I was being strangled by Abby. The moment I left the trail, Abby jumped on me and hugged me to death.

I tapped he hands frivolously making realize about her ongoing assault.

She finally released the hold allowing me to take in a few breathes, "Em, I missed you so much and I was so scared. Are you okay? He didn't do anything right?", she fired up questions. 

"I am okay. I had a situation and I'll explain it later."

"Yeah sure. Boys are waiting in the car. You go with Matt and I'll fill up the deets to Luke", she exclaimed.

I nodded and started walking towards the cars, which were the only ones left besides our neighbors.

"Em, I want to tell you something", Abby chimed holding Luke's door.

"What?"

"Never mind. We are having girl's night?"

"Okay", I said and slided into Matt's passenger seat.

Though the print marks disappeared over night, there was a small sting everytime I touched. My body was aching from lack of sleep.

I ran out of the house before any one woke up. I had no idea how I had to react after he asked me to sleep in his room, after he hurt me, after he had a panic attack infront of me, after  he kissed me.

The series of event pushed the kiss back but it was the first thing I remembered when I woke up.

The car jerked throwing me mid air and the seat belt saved me back to earth. Bear the exaggeration but it was how it felt waking up grumpy.

Matt had a permanent scowl on his face, swearing now and then under his breath. He almost hit a car twice.

"Matt!!", I grunted holding for my dear life. I thought he woke up and chose violence and I was his first prey today.

"Matt, please drive slowly. You are scaring me", I pleaded as he swirled along the cars.

"Not more than you", he said still not looking at me.

"What do mean?", I gave him a dazed look of bewilderment.

"Where were you last night?", his frustration etched with the words.

My mouth went dry. I put my hands on my lap and my head down.

"At our neighbors barn house", I mumbled.

Deep Breathe.

"Why did you go there?", the next question shot up.

"For a date", he slammed the breaks. I nearly hit on my head on the dash. He took off again before I could find a balance.

"You went to a date to our neighbors barn house without informing me"

I trained my eyes on my lap as he shot daggers at me.

Deep Breathe

"Whom are you dating?"

"Ryder"

"What?!!", this time he parked the car in a rest area. He turned towards me leaning against the steering.

"Yeah. Ryder.", I casually shrugged.

"I don't understand. I thought you had a crush on Connor. Last time I knew you and Ryder were avoiding each other like a flu", he gave me a quizzical look.

"It just happened. He asked and I gave it a shot"

"Em, what are you guys hiding from me?", he asked looking at me intently.

I was avoiding his eyes, trying to make up something.

"Why do we hide you something? Ryder isn't serious, not worth mentioning."

He sighed and placed his head in his hands on the steering wheel.

"Luke told me everything. Why Abby was crying and why you are acting weird"

That bastard.

 I contemplated with my options, which weren't many to begin with. Moreover, Luke already informed him something.

"Uhm. I didn't mean to hide it from you. Its just that I didn't want to worry you"

"I want to worry about you guys. Don't you get it?. I wanted the truth from you, not from Luke"

"I'm sorry, Matt. I'll tell you everything. Will we be okay after that?", I asked extending my fist.

He bumped it and smiled.

That was the last time I saw him smile. His fury sprang to life when I told him how Ryder threatened me with Abby's video. As I went on until yesterday night, he was quivering in anger.

"Matt", I swallowed a lump because of his response, no response.

"Matt, listen to me. I am trying to figure it out. I know you are angry and want to punch him but give me some time."

"I don't want to punch him. I want to kill him, all of them"

"Matt, single reckless thing we do and we give them a chance to exploit the video. I don't want you to involve your emotions. Not you, being the smartest among us"

"Then why didn't you tell me?", he asked disappointed.

"I didn't want to worry you. I never intended to tell anyone. Certain situations put me in the spot. I want you to understand me"

He finally nodded. He didn't speak a word till we reached home but the car was charged.

Few times I had seen Matt angry, he was worst when he gave in to anger.

We all settled in the couch after a long shower, heavy breakfast and some snacks.

Matt broke the ice first, "How do we find thomas?"

Luke and Abby looked taken aback by his question. Their eyes trained on me.

"What? Luke already spilled the beans and I came clean."

"What are you talking about? I never uttered a word to him", Luke glanced around the room as if looking for answers.

"Admit it Lucas. Matt told me you said it"

"I swear to God I didn't open my mouth"

"Then how would he.."

Holy crap.That was a trap.

I eyed Matt who was having a sly look.

"You fell for his words", Luke pointed his fingers at me. Was I this stupid from the beginning, not even able to keep a secret for myself.

"It doesn't matter. Now I know what happened. Let's make them pay", he announced.

Luke cheered and acted like throwing confetti.

"That's my brother". And the revenge plan officially started.