"How are you supposed to let go of your dark thoughts when they have sprouted roots and grown in your mind like weeds, sucking the light out of everything?"

❃ B l a z e ❃

After Raf had said those words, I left the car and walked home with his words on a loop in my mind. I desperately wanted to stop him from the addiction that he was sure he was approaching.

It was my concern for him that led my mind to go on overdrive. I wouldn't wedge myself into his problems, but if I had a way to help him, I wouldn't think twice about it.

When I got home, no one was there. I checked my phone to see that Andrea had texted me, letting me know that she had to run some errands. I couldn't see Aiden anywhere so I went to the kitchen to grab a snack before dinner.

Just as luck would have it, he was seated near the island on his phone. His eyes shot up towards mine and my breath hitched. I steeled myself, pushing down on the instinctive fear.

I couldn't run all the time, and now was the best time to start standing up to him. I had a minimal physical advantage over him. He was healing pretty good, but his torso was still pretty beaten up. His scars hadn't healed as fast as Rafael and I smirked at that thought.

"Where the fuck have you been?" He snarled at me, and I rolled my eyes. His temper flared and he gripped the counter till his knuckles turned white. "Nowhere that you should know of". My back was to him as I distractedly searched for something in the fridge.

"You seriously think I won't hesitate to show you your place?" his sinister laugh filled the kitchen. I felt my pulse quicken, but I stayed put. "I'd like to see you try" I said in the same nonchalant tone that managed to piss him off further.

I heard the sound of his footsteps behind me and I instantly whipped around to see him hobbling towards me. I suppressed a laugh at the sight. When he came closer, I walked around the counter casually yet quickly, which infuriated him further.

"Don't even try. I'll kick you right where it hurts" I sneered at him, and my bursting confidence left me feeling warm after. He halted and looked at me with so much malice that he could wither a flower just by his eyes. However, somehow it didn't manage to faze me.

"I am done, you won't get to lay a finger on me again" I angrily glared at him as I walked out of the kitchen, grabbing an apple from the basket. "Sweetheart, you should know better than that" his sardonic taunt made me freeze, but I kept walking. It was an empty threat. Right?

As I raced up the stairs and into my bedroom, I felt tears pricking my eyes. Sure, I had been somewhat strong, but that didn't erase the past year of horrible, torturous memories.

I locked the door and slumped against it, as I let the tears flow freely. I wrapped my arms around my knees as I felt the salty tears stream down my face, and soak the front of my shirt.

This was much harder than I had anticipated. I could feel his grimy hands all over my body, feel him inside me. I could feel the pain scorching throughout my insides as he used his fists and legs to push me until the brink of unconsciousness. I could hear my screams of protests, again and again and that did nothing but fuel my tears.

Even if I was able to escape this house full of terrifying memories and get away from the beast in it, how was I supposed to escape my own thoughts and mind?

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The rest of the week had gone by quite quickly. After Raf's little confession, if it could even be called that, things between us hadn't changed. He didn't bring it up again and we dodged from having that conversation.

I was still very worried about him, and I desperately wanted to know if Bree knew about this, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her. Things between her and Travis were progressing and she had told us that they were eventually thinking of telling Raf. In her words- not anytime soon. For now, they had decided to just keep things casual.

It was now Sunday and after many spam threads of Travis begging to go bowling again, we had decided on going to the bowling alley instead of the arcade. I'm pretty sure they must have already stuck our photos on the front entrance with bloody red crosses.

Annikah had invited Serayah to join us, and Bree and I were excited to meet her. Based on what Ann was saying, they had hit it off and this was the first time they were meeting since the arcade.

My phone pinged as Bree texted me to let me know they were here. I slipped on my denim jacket as I grabbed my phone and wallet off the bedside table. I flicked off the lights and went downstairs to see Mark in the living room, on his computer.

"Evening" I smiled at him and he smiled back. "Plans?" He asked and I nodded. "Have fun" he beamed and looked back at his computer once I waved him goodbye.

I slipped into the backseat, beside Rafael, who was uncomfortably shifting in the middle seat and was greeted by the familiar faces of our quirky little group. "Yo Hoe" Travis grinned at me while throwing up a peace sign. I had gotten used to his weird greetings by now.

Rafael and Bree simultaneously shot him dirty looks. I grinned at him as I replied "Greetings bitchlings" Oh my god, someone kill me now.

I flushed a deep red as loud chuckles filled the car. Yeah, I'll just go jump off a cliff real quick.

Bree and Rafael were hysterically cackling like witches on weed. Annikah and Travis were grinning, biting their lips to hold back their laughter.

"It wasn't that bad" I muttered angrily, pulling out my phone to hide my face. Raf grabbed my phone and forced me to look at him. "Oh sweetheart, it was absolutely horrible" he bit on his lower lip and I huffed. "I prefer the term innovative" I glared at him, but he ruffled my hair.

What was with him and my hair?

This time I slightly got up from my seat and yanked his hair. "What the fuck?" He yelped and Travis, without warning, started the car. I ended up sprawling onto Rafael, and not in the cute way.

My head banged against his and I accidentally elbowed him, and he sucked in a sharp breath. He steadied me with his hand as I clumsily slumped down back into my seat. I rubbed my forehead and scrunched my face at Travis, who looked at me apologetically.

"Hey, I like to keep my eyes off of the unholy things happening in the backseat" Raf cursed like a sailor at Travis who was driving unbothered. "How do you know what happens in backseats?" Raf retorted like a child.

Travis was silent the entire time. "You freak! I'm not getting in your car ever again" Rafael looked horrified as looked down at the seat in disgust.

I saw both Bree and Travis looking highly uncomfortable as they avoided our gazes. Oh my god. Yeah, I'm going to pretend I never heard that.

The rest of the car drive was awkward and Travis nervously put on some music, but it wasn't enough to dissolve the unpleasant silence.

"Why is everyone acting so weird?" Raf furrowed my eyebrows and Ann started laughing at that. Raf was the only one out of the loop, and I couldn't help laughing with Ann, but we shut up at the glare Bree shot us discreetly.

"What am I missing?" Raf pouted adorably, and it was my turn to ruffle his hair. I felt the soft strands beneath my fingers as he looked at me with amusement on his features.

We soon reached the bowling alley and I recognised Serayah standing outside. As soon as we got out of the car, Annikah walked ahead of us and waved.

Serayah's hair was now loose and the curly strands perfectly framed her heart shaped face. As we approached, she grinned at all of us and I instantly registered she was a friendly person.

"Hey" she greeted all of us as if we were friends since years and Bree and I smiled at each other at her warmth. I noticed her nose ring that shone in the light which made her appear even more badass. "So shall we go?" she quirked an eyebrow and I grinned at her. Something told me she'd get along with us.

Once we were inside, we grabbed the shoes and slipped them on. "Is this a regular thing?" Serayah asked and she was supplied with three different replies.

"Fuck yeah"

"Hell no"

"I sure as heck hope not. I hate these shoes"

Travis, Rafael and I glared at each other. Serayah was amused by this. "What is it with you and your bowling shoes disguist?" Rafael quirked an eyebrow. "I don't like them" I scrunched up my nose at the thought of the awful germs inside.

"You're weird" he was staring at me. "So? Weird is good. Weird is amazing. Weird is wonderful" I threw my hands around dramatically. Why was I acting so weird?

"You'll get used to it" Ann muttered to Serayah who laughed out loud, her brown eyes lit with interest.

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I had gotten a bit better at bowling, and this time around I wasn't last on the scoreboard. Surprisingly, I came in third and Bree and Serayah took the first and second spots respectively. Raf was fourth and I didn't hesitate to shove it in his face.

"Would you like a lesson, sweetheart?" I mocked him and he just kept on grinning at me. "I guess that day was just a streak of luck" I smirked at him, and he just kept on grinning, not even arguing with me.

"What?" I narrowed my eyes at him but he just kept on beaming at me. "Spit it out" he bit down on his lower lip, but didn't say a word.

"Fine, I don't care. You're the loser here, with a big fat L. How's it feel?" He just shook his head and turned around, ignoring me.

Okay, maybe I had acted like a five year old but I had won.

"Where are we supposed to eat today?" Bree asked and there was a silence. "I want burgers" Travis declared. "Diner?" I suggested, wanting to avoid going back to where Logan worked. There was a chorus of yeses and nods.

"I've got a car if anyone one of you guys would like to come with" Serayah offered but Bree and I grinned mischievously. "No, you can have some alone time"

Ann glared at us while flushing a light pink and Serayah was looking at her in amusement. "I guess we can" she said boldly and turned to Ann who shrugged her shoulders, but her face was a dead giveaway.

"Okay let's go" Raf slung an arm over my shoulder and the other over Bree's. I suppressed the smile from spreading across my face.

"Get your sweaty armpits off my neck, you pig" Bree elbowed him and he scowled at her. "I do not stink" he looked offended at her. "Do I?" He looked at me. "No comment" I smirked at him. He dramatically gasped but didn't remove his arm.

Serayah and Ann had already reached outside after turning in their shoes. We all piled into Trav's car and for some reason, Raf jumped to the backseat instead of sitting down like a normal person. "It's fun" he shrugged.

The car ride to the diner was filled with horrible puns and jokes cracked by Travis and Rafael.

"Wait, I have a better one" Travis grinned excitedly as Bree and I groaned simultaneously.

"I crushed a grape and I swear it let out a little whine" and then he and Raf started laughing like maniacs.

"I'll one up you" Raf said and continued. "There was a break-in at the Apple store. Now the police are looking for iWitnesses."

"Shut up you guys" Bree glared at the both of them. "This one will blow your minds" Travis ignored her.

"If I put a photo of myself in a locket, does that make me independent?" I flatly looked at him. I was trying my hardest not to facepalm myself.

"This one is going to be the mic drop" Raf boasted. "Sodium chloride got arrested. He was charged with assault" All the laughter in the car ceased at Raf's joke.

"Get out of my car. Right now" Travis looked at him through the mirror. "It was a good joke" Raf argued. There was dead silence.

"Tough crowd" Raf mumbled.

"The both of you are going to be quiet for the rest of the car ride" Bree ordered sternly and surprisingly, they didn't say a word after. Huh, who knew that was all it took.

"It wasn't horrible" Raf murmured. I raised my hand to speak. He looked at me weirdly and nodded. "I actually thought it was funny" I told him honestly. I mean, it was. "See you're the only one I can trust here" he glared at the people in front. Bree raised an eyebrow at him.

"I didn't take you for a secret Chemistry buff" I smirked at him and he widened his eyes. "Uh No. I'm not" he protested.

"Sure" He glared at me. "Fine, whatever" he muttered. "Hey, I'm not complaining" he grinned at me.

Once we reached the diner, I saw Serayah and Ann already inside, talking to each other. They were sitting opposite each other and beaming at whatever they were talking about.

"I'm happy for her. Serayah seems like a nice person" Bree commented and I nodded. "Yeah, she does" I smiled at the both of them.

Once we were inside, I sat beside Ann and Rafael slipped in beside me. Bree was sitting beside Serayah and opposite to me and Trav was beside her. I could instantly smell the delicious scent of burgers and chips floating around. My stomach rumbled embarrassingly and I hoped that no one heard it.

Of course, Raf and Ann had to hear it. Ann smirked at me before resuming her conversation with Serayah. "Is little Blaze hungry?" Raf grinned wickedly at me.

"No... Yes" I glared at him. He reached out to ruffle my hair but I slapped his hand away.

"No ruffling" I growled at him and he lifted his hands in a placating gesture.

Conversation flowed easily and it seemed like all of us had been friends for years, when it had just been a few weeks. Some time later, a waiter our age approached us with a notepad in his hand.

"Hey, what can I get you guys today?" He grinned brightly at us. Everyone recited their orders and he noted it down, nodding all the while. "I'll be back with your orders" and just before he turned around, he winked at me. I froze and looked away, staring at the salt shaker in front of me.

"Dick" Raf muttered under his breath and I ignored that. Bree looked at me funnily then looked away, talking with Travis.

Raf and I were now talking about our Chemistry project, out of all topics. "I'm guessing you'll be pretty great at it" and he scowled. "Just because I cracked one joke. One." he muttered, but he didn't deny it.

"No, but honestly, do you like it?" he looked at me and slowly nodded. "I mean, yeah. Chemistry's interesting" Travis interrupted our conversation. "Are you seriously talking about science right now? We're here for fun".

"What are we supposed to do then?" Raf looked at him annoyed. "If you want to talk about chemistry, just talk about yours" Trav smirked and I glared at him. "I swear sometimes I just want to strangle you" Raf angrily muttered.

Just as I was about to say something, I was interrupted by our waiter coming back.

I was feeling irked by the way his eyes ran over my face and body as he placed our food on the table. I clenched my fists in an attempt to calm down my stupid anxiety. Why was I feeling jittery?

I saw Raf clench his jaw and Bree narrowed her eyes at the guy who I guessed was from the other high school. I hated the anxiety that was somehow spreading through my body. I had a bad feeling. It was almost like the guy scared me just like Aiden, as if he would hurt me if I didn't give him what he wanted. No. I was being irrational and weak.

I bit my lower lip and tried to get my breathing under control which was getting erratic for no reason. I didn't want to feel this way. It made me feel as if I couldn't control my own body, like I was abnormal.

The waiter then walked away but not before smirking at me and I glared at him, ignoring the knots in my stomach. His smirk was evil- just like Aiden. Why was I comparing a random guy to him?

"I'll be back" Raf went to get up, but I pulled him back down. "No. It's okay. I'm hungry, we should eat" Raf's gaze analysed my face, but somehow, it didn't make me feel anxious. He sighed and reluctantly sat back down.

I closed my eyes to ward off the unwanted memories projecting in front of my eyes. Why couldn't I stop them? It was like the smallest of things could set off the worst of my flashbacks. I didn't want this. I didn't ask for any of this.

"Princesa, are you okay?" Raf said softly and I nodded. Avoiding his gaze, I shifted my attention to the food in front of me.

Bree and Travis were looking at me when I looked up and so were Serayah and Ann. All this attention was discomfiting and as if Travis understood, he spoke up. "Get to eating then, folks" and he gave me a strained smile which I tried to reciprocate.

I could still feel Raf's gaze on me which was unnerving so I bit into my burger, and almost grinned at the taste of it.

While we ate, I could occasionally feel Raf looking over at me and now I was feeling more annoyed. "Can I please eat in peace?" I bit out harshly at him but he didn't say a word. He nodded, then continued eating.

"Stop stealing my chips, you primitive booger jerkwad" all eyes turned to Bree as she yelled at Travis whose mouth was open and a chip was in his hand, mid-air. "I kind of regret meeting you guys now" Serayah joked as the people around us shot dirty looks at our table.

"Actually, I am too" Ann looked at Bree who was shooting a threatening glare at Travis. He slowly placed the chip back onto Bree's plate. "See? Good as new" he nervously smiled at her, patting the singular chip.

"You owe me 17 chips" Bree said firmly and Travis looked at her, bewildered. "You were counting?" I heard a laugh escape me at the look on his face.

"Trav you never, ever take her chips. It's a cardinal sin" Raf looked at him seriously. "Okay okay. I'm sorry" Trav muttered and bit into his steak.

"Let's hope you don't ditch us within a week" I grinned at Serayah who was now looking amused by the whole ordeal. "I live in a family of six. I'm pretty sure I can handle this" she smirked.

She further went on to explain that her family knew she liked girls and that they were very supportive. She held onto Ann's hand and I softly smiled at the sight. Serayah had four siblings- all brothers.

"I think seeing them is what put me off of boys" she joked. Her personality was quite easy going and she was definitely getting closer to Ann. It was obvious from the minute we had started bowling.

We were all chatting and eating when the same waiter approached us again. I didn't look at him and I continued eating. "Can I get you guys anything else?" he asked and I heard Raf's voice pipe up. "Another waiter" I whipped my head in his direction to see him glaring daggers at the guy who looked unbothered.

The waiter looked at me and I felt his gaze rake over my form and I had the urge to shudder in disgust. "Eyes up here" I glared at him, but he smirked at me.

"Hi beautiful. I'm Marcus" he leaned a bit forward.

"Bye you fucking hobbit. I'm Rafael" I saw his knuckles turn pale as he held the edge of the table in a vice grip. I could see that same anger blazing in his eyes. The same anger he said he had issues controlling.

My throat felt dry as I was unable to form any coherent words.

Marcus continued to ignore Rafael as he tilted his head towards me. "Move it, you wannabe punk" Serayah looked at him fiercely and I was surprised to see her glaring at Marcus.

I was trying to stop the feeling of transience from peaking in me. Why was I feeling scared when this shouldn't even be bothering me? Why couldn't I speak?

"I think you should go" Bree commented as she rolled his eyes at him. Marcus still stood cockily in front of us.

"You should give me your number. I'd love to take you for a ride sometime" I wanted to puke in my mouth at the innuendo in his words. I would've found his desperation funny, but this was triggering me for reasons unknown. Guys like him were those who did horrible things when they didn't get what they wanted.

"That's it, you motherfucker" Rafael stood up and he raised his hands but I suddenly grasped his hand in mine. He looked down at me and I pleaded with him to sit down. I was having the urge to vomit or faint due to the horrible thoughts in my brain.

I could feel my heart compress to the point where I was having difficulty taking a breath without making it noticeable. I just wanted the onslaught of the past to stop. I wanted a new change, but it was like it followed me wherever I went.

"Please don't" I whispered so that only he could hear. He furrowed his eyebrows, as his nostrils flared and the wrath swirled in his eyes.

He looked back at Marcus and for a moment, I thought he would let go of my hand and hit Marcus, but he didn't. "Get out of here right now, before I fucking make you" he seethed at Marcus, who now looked a little taken aback.

Marcus shifted his gaze to Bree and a smirk was forming on his lips. This guy really had a death wish.

Rafael now looked furious as I tightened my grip on his hand. He went to say something, but was cut off.

"Don't even think about it buddy. I dare you to say another word" Travis scoffed bitterly, looking fiercely at the guy. I was surprised by his sudden protectiveness and I saw Bree flush. Raf looked confused at Travis but then went to let go of my hand, but I stopped him.

"Just go" I said firmly to Marcus who now shifted his gaze onto me. He turned around, without saying a word, muttering something under his breath.

"Fucking bastard" Rafael angrily said, but he intertwined his fingers with mine as he sat down. I looked away, feeling dizzy at the unwanted intrusion of memories in my mind. When would all this stop?

"Why do we always have the pleasure of dealing with the worst of waiters? Shittiest luck at it's best" Travis tried to lighten the atmosphere, and it worked up to some extent as Bree scoffed and Ann smiled tightly.

I, on the other hand, was trying to shake off my idiotic haywire nerves that were making me shake a bit.

"Hey look at me" Raf said and I saw him trying really hard not to lash out. "I'm fine" I smiled at him, but I guess it wasn't convincing because he gave my hand a slight squeeze under the table. My heart skipped a beat at that.

"I want to get up right now but I won't. Tell me what's wrong" he persuaded me and from the corner of my eye I saw the others averting their gaze and resuming their conversations stiffly.

"I just don't like guys like him" I honestly said. The people who learnt to instil fear in others through violence and violation were what scared me. I wasn't afraid to admit it. I was scared of every guy who made a sudden movement just in the fear that I would get hit or if a guy came too close, he would touch me despite my protests. And there was only one person who was responsible for these fears that could last a lifetime.

"What happened to you?" he said so softly, I had to strain my ears to listen. I didn't answer his question and he didn't ask again.

I had already lost my appetite, but thankfully I was already through my burger. Ann and Travis were munching on my chips and I didn't object.

I just looked at all of them and thought that despite so many secrets, we had still managed to become friends. If I revealed everything, would they still want to deal with me?

I rid myself of these thoughts. I was supposed to be strong enough to leave Aiden and wallowing in my own self-pity and weakness didn't help.

Raf was running his thumb from the outer base of my palm all way the way to my thumb. I felt myself relax as if his touch was like an anaesthetic to soothe my blooming anxiety. I ignored the voice of reason in my head saying that I shouldn't lead him on like this. He deserved so much better. For now, I just wanted to be selfish.

"Want to go for a walk?" he suddenly asked and I turned to look at him. "Right now? Everyone's eating" I looked at him weirdly. "We're not" I pointed to his chips which were leftover just like mine. "Trav, you can eat them. We'll be back soon" he shrugged and Travis' face lit up that.

"You're my favourite twin. Take notes Bree" Travis scoffed and was rewarded with a slap on his head.

Raf got out from the booth and pulled me along. I was probably being too touch sensitive, but his hands sent waves of tingles through me and yet at the same time made me feel as if the safest place to be was beside him.

On the way out, I saw Marcus glare at Rafael and he stiffened. I squeezed his hand and looked at him meaningfully. He exhaled a sharp breath, but not before looking at Marcus with a deathly glower. I couldn't resist flipping him off as I walked out of the diner.

There was nothing in particular, just a park nearby and I guessed that's where we were going.

"We definitely need to scout out the staff before we go anywhere" Raf joked and I snorted. "I'm definitely calling you Peppa Pig from now on  "Sure, Hulk. The only difference is you don't turn green" there was silence and I cursed myself for saying too much. I was about to apologise when Raf started chuckling.

"I don't think there's a character you can really compare me to. I mean, look at me. You won't see this artistry on some sloppy animation" and his cockiness was back.

"Doesn't your head hurt from all the stupid shit stuffed in there?" I scoffed and he just looked down at me, smiling. He was rubbing soothing circles on the back of my palm, that made me feel much calmer. I made no move to comment on it and he didn't stop.

The rest of our walk to the park was filled with him recalling stupid stuff he and Travis had done like painting graffiti on the side of the school walls or how Bree and him had gotten in trouble in their old school for bullying a bully.

I could see how he avoided all topics that concerned his family, instantly deflecting his own words as if it were a dark trail to a buried past.

We didn't stop at the park, but just turned back on the path we had came.

On the way back, it was much more silent and I took that time to go over my thoughts. I had so many conflicting feelings regarding Raf, and that scared me. No, it terrified me how I wanted to just lose all my inhibitions and spill all my secrets and present them on a silver platter, for his eyes only.

Was I allowed to feel this way? Were people like me allowed to feel something for someone else when I was already stuck in a horrible situation? All of this was absolutely harrowing for me and I wanted to just run away from everything, just to have a moment free from these constant metaphorical shackles that bound me down.

I shouldn't drag Raf into my mess. I had enough baggage and trusting him would mean passing it onto him. It wasn't sharing, it was offloading and I would never want him to feel pain or agony like I had, if I could help it.

But I wanted to be selfish. I wanted to put myself first and let him see behind this curtain of lies that I had been hiding. I wanted him to take just a peek, a glimpse into who I really was. Would I be enough? Would he still want to stay?

And that was a question that only time and Rafael, himself could decide.

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Monday and Tuesday blurred together as I struggled to catch up on some sleep. After Sunday, I was unable to sleep the entire night except for an hour or so. Every time I would slip into my slumber, I would be awakened by my own mind.

It was now Wednesday and I had managed to avoid Aiden altogether. He had been back in school since the start of the week, still a bit beaten up but he had been recovering quicker, much to my dismay.

He could walk without wincing in pain with each step, but his ribs were still bruised and I could see him scrunch his eyebrows in pain every ten minutes.

Travis had been there to pick Ann and I up even after Raf came back. I was grateful because I could avoid Aiden that way.

I could always sense him glaring at me when we were in the same room, but I shook it off. I vaguely remember him saying he had to meet the coach to talk today.

The last two days were as normal as they could be. I could see Raf clench his jaw in anger whenever he saw Aiden, but I would try my best to distract his sight by pointing somewhere else or attempting to make him smile with my horrible jokes. I had gotten called Peppa Pig quite a few times.

I was feeling like ratshit today and I hoped that I was able to play off my eyebags as just a puffy face. Trav and Ann had looked at me concerned when I had first gotten into the car, but hadn't said anything.

We were walking side by side into school, Travis explaining how things were between Bree and him but I zoned out, barely able to keep my eyes open.

The twins weren't here yet and I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to ward off my disoriented sight. I could probably collapse any minute now.

I was about to grab my things from the locker when I suddenly froze at the sight in front of me, all semblance of tiredness vanishing from my body.

Right there, in the middle of the hallway, was the last person I expected to be here. The one person who I would've guessed was dead by now. My breath hitched as I saw him looking around, a little lost, not yet seeing me. I could feel my peripheral vision blur as I stood there riveted in my spot, tears pricking my eyes.

I dug my nails into my palms and felt pain sear through my body as I bit down hard on my lip, drawing blood. I could vaguely hear someone calling my name but my gaze was unwavering on the one person who had hurt and betrayed me when I had needed him the most.

Suddenly, his eyes darted to mine and I saw hurt, regret, pain- so many emotions churning in his grey orbs. His name ran through my mind angrily as I felt my vision blur with the danger of overspilling tears.

I couldn't tear my gaze away from one of the very few people I had trusted in my life, only to get abandoned. His name brought back an avalanche of memories from a life I couldn't even remember anymore.

Jonah fucking Alston.

Hey Babes! So... what are our thoughts on this chapter? Did you like the twist? Were you expecting it?

I have to say I hated writing this chapter because it was a filler of sorts. I absolutely loathe it with a burning passion because I just wanted the end to come quick. Leave it to me to write a 5500-word filler lmao.

I added Jonah's face claim and aesthetic so go check that out if you want.

So what do you think will happen now? Any ideas? I've literally been waiting to write this for so long but I think it needed time to happen.

Let me tell you about something that happened yesterday even though you didn't ask, cause I'm literally so happy yet weirded out at the same time. I saw both of my childhood crushes in the same day! I'll call them by their nicknames. Vince and Bee. So um like it was crazy cause I didn't approach them, since we haven't talked in forever. I saw Vince at the mall and then Bee at the supermarket so yeah, that's that.

Anyways, Vince if you're reading this, you told me we were getting married in Year 3 so umm I'll be back after getting my dress real quick. Where are we gonna get hitched? And Bee you liked my outfit and said I looked pretty on mufti day in Year 4 so how about a date, yeah? And yes, this stuff really happened back in primary school lmao when I had a love life of sorts. How sad. It's been downhill ever since.

How was your day? Did you catch up with any old childhood crushes or something? No, just me then? Be sure to comment about how you're feeling right now.

Question: Who is an actor you wish you could marry? Like right now.

I love you all! Vote comment and share.

Love
A❤️