I made some really lame excuse for not showing up to meet the group yesterday at Evan's place. The last thing I want is to sit with everyone and pretend that my life hasn't turned a shitshow in the last few days.

But, the sad part is that I need to attend school until the holidays, which aren't for another two weeks. I was looking forward to spending them with these new people who have become such a huge part of my life but suddenly, the idea of holidays sounds horrible.

"An, before you leave hon, I wanted to tell you that things between your mother and I are alright. It's nothing for you to be worried about, okay?" My father says as I eat from my cereal bowl in absolute silence and then look up at him.

I nod, "Okay."

He sighs, "What's wrong, sweetheart? You have been awfully quiet ever since she came to visit."

How do I explain it to my father that it's not him or Cassandra that I am worried about. I know they'll be alright, I mean they are adults, they can handle their business but who the hell will handle my business when my boyfriend of three months just seems to have broken up with me and left me hanging to make a decision that I would never be ready to make.

"Do you think you can give me a ride to school?" I ask instead of responding and notice the frown hovering over his features.

"Yes, sure. Come on." He slides off the stool and puts his cereal bowl in the sink and I copy his actions before grabbing my backpack from the living room.

The ride goes down in silence, which is kind of weird because I always have something to talk about with Dad, even if the topics are non-existent or about the aliens which do not exist. I look out of the window after turning up the radio and see him looking my way at least five times for the fifteen minute ride to school.

When he parks outside school gates he turns to me completely, "An, why didn't you get a ride with Chris today?"

"We broke up." I say and unbuckle my seatbelt, getting out of the car before he can respond to me.

When I enter the school building, I don't even bother to go to my locker because I am not ready to face anyone yet. As soon as I reach the classroom, I stand outside and notice that only half of the room is full, with the students still coming in.

How bad is my luck that I have biology first period today? The class I share with Chris.

Internally groaning, I keep my head ducked down, not meeting anyone's eyes as I move to the row against the wall and take the second seat in front, aware that Chris would be in the last seat on the other corner of the room.

It's like I can physically feel his presence as he enters the class with Sam and Ryan. His eyes squint together due to whatever reason he's laughing right now as Ryan pats him on the back.

My heart physically hurts to see him like that, especially when he doesn't even bother to see if I am here or not. I gulp and avert my eyes away from him, taking a breath through my lips as I close my eyes momentarily.

Ms. Kaur enters the class and I notice how stupid is the concept of school. Why the hell do I need to attend it regularly in the first place only to cram up information I'm not going to remember or even use in future?

"Pair up for a quiz." She says after a while and I groan internally.

"Can't I do it alone?" I ask louder than I intended and grab almost everyone's attention in the room, making my cheeks flush in embarrassment.

She gives me a sideway glance, "It's a long quiz, Ms. Brooks. Two brains work better than one, don't you think?"

The last thing I want is to make small talk with anyone in this class. Today is not the day for that.

"I think I'll do it alone, thanks for the offer though." I smile sarcastically and hear a few snickers behind me.

Ms. Kaur who's actually the sweetest teacher tries to muster up a glare in my direction. "If you fail, it's on you."

"I can live with that." I nod as I hold my hand out for the piece of paper that apparently requires two brains.

"Also, you can't change your mind after looking at the questions." She warns me.

"God, alright." I let out a groan and turn around to find a partner.

Ms. Kaur has a victory smile on her face when she, along with me starts looking for a partner. Due to this amazing lucky day, almost everyone seems to already have found a partner, even the person sitting in front of me has moved with his partner.

"Who doesn't have a partner? This class divides into pairs of two just fine, one person is either bunking or someone wants to do this alone as well." Ms. Kaur speaks, looking around before her eyes land on the other corner of the room where Chris, Ryan and Sam seem to be playing smart.

She sighs, "Three of you decide amongst yourself and split into a pair. One of you come work with Adrianna here."

No. This isn't something I signed up for.

I don't even bother to look at them because I am so afraid that the moment my eyes meet Chris's, I would burst into tears. But when the chair screeches, I can't help but look up to see who's my partner.

Sam walks in the front of the class before coming to take the seat in front of me. He gives me a smile before winking and I try to cover up my disappointment that it isn't Chris. I smile at him a little as he turns his chair around to look down at the sheet that Ms. Kaur starts handing over.

"So, why didn't your boyfriend wanna work with you on this shit?" He asks and I meet his eyes.

"What reason did he give?" I question back and he shrugs.

"He pulled out the captain card and Ryan was too stubborn." He says and I frown.

"He can do that outside the game?" I ask, clearly confused and then Sam looks like he's thinking about it before he sends a glare Chris's way. I follow his gaze and notice that Chris was already staring at the two of us, but then he looks away.

"God, why didn't I realise that? I am dumb." Sam groans and I try to resist my laugh.

"And you're supposed to help me with the quiz?" I arch an eyebrow, letting the playful mode take over once since two days.

Sam's eyes meet mine and there's a smile on his face as he shrugs, "So, are the two of you fighting or something?"

I swallow at his question, try to look anywhere but his eyes as I notice the quiz in front of me. I could have easily done this by myself, Ms. Kaur just wanted to save herself the pain of checking so many sheets.

"We broke up." I blurt before I even realise and mentally smack myself on the head when I notice that Sam's eyes are widened at my response.

"Wow." He says, searching my face and I bow my head down to avoid giving any sort of expression that he might caught on. "Couldn't say that I didn't see that coming."

"What does that mean?" I frown, my head snapping up as I scowl at the guy in front of me.

He shrugs, "You've been dating for couple of months, right? That's where the time period of being his girlfriend ends. Ask Caitlyn."

I open my mouth to respond but immediately close it when I realise that there's nothing I can say to make him think otherwise. Chris isn't that guy, I know he didn't break up with me because some time limit was over. We were good together, sure, we argued and fought on the littlest of things but he treated me so well, and that's the last thing I expected from him — considering the 'bad boy' tag he has earned in this school.

Shaking off the thoughts, I start doing the quiz, not even bothering to ask for Sam's help. I am done with fifteen questions out of thirty when I feel a hand grazing my cheek before it lightly tucks my lose strand of hair behind my ear, making me scowl as I look up.

Sam is staring at me with expecting eyes and I can't help but scoff. "Seriously?" I ask him, swatting his hand away.

"He's looking, and I am just trying to make him jealous." Sam smirks, "Play along."

I muster up the glare as I drop my pencil, "We are supposed to be doing the quiz, Sam. Even if he is looking, we both know that is not the reason you just pulled that move. I am not Caitlyn. Got it?" I hiss at him, making sure not to cause a scene before I pick up my backpack.

Ms. Kaur stares at me, "Where do you think you're going?" She asks.

"I already did the first half, you can mark me on that. He's the doing the other half. Need to go to the nurse's, girl problem." I tell her and she nods as I walk out of the class.

As soon as I am in the hallway, I let out a breath of relief. There's still fifteen minutes left for the next one, and I know if I am found wondering in the hallways, that would mean detention so I make my way quietly to the old gym.

Bleachers is too easy for Chris to find me, if he even wants to find me.

When I enter the gym, I look at the dark place and sigh, going to the top stair as I lie down and keep my bad under my head, staring at the high ceiling.

How has my life turned so upside down in the matter of a few days?

I know Chris isn't wrong, he just wants me to make a fair decision but how can I do that when I am not even sure how I feel anymore? I mean, I love Evan, I know I do.. but ever since my feelings for Chris have started to seep in, that has started clouding my feelings for my best friend.

I close my eyes for a while to let my chaotic thoughts comes to a calm. I breathe through my mouth as I wish that I could pull Breanna out of her class and just vent to her about what shithole my life has turned into. But that would be selfish of me, so I remain lying in the gym until the bell goes off.

Next is my physics class with Mrs. Mathews and I am kind of glad that I don't share it with either of those two people. But, I do share it with the rest of the three. Groaning, I enter the hallway, thanking the teenagers in between which I am easily unnoticeable.

When I enter the class, I notice Jordan staring at me with curious eyes which almost makes me believe that Chris already told him but when he gives me a smile, I am pretty sure that if he knew, he would be bursting with questions rather than passing me warm smiles.

I take my usual seat and Breanna tugs on my arm, "Bitch." She hisses at me and I frown.

"What?"

"Where were you yesterday? We went laser tagging, it was so much fun." She grins and I try to muster up an enthusiastic smile.

"Really? I'm glad you guys had fun." I tell her.

"We also found out that Evan is a real sore loser yesterday." Jordan speaks from behind me and I turn to him, arching an eyebrow.

"Who beat Evan in laser tag?" I ask, obviously curious because the guy is kind of champion there and even I can admit that, even though I get super competitive.

"Chris." He answers and my eyes widen.

"He was there?" I ask before I can even stop myself and the two of them give me curious looks.

"Was he not supposed to be?" Breanna asks and I shrug.

"Nope, nothing like that." I give a tight lipped smile and for once thanks Mrs. Mathews for coming to the class five minutes early than she's supposed to be, because that cuts off the conversation.

Chris went laser-tagging with the group yesterday while I was too embarrassed and felt too pathetic to show my face to them. He obviously didn't tell them about the breakup, leaving the responsibility on my shoulders to explain to them, much like how we started dating and he kissed me in front of everyone before walking away.

I find it hard to concentrate on next few classes but when the lunch approaches, the swirling nervousness in my stomach starts to grow. I enter the cafeteria, debating whether to sit in my usual seat by Chris's side or not.

God, please transfer me to Utah right this moment.

When I reach the table, I realise only Breanna and Luke are there so I speak up, "Where's everyone?"

Luke waves at me and I send him a smile before Breanna speaks up, "No idea."

But then the cafeteria door opens and Ryan enters, his eyes searching before they set on me. He motions for me to follow him, making me scowl.

"What's his deal?" Luke asks, standing up and following behind me as Breanna does the same.

When we reach Ryan, I am the first to speak up, "What's up?" I ask.

"It's Evan.." He huffs, walking and not even looking back, and anxiety immediately rises in me as I stare at his back.

"What does that mean?" I ask, almost shouting which makes him come to a halt and turn around.

"He's brawling with Sam." Ryan utters and I gape at him.

"Ryan, where?" Luke asks.

"Football ground." He replies and I don't even realise it but I am already running towards that direction, to see what the hell is going on.

But when I reach the ground, I notice the rest of the basketball team standing around, watching as Evan lands a punch on Sam's face, blood already seeping through the cut on his lip.

I freeze a few feet away, witnessing the scene in front of me before I turn to Luke for help but then I notice Jordan and Chris entering the area as well. Jordan's eyes widen when he notices the scene but I am too stunned to do anything at all.

"What the fuck is going on?" Chris booms, making his way towards Evan and Sam who keep throwing punches at each other.

Evan stops when he hears Chris and lets go of Sam who stumbles back before Ryan helps him steady on his feet. His face is messed up, real bad.

"You!" Evan turns to Chris with rage in his eyes, "What the hell is wrong with you?" He yells.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Chris glares at him.

"You know pretty damn well what I am talking about. You broke up with her!" He yells into his face, making everyone around them erupt into mutters before almost everyone stares at me.

Who the hell told Evan?

But I know the answer already. I glare at Sam who doesn't even meet my eye before focusing on Chris who looks at me from the corner of his eyes, as if accusing me of this whole drama.

"How do you know it wasn't her?" Chris asks him, probably sounding too calm for my liking.

Evan laughs loudly, but the lack of emotion behind it sends a shiver through me but then I feel two people standing by my side. Luke and Breanna. Both of them wrap their arms around me as I see the two people who value the most to me continuing arguing — ironically, about me.

"Do you have any idea what that girl would do for you, Jones?" Evan hisses at him, "You're goddamn blind if you can't see that."

Chris's jaw clenches, "I know, I see probably every goddamn thing, including the way she looks at you."

Before I can even comprehend his words, Evan throws a punch that knocks his jaw, making him stumble back with surprise and the rage behind his Chris's eyes is enough to make the tears spill out of fear.

I know what being physically hit does to him. He has told me that, and if it's as ugly as it sounds — I don't want to witness it, and I don't want Evan on the other end of it.

But I am too late in processing everything, because Chris throws a hard punch that makes Evan almost hit ground but that doesn't stop Chris. He continues to throw another punch until Evan blocks it, and is about to punch him again.

"Evan!"

That's my voice. Did I speak?

God, I feel so disconnected with my brain right now that when the two of them freeze in their spot, it comes as a shock. Their eyes land on me, and I realise that neither of them noticed my presence here. Jordan steps in between them, making them step apart before his glare sets on me.

"Take him away, right now." He barks at me, motioning towards Evan and I step forward, nodding.

Evan looks at me with guilt in his eyes but I don't know what to do with his guilt or what to do at all. So I tug at his arm.

"Come on, move before a teacher comes. The last thing we need is authority getting involved." Luke speaks up and everyone starts disappearing.

When Evan takes his bruised hand in mine, I don't pull away but my eyes set on Chris who is being forced to move by Jordan. But his eyes are set on me, on my hand before he gives me one look that makes me resist the sob that forms up in my throat before both of us look away.

"I need to clean you up." I mutter to Evan who continues to stare at me as we walk down the empty hallway, thanks to the lunch break.

"An." He speaks out but I shake my head, turning to Luke.

"Can you figure out where those two went? If they are at the boys locker, we'll go somewhere else but please get his first aid from there?" I tell him and he nods, giving me a reassuring smile.

"I'll come with." Breanna tells him and he takes her hand before they both disappear and I find Evan and myself an empty men's washroom.

"This a boys' washroom." Evan speaks up with amusement in his eyes as he takes a seat on the sink counter and I swat at his shoulder.

"Don't mess with me right now because I'll punch you in the face." I glare at him.

He pouts, "Really? I just beat up two guys for you."

"Evan." I rub my temples and he chuckles a little before making my hand move away from my forehead and takes it in his hand.

"Are you mad?" He asks as I continue to stare at the cut on his cheek that's bleeding.

"You've to be out of your damn mind if you think otherwise." I whisper and he smiles a little.

But before he can respond, Luke enters in, handing me Evan's first aid kit. I immediately turn to hug him, "Thanks, Luke."

He nods, "I'll be around if you need anything, alright?" He says before moving out.

When he leaves, I open up the kit and pull out cotton before sinking it with antiseptic to clean his wounds. He flinches a little but doesn't takes his eyes off of me while I continue to do my work.

After I am done, I apply a little cream around it and wash my hands under the sink. But then Evan speaks up, breaking the deafening silence, "Why didn't you tell me?" He asks.

"Tell you what?" I ask, trying to play innocent and he gives me a look which makes me groan, "Does it even matter?"

He pulls my arm, making me stumble a little as I end up between his legs, "You're my best friend, of course it matters."

I nod, meeting his eyes, "Sorry, I should have. I was just so.. confused."

He frowns, "Regarding what?"

"Why did you beat up Sam?" I ask, changing the topic and he gives me a look, but answers my question nonetheless.

"He was bad-mouthing you." He says.

"Explain." I tell him, trying to ignore the proximity between the two of us as he moves a little on the counter, his arms coming to wrap around me.

"Said some shit about sleeping with you, now that Chris and you broke up." He winces at the words and I can't hold in my surprise, because I wasn't expecting that.

"Asshole. Good thing you punched him." I tell Evan who gives me his cheeky smile, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Now, why did Chris and you broke up?" He asks.