After days of classes, studying, work study, and working on clients every spare chance I got, it suffices to say that I was exhausted. I knew getting into this that the demanding schedule wouldn't be easy on me, but I didn't exactly have a choice in the matter. I'm also lucky that I have understanding and supportive roommates who claim to not mind the traffic going in and out of our dorm.

After my one o'clock class, Elijah had to rush to go to an away meet. I was prepared to walk home and pass out on my bed for a much-needed rest. Elijah was gradually starting to take notice of how run-down and drained I am and I didn't want him to worry about me. The last thing I needed was for him to come and check in on me when I happened to be cutting a client's hair in the middle of the common room.

I was stressing about the whole "secret" situation when my building came into view. Unfortunately, it wasn't the only thing I saw.

I knew the ashy light brown hair belonged to none other than Gnat. She stood stiffly on the steps looking rather agitated with her arms crossed tight in anticipation of my arrival.

I knew she was waiting for me because, as soon as she turned her head to survey the oncoming pedestrians, her fiery eyes that vaguely resembled those of her twin brother honed in on me.

My heartbeat accelerated with each aggravated step she took in my direction. My spine stiffened and tingled when she stopped, almost knocking into me with the energy behind her movements.

"You'd better stay the hell away from my boyfriend. I know you went to dinner with him the other night with those doltish friends of yours." She practically spat in my face.

"Don't you dare say another word about my friends." My jaw clenched as I spoke. "As a matter of fact, the same girl you just called 'doltish' helped you before your last poly sci test when you were missing notes if I recall correctly. So if you needed help from an idiot, what exactly does that say about you?" If I wasn't so angry that she just insulted my best friends, I might've been shocked into silence. That didn't mean I wasn't shaking, though.

She huffed before sticking her finger in my face. "Listen, you little nobody. I won't tell you to stay away from him again. And that includes your roommates. I don't care about whatever stupid bet you had with my boyfriend. I already gave it to him, so I wouldn't plan on him ever talking to you again. I don't care what he or my brother says. Whether it's a track meet or a study group, if I see or hear that you or your friends went near him, I swear I'll tell my brother about your little business venture." My insides were rattling, I was so overwhelmed. "It's obvious that you haven't mentioned that whole ordeal to my brother. Do you really think he'd still be with you if you did? Or even look your way for that matter?" She smirked, noticeably satisfied with herself.

"I'd tell you to stay away from parties too, but after the last one, I'm sure I won't be seeing you at any anyway." I was begging myself internally not to cry from pure shock. I couldn't believe what was happening. I also couldn't look away from her as she leaned back in to speak lower. "You're a nobody. I honestly don't know what my brother even sees in you. When he finds out that you wait on people, especially his own sister, whatever he sees in you now will all be gone." She smiled again, looking even smugger than ever before. "But you already knew that otherwise, you would've been honest with everyone. You know how worthless you really are, so you pretend to be something that you're not. You're the lowest of the low." She shook her head slowly as if she pitied me. I knew, however, that it wasn't commiseration she was expressing. It was pure loathing. "Mmm, I would feel bad for you, but I have to assume that you're only out for my family's money. What else should I, or anyone else, expect from a liar and a fraud? And boy, it would just break my brother's heart to hear the truth. But of course, I have to do what's in his best interest." I couldn't tell if I was still breathing. I was standing, thank goodness, but that was only because I was frozen in place.

My mouth was open to speak, but what could I possibly say in response to that? One word could destroy my life.

"Just remember. I know everything that goes on with my boyfriend AND my brother." She was so complacent, I had to say the first thing that came to my mind.

"Apparently not everything, Gnat." I knew she wouldn't understand my reference to the adoring nickname her own brother bestowed upon her. I knew that secret. Elijah's secret. He trusted me enough to tell me something he never told anyone else, and that's something Gnat cannot take away from me.

Her face scrunched up, looking how it did when she first confronted me. Full of anger, hatred, and something else that became more and more noticeable each time she addressed Braxton as "my boyfriend" and Elijah as "my brother." Insecurity.

"If I catch any of you near my boyfriend again, you're over." In the blink of an eye, she went from looking threatening to serene as she fluffed her hair, smiled, and turned to go on her merry way, knowing very well the effect she had on me.

As much as I was satisfied to get my few jabs in, I felt sick to my stomach. I rushed into the building, missing the keyhole a few times due to the nervous energy and adrenaline escaping through my fingers.

So much for a nice, relaxing nap.

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I didn't tell anyone about the confrontation. The girls' blood would boil if I told them what she said to me and I know for a fact they'd want me to do something to stand up for myself. What could I do, though, that wouldn't backfire in my face?

They were definitely concerned about me because I got sick throughout the entire night. My planned excuse was that I probably just had a bug. I figured it would best explain my frequent trips to the bathroom and why I wasn't able to sleep.

This is how I get from stress and nerves. I've always been like this the night before a big day, like the first day of school, or from pent up anxiety.

After an eventful night, I was worried about what Elijah would think the next day. He always knew when something was wrong, but his perceptiveness doesn't always work in my favor.

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After grabbing hot chocolate on our way to my room to study, it was me who noticed something was off with Elijah.

"Something is up with Braxton. He went from talking about the other night and you and the girls non-stop and now he pretends like nothing happened. He didn't even talk at all on the bus ride to the away game." He was scrutinizing the sidewalk, evidently worried about his childhood best friend. He clearly wanted to discuss how he could help him.

On any other day, I would've told him that they're close enough where Elijah could just ask him what was wrong. Today, however, I knew not to interfere.

"He's probably just upset and embarrassed about getting kicked out of the restaurant." I thought it would be best if I didn't urge Elijah to press the issue.

"Are you kidding? After the initial upset, he thought it was hilarious. He said it's 'something he'll have to tell his kids when they ask if he did anything crazy in college.'" That made Elijah laugh, but all I could think about was the fact that Braxton probably planned on having kids with Gnat. She doesn't deserve him. I know it's horrible to think something like that, but I couldn't imagine anyone loving someone so much just to be treated like a possession in return and then pledging their life to them. Also, I couldn't imagine someone having a mother like Gnat. That thought sent chills down my spine. My mother is so warm and loving and compassionate. I don't know where I'd be if she were bitter, manipulative, and two-faced.

"Hey, you okay?" Elijah squeezed my left hand that he'd been holding for our entire walk. I nodded, still stuck in my thoughts. The next thing I knew, his lips were on my forehead.

"You feel a bit warm, but I don't think you have a fever. Why don't you lay down for a little while before you start outlining and I'll work on the first chapter myself.

He must've thought I was sick from how run-down I looked after last night. Zoning out in the middle of our conversation probably didn't help my case.

When we entered my room, I was so tired, I collapsed on my bed. Knowing Elijah was beside me helped to settle my stomach, but I only rested my eyes for about thirty minutes before I sat up to join him. Something about unfinished work never let me rest easy.

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"Charlotte, I'm not sure about calling my mom to ask about California." I knocked on her doorjamb while she was writing at her desk before letting it off my chest. Elijah had just left for practice and I was getting anxious thinking about Charlotte's invite for winter break.

"Sara, I promise you won't be intruding. I really want you to come! I insist." She turned around so she could lean with her arms crossed on the back of her chair.

"No, it's not that. I just don't know about being at Elijah's house. You know, with his family there." Well, she knows I'm lying through my teeth. She rolled her eyes before resting her chin on her arms.

"And by his family, you mean Natalie." I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded sheepishly.

"Hey, if you change your life around because of that girl, you're just going to show her that she won. And we can't have that. Please talk to your mom and at least tell her that I invited you. It's one thing if you can't go, but I will not hear that you won't go, especially not because of that self-righteous hooligan. Capisce?"

Yeah, well what's the use in getting my mom all excited, thinking that I have plans, just to not go anyway because I can't even afford to reach the destination.

"Capisce." I smiled a small, timid smile and went back to my room to dial my mother. She'll be ecstatic to hear that I've actually been invited somewhere, but I have yet to tell her all about the Elijah part.

That would give her a heart attack.

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Thank you for reading! Please remember to VOTE and COMMENT if you enjoyed this chapter.

What do you think about Gnat confronting Sara? I know you guys have thoughts and opinions on that situation!

Also, I feel for Braxton. He has so much love in his heart only to be treated like property by someone who doesn't appreciate him. At least, that's what we've seen...

I want to hear from all of you, so type away!!!!

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