"So let me get this straight." Becca begins in the annoyed tone she seems to reserve for me lately. "You two are back together?"

I hold up Taylor and my hands, intertwined together as we walk through the halls of the school. The moment Taylor asked if I wanted to get back together, I said yes. This is what I have wanted for months, but I know exactly what Becca is thinking. What about Nik?

It's a reasonable thought considering over the last few months Nik and I have gotten really close. I am probably closer to him than I am with any of my friends, except Becca. And I obviously like him as more than a friend, but I've been waiting months to get back with Taylor. If I don't take the opportunity, I will regret it for the rest of my life.

"I gotta talk to Zach." Taylor kisses me briefly and jogs down the hall to catch up with his best friend. I watch as he goes, his thick dark hair jumping up and down with each step. Then my eyes land on Nik at the end of the hall.

He looks washed out with dark circles under his eyes as if he hasn't slept. It would be hard to miss the death glare he flashes in Taylor's direction as he jogs past. It's been a while since I've seen Nik look so upset and for the briefest moment I wonder if I made the right choice by getting back together with Taylor. Images of Nik's terrified face leaning in closer to mine, his confident smile and smirk, the look of shock and delight on his face when I came undone at his touch; it all flashes before me and I feel uneasy.

"So you two are done then?" Becca questions with heavy curiosity.

"I don't think Nik and I will ever be done." I try to sound casual but inside my stomach is rolling. My eyes dart down to the white bandanas tied around Nik's wrists and I know exactly what he is hiding. As we approach Nik and our other friends, I straighten my spine and urge the mixed feelings swarming my head to go away.

"Hey." Becca greets the group but wiggles her way between Sherry and Nik, who immediately slings his arm around her shoulders.

I have no right to be jealous, but I feel something shift inside of me at the sight of these two together like this. It's not how it's supposed to be. Nik is supposed to like me. He cares about me. He wants me.

"So, I see the bandanas are back." I comment harshly as I reach out and grasp Nik's wrist tightly. He cringes at the pain and yanks his arm away.

"Dont!" Becca screeches at me.

"You do this to me, Haven." He scowls at me as he holds up his bandana bound wrist.

I know it would be so easy to wipe that look from his face. All it would take is a few words of reassurance and his arm would be out from around Becca and around me in a second. But I'm not going to do that. I am angry with him for hurting himself, and I am angry at him for giving Becca attention. So I do what I do best; I become a complete bitch.

"Apparently I didn't go deep enough." I shoot back and turn on my heel, stalking down the hallway towards Taylor and some of his friends. I can feel the eyes burning on my back and I know Becca and Nik are watching me.

When I reach Taylor, I pull his face down to mine and kiss him on the mouth, forcing his lips open and sliding my tongue with his. I don't care that his friends are watching, my friends are watching and there are probably teachers close by too. I pull away and offer Taylor my most dazzling smile as I intertwine our hands. His dark eyes flash to mine and he smiles back but there is no intensity in the stare or in the smile. It's always intense when Nik looks at me.

I look over my shoulder, meeting Becca and Nik's gaze. She is glaring at me, shaking her head in disapproval. Nik is clenching his jaw tight, his brown eyes hard and lifeless as he stares back at me. Then they both look away and I can tell Becca is comforting him.

I allow them to have this moment even though the sight of them leaning in close together sends a pang of jealousy through me. If Nik needs a little comforting while I get my second chance with Taylor, then fine. I know it won't take more than a smile and a few kind words to get Nik wrapped back around my finger.