❝ Life's just around the bend, my friend, moon river and me❞

WARNINGS: NATE JACOBS, MENTIONS OF DEPRESSION, DRUG USE AND EMOTIONAL DAMAGE TO THE READERS.

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The fucked up thing about life is that things change and friends leave because life doesn't stop for anybody.

When I was at my lowest I still had my family even though I could tell they didn't want to be around me.

But I guess that's love.

Rory loves me and so does Jules.

I know that neither of them would leave me at my lowest.

I've put Rory through a lot of shit and she's still there for me.

She's there for everyone and that's the sad thing.

Because I know that not everyone is there for her, I think she knows that as well.

'Cause since Fez got raided, he hadn't talked to his girlfriend, she didn't think anything of it because she knew he was angry and hurt.

She let Ashtray stay with her for a while and any time she asked about Fez he would deflect and changed the conversation.

But what neither of them knew, was what Fez was thinking about. He kept thinking of the words that his grandmother told him.

That he should never fall in love because that was the one emotion that he couldn't trust.

But it was too late for both him and Rory because they were basically married at this point. He wanted to protect and love her, but in his mind, those two things couldn't co-exist, because he couldn't let his life of crime and drugs touch her even more than it already had.

So he came up with a plan.

A plan that he would soon come to regret.

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THE O'NEILL APARTMENT:

"It's your fault that I got raided."

"What?" her smile dropped and a frown formed on her face, she thought she heard him wrong.

He had called her round to his apartment and told her that they had to talk about something serious, so she quickly got into her jeep and raced over, scared that something bad had happened to either of her boys.

He sighed and ran his hands over his face, he didn't want to have to do this but he thought this was the only way, "It's your fault, Aurelia, I can't have you around anymore."

She ignored the hurt she felt when he called her 'Aurelia' and proceeded to try and talk to him, "What are you talking about Fezzy?" she tried approaching him back he stepped back, tears started to form in her eyes.

"Don't call me that."

She noticed how serious his tone was, he was never usually angry with her, it was always other people.

Never her, so what's changed?

She started fidgeting with the ring on her hand, the ring that was gifted to her anonymously over 2 years ago, she had to look away from his hardened gaze, "I don't understand what you're saying?"

She wanted to know the answer, she wanted to know if she was going to have experienced the pain of someone she loves hurting her again.

"It's your fault" he yelled, she flinched back and it made him feel awful.

"No, don't do this Fezco please," she begged and a single tear trickled down her face.

He wanted so desperately to wipe it away but he couldn't.

He couldn't have her around because if she got hurt because of him, he would never forgive himself.

"I can't have you around anymore," he thought about his next words carefully, "I don't want you around anymore."

She choked back a sob, "if this is about the money I'll pay you back everything you've lost."

She didn't care how much money she would have to give him, she just needed him.

"I don't want your rich girl money, I don't want anything from you." he lied but it didn't break his heart any less, "just get out."

she wrapped her arms around her body, trying to find comfort within herself because she no longer felt it from him.

"Fez please amore, I'll fix this I'll do anything, tell me what you want and I'll do it, just please don't leave me."

she harshly wiped the tears that fell, but it made no difference as her vision was blurred.

But even with her lack of sight, she could still see that the man she fell for, no longer loved her anymore.

She was used all over again.

"What I want is for you to get out of my life." He spoke harshly.

He instantly regretted every syllable.

Every letter.

The whole entire conversation, but it needed to be done.

His words caused a deadly silence to slither through the room.

Rory couldn't even speak, her voice felt too raw to talk.

She didn't feel the tears on her face anymore since she didn't have any more left to cry.

For the next couple of moments, all was heard was the door slamming shut and Fezco's knees hitting the ground.

Sobs left his mouth as tears flowed down his face.

"Fuck." he yelled, the pain coursed through his body

Ashtray ran out of his room after hearing the commotion. He didn't know what his brother had been planning, he just knew that it was for their protection.

When he entered the living room, what he found scared him to his core.

His big brother, looking like a broken man.

"What happened," he slowly approached him, placing his hand on his shoulder, "Where's Rory?" he was scared to know the answer.

"I fucked up, so badly."

I guess A&F really doesn't mean shit in high school

Ali was right.

Don't tell him I said that shit.

Rory thought she was always going to be with Fezco, but I guess the universe is still a fucking bitch.

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MARCHETTI HOUSEHOLD

Ever since Fez basically shunned Rory for being alive, she hadn't let really left her room.

For an entire week, she didn't talk to anyone.

She still continued to help her granddad out with his health and Maddy out with her trauma.

She visited me in the hospital like the fucking angel she is.

We didn't speak or anything be we just sat and watched TV.

She had received many calls from Ashtray, he didn't speak much but he told her about his day, knowing that she would listen to him. He missed his big sister and even though he didn't want to, he blamed Fezco.

I would've blamed Fezco too but I was too busy focusing on trying not to die... and Jules.

Yeah I know I'm selfish I never said I wasn't but anyways let's move on.

Rory still carried on like normal, well she didn't use her voice as much, but it was as normal as she could be.

Her wrist finally healed, but her heart didn't.

She blocked Fez on everything, she didn't want to hear his voice or see him.

She wanted to get rid of anything that reminded her of him, well she almost did.

But she couldn't bring herself to get rid of the chain.

At the end of the day, it was her's but it burdened her just as much as it blessed her.

But she still carried on like the bad bitch she is.

Tonight was prom night.

She had styled her Coi Leray braids in a high bun, letting some of the end curls fall.

She didn't have the patience to deal with her natural hair, she had to call her hairdresser to quickly do her hair. She even paid the woman extra due to the short notice.

She wore a red shimmering floor-length gown that hugged her curves, the loose straps allowed her cleavage to show, illuminating her perfect bust.

Since the dress was backless, she knew she would be cold but the alcohol and dancing would keep her body warm.

The black Saint Laurent heels matched her lace gloves, she didn't want anyone to see the indent in her arm where her cast used to be.

It was like her body wanted to remind of her grotesque choices in men; one crushed her soul and the other ripped her heart to shreds.

But life had to go on, even though time was a horrendous reminder of the past she so desperately wanted to forget.

She looked at herself in the mirror, making mental critiques for each of her flaws.

But the sad thing was, all of her insecurities were internal, she was scared that they could never be fixed.

She wondered how a therapist could help her.

She knew that if she continued put other people before her, she would eventually burn out, if only she had someone to keep her candle burning so that would never happen.

Sadly she just didn't know who to be around anymore.

She didn't know who to be anymore.

"hai un bell'aspetto, piccolina," Her grandfather's voice broke her out of her thoughts. He stood tall behind her, wearing a proud smile.

He was in his nightwear since he was planning on staying in with Woody. The pair were going to watch a bunch of Christmas movies, starting with 'The polar Express' since that was one of his favourites.

Although he would never admit it loudly, he loved the animation, it made him feel like a kid again.

She turned her head to give him a small smile, "Thank you."

He chuckled and move closer, placing a hand on her shoulder, "you look like your mother, but you still have the devil in your eyes, that's the Marchetti in you."

She shrugged innocently, "Well you know I love to look like the innocent flower..."

"...But be the serpent underneath." they both shared a sly smirk, before laughing. "I see you've finally stopped moping like a Disney character." He added.

"I guess I have." she nodded stiffly.

"You can still mope around Rory, just try not to let these white boys make u cry," he grimaced at the thought.

When he saw Rory run back into their house crying, after she left Fez's, he felt murderous. He was about to go G check the boy but he prioritised his little girl before his own anger.

He made sure she ate every day, knowing that if he didn't check on her, she wouldn't have left her room.

He made sure to stay with her each day, letting his assistants deal with his work.

He pushed her to walk Woody each day so she would be able to feel the harsh winter's air on her skin.

She let out a shaky breath, "I still love him Nonno."

He furrowed his brows, "so you're still stuck on the boy who speaks like the sloths from Zootopia?"

She rolled her eyes, "He has a nice voice." she didn't know why she was defending him, it hurt her to even think about Fez, but she still did it.

Fuck love.

He snorted, "Shit, Steven hawking talked faster than him. "

"Okay okay but-."

"black history month is coming up, this is embarrassing." he flicked her ear. She swatted his hands away, but it only caused a small fight between them. "Ahh, I'm recovering," he fake groaned, "not you trying to hurt a sick old man."

"I'm heartbroken."

"I had a heart attack."

"I had my wrist broken."

"I have to eat food with less seasoning," she gave up, "exactly, I'm struggling more than you." he grinned when she threw her hands up in annoyance.

She fixed her hair and put on her jewellery, he noticed that she was about to pick up the chain that Fez gifted her.

"Are you going to keep wearing that necklace?" he didn't mean for his tone to sound judgemental, but he didn't want her to wear it.

She hummed and allowed him to put it around her neck, "I think so."

She preferred to think of the chain as Ashtray's gift instead of Fez's, especially since she started to associate the 'A' with the 12-year-old, instead of her.

Once he fastened the clasp he stepped back and pulled out his phone, ready to take some pictures, "Well when you decide to take it off, I'll make sure to get you one that will make you feel even more special okay?" he pinched her cheeks.

"Okay Nonno," they shared a loving embrace before she pulled away and posed, allowing him to capture her on his phone. "Ti amo."

"Ti amo."

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EAST HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL:

"Damn Katherine, you look fine as hell," Rory screamed as she run-up to her friend.

"Don't even get me started on you," she gave Rory a little twirl, "you look amazing." they hugged, "are you okay since..." she trailed off. She knew about her break-up with Fez since she was the first person to get told.

Kat realised how much she hated men when she got the call from Rory, but that didn't mean she wouldn't stop using them all for money.

"I'm trying to be, but let's not worry about that okay, lets's just have fun." they smiled at each other before joining the girls at the table.

"Damn so everyone just looks good." Rory giggled as she looked around the table. They all laughed and started complimenting each other.

"Girls are just everything," Maddy winked at her best friend. 'You look gorgeous' she mouthed.

'So do you', Rory mouthed back, they linked pinkies with her under the table.

They had gotten closer since both of their breakups, although their relationship wasn't the same, they would always be best friends, despite the obstacles that they would face.

"What about me Ro?" Rue whined, she motioned to her suit and glittery eyes that Jules did for her.

"You know you look amazing Rue," she smiled at both Rue and Jules, the latter grew flustered under her gaze.

Rory got up and kissed Lexi's cheek, the younger Howard sister was very intoxicated, "drink some water okay?"

"I will Rory, I love you," Lexi slurred and let some of the vodka run down her chin.

"Look after her." Rory looked at Cassie, finding that the girl was already staring at her, "she most definitely can't handle her liquor."

"I will." she sent the Marchetti girl a small smile, to which she surprisingly returned.

After a few minutes, Maddy and Rory got up to dance, the DJ was playing, 'Get Money' by Notorious BIG and Lil Kim.

They saw Jules and Rue doing the same, throwing their middle fingers in the air and making gun gestures.

"Now you wanna buy me diamonds and Armani suits

Adrienne Vittadini and Chanel 9 boots

Things that make up for all the games and the lies

Hallmark cards sayin' "I apologize"

Is you with me? How could you ever deceive me?

But payback's a bitch, motherfucker, believe me

Nah, I ain't gay, this ain't no lesbo flow

Just a little somethin' to let you motherfuckers know."

The best friends twirled, twerked and grinded on each other not caring about who was watching, which meant they didn't care that the majority of the hall was watching them.

They were both happy that Nate hadn't arrived yet.

Maddy tugged on Rory's arm, "Do you remember cone kiss?"

When the two were in the 6th grade they started watching a British show called 'Some Girls' they thought it was a chaotic mess and they loved it.

They discovered the kiss when they were watching a scene between two exes, Maddy and Rory had thought it was adorable and started doing it whenever they celebrated their birthdays.

But over the years they stopped, not for any particular reason, they just forgot about it, until now.

The Marchetti girl's face lit up, "Of course I do.", Maddy placed her hands gently on her face and kissed them, spreading the kiss over Rory's face, lightly tapping her fingers until it reached her ears and hair. "I missed that." they both squealed.

"Let's drink." Maddy exclaimed as she brought Rory over to the drink section, picking up some cranberry juice and vodka, and pouring it into two red cups, "Cheers to a spectacular, new year Mi hermana."

Their cups kissed.

"Cheers Mia sorella."

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I notice Rory leave the prom after a while, she just didn't want to be there.

I could see the pain in her eyes.

She had big fucking eyes so it was obvious.

She told us she left to go and check on her grandad but I knew it was code for her getting some air.

I didn't really wanna be here either but at least I had Jules to distract me.

Whereas I don't think Rory had anyone.

The Marchetti girl stood outside of the school her hands were placed on the railing, looking over the packed parking lot.

She let the cold winter air reach out and touch her skin, not caring for the goosebumps that appeared all over her.

The alcohol she consumed kept her somewhat warm.

She listened to the wind blow and the chattering from behind her.

She felt like she was in a constant state of nausea.

It could've been stress or the bottle of Jack Daniels she drank an hour prior.

"Relly." A deep voice spoke from behind her.

She already knew who the voice belonged to, so she made no effort to turn around.

Her eyes stayed on the scenery in front of her.

"Are you okay? It's pretty cold for you to be out here alone." Nate approached her with a frown on his face.

He took in her appearance.

She was so fucking beautiful.

"You look beautiful." He spoke up again, trying to get a conversation out of her. He was getting slightly irritated by her lack of response.

He noticed how her wrist was now covered in lace and had gotten rid of the cast that hung to her for almost 8 weeks.

In some twisted way, he wished that she still wore the cast, like a reminder that he would always stay with her.

But then his eyes darted to the ring that sat on her finger, the way it fit her perfectly and would almost never fall off.

It was made for her, just like she was for him.

He narrowed his eyes when he the necklace that still encircled her neck, he hated it.

He knew who it was from and he hated it.

She blinked slowly, "You were right Nathaniel."

"What?"

"You were right about Fezco, it didn't last."

He detected the hurt in her tone, he was revelling in the fact that she was no longer with Fez.

He felt bad that she was hurt and he was mad that the 19-year-old hurt her.

"I'm sorry about that." He touched her shoulder but she shrugged him off instantly. He frowned but acted like the action didn't affect him, even though his blood was boiling.

"No, you're not Nathaniel."

"You're right, I'm not." He smiled at her, she could see his expression in her peripheral, so she elbowed his stomach, causing him to groan, "easy, I'm joking."

"Don't lie." She glanced at him quickly.

She had to admit that he did look good but he will always be an abusive and manipulative prick that never deserved her love.

"you know if I could go back, I would never hurt you." He began to look out into the distance, following her gaze.

"Why did you?"

He didn't even know why he cheated.

He sighed, "I thought if I did, you would still stay with me like it would prove your loyalty to me."

He knew when he cheated on Maddy she went and cheated on him in retaliation, but Rory didn't.

He knew he should've never tested her loyalty like that, it was a dark and twisted idea.

Just like him.

She rubbed her temples, careful not to ruin her edges. "That has to be the dumbest thing I've ever heard you say," he let out a laugh. "Like Jesus Christ, did you get one too many concussions or some shit?"

He drummed his fingers on the rail, not knowing what to say, "I might've, but you know I love you."

She twisted the ring on her finger, triggering his heartbeat to quicken, "you know how many people have told me that they love me and then proceed to hurt me this year?" He shook his head sullenly, "Too fucking many."

He hated how people could easily hurt her.

Meaning he hated part of himself.

"I'm sorry."

"You keep saying that, but I don't think you mean it." She finally turned to look up at him, the moonlight sky highlighted his chiselled jawline, "I don't think you even believe the words you say."

His hold on the rail tightened, his hands almost turned white.

Like they were cosplaying as Casper the fucking ghost.

"When I say I'm sorry to you, I actually mean that shit." He looked down at her beauty, his eyes locked onto hers.

Brown and brown.

Marchetti and Jacobs

Aurelia and Nathaniel.

He loved the way her chocolate iris' threatened the whites of her eyes.

It was truly captivating.

"Sure." She shot him a sarcastic smile.

He rolled his eyes and rolled his shoulders back, simultaneously puffing out his chest and moving slightly closer to her.

She scoffed and stepped a couple of inches to the side, not wanting to inhale his natural musk that threatened to invade her senses.

His eyes darkened as his teeth grinded against each other, all he wanted was to be near her again without her backing away.

But deep down, in that demented brain of his, he knew that would never happen.

"You know I can't forget you, it's so fucking hard" she didn't detect any deceit in his tone, which surprised her.

She crossed her arms, her breasts almost spilt, "Well, can you try harder?"

He maintained eye contact with her despite the desire to look at her chest, "No."

She turned away and pinched her nose, "Of course, I don't know what I was expecting."

He half smiled, "Me either."

He went to go speak again but she cut him off. "Why did you love me?" A question that she had always wanted to know and had been on her mind for quite some time.

His eyes widened in surprise "Because you make me feel like a better person."

"You love me because of how I made you feel?"

"It's more than that."

"Then what is it?"

His face flushed, "You were always willing to do everything in your power to help the people around you, even though they didn't deserve it." He spoke honestly.

She squinted her eyes, "You love me because of how selfless I am."

He sighed, "It's more than that."

"Right I believe you."

"Really?"

She rolled her eyes, "No." he bit back a laugh.

He went to lean down to kiss her but she slapped him, with the force of the gods.

She stepped back as he held his cheek, "What the absolute fuck is wrong with you?"

He tried to ignore the sting on his face and the way his eyes watered from the pain. Damn, he forgot how powerful her slaps were. "I thought you wanted me-"

"You're a fucking mess Nathaniel, damn."

She couldn't believe him.

Has he always been this twisted?

Fucking hell.

He definitely isn't gonna get raptured.

"I'm-"

"I honestly hope you figure out what's going on in that ape size brain of yours before you do anything worse to me, Maddy or any other person," He narrowed his eyes at her when she spoke the last word, "in your future."

"Relly-"

"Nope." She moved to walk away, feeling disgusted by his presence.

"Relly you look beautiful." He called out.

"I know."

He smiled sadly as she walked off, before placing his hands on the railing, trying to feel the last remnants of her touch.

She looked up at the sky as she stood in the parking lot.

The moon looked down at her, creating a light around her form.

She quickly pulled out her phone, continuing to look up at the stars that winked at her.

She pressed on her grandfather's contact.

A wave full of nerves crashed over her body.

1 ring.

2 rings.

3 rings.

4 rings.

5-

"What's wrong Rory, Woody and I are trying to watch a movie and now we have to start it from the beginning." She sighed in relief when she heard his voice. "Are you okay?"

"I don't think I'm okay." She admitted, "I don't think I have been for a while."

"Come home piccolina."

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My body felt so light, almost like it weighed nothing.

I felt the poison seep through my body.

It promised me warmth from the sun and the light from the sky.

I knew it was hurting me, turning me into someone I no longer recognised. It's killing me from the inside out.

My soul was collapsing like a supernova but I was no star, I was no one special.

I let the poison control my body, I kept screaming but I knew no sound was coming out. I was numb and no one was going to help me.

It was taking away everything

It told me nothing bad would happen, but it lied to me.

The taste will always linger, always be on the tip of my tongue, always be with me.

But I'm a fucking idiot for believing I could thrive in my own personal hell.

I hope one of you come back to remind me of who I was when I go disappearing, Into that good night.

So If you thought this was going to have a happy ending, you clearly haven't been paying attention...

But until then.

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a/n:

ngl I planned on breaking them up from the beginning like it was in my notes.

I used part of my year 8 poem in Rue's last narration of the chapter. the poem was based on love and what it can do it to you.

I get a rush from giving my OC's trauma...I'm sorry...I'm not.

Just watched ep 7 and my nephew Ash better be okay cos I didn't see him in the preview for ep 8, I only saw a gun go off. Also, I saw a bunch of leaks and...

So if I wrote a special episode chapter for Rory would you guys like that? Would u guys accept that as an apology?

Also, my attendance for UNI is fucking low...I'm doing the work but it's low. DAMN