[UNEDITED]

School next morning was harder than ever. It appeared as though those bandits that I mentioned were still being searched for, and a majority of people who was out that night at the party were injured, three of them badly so. Luckily, none of the cocktails hit any of us there, but the panicked running did hurt a lot of them.

I couldn't even imagine what had happened after Dylan took me home with him. Mom must have known about the attack and then frenzied out, thinking that those bandits had killed me.

"They were only trying to scare us," Amaya said as we sat at our cafe during lunch, "I don't understand why anyone would do such a thing without a motive."

"Like they always say," said Betty, Amaya's friend who was with her in her Accounting class, "They want to be equal to us. They are just showing the demo, and I think they have bigger things planned for the future."

"Bullshit!" Amaya said, "The only way they can be equal to us is in their dreams."

I didn't say anything.

"I am glad you are okay," Amaya smiled at me.

We were interrupted by Simon, who was towering behind me, with his books held in his arms and his car key chain laced around his fingers.

"Hey," he said to me.

"Hey," I said, awkwardness creeping up along my neck, "What's up?"

"Can we talk?" he asked.

I looked at Amaya, who looked surprised.

"Sure," I stood up, "Where do you wanna go?"

"Let's go to my car," he said, and then we walked away from the place.

I could hear Amaya giggle with Betty.

"What's up?" I asked him after both of us were comfortably seated inside his luxurious car.

"I thought we needed to talk after what happened that night," he said.

Here was the apology.

"We cannot do this anymore," Simon said.

It took me a moment to understand what he was talking about, because there wasn't anything we were doing for a prolonged period.

"You mean, seeing each other?" I asked, perplexed, "We have only met once."

He scratched his head, "I don't mean to be offensive, but I heard my parents talk yesterday, and they were saying that how you are one of the major targets of those Rank Three rebels."

I had heard the exact same thing from my parents, especially my mom, but I laughed anyway.

"And how does that relate to us seeing each other?" I crossed my arms, not that I ever wanted to see this douchebag ever again.

"I don't want to be a collateral damage, you know, when...if they ever attack you...or..."

"Or kill me?" I laughed again, "I can't believe you just said that, Simon."

He did not say anything. His eyes were fixated on his steering wheel, and I denied believing that that thing was prettier than I was.

"I am glad that you told me this," I told him, feeling angry, "Else I would still be under the false impression that I was thinking of seeing a man."

I opened the door and stormed out before he could say another word. I felt sadder than I felt insulted. I should be upset because he just said no to my face, but I did not. I felt nothing.

Was it because I had Dylan in my head? I couldn't stop thinking about him at all.

Amaya bugged the news out of me, and then she seemed very upset about the thing.

"I thought that guy was good," she cursed.

I shrugged. Of course he was.

Amaya seemed to observe me for a few moments, and once Betty had left with another friend, she turned towards me.

"Is everything okay?" she asked me, "You look different...I mean, not much moved with this Simon thing."

I did not know how to answer. Yes I was different. I had my head full of a bunch of bittersweet memories, and whatever I did brought back the same question to my mind, what was he doing now?

"I'm fine," I lied.

Amaya reached up and held my hand, "It's okay Naomi, you can tell me. I am your best friend."

I looked at her face. Although Dylan had said he would never see me again, I knew that I would try to pursue him. If I ever needed to get away, I would need someone to take care of the rest.

I shifted a little, and Amaya frowned a little.

"Well," I said, "It's complicated."

"It's okay, you can tell me," she came closer.

"There's this...boy," I said carefully, "He helped me a lot when coming back to home, and now I cannot stop thinking about him."

Amaya looked shocked, "Is he a Rank Three?"

I did not want her to assume anything or go against me, so I lied to her.

"No. Rank Two," I said, and then looked at my hands.

"Hmm," she said, "I hope you will not do anything to tarnish the reputation of this family, Naomi."

"Of course not," I assured her, "It's not what you think."

Amaya patted my hand, "I am about to be a part of this family, but I am also your best friend and will be your sister soon. I care about you, and always will. If that boy is of Rank Two, I do not see any problem in it."

I smiled, "Thanks for understanding."

"How long have you known each other?" she asked.

"Just a few hours," I said, "But he was such a gentleman! I would definitely like to meet him again."

Amaya nodded.

"If I ever need your help to get away from here..." I started.

"Don't worry at all," Amaya smiled, "I will always help you, but please do not get yourself into any trouble."

"I will keep that in mind!" I said.

Amaya offered me a warm smile and clutched my hand, and I hoped that she would keep my secret safe. The only thing I needed to figure out now was where to find Dylan.

I figured that being the center of attention of a story was much harder than being the side character, especially when blood-lusty bandits were trying to grab that poor, poor girl and do her in.

If this went on, I would never be able to find the freedom I had always sought.

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