The moment the officer left the room, I let out a sigh as a sign of tiredness.

That didn't go really well.

Basically the officer told us to stick around the house because apparently everyone think it's intentional, including me. The doctor said that the car which had hit me didn't want me dead somehow, judging by the way I was injured.

Lucas came to sit beside me, kissing the top of my head as well as Logan who handed me a cup of water and my scripted medicine.

We sat in comfortable silence while mum and dad were cooking dinner downstairs.

"How do you feel about going to school tomorrow?" Veronica asked, cutting the silence.

I hoisted myself up upon her question. "Nah, no big deal." It was.

I have been trapped at home for a week, and it was finally time for me to go back to school after receiving the doctor's permission early today. I don't even know how I feel about anything anymore. I haven't seen Noah in a week, and it was already driving me nuts.

Abby nuzzled into Levi's embrace, her eyes trained on me the whole time. Levi on the other hand was texting wildly on the phone, every once in a while his eyes would gaze me in and then go back to texting as if making sure of something.

The thing is that both of them have been acting eerily the past week, and I did actually try to talk to them about it, but they would brush me off each time.

The door opened slightly and mum's head peaked through, "baby, someone from school came to visit you."

My brows frowned in confusion, "who?"

"Some fucker who has a cru—" I heard dad hiss behind mum, deepening my frown even more, but before he could continue mum had already pinched him, I guess because he winced loudly.

"Enter sweetheart..." mum gushed sweetly, but trust me when I say that I know my mum quite well just to say that she didn't like whoever that was.

A figure entered the room... Asher.

Why does everyone hate the guy?!

Lucas and Logan groaned out loud and took their positions in standing, shielding the bed successfully. I couldn't see a thing.

"Hey everyone!" Poor guy...

"Thank you for coming, Asher. You might go." Logan's voice was hard and unwavering.

Mum glared at him, ushering Asher to come sit on one of the chairs scattered around the room. He sat down, his eyes shifting to me.

"I am so sorry for what happened, Emma. I swear I didn't know but earlier, hope you're fine now, beautifu—"

"God, give me the strength." Dad mumbled loud enough for everyone to hear.

Giving him one scowl, I turned to Asher, " Thank you, you really didn't have to do anything." I smiled, politely.

Levi's phone rang, getting me out of my stance in surprise. His eyes turned wide before he apologized and decided to take the call outside, trailing after him, Abby.

"What do you think we go bring Emma some food, uncle Thomas?" Carter suggested, noticing the uncomfortable exchange of looks between my dad and Asher.

Dad grumbled before nodding and scurrying out of the door with Carter.

"I will go bring something for you to drink, dear." Mum offered Asher a smile that didn't reach her eyes, really.

He nodded politely, shifting his attention back to me.

At that moment Levi entered with Abby with flushed faces. I eyed them eerily, but dropped it non the less.

"I uhh, I brought you flowers. I didn't know what kind of flowers you liked so I sticked to the traditional red roses." O-okay...

"Too bad she is allergic." Levi mumbled very, very quickly, moving forward, snatching the flowers out of his hands.

I felt Abby beside me in a flash, pinching me, "sneeze, sneeze quickly." She whispered urgently.

Narrowing my eyes at her, I started fake sneezing, earning a few questioning looks.

"Oh, I... I didn't know, but you were fine a while ago th—" Asher started.

"We know her more, jackass." Lucas seethed out, cutting him off.

So, he is playing along?

"A very sweet move, though.'' Veronica smiled.

Logan clenched his jaws, throwing her cold eyes. Ouch...

She shrugged, leaning back into her chair.

Queennnnnn.

"Jesus! I am fucking going!" Asher screamed, irritated by us basically, making his way to the door.

"Oh, you are going already?" Mum asked as she opened the door the same moment he opened it. "Come on, I just made the most amazing eggplant juice."

Hold it in, Emma. Hold it in...

He stormed out of the room.

They all burst out laughing.

I always knew mum was a savage, but damn.

"For a woman, that was a dick move. Bravo mum." Logan cheered mom on, giving her one proud look.

"I swear to God I am not always like that, but the boy gives me the creeps." She shrugged, justifying herself in front of Nora, Veronica, and Della.

They were still in their fits of laughter, giving her thumps up.

"I knew I chose you for a reason." Dad teased, kissing the top of her head. She glared at him but leaned into his embrace.

"Seriously though, it doesn't taste as bad." Carter said, sipping on the eggplant juice.

I rolled my eyes, grateful that they finally noticed my displeased face.

"You know that was uncalled for." I mumbled, feeling bad for Asher.

"God! Why are you the only one who can't see the evilness standing around the corner of his eyes and spitting on us?'' Carter exclaimed, gagging at the drink in his hands.

Ignoring them, my eyes trained on the window.

xxx

''Sure are okay?'' Nora asked for the millionth time.

''OH MY GOD! If we continue this way, I'm gonna go crazy by the end of the day.'' I exclaimed out loud, jokingly. She laughed nervously as we entered the school together.

A broken arm: no big deal.

Disgusting pain, spiking whenever you take a step forward: no big deal.

The hallways were packed as usual, making me take extra cautious not to bump into anybody while walking. It didn't take long for the bell to ring, which I was thankful for, regarding the fact that my brothers were around me like bees.

I had AP calculus, which means I will be facing Noah Knight: the guy who hasn't left my mind in a whole week that it has became a habit now.

Raking a hand on my face, I took a brave step inside the classroom, hoping he wasn't here yet. And as expected, he was there sitting in his usual seating, but this time Stella was next to him, on my seat. Feeling anger boil within me, I decided not to cause a scene because at the end of the day all what was happening is happening for a reason by my own will.

He caught my gaze; however, didn't withdrawal it. He eyed me for a long intense minute, and I lost my breath in the process. His eyes took me in with a different emotion swimming in his eyes, that I so badly missed. I saw him heave a sigh, but still his attention was un-wavering.

Stella looked annoyed by the time I decided to move and take a seat before the teacher enters. She kept looking between us, and in the end, started running her hands up and down the length of his arm, making me clench my jaw in distaste. If murder wasn't forbidden, I would have committed this shit long time ago.

The class passed by slow as hell, with me not focused for even a fraction of a second, my eyes trained on his bulky back few feet away from me as I decided to sit at the back. Stella would spare me a look once in a while to make sure I was watching her silly show, and I let her have her satisfaction because it didn't matter how much I tried not to look, my eyes would betray me.

Body shaking with jealousy, I was the first to leave the class.

I had Biology, which is something I am not looking forward to because meeting Asher is not the best thing I could be doing right now.

When I arrived, our desk was empty, meaning he still has not showed up. I sat down quietly, careful not to push my shoulder the wrong way. It already hurts like shit.

I felt presence next to me. Heavy presence that made my heart flutter. I turned, nerves getting cold to see who was standing in front of me. It was Noah. He didn't look at me as he sat himself down on the desk, not even a glance, leaving me a puddle of confusion.

This is not his class...what the hell is he doing here!?

Not moments later, Asher has made his appearance, bewilderment drawn on his face, reflecting what's on mine. He held Noah's gaze, and his jaw instantly clenched while Noah on the other hand had a calm composure going on.

''What stunt are you pulling this time?'' Asher seethed out after finally reaching us.

I chose to stay silent.

Noah didn't answer, instead he just kept his gaze straight ahead of him.

Damn that sexy side profile, though.

Shut the hell up, Emma!

''I asked a damn question--'' He was cut off.

''I am sitting next to my partner, Asher. Have a say in that?'' Noah questioned, turning his head just a little to look at a furious Asher with a chill demeanor.

I gulped, looking at him in shock. P-partner? says who?

Asher chuckled, humorlessly, his eyes for a fraction of a second meeting mine, ''Well alright then.''

He moved along, his eyes promising things. I swallowed, turning my gaze at the hunk of a man sitting next to me.

With irritation, I spoke, ''What are you doing, Noah?''

He didn't answer me.

''You are not my Partner. What did you do? and how did you change your schedule?'' I fired once more, but still no reply.

Is he trying to get under my skin? because if he is, he is succeeding.

''Fine then, go find yourself another partner who knows how to speak silent mode.'' With that said, I attempted to walk away, but his hand gripped my good arm, halting my movement.

My body shrieked with electricity, and I felt my hair stand out upon his touch.

''Try going there, and I will break his fucking nose.'' He whispered dangerously, his face so close to me that our noses were touching.

I looked into his eyes as they frantically moved, searching for something in mine. They were shining silver with a dark lining. I felt myself melt away, the only thing revolving around my mind was to crash into his body, seeking his warmth.

I snatched my arm away and out of his solid grip, giving him a death glare, ''Why did you change your schedule?'' I demanded.

''Because I can.'' He shrugged, turning his head back ahead of him.

''Don't play with me, Noah! Tell me now.''

''Like you tell me everything? fine,'' he smiled wickedly, ''I changed my schedule because my old one didn't suit me well.'' I frowned. He hates biology for God's sake.

''That's a lie.'' My nose scrunched in displeasure.

He smiled, ''Oh, I know. But this how you tell me stuff. By lying.'' My breath hitched.

That hurt.

I turned away, not able to form any words and decided to keep quiet until session is done.

And that's exactly what happened. We both stayed silent, and thank God there was no group work today, so we literally didn't utter a word.

Bell rang, I stood up collecting my stuff and stormed out of class in a hurry.

I had art with Abby right now. Fun, right? Hell of a teacher who thinks her subject is the hardest in the history of school.

Speed walking to class, I felt steps shadowing mine. I suspected Noah, but I knew he wouldn't go that far. I entered the room, and upon seeing Abby, I waved enthusiastically; however, her face didn't show any excitement as much as disbelief. Giving her confused eyes, I noticed her eyes trailing on a figure behind me. Gulping out loud, I felt his smell lingering in the air. I shifted and saw him grinning down at me.

''Excuse me, please.'' He passed by, knocking me out a little with his large legs and sat down on one of the chairs.

My jaw dropped to the ground.

He went that far.

xxx

''Oh my God, that is hot.'' Veronica gushed, receiving the latest new from Abby. I looked at her weirdly wile eating my fries.

''That's anything but that,'' I commented.

''You won't tell us why did you break with him, though, so all we are thinking about right now is: 'Oh my God! Noah is so hot and he loves Emma a lot, so he is not giving her up', so please don't blame us, lady.'' Nora poked a fry at me.

yeah, well. She is right.

They already know who Ethan is from the tournament, but I am not easy with telling them that he has hit me and threatened me by Noah's life. I don't want to include anyone anymore in any of his shit or mind games. Enough is enough.

They chatted for a while more before it was time to leave for class.

We bided our goodbyes and moved along.

I had history, but it was in another story of the building that has no access but to get out of the whole place and get into different door. Sighing, I got out and started walking around the corner to get to class.

Out of my peripheral sight, I noticed urgent movements and a group of people getting closer to me. Frightened, I took off running, not sparing them a glance. My goal right now was to enter the building again as the opened area was deserted. Absolutely no one was there to notice what was happening.

Their legs were much faster and longer than mine that in no time, I felt their presence around me. They had circled me.

I opened my mouth to scream, but the one behind me pushed a piece of cloth inside my mouth, taking hold of my body, hurting my injured arm. I was screaming now, but not because of fear, but from the pain. However, my screams got out muffled as I stumbled on my legs a multiple of time on our way to the black car parked around the corner.

Someone with a mask on appeared before my eyes, a heavy metal in his hand.

Oh god,...

They wanted me to lose conscious.

XOXO