He was looking at us with an unknown expression. Most probably thinking that we had done as a group again and I was trying for more drama. Without a word I walked towards the front desk with Luke.

The manager told us the stall where our books had to be kept. Luke carried the box and Ryder was walking ahead of us with the other box. The stall was all ready, we had to drop the boxes for now and arrange them when accompanied with Ralph. He would be here in two hours or so.

Luke sat next to me handing me the coffee while Ryder was no where to be found. The only proof he didn't flee was his car parked next to Luke's. "How is it now?", Luke enquired. I shook my head that it was no better from before.

"I'll get some medicine and pain killers", Luke left me alone. I sat with a cushion counting numbers , texting and using my phone to distract myself. The familiar scent hit when Ryder sat next to me. I didn't look at him continuing with my phone.

He put a tablet strip in my lap all of a sudden. I looked at him confused and he looking straight ahead. "Pain killers", he said. I placed the tablets in his lap, "I am fine". He let out an irritated growl. "You are not fine. Just take the tablets so we can work without you grunting", again spiteful words.

"You thought I was creating drama. No thanks and I can work however I want.", my tone little harsh.

"Whatever", he said putting the tablets aside. My phone ringed and Abby was calling. I totally forgot about my next shift.

"Hey Abby.  I am sorry I forgot to mention. Can you take over my shift? I have some pending work in the library. Yeah.. the exhibition work. Okay, I will buy you nuggets. Yes, I love you. Okay..Oh God. For fuck's sake Abby", I grunted in frustration with her unwanted questions. I had already informed the manager about so it wouldn't be a problem. Now I had only this work left.

"Drink slowly", Luke placed the water bottle in the chair. I hoped that pain killers kicked in immediately. He changed my patches, applying cream to lessen the tension in my back. Ralph showed up after Luke went to take over the shift. He insisted staying back but I managed to send him to the cafe.

Arranging books was challenging. The person in charge went through each and every book and placed according to the genre. Ralph was making sure that everything's in order. We both carried the books between settling them in the stands.

 Pain killer was wearing off when we completed the work and my stomach started its daily drums.

Ralph took us to the nearby restaurant and bought us food. I bought an ice pack to soothe the pain. 

I was waiting for the cab in front of the restaurant. Ralph insisted on dropping me but his house was in opposite direction as mine. I would just be a burden. I didn't even consider going with Ryder, not like he asked me to.

"I'll drop you Emily. Get in the car", Ralph told pulling me towards his car. I stopped him telling I was okay with the cab and I had some work in between. He was getting more worried about my safety but its just late evening. If I could ail a cab I would be home by 6.

"I'll take her home. You can get home, Ralph", Ryder interjected. "I can take the taxi", I quipped and Ryder nudged me to be quiet. I got the hint and told him  I was getting home with Ryder.

A new crisis arise when Ralph insisted that he watched us go home and leave after wards. I decided to drop in the middle and catch a taxi later. 

"Why is he so stubborn?", I mumbled as I put on the seat belt. "Must be annoying to see one like you", Ryder commented looking at me disinterested. I scoffed thinking about him. 

We turned around the corner far from the exhibiton. "Park the car I have to get out", I said looking at the taxi lined along the street. He slowed down near the taxis. When I thought I could get down the car sped away. My eyes went wide with what happened.

"What are you doing? Just stop the car", I exclaimed. "We are going to the same place anyway. What's the big deal?", he said dead faced. I knew that idiot. "I don't want to be here with you", I gritted my teeth in frustration. "I don't care", that's the last thing he said until we reached the apartment.

I rushed off the car and walked towards the elevator. The pain was becoming less bearable as I knocked the door. Matt wasn't opening and standing was excruciating. It was like my period cramps eating me away.

I called him but no answer. I felt like crying when I found I had no key with me. "Oh for Christ's sake!". I held on to my door settling down next to it.

Thankfully Matt picked the call third time. "I don't know what you are doing Matt. Please open the door. Yes, I don't have my keys and I am okay as long you come early", I babbled after his hello. He said he would be here as early.

I put my head on my knees pushing myself to bend forward. I could hear footsteps like heavy boots. Matt never wore one. I could feel a slight weight next to me. I lifted my head to see Axel sitting next to me smiling at me.

"It feels different sitting in the passage", he said in a taunting way. I couldn't disagree. His expression changed seeing my lack of emotion. He seemed worried. "Are you hurt anywhere?", he hit the nail in the head. 

Not gonna argue when you say he was very intuitive. I nodded and pointed towards my back. He stood up and held his hand out.

"Let's wait in my apartment until one of your friends come", he said without asking why I was sitting there alone or how I felt in the cold weather. I support my weight on him until he settled me on the couch. "I'll get some ice", he said and left me.

I looked around the empty room. "Connor's sleeping and no one else is home". Ryder wasn't home. Relieved. I smiled taking the ice from him.

"Thanks for the help though", I said raising the ice and for the house. "Never mention when I am alone, Em. Make sure to praise me when I am around somebody.", he prided that I broke out into a laugh momentarily forgetting the pain. The laughter was the genuine one like around my friends.

Matt came in after 15 minutes and carried my home. I ate my dinner and went to sleep before Luke and Abby came home.