I was exhausted. The whirlwind of emotions was overwhelming. Luke was furious and promised me not  to kill Ryder. I begged him not to do anything. If Ryder knew I told someone, there was a chance of him releasing the video. He would.

I elicited a promise out of him that he stay out of my business and I tell him everything that happened. It was tough on his end but I had no other choice.

We got out of the car to the restaurant in the rest area. He ordered lasagna and few ice packs. I washed my neck and shoulder gently before joining Luke. 

"Are you sure you don't want to tell anyone? There can be a way for us out", Luke said as we entered the elevator. 

"We can't , atleast until I find a way out", I sighed. We stepped out of the elevator making our way towards our house. Luke stopped midway glaring at the neighbor's house. I nudged him and shook my head.

"I just want to punch them very badly.", Luke grunted.

Living room was empty that meant all were settled. Luke suggested to accompany me which I rejected. He wanted rest. He hugged me before making his way to the room.

I stepped into my room when I heard the noise. The light in the Abby's room was still on but that wasn't the bother. It was the sound she made. The moan. 

 I dashed through her door. Two people flew to the other end of the room gasping and shocked. My plans were crumbled. Abby and Dustin mouth's were swollen and Abby was in her only bra outfit.

Abby was wide eyed and Dustin was smirking at me, which Abby didn't realize.

"What the hell is happening here?", I shouted at her. She was genuinely taken aback by my outburst. Dustin sat on her bed pulling her sheets.

"Em, let me explain", Abby stepped towards. I stopped her with my fingers and walked infront of Dustin. 

"You better leave my house before I call the damn cops", I gritted my teeth. 

"Em, what are you doing?", she asked confused. Dustin scoffed and slowly made his way out. 

Luke came to her room as soon as Dustin left. "Why in the hell is Dustin walking out of our door?", he asked angrily matching mine.

"Em, what the hell?", Abby said sitting on the bed.

"Yeah, Abby what the hell. Last time I knew he was making out with other girl and didn't respond to your calls and texts and you said you were done with him.", I rapped.

"That day was a mistake. He was drunk and didn't know what was happening and for the calls, he went home and there's no service there. He came to me as soon as he returned.", she said.

I chuckled at her stupidity. Bullshit, I saw his car the days she said he wasn't home. 

"Abby what's wrong with you? He cheated on you and why are you going back to him?"

"He said he was sorry", she shouted at my face. 

"What if he is lying? You will hurt more when you go deep any more. I thought you were strong about the decision. He is not right for you", I voiced my concerned and Abby's expression changed into a known one. The defensive look.

"I will give him a chance to find he is right or not. I am strong and I don't want others to tell me what to do?", she was etching every word clearly marking my boundary. If given any other boy, I would've left her to the decision but I knew Dustin was least interested in her and worse, will hurt her. 

If I walk out, I was betraying my friend but if I continued arguing I would hurt her. She was falling for him and what crazy shit he fed her for that, only she knew.

"Abby, we are your friends. We know what's best for you?", Luke intercepted. She was agitated, " I know what's best for me too, Luke. As much I love you guys, I want to try this with him.", her voice soft, "I love him".

Luke was a pain in the ass. Each passing moment I regret telling him. "Stop pacing. My head is spinning", I said massaging my head with the  knuckles. 

"I can't. I need chocolates when I am anxious and Abby was near giving me an attack. How can she be so stupid?. Why doesn't she trust us?", he raised his voice in frustration. I hit him with the pillow and gestured him to be silent.

My throbbing head couldn't keep up with his stressful rant and at one point, I threw him out of the room and decided to talk about the plans later.

The hot water hit my face appeasing my hammering head. With the events with Abby I forgot about me.

I gently traced over the sratch on my neck. Silent tears were flowing whike looking myself in the mirror.

Being a prptected girl your whole life and suddenly been harrassed my a stranger in a crappy restaurant was a pure terror.

It took me two hours to let myself calm down, to keep my mind in place and think that every happened was a dream, a very bad one.

I covered my neck and shoulder with a turtleneck shirt, which I totally hated but had no other go. Luke didn't act out of order but sneaked into my room to take a proper look at my shoulder. Again appeasing Luke episode started. That was where I liked Matt more than him, this kid was goddamn stubborn and whimsical.

For the first time, we met Chadd's girlfriend Danielle. He was euphoric when she revealed the reason for her visit. She was transferring from Seattle to Penn next semester, which means two more snuggle bunnies.

Abby was trying to act normal, she had the same effect I had. In fact, it was the first time I had adviced her about a relationship and she didn't take it easy but I was not going to allow this relationship.

I delivered the tarts to Ralph. This man had the best time of his life, his words. He was happy when Ryder offered to take over when he was considering a shutdown for a week.

Speaking of Ryder, he was in his shift and I sat with Ralph were the possible interaction with Ryder was the least.

The mood shifted, I could feel his presence. It made me anxious and angry. My eyes immediately landed on his green, with him looking at me gluing his eyebrows together. His eyes involuntarily fell on my closed neck, scruntizing as if he could see through clothes.

I stood from the table,making my way into the library. He stood there when I walked past him.

There was little work left. I pulled my assignment due in two days. I could always ask Matt for the assignment but that would be too inappropriate on my part.

I was cussing every word in that mathematic book. There was no similarity between my notes and the book. The maths professor scammed us.

My body went still when a pair of hands were placed on my shoulder from behind. It was the same shift. I jumped off the chair in surprise turning to look at Ryder. His face was blank as he stepped forward.

My whole defense crumbled when he held my hand and pushed my shirt to reveal the shoulder.

The wound was still fresh and I winced when he touched it. His face turned into a pure rage when he stormed out of the library where I stood shocked about the ordeal.

Hey guys!!

So comment your thoughts,

Abby dumb or Emily dumb?