Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket I pause walking to check the message. I move to the side and lean against the metal with a frown when I read the message.

From Rhys 🍣
How about we do it tomorrow then? Somethings come up.

To Rhys 🍣
I'm meant to be going to the movies tomorrow with the girls. I feel like you're avoiding me.

Pressing send I look up and around knowing that Lachlan's locker is around this area. I haven't seen Rhys since he told me about his father and I don't know why. I get that it's personal to him but he didn't have to tell, he didn't have to feel obligated.

I would have understood rather than be isolated from Rhys. Because I didn't realise how much I've relied on him at school. I didn't realize the stares I got or hear the whispers, he's like a shield and without him I'm left vulnerable.

I hate this feeling.

On top of that I've had my head almost taken off by Mr Frankel over something pointless as having a pen that clicks. I've had a shitty day which is probably about to get worse with the dance practice in a few minutes.

I want to find Lachlan first and ask him if he's okay. Because I haven't seen Nate around either which is concerning me more. If I have to I'll go to Jordan or just rock up at their house, although that sounds kind of obsessive.

My intentions are in the right place with wanting to make sure they stay out of trouble. Specifically Rhys.

Finally I spot Lachlan who bobs his head in the slightest to the beat of the music in his ears. I move closer towards him, reaching out to grab his shoulder. Unexpectedly, he reaches around with a death grip on my wrist.

My back collides with the locker, a hand securing around my throat. Out of shock I dropped my phone, staring at Lachlan with wide eyes. His widen as well and he quickly lets me go with a curse, pulling the earbuds out.

"Fuck. Are you okay?" He asks, retrieving my phone from the ground as I rub my back. "You scared the hell out of me."

I winch as I roll my shoulders back to ease the pain. "I'll be fine. My back got on a latch that's all."

"I'm so sorry. I tuned out," He explains further, I take my phone thankful that it didn't crack. "What's up?"

"Is Rhys okay?" Lachlan raises an eyebrow and I exhale. "I naturally worry too much. And considering I know about his old work, that's increased even more."

He looks around before taking a step closer. "I don't know what he's told you. But I'm not going to lie to you because I think you should know," He pulls out his own phone and goes into text messages. "A friend of mine managed to get the history of his text messages and those numbers were matched to names. Derek sent that photo to seven people that Rhys worked with, he found one of them Tuesday night this was the result."

He hands me his phone and I'm careful not to pull too much because of his headphones laced through his shirt. My jaw drops at the sight of Rhys knuckles that are bloodied and scratched. Lachlan reaches over and slides across to a photo of his face.

"Is this why he isn't at school?" I ask, he nods back as an answer.

He has a cut lip as well as a faint bruise along his jaw. "The guy was bigger than Rhys and apparently the toughest muscle on the list of names. Everyone else isn't as big as Rhys which meant he got the biggest out of the way first."

"He isn't going to get into a fight with all of them is he?" Lachlan shrugs as he takes his phone back.

"It depends on how they react. Rhys caught him at the end of your street, he actually lives there so I think that's why he lashed out so violently," I run my tongue over my teeth, trying not to freak out myself. "But he won't be going near you or your house. Rhys is a scary guy when angry so he wouldn't be game enough."

"He's going to get himself in trouble," I bite the inside of my cheek, shaking my head out of concern. "He shouldn't have to do this for my sake."

Lachlan gives a soft smile. "But he will because he likes you and wouldn't handle you being hurt from his mistakes."

"So in the mean time he can get hurt himself?" I retort, frowning afterwards out of annoyance. "I'm guessing he didn't want me to know about."

He shakes his head. "Nope. He wants to keep you in the dark so the less you know the lower chance you could be incriminated for it. I need to go otherwise I'll be late for work."

"Okay. Thank you for telling me that," Lachlan smiles and goes to walk away. "Can you make sure he at least thinks about what he's doing? Like he actually has a plan not to get caught."

Lachlan chuckles. "We both know how smart he is. He won't as long as you're not in a threatening situation because he would most likely lose his mind and be impulsive, example A being Tuesday night."

"Have fun at work."

He chuckles and shakes his head. "Yeah I'll have so much fun repeatedly telling kids no, you don't have enough tickets and please don't run around the machines. It's delightful."

I chuckle and he nods as he leaves me alone. Exhaling I feel my phone vibrate, looking down at it I hesitate to check the message. When I do it's only from Blair, but it's alarming to me.

From Blair 👠
Derek is coming to practice. Just thought I'd give you a heads up so you don't look so stunned.

Oh, great. The person who has single handly managed to turn my life upside down is going to be there. Somewhere I don't really want to be, where I have to pretend I don't want to rip his throat out. All because he's dating Blair.

It's safe to say this can only end in disaster.

By the time I've managed to drag myself inside the GYM where the court is split in two again I feel my palms sweat. I can see Blair standing at the bottom of the grandstand while laughing at something he's saying. Maybe I could make a run for-

"Hey! You took your time," Or not. I give a tight lipped smile and nod while walking closer to them unwillingly. "Where's Rhys?"

"Something came up," I spare a glance to Derek whose eyes seem to light up in amusement. "I still won't be staying long."

Blair frowns and steps out of Derek's arms while tightening her ponytail. "Why not? You don't have anywhere to be anymore, you can keep Derek company."

"I'd rather not." I state without a care, her eyes widen in shock from my bold statement. "I have homework to do anyways."

She flickers her gaze between us before resting on something behind me. "Why is Nate here?"

I look over my shoulder to see Nate sitting in the back row. However he's holding a phone to his ear and when I looked over at him, his eyes widen as he looks away. What is he doing? That's when I realize he recognizes Derek as the one who had me by the throat.

"Um a friend of his is on the basketball team," I leave out to boyfriend part mainly because I don't think many people know. Those that do don't broadcast it in order to avoid jerks like Brian getting to them. "I'm actually going to talk to him real quick."

I dump my bag at the bottom before climbing up to the top. Nate leans away when I reach him and instantly I make a grab for his phone. When he lowers it I manage to read the contact and I furrow my eyebrows in annoyance.

"What are you telling him?" I demand, by the guilty look he just ratted out it was him. "Nate! Are you serious?"

Nate swallows before holding out the phone. "He wants to talk to you about it."

My teeth clench as I take the phone, trying not to sound pissed. "Hello?"

"You weren't going to ever tell me about Derek were you?"

"No because it didn't concern you," I mumble, feeling as if I'm about to be scolded. "Actually it did. He wanted a reaction from you which is why I didn't tell you."

"And he's there now?"

"Yeah he is."

There's a sigh before I hear keys in the background. "I'll come pick you up-"

"I have my car."

"Then I'll walk you to it," He reiterates. "I don't want him to touch you again. He doesn't see me harming Blair physically -  who by my guess - doesn't know."

I swallow and look over at the couple. "I don't think she would believe me if I told her anyways."

"Stay with-"

"I don't need you to protect me from everything," I snap unintentionally, turning back to Nate as he looks stunned and I don't blame him. On the other line it goes silent for a few moments. "You don't need to save me constantly. I'm not some damsel in distress, not at the moment at least. Oh, while I'm at it - don't forget to disinfect your cuts as well."

I hold the phone out for Nate although I can faintly hear Rhys' voice. He stares at it and hesitantly takes it back. Exhaling I make my way back down with a determined bounce in my step.

I'm sick of being seen as fragile. I'm sick of being a victim. I'm sick of everyone thinking I can't take care of myself.

I need to learn how to do things for myself and having those craddle me constantly isn't going to help. I need a definite independence.

"Everything okay?" Blair asks, finally breaking any contact with Derek.

I nod once, sparing a glance at him as he sits back down. "Everything is fine. Let's get started."

Her eyes flicker momentarily to Nate but she doesn't question it, instead backing away and starting to yell orders at the girls. I reach back down for my bag in order to get a hair tie so I can pull my hair into a ponytail. As I do so I can feel Derek staring at me.

"Something came up with one of the guys that got the text, right?" I link the tie around my wrist and tug the zip across. "I heard that he got into a fight with the abomination. Gutsy, kind of stupid if he thinks that will get him to back off or any of the others to."

I peg my bag at the grandstand and start to gather my hair up. "Why exactly did Rhys hospitalize you?"

As I leave a few strands of hair loose I wait for him to answer. Except he doesn't. Instead he only stares with narrowed eyes. I loop the elastic three times before crossing my arms over my chest with a tight lipped smile.

"As far as I know Rhys' actions always have a reason behind them so you must have done something to provoke him," I state, scanning for a reaction but it's emotionless. Apart from the twitch of his right eyebrow. "I'm right, aren't I? That's why you look so angry but it's a shame that you won't hurt me infront of all these people."

He shoots up abruptly and as a chain reaction I jump back. My movement makes him smirk but he rubs his jawline with a chuckle. In my peripheral vision I notice Nate no longer leaning back in his spot but rather on edge probably from his quick movement.

"I don't think taunting me is such a smart idea," Derek snarls, his eyes flicker over my face trying to find something. Probably fear but I'm not scared. He isn't stupid enough to do something around witnesses and there's at least fifty. "Besides if you don't watch what you say I have other methods to keep you quiet."

"Kira!" Blair's voice calls out to me and his lips slip in the slightest. I clench my jaw but relax it as I leave to go to Blair, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "What was that around?"

I look back to see Derek sit down and move onto his phone. "I saw a spider, he got scared I guess."

"He's so scared of them it's ridiculous," She rolls her eyes, turning her attention back to the girls. "Alright. So I was thinking for the beginning to have a nest like formation and each beat they break off."

She points the remote at the stereobox and the music starts to the alternative version of Disturbia starts. They sway to the beginning until the drums starts the beat and one by one they fall back from the circle on every uneven second beat, turning into a spider like creature until the lyrics start.

Blair presses pause before it actually starts and looks to me. "It looks really good. But I think it might be more effective to have two on opposite sides break off that way it doesn't look so rushed, plus you could add a little bit of back story of them awakening so it's not just suddenly bamn, they aren't creepy."

When I look to her I wasn't expecting to see her grin. But I know why she is. It's because I've given more than a yes or no answer, I've given alternatives and ways for development. That's more than anything she's heard me say since I quit, it would be something the old me would say.

"Let's see how it looks."

Just a smidgen of tension in this chapter. This chapter was kind of a filler I guess but I wanted to show Kira gaining back confidence when it came to dancing. It's progress, huh?

Question: favorite band/s?
*Fall out boy, Skillet, All Time Low, Good Charlotte, 5sos  - the list could go on but those are top 5.*