"This isn't fair", I shouted at Ryder. I was too pissed to remain calm in the library. Not that many bothered reading.

"I don't care",he shrugged and pushed himself off the rack and walked past me.

The paper in my hand said fifth date. That wasn't the bother as I accepted the fate, he planned it during the camp this weekend.

The barn house.

This was the first time I was going out as I ran to house every weekend and spent time with Papi. His health was fluctuating, having breathing problems now and then.

It was the first time Ryder approached me after that day.

I entered the house to find Abby having a mental breakdown. She didn't even see the video.

My chest tightened seeing her cry, all because she fell in love with wrong person, like the one I did.

Luke informed her that we deleted the video from his phone, now the left ones were Ryder and the Thomas guy we didn't know existed.

Matt was baffled when he entered the room witnessing Abby disintegrating and had no idea why. He kept him in dark, we didn't know if he was helpful or going to go bersek over the news. So, he was kept oblivious for a while.

The February wind was freezing us as soon as we stepped out of the car. Matt and Abby were on to setting up the tent, while the rest of us were shifting things from car to tent.

Mojo and Nick found us midway helping us move things. They were same the last time I'd seen them except Nick slicked back his black hair.

Nick was flirty with Abby and Abby loved it. The neighbors didn't arrive yet letting things go normal for once.

"My eyes are hurting seeing you shine like this", Nick commented while we all cringed at the same time except Nick being goofy and Abby flushing red.

"Apart from being sexy what do you do for living?",Abby retorted.

We shouted to stop them, contorting our faces in disgust and Luke was faking a vomit at the side.

Nick and Abby went on and on, back and forth until the cars lined up into the fence.

Area went silent when they made their way to the tents setting the coolers, only thing they bothered to carry.

Connor had a mark of Luke's hand print. We were talking through text as I felt guilty about Luke's behavior towards him.

Never tried crossing the line, just morning wishes and asking him how was the wound recovering. Times when he strayed away from the normal talk, I immediately cut the conversation.

Abby froze when Dustin leaned down to kiss here, infront of Nick. She was in tears when Nick moved away from her after that. Yeah, she liked Nick's attitude from the first time and I heard they met in the college occasionally.

"Don't worry, Abby", I scooted her closer to me. She laid her head on my shoulder looking at the lake.

"Why doesn't life goes like the way I like it?"

"Won't we bored if it happens our way?", I chuckled.

"I like Nick. He said he thought I had high standards and was afraid to get closer to me. After Dustin's situation, Nick figured something was with me and checked upon me whenever he was free. I am scared, Em. I am scared to go to Dustin. That day when we slept together, I've felt so much disgusted about my self", she sighed tears wetting my top.

"Abby..", I whispered before she continued.

"I feel empty these days. I don't want to hurt Nick. I don't want love but don't want to lose the thing me and Nick have. He is a good guy and I don't know if I am leading him on. What should I do?", she hiccuped into my neck.

My cheeks were wet with my own tears.

"I love you, Abby. You are best and most beautiful person I had ever met. Trust me, things are going to get better at the end and I'll be there for you", the words that could soothe her pain a little. The words that I wanted to her desperately when I was back stabbed by the person I loved the most.

Fire was lit, everyone was gathering around the flame. I sat next to Nick giving him a smile.

Abby was sat a few chairs apart adjacent to us on the right, eyeing us now and then. The neighbors were opposite to Abby on our left.

Dustin was winking at Abby and she squirmed before putting on a smile. Her eyes drifted to our seat pleading me to pull her out of the misery.

"Isn't she beautiful?", Nick asked looking at Abby who was bantering with Luke.

"She's the most beautiful one I've ever known", I commented.

"Me too. Beautiful inside out"

"Never had a doubt", I smile remembering the blonde who grew up with me.

"I don't know if I should ask you?", Nick asked with a little relunctance.

I knit my eyebrows in confusion.

"Is Abby in some kind of trouble?."

"Why would you ask that?"

"I mean she is herself when she is with you guys but I've seen her in a lot of thoughts when she stands alone in the cafe"

I wiggled my eyebrows and gave a lopsided grin. "Stalker much are we"

Nick instantly blushed eyeing Abby.

"No wonder she likes you...your company"

"She said that?", he asked surprised.

"HmMm. She is having a difficult time going through some things. I am so thankful that you have been there when we weren't. That means a lot to us and to her.", I took his hands in mine and slightly shook it.

Nick was a humble guy and I got it after I talked to him. I also figured he developed a profound liking towards Abby but was hesitant to approach his feelings. Anyone would be in dilemma after seeing the girl you like kiss another guy infront of you when she was flirting with you a second ago.

But Nick never once mentioned anything ill about Abby. He was hurt and disappointed in her yet still want to be for her.

I gave a little subtle hints about Abby liking him but if this relationship of her was going to go any step further, I wanted them to talk among themselves.

With that being said, I was chasing Luke for eating my yogurt. I couldn't help but laugh the way his legs buckled and hands flailing in the air as he ran along the shore.

"You better come here now, Lucas", I shouted.

He threw the middle finger in the air without turning around. "Try your luck", he shouted.

I was an athletic person than Luke as I soon catch up on him knocking him down into the water.

He went in and came out gasping for water. I pulled him out and walked along with him to the tent.

"I have 5th date tonight", I said trudging the stones.

He hummed.

"I never told you before but it really worries me to send you to him. He can do anything to you and the thought that you have to face it alone is scary"

"I am braver than you think", I playfully bumped my shoulders against his.

"Oh please. Tell those who don't know you. You cried when Matt was getting stitches."

"Hey, that looked painful"

"Thank god, medical is not your cup"

"Not gonna disagree"

The clock hit 7. I headed towards the barn house.

5 down, 5 more to go.