--Serena--

I took my time getting to school. Apparently Bonnie woke me up too early, but I didn't really have much to do anyways. Besides, maybe a walk was what I needed to clear my head.

The air was crisp and cool. A soft breeze tossed my hair a bit. I idly tucked a loose tuft behind my ear and let my thoughts run wild.

Why....why is everything so... complicated? Heartbreaking? Just plain confusing. Why would you leave me when I needed you most? My life was falling apart and just when you gave me a little hope, you swiped it out from under me. So much for that promise.

"I can't believe I ever..."

Suddenly, I was on the ground, pinned down hard. I opened my eyes to see just who my attacker could be. Staring back at me were a pair of piercing gray eyes, but with no wild streak in them. In these eyes were nothing but calm, as if what this boy just did was typical of anyone, something they did everyday. Dirty blonde hair hung down from their head, just brushing the tip of my nose, blanketing most of his face. Even so it was easy to tell who he was. I knew him all too well.

"Trip..." I mutter through gritted teeth.

"In the flesh. Did you miss me," he smirked, whispering into my ear, so close it almost tickled.

"What do you want?!"

"Come on, Ser-ser, you should know by now"

"I thought I told you to stop calling me that" I said as I struggled to get free.

"Since when do I listen to you?!" he replied, his smile completely faded. He raised a hand to slap me. I closed my eyes bracing for the worst...but nothing.

"Ok, what do think you're doing!" It was another boy. His grip on Trip's wrist tightened as he grit his teeth. His hair hung like Trip's, though much wilder, almost spiked. His eyes were wild with anger and the light in his eyes danced. His stare was threatening. Despite that I found myself drowning in the warm brown of his eyes. Before I knew it he had flung Trip off, and I was on my feet. I stared slightly open mouthed.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded slowly.

"Well, well, well, look who it is," Paul emerged from the crowd of gathered student. His smile was daunting and his stare was murderous. I felt a shiver go up my spine at the thought.

"Been a long time hasn't it?" he continued, slowly making his way towards us.

I felt the boy's grip on my wrist tighten and as I watched Paul come closer and closer I realized he hadn't been talking to me.

"What? You're not gonna say hi to an old friend?"

"Who ever said you were a friend..." I heard the other mutter. He quickly let go of my hand and started walking towards Paul. I stood worried about what was coming next when suddenly I felt someone grab my hand. I turned to see May quickly dragging me to the safety of the crowd.

"Serena! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, but who..."

I turn back to see Paul holding up the boy by the collar talking to him in a low voice. I couldn't hear a thing they said.

--With Ash--

I never wanted to have to lay my eyes on Paul's ugly face again, yet here I was. Strangely enough, he hadn't thrown a punch yet. When Paul didn't get he wanted, things got ugly fast. He'd wanted something with that girl and I'd messed it up. But for some reason now he was restraining himself. 

"Alright Ash, let's get a few things straight. First, keep your nose out of other people's business if you want to keep it at all. What I do with Serena is for me and my crew... I expect you to stay out of it. You got that?"

I know what I'm supposed to answer, but I say nothing at all.

.Paul lands a punch to my face and I hear  my nose crack. I scream in pain as blood trickles down on to the ground, coloring the pavement bright red.

"I'll ask you again. Do you understand?"

I know what's coming. Gritting my teeth in pain I look him in the dead in the eye and quietly respond, "No."

I hear people around me gasp. With that, Paul tosses me to the ground he comes at me. I thrust my feet in the air towards him and they connect with his gut. He stumbles back a little in pain, and a little shock. But it doesn't last long. I try to rise to my feet but as I do I feel is fist connect with my head. I feel my body collapse on the pavement. My vision slowly fades. I feel as though I'm drowning, though I don't know what in. Voices get farther and farther away until it seems like they're no longer real.

Drowning...drowning...drowning...

Darkness...