I woke up fairly early and decided to go on a run. The house was silent, as it was five am. Not even the Von Barons were up. I put on workout clothes and my running shoes before heading out the door. The sky was still dark, but I could see the faintest color appearing against the night sky. I ran all the way to the end of the street when I stumbled upon a clearing. There was a tree at the edge of it, and perched on top was a treehouse. It looked new and secure. But it also didn't look like it belonged to anyone. Perhaps it was public property, and if it belonged to someone, hopefully they wouldn't mind if I used it.

I jogged up to the tree. A ladder led up to the treehouse, which was painted a dark red with white detail. I stepped inside. The treehouse was empty, save for an unsharpened pencil I found on the floor.

The sun was rising and the treehouse offered a prefect view. I decided I'd come here sometime again, but for now it was time to head back.

Nobody was up yet, so I decided I'd eat a quick snack and join everybody for breakfast later. For now I decided to shower. Once I got out, I looked back at the text I got last night.

I miss you.

Did he really? I couldn't help the smile on my face as I read that. I could only hope Griffin meant it.

I didn't know what to say back. Even though I didn't have the read option on, he knew I was bound to read his message.

My fingers moved seemingly on their own.

Do you really?

I left it at that and turned off my phone.

I went downstairs and are breakfast with the Von Barons, who soon after went to work.

Jay came down at around twelve, fully dressed and ready to head out.

"I'll be out for a few hours." He said.

I nodded. I wasn't as scared as I was before.

He left, and it was just me and Buddy. Kristof hadn't returned from his trip yet, so the house was empty.

I occupied myself with swimming snd basketball, until I grew bored. I went into the kitchen to see Buddy passed out on the floor, next to him a pool of vomit.

"Oh my god." I said. I ran up to him. Thankfully he was still breathing, but he was in terrible condition.

I didn't know what to do, so I called Jacob.

"Hey," he said. "What's up?"

"It's Buddy," I said, on the verge of tears. "Something's wrong with him."

"I'll be right there."

I hung up and rushed over to Buddy. His breaths were labored and I hoped that he'd be okay. This was all my fault. I should have been watching him. Maybe he ate something or he'd been here a while, and I never noticed.

I stroked his fur and talked to him until I heard the doorbell ring. I left Buddy for a second to open the door.

"Jacob!" I called out when I saw him.

He nodded and walked after me to where Buddy was laying down.

"Do you have Jay's number?" I asked.

"Yeah." He was now hovering over Buddy and trying to get him to stand up.

"What?" I called. "But you-"

"Him and I, we...well, we don't get along at all. The only reason I have this job is because his parents know my parents."

That was strange. "Call him!" I Protested.

"No." He looked like I just told him the most vile thing in the world.

"But his dog is-"

"You call him." Jacob said. Buddy was now in his arms, and Jacob was walking out of the door. I could tell he was struggling to carry Buddy. I feared that he'd drop him.

I wonder why he couldn't just call Jay and tell him to come to the nearest animal hospital or something.

I grabbed Jacob's phone off the counter and followed him out. He had gotten Buddy inside of the car and was now in the front seat. I got into the passenger seat and asked Jacob if I could call Jay.

He nodded and began driving. I managed to find Jay's contact, and dialed.

"Who the fuck is this and why the fuck are you calling me?"

"Hi to you to." I said. "It's me, Alina, calling on Jacob's phone. Come to the animal hospital."

"Alina?" He said, surprise evident in his tone. "Why do I have to come to the animal hospital? And why are you with Jacob?"

I sighed. "Just please come." With that, I hung up.

"Let me guess," Jacob said. "He didn't know who was calling?"

"It's doesn't matter," I snapped, looking at Buddy. He looked even worse than before, which was saying a lot.

Jacob didn't say anything else as he drove.

We eventually made it to the animal hospital. I rushed out of the car and went to get Buddy. Jacob insisted on carrying him in, but I had to help him.

We were rushed into a room and they would have to evaluate Buddy.

Tears sprung to my eyes. This was all my fault. I was left alone with him and it was my responsibility to take care of him.

A few minutes later, Jay came into the hallway. I guess he was still in the area since he got here so fast.

He made quick eye contact with me before going into the room. A few moments he came out.

"You bitch." He said to me.

I was startled. His words were so harsh.

"It's your fault. All of this!" He yelled. "Buddy might die, you know?"

"I-I'm sorry. I swear, I didn't feed him anything, hurt him in any way-"

"Shut up. Just shut up! You irresponsible bitch. I wish you would leave. You shove yourself down everyone's throats. And you can't even defend yourself! Maybe I should've left you up there the night of the party! Maybe you'd be less annoying after you'd been properly fucked."

I was full on sobbing now. If Buddy died, it would be all my fault.

And what Jay had said to me... It was the worst thing that had even been directed at me. He hated me. I don't know if he was pretending to be friends before, but now I know the truth. I should've begged my parents to go take me, even though they said it was only the two of them going. And he said that I should've been raped. My heart was now pounding and I felt sick. To make it worse, I didn't have a ride back home. Home. More like the house I was staying at.

If I stayed any more, listened to any more of Jay's cruel words, I'd be sick. I decided I'd walk home, no matter how long it took.

I stood up and left, ignoring Jacob's voice calling out to me. I hoped Buddy would be okay.

I began the long trek home. It wasn't too long of a walk, but it was still forty five minutes in the sun.

Eventually, I made it back. But I didn't go straight inside. Instead, I went to the treehouse and waited in there. I texted Jacob to tell me if Buddy is okay when they find out.

I had a sweatshirt wrapped around my waist, so I untied it and lay my head down. The treehouse was clean enough, so I got as comfortable as I could on a wooden floor and closed my eyes. I don't know whow I managed to fall asleep, but I guess I was tired. I woke up when the sun was setting. The view was immaculate especially from where I was sitting. The golden, orange, pink and purple hues fanned out across the slowly blackening sky, and there were few trees to block it. I was too immersed in the view to realize how late it was, until a few moments later, when my phone buzzed.

I had just woken up, so I was still groggy, and it took me a few tries to finally take a hold of my phone. The brightness was overwhelming, but when I turned the brightness down I could finally see. Twenty-three messages and ten missed calls.

A few were from Jacob, seeing if I was okay and if I didn't reply by nine o'clock he'd call the cops. I texted him a quick "I'm fine, just needed to take a walk."

The other messages were from a number I didn't have saved. I scrolled up to see if they had said who they were.

Alina, it's Jay

R U okay?

Come home

My parents r gonna get worried

Plz come

Buddy is ok, it wasn't ur fault

These were some of the messages Jay had sent me. I was going to get a migraine from all this back and forth business. One day we're in the pool together and the next he insults me. I decided it was time to go back, I didn't mean to stay in this treehouse for so long. It served him right to be even the slightest bit worried, although I doubt he cares what happens to me. I just wouldn't want his parents to worry, and honestly I wanted to do nothing more than tell them what he said to me, but I wouldn't be like that.

By now the sun had set, and the sky was dark. I didn't reply to Jay, only simply walked back. He'd see me once I arrived.

Eventually, I made it back. The front door was unlocked and I assumed that the Von Barons weren't home yet, as the cars they went to work in weren't in the driveway. Or maybe they were, and I was simply mistaken.

I walked inside and went straight to my room. At least I tried. Jay was coming out of his room at the very moment I passed his door.

"Alina wait." He ordered.

I ignored him and continued straight for my room. I struggled with the door knob for a few seconds, which was enough time for Jay to grab my arm. I flinched away and managed to make it back to my room, and closed the door.

He opened it and went right in, which really made me wish the door had a lock.

"It wasn't your fault, and I-" he paused "I didn't mean what I said. I was-"

"You said I should've been raped, called me a bitch, and told me that I should leave. And I did just that. So I don't beg me to come back, or ask for forgiveness."

"I wasn't beg-" He cleared his throat. "I didn't mean that. I was drunk. And I didn't say you should've been raped!"

"'Maybe you'd be less annoying after you'd been properly fucked.' You did say it." By now tears were streaming down my face and I wished I wasn't so sensitive. I didn't want Jay to see me crying, so I rushed into the bathroom.

He followed me in, just as I had expected.

"Do you not understand boundaries?" I said. "Or personal space?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. "I didn't mean what I said. I was drunk." He was now gazing into my eyes so intently I had to look away.

He was terrible at saying sorry, but even the most well-spoken apology wouldn't be able to fix this. "They say drunk words are sober thoughts. You didn't morph into another person, you thought those things and you spoke them. Whether you meant it or not, which I'm sure you did, you still hurt me."

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Alina. I don't know what came over me, or why I said those things. Please forgive me." He closed his eyes for a moment, and then looked back at me, and bit his lip.

"No, I'm done. And I can't wait to leave this place."

"That's pretty rude to say considering my parents let you in for the entire summer." He said.

"Your parents are amazing but the problem is you!" I raised my voice. "You're an asshole that only cares about himself! You boast about all these one night stands, but I bet the girls can't deal with you for more than one night!"

He laughed. He had a nice laugh too, and I hated to admit that. "That's not how one night stands work smart one."

"Shut the fuck up."

"In all seriousness, I-"

With that, I slammed the door in his face.