TRIGGER WARNING:
ABUSE & SELF HARM; IF NOT COMFORTABLE WITH READING, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP.

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Mateo's Pov

The look on Nathan's face would've made others cower in fear, but I've seen it before and his attempt almost makes me chuckle.

So I push it to the side realizing he's out here with Elizabeth other than being there for his girlfriend. And it ticks me off to the core.

"Don't make me ask you again Williams," He threatens, calling me by my last name, something I fucking hate

And just like that, murmers and gasps spread throughout the halls, violently bouncing off the walls. Because now the secret's out.

Everyone knows we're somehow related.

I was going to blow up since I despise having people know about our last names. It takes me back to middle school when teachers and students compare us. It takes me back to my childhood, when Melanie compared us.

It takes me back to when my dad, compared us.

I slowly feel my body go rigid and my fists clench in response, and I instantly notice Nathan's face go from confident to hesitant, since he already knows I can physically beat his ass. But he also knows I won't make a scene, because it will only prove him right.

So I keep my cool and look down at the sleeping blonde laying comfortably in my arms and smile knowing it'll get him rowled up.

My heart beats twice as fast sensing his anger rolling off him but mines disperses after taking in her facial features. Her closed lids slightly cover the dark bags under her eyes but the small red freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose makes up for it. Giving her pale face a little bit of color.

A little bit of life.

Suddenly realizing we've gathered a small audience, and I feel myself raging and pull the trigger.

"She wouldn't be in my arms right now if you weren't here with Elizabeth!" I yell gripping Emma's body tighter to me

The sound of the crowd's gasps and murmers can be heard from outside but I could careless. Part of me doesn't even know why I'm being so possessive over Emma, but the part of me that I had to bury does.

I don't want to lose again.

Feeling Emma shift in my arms and seeing her eyes are fluttering open, my body cools. Finally seeing the shimmery light brown up close again, it takes my head for a loop but I admire it.

Because it's the same brown that has added the smallest amount of color to my once blackened interior.

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Emma's Pov

The sound of murmurs and yelling causes my finger tips to move just an inch and eyelashes to flicker.

Wait how long have I been out?

Rapidly blinking the ache away, and getting used to the scenary, I notice Mateo's jaw is clenched while he looks down at me. My eyes widen scarily and my initial thought is him being disappointed in me about my cuts, causing me to turn my gaze from him, but when I do, my fingertips lose their feeling and I feel the color from my face drain.

Oh no. No, no, no... Oh God, why is this happening?

The look on Nathan's face only shows a bit of his true emotions because I know on the inside, he's fuming. Since I told him I didn't know Mateo, but I'm in his hold.

My eyes trail down on their own as I feel his narrow on me, and noticing his fists and jaw are clenched, an uneasy feeling ripples through me.

Quickly feeling small in the room full of stares, I begin twiddling my fingers and realize Nathan's facial expression change. And in that moment she comes back into the room, standing in front of me, and abruptly I feel a tug in my hair.

"Emma, can you please come to me baby girl," He demands gently and the crowd around us give off conflicted expressions, making me look at him like he's grown 2 heads

I know what he's trying to do, but I can't go against it. He's letting the crowd know that this is on Mateo and I. The stares become more heated and I feel the world crumble around me. These stares aren't ones of admiration or friendly, they're cold and threatening. Something I'm not used to.

Shifting uncomfortably in Mateo's arms trying to escape their gazes, I continuously feel Nathan's glare harden on me, and Mateo tightens his grip on me in response. Making Nathan clench his fists tighter. The level of testosterone is dangerously high and I know all three of us, along with the students around us, are awaiting the next move.

And because these two brothers are hot heads, I decide to lightly touch Mateo's shoulder letting him know I'll be fine, and his blue eyes soften. Almost instantly our "moment" is interrupted when we hear a low growls and gasps come from around us, causing Mateo to hold me even closer.

But I push out of his grip knowing this won't get us anywhere. Swerving through the paralyzed students, I try to calm my breathing as I dwell in the fact one quarter of the school knows of our love triangle now and the thought feels overwhelming. And if word gets to my parents, it'll be the end of my freedom and love life, and they'll possibly even--

"Homewrecker,"

The word rings in my ears and halts me from continuing down the hall and my blood drains quicker than expected.

I've never been called something so degrading before.

I turn my head slowly, and see Nathan's friends, who're supposed to be my older brothers according to him, and some are snickering while the other's eyes are in slits. I feel the need to reply to them but I roll my eyes and walk away. Knowing they'd only twist the story once they return back to him.

Suddenly feeling claustrophobic, I sprint to the double doors labeled "Exit and Enter" that have been my peace and pain for the past 3 years, and feel a sense of relief. But as soon as I see them, I'm pulled back by the arm and pushed into an empty classroom.

Where I come face to face with a fuming and angry Nathan.

"Emma what the fuck was that?! You told me you didn't know him! You promised me that you didn't know him," He shouts once he has my full attention and his tone was on the edge, like he's barely holding himself together

At his question, I look at the floor starting to overthink.

Why does it matter if I know him or not? What has he done? What's their history? Is it that bruised that they can't even have a normal conversation without bringing punches into it?

The questions swirl in my mind like bees swarming honey and I feel another small headache pound against my head.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you God dammit! Why the fuck were you in his arms? What fucking happened?!" He yells forcefully grabbing my chin but I still don't make eye contact, and I feel his body tense harder

His language doesn't surprise or shock me anymore, it honestly frightens me if he isn't using curse words since I'm used to hearing them so often.

Trying to focus on something else, I finally trail my gaze up to his trying to read him, but his eyes remind me of dark clouds, directly before the thunderstorm and it gives me an impotent feeling. Because I can't see through them. To see the truth that I know is hiding deep inside.

No one, not even him should want to put this much pressure on a girl who has brought so much to the table. So why does he?

Is it because the power I have or the power he has over me?

"I d- don't know..." I mutter softly trailing off not wanting to finish the conversation

"How the fuck do you not know? You were in his God damn arms Emma. You fucking lied to me and you're lying to me again aren't you?!" He spits harshly and I finally sense a deeper emotion than anger

It almost sounded broken...almost pained.

But why?

"I - I really don't know. At first I was s- standing, then I felt dizzy, then wo- oke up in his arms with a crowd of people, l- looking at me..." I answer trailing off at the end hoping he believes me

Unapologetic thoughts begin to cloud my vision about how he wouldn't, but unexpectedly his eyes softens at my words. But just as fast, they turn back and he pushes my sleeves up taking in the fact that I've been cutting more. Faint and prominent lines stretch across my skin and his face turns conflicted.

Because now he knows why I told him I didn't feel going out. Why I told him I was cold all the time and wanted a blanket to be around me. Why I told him I had a headache every day for the past few weeks. It was to protect me from this moment. But now I'm in front of the enemy, defenseless.

Seeing his jaw clench tightly, his eyes close and I feel the color drain from my body again knowing that pissed isn't even a word to describe his thoughts. All of a sudden, hands grip my wrists and I hiss and whimper in pain violently remembering when he did this in the parking lot.

"You are a fucking liar! This is why you passed out Emma. You promised me you would stop but I don't give a shit anymore. Because if you keep fucking cutting yourself then of course you will have consequences bitch," He spits angrily and I feel my heart break into millions of pieces

Even through all of the hell and disrespect he has faithfully given me, he has never called me out of my name before, or bluntly put it out to the world that he doesn't care anymore.

Is it my fault though...?

What am I talking about, of course it's my fault. I promised that I would stop and I should have. But... I physically couldn't. Seeing the blade the first time was enough to have it sketched in my mind forever, and every day when I got home from school, it was the only thing that brought me closure. The only thing that granted my freedom.

Because cutting allows me escape peacefully, since I couldn't go to sleep most nights. I wish he can understand that, but what's there to process?

That his girlfriend is addicted to harming herself, to get a joy ride?

My gaze falls, staying on the floor and my emotions start to scramble over the place and my head falls back into the wall behind me. And when I see his eyes widen in disbelief, I do it again, feeling the pain steer through my face. But it doesn't stop me from repeatedly doing it crying horrifically and he finally comes back to reality, pulling me from the wall putting his arms around my back and head so I can't run.

But I try to push him off screaming that I hated him and what he has done to me, and he willingly take all of my punches, still trying to calm me down, but I can't. All I see is red.

I'm finally realizing that I'm too impaired for someone who already has their life figured out, and I feel myself grow angrier but I don't know who to he angry at more. But his grip tightens, not allowing me to escape and harsh hiccups push through my lips in defeat.

For the past few years, I've struggled to work with him, with me, on us, I really did. Yet I was the only one who had to deal with the consequences. With the internal bleeding that made me feel so alone and outraged at myself. But I made myself believe I deserved it. I made myself believe I deserved everything from my parents, from Nathan, and from her.

Even from me.

I feel more hot tears stream down my face and I forcefully pull myself back from him and wrap my arms around myself.

"Don't fucking touch me. Ever again!" I scream before I can stop myself and his eyes turn back to stone as he reaches out for me yanking my hair to pull me to him

A desperate cry surges through me and I feel the metallic taste come back, making me close my eyes tightly. Idiotically but silently hoping Mateo will break down the door that shields us from the world.

The door that shields the truth.

And I remind myself that nothing is permanent, and in the end Mateo will find a girl who has more to offer. A girl whose more prettier and stable. A girl who can be there for him and strong for him simultaneously. A girl who he can rely and depend on.

A girl whose actually perfect.

.... Like Elizabeth.

Nathan's grip on my hair tightens reeling me out of my thoughts and I feel myself about to faint a second time.

"You done with your fucking tantrum?" He questions in my ear emotionless making my teeth grit slowly feeling numb all over again

I begin to lose feeling in my legs and they wobble alarming the both of us that I might pass out again, but he grabs my chin making me look up at him weakly.

"Why in the living hell did you partner up to be sleeping in the same cabin as him?"