Life's hard.

Life's even harder when you have to go to school after having a seven-hour movie marathon.

I know what you're thinking, Thea, why on earth would you let that happen?

I don't even know. I can't even answer that question. Everyone left around twelve and I even made sure to lock the door so my sleep wasn't interrupted.

I decided on wearing a denim button up skirt and a white v-neck t-shirt that was tucked in, pairing it all with beige ballerina flats. I actually decided to straighten my hair, it took me almost an hour. I only applied mascara to my eyes because I didn't wear makeup unless Emily was pounding it into my pours.

My stomach grumbled, forcing me to the kitchen. When I got to the kitchen my eyes landed on a figure sitting at the bar with my mother. I watched Ashley, whisper to my mom until I got into the room, them both smiling as if they didn't say anything. I subconsciously rose my eyebrow, confused at the situation.

"Sweetie, you're up! I made you lunch and there is an apple on the counter for you," her voice was almost jumping for joy but I couldn't understand why. Ashley stood up with a shining smile on her face as she tossed me the apple from the counter. I caught the apple, about to say something but Ashley started for the door. "Come on! I'm taking you to school!" She yelled, making me quickly grab my backpack. I held the apple in my mouth as I ran to the door, locking it when I was fully outside.

"What if Damien didn't tell Kyla?" Ashley brought up while I got in the car.

Not one flippen day, really! I just don't want to hear his name for one day.

"What are you trying to get at?" I mumbled, closing the car door so she could leave. "I mean what if one of us did it?" She said again, throwing me off guard. "Are you admitting to telling her or are you just reasonably thinking?" I watched her back out of my driveway letting out a small laugh. "Why on earth would I tell Kyla something I didn't even know. I was beyond wasted that night," she laughed, making me give her a fair nod.

"I mean what if it wasn't him? It could be anyone else in the group," she said quietly, putting her car in drive. I bit my lip in worry. What if it wasn't him and I just told everyone else how he died. "I'm not saying he didn't do it, he could have. I'm just saying he might not have been the only one to hear you," I couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh, nodding my head. "I understand but it also doesn't make sense why he was holding her at lunch," Ashley gave me a shrug, tapping her fingers on the wheel as she drove.

"They were always an on and off couple, Thea. Maybe he decided he wanted her again. I mean you did make it pretty clear they were perfect for each other." She said quietly, making me roll my eyes. I get it, I'm an asshole but at that moment I was furious. "Thanks." My voice was laced with sarcasm as I watched her laugh. I couldn't help the smile that was forming on my face, she made me mad but I loved her.

"It's almost your birthday," Ashley squealed, parking the car in the student parking lot. I shushed her, quickly shutting my door as quickly as I opened it, "keep it down Ash, I don't need the others to know." My door was swung open causing me to scream, turning to Alex who had a giant smirk on his face. "Too late!" He called, watching me look at him in horror.

I hated birthdays with a deep passion. Well, I at least hate my birthday. I never wanted a present or anyone besides my family to know about it. It was just a constant reminder that I was never going to get to be a kid again.

Alex let me hop out of the car, shutting the door behind me with a smile. I turned to everyone and I was getting freaked out. They all had smiles, even Emily who looked slightly annoyed with the situation. "Can you guys stop acting creepy?" I said nervously, watching Xavier leave Emily's side to come to me. "No one's acting creepy, Thea." He chuckled out, sending everyone wide eyes.

I really hope he didn't expect me not to see him. It was like they all knew something I didn't. I moved slowly away from him, a concerned look on my face. "If you guys aren't going to tell me, that's fine, but don't act like you know something in front of me," my voice was quiet, watching Xavier's facial features faultier. I took this time to scan him, he looked nice.

He had a black leather jacket on with a white v-neck and dark jeans. I wanted to clap at his fashion sense, his beige shoes even matched. I was impressed, but I will never tell him.

I turned my body to walk away, Ashley following in her pink floral dress. I wasn't upset, just a bit put off. It was weird to think that one of them told Kyla, maybe that's what they were hiding. I heard Xavier's feet hitting the floor behind up but I stayed with Ashley, knowing she was probably the best one to be around.

"Who do you think did it?" I said quietly, turning to see her bit her lip in concentration.

"I know Xavier wouldn't do that to you. Well, I don't know, I just met him. Damien wasn't the only person close to Kyla in our group." She said quietly, getting my full attention.

I want to cry. I'm going to cry.

I was fine with it being anyone but Xavier to be honest. I would hate for it to be Emily or even Ashley but Xavier would be painful.

"Who was cl-" I started but was cut off by Ashley letting out a small scream. "I have a test in the first hour! I'll talk to you at lunch!" She called, darting down the hallways as we entered the school. My mouth couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.

I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder and I turned to Xavier. "Are you going to tell me what you're hiding?" I said quietly, watching Emily jog down the hallway after Ashley. "I'm not hiding anything T," He said quietly, I let my mouth drop slightly. "It would be better to say no than to lie," I commented, watching him meet eyes with Damien. Xavier walked over to him while I went to my locker. My eyes watched the ground as I opened my locker, listening to Xavier and him talk.

I wanted to mentally curse myself because their voices were so low I couldn't hear shit.

My hand shut my locker as I glanced their way. Seeing Xavier whispering to him as Damien watched me. He looked a wreck, but a beautiful wreck. His hair was messy and He had stubble outlining his cheek bones and red eyes. He had on a usual black v-neck and dark jeans, but he looked so different.

I met his eyes for a moment before I walked away. They were stone cold, like usual. He had no emotion toward me and I fully understand why.

The first hour was odd, Emily wouldn't say a word to me. She just excitedly bounced up and down in her chair, glancing my way every ten seconds. It happened in every hour till the fourth hour, she would sit a distance away from me and glance my way a lot. If I wanted to know the secret I could obviously get it from her.

When the bell rang for lunch she darted out of the class, leaving me. Was I mad?

Oh hell yes.

I was losing my cool and it was probably because I am starting to think one of them told Kyla. Yes I said it, I think one of the others told Kyla but Damien still did something no one can explain, He got back with the she-devil.

I made my way to the cafeteria, getting small smiles and glanced at along the way. I could hear Damien and Kyla talking as I passed their table, watching my friends whisper amongst each other until I got close enough. They quickly stop taking, giving me small smiles as I sat down.

Here we go again.

"Can I please talk to you, Thea?" A voice called from behind me. I let out a heavy breath, turning to Tyler with a 'you're fucking joking right' look. "No Tyler," I said quietly, watching Xavier eye him from his spot. "Thea I just need to clear some things up," he pleaded, bending down so he was close to me.

Am I a bitch for doing what I'm about to do?

Yes, yes I am, but he did almost hit me and molest me at a party so fair game.

My hand grabbed his neck as I stood up, slamming his head into the table. "Listen, buddy, I don't know what you're going to sort out. I think it's pretty clear what happened that night and the only reason you are doing this is to make sure I didn't report it." I hissed out, watch Xavier spring up from his chair. "You're a bitch you know that?" Tyler chuckled, his cheek pressing into the table. "At least I don't try to molest people when I'm drunk." I laughed back, feeling arms wrap around me to pull me off him. I turned to see who I hoped was Xavier, but It wasn't.

Damien had ripped me off Tyler, tossing me like a rag doll to Xavier who quickly grabbed me by the arm. Xavier's feet started moving and I was forced to follow him into a hallway. "What the hell is your problem Thea?" He yelled at me, making me take a few steps back. "What? I learned it on YouTube," I mumbled out, getting a glare from him that shut me up.

"Are you trying to get suspended?" His yelling hurt my ears, it was so loud. Being Suspended didn't sound so bad right now. "Maybe it would be best," I hissed back, leaning onto the lockers.

"What does that mean Thea?" He got quieter, getting closer to me. "It means I can't figure out who told Kyla and the way you guys are acting makes me feel like it was one of you," I said quietly, looked away from Xavier's face. He let out a sigh before nodding his head, "We are acting like this because we were attempting to plan a birthday for you."

My eyes landed back on him and he still looked concerned. "Now I know what you're thinking, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of us," His voice was serious, so he thinks it's one of them too.

Fan-freaking-tastic.

I let out a string of curse words, my hands immediately going to my face. "I messed up, Xavier," I said quietly. I was in full panic mode.

Damien might not have been the one who told and I'm over here being the biggest butthole possible to him! Oh god, what if he hates me? He probably does because I'm such a bitch.

"Thea, hey, don't cry," He cooed out, his arms wrapping around me. I didn't even realize I was crying until he hugged me. "What if it's not him, I just made him hate me," I said quietly, my voice muffled by his shirt.

Xavier let out a gentle laugh, shaking his head. "I doubt it's possible for Damien to hate you," His hand was rubbing my back as I slowly nodded my head. I didn't believe him, the way Damien looks at me now is different.

I opened my mouth to speak but Damien's figure stopped me. He looked pissed like he was getting the wrong impression of Xavier and I. I couldn't get enough words to produce fast enough before he left. Xavier let go of me, letting out a string of curse words before he went after Damien.

I didn't know where to go but back to the table, watching Ashley look curious at me. "What?" She questioned, handing me the other half of her sandwich. "Nothing," I whispered out, she knew I would tell her later so she didn't push. Emily gave me a curious glare that I was slightly shocked by.

I was dreading fifth hour so when the bell rang I jumped. Xavier never came back for lunch which was weird. Ashley had grabbed my hand to walk to class as Emily said she was going to find Xavier. "I know you're going to hate me but Emily had connections with Kyla before you came," she mumbled, making me shake my head.

Emily would never do that to me, I know for a fact she wouldn't.

"I'm not saying she did it, but I'm saying it's a possibility," she said quietly, making me bit my lip in stress. If it was Emily I have no idea what to do.

She followed me into the class as I sat down at my usual seat, her sitting beside me. Emily still hasn't arrived yet and I was thankful for some reason. I was stressing out, so stressed out I didn't realize Damien had picked his seat in front of me.

"You know, what you did at lunch wasn't needed. He was just apologizing," Damien spoke out, his head turning to look at me. "You're the last person I need telling me that," I said quietly, pulling out my notebook and pencil.

"I'm just saying, it's like you don't let anyone explain anything," He was mad, I could tell because his hand was balled into a fist on his desk. His knuckles had fresh cuts on them that worried me. If he hit Xavier I'd probably kill him.

"Sometimes people don't get a chance to explain. They aren't worth it," I quietly hissed, a small chuckle coming from his throat. "You're a bitch, Thea," he seethed out, shocking me.

"And you're a careless fuck up Damien," I shot back, his body fully turning to send me a death glare. "At least I didn't kill my brother," his voice faltered when he saw my face.

He did not.

I felt tears brim my eyes and I looked away from him. It wasn't him, he wouldn't have known that. "Damien you know nothing about me. You're a dick that thinks you rule this place because you're scared of opening up to people. You can pretend to act tough all you want here but you are nothing but a lost boy trying to find his way home," I spat out, feeling Ashley's eyes on me. I quickly got up from my chair, moving farther back into the room as the substitute put on an educational movie.

Xavier was so wrong.

Damien Ryan Carter hated me...