I wanted to hole up and never show my face to any one. Why couldn't just people disappear for a day? I could be alone and happy for a while, without shame and embarrassment.

It all started with Matt's utter flop idea. I approached the guy, tried to flirt and when it didn't work perfectly on my part, I acted desperate to search my phone. He gave his phone and as soon as I got my hand on the device, I took off.

I ran to girl's restroom, with a 6 foot muscle hot on trail. I barely managed to get out of his sight and entered the bathroom. It took me around ten freaking  minutes to get my breathe back. That was the most athletic thing I did in the last few months.

Thankfully, he gave his phone unlocked. I opened the gallery to trash, nothing. Contacts, none of the four musketeers. Photos with them, none. Except for his name, none matched. I even downloaded few software to check his history but other than few gay porn, who would've thought that the hot and single boy was into boys, none.  I was already in the verge of crying from frustration. It was the stall door that took my anger.

I saw him standing at the corner looking around furiously. I was dead. I started crying and atleast tried as I walked towards him and tapped his shoulders. I ducked at exact time his arms swung. 

Whoa, my configured face.

"What the fuck?", he shouted as I stood there crying. If I wasn't crying already, I would be , because I was terrified of him. 

"My brother died, sorry", I threw the first lie that came to my mind. People around us started whispering about how pity I was and the giant infront of me softened. I went on my knees to pour in my agony to the ground. He knelt beside and gently pulled me towards him.

If it wasn't for his  nauseating sweat smell, I would've appreciated the gesture. But he was gagging me. It was my grace that Matt showed at the correct time and pulled me out of the embrace.

I wanted a shower. I apologized to him and ran out of the building. I had only two thoughts, to run as far from him and second, to kill the twins.

Luke was the first one to appear after my exit. I jumped on him without a word, pushed him to the ground and started punching him randomly. It was his mistake. He should've investigated properly.

He was blocking my punches and tried to lock my hands and that made me more furious. I stood up and threw my thick books, one by one.

"I am so sorry. Please, stop", Luke pleaded trying to block the books. Well, I was the one who ran a marathon and miserably failed to find an evidence and not to mention the drama and its effect.

"Sorry? You are sorry, Luke? Smell me. Come on, sniff me", I growled as I pulled him towards me. He took a breathe and turned other side with a face of disgust.

"Do you think I deserve it?"

"Did you find anything?"

"No, for Christ's sake, no. I didn't find anything but shame", angry tears were flowing as I restocked the books into my bag.

"He wasn't the one", Matt asked. I didn't even realize when he joined in her. I wiped my tears and started walking away.

My anger was simmering through tears and I preferred that way, it was better than hurtful words.

Oh, if you thought I was gonna have a change of scene then Oh Boy How wrong was I?

Because the next moment I crashed into Connor's chest. Yes, the same guy whom I might've had a chance of developing feeling.

"Emily? Why are you crying?", I was surprised my his concerned voice. If I had treated me like me, I would've laughed at your face for rejecting and dating my best friend. But he wasn't me. He was Connor, the God of Forgiveness. I bet he would even forgive if I murdered Ryder.

"Nothing. I am fine", I replied as I gently pushed his hands from my shoulder.

"Definitely you are not fine. I can see you crying. Tell me what happened? Please"

I lifted my eyes to meet his. The sand eyes were filled with concern. For me.

"Why do you want to know?", I asked sniffing my nose.

I was curious. Maybe I knew the reason and just wanted to hear it again. It was wrong of me but I wasn't in my mind.

"Because I am your friend". I snorted.

"Friends help others in trouble not land them into one", I retorted sarcastically

"How long are you going to play that against me? Just tell me how many time I have to apologize to take your pain away? Tell me what to do"

Well if the opportunity presents itself.

"I want you to delete Abby's video from Ryder's phone"

He was taken aback by my request. It would be like I would've walked away already.

"Then will you trust me again?". Let me tell you, my heart fluttered. The thought that someone wanted my trust and not the other way around. The one relationship I had, I earned trust the hard way only to be set ablaze. 

"I am gonna be honest with you, Connor. I will try to trust you"

A smile spread on his face. I didn't miss his slight jump. He was a good friend and if he was trying this much,  I had to give him that. But I was sure that I didn't want anything with him. 

With Ryder, it was different. The new dynamic that pushed and pulled towards him was confusing. One minute he was the prince charming sweeping off the legs and next moment devil with angel's face.

He was a dangerous game, except the game was playing the player

After my shift in cafe, Connor asked me to meet him in the pool area. I took my phone and ran to the door. He better tell me he did something useful.

I was panting when I reached over the pool area. I looked at his blank face in anticipation. It was clear he couldn't do it but why bother calling me now.

That's when I noticed the end of his lips twitched before it turned full blown. I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion looking around to find any answer

"I deleted the video from Ryder's phone"

I screamed in joy, flailing my hands in air and jumped around the water. The emotions were overwhelming like a long relief after so much pain.

After settling myself I ran to Connor, "Are you sure? Did you delete everything? No backups"

"I am positive" and I hugged him which he returned. I was crying, I hate crying but I wanted to cry.

"Thank you so much. Thank you", I choked into his shirt. 

"Anything for you". Three words that I was afraid of. He said for me. I got pulled away from him. The brief moment of cold was replaced with a familiar warmth. 

I lifted my gaze from the hard chest to the chiseled face with a set jaw, glaring ahead. He had a death on my waist. 

I pusher myself away from him disregarding his glaring.

"Don't handle me like that. I am not your toy", I hollered with a frown.

"What are you doing here ?", he asked with a threatening look.

I shrugged raising my eyebrows. Due to lack of my response he asked Connor the same question.

"Its over Ryder", Connor said which only made Ryder made confused.

"I deleted the video. The video that you approached her with. You don't have anything against her"

I gave him a smug smile with my shoulders raised in pride, while he searched through his phone.

He looked at me dead in the eyes as he pulled me towards hin with my wrist and leaned in to whisper in my ear

"We are completing our dates, baby. The absence of video doesn't mean you can stop me", he said in a menacing tone that I shuddered.

He definitely needed a reality check. Except for the Thomas guy he didn't had any leverage against me. Did he?

He turned around and walked away without a second glance.

"Everything is over", Connor's words were true except I couldn't feel it in my gut and he made it clear he wasn't letting me go.

"Yeah, all now is to find Thomas", I said with a weak smile.

Connor's smile instantly dropped as a sense of panic set in his eyes.

"Why does Thomas has anything to do with it?". There was something in him that indicated that he knew who Thomas was.

"When we deleted the video from Dustin's phone, he sent the video to two people. Ryder and Thomas" I said as I watched Connor's face pale.

"Do you know Thomas?"

He looked with the wide eyes and nodded his head, "Maybe exposing our plan to Ryder was a bad idea"

"Why?", I asked as dread filled me.

"Ryder is the guy you are searching for"

"What?"

"Ryder's middle name is Thomas"

"What?", I asked in disbelief.

"Ryder is Thomas"