The little stunt I pulled yesterday was more covered since it happened near the campus gate during the class hour. That left me with few questions about my absence.

I took the day off to clear my head. Matt prepared breakfast and ordered lunch for me. Luke and Abby made sure I didn't feel lonely as Abby was calling me between breaks and Luke was sending me creepy jokes that I was sure during the classes.

Nevertheless my mind was a mess. 

I pulled myself out of the bed and ran a shower. Time ran quick with self wallowing and I found myself walking towards the library. I had fifteen minutes to kill before my shift and I wanted to be late than facing Ryder. 

I brushed past the alley towards the aquarium. The water engulfing me didn't provide me the protectiveness that it used to. My mind was overthinking and possibility of facing Ryder wanted me to throw up.

I was ten minutes late but I couldn't care. Ryder wasn't in the reception. A glint of hope bloomed that Ralph was back but died as I noticed the empty table were his belongings was supposed to be.

I took a de-route to the store room and I had only one aisle for inspection. I pulled out the book indices paper as I strolled along the aisle marking the absence of certain books which are lent and check the already checked stocks. 

I never wished this much for the time to pass quick. Every second was punching me in the stomach. I didn't see Ryder yet I knew his presence in the front. I couldn't bring myself to be brave to face him. I would rather take a run for hill than going on a date with him. A date ?!.

I was reading my book when someone jerked the table. My body lit on fire when I saw Ryder looking at me pompously. I scurried my books in the table and stood up when his voice stopped me, "We are not ignoring, are we?", a playful tone in his voice.

My back was to him, my books still in my hands and one leg in half-air. I huffed and turned around putting the book on the table with a thud.

"That's avoid. We avoid trouble and shit"

My arrogance caused him to smile more. "Nice try. I'll give you that", he quipped settling on the other side of the table. He signaled me sit in the table with a raised eyebrows. I complied.

"So, Connor huh?", my heart squeezed at his question. Knowing Connor in a different light made me a complete fool. He wasn't what I thought he was. He was the person who enjoyed that sick video.

Realizing my discomfort, Ryder happily continued, "We are brothers, honey. You think complaining to Connor is saving you? No, absolutely not. He will give everything I want. You are no exception but the chase was good". Every word stung. 

"What do you want?", I asked enraged. I wanted to hit him very badly and my periods were fueling the emotion. 

"You know what I want", he said with 'duh' expression. The thought shackled me. I couldn't move my body and my eyes were fixed on him. It was like a sleep paralysis , I could experience the nightmare within me but couldn't find a escape route.

I didn't reply.

He leaned on the table pushing a piece of paper towards me. From the little peek it seemed like an address.

"Saturday. At 6.", he left the table leaving me baffled.

My doom officially started and I couldn't change a single thing about it. I felt disgusted touching that paper but I had to, for my friends. 

Papi called me on my way to cafeteria. I almost cried hearing his voice. I wanted to pour out my heart to him. I wanted him to give me confidence. I wanted him to compare me to grandma and tell that I was like her to never put my head down. 

"Hey papi", I tried to sound cheerfully.

"What's wrong?", he deadpanned clearly failing my mission. 

"Nothing's wrong. Why?"

"You sound worried"

"Nothing paps, You know our code, right. No secrets"

"That's what my wife said until she hid her pregnancy with me". This was the story when my grandma became pregnant before marriage and Papi's popularity put his authenticity in question. Apparently he didn't have a good first impression on her. Only after her accidental abortion he came to know that he was going to be a dad. He was angry at himself for instilling doubt in her mind. He stopped his playful character and directed his full attention to her and rest is history.

"I am sure I am following the code", I said smiling at the sweet thought.

The phone call turned into a normal situation exchange until I reached the place. I was placed in the cleaning duty again. The dishes I had to do took my mind for sometime. Luke was in the front taking orders. He was still flimsy about my behavior and talking to him was the last thing on my mind.

The dishes were piling in and the person for next shift was fifteen minutes late. I collected my things as soon as she came and prepared to exit the place. 

Hell had another plan for me. Connor was waiting outside the only door I could get out and he saw me coming. My anger perked up. I pushed past the door, not responding to his call, frivolously searching for Luke's car. Told you hell had other plans. That bastard took off without me.

I cursed myself and started walking to hail a cab. 

A hand grabbed mine and I retracted pretty quickly. "Don't touch me!", I shouted out of my pent up anger. He was a liar.

The shock and hurt expression he had did nothing to me. A few people along the road turned towards us but I didn't mind it at all.

"Em", Connor whispered stepping towards me. I stepped back matching his.

" Only my friends are allowed to call me that. It's Emily for you", his expression morphed into an ache. Without further adieu, I turned and walked away from him. I could hear fast steps towards me. 

"Em.. Emily. I am so sorry. I talked to Ryder". I cut him off as he flicked the Ryder switch in me.

"Oh yeah. You talked to Ryder,  Connor. You are some great friend there. I appreciate for destroying my life", I spat.

"Okay.. Okay . I am sorry. Whatever it is, get in the car". His audacity.

"Why do you think I would get in the car with a person like you? For the matter I am not a whore to go with a person like you"

"What? What do you mean?"

"How long are you going to keep up the act? Huh, how long?", I asked scrunching my eyebrows and stepped towards him.

He looked down at me with confusion. "I don't know what you are talking about?"

"You don't know anything Connor. Is this how you are? Have you ever been sincere with me?. Shit, I was making myself a fool thinking you as my friend and getting ready to fight for you. And there you go destroying my life for fun"

"You misunderstood.."

"Yes I did. You are same as everyone out there. I never should've involved myself with you",I shouted pointing my fingers at no particular direction.

"Do you regret meeting me?", his voice came small unusual from the conversation. Did I regret meeting him? Probably no, if that Connor was the guy who I made friendship with.  I was hurting the guy I once thought as a friend. Damn, I even liked him. But the Connor who was with his friends, I didn't know him. I never met him and he was trying to hurt me.

Connor held my shoulders and shook me, "Answer me, Em", he pleaded. Was he being genuine or a trap? . If this was I was going to feel with him then I was done.

I threw his hands off of me and replied looking straight at his eyes, "It's Emily".