"Ow." I flinched a little when the nurse brushed the cotton ball soaked in an antiseptic lotion, against the corner of my mouth, making it sting like I'd been stung by a bee because frankly speaking the corner of my lips were still swollen. Thanks to whoever it was.

"Girl, you move too much." She said with all the seriousness she could muster before grabbing her equipment and pulling them back into the first aid box.

"You're good to go." She muttered before moving towards the wash basin to get her hands cleaned. My eyes drifted off to the figure leaning again the door frame. Jaxon Hayes.

Jaxon had almost given me a heart attack back in the parking lot when C brought me here and he lost his calm when he saw me bleeding, even though most of the blood was clotted and I felt fine. He didn't stop panicking. On the other hand, C abruptly cut off our conversation and fed me some excuse.

"Is she fine now?" he asked the nurse, with his eyes still fixed on me.

"Don't worry Mr. Hayes, she's going to be fine. I've prescribed her Dr Renee's painkillers if anything goes wrong. She'd be good."

Jaxon nodded; his arms still wrapped around himself. "Okay, thanks." I heard him mutter.

"Jax, I can't understand why-ow!" I never really had a control over my voice. I had been opening my mouth too much. Thanks to Ms. Nurse because now that she had put a stinging lotion on my face, the pain was intensified. Twice as it used to be.

"That's why I told you to shut up." The nurse said making me squint at her. I could tell that she wasn't really fond of me.

"Let's get you home." He said. I had no choice but to nod in agreement. He was in no mood to bargain.

****

"What were you doing at a hospital, Jax?"

"How the hell did you landed in a hospital, Char?"

I folded my arms to my chest and looked snapped my head in his direction.

"Jaxon River Hayes!"

"Charlotte Allison Samantha Evans!"

I sighed.

"And I thought we were brothers." I muttered dramatically, looking out of the window.

"Exactly." He snapped. I had never seen Jax flipping out or even cursing once in my life before that day. It wasn't a good sign. Jaxon Hayes never frowned. Not even once.

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm the only one who keeps on fretting for others! I love you like a sister, Charlotte. You're one of the greatest friends I've ever met and here you are, keeping secrets from me, getting swatted by something straight on you're face. "

I looked at him. His words overwhelmed me. I felt a blanket of warmth and guilt wrapping me.

"I'm sorry, Jax." I said quietly. "I'm sorry for being quite but I swear I will tell you everything. Just trust me with this once. Please." Sensing that he was just as overwhelmed by emotions for some reason, just as I was, I decided to keep the truth behind Finn Walker, with me for the moment.

He looked at me blankly before letting his lips curl up into a tight smile.

"I trust you."

"Fine then let's grab us something to eat."

"I need to take you home."

"The bill is on me." I said just when he gave me his trademarked Jaxon Hayes grin.

"I would sell myself for free food."

And then I wonder how I even managed to befriend Jax.

****

I was busy slurping my chocolate smoothie with Jax sitting beside me, chewing a burger because apparently he had decided to eat until he'd make me regret suggesting for paying for the lunch.

"How's geography going on, Hayes?"

He snorted and turned his attention to his food. "Burning in hell."

He flunked in Geography last time as I remember. But then again, it was Jaxon Hayes we were talking about. He believed he didn't fail Geography but Geography failed him.

"Mrs Miller was prepping us for a GK quiz and as soon as she saw me, that devil made me stand up in front of the entire class and pulled in her fiery expression and asked me 'Istanbul had two different names in history before establishing the current. Throw some light on the statement.'"

I laughed at his accurate impersonation of Rockwood High's cranky Geography teacher.

"What did you say?"

"There are six LED's in the room and you're still craving light?"

I gaped him in horror before laughter took over me. "Jax, that's bad."

"I know. Who cares? Not a rich kid, at least." he waved his hand in the air.

"Okay, Jax here's a simple question for you. Who explored America?"

"I know that one." he said with a smirk. "Do-do-do-do-Dora. Do-do-do-do-Dora. Dora, Dora, Dora the explorer!"

He started singing and I lost control. I laughed so hard, with absolutely no sound that I had to through my head backwards to hold myself in my mortal form. I thought I was going to die.

I felt a tear rolling down my left eye. Someone had to stop Jaxon. He was just not stopping. I lifted my head head from the backrest of the chair, with a heavy feeling in my heart. I needed a jolt to stop me from laughing anymore.

And it was as if the god was waiting here all along to lend me something.

I needed a jolt?

The god had sent one.

Was it a reverie?

"Mom!" The voice had definitely managed to draw Jaxon's attention if not mine. The corner I'd my eyes captured Jax turning at the boy and then right back at me in confusion.

"Did he just?"

Of course, my brain wasn't paying any attention to Jax, or Kevin or anyone. My eyes met my heart's personal favorite pair of blue-green eyes wearing it's second least favorite emotion, after sadness.

Something in his eyes told me that I was in trouble.

But trouble never looked so goddamn fine.

*****

"I want to eat a burger!" I heard the little boy whine making me go down on my knees to match his level.

"Burgers are unhealthy, Kev. I'll buy you... some juice? "

"You don't let me eat sweets; you don't let me drink cold drinks. Now that's infatuating."

A terrified expression crossed my face with my eyeballs almost ready to pop out as his words registered within me.

"Hold on, love. It's infuriating. Not infatuating. Don't say that word. Not at least yet."

Kevin ended up sticking his tongue out and giggling sheepishly.

He was the only person who made me realize that I still had a heart beneath my chest.

I smiled at him.

"You know what?" I said with a hint of playfulness, "I'd get my Kev, a burger this time." my words had him beaming with happiness.

I was spending my Sunday with Kevin because of course, I had nowhere to go. The only person who was available besides Kev was my dad and even the thought of him even thinking about spending time with me made me want to go LMAO. (It means laughing my A off. Hope you people get it because I learnt it last month while texting a friend. Awesome, right?)

On Kevin's persistence, I had to lift him up in my arms to make him look at the menu. He was so happy that his aura was rubbing off on me. He had his arms securely locked around my neck.

I didn't know why but I wasn't feeling like myself.

Something was wrong.

I had a feeling deep inside my chest since the morning.

"Dad?" Kevin said I glared at him for calling me that. To be honest, there was no point in telling him that anymore.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No. Did you decide what you want?" he nodded with a smile. Placing his order I shifted to the queue on my left.

"You know Finn, I can tell that you're sick or sad."

My eyebrows were pulled together in confusion as I stared at him in awe. "Really?"

"Yup." he said, his confidence made me laugh. "Are you sad because you fought with mom?"

"I never fought with Anna, love."

"Infatuating."

"Infuriating." I corrected. Where the hell did, he even hear the word from?

"No. I mean Char!"

I was unable to think of an answer. Still holding him, I picked up the tray, thanked the guy at the counter and moved to find us a seat.

"It's okay. I fight with my friends too."

"I know, Kev but I have this feeling. I think I am-"

"Don't worry, Finn. You are a good boy. You can always say sorry, right? Like I said to Blakey boy?" He looked at me with hopeful eyes. "besides, I love you."

I don't now what got into him, but he didn't even wait for his sentence to end before wrapping his fragile arms around my neck once again, making my lips curl up into an instant smile.

"You know that's the first time someone has ever told me that?"

"Really?" He asked in amusement. I placed a kiss on his cheek which I know he didn't like at all, but he kept quiet. I was just turning way to leave when my eyes landed on a familiar figure.

She wore the expression that seemed the most appealing to my eyes, immediately making my eyes sparkle, but that wasn't the only thing that caught my eyes. I spotted a painful bruise just beside her lips, making me alarmed.

I never realized when I dropped Kevin to his feet, handing his food to him

"Mom!" He moved past the people towards her in a flash.

Her eyes met mine.

My feet picked up their pace and I was before her in no time.

I knew I had a feeling. Something was wrong.

"Who did that?" I asked, gaining the attention of a handful of people along with the person who was sitting beside her.

"I asked you something, Evans, who did that?!" the rising amplitude of my voice made her jump on the spot. She stood up and took a step towards me, probably asking me to shut up but save it for the hell. I didn't care if I was screaming.

"Answer me, damn it!"

"Would you please stop screaming in front of him, at least?" She said through her gritted teeth as she drew Kevin towards her. "If you want to talk then come out-"

"Talk?" I heard a familiar voice interjected the conversation. I looked away in defeat as I realized who it was. His voice was soaked with anger but his voice low enough to contain his temper. "What do you expect from him now, Char? He's-"

"Jax I-" I interrupted.

"Cut the crap, Walker." He said in a bored tone, making my heart heavy. I knew why exactly he was mad at me. I pulled a disappearing act on him. I never returned his calls once in the past three months and he still had no clue about my sudden appearance back in the town.

But I had my reason.

Your entire life you had been doing nothing but lie to the people who cared about you and then justify them with excuses, or even bigger lies. What else was there in your life, anyway?

Without a word, I grabbed Charlotte's arm, making sure that I didn't hurt her anywhere else. I took us both out of the diner before Jaxon's disappointment in me could shatter me.

"What's your problem, Walker?" She said freeing her arm from my grip, making my skin miss the touch, the warmth already.

I didn't feel anything for her except rage. Except hate. I reminded myself.

Whom was I even trying to convince?

"I just want to know who that asshole was who did this to you?"

"Why?"

"I just want to know. Is it too hard to tell me that?" I cried in frustration. "Look, Evans, tell me who the fuck did this and I will leave you alone, alright?"

She looked at me as if I was mad. "I just fell. No one did this to me. I am clumsy. You know, that right? I just happen to possess the talent for falling for wrong things."

And yes. It stung like a slap.

"You didn't fall."

"Yes, I did. You're annoying me, Finn." She let out a sigh. She was flipping out because I was flipping out on her. "I'm sorry, I might sound bipolar, but I can't talk to you right now. You're too angry for your own good. We can continue-"

"Just tell me, okay?" I snapped. I squeezed my eyes shut and mentally cursed myself for losing it so easily.

"I. Fell. On. My. Own." She said spacing out each word clearly for me as if it would've made it any easier for me to understand.

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did."

"I know someone hurt you. Just tell me!"

"Why are you so certain?"

"Because for fuck's sake, I gave you the idea of going to Christian to look out for Dave. I did! I was way too angry yesterday and the words just blurted out of my mouth. I had a heart of doubt since the morning. I knew something was wrong and look what the hell happened to you! And I swear if it's Christian who touched you, he'd forget what having fingers is like!" She fell silent. Her pretty brown eyes that took the dark color of a tree's branch, were inspecting me. They were so alluring, so convincing that I couldn't shut my mouth anymore.

"You're quiet. It's him, damn it. Christian is going to regret having touching you. I am going to kill everyone, not literally not that, I don't want to kill them literally but then there has always been a small difference between what I want to do and what I can do. And I want to-" I was losing my calm. Heck, I had lost it already. I saw a big tin trash can beside me and tried to kick it off with all my might. Luckily, not the sarcasm, it wasn't empty and didn't get knocked off. I ended up hurting my toes.

"Ow!" I winced.

"Moron." I heard her call out under her breath as she tried her best to not laugh.

"What?" I barked.

"I said you're a moron. Have you seen your face?" I felt my face burning up with rage. I felt hot. The same way we do when we have fever. I was fuming.

"I'm leaving. Can you please drop Kevin home?"

"Where to, Thanos?" She said mocking me. I can't understand how her anger evaporated so quickly. "Going to snap your fingers in front of Christian?"

"I am going to kill Kyle."

Her expressions changed. "Why? He helped me. In fact, he was the one who got me out of there."

"That was his duty."

"I don't understand you. Be clear. Be loud. Be vivid ad expressive. Let your words flow out, dumbass."

"Don't call me dumbass, you dumbass." I felt a pang of déjà vu hitting me as I completed the sentence. We had said this before to each other, haven't we? "I had appointed Kyle Herron to look after you."

"You left me a babysitter?"

"I thought you'd be creeped out once I tell you this, you might think I left a stalker behind you. But look at you." I said rolling my eyes in sarcasm.

"That's what I meant. A stalker." She said faltering at her changing words as my lips curled up into a smirk.

"I wasn't stalking you obviously. Kyle had promised to follow you just around Christian. I had left him behind you so that you don't land yourself in any trouble with Christian. He had been there when Christian had sent his men after you once, obviously, you were unaware. He had always been there protecting you!"

I gulped.

I had always been there. Just where you were.

"He's always been working with him trying to know where they had kept, Dave."

She felt quiet all of a sudden. Maybe, mentally blaming herself for Dave's absence.

The thought was enough to make me snap out of the mirage.

She was the one who reported you, Finn. She was the one who caused you the pain, caused you agony, caused you the restlessness. She took away herself from you.

But hadn't I fought enough, already?

My mind was an enigma. A puzzle I couldn't solve or simple leave unsolved. There were one thousand permutations in my head but none I could choose without even flinching.

I wanted to stop fighting. I wanted to stop fighting her. I didn't care if I lost the game. I didn't care if she had ever bruised my ego.

"Finn?" Sensing the fright, the distress in my eyes, she cupped my cheek, softly. I almost jumped at her touch, but I was too engrossed in the moment to even move an inch. A small part of her was happy to have me to talk to her. She was hopeful of things beings fine. I couldn't give her hope.

"Listen to me." I said, automatically grazing my thumb over the cut on her eyebrow. "You are not going to school."

"What?" she stepped back from me. Her the warmth of her palm was gone.

"Listen to me, once, okay?" I suggested, not really thinking rationally. I had always been selfish. I had always done everything that would bring out the best for my own interest. This time too I was going to save her for the same reason. "You are not going to school for some days-"

"Are you crazy? I must put my grades on stake? My future? Just because a-"

"Okay." I said, "Kyle would go with you." I said looking down at the tip of my shoes.

"Why not you?" my head snapped in her direction.

"Me?"

Was she really suggesting that?

"You've been a part of Rockwood High but then if you want Kyle to join, it would be for better." I nodded in agreement. "And I am actually very fond of Kyle. He helped me and I'd always owe him"

Ugh. That tone. I hated when she used that tone for anyone.

"You know what?" she quirked up an eyebrow. "I actually think you owe him anything if he's being paid for the job." She nodded. She was biting the corner of her cheeks to stop herself from smiling.

Ugh. I hated when she knew what exactly I was thinking.

"Soo...."

"So?" She played along.

I cleared my throat with a noise before I switched back to impersonating the alpha-male voice. "So, I'll go to school with you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." I said almost just as she completed her sentence. "Yes." I repeated.

Ugh. I hated when I did that.

She chuckled.

"I want to tell you something."

I froze on the spot. What?

"It's about Christian." She fidgeted with her thumbs, ironically, making me anxious. "I know where Dave is."

What?

I opened my mouth to say something but immediately closed it shut as I found myself devoid of any words.

"You, Finn Alex Walker, are one of the most important things that I've lost in my life that I wouldn't want to lose all over again. You don't need to follow single thing he says to you. You shouldn't let him get to your head anymore-"

"What are you saying?" I stepped back.

"-It's true. They don't have Dave. Christian doesn't have Dave anymore. He escaped them last week at Westland. I don't know where the hell this Westland is-"

"I know where it is!" I couldn't believe how my voice was no longer tedious. It was a joyous one. I was happy. I knew where Dave was. Westland was a code name. I just had to find a way to locate Dave, bring Christian down and then......and then, I was free to leave.

But before that, I had some unfinished business to take care off.

"Will you drop Kevin off, please?"

Her eyebrows furrowed. She probably thought that I wasn't happy at all.

"Where are you going?"

I kept walking away. Her steps were picking up mine.

"Where the hell are you going, Walker? Aren't you happy?"

I swiftly swirled on my heels to come face to face with her, very much acknowledging the fact that her face would've been dangerously close to mine if I had been a few seconds late. I had no idea what Finn Walker would have done then.

"Yes. I am."

"Then where's it?"

"Where's what?"

"The smile."

I mechanically stretched my mouth to sh ow off my teeth. "Fine? I have to go."

"Where though?"

"Oh it's nothing." Scratching the back of my head rather awkwardly. Her eyes widened.

"You're lying, Finn. Give me some credit." She folded her arms to her chest "Where on the earth are you going?"

"I have some business to take care of."

"Arthur's office?"

"Yes."

She smirked. "Liar."

"I thought it was established."

She sighed. "What can be more important than talking to Jax, Finn? He's upset, you know that?"

"I know." I closed my eyes momentarily. "You don't get this, do you?" I groaned in frustration. Even my voice sounded inhuman.

"Nope. I don't"

"Fine." I exclaimed in irritation. "Fine! I'll tell you were I'm going." I was literally scowling.

And on the other hand, Ms. Evans was having the time of her life.

"I need to make someone forget what having fingers is like."

"No, Finn you-"

"Shut up, love."

A/N

Helloooo Everyone! How are ya'll? Hope everyone's fine and happy.

I can't believe I watched all the 128 episodes of Flash and I'm crying because I want more. Anyway, here's the chapter. I hope it was fine.

Now, time for some questions.

1. Whose POV was better? Finn or Char?

2. Any one feeling anything for Jax? He is my soul animal. I love him too much and I'm so sad for him.

3. Kevin anyone? Anything about him? Feeling infatuated? no? lmao.

4. Do you think Char is a bad character? or poorly executed?

5. Finn Walker had a change of heart. Any comments for him?

6. IS this change permanent or he's going to be back to square one?

7. Favorite scene from the chapter?

Thank you so much for reading and supporting. I love you all.