Emma's Pov

The ceiling begins to collaspe as I struggle to comprehend her words but her green eyes, sharp and awaiting reassure me there's no way of escaping.

Unless I lie again.

"Um, N - Nathan, dropped me off here, and he bought a new cologne. We h - hugged," I answer and my father's eyebrow rise expectantly

The thought of lying to them makes my stomach queasy, but how am I supposed to tell them about Mateo. Nathan's stepbrother and my "enemy", since they bump heads constantly. I already know the idea of mingling with him will be distasteful and I've never been the rebel type. Until he showed up.

What has he done to me?

Mother takes another glance over me and releases my chin and I blow out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Alright, return to your room. Since you are ill," She demands gently, her last word falling forcefully

Nodding, I walk past her and my father's heated gaze remains on me, but I continue to make my way to the bedroom, ignoring him.

That was entirely too close.

•••••••

"Emma, wake up!" I hear mother violently screech from beside me making me frantically scatter against my warm bedsheets

I look up to her frustratingly and she has a slight grin on her face.

"Good morning my dear, did you forget about driving to the cabins this morning?" She asks and I look over to my clock, seeing it's 7

"Um, no mother, but you usually wake me up around 7:15," I answer and she turns to the clock as well, pursing her lips

"Ah, I suppose you're correct. Well since you're awake, you might as well get dressed and ready for the day. What's 15 minutes going to hurt?" She teases and I grit my teeth in response

I stayed up until 3 am this morning overthinking about what'll happen at the cabins today, and when I finally mastered going to sleep, I couldn't stop her from bothering me. So I really did need those extra minutes.

"Yes mother, one second," I mumble heaving a sigh, pushing my covers to the side to put me on the comfy grey house shoes on

She steps out of the way and while I make my to the bathroom, I hear her mumble something, but I ignore it. It's probably nothing anyways.

I use the bathroom and brush my teeth, as I usually don't eat breakfast, and make my way back to my room to ponder over an outfit.

My eyes land on the black long sleeve shirt and blue jean shorts and I smile softly. Shorts aren't up to my parents liking as they reveal too much, but I'll be away from them for the next six days and I want to dwell in it. Exposing my arms are out of the question so my legs are the next best thing.

Another form of self expression.

Grabbing the clothes from the hanger and heading back to the bathroom, I change hurriedly, since I need to be downstairs in a few to take my medicine. The thought of Nathan telling them about the incident crosses my mind, but it occured weeks ago. If he told, they would've spoke on it by now.

I begin to brush through my hair, since I want a high ponytail, but when I finish, I see some of it entangled in the brush, and my eyes widen.

I brush my hair regularly but none has came out before.

Shaking my head from the thought, I claw the strands of hair out, discarding them into the trash bin and hesitantly place the brush down on the countertop.

Walking out of the bathroom, I go back to my room to grab my belongings to have them by the front door since I can't wait to leave for the week.

But when I grab my purse, I suddenly remember that I didn't pack any female products and mother nature will be visiting me soon. So I head back to to the bathroom and open the cabinet and come eye to eye with the bottle of pills.

Absentmindedly I gnaw the inside of my cheek since I don't know if I want to take them with me. My parents and Nathan would be furious if they found out I didn't bring them since now they know I've been skipping days, but if I bring them I still most likely won't take them.

Because they can't help me.

"Emma hurry up or you'll be late!" I hear mother yell

The thought of having them near me makes me feel conflicted since everyone tries to convince me that they can turn my life around for the better. But I don't see how since they don't give me a happier mentality when I do take them.

I want to make my parents happier but not this way. There has to be a better way instead of taking the antidepressants. So with that being noted, I grab my female products, close the cabinet, turn off the light then walk out of the bathroom.

"Yes mother!"

••••••••••

Pulling up to the cabins causes unwanted memories to rush through my mind and I grip the wheel in response. That can't happen again.

The thought of being vulnerable against all of the stares that're bound to come makes my hands sweat, but I force myself to think of something else.

I'm a big girl and I need to stop depending on people.

I find a parking spot on the bottom floor as I'm registered from yesterday and make my way into the cabins, where I'm met with different looks. Some are confused, some are shocked, but most are disgusted. The gesture makes me pull my sleeves down and I continue to drag my luggage close behind me, painfully regretting returning.

I really wish he was here.

"Hmm, I wasn't expecting you to come back. Since you and blue face been skipping around. Greedy much?" I hear someone mumble and I look to the side, taking in Elizabeth's red hair and heated gaze

She's the second person I wanted to avoid, Nathan being the first, but with everything that's happened over night, I'm not totally surprised.

Nathan and I need to keep our distance though. Bumping into him will only bring physical harm.

"And you should really cover those twigs. They might snap off if you walk too fast," she adds snarkily referring to my legs

My nose scrunches at her words and she crosses her arms, her eyes shooting daggers through my soul. I turn my attention to the floor, suddenly feeling a lump rise in my throat and she scoffs, walking past me to bump her shoulder harshly against mine.

The gesture makes me sniffle, but I shake my head again, gripping my luggage once again to make my way to the cabins.

I'm a big girl.

As I'm walking, I see Mateo in front of the doors with his signature black hoodie, nose flared and I have the small thought something terribly happened, and when Nathan comes into view, heavily stalking towards him, my eyes widens as my body freezes taking in the scene.

It's round 2.