I spent the rest of my weekend in my apartment doing homework and studying. When I got into stats on Monday, I sat down awkwardly next to Riki. The raven haired teen turned to me with worried eyes,

"Why'd you leave? Are you okay? Did something happen?"

I decided not to mention what I overheard before responding,

"Didn't you find my note? I didn't want to impose on you any more than I already had. Everyone was talking in Senri's room and I didn't want to interrupt so I left a note on the desk in the guest room and left."

Riki sighed in relief,

"I didn't search the room so I didn't find it. Are you sure you're okay? This isn't because of Jackson, is it?"

I shook my head,

"No it isn't. He promised me he would stop drinking and smoking so I think it's okay."

Riki nodded, his black bangs falling into his amethyst eyes,

"Alright. We were worried that he might've scared you away from us."

His tone held something I couldn't quite place that made me uneasy. I laughed slightly,

"No he didn't. I understand that he just needs help. I also understand that he has to want the help before it'll do him any good. I just hope he makes the right decision. I'd hate to see him end up like his father."

Riki looked down solemnly and nodded,

"I would too. He told me what his father is like. He hates him to no end, but he adopted his vice. It almost makes you wonder how much it bothered him in the first place."

"What do you mean?"

I asked curiously. Riki spoke stoically,

"Not to get preachy, but if he hated it that much and he hated his father that much, wouldn't it stand to reason that he'd want to be nothing like him? That he'd want to be better than the man who allowed his step mother to abuse him? To lock him away and torture him? One would assume he wouldn't want to become the very beasts he ran from."

I nodded in understanding,

"You have a good point. I just hope he figures that out before he goes too far. There is a point of no return."

Riki nodded slightly as Mr. Oh began his lecture on different types of graphs. For the rest of class Riki had an odd look in his eyes. After class I planned on asking him about it, but Senri was waiting outside. He nodded slightly at Riki who walked away stiffly to go to his next class, anger in his strides. I gave Senri a confused look and he explained,

"I'm walking you to forensics today. We have something to discuss."

I nodded in understanding as we began walking,

"I understand that you spoke to Jackson while he was intoxicated."

I nodded slightly before responding,

"Yes I did. He told me he would stop smoking and drinking."

Senri sent me a calculating look as he spoke,

"I also understand that you left without informing anyone. I read your note, but I believe it doesn't hold the whole truth."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end at the tone he used. I covered my anxiety easily and responded coolly,

"I just thought that with everything going on with Jackson, I'd just be in the way. Everyone was talking in your room and I didn't want to interrupt so I decided to leave a note in my room instead."

Senri nodded, a calculating look in his normally stoic eyes as he walked beside me. I felt mildly uneasy at his side, like there was a hidden danger to him far greater than anyone understands. The honor student looked down at me and I quickly snapped my gaze away from him, fixating on the hall before me as we neared my class. I turned to him sharply,

"Well it looks like this is my stop so I'll get going. See you at lunch."

I spoke quickly as I darted into my class, not even giving the blonde a chance to respond as I took my seat beside Bex. As soon as the coal haired teen noticed my presence, he turned his full attention to me,

"Are you okay? Senri told me about your note. Did something happen? What did Jackson do?"

He was firing questions at me left and right. I held my hand up to stop him. Once I was sure he wouldn't say anything I replied,

"I just thought that with everything going on with Jackson it would be better if I went home. I don't want to get underfoot after all. He seemed to have a real problem and I didn't know if my being there made it worse or not."

Bex frowned in understanding,

"You still shouldn't have just left like that. You made us all worry."

He sounded concerned but his voice held a slight hint of accusation, like I was to blame for them worrying about me even though they didn't need to. I gave him a pointed look, deciding to call him out on his tone,

"You make it sound like it's my fault you were all worried. You guys don't need to worry about me, I'm not your problem, you know."

Bex's eyes snapped to me as his head turned sharply,

"You're our friend. We do need to worry about you. And you need to understand that. You're a priority to all of us."

I raised an eyebrow,

"You guys barely know me! Look, I appreciate the sentiment, but I can take care of myself. None of you need to worry about me. I can more than handle myself."

I spoke with slight anger. I hate being treated like an incompetent girl who can't fend for herself. Bex's eyes flashed angrily, but before he could speak the teacher began their lecture about Serology.

Forensics and English were a bit awkward after the altercation with Bex. Jackson sensed the tension between us but decided against bringing it up. After English I sped out of the room and went to the library, deciding to skip lunch altogether. For the rest of the day I avoided the boys as much as I could.