinkling as she talked.

She then bit her lip, trying to fight back a smile."Despite being an annoying fuck though, Jai's a complete gentleman despite having girls falling at his feet. He protects me from the bullies, He's completely sweet. He's always smirking but his smiles are beautiful and he even listens to my britney songs!"

Jai Anderson? The handsome quarterback that even the juniors and some of the seniors were talking about in our building? From what I knew, he's one heck of a quarterback and completely aproachable.

I've seen him a few times and indeed he's quite eye catching with his dark curly hair, eyes that reminds me of emerald stone, and a lips that were pulled up in playful smirk but he wasn't my carrot and that's that.

I could hear the infatuation in her voice and could see the sincerity in the smile she wore. I couldn't stop my own smile forming from my lips somehow happy to see that look on her face.

"You like him." I stated, her expression dropping before she let out a short nod.

"Then you should tell him," I urged her. I know it isn't easy to tell someone your feelings and it's completely nervewracking but I guess, it's all about taking the risk.

Although sometimes it could lead to awkwardness if it wasn't mutual but that understandable. What I don't understand is people acting awkward afterwards and distancing away.

One thing I absolutely hate is the fact that women are looked down when they expresses their feelings before the guy. What's wrong if a girl confessed first? Why do people assume that it's an act of desperation?

Can't a girl just confess because she obviously has the bigger balls? People nowadays take their traditions seriously that they're not giving chances to accept the modern way in doing certain things.

"I-I hurt him, his feelings. He confessed to me but I rejected him, I lied to his face that I didn't want him. That he's nothing to me but an annoying human." Peggy glanced at me, tears starting to gather in her eyes.

I frowned."Tell me there's a reason or else I'd punch you in the boob for being a cold bitch."

Peggy nodded."Riana is one of my bullies, she just hates me for no particular reason and she started sprouting shit that I believed. S-She told me that he was only hanging out with me because of pure pity and if Jai continued hanging out with me then his reputation would tarnish and he'll hate me for it." She wiped a tear away, my frown deepening.

I crossed my arms, placing my legs back down."Why'd the frick did you believe that? It's absolute bullshit Peggy. You seriously believe that someone like Jai would hate you for that? He probably doesn't even care about his social status." I scolded her, my tone firm.

She pushed a hair back, another tear sliding down at her cheek."I'm a strong bitch Zoe, I got that from you but sometimes their words sink in deep you know? and I can't help but question myself, my worth which should not be happening because I know me, who the fuck I am. I was just so used to being alone that being with him was like a dream that I didn't know I longed for and that shit overwhelmed me." Peggy confessed, her voice in a soft murmur.

I stood up from my seat and moved to sit down beside her, the matress dipping at both our weight."I guess I can't blame you Peggy, you're still growing and I'm so sorry for not being able to see what you're going through."

I felt guilty, I've been so hung up on my own problems and obstacles in life that I forgot to ask a simple question of are you okay to my sibling.

Sometimes we just get so lost on our own world that we don't know someone out there is drowning in their own, hoping for someone to help them out.

She sniffled, offering me a smile."It's okay, we tend to act tough all the time that sometimes we don't know when's the right time to actually ask for reassurance."

"You know what? We should go to his house and you apologize to him. Tell him the truth." I stood up, turning to her.

Peggy's pale blue ones widened, the sight reminding me so much of my dad. I quickly looked away, the familiar ache coming to me.

"Right now?" She asks, her eyes red and her voice slightly hoarse.

"Yes, right now. I'll have Neo drive us there." I nodded my head, pushing a strand of hair away that fell on my cheek.

"What if he's still mad at me after I told him the truth?" She mumbled, her eyer shifting away.

I ruffled her hair, a soft smile falling on my lips."Then we'll help you pick up the pieces and eat all the junk foods you want." I promised.

Peggy smiled at my words before she nodded, standing up as well."I'll just make myself decent." She walked out of the room, somehow determined.

I let out a soft sigh, not being able to grasp the concept that my sister is really growing up. I turned my attention to Grumpy and was surprised to see his onyx eyes already on me.

Pushing myself on the bed, I quickly flopped near the pillow he sat."You're awake? You've been listening to our girl talk, weren't you?" I accused, fixing the peach colored hoodie that he was wearing.

Grumpy let out a small bark, his tail wagging and his tongue out. I smiled before standing up, remembering that I need to get Neo.

"Well then, just keep it a secret okay? Now come on, we have to get Neo." I quickly took him and place him on the ground, pushing the hoodie back so it wouldn't annoy him.

Grumpy did a small stretch on his hind legs before following me out of the door. Neo was for sure on his room, playing video games on his Xbox.

I knocked on his door before opening it, seeing him on his gamer chair with his earphones on. Without wasting a second, I walked towards the back of his TV and pulled the plug.

"What? Zoe!" He exclaimed, glancing from the black screen and at me.

"Let's go, Peggy need us." I nodded my head at him, making him turn serious.

Neo stood up, pulling his earphones and tossing it on the bed. He ran a hand through his hair and narrowed his eyes at me.

"Who's the fucker that sealed his fate?" He asks, opening his cabinet and pulling on a random shirt.

"Its not like that twinny." I shook my head at him, looking down briefly at Grumpy."I'll tell you when we get back, right now she needs support." I told him, walking out of the room and downstairs.

I patiently waited for grumpy while he jumped on the stairs. Don't look at the screen like that, I tried to help him but he would just growl at me.

"Good boy grumpy, ugh, you're so cute." I crouched at his level, bringing him to my chest and kissing him on his head repeatedly.

I could feel his wagging tail hitting on my arm, he looked up to with his mouth open and tongue hanging out.

The door bell rang and I quickly made my way towards it, Grumpy was still in my arms and was licking my shirt.

My eyes widened when I was greeted by my handsome carrot, standing on my porch with a flowers in his hand and a paper bag on the other.

"What?" I gasped, taking a step back in surprise. Grumpy let out a happy barks at the sight of his daddy.

oOoooooh, daddy.

Tyrone chuckled."Surprise Radish!" He exclaimed, raising both his arms.

I finally grinned, closing the distance and hugged him. I inhaled his familiar smell and basked in his warmth, feeling him wrap his arms around us and place a kiss on my head.

"What's all this for?" I wondered out, pulling back and placing Grumpy down who sat down immediately, his tail wagging viciously.

Tyrone shrugged."I just missed you and I wanted to hang out." He answered, handing me the flowers first.

I couldn't help but admire how the sunflower contrasted gorgeously against the purple Irises.

My cheeks turned red when I looked up, his phone on his hand while he took pictures of me.

"Hey! At least give a girl some warning." I mumbled before smiling up to phone's camera.

Tyrone smiled and snapped one more picture before placing the phone back on his pocket. I ushered him inside, grumpy following after us.

I made him sit on the living room with Grumpy before making my way towards the kitchen, filling up the Vase with some water and placing the flowers there.

I'll bring it up to my room later when we get back.

I went back to the living room, Tyrone feeding Grumpy the treats he brought him. He was talking to Neo and they were both chuckling.

"Looks who looking like chucky's wife with that blush and hair." Neo joked, earning a swift punch from me.

Tyrone's gaze drifted to mine and I took a seat beside him, grumpy between us."We kinda have to do something first carrot. If you're willing to wait, we can have a movie marathon after?" I hesitantly asked.

"Of course radish, you guys take your time. I'll wait here for you," He nodded, petting grumpy.

Peggy came bounding down the stairs, dressing casual in her hoodie, leggings, and white sneakers.

She paused when she caught sight of Tyrone and unlike before, she thankfully didn't scream.

"I'm sorry for screaming the first time we met, I'm Peggy. These two bitches younger sister." She introduced, offering him a warm smile.

Neo rolled his eyes, standing up and ruffling his hair."Yeah, this bitch's gonna be the one driving you so watch your language young woman."

Peggy rolled her blue eyes, an amused smile gracing my lips because of the contradiction on Neo's words.

"I'm Tyrone Adler, it's nice to meet you." He replied, returning the smile she gave him.

Peggy looked awe struck for a second before she cleared her throat."Yeah, likewise. I guess we better get going," She nodded her head towards us.

I stood up from the chair, nodding my head at her. She gave him a bidding smile and a goodbye before walking towards the door.

Neo picked the car keys from the table."See you later Ty, don't cook unless you know how to." He joked, earning a chuckle from Tyrone.

"Take of the house and Grumpy okay? You can turn on the TV or stay on my room if you want." I told him, briefly petting Grumpy.

He nodded."I will radish. Stay safe, all of you. I'll see you when you get back."

I smiled before turning around, stopping when he took a hold of my arm. I turned to him, letting out a small giggle when I realized why he stopped me.

I quickly leaned down, pressing a short kiss on his lips."Bye love." I mumbled, before making my way to the front door.

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So, for the announcement! I would happily say that there are ten chapters left in this book.

I've managed to finish everything up and it's been an emotional week for me because writing becomes so much harder for me when I'm approaching the end🥺💚

As as a thank you for the 110K reads, 5.18K votes, and 2.24k comments-I will be uploading each chapter for ten days straight at 9 pm (EST).

YEY!💚

Thank you so so much for the support and love AND patience you have given to this book. It honestly means a lot to me and I love each and every single one of you, remember that!😘

I hope you all enjoy the remaining ride for the TPP book and comment down your thoughts! I love reading your comments and talking to you guys💚

Don't hesitate to talk to me thru PM or even the comment section! I'm here for you💚

What's your favorite fruit?

My favorite fruit is watermelon and bananas🤣Especially when you put them in the freezer, they taste yummy and frozen🤪

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