I twisted and turned all night without catching an ounce of sleep. Connor texted me saying that he would talk to Ryder about the video but man, that guy got me good.

First thing in the morning I texted Connor asking him about Ryder. No reply.

I wanted to stay positive and got ready for the day. 

I easily made a pass through my friends without giving anything apart from Luke's suspicious gaze.  

My mind wouldn't cooperate with me today. My throat grew thick everytime I look at Abby. I wanted her to know everything that was happening to me and to her. I wanted her to hug me and curse him to death.

I made to my first hour without any encounters with the neighbor guys. As soon as I saw their car in the college parking lot I dashed like a thunder.

Chadd was surprised when I entered the classroom bit more dramatically than I intended. Panting and sweating.

"Geez, Emily. Hold your horses.", Chadd quipped shaking his head with a smile. I gave him an embarrassed smile and settled down.

The lack of sleep caught up to me. Literature class lulled me to oblivion that I wouldn't know if I was kidnapped.

Sudden sting in my head cleared me the daze. There was pen on the ground and Matt was mouthing me 'Don't sleep' without annoyed face. I picked up the pen and threw at him for waking me.

Connor still hadn't replied to my text. I texted him again asking about the situation.

My positive mindset was crumbling every passing minute without Connor's text.

All four of us settled in the corner table for lunch. Abby was ranting about her biology and Matt went to pick our order . Luke was busy with his phone and Chadd took off the second half of the day leaving me alone with my mind.

My back was towards the front door of the food court and screams made the obvious arrival. Abby shot through her seat and started making her way before I pulled her into me.

Abby's face morphed into confusion, looking at me with the scrunched eyebrows. I had to come with quick excuse for stopping her from meeting Dustin who also happened to be with Ryder.

Since yesterday the knowledge about his presence had me gutted. A little ray of hope shined when I noticed Connor walking behind Ryder. I wanted to talk to Connor but it had to me alone.

"Are you okay, Em?", Abby asked with her full attention on me.

"Uhm", at the corner of the eyes I could see Dustin diverting from his group and making his way towards us. Now I had to be very quick to drag her out with a reason.

Think you stupid brain.

"I am not feeling well", I blurted  trying to drag her with me. She resisted pulling back us to our original position.

I was late as Dustin snaked his arms around her waist  and placed a small kiss on the side of her head before nuzzling into her neck.

Abby started to squirm under his grip. My anger was seething that he was Ryder's friend and there was high chance, no he was definitely playing with Abby's heart.

I pulled her out of her sweet moment and dragged her outside the food court, hoping that Luke would grab our bag. I wouldn't care less about our bag in the situation.

Before exiting the hall I turned around to see a confused Abby and a smug Dustin. He was so dying in my hands. The knowing look he gave was the reason I didn't want Abby with him. He was playing Ryder's team taking on my weakness. Abby was one among them.

As much I was happy for Abby being around someone she liked, I had to break this on going more than friendship relationship before Dustin or Ryder played their cards.

"What the hell, Emily?", Abby squealed releasing her hand from my grip.

"I am not feeling well, Abby"

"So? Could you be more gentle? I was with someone and you have to drag me here.", She said accusingly. The words stung like a bitch.

"I am sorry for disturbing you", I said hurt laced in my words, looking down. I turned around and walk feeling heavy and hurt.

My phone dinged. My whole world came crashing down as a I read the text from Ryder.

Ryder:

Confiding in Connor is a wrong move. Wanna know why?

It was the video that Ryder showed me and Connor was laughing looking at the video.

What did I get into? I thought Connor was being genuine but the way he commented on the video crushed my heart.  He was enjoying the show.

What Ryder did was nothing to Connor betraying me. He cleverly played me into Ryder's game intended to ruin me. What did I ever do to him?.

Every genuine moment I had with Connor was a lie. I was a fucking stupid to believe him. Damn, I was ready to fight for his friendship and here I was getting my self into a mess.

Earlier threatening tears were free flowing as I run through the corridor. I wanted out. I could footsteps behind me.

"Em, stop", Abby shouted. I knew I was hurting her acting like this. But I was preventing her from getting heart killed, so a little hurt wasn't much.

My breathing became shallow, I gasped for air. My legs were pushing me towards the gate.

I tripped and fell over losing my consciousness slowly.

I could hear Abby's desperate shout.

"Emily!! Em, please. Oh my god, what do I do?. Okay. Okay, Em look at me honey", she said slightly tapping my cheeks to clear the daze. I couldn't control it. My memory was slipping and Abby hugged me to hear whispering sorrys and calling someone.

My eyes felt and I felt someone carrying me. I was paralyzed as I seeped into a deep slumber.

I peeled opened my eyes. The night was early I was in the college infirmary. The drip lines were running in my hand and three big babies were sleeping with their heads on my bed.

A chuckle escaped my mouth and Matt shot up in the seat. He pulled me to him, waking up Luke lying between our hug.

Abby woke up from Luke's grunting.

"You guys had work", I said sitting on my bed.

"Bullshit", Matt quirked.

"Yeah bullshit. You are here. We are not going to leave you. Plus now I see that we didn't get to spend time like this. The timing and place seems off but its us. And before you start ranting about work, I informed Ralph and the café", Luke finished with a loud exhale.

I patted his shoulder playfully, "Damn Luke that was hot"

Luke smirked pushing his hair back.

I turned towards Abby. Her gaze was full of guilt and anything that happened to me had nothing to do with her or maybe.

"I am so sorry. I really should've listened to you. You told me and I was an asshole. I am really sorry", Abby said tears running along her cheeks. I pulled her into a hug assuring her it was okay.

"I was so scared. I am sorry", she said wiping her tears in my shirt. I was scared too.