Unfortunately, she was still recognized.

"Hey, Vienna," said a familiar voice. Vienna looked up, meeting Marshall's gaze. "Are you staying with Josh tonight?"

Vienna forced a small smile and nodded. She didn't have the energy to tell him the truth tonight. "Yeah, I just went to brush my teeth," she said, holding up her new toothbrush.

"I see," said Marshall, squinting to get a better look at her. "V, are you feeling okay? I don't mean to be rude, but you seem a little off."

The corners of Vienna's mouth tried to force into a frown, but she tried to fight it. A lump rose in her throat. She swallowed it down before speaking again. "Yeah, I'm just a little under the weather. I'm hoping I can just sleep it off."

Marshall smiled and reached out to squeeze her shoulder affectionately. "Feel better soon, then. I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow."

Vienna wasn't going to breakfast tomorrow, but she smiled and nodded anyway. "See you tomorrow, Mars."

"Have a good night," said Marshall.

The two passed by each other and Vienna waited until he was on the staircase before stopping and knocking on Pepe's door. Once she entered, she lay down on his bed, face buried in the mattress, tears stinging in her eyes once more.

"You okay?" asked Pepe. "Forgive me, that was a stupid question. Don't answer. Anyway, Marshall brought some of Rosalie's blankets down. Don't worry, I didn't tell him you were here, I just said I was cold."

Vienna turned her head to the side so she could see his face. He stood next to the bed, looking down at her, his brows knitted with concern.

"I ran into him in the hallway," she said. "He asked if I was staying with Joshua and I told him I was. And then he said he'd see me at breakfast tomorrow, but I don't think I can face any of them tomorrow. For all I know, all of them know and they've been lying to my face for weeks. And when I was in the bathroom, I got water all over me, and I look like shit right now, and-"

Pepe crouched next to her. "Hey, Vienna, just breathe," he soothed. "I know you're upset right now, but the best thing you can do for yourself right now is try to calm down and rest, okay?"

Vienna nodded, tears rolling down her face and dripping onto the sheets. She sat up and grabbed the water bottle she had drank from earlier. She raised it to her lips and did her best to drink without choking on the water.

"Do you want a dry sweatshirt?" asked Pepe. "I can get you another one."

"This one is fine," she said, shaking her head.

"And for the record, you don't look terrible right now," said Pepe. "I don't think you've looked bad a day in your life."

Vienna smiled softly, a genuine one this time. "Thanks. I really appreciate it. All of this, actually."

"Of course," he said. "It's not a problem at all. I'm just trying to be a good friend."

"You're doing a good job," she admitted quietly.

Pepe blushed. "Thanks, V."

"Can we get some sleep now?" asked Vienna.

"Of course," said Pepe. He crossed the room to grab a pile of folded blankets Vienna immediately recognized as Rosalie's. One by one, Pepe unfolded the blankets and layered them on top of the sheets already on his bed.

"What about for you?" asked Vienna. "You can't sleep without a blanket, it's too cold for that."

Pepe paused. "Are you sure?"

Vienna giggled through her tears. "Pepe, I'm not going to let you freeze." She grabbed one of his pillows and tossed it to him before grabbing some of the blankets and moving them to the sofa. Then she sat back on the bed, tucking her legs under the sheets.

"Hold on, I forgot something," said Pepe. He opened his wardrobe and took out a cardboard box of miscellaneous items. He removed a stuffed rabbit toy, and then put the box back in its spot. He walked over to Vienna, offering the tattered rabbit to her.

"What's this?" asked Vienna, looking from the stuffed animal to Pepe.

Pepe blushed. "I've had it since I was a baby. I never left home without it when I was growing up. I sleep with it whenever I'm having a bad day. Maybe it can do the same for you, if you want it."

Vienna smiled. "Thanks, Pepe, that's really sweet." She took the rabbit from his hand and held it close to her chest. "Does it have a name?"

"Conejito. It means 'bunny' in Spanish. I wasn't very good at naming things," he said sheepishly.

"It's cute," said Vienna. "Thank you for sharing."

She stood up and padded over to where Pepe was standing. Without word, she wrapped her arms around his middle. He stiffened for a moment before hugging her back. His embrace was careful, but protective, as though he was afraid of hurting her. Vienna sank against his chest, her body heavy with exhaustion. Pepe said nothing, just held her, his chin brushing lightly against the top of her head.

Pepe held her a little tighter, his thumb rubbing slow, absentminded circles on her back. "It's okay. You're okay," he said softly.

After a moment, Vienna pulled back, her arms falling to her sides as she looked up at him. "Thank you," she said.

Pepe smiled back at her. "Anytime," he said.

Vienna crawled into bed, pulling the thick pile of sheets and blankets over her body as Pepe walked to the door to switch the light off.

"Good night, Vienna," said Pepe. "Let me know if you need anything. Wake me up, I don't care at all."

"I will," Vienna promised. "Good night, Pepe. Thanks again, for everything."

She relaxed against the pillows, pulling Conejito closer to her. She let out a long, shaky breath, her eyes fluttering shut. Though she felt like shit, she didn't feel quite so alone. She didn't exactly feel better, and she knew she wouldn't for a while, but at least she was better off than when she had first arrived at Pepe's door. Things would turn out okay, as long as Vienna kept the right people in her life.

...

an: i did not mean to post this many chapters all at once but i got excited because i really liked this chapter and the one before it. i also wanted to break up vienna and joshua because i hate him. and i want vienna to start the rebound thing bc it'll be fun to write. that's all i have for today! -willow <3