A/n: I hate these.. Okay So I made a boo. I'm currently between devices from my phone and laptop because I seemed to get more types quicker on my laptop.

I updated Entwined fire this morning, the first chapter only had half so I had to resync it with my works to get it full. So to those reading.. Have a little look again just to make sure you got it all.

Thank you for all the votes and comments!

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Thursday morning...

I had successfully dropped off the radar.

Well that was a complete lie, I was in hiding.. The only time I left the house was to go to work, with the antique store I worked out the back and told Stephen and the rest of the staff to say that I wasn't here. For Joeys? I did exactly the same, worked in the pump room and stock room as well as clean where I could without being seen too much or if at all.

Why?

Well the cheek where it was, was swollen itself so I looked half chipmunky. Also it was red and angry looking not to mention sore.

I was paranoid, paranoid that people were staring at it. Staring at me and wondering how I got it on my face. I didn't like anyone talking about me so I decided to keep on the down low until it healed some more.

I was off on holiday now, for a week thanks to Aaron and that other idiot. So now I had all the time in the world to stay at home and hide out watching complete trash on TV.

The door knocked making me freeze as I was half way to the kitchen. Not that anyone could see me behind a wooden door but I had nothing at hand. The knock came again and with the TV on I had to answer.

I let out a growl and removed the chair but kept the chain on. I opened it to find a UPS man holding a parcel.

"Morning." He smiled.

"Oh. Just a second." I replied closing the door and taking the chain off.

I signed his little pad and took the parcel from him before closing the door. I'd just placed it down when I heard another knock. Making sure the chain was on I opened it again to find my landlord with the insurance company.

"Better late then never right?" He asked making me nod and step out the way so that they could check the damage on the door frame and take my statement to process the claim.

As I was speaking the door went again making me look at my landlord who got up an grabbed it.

Aaron.... Shit.

"Ri?" He frowned looking between us all.

"Hi." I replied sheepishly.

"Well that's all we need Maria. Thank you for your co-operation hopefully the claim won't take long to process as we have all the information we need, you did the right thing in reporting it straight away." The insurer smiled as he collected his things and headed out with my landlord.

I was left with a very confused Aaron who waited for me to say something. I folded my arms instead.

"Fine, I'll start. Where the hell have you been?" He asked.

"Around. I haven't wanted to speak or see may people so I've kept low."

"Why?"

"The large cut on my face may have something to do with it!" I snapped and then bit my tongue hard.

Do not take it out on him.

"Who were they?" He asked pointing to the door.

"People."

"Who were they Ri? What claim? A- Are you suing Zak?!" He asked almost shouting.

"Now you mention it.. That' s a pretty good idea. But no. I'm not. They just came over to check a few things from the busted door last week. I had to tell my landlord." I answered.

His eyes went around the door and landed on the baseball bat.

Ah shit Ri come on that's a rookie error instantly.

He picked it up and looked at me with it in his hands.

"Stuff was missing wasn't it?" He asked.

"It's sorted. Everything is being sort-"

"What was it?"

"It doesn't matter it's only posses-"

"What was missing?!" He shouted making me step away from him and pull my sleeves over my hands.

"I-I don't like it when you shout at me Aaron, if you are going to carry on then I want you to leave.. Instantly." I responded.

He sighed and rubbed his face pulling out a chair and sitting down at the table. "I'm sorry for shouting at you. But tell me the truth Ri.. What's missing?"

"My iPod.. Laptop and underwear.."

His head snapped up. "Underw- You've had a creeper in your apartment and you haven't told me?!"

"Aaron."

"No Ri! What the fuck?! You've had some perverted guy in here and you haven't told anyone?! Why?"

"Because it's nobody else's business! That's why! I'm okay, I wasn't hurt and it's only possessions. All of which I can replace!" I snapped back.

"So you haven't been scared? At all?" He gestured to the bat.

"No.. It's just insurance that if anyone came in that I'd have the advantage." I replied.

"Or you'd be setting yourself up for one hell of a beating! Just because you carry it around in here doesn't mean you're going to be using it."

"I know."

"What if they over powered you'? Ri this thing can kill someone if it hits you in the right place." He spoke.

"I know. But I'm not someone who's going to play the damsel in distress okay? It happened. Things were taken and I've dealt with the hassle of paperwork. I don't need you worrying about something that I have already sorted."

"But I could have been here! I could have stayed over on the couch!"

"Why?! What use would that have been? I would have got used to having you around, got comfortable with knowing you weren't far and when things went back to normal I would be a nervous wreck."

"And you're not one now with this in the house set up by the front door?" He asked.

"No, I was simply taking control."

"You were scared Ria. Don't play stupid with me. You forget how well I know you." He answered shaking his head at me.

I kept quiet for a while and sat on the couch looking at the coffee table.. I should really wax this..

"So. Care to tell me why it's been nearly impossible to track you down and see you face to face?"  Aaron asked.

He wasn't going to leave this today... He wanted answers.

"I wanted to stay in, okay? I didn't want people to see my face and ask questions." I replied.

"He's pretty cut up about it..."

"No shit! So am I?!" I gestured to my face.

Aaron let out a laugh "I- No pun was intended."

"Yeah well, he's not the one with people staring at him."

"He said he was sorry? If that's any help. He has apologised to me countless of times and asked that I passed on the message." He added.

I looked away and sat back with a huff "He can shove it.. If this scars. I- I don't even know. I'll have to cover it with make up every single day and you know I hate wearing it."

"I know."

"But it's not just his fault... I owe him an apology. You can pass it on like a good carrier pigeon. Sorry I used his Gran in an argument." 

"Why did you?" Aaron asked with a frown.

"Because he makes me so mad. So god damn angry Aaron. He gets under my skin and the things he says to me to provoke a reaction. Last week he said I belonged on the street. So I played dirty as well. I used his gran and I shouldn't have. But I did. And I certainly got my just deserves for it."

Aaron looked around and looked back at my face "How is it? Does it hurt?"

"Yeah. It's sore.. Swollen. Angry. If it doesn't calm down then I'll have to go to the hospital in case there's an infection. They  washed it and I had my tetanus, I'm just hoping this is all part of the healing process and not the process to have a large infection on my face.. Of all places."

I looked at the box on the floor that I received earlier, I knew inside would be goodies from my mum. In the form of sweets, chocolate and small home comforts. She often sent me something that made me cry. No doubt this one would do the same.

"Another parcel from mom?"

I nodded. "I'll open it later." I mumbled.

"Ri. I know it's a lot to ask. But please.. Please come with us tomorrow."

I looked at Aaron and shrugged. "You think it's a good idea to put me and Zak in the same room right now?" I asked.

"You two gotta stop." He sighed rubbing his face.

"I can't put up with hearing you two at each others throats all the time. I'm being pulled in half trying to keep you both happy because believe it or not you both are my closest friends and I won't turn my back on either of you, but there has to be a breaking point... Can't this be it?"

I looked away, I could agree but Zak might say no and continue his vendetta against me.

"Please? For my birthday?" He asked.

"Don't try and emotionally blackmail me." I sighed.

"Me? Would I do such a thing?! Come on please? We're taking Gracie as well." He grinned.

I let out a laugh, He was going to try any form of persuasion.

"I'll think about it. Now get out whilst I contemplate on packing."

He grinned and ran over giving me a hug and kissed my forehead.

"See you tomorrow at 10! We're going on holiday!" He cheered leaving my apartment.

I let out a laugh and locked the door up completely before heading to the bedroom with the baseball bat in hand. I guess I needed to pack.