I walk fast, trying to avoid Petra and Olivia's gazes. They follow me though, and it's hard not to look at them. I stop walking suddenly and turn to face them. My gaze must have been something, because Olivia scratched her head nervously and Petra flinched. I soften it.

"We're sorry Jesse," Petra says solemnly. I sigh.

"It's not your fault." I reply, blinking to keep the tears out of my eyes. "You've been nothing but helpful."

"We're here for you," Olivia exclaims and I nod my thanks.

"I'd rather not talk about it. At all. If you don't mind." I say quietly. "Maybe I should go home."

Olivia opens her mouth to protest, but Petra kicks her in the shin.

"But-"

"If that's what you want." Petra interrupts, giving her the stink eye.

"What's wrong?" I ask, sighing again.

"Nothing." Petra replies, elbowing Olivia. "Right Olivia?"

Not wanting to get hurt by Petra agains she nods.

"Yeah..."

The three of us are silent for a while, but after a few moments Petra and Olivia start arguing. I turn away from them and rub my head to stop my headache.

"...can't you see what she's been through?! Just let her go home!" Petra whispers loudly.

"But we can cheer her up! And Axel's already there!" Olivia protests.

"Tell Axel to go home! We can show her tomorrow!"

"Show me what?" I ask, turning around.

Olivia smirks at Petra, who growls.

"Just a little surprise. But you should go home and rest first. We can show you another time." Petra says. I give her a puzzled look.

"Or you can see it right now. Axel's there." Olivia tempts me. I think for a moment.

"I guess. I need to get my mind off this anyway." I say, my voice monotone. I shrug.

"Alright, let's go! Follow me!" Olivia says happily. I sigh, and Petra puts her hand on my shoulder for sympathy.

"It's okay Jesse. Whenever you want to stop...just tell us."

"Thanks Petra," I say gratefully, and we follow Olivia into the woods.

********************

We head out into the woods. I put my hands in my pockets and say nothing. Petra keeps glancing at me with concern, but I don't look at her. Olivia is in front of, leading the way. Thoughts dance in my head.

I don't understand how he could do this to me. Lukas, of all people.

"Jesse? Jesse!" Olivia shouts. I look up from the floor.

"What? Oh, sorry." I say, distracted.

"Cover your eyes." She says, and I look at her, confused.

"Why?" I ask, and Petra puts her hands over my eyes so that I can't see. "I swear, if this is a prank, I'm going to kill you both. I'm really not in the mood."

I can't see anything, because Petra is covering my eyes. But she makes me walk and then climb a ladder.

"We're just trying to cheer you up, don't worry." Olivia replies.

I reach the top of the ladder and then they make me stop.

"You can take your hands off Petra." She lifts them up.

When I see again, my heart almost stops beating. It's the treehouse. The one we practically lived in before the Witherstorm.

"Surprise!" Axel cries, along with Olivia and Petra.

I look around the treehouse, stunned and shocked. I can't speak. Everything looks exactly the same. Memories come flowing in. My life. Where it all began.

There's an armor stand, where I used to practice with my sword. Chests, crafting tables, and posters decorate the room. Except this time, there's a poster of the new Order. All of my friends. And Reuben.

I can't help it. Tears come flowing down my cheeks. I can't move.

"This was supposed to cheer you up Jesse, not make you cry." Axel says.

"I love it." I finally say, in awe. My voice cracking because of the tears. "I really, really love it."

My friends and I embrace in a hug. I can't believe they did this. It meant so much to me.

"I don't deserve you guys," I say quietly.

"Don't say that Jesse." Axel replies.

We sit down on the couch in the treehouse. I still can't believe it.

"I really don't. You guys are the best friends anyone could ask for. You did all of this, for me. I've just been sulking in my room." I say miserably.

"You're the leader Jesse. And our best friend." Petra says, punching me playfully.

"That's what friends do for each other. Right?" Says Olivia. I shrug and nod.

"Thank you." I say, smiling slightly.

"No problem." Axel says. "We all helped build the treehouse. Petra put all the furniture and stuff. Olivia and I added some special features."

He walks up and pulls a lever on the wall next to a dispenser. The dispenser shoots out a cookie.

"Cookies!" He shouts and picks it up. "You got your own cookie dispenser."

"That's not the only thing." Olivia says.

They start showing me all the cool things they added to the treehouse. Besides the cookie dispenser, there was a chest full of food, another chest full of crafting materials, and then came the best part.

Axel pulls something out of his inventory. An enderdragon costume, small and petite. The perfect size for a pig. He places the costume on the stand. I stare at it an awe.

"You made another one." I say softly.

"That's why I left earlier. I had to finish up the final touches."

This was one of the moments. One of the moments where I forget everything and feel like-like heaven. The last time I felt that way was...with Lukas.

"That stupid-!" I think aloud, and than clap my hand over my mouth. My friends look at me, surprised.

"Sorry," I apologize.

"What's stupid? The treehouse?" Axel asks, hurt.

"No! No of course not! I love it. It's just, I was thinking about Lukas."

"What, are you guys like a couple now?" He asks me, and I bite my lip. Of right, he doesn't know. Olivia and Petra both elbow him at the same time.

"Ouch!" He cries. Before Petra or Olivia can say anything I speak up.

"Right. We broke up." I say lamely, still staring at Reuben's costume.

"What? What happened?" Axel says, shocked.

"Axel. Shut it." Petra says firmly. Olivia folds her arms across her chest. I speak up.

"He doesn't understand. He wanted me to stay here, while he was off finding the person who shot me. I'm not a freaking 'damsel in distress' okay? I thought he understood." I say, words coming out before I can stop them.

There's a moment of silence.

"I'm not helpless, or useless. I can fight. I'm strong, or at least I thought I was." I say.

"Come on Jesse." Petra says, patting my shoulder. "Let's get your mind off it."

We hang out in the treehouse, playing games, remembering memories, and laughing. It lifts my spirits. I don't want to leave.

They also talk about the Blaze Rods, which makes me think of Aiden. They said so far, they hadn't done anything crazy. Good, I think.

The sun starts to set as we play a game of "who can craft the fastest." Petra wins, again. She's the boss at that game.

"How about we play 'who can eat the most cookies?'" Axel asks eagerly and Olivia groans.

"We already played that game, and Jesse's not gonna have anymore cookies left." She protests. "And it's getting late. We should head home."

"Shoot, you're right." Petra agrees. "Come on Jesse."

I look around the treehouse, and the thought of going home makes my heart sink. But it is getting late, and the monsters will be out soon.

"Alright." I say, heading toward the trapdoor. The last thing I see is the Order of the Stone's poster before Axel closes the door behind us.

All I can say rn...

C🍪🍪KIES!!!