"I am okay. I am okay", Abby repeated the words again and again. She didn't break down yet after we reached home, which could be any time now.

"I wish its a dream", she grunted chugging a bottle of water, poor bottle getting the heat of her wrath. Luke and I were weary of the walking time bomb and was making careful steps around her.

She closed her eyes leaning back on the couch, massaging her temple. Thousands of thoughts must be going through her, she was talking to herself for the most of the time and then she announced she needed sleep. We both agreed in an blink for her well being and ours. It wasn't just about her knowing the truth, it was me who said it out.

Few hours later, Abby stumbled through the door while I was about to leave for the library.

"Hey, how are you feeling now?", I asked looking at her blank expression.

"Like I had a nightmare except it isn't"

"I am sorry you had to know it like that", I said genuinely worried about her.

Abby surprised me when she threw the glass across the living room shattering it at the end.
"You must be sorry because you should've told me not me knowing while sneaking up on you"

"I am sorry, Abby", I said taken a back by the confrontation.

"You think I will choose him over you. I would never do that.  If you had given me a single hint about what was happening I would've saved my heart with you. Luke knew it before, then why can't I?. Tell me ,Em", she vented out.

"Ab, Em was trying to protect you", Luke intercepted defending me. Abby turned towards him, "If she was meant to protect me she should've told me about it. She hurt me as much as he did.", I raised my eyebrows in confusion. I've had my reasons that I had not told her but she can't blame me about the fore warnings because I clearly threw the red flag in her face which she decided to disregard.

"Abby, I know you are hurting but you should listen to her part too", Luke said.

Abby threw a bored expression and turned towards me folding her hands before her chest. "Throw it"

"Abby I need you to calm down"

"How can I calm the fuck down when the boy I love betrayed me and my friend allowed it to happen? ", she shouted.

"Woman, don't dare say I betrayed you. I was protecting and you have no fucking idea how it hurt me. You're talking about not telling you before? . I told you in your face, Abby. I told you Dustin isn't for you and we witnessed him cheating on you. It was you who took him back so don't do that betrayal shit on me", I burst out, hot flames emerging from my nose and ears.

"You don't know how it is for you. You don't know how much difficult it is. You can't come and shout at me", she retorted spitting every word with more stress.

I threw my bag on the floor and pushed open my shirt to reveal what I went through. The scars that haunt in me in my dreams. The place which I wanted to burn.

I took upon myself to protect her but that didn't mean I was putting my self respect in the game.

Her eyes widened and fixed on my shoulders. She stepped closer to me with tears welling in her eyes.

"EM, what happened to your neck?", she rasped.

I stepped back closing adjusting the dress. "You think it is difficult for you, this is what I went through to prevent that video from leaking. You think it is hurting, you don't know how it feels when a stranger runs his hands in an indefensible position. You. Don't. Know. Anything. Abby. Don't you ever speak like that to me again. I love you and it really stings when you turn your back on me"

I quickly stepped out of the house after my tirade. The traitor tears  falling along the way to the library. The pent up emotions were leaking on its own.

The warmth the water gave me can't be explained. I felt home here. The blue walls pulling me through it and hugging me like my mom, telling me I was strong to overcome the pain. It was a breather for me, safe haven.

The library shift was uneventful. Ralph was on phone with his daughter, Ryder was no where to be seen, there was no sales and no arrivals. Uneventful was good and bad at the same time, making me think all the wrong things I made to happen.

My head was throbbing from all the crying from home to aquarium and at aquarium, confusing the staffs with my sudden outburst. Not very ideal, crying looking at star fish, that was very much alive.

"You should take rest", Luke whispered passing me Hershey's bar. A small smile emerged on my face thinking about the small things that we remembered to comfort others, like chocolates for me, vodka for Luke, watches for Abby and amusement park for Matt. 

"Pasta for me", I announced as soon as we sat in the restaurant nearby our part time. Luke was generous enough to treat me dinner. Again, free food. My funky mood alleviated a little by the evening and must say Luke was making it better. 

"Em, I have only $20 with me", he said leaning on the table, a little embarrassed.

I leaned against him raising my eyebrows, "And a card".

He huffed leaning back and pouting, "Damn, I didn't want to use the card"

"Then let's leave", I said sounding curt and stood up. 

"Damn woman, Calm down. You know I'll buy anything for you."

"Oh, Luke. How sweet of you. My heart just stopped by your love", I said giving the lovey-dovey eyes.

"One day, your eyes are gonna stuck in the crossed position", he said annoyed.

I burst out laughing, crossing my eyes again. I made Luke use his card for the first time we came here and Luke seldom uses his card. Its hard cash for him, you know hard every other way too, his words not mine.

Pasta was accommodating to my disposition. It was pretty good but I would eat anything without judgement.

Things seemed normal, the usual laughs, the jokes and the meaningful eye contacts that talk more than words. Picking up our pasta for the rest two, we made our way back home.

Cross that shit I said about getting a better day. Connor was waiting for us in the parking and had no plan to let us escape his path. This time I let Luke to stay with me, knowing Connor was going to want me to explain the harassment part again. Luke was more than happy to break Connor's nose if given opportunity.

"Did Ryder harass you?", Connor threw his first words after our little get away at the college.

"Ryder is the reason I got harassed", I said in a boring tone. I involuntarily moved towards Luke when Connor took a step towards. Knowing the mistake he made, he took a few steps back.

"I am really sorry", he rasped voice coming out stuttered. 

"You should be", Luke quipped.

Connor diverted his attention towards Luke, "Dude, I am sorry"

"No dude. This should be over. We don't want your sorry and heck we don't want to know if you ever felt guilty. I want this over. I was okay with all girl shits you guys talked because I thought that was cool, but these two girls are my best friends, my sisters. I won't allow anyone mess with them and worse hurt them.  You guys did a great job at those and if you are a bit sorry, solve it right now", Luke breathed out.

That was the longest and most meaningful things that Luke ever said. It was emotional and funny at the same time.

Connor was flushed in embarrassment.

"I am sorry Luke. I will fix this. Trust me", Connor ensured and turned towards me giving a small smile.

"And Connor", Luke called when Connor was about to walk out. He turned around in confusion taking a few steps towards us. "Fuck off", I burst out laughing baffling Connor at the insult.

"I am hungry again", Luke said on the elevator.

I shook my head in disbelief and realized something. The food bag I had was missing.

"Shit Luke we left the pasta in the car for an hour"

Hey guys, this is one of the long chapters in the book. So I am gonna come up with question

What do you think of Connor?