Groaning, I turned over to my right side. My back hurts. I couldn't move my head because of this stupid headache. I tried to open my eyes but was almost blinded by the rays of light coming from the window in front of my bed. I looked around. Taking in my surroundings, I realized I'm in a hospital & suddenly the memories of last night started flashing in front of me. What have I done? Did I really kiss Monty? Oh My God! Niylah was for sure gonna kill me this time. I thought I'll kiss him which will make him get angry at me & he'll just break his friendship with me. Because that's something he was supposed to do after knowing my feelings for him. I didn't mean for Niylah to see it for herself.

Niylah asked me the day before yesterday to stay away from Monty. I couldn't think of any idea other than this. I sacrificed my first kiss to someone I love for someone I care about. I kissed him so that he'll keep his distance from me & won't hurt Niylah. I didn't want any of this. I didn't want my first kiss to be like this. I don't know what Niylah told him about me which made him like me less but I know one thing for sure that Niylah feels insecure around me. She thinks I'll take him away from her since I told her a long time ago that I have a crush on him. Good thing I didn't tell her that I love Monty.

As soon as I heard someone coming, I closed my eyes shut.

"I'll start the I.V. She'll be all all right" A woman said, which I assume is a nurse.

"Thank You" It was Theo. I was hoping for it to be Monty, though.

When I heard the nurse leave the room, I slowly opened my eyes. I looked at Theo, he had his back towards me. He was looking outside the window in front of my bed. I tried to sit & I did which made Theo snap his attention back at me.

"Woah Woah Woah. Be careful, princess" He must've known by now that I kissed Monty & look at that smile, painless one. How is he so good at hiding his feelings? I wish I could say Yes to him. But I can't spend my life with someone I see as a brotherly figure.

"Don't touch me" I pushed his hand that was resting on my back. I don't know what came over me. I looked at him & could see the hurt in his eyes but he was quick to cover it up with a smile. He held his hand in air for his defense.

"Easy there! Not gonna eat you. Just so you know" & he left. Thank god he did. I didn't want to face him. My head was a mess right now, thousands of things running through it.

I hope no one will come to see me except Dad & Cara. I hope. I was about to lie down when all of a sudden an infuriating Niylah barged in through the door with an annoyed Monty coming from behind.

"Niylah"

"Niylah!!"

"Listen to me!!" She was out of her control.

"Who do you think you are?" Niylah held my wrist with so much force that I winced due to her long nails piercing into my skin.

"Uhmm. I'm Emerald Harrington, right?" I said, containing my laughter because the face she made after my reply was worth looking at. Even Monty smiled at that.

"You bitch" She was about to slap me & I was waiting for the pain to feel but the pain never came. When I open my left eye to see what stopped her, I saw Monty holding her hand.

"Niylah, you promised me you won't use your hand" She seemed to calm down when Monty made her remember whatever they promised.

"Why did you kiss him?" Now she looked at me, her face red.

"Why do you think I did?" I smirked. I didn't want to but I wanted them to just stay out of my life.

"I want you & you to just stay away from me. Do you get that?" I said pointing towards Niylah & then Monty, anger boiling inside.

"You guys do nothing but bring me pain & look where it got me!! I'm at a freaking hospital right now just because of a kiss! A stupid kiss. Leave before something bad happens again" I said, finally looking away from both of them.

I saw Niylah storming out but she stopped in her tracks when Monty spoke. She stood there so no one could see her but I clearly could, I just ignored.

"Was that really----" Monty stuttered but completed his sentence anyway "Was that really a stupid kiss for you?" He said, clearing his throat.

A lump started to form in my throat. I didn't want to answer that as a Yes but I had no choice.

"Yes it was. Now GET OUT!" I shouted the last part. I was angry at myself, at my life. Why was I facing everything? What did I ever do?

"You know what? Niylah has always been right about you" I took the I.V drip out of my skin, hurting myself in process. I let my feet fall on the cold floor which sent shivers down my spine. He wasn't getting out so I had to.

"Whatever" I said & crossed my hands over my chest, looking anywhere but him.

"You lied to me about everything, about yourself! Why should I believe you now? And you couldn't even keep my secrets to yourself. What kind of a friend are you, Emerald?" He said & I knew what he meant & who did everything. I looked in Niylah's direction. She was standing there, listening to everything but she didn't step forward to put an end to the dispute. She ruined me! And now she was acting like a coward. What I didn't get was that what secret of his I didn't keep to myself? What was he talking about?

"Because I wasn't the one lying" I laughed bitterly & looked at him.

"You'll find that out on your own and when you do, it'll be too late" And I left him standing there with thousands of questions running through his mind.

I saw Niylah was still standing near the door. I made my way towards her. I held her wrist & nodded, assuring her that I was leaving them for good. I dragged her inside the room where I stayed & picked Monty's hand. He was shocked at my actions. I placed Niylah's hand in his.

"You both deserve each other" I said with venom dripping from my tone so that it'll look like I'm the bad person. I wanted Niylah to be happy. She deserves happiness too & what she did was all because she wanted to be happy.

When Monty looked away, Niylah looked at me with--- regret in her eyes. What was she regretting now? I nodded & smiled at her so that she won't feel any remorse. I left with tears in my eyes. And here I thought I'll never give up on you Monty because losing you was like losing a part of me which I lost today. Closing my eyes, I let the tears fall.

-----------------------------

Flashback

One year ago....

Monty had asked me to make him a breakfast as he stayed at my house last night. It's been two weeks since we came to our homes, Pennsylvania. We didn't invite Niylah because Monty wanted to spend some time with me, alone. The whole year's been a hectic one with Niylah being around. Has she always been like this her whole life or is it just us feeling like that? Because she's nosy.

I peeked out of the kitchen to see if Monty has waken up. He can be cute sometimes. He just woke up & asked me to make him breakfast whereas he just fell asleep, again! Like seriously.

I was making him poached eggs since he loves them. I placed the pot over the stove & went towards the fridge to get 3 eggs out of it. I was making the breakfast only for Monty, Cara & Myself. Cara can't cook. Yup folks, she can't. She's older but she never learned how to cook. Whenever she enters kitchen, something ends up getting destroyed by her.

I picked out 3 eggs & asparagus out od the fridge. Asparagus tastes good with poaches eggs. Taking vinegar out of  the shelf, I added two tablespoons of vinegar into the water boiling over stove. Vinegar is the best thing to add in water before dropping the egg in it because it keeps the egg white all together. I added only two tablespoons so it won't taste like vinegar.

I was lost in making my perfect poached eggs when all of a sudden Monty wrapped his hands over my eyes.

"Monty" I placed my hands on his so that he'll remove his hands & will let me continue what I was doing.

"What are you doing?" Seriously? Or is he blind to see what I'm doing.

"Nothing" I replied, completely annoyed by him.

"Well it doesn't look like nothing to me"

"What do you think I'm doing, Monty?" I stopped doing what I was & looked at him. Why is he so cute & stupid, both at the same time? I'm already in love with him. Shut up, Em.

"Uhmm. Making breakfast?" He said more like asked. All of a sudden, losing control over myself I burst into laughter. He was looking at me confused. When I laughed enough, I wiped a tear which fell due to laughter.

When I looked at him, I couldn't help but to stare. When I first saw him, I was afraid to talk to him. When I first talked to him, I was afraid to like him. When I first liked him, I was afraid to love him. Now that I love him, I'm afraid to lose him.

"Uggh. I hate you" He said, putting me out of my thoughts.

"No you don't" I smiled at him to which he just pinched me cheeks.

"Because I can't. I know" He made my heart beat so faster at what he said.

"So? What are you doing with eggs?" He asked.

"I'm trying to make poached eggs since you love them"

"Can you teach me how to do it? I've always wanted to make poached eggs you know but I couldn't learn. I tried but failed" He said, with sadness in his voice.

"Awwww. That's cute. Fine, I'll show you" I said 'cute' because he hates it when I call him cute.

"Ughh. Don't call me cute" I knew he'll say that.

"Okay Okay. I won't. Now let's get to work" I said.

"Here's what you can you do to ensure poached egg's success. Just crack your egg into a fine mesh sieve, give it a little swirl & remove that liquidy white egg. This is in case of old eggs. With fresh eggs you won't have to do that. I've already put water in a pot on flame to bring it to boil & I've already added two tablespoons of Vinegar. So once all of the very loose egg white has been strained out, tranfer it to a ramekin as this will make it much easier to pour the egg in the pot of hot water. Add only two tablespoon so it won't taste like vinegar. Create a vortex & drop the egg. Here we have our poached egg" I kept talking & doing what I was talking whereas he just stared at me with his elbow on the counter & palm supporting his face.

"Why are you so damn cute?" Heat crept to my face when he said that. He never said that before that I'm cute! Why was he saying it now? I was as red as tomato by now.

"I dunno. Maybe it's your cuteness that rubbed off on me through the months?" That was the perfect answer to stop him from noticing me blushing so hard.

"Ahhhhh. Finee! Whatever. I want my brekfast" He left me smiling over his silliness & cuteness.

After that I fried some asparagus & topped it with the poached eggs that I prepared & made three plates. There came yawning Cara. Of course, I'm here to make her the breakfast.

"Princess, your breakfast is ready" I said, rolling my eyes at her.

"Well, thank you Mrs. Chef" She's not coming slow, now is she?

"Why don't you make your own breakfast, Cara?" Monty butted in our conversation. I wanted to pinch his cheeks for asking what he asked.

"Uhh. Why would I when I've hired a cook for that!" She said, taking her first bite. She can be mean.

"Okay. Where's that cook, by the way?" What the hell, Monty. Love ya!

"Here" She placed her fork & knife on the plate & held my hand pushing me forward. She flashed a devilish smile towards Monty.

"Wll, she's not a cook. Learn how to cook yourself. Jeez" Monty started eating his breakfast. Cara clearly ignored him.

Actually, we had a cook but he died last month so currently I was the cook. I was here for Summer vacations yet here I was cooking. Sometimes dad brings something from outside or we just order food. That's how we spent the whole month.

After breakfast, we were sitting in the lounge watching TV when all of a sudden he asked a question that left me surprised.

"Why don't you have a boyfriend?"

"What?"

"Why are you still single?"

"Wanna know the truth or want me to tell you a lie?" I asked him. Because I wanted to tell him the truth but not completely.

"Of course. The truth, idiot" He laughed at my question.

"Okay. I liked a guy & I wanted to confess but I couldn't because I was too scared to confess & get rejected by him. Just scared to lose him" I said. I couldn't let him know that I was talking about him.

"So.... Who was the guy?" I knew that he'll ask me that.

"He was my friend" I wanted to put an end to our conversation. He took his cue. He stopped asking me more questions. He could see how pained my expression was when he asked me that question.

I wish I could tell him how I feel about him. That the guy I'm too scared to lose is him.

"Do you still like him?" He asked again putting me out of my thoughts.

I stared at him for a while. I wish I could tell you that it's been you all along. When I first saw your heterochromatic eyes, I fell in love with you instantly. Without realizing, it deepened. I crushed before but it never came to this point.

"Yes I do"

End Of Flashback

I didn't notice that I was smiling, thinking about Monty when Cara slapped me across the head.

"Whattt?" I said, annoyed at her.

"Back to earth, Emerald. Monty's here" Why was Monty here all of a sudden? She was about to leave when

"Oh, And Mrs. Rhodes here too. Don't know why but both of them had tears in their eyes" Were they crying? If they were then why?

"Okay, I'm coming"

I looked at myself in mirror & went outside. As soon as I did, Mrs. Rhodes slapped me across the face. I held my cheek as a reflex action. Why the hell would she slap me?

"You killed her. You're the killer. You gave her depression & now she's dead. You can have Monty all to yourself, you bitch" She was about to slap me again when dad stepped in & stopped her. What was she saying?

"Who's dead?" I asked, confused.

"Niylah's dead" My dad turned to look at me & whispered.

Oh My God! What the hell. Why would she die?

"What? What are you talking about, Dad?" I looked at Mrs. Rhodes, then at Monty & then at Dad.

"She committed suicide because of you" Monty accused me of something I don't even know.

"What the hell! Why would she do that because of me?" I asked, anger boiling inside of me "And how's that supposed to be the reason of her death?" Mrs. Rhodes seemed to be a little bit of shocked at what I just said.

"Because you gave her depression" She said. And she didn't know what she was talking about. She was definitely trying to hide something.

"No one can be the reason for someone's depression. And why would I do that. She was my friend" I said, letting my tears fall.

"I'll sue you for killing my daughter" She was getting out of control so Monty took her outside & asked her to wait for him in the car.

"Emerald, What did you say to her? Why would she commit suicide in just one night?" He said, thoughtfully.

"Monty, I didn't even know about her death. And last time when I saw her was when you were there too, in the hospital" I said, now getting offended.

"You know what Emerald. She kept telling me that you are a liar & today I think that she was right" He left & I was shocked as hell. What the hell did he mean? Is he out of his mind?

Why would I lie when I haven't done anything.

I stormed inside my room & locked it up.

"Emerald. Listen to me" Dad kept knocking on the door. I didn't reply. I knew he'll leave me.

"Let her be, Dad" Cara saved me from being questioned by Dad.

I couldn't believe what was happening. Why would I be the cause of someone's depression? I was crying before I could stop myself. I know that Mrs. Rhodes' hiding something & I will find it. And when I do, I'll return the slap to her face. I never liked her nor respected her. She didn't deserve it. She's always been a bitch towards Niylah. When I asked Niylah about it she never told me about it.

--------------------

The next day Ayla, Niylah's sister came to my house. I thought she's here to blame everything on me just like my best friend & her mother. But I was surprised.

"So, you're saying that Niylah didn't commit suicide because of me & that she left a note?" I repeated what she told me & I was shocked. Why didn't Monty or Mrs. Rhodes tell me about the note?

"Where is that note now?" I asked Ayla.

"I-I" She stuttered & I knew instantly that it's related to Mrs. Rhodes "I don't know" She said clearing her throat "But she left three notes, not one" She gave me another shock.

"Ohh! And Ayla, you didn't give me the answer I wanted" I said as I wasn't letting her off the hook so easliy.

"Answer to what?" She asked me as if I'm a kid. I rolled my eyes.

"Where are those notes now?" I asked again & gave her an expectant look.

"Mother hid it somewhere" I knew it.

"Did you read those?"

"No. Before I could, she snatched the notes out of my hands" She said, truthfully & with sadness evident in her voice.

"Don't be sad, Ayla. Maybe she don't want us to see them" I placed my hand on her shoulder to calm her.

"I know. What the question is that what could possibly be in those notes that mother was so desperate to hide!" She was right but was up to me to find out now.

"I'll find the notes. I definitely will!" She said & I was speechless to see the determination in her eyes.

"I want to see what Niylah wrote. I miss her & I want to feel her talking through those notes" Suddenly sadness overcame me & I wanted to explain everything to her.

"Ayla, You know I didn't do it right?" She nodded her head & relief washed over me

"I know you didn't because I know you were willing to sacrifice your love for her. She told me that she was guilty of taking Monty away from you. I wish she were close to me" She started crying & all I wanted to do was comfort her so I hugged her & let her cry.

"I think I should go now" She stood to left when all of a sudden an angry Monty stormed inside my house.

"What do you think you're doing?" I said, scared of the Monty in front me, the Monty I don't know. He  towards me dangerously & I took steps back until my back was against the wall.

"Where are the notes that Niylah left?" He said, anger laced through his voice.

His eyes were scaring me. I was paralyzed under his intense gaze.

"WHERE ARE THE NOTES, EMERALD HARRINGTON?" He never called me using my full name. He never shouted at me. But here he was.

I lowered my head to avoid his eyes but he forced me to look up at him by roughly grabbing my chin. I winced in pain when his nails pierced into my skin.

"You're hurting me Monty"

"Don't call me that! I'm not Monty to you anymore. You killed her by giving her depression & now you stole the notes & tore them so that I wouldn't know about your reality she kept hiding from me. Do you really think I wouldn't know?" He said, dangerously. Pushing my face roughly, he started pacing in front of me.

I was shocked to see this side of him. He was never the type to shout at a woman. He used to be calm & kind but the Monty that was in front of me was definitely my silly Montgomery. I closed my eyes & let tears fall.

"No, No, No! Don't you dare cry in front of me. Do you really think you can soften my heart with your tears after what you've done?" He said, pinning me with his gaze where I stood.

"I asked you something!" He said, danger in his tone.

"WHERE ARE THE NOTES?" He was about to slap me when Ayla butted in.

"She don't know" I looked at her & shook my head so she wouldn't tell him because she'll do nothing but make a problem for Mrs. Rhodes. I knew she was hiding something but that's for me to find out, not Monty.

He left with Ayla following him. I rushed to my room. The tears started bursting forth like water from a dam, spilling down my face. I felt the muscles of my chin tremble like a child. They say Niylah killed herself because she was depressed. What they don't understand is that that has nothing to do with me. I even left Monty for her. I sacrificed enough! I will prove myself innocent. Mrs. Rhodes is hiding something & I'll definitely find out.

Hearing a knock on the door, I knew it was dad. He must've seen the whole scene.

"Emerald, are you okay?" Dad shouted from the other side of the door.

Wiping my tears & taking a look at myself in the mirror to make sure I don't look like a mess because I don't want to stress him out. I unlocked the door & smiled at hin.

"Yeah Dad. I'm fine"

"But you don't look fine to me" He said with brows furrowed.

"Dad, I'm your daughter. You know that I'm strong"

"Emerald I know that you're strong but that doesn't mean that the strong people are always okay" Taking his hands out id his pockets, he placed them on my shoulder to make me look at him "But let me tell you one thing! You will get through this, Okay?" I nodded & he kissed me on the forehead.

"Now get to bed" He smiled & left me.

Dad's always been the strongest & I take after him. I'm happy that I do.

I wanted to forget about what happened today. I climbed on to my bed & brought the covers to my chest. I wanted to escape from the thoughts inside my mind. A lot happened today & my mind was tired. Without realizing I drifted into sleep, the only way to my escape.

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