Arin's P.O.V.

I turn on my heels and leave the room. I don't know what to think. I just need some time. As I walk and massage my side, I think. I overheard what Roseline and Methys said just now. I reflect what they said earlier and come to a sudden halt. Wait. Does Methys like me? I remember about our almost-kiss just now. I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. This is just too complicated.

Do I like her? I can't be - can I? Oh, god. I can't. I can't. I slump on a chair beside me, close my eyes and lean back, just getting some quiet moments to myself and think. Okay. I'll just sit here for a while and-

A hand lands on my shoulder and instinctively I jump, at the same time turning to see who it is. My spirits liften, and my eyes light up. Maybe it's Methys, coming to apologise. "Hey, " Emeline says, concern plastered on her face. Oh. I feel the disappointing inside me growing, flickering like fire. It's not Methys. I feel sad, yet relieved at the same time, although I have no idea why. "Hi," I say sitting down in the chair again and resting my arms on the armchair and look up at her, trying to look comfortable, but I'm squirming inside, just waiting for her to leave. I smile up at her but she frowns. "Did you have to do that? " she asks. I lean back and groan. "Emeline, I didn't know what to think. I'm just chilling out here." Her frown deepens and I roll my eyes at her. She can seem so motherly at times. Which just reminds me of my mother. A pinch in my stomach and I cringe. I've been getting that whenever I think of sensitive topics like mom or my friends or-

Another pinch in my stomach. Stop it, Arin. "Okay? " Emeline says. Yeah, ok- Wait, what? I blink a few times then squint up at her. I must have spaced out.

"Uh, okay, but can you repeat again? I didn't catch it." I say, biting my bottom lip while my stomach does a flip. "Goodness, Arin. What's into you these few days? " she asks, annoyed. I frown and look at her. This is not typical Em. She widens her eyes once she realises what she's done. "Oh oh, I'm so sorry, I just let words slip out of my mouth..."she murmurs, feeling guilty.

"No, seriously, what were you talking about?" I ask her. "Oh well, you've been acting kind of weird around Methys ... I mean like... "she ends, blushing.

"You mean like?" I ask, probing her on. "Uh, you're spending more time with her than any of us? "she says, shrugging but I know what she's thinking inside."But why? " she asks. Then her face blushes and she puts her hands up."I'm not jealous of her or anything... Just curious about it... "she says, her blush getting deeper. Typical Em. "I don't know, "I say flatly. But actually I really don't know. Then I think of Methys, her small body frame and quivering near me and laughing at my stupid jokes and all her childish acts and I smile unconsciously. Maybe a little. But could I really have some feelings for her? I shake my head, clearing my thoughts and repeat," I don't know, I'm just gonna sit here for awhile. "

"Ok, I'll leave you alone, just stop thinking about her all the time." she says softly with a mischievous glint in her eyes and leaves. I stand up and clear my throat. Then I walk out and go downstairs to the dining area. I can't think about Methys now, I have other important things to do. Well, right now, we are stuck in this house, so there's nowhere else to go unless we leave, but I don't think that anyone is strong enough to go on. Maybe we can rest here overnight and head out tomorrow. I have lost my appetite to eat so I turn around and begin walking up the stairs again to find a somewhere to sleep.

Then I stop short.

I don't have any idea why, but I don't like the thought of anyone going near Methys. But Jaeden is seated right next to her, so close I have to restrain myself from charging over and attacking him. Hate and anger course through my veins, and I grit my teeth together to curb my anger.

They sit on the sofa, Methys' legs propped under her so she is kneeling in the most adorable way. Her trainers are left on the floor, unattended, and I keep my eyes on them, just in case someone decides to put something dangerous in it, like a knife that will pierce her sole when she decides to wear it.

Always keep your shoes on, Meth.

I hate the prospect of her getting injured, especially after just now. I didn't mean to leave, I just got a little worked up and upset.

Her mouth is stretched into a giant smile that I have never seen before. Her beautiful laugh echoes throughout the room. I can't help but notice that Jaeden has moved his arm to sling around Methys' shoulders.

My jaw grinds.

Get. Your. Hand. Off.

Methys brushes away her hair from her face, and turns her head as if she can feel me staring at her. Her eyes go wide when she sees me, then she turns her head and pretends that I am not there.

My anger starts to boil, and my patience is like a group of bubbles, popping one bubble at a time.

I'm losing my control. My fists clench, and I can hear my breath hitching, its tempo increasing.

Methys taps Jaeden once on the shoulder, then stands up and puts on her shoes incredibly slow, tossing Jaeden an almost apologetic smile before cantering to my side.

I shoot her a look which she returns, scowling and crossing her arms. I roll my eyes and grab her arm, firmly but not enough to hurt her.

I drag her upstairs, to the vacant room that I was in a few minutes ago, and slam the door shut, reminding myself to keep my volume down. Last thing I need is Jaeden to come charging heroically up here to 'rescue' Methys.

Oh, how heroic that would be.

The thought sends my stomach into knots of fury.

"What?" she rolls her eyes. When did she learn how to do that?

"Listen, don't ever trust anyone, especially him." I crinkle my nose at the mention of Jaeden.

"Who? Jaeden?" Shaking her head, she plops down onto the nearest bed and jabs a finger at me. "Arin, you don't get to control me, you know."

"I'm not controlling you! This is for your good. You think..." I stop midway because my voice is raising by the second. A small smile is on Methys' face.

How can she smile at a moment like this?

Methys pokes my side. "Sounds like someone is jealous..." she singsongs, and I feel my face burn.

I'm not.

I am.

"Whatever. I'm just warning you." I stand up to leave, though secretly I do not want to go anywhere unless I am a hundred percent sure that she is safe. I'll probably wait outside until she comes out.

Methys grabs my arm and pulls me back. "Hey, wait," she says. I turn around. "What?"

She lets go immediately, looking down. "Um... wait. Uh... are you really jealous?" Her face slowly starts to heat up.

We are both embarrassed by this question. I try to shake my head, but my brain does not cooperate with me.

"Yes." I want to slap myself now, but instead I lean my head against a wall.

Methys blinks, then swallows. She stands up very, very slowly.

It all happens way too fast.

Methys slips her arms around my middle, and then leans her cheek against my chest. And then her lips are on mine. That kiss can not have lasted more than a few seconds, but it is enough to make my head swirl and spin around and I cannot cease that pounding headache I have now.

I have officially kissed someone.

Methys pulls away, then runs out of the room at a lightning speed, tripping over her shoes once.

I am left standing there, dumbfounded. Did I do something wrong? This was my first time, I-

"Arin!" Methys' voice cuts through my train of thought, and I think of what happened just now. "Look, that didn't happen, okay?"

"What?"

"Thanks," she flashes me a grin before bounding down the steps again, and yet again she falters, and I move forward to help her, but she holds up one hand and mouths 'I'm okay'.

We set off the next morning, and I watch Methys like a hawk, and feel myself suck in sharp breaths when she moves closer to Jaeden. She has been keeping a distance from me since last night, and I have no idea what to do. She had a nightmare last night, and told me about Erin, not my A in Arin.

She has gone through a lot. That is why she keeps flying off the handle when Roseline provokes her.

The much missed girl drama reappears.

I can make out Roseline and Methys squabbling in the front again, with Em in the middle as the peacemaker. What do they have to fight over now?  It surprises me that girls always have something to use to pick a fight, it is like they have a lifetime supply of them.

Finally, Jaeden steps between Meth and Em, placing his hand on Methys' shoulder. I stare at the sky, at the black pellets that I've grown so used to through my transparent umbrella which Anselm gave me yesterday. I have been keeping Methys away from him, just in case.

Poor Em. Her job as peacemaker has been replaced. By Jaeden. Of all people, why him?

Dera's scream echoes throughout the street, loud, shrill and inhuman.

My head snaps right, my heart pounding with every second that passes. Time seems to have stopped as I stare, dumbfounded. Rubbing my eyes, I check again. It's not a joke...

A gasp escapes my lips just as another bloodcurdling scream pierces the thick silent atmosphere.