Dedicated to MelknKookies. Your comments were epic. xD

A looooooong chapter. Enjoy!

So basically, I tried to incorporate all the elements the complete book has i.e. Humor, Romance (I suck at this one), Mystery and Drama in this one chapter. I hope you like it!

Happy reading.

• • •
Chapter 28 | Conflicts and Confessions

"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."

-Friedrich Nietzsche

"He's not here, you know." Ben said as he slipped in the chair beside Mallory.

She was sitting in the school cafeteria. In front of her, the calculus book was wide open and a pencil in between her teeth. She impatiently tapped her finger on the table while her eyes scanned the entire room.

"What?" Mallory immediately looked to her left.

"I said he is not here," Ben repeated taking a sip of his juice.

"Who's not here?"

"Andrew. He isn't here."

"I wasn't looking for him," she said sheepishly, trying to cover for herself.

"Melly. Melly. Melly," he said and patted her cheek. "I may come across as an idiot with my uncanny good looks and what not. But I assure you I am not. You see, beauty with brains isn't an impossible phenomenon. I am the living proof." He gave a cheeky grin.

"Ben, I was not looking for anyone." Mallory gave him an annoyed look and returned back to the problem she was solving. "And even if I was looking for him, how do you know he's not here?"

"My, my, isn't someone a bit too over-possessive?" He winked. "But don't worry, I am not stalking the love of your life. I just happen to share the gym class with him and he wasn't there in the morning."

"Oh," she replied thoughtfully, as she nibbled the top of the pencil. Something must have happened. It was third day in a row when Andrew didn't come to school. He wasn't taking her calls or replying to her messages. At first, she thought he was avoiding her after everything that happened but for three days straight?Now, she had an evil foreboding.

As it is, a lot had changed in past few days. After her mother heard about Mallory's breakdown and the episode with sleeping pills, she confiscated all the bottles and began monitoring their usage. It was like she was in therapy all over again.

Apart from that, her breakdown on Ben's birthday and events that followed had triggered something. Her nightmares became more frequent and she'd woke up in cold sweat. The fact that the only person who could understand her plight wasn't returning her calls didn't help either.

And most of all, amidst all the parties, mental breakdowns and all the other drama, she had lagged behind in school work and thus had to catch up. She had become a walking zombie, spending more than fifteen hours on homework and lessons she missed.

"Hello, earth to Mallory." Sarah said waving a hand in front of Mallory's face. She sat across her on the table.

She blinked repeatedly and then looked up smiling, "Sarah! Hi!"

"Hi, how have you been? Long time, no see?" Sarah smiled back.

"Says the girl who disappeared for god knows how long!" Ben replied, "You even missed my birthday. I mean you wished me on phone, like seriously? And where's my gift?"

"Ooh, so you want your birthday gift?" Sarah raised an eyebrow. "How about we go and see if the Janitor's room is empty?" She winked.

"Girl, did I ever tell you how much I love you?!?" Ben said with a dreamy expression.

"Let me think...only about a hundred times."

"Woah. Woah. Wait, a second. So, are you two a thing now?"

"Nah, we're just friends with benefits." Ben winked.

"May God have mercy on your dark souls." Mallory whispered in mock prayer.

"He's an idiot," Sarah rolled her eyes.

"By the way, Sarah, where were you all this time? I really missed you."

Her smile faltered a little. "I had some family affairs to tend to."

Mallory's eyebrows creased in concern as she squeezed Sarah's hand. "Anything serious? Do you want to talk about it?"

"No. No. Don't worry. It's all good now," her smile was back on. She was hiding her emotions. "So what were you people talking about before I interrupted."

"Eh, nothing much. Just Mallory's Edward Cullen." Ben replied.

Mallory kicked him from under the table. "Dumbass."

"Oomph," he groaned comically. "Your kick was more painful than a kickboxer's. What do you eat, woman?"

"I'll tell you but then I'd have to kill you." Mallory replied secretly.

"Shh, don't tell him that you like to eat teenagers with salt and cheese toppings." Sarah mock-whispered.

"Fine, I won't. But maybe I should tell him that you like infants with salsa?" Mallory played along.

"Jeez, you could be like normal girls and end the discussion by an 'Eww.' or 'Gross.'. But no, you have to take it to another level." Ben said pouting and pushed his tray away. "You made me lose my appetite."

"We made Benjamin Jones push his tray away!" Mallory placed a hand on her chest. "I can't believe it. Where are the Guinness world records people?"

"You are such a little girl! A little cannibalism and you run away. I like my boys rough," she bared her teeth.

Mallory wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "I really like this girl, Benny."

"Umm...I just remembered I gotta go do something." He said and got up looking at both the girls who laughed like mad men.

"Bye, bye Ben. Bring me a couple of children on your way back." Sarah licked her lips.

Ben looked at her and made a gagging expression. "Gross."

As soon as he left, as if on cue, Luke entered the cafeteria and moments later stood beside Mallory.

"What did you guys do to him? He looks like he is seen a ghost."

"We, what can we do? We are just a couple of innocent girls!" Sarah batted her eyelashes.

Luke slipped in Ben's empty seat and looked at the tray. He touched the food items and said, "The drink's cold, the burger is warm and still Ben left?" He then looked up, widened his eyes and then very dramatically whispered, "Something terrible must have happened here."

• • •

It was the dispersal time at school and students were rushing past Mallory as she trudged towards the parking lot deep in thought. She was thinking about everything and nothing in particular when Ben came to her side and linked his arm to hers.

She jumped a little, slightly taken aback.

"Melly, what's up with you these days?" He inquired.

"Nothing, I am just tired. That's all."

"Mallory..." He said gravely.

"Hey, hey. Don't you dare 'Mallory' me. I said I am fine."

"Only you are not."

"Ben, do you trust me?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course I trust you!"

"Good," she smiled. "Then trust me this time too. If I have any problem I know you all are there for me. But for the time being, I got it covered."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

They were finally in the parking lot which was buzzing with activity. They made their way towards the far end where Mallory had parked her car.

"Wanna go have coffee or something?"

"Oh, god. Not you too. A couple of days ago, me and Jake went to have dinner and gave me 'the talk'. You are not planning to are you?"

"Nah, I am quite open-minded." He smirked. "It's been forever since we hung out. Just the two of us."

"I get this a lot these days. Come on, let's go." She said patting his cheek. "What about your car, though?"

"I'll ask someone at home to pick it up for me. They have a spare key."

"Ahh, the bliss of having servants at your beck and call." Mallory said pretending to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.

"Ha ha, very funny." Ben narrowed his eyes.

"Aww, did my mockery offend the rich brat?" She cooed.

"Melly, how many times have I told you, I am not rich, my parents are."

"Which is exactly something which only rich people can say." Mallory coaxed.

"You are so-- "

"Mallory." Ben was cut off when another voice joined in.

Mallory looked up to see Andrew leaning against her car and suddenly it was as if nothing else mattered anymore. All her worries dissipated when she laid her eyes on him and instinctively she covered the five feet distance in between them and threw her arms around him.

Andrew stiffened, his hands still on his side.

But, Mallory didn't​ realise it. She was busy feeling relieved. She broke the one sided hug and looked up. "Oh, my god. I was so worried, Andrew. Where were you all this time? You just disappeared..."

"Ahem." Ben coughed behind her.

That made her realize the proximity and her position and she took a couple of steps back.

"We need to talk." Andrew's words were direct and crisp, yet not even betraying an inch of what he was feeling. But to Mallory the message was crystal clear. Something bad had happened and she knew it. And only when the realisation hit her did she actually notice Andrew.

He was still leaning against her car as if using it for support. His shoulders were drooped while his face looked tired. His hair were dishevelled and a little stubble was sprouting on her face. It was the first time when Mallory had seen his unkempt look. Besides, there were huge bags under his eyes.

She scrutinised every inch of him and then whispered, "What happened?"

His reply was one word. A single word, but it was enough to shake her to the core. "Marko."

"Ben, I need to go," she said, wide eyes still staring at Andrew. And without even turning back she was sliding in the driving seat of her car.

• • •

"Will you say anything? You're freaking me out." Mallory said tapping her fingers on the steering wheel.

"Where are you driving to?" He said after a pause.

"Umm...I don't know. Your place?"

"No. Not there." He shook his head. "Yours?"

"My brother is home."

"Well, let's go somewhere else then." He said thoughtfully.

"Let's visit Emily?" Mallory suggested.

"What are you talking about? How can we -- Oh." He said as he discerned what she meant. "Okay, sure. Let's go visit Emily."

• • •

The sky above the cemetery was a dull shade of grey. The sky was covered in thick clouds, a light drizzle had begun caressing the headstones of the departed dear ones.

Mallory sat in front of Emily's grave, her legs crossed, and her shoes ditched away not far from where she sat. The wet grass tickled her bare feet but she couldn't care less. She stared at Emily's headstone, yearning to talk to her just like she always did, but in Andrew's presence she didn't feel that comfortable.

"Now, tell me what happened?" She patted the ground as she beckoned Andrew, who was standing over her scrutinizing her moves, to sit next to her.

"You want to sit here?"

"Sure, what's wrong with it?" Mallory shrugged.

"Umm...Nothing's wrong..." He said and finally joined her.

"Do you feel weird because we are sitting amidst dead people?" Mallory asked.

"I don't know. I guess. I have never seen cemetery as a place for chit chats."

Mallory smiled. "I don't even see why people find cemeteries spooky. I mean, I don't think one should be afraid of dead. It's the living we should worry about."

"Well, they don't have a Mallory Millington to see it that way." Andrew said with wry humor.

"That they don't." She retorted with a smile. "So, tell me, what happened?" Her voice was surprisingly calm.

"I just wanted to talk to you about something."

"That's why we are here, aren't we?"

Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose as if putting his thoughts in order. "So, Marko...that day when I stayed over at your place, the next morning I came home, he had escaped."

"Okay..." Mallory bit her lip.

"I don't know how I missed it, but I somehow left a knife with him when I checked him for weapons. It was well kept inside of his sleeve, in a hidden pocket."

"So, what do you plan to do now? How do we get him back?"

"Oh, I got him back. He's back in the cottage with twice as many ropes as before."

"You idiot, don't you think you should tell someone that you have already taken care of the problem before narrating the story?!?"

Above them, the clouds rambled as the light drizzle began transforming into big fat raindrops. But the two carried on anyway. Their minds occupied by something grave.

"Yes, Marko escaped. But that is not the problem."

"Then what is?" Mallory said wiping her drenched face with her sleeve.

"Mallory, the thing is, I have kept him bound for more than three weeks now. He's heavily sedated all the time. And even though I assure he gets more than enough food and water, but all of it is taking toll on him. That day when I saw him running towards the forest, he was stumbling and could barely walk due to his stiff limbs. What we are doing to him, it's inhumane!"

"Believe me, Andrew. I completely understand what you are saying. I have been in his position. Hell, it was much worse, but is their anything else  you can do?" She inched a little towards him, placing her wet hand on his folded knee.

"Look, it's pretty clear what I need to do. But I wanna hear it from someone else."

"No.

"No?"

"No, Andrew. You are not going to hear it from me. Killing Marko is out of option. Even if he's scum, he's still a human being!"

"Mallory, you don't know what you are talking about. How long do you think I can keep sedating him? It's bound to kill him, now or later. We'll only be doing him a favor by..."

"Do you think it's easy to just dispose someone off like that?"

"Do you think I don't know that?" Andrew spat.

There was a silence.

"Where were you last few days?" She broke it.

"I tried to contact some of my friends and acquaintances about this Marko situation."

"So, you can talk about a person you practically kidnapped with your friends. The level of trust is just remarkable. If this is not friendship goals, I don't know what is." She gave a small smile.

"I've been travelling continuously for last seventy two hours. I haven't had more than a couple of hours of sleep, moving back and forth from Sacramento, then back to Delvinshire and still nothing came out of it." He said, his shoulders slumping.

"It's okay. We'll figure something out."

"How?" Andrew said rather rhetorically.

Silence followed his words.

Mallory closed her eyes and looked up, drops of rain gently falling on her face, caressing her cheeks. She inhaled the familiar smell of wet earth and let all the worries slide out of her mind. She let her fingers run through her damp hair as the water drenched her clothes. Slowly, she got up from her place.

"Andrew Bells." She stood up in front of her companion.

Andrew looked up.

"Care to dance with me?" She said with an outstretched hand.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Would you like to dance with me?"

"Are you stupid, you want to dance, now, in the rain? Like seriously?" He stood up and looked at her in disbelief, like she had suggested the most ridiculous thing ever.

"Gee, you noticed the rain? Wow!" Mallory said and then took hie hand from his side. "Now, come on. Let's dance."

"I don't dance."

"Good. Neither do I. Usually."

"Mallory," he snatched his hand away. "I need to go. I cannot..."

"Shh..." She said putting a finger to his lips. "Take a deep breath. Take in the earthly smell. For once, let your mind be blank. No worries."

"But..."

"At least try!" She chided him. "Now come on give me your hand. Let's dance."

"But there's no music," He stared at her blankly.

"And, your point being?"

With a sigh, Andrew slipped his hand into hers, finally running out of all arguments. His large hand engulfed into her small one. Mallory placed  her other hand on his shoulder as tiny tingles shot all over.

They sway slightly in the rain. Even though Mallory's strides were far from graceful, Andrew's were stiff and timid. She could feel warmth coursing through her body from her close proximity to her companion. The rain pelted down heavily, soaking the two of them to the bone.

"Andrew," she said still moving in synch with his steps.

"Hmm?" The reply came, a whisper amidst the storm.

"The other day, when we kissed, do you regret it?"

For a moment, Andrew remained silent as if thinking hard about his reply and then finally whispered, "I don't know."

Her face slightly fell and she whispered with disappointment, "Okay."

"You know," he began after a while, "It's not about you."

"What?"

"It's not like there's something wrong with you. In fact, I like you. And I haven't said that to someone in a long while."

"I like you too. I mean except that sometimes I feel that you're a bipolar or something like that with your anger spells and what not."

"You do realise that it's a psychological disorder."

"Well, yeah. But still, I don't know how can someone be so devoid of positive emotions all the time?"

"Mallory..."

"Back when I was in therapy, my psychiatrist would always tell me that. He would tell me to feel, to express. Talking always helps. And do you know there's a word for this? It's called catastrophizing. Viewing a situation as considerably worse than it actually is."

"But the situation is worst it could be, don't you think?" He said breaking contact and looking at her.

"There is nothing like worst in this world. Things can always be worse, always."

"Yeah, and now you'll begin with that shit, at least you are not dying of hunger or at least you are alive and all that. But it doesn't work like that! Just because other people are suffering, doesn't make your suffering any less!"

"Funny, that's exactly what I used to tell everyone," she replied with a sly smile.

"Because it is true." Andrew sighed.

"Come on." She said taking his hand. "Let's go, or we'll catch pneumonia or something."

She tugged at his hand but he remained as it is.

"Mallory.."

"Yep?" She turned back.

"This is probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever done in a long long time."

"The rain dance thing?"

He nodded, "And as much as I hate to admit it, but I could get used to yo -- it."

Just then his phone rang, and he answered it, not caring they were standing in downpour. "What?"

"Really?"

"I am coming."

And he disconnected the call.

"Come on, let's go." It was Andrew's turn to tug at her hand.

"What happened? Anything serious?"

"Evelyn, I forgot to pick her up from school. Julie is out of town today. She told me to pick her up."

"You know it's funny." Mallory said sliding into the passenger's side.

"What is?" Andrew took the driver's seat.

"I never took you for babysitting type." She smiled.

"It's a bit complicated than that, I am not just Evelyn's babysitter."

"What does that mean?"

He took in a breath as he plunged the key into the ignition, "Evelyn is my...uh...daughter."

"What the fuck?!? Is that even possible."

"Like I said, it's complicated. You won't understand."

"Then make me understand."

"Soon. Very soon." He whispered calmly and they drove off​.

• • •

"I don't even understand what's the big deal!" Evelyn said pouting. She was sitting on Andrew's couch her arms crossed. "I mean yeah, Drew picked me up, but that was because, you forgot to! And he dropped me here, gave me some chocolate cake and even set 'Frozen' up for me." She pointed towards the television which showed the paused movie.

"I am sorry I forgot to pick you up but Evelyn, how many times have I told you about the 'Stranger Danger' thing?" Andrew sat next to her looking at her disapprovingly.

"Drew is not a stranger! He lives with you."

"Don't you dare talk back to me, young lady."

"Fine." She grumbled. "Just for the record, you were the one who forgot me. If Maggie hadn't called your house phone I might as well have been still sitting at my school."

"I said I am sorry, didn't I? I was busy."

"Yeah, I can see that." She eyed Mallory suspiciously.

"You know what, Evelyn? For an eight year old, you have some major attitude issues!" Mallory, who sat on the other side of Andrew, retorted.

"I do not!"

"Keep telling yourself that." She blew her nails.

"You are so mean."

"And you are such a baby!"

"Andrew, would you just sit here and let her humiliate me?"

"Oooh, humiliate, such a big word. Do you even know what it means?"

"I happen to have a very good vocabulary. Thank you very much."

"I highly doubt it."

"Andrew, say something." Evelyn shook his arm.

"I would rather not." Andrew replied.

"Some people are worth melting for. And you are not one of them, Andrew." Evelyn said with narrowed eyes.

"It's not like Olaf actually melts, duh! Elsa gives him his own snow cloud at the end." Mallory replied.

"Why did you tell me that? Can't you see I am still at the beginning?!?"

"Stop being a baby, it's not like I told you that Prince Hans would turn out to be evil or something?" Mallory said with tongue in cheek.

"She just told me the climax, oh god! Did you see, Andrew? She is so insensitive. Why are you even friends with her!"

"Evelyn, stop being melodramatic. You've seen this movie a hundred times." He rolled his eyes.

"Very good. Let's discuss all the family secrets in front of strangers. Perfect. Just perfect." Evelyn grumbled to herself and played the movie.

Mallory sniggered.

"Stop being immature, Mallory." Andrew looked at her. "And come with me to the kitchen. I need your help with something."

"Fine." Mallory muttered and followed him.

• • •

"You know I can really see Evelyn as your daughter. I mean the similarities are uncanny."

"If you say so."

"Also, I don't understand why do I keep ending up at your place in your clothes?" Andrew saw Mallory leaning against his kitchen counter while he got out ingredients for cooking dinner.

"There's a reason why I didn't let you drop me here and drive back to your place." He said while mixing ingredients for making meat balls in a  bowl.

"Yeah, I know. Because you're obsessed with me. But then, who isn't? I am that awesome!"

"I am serious," he turned around to face her.

Mallory sat on the counter, her legs dangling down. From a fruit basket she picked up an apple and bit into it. "Then, tell me. Why?"

"Well, it's been a while since you told me everything about yourself and I was thinking maybe I should tell you about myself too."

"Okay..." She took another bite.

"And I think you deserve to know. You have practically poured out everything and I haven't reciprocated it, yet. So do you want to know my story?"

"Hey, slow down there." She got down with her hands stretched forward. "Let me tell you something here. I would be lying if I said I don't want to know your story. Because I do. I really do. But, I also want you to tell me when you are ready. I mean, you should tell me your story because you want to, not because you feel obliged to do so." She replied, her black eyes piercing his.

"I think I am ready. As ready as I can be."

"Well, are you sure?"

Andrew had thought about it a lot. He had basically done a SWOT analysis of the situation. But, he couldn't bring himself to hide his secrets any longer. Maybe, talking did help. And in a hope that it really did, he replied:

"I think I am. I hope you won't be sharing it with anyone?"

"That was implied."

"I mean it, Melly. No one. Not even Ben or your mom or your brother. No one. Do you understand?"

"I do." She replied with a nod listening to him intently.

"Okay." He took in a breath. "Mallory, I have done terrible things in the past and I want you to keep an open​ mind while I tell you about them. I mean yeah, I had a good reason to do all of them. But nothing can justify a murder."

"Nothing can justify a murder." Mallory whispered, her eyes glazing over. And suddenly her expression held an emotion, she looked guilty?

"Yes."

"Have you killed someone?"

Andrew nodded. "More than once but I had a reason to -- What? What happened?" He looked at her as her expression morphed into one he couldn't quite pinpoint but he had an evil foreboding.

She exhaled heavily and finally whispered, "I haven't been completely honest with you. There's something you don't know."

No. No. No. Andrew thought to himself. It wasn't possible. Mallory must be talking about something else. She had to be. No way in hell was innocent Mallory guilty of doing things he wouldn't wish upon his worst enemies.

"I have killed too." She whispered as if in a trance. "More than once, actually."

"Shh. It's okay. I am sure you had a pretty good reason to do so." He inched a little closer to her. The ingredients lay behind him abandoned on the counter as the girl standing in front of him had his complete attention. He didn't want her to continue. He couldn't hear her confession.

"Only I didn't. I could have stopped. I could have saved her. But I didn't. I watched her die. I watched her bleed out right in front of my eyes. I killed her. I killed Emily." She whispered.

Andrew froze at the mention of her sister's name. And then he finally realised what was happening. When Emily died, he blamed himself too. The doctor's told him something about survivor's guilt. Only he wasn't diagnosed with it, because he wasn't there with Emily. He just had an emotional connection. But, Mallory was right there. She must be suffering from survivor's guilt.

Andrew took another step towards Mallory and then did something he couldn't imagine himself doing in a million years. He engulfed her into a hug. "It wasn't your fault," he tried to reason. "You couldn't help it, Melly."

"You don't understand it." She looked up breaking the hug, though his hands were still around her. "That's what everyone says. When I blame myself for Emily's​ death, everyone  automatically assumes that it's PTSD. But it's not."

"What do you mean?" At this point Andrew was completely puzzled. Something was terribly wrong. He knew it.

She stepped out of his arms and looked at him, tears flowing down her cheeks, "I am sorry Andrew. I am so sorry. It's my fault she's gone. I could have easily stopped it. But I let her die."

"Mallory..."

"I killed her Andrew, with my own hands, on my own accord."

And then a chain reaction went inside his mind. She was afraid to hold guns. Andrew could vividly remember how timid she was when he asked her to shoot on the board. Ben told her how she had nightmares about Emily's death and that she blamed herself. She was hallucinating about the blood spot on her hand. All that linked to one thing.

"Andrew, I murdered her. I shot Emily."

• • •

Look at that shooting star! Make a wish by making it orange? 🌟

Hi there!

So I am back with the longest chapter yet. It has more than 4500 words. Whew!

Now, this was supposed to be posted on 24th March which marked one year anniversary of this book, but it's 4 days late. But it's okay.

I hope you like it. ;)

Now, what do you think about the latest plot twists. Did you see any of it coming? Andrew is Evelyn's father? And Mallory killed Emily? What do you think about that? By the way, I really like the little girl's sass. Do you? ;)

Since, it's been a year **squeals** (a whole year!!!) since I began writing this book, I'd like this opportunity to thank some of you who have been a constant support to me.

Anime__Manga pizzayeol_ booksarelife148 sheennasharma Loversgonewild ethereal66 Anonymous8100  lovebooksfoever fluffyunicorn1403 who basically started this book and gave me insightful comments when it had virtually zero reads. Some of you are still a part of this journey, some are not but I still appreciate each and everyone of you!

Secondly, those who joined later but have ever since made their presence known by their amazing feedback. chhavi26 rhythem_ MeShu_ slm-95 cake_7 libitinaa Ms_wannabe_witch pinkzzbizzle kritiangel booksare_truelurve MelknKookies Lekhana1104. You guys, thank you so much. I love each one of you.

Also, a huge thank you to everyone who is reading this right now! I couldn't possibly tag all of you but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate you any less. Every single silent reader who reads this book, it would have been nothing without you people. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you!

Special thanks to JacqLea for taking out time to edit the first few chapters of the story. Thanks!

Until next time. <3

-Ridhima