It was Wednesday night when Raine received a text from an unknown number. For two days she missed school, her parents were worried as to why she decided to stay home when they knew she never missed a day even while sick. She couldn't tell them the true reason. Hurting over a guy she loved and will never love her back. All she wanted was a few days to compose herself before she faced the world and him. He will forevermore be in a world by himself, she had to move on without noticing him, pining after him, or even acknowledge his presence. This is what he wanted all along and he will certainly be getting it.
Reaching for the phone, she frowned at the number for a moment before opening the text. 

Unknown number: Whatever happens tomorrow, I am sorry. I thought you were just another rich kid out to get me. They played on my animosity but it was I who agreed to go along with it. I'm so sorry Raine. I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I only want to give you a heads up on what Bree and Natalie will be planning. They filmed us, I knew about it but didn't know why though. My insult of you will be released to the school. I am so sorry.

She didn't have to wonder anymore, Travis just warned her about Bree. Her hand trembled, thinking how embarrassed she will be when everyone hears how Travis degraded her. Fumbling with her phone, she called the only person she can think of.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" His deep steady voice brought down the dam of tears she was bravely trying to hold back. This time it wasn't tears of hurt but anger.

"Fucking pissed off. Bree will get the beat down she was spared all those months ago if I see her now," Raine grounded out.

"Whoa. Calm down. We'll be over there soon." No explanation was needed. Trey knew all of his friends not only by their close relationship but by observing them one by one. He was closer to Raine, the same way everyone in the group was individually connected to each other on another level. Raine was his sister and she was introduced as such whenever they met new people outside of the group.
Ending the call from her, Trey quickly called the others only stating that Raine needed them and she was pissed off. Having her in that state was rare, she was a gentle soul always wanting good for everyone. Making her angry was equivalent in kicking a puppy off your bed.

It was nearing 9 pm when the group turned up on her doorstep, as always they rang the bell and waited on her or her mother to answer. This time it was her mother, she shook her head in amusement and waved them in. She has been constantly telling them, her door was always opened to them, they can simply walk in. On the other hand, she knew, by the way, they were all raised they won't intrude so boldly no matter what time it was. 

"She's down in the rec room. Well hello, two new faces?" Mrs. Lannister smiled in Erica and Stacia's way and offered a handshake to them after warm hugs from the others. 

"Oh, I'm sorry. This is my girlfriend Erica," Elijah introduced earning a wide eye expression. 

"And this is Stacia my friend from New York," Taylor added. 

"Welcome both of you. I'll catch up with everyone soon. From the heated mutterings I overheard, I guess someone rightly pissed her off. She has been acting different lately, not confiding in her father and me."

"She'll tell you soon. You know how stubborn she is. Always want to make her own choices first before asking first," Trey spoke up.

Mrs. Lannister wrapped her arms around her body and gave them all a small smile. "That's my little girl alright. Go on down, her father restocked the fridge and snack pantry a day ago so you guys can help yourself."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lannister," they all chorused before leaving the woman in the foyer. 

Eager to know what was wrong, they all hurried to the basement door opposite the kitchen and rushed down the metal stairs which opened to the redesigned basement. No words were said when they saw Raine, they simply hugged her one by one then allowed her to continue pacing once more.

"Little sis, what did Bree do?" Trey asked in a firm yet concerned tone.

"She--- She---- ah, that fucking bitch," she cursed.

The boys' eyes widen, it was the first time they heard her curse so heatedly. Ayanna and Taylor were trying not to laugh because she sounded so adorable while cursing, Stacia was worried and Erica was patiently waiting for the tea to be spilled.

"Okay. Okay. Calm down Lannister. She's a bitch, a bitter one too. You're good. You're good," Raine said trying to calm herself. 

The friends watched on as she finally calmed and regained her composure. "Travis texted me," she started off. Exclamations of disbelief went through everyone until Raine silenced them.
"As I was saying, Travis texted me an hour ago. He apologized for his actions towards me before giving me a heads up that Bree will be releasing a video of our encounter last Friday. He... he knew they were filming."

Everyone stayed quiet caught up in their own emotional response. The boys were thinking to jump Travis again but somehow knew the kid will be in a hospital bed soon after. The girls, well, only one was thinking along the lines of the boys and even more.

"Bree is on this silly vendetta but Travis apologized. That's good right?" Ayanna said encouragingly.

"Fuck no it ain't! He still on we shit list. Alllyuh say he smart but he lose he damn sense when he listened to Bree. Wah chupidness yuh talking?"Erica exploded. 
Ayanna swung her head in Elijah's direction with wide eyes, the look of 'WHAT THE FUCK!' was on her face but the poor boy only grinned his woman's way like a lovesick puppy. Snorts of laughter filled the room, even Raine was laughing, Ayanna was the only one feeling put out and pouted knowing her peaceful reaction was squashed on. 

"Sorry," she muttered.

"This video. Can you guys stop it?" Taylor asked leaning forward. 

"I don't think so. We won't know where she has it stored and where she is currently," Mischa replied.

"What about Natalie? You think she will have it?" she countered.

"No. Natalie is a follower, Bree's main minion. If Bree has to do anything, she will keep everything close to her chest," Trey stated.

"Yuh right. Total daddy vibes," Erica whispered in Ayanna's ear. None of the girls missed the way he spoke firmly in a controlled voice, capturing everyone's attention without any help. "Won't surprise me if he has a kink," Ayanna returned also on a whisper. From across the room where he sat beside Taylor with Alec leaned against the love seat they shared, Trey raised his eyebrow at the two then returned his focus on Raine when she began to talk.

"I've already accepted that whatever she has planned will go on but what is pissing me off is not knowing why she's doing this. She decided to spread those lies and break up with Elijah in the most disgusting way. Heck, we hardly see her at school now so why still come after us. It's all weird," Raine said.

Trey glanced in Elijah's way and gave him a small nod, and gesture for him to say something. Elijah in return heaved a heavy sigh then looked towards his girlfriend. Without a word being said she simply crossed the room and sat in his lap. Ignoring his friends, he took Erica's lips into a slow sultry kiss, chuckling at the smile he felt on her lips. "You're getting to know me so well," he whispered against her lips.

"Part of being yuh girlfriend," she returned and got comfortable with him. 

"She's lashing out on top of a lie her mother told her and my family and I are supposedly the problem," he said aloud.

"What in the world can that be?" Harem asked. He pulled Stacia closer to his body as he got comfortable knowing there was a story to be told. The girls squealed when the redhead blushed and hid her face in Harem's chest. The boys shook their heads in amusement and returned their attention to Elijah. 
He told them everything from Bree's mom being the cheater, the selfless act her father did, and the guy's ability to move on with a woman who actually wants him. He even told them of her infidelity, that was the shocker.

"Why cheat on your husband who helped you raise three kids? Moved you to a better neighborhood, gives you anything you wish for because he wants to see you happy," Raine asked, forgetting about her own drama. They've all witnessed the Lincoln household, the only sane one was probably the second son. He never came back after he left home for college, only he knows why he didn't want to come back.

"Only she knows and it seems her baby girl is following in her footsteps. Damn. Why didn't you say something, dude? We weren't going to judge you. We were all taught to have each other's back, no matter what," Alec said. The hurt expression on his face gutted Elijah.

"I-I'm sorry, everyone. I didn't want to burden anyone, I wanted to work things out on my own. Her bitter remarks on how dependant I am on everyone was still messing with me."

"We are family. May not be by blood, but we're family," Ayanna said firmly. Elijah grinned her way, amused by her stubborn posture as she said that. 

"Yes ma'am." 
Erica kissed his head making him feel better after the whole spilling the beans situation.

"So what do we do? We're gonna let her carry out this wrongful vendetta against us?" Raine asked plopping onto the large bean bag chair.

"What can we do?" Mischa voiced, "We have done nothing wrong. When she rejoined our group we welcomed her, Elijah and her got together, we supported that even when we knew something was off. I really can't see what we can do. I'm truly sorry and pissed off with what she had planned initially last Friday with you Raine but how can we protect you from that pain once more."

Silently they all agreed with Mischa's point, confronting her will only stoke that fire she already had burning. "I'm good," Raine voiced. Legs close to her chest, arms wrapped around them with her head on her knees, she sounded sure of herself but the lost look on her face wasn't missed.

"Raine..." Erica called out.

"I'm being honest, I'm okay with it all. Everything is just coming at me and my mind is trying to catch up to all the emotions," she answered. It was a reply to everyone's silent worry. 

"But what are you feeling right now?"

She turned to Trey who always seem to know her better than the others, knowing her next move. He was her best friend through and through. 
"Indifferent. I'm not feeling anxious or hurt, I simply don't care anymore. I'm thankful for the heads-up he gave us but after his last rejection of me, I get it. There will never be any sort of feelings for me from his side and I have to get rid of those that I have for him. It's high school, I have time to find love, the one that goes two ways," she returned. Ayanna got up and joined her on the bean bag with Erica following her closely. The girls wrapped their arms around her in a comforting hug wanting to let her know that they supported her. Unconsciously Taylor placed her head on Trey's shoulder amazed by the friendship of everyone, mildly surprising Trey who looked his friend's way to make sure he was witnessing what was happening. Alec gave him a confirming nod that he saw it and also confirmed that he too wanted what his friend wanted. 

Stacia caught the two guys mid silent conversation with their glances towards Taylor. Trey easily placed his arms around her shoulder in which she simply melted into his side. Alec leaned closer into Taylor who gave him a soft smile. 

"You okay?" Harem asked softly. Stacia told him no putting aside how weird it was to see two guys knowingly showing interest in one girl. "Our dynamics are different. You will learn more as you go along. Just have an open mind," Harem said. Stacia gave him a no and wondered what he meant. Since arriving in Spencer she hasn't pried into the group's business or connections, she was simply living in the moment. 

The group kept spent another hour together until reluctantly leaving Raine's home at 11 pm. Outside, Mischa reached for Ayanna's hand before she entered Elijah's SUV. She came with him and Erica but he wanted to be the one to make sure she reaches home safe.

"What's up?" she asked with a small smile. He began to smile but something off with the flow between them. He was so used to seeing that brightness in her eyes whenever she spots him, the wide smile she always gave him which was the start of her telling him of her new student or whatever new event in her life. Even the most mundane thing. He grudgingly admitted that he missed that. It was he who decided to forget about that attraction he had towards her and move on with his plan to have no attachments. 

"Why don't you ride with me? Give Erica and Elijah some alone time," he asked squeezing her hand lightly.

"We doh mind carryin' she home," Erica answered for her. Mischa looked up and caught his cousin's eye, Elijah shook his head in disappointment then looked away. He didn't take the opportunity for the alone time, he simply agreed with his girlfriend.

"It's all good. See you tomorrow," Ayanna said pulling her hand out of his hold. She didn't even give him that smile and wave with a quick tease. What was going on?

"Yo! You good?" Harem shouted from Taylor's car.

"Uh, yeah," Mischa answered walking to his car. 

"I'm driving Stacia back home, the boys got Taylor. See you in a few," his other cousin said with the widest grin on his face. It was nice to see him living again but why do Harem's happiness and those of his other friends seem to irk him lately. 

"Sure thing," he replied with a fake smile on his face. Harem's smile faltered a bit, that intensely focused gaze Mischa hated was now on him. He quickly gave him a quick brush off and got in his SUV. Pulling away from Raine's house, a text message popped up on his phone, selecting for the vehicle's AI to read aloud the text, he decided the offer will be a good distraction. He made his decision where it concerned Ayanna and he was sticking to it. Enjoying his last year of high school and eventually, college was his focus now. No one nor anything else was. 

                                                                                                               *******

"The offer is still there, Yaya," Elijah said in the quiet of the SUV. Opting to look out the window at the darkened streets, Ayanna can feel her friend's worried gaze through the rearview mirror. looking up she saw his brown eyes filled with concern. Knowing how hot-tempered Mischa was she knew giving Elijah permission to speak to him about their kiss and her feelings for him will escalate into something more. She will hate for their bond to be weakened.

"It's okay. It's probably one-sided and I was unconsciously looking for more. He apologized for kissing me and that explains a lot. I'm fine," Ayanna said with a fake smile. Erica quickly unbuckled herself from the front seat and passed through the seats to get to Ayanna. The girls giggled when Elijah scolded her for doing so but they both heard the amusement in his voice.

"Are you sure? I know we spoke of this already but...."

" I saw him with another girl," Ayanna said softly. Remembering the girl she saw Mischa had against the wall in a heated make-out session cemented the fact it was all in her head. 

"Wha? Where? Why yuh didn't tell me?" Erica exclaimed.

Ayanna loved how involved the Tobagonian was in her life, it helped her take stock of her emotions both realistically and in fantasy. Her fantasy seems to be a joke now. Mischa was the common best friend romance every girl either dreams of and wonders if it will ever happen. Reality came knocking when that same best friend who kissed her, became possessive because she finally looks appealing then suddenly disregards all of that. She couldn't blame him for her feeling hurt. He didn't promise her anything and he did apologize for the kiss. Thinking he had feelings for her was silly. 

"Because I was being silly. I'm fine. It's better this way, these feelings I have for him will disappear in no time," she returned. 

Erica stayed quiet all the way to Ayanna's him, lost in her own thoughts. 

"See you tomorrow, guys."

The SUV stayed stationary as Ayanna made her way into her house. "It sucks doesn't it?" Elijah's voice pierced through the silence.

"Yeah," Erica answered.

Elijah didn't continue the conversation the two stayed in the now comfortable silence until they reached Erica's house. Shutting the van off, he crawled into the backseat, catching her off guard when he surprised her with a kiss. Leaning further into the corner of the door and the seat, she answered his desperate kisses. He groaned when he felt her fingers in his curls, her legs were now around his waist, holding him close to her. He couldn't get enough, the taste of her lips was his new addiction. The hold on her neck tightened the same for the one around her back. carefully he shifted on the seat to position himself seated and her on his lap. Boldly Erica moved her hands below his t-shirt and hoodie earning a hiss of pleasure from him. In return, he gently cupped her breasts and squeezed them before placing his hands back on her waist. 
Her lips brushed against his jaw before they too home on his neck. 

"Erica..."

She moaned against his neck as she placed her mark on him. His hands slid down to her ass, squeezing it as she kicked up the pressure on her neck. "Shit, baby," he whispered pulling her away from his neck. In the semi-darkness, he spotted her kiss swollen lips and heard her heavy panting, he too had to catch his breath. If he allowed her to go any further, he will be taking her virginity in the most high-school cliched way. His need for her stemmed from thinking of his friends. Their group was filled with happiness minus Mischa and Ayanna, though she said she gave up on him, he knew she was hurting. Mischa changed a bit and both he and Harem noticed it. He became more cynical and blase towards the sacredness of new or first relationships. They both witnessed how he kept changing girls to make out within the school's halls and dip out at odd hours after a quick text. 

"That escalated way too fast," Erica teased. 

"I know. I needed to have you," he returned allowing his hands to roam all over her body. A heavy sigh escaped her before she gave in to his hold and wrapped her body around his. Elijah loved holding her but knew this will only be a few minutes, it was late and they had school tomorrow.

"Ah hate that she hurting. I doh want she to feel dat I throwing my relationship in she face when she liking she best friend."

"Yaya understands that you're not doing that. We can't do anything between the two without their permission. Let's see how it all goes, alright?" Elijah said kissing the lobe of her ear. "Okay," she returned nuzzling more into his neck before kissing it.

"Now what did you want to tell me earlier? You sounded bittersweet."

"Ah have to cancel we date for the weekend. Daddy say my auntie them coming for de weekend. I-I never meet them so ah happy to hear dem comin'" she answered.

"Hey, it's okay. We have years for special dates."

Erica laughed softly at his answer. Sitting up she traced his angular features in the dark before kissing his lips. "Years, ent?"

"Yup. I see us together for years. You doing whatever career you choose and me doing whatever I decide on, living in a big house, few pets after a while a kid or two."

"You really plan out things for us," she commented, placing another kiss on his lips.

"Too ambitious?" He sounded so cute with that vulnerable tone in his voice.

"Nope. More like focused. I doh even know what to do in life so I jus focusing on meeting my new family an dem."

"Good. I want to know more about your family but I think we should call it a night," he said softly.

"Yuh right." 

Still, with her wrapped around his body, Elijah eased out of the vehicle holding onto her tightly as he walked up the walkway to the house that always placed a smile on his face. it was so welcoming with its bright paint and neatly tended garden of flowers. His mother will love the garden. 
Stopping at her front door, she slid down his body slowly, keeping their eyes locked. Knowing he can't ever resist her, he leaned in for a kiss in which she eagerly continued. He chuckled against her lips when she playfully nipped his lip.

"Enough of that, beautiful," he said placing kisses all over her face, making her giggle. He loved to hear her happy laughs. 

"Fine. Call me when yuh reach home. If I ain't answer text me," she demanded. Elijah couldn't help but grin her way and say, 'Yes ma'am.' Narrowing her eyes at him, she gave him one last long sweet kiss and bid him goodnight. He waited until she was behind a closed and locked door before heading back to his van. 

Driving back home, he couldn't help but think of Erica. She brought a sense of happiness he never thought he was missing. It has been weeks that they've been together, posting photos on social media, each other's phone wallpapers, specific ringtones, and with each other nearly every living hour. Each day they spent together, new things surfaced between them and it was a learning experience. His parents and little sister loved Erica the only person who hasn't officially met her was Marielle. He knew that she has seen the photos on his account and their mother probably told her the moment she got word of him being close to a new girl. 

Shaking his head, he decided to call her even though knowing it was late. Mari was a night owl and did her best writing around that time and still has the energy to care for her two adoring husbands, their two active huskies, and a large house that always screams cozy.  Mari was his mother just with more levels. He will never know where they both get so much energy to care for them all and still be problem solvers. 

"I was waiting for this call." 

The amused voice of his sister filled the van. "I know, sis. I wanted to be sure that she was the one and that my feelings aren't mixed up," he retorted with a smile on his face.

"Is she really the one, bug? I want you to be happy and find the love your family and I found but..."

"Mari. I'm sure. You guys taught me well and I was able to get past the hurt and be confident enough to go back out there. Everything about Erica called to me even when she was friends with Bree for that short while. She's a great fit with everyone and just like me she's figuring out life. I will love to discover the world and love with her."

"Love?" Marielle asked with both amusement and curiosity.

"Um.... yes, maybe love but I want to wait," he replied. His face was hot from embarrassment, he didn't mean for the word love to come out, especially while talking to his sister. He wanted to figure it out by himself then tell Erica. 

"I'm still yet to actually see this infamous Erica," his sister said just as he pulled into his driveway. 

"She's not keen on full photos on social media so that's why the little clips of us. I'm fine with it. She's beyond gorgeous, feisty, smart, her humor is sarcastic and she really does have a good heart.  A video call will be done soon, probably after the shit Bree planned for us tomorrow."

Elijah chuckled as his sister's potty mouth filtered through the speaker. Moving through the house her voice can be heard through the quiet of the house. Spying the absence of Mischa's van in the driveway, he knew his cousin was visiting his latest fling. The light in Harem's room went out as he walked past the door on his way to his room.

"Okay I'm done," Mari finally said.

"Thank you. No need to worry about us. There's nothing we can do about Bree's campaign of vengeance. Raine is fine, she's learning to move past the hurt Travis caused. Bree's showing of his insult tomorrow will probably remind her why she decided to move on. She's strong just like our big sisters. We are all fine, sis." 

Placing the phone on speaker, he quickly changed into pajama pants and got ready to settle in for the night.

"That's good. One more thing before we end this call. Bryan called for information on Taylor and her mother."

Elijah looked out at the dark landscape of lawn and pool. The loud gulp can be heard in the room as he pictured the cool big brother he grew up with, the same one who flips like a switch whenever he's needed by his adoptive father or when he takes the law in his hands. Joker comes out to play, Katie always says with that cynical smile on her face.
  Everyone in the group knew of Bryan and his background. Harem kept everyone abreast on the investigation and takedown of Taylor's tormentor. For Bryan to call Mari directly even after all the information was gathered meant he was about to make a move. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think that they will have a close link to someone in the underworld as folks call it. 

"Harem.."

"Harem will be informed by his head of security. The girls are not to know anything in light of an investigation, understood?"

"Yes, Mari."

"Good. Good night bug, love you."

"Love you too, sis."

The two ended their call but it left Elijah thinking about the piece of information he was just fed. He shuddered when he viewed a video of just what Bryan Winshall, The Joker can do. All he can wish for Taylor's stepfather is for his death to be quick.