For the past hour, Tala had been at Carter's house, listening to Carter talk about the heartbreaking reality Kiran was facing. The death of a sibling was, in Tala's opinion, one of the most brutal tragedies someone could face in their life. The thought of losing her own sister was an inconceivable horror, and Tala couldn't even imagine was kind of grief Kiran was feeling. For the first time in forever, Tala was at a loss for solid advice.

There was one truth, however, that had forced an unnerving guilt to surface itself in Tala's heart. She had noticed something strange in Kiran months ago, in New York. She hadn't made much of it at the time, but thinking back now, it was clear. Kiran could be suffering from depression - one that started long before his sister's death.

Should she tell Carter now? It was her duty to, wasn't it? What if it made matters worse? Throwing caution to the wind, and hoping that wind wouldn't cause a tornado of drama to ruin everything, Tala decided to speak, "So there's something I wanna tell you, but you have to promise me you won't overreact."

"Oh, well, that makes it sound super promising," Carter replied sarcastically.

"Over the summer, while I was in New York, I ran into Kiran."

"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier? What happened?"

Tala braced herself before divulging the next part, "I didn't want you to get upset. We met up a few times. It was nice having a familiar face around. I was failing my summer courses and didn't have anyone else to talk about it to."

"You could've called me."

"I was embarrassed, okay? I didn't want you to see me as some nobody who can't make it in the real world. But with Kiran, I didn't really care what he thought."

"That's insane. I would never judge you like that."

"Nevermind that now. After a while, he started going on about his life, about his family, about you... but there was something off about the way he spoke. He didn't sound like himself, from what little I knew about him before. He'd look at me but it was like he was dead behind his eyes. He even tried to kiss me, but it didn't seem like he was into me-"

Carter's expression changed from curiosity to anger in a second, "I'm sorry, he tried to what? Tala, why'd you keep this from me? What's wrong with you?"

This was the thing Tala had been afraid of. "Nothing happened-"

"Don't lie to me."

"Fine, we kissed. Once. But it was nothing. I swear to you; he was someone else, and he was kissing me for the sake of something else, not because he felt anything for me."

"What the hell does that even mean? You knew there was something wrong with him, and you didn't say anything to anyone. Instead you just let him kiss you, and you kept it from me. You're supposed to be my friend, and this is what you do?" Carter stood up, headed for her bedroom door, opened it, and crossed her arms over her chest. "I think you should leave."

The tornado Tala had dreaded had found its speed, and had now caused a major disaster. And it was all her own fault. Carter was right about everything. If Tala had told someone about Kiran's bizarre attitude, perhaps he would be better now, grieving safely, less destructive. If she had also mentioned the kiss to Carter straight away, maybe Carter wouldn't have reacted so severely. "Carter, please just hear me out-"

"I don't want to. I don't want to hear you say anything, ever. I'm so sick of you acting like you're better than everyone... walking around like you know everything. You are a nobody, and I'm done with you. Leave."

"Carter, come on-"

"If you don't leave now, I'll drag you out." There were definite, furious tears in Carter's eyes.

Tala had never seen her so angry. It was almost frightening, and it pushed an agonizing hopelessness into Tala's soul, one that she didn't know how to handle. She stood up and approached the door, but tried to squeeze in one last attempt before stepping out completely, "You have to believe me, it meant nothing. He was unhappy, and I was feeling sorry for myself. If I could take it back, I would."

"Whatever, Tala. It's not even about the stupid kiss. It's about Kiran's health, and the fact that you didn't bother letting his parents know. And you kept it from me. Now it could be too late, and it's your fault." Carter pushed Tala out and slammed the door in her face.

***

They hadn't spoken for a week.

Tala would see Carter at school, but Carter had managed to avoid her every single time they were about to cross paths. It was driving Tala crazy.

Ever since she had started high school, there hadn't been anyone Tala thought was worth her time. For Freshman and Sophomore years, she had spent her time in every possible extra curricular, club, committee, and team that was possible - never having a second to spare on silly drama. For Junior year, she had been sucked into the so-called Popular clique, but conversations with them usually consisted of guys, fashion, parties, and more guys. There hadn't been any substance to their personalities, so when the year had ended, she had made a conscious decision to drop them wholeheartedly.

Carter had somehow managed to make it past the pathetic gossip, the boxed-up social designs, and the simple-minded conversations. If there was anyone in the world Tala could consider a best friend, it was Carter.

So now, as the days moved along without that friendship, Tala felt empty. How could I have been so stupid? How am I supposed to fix this? And when the hell did Carter turn into some stealthy ninja?

Carter had also blocked her off all socials, including iMessage. This was something Tala normally never checked for, for anyone, but she had spent the first day after their fight trying to find a way to communicate with her.

"Did you finally decide to stop taking pity on that charity case?" Ashton Rhodes said to her one afternoon during lunch. Tala had been sitting at a table by herself, consumed with her own thoughts, and hadn't noticed anyone sitting down.

"What are you talking about?" Tala asked, slightly startled at the interruption.

"I'm talking about how you finally came to your senses and ditched Carter Vance."

"I don't really have time for your superficial crap today, Ashton. Go harass someone else."

A wicked smirk took over Ashton's face, "Yeah, I see you're totally busy being a loser. What happened to you, Tala? Why did you decide to go from high school royalty to a social zero?"

Tala didn't response. There was no point in saying anything, or even reacting to Ashton Rhodes. Why react to a hollow, stupid piece of plastic? Instead, Tala checked her phone again, to see if by some miracle Carter had messaged her. She let out a despairing sigh at the sight of her empty inbox.

"You've still got a chance to finish the year on top. The girls and I were talking, and we've decided to let you back in. I'm so sick of having to answer to that muppet Leigh Brighton. With you back, we can push her out - make sure she's right back in that sewer with Carter. Come on, bitch. Say yes."

"What part of 'go harass someone else' don't you get? Is your brain that fried from all the nail polish fumes that you can't comprehend a basic request? Go away! Leave!"

Ashton let out a chuckle and got up, "Fine. Stay at the bottom. Hope the other sewer rats don't eat your face off."

Well, that's a morbid image, Tala thought as she watched Ashton strut away.

"Where do you think she gets that shit from?" another voice asked, once again startling Tala.

Did everyone forget how to ask if they could take a seat? What was with the entire world forcing its way into Tala's reality right at that moment? She figured she should've gone to the field for lunch, found a desolate tree and allowed its shadow consume her. That way no one could've bothered her.

She faced the new infiltrator, and suddenly it was as if her heart was sinking and rising at the same time. Seth had taken a seat next to her. She gave him a weak smile, "Yeah, she's a special one."

"So here's the thing; I don't know what happened that other night, but whatever. I wanted to know... if you'd go to Homecoming with me?"

"Yes," she said, almost too quickly. "I mean, okay. I guess it might be fun."

"Good. Awesome. I'll... I'll take care of everything then. Do people still get corsages, or was that a 1950's thing? Do you want me to get one for you?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Right, well, then I'll pick you up and we'll go together."

"Sounds like a plan." Another weak smile.

"Okay, well, uhh..."

Is he nervous? He looks nervous. Or am I the one who's nervous and I'm somehow projecting that onto him? Before Tala could reach a concrete conclusion on the matter, Seth rose from his seat, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and strode off. She sat there, beyond bewildered at the fact that she couldn't fashion a proper reaction, and hoped that her face hadn't turned tomato-red.

What's happening to me? She thought as she ran what had just happened through her head again. At some point in the last month, she had turned from a logical, calm and collected individual to a confused, impractical fool. With her school work, her direction in life, and with Carter and Seth, it was like she was drifting mindlessly into uncharted territory, with no map or rulebook in hand. Maybe, if she could realize when that life-altering point had happened, she could somehow revert back to how she used to be. In complete control of everything.