Out of all the words Hazel just uttered, the name Teresa King stays with me the most, solely because it makes me wonder: was it a coincidence that she gets targeted just years after my parents? The chances that her attempted assassination and my parents arson had anything to do with each other are very slim, I'm aware, yet I still can't stop myself from wondering.

I agree to blame it on the fact that Terea was my mom's best friend. Maybe the person that hired to shot at Teresa was the same one that hired the people involved in ending my parents and little brother's lives.

I still my voice to a somber whisper. It's never been easier to make myself look sympathetic: Teresa was like a second mom to me during Jackie's life. Even though my memory of her is sketch, my image of her remains to be of a woman who always had a plate of cookies on the table when I came home with Whitney. The millionaire she become in the years after my parents was unknown to me until now. "Does anyone know why he tried to kill...that girl?"

"Yeah, but it's not clear to the public. Everything that went on with them is kinda hazy, unless you were there. According to Tyrel, the only difference between Teresa and the human dracula is that she doesn't indulge in sexual activities with her victims."

Confusion drowns out every thought I have as I turn back to my locker. The Teresa I knew growing up was a living, breathing angel. The idea that she could be anything less unthinkable, but not unquestionable, even if it was proposed by a killer. Lin's life and this one has taught me that the people we least expect to be rats, are usually the ones that turn on us. "Is that why he tried to kill her then? Because he felt she was a bad person?"

"Basically. Teresa claimed that she didn't know a thing about what he was talking about: she'd never once killed a person. The court believed with her, and sent Tyrel to live in this mental hospital right outside of Helena."

"They didn't question her? Just sent him on his way?"

"As I said earlier, it's all very hazy, but yea, basically."

I close my locker, and lean against it for a second. Something doesn't add up, yet I can't define why. "Hypothetically speaking, wouldn't it be illegal for them to do that?"

"Yeah."

Hazel allows me a minute of quiet silence to take in all she's just handed me, and I couldn't be more grateful for it. For the first time since I decided to make this life's purpose figuring what happened to my family, I finally feel like I'm making progress. I'm taking the steps I need to find my who and why, and it feels so good. Just knowing I'm on the right track spreads a warm feeling throughout my stomach. It makes me feel like my parents are looking down on me from heaven with pure pride and love. Nothing makes me happier than that thought. I close my eyes for second, hoping to make the feeling last longer.

Today is my lucky day.

I feel fingers on my arm before I hear him, or see his face. "Hey, you ok?"
Finn's pleasant green eyes meet mine with a questioning twinkle. I relish all the tingly feeling that swirl within all of me, as I nod my head up at him.

Hazel mumbles something about her mom, and I think I wave to her, but things involving her all sort of drifted to the back of my mind when Finn appeared.

"Good." I look away from Finn's arm to watch his fingers slowly climb up and down my arm. Goose bumps appear all over, and it's hard to keep my embarrassment in check as he steps closer. I'm forced to look up at him again when my back hits my locker, not even a full step back later.
"What's up with the shyness?" Finn whispers, bending his head so that his lips meet my neck. My lips pop open in shock as his arm leaves my mine to grip my waist.

"I-I'm not being shy." I feel his smirk of disbelief on the base of neck, yet he says nothing as he continues leaving a small trail of kisses up to my jar. I wrap my arms loosely around his neck as he nears my weak spot: right under my ear. I'm dripping with anticipation when Finn gently bites it before quickly kissing it. He goes stays in that spot for a moment, kissing and biting, until it becomes clear to me that he's trying to leave a mark. "You know it won't show, right?"

"Huh?"

"The hickey. It won't show."

I feel him smile. "I know."

"Then why..."

Finn places one last kiss to my neck before lifting his head up, and resting it on my forehead. "The mark's just for me. I could careless who sees it, and who doesn't."

I feel no need to answer him verbally in anyway, and Finn makes no action in making me. Looking into each other's eyes says a lot more than any words we could possibly say in this moment. The only thing that could make this moment sweeter is if Finn tilted his head to the side and leaned down an inch. As if I'd uttered my wish, he starts leaning his head down. Our lips are no more than a centimeter apart when a voice calls out, "Hudson, hey!"

Finn exhale his frustration before kissing my head and pulling away.
Turning to this slim black guy, he makes his annoyance clear as he says, "Frank."

Frank doesn't both batting an eyelash at Finn's tone and goes right on. "The funniest thing just happened: Issac and Mateo kick boxed a hole in the door to the Janitors closet!" His got a semi high voice. I got a feeling it's because of how excited he seems to be.

"Really." Finn's tone, on the other hand, is completely blank and uncaring.

"Yes! Thing is, now Oldbitch is threatening to expel him."

Finn nodd slowly before looking up at Frank. "She's also threatening to suspend you and Mateo, isn't she?" The other boy grimaces slightly, conforming Finn's accusation. "You want me to talk her out of it."

"That would help."

"I'll meet you in her office in three."

"Thanks, man. You's ledgit!" With those words said, Frank runs down the hall, never once awkowleging my presence. I shrug it off nonchantly and turn to back to Finn. He's leaning against the locker next to mine with his hand in his hair. His eyes are closed, like he's trying to block out the world.

"Do you ever free like everyone around you is just..." He trails off, crossing his arms and looking up at the ceiling.

Seeing him like this stires a never before felt emotion within me. All I can think about is how much I don't want him to feel whatever his feeling. Without any thing ahead or planing out every detail, I turn and wrap my arms around Finn and squeeze. I'm not sure if this helps or not. I'm not sure if this is the right move. I'm not sure of anything. All I know is he needs someone.

"Who's 'Oldbitch'?"

Silence stretches on for a minute after my question. I start to think he's not going to answer when he finally says, "Our principal."

"That's her real name?"

"No. It's Oleitch."

"Poor lady."

"Eh. She kind of is a bitch."

"Still. Why do you think she's a bitch?"

"Have I told you how beautiful you look today?"

I ignore the fact that he douched my question, and follow along with the subject change. "Nope."

"You look beautiful."

I smile into his shirt before placing a quick kiss to the little 'V' in the center. "Thank you."

We're quiet for a long moment again. I fiddle with the hem of his shirt to entertain myself until he finally speaks up. "I've got to go talk three idiots out of trouble. Can you get a ride home with Jay? She's probably still out front."

"Okay."

"Thanks."

"Yea."

Finn kisses my cheek quickly before walking off. I watch his figure disappear around the corner before slinging my backpack over my shoulders.
_________

Hey! Sorry this update is late. Hope you like it though. Please vote, comment and share.

Can you believe it? Only about 12 more chapters before this book ends!

Thanks so much for reading. Love you guys, Liv

DP: Dec.13.17
WC: 1,408