"Jasmine said she'll help me get out of here if I handed over the house to her mother." I sigh and reach for the glass of water. When I lift it up, I realize it's empty and I place back on the table as I continue.

"My aunt couldn't afford a house. I mean, maybe she could with what dad left her but I know it's not enough for the two of them. My aunt always wanted Jasmine to go to college, even get a master's degree but it was either save up for that or spend it on a house. I don't think I'll ever return and now that I think about it, I'm glad I gave them the house. One less thing to be worried about."

I stop talking when I meet Detective Danvers gaze. I study his face closely, trying to find a reaction to everything I just told him but his features don't show a hint of emotion. It's really just an uncomfortable blank stare which is also awfully intimidating. I notice the dark circles under his eyes and light stubble giving the impression that he doesn't get enough sleep. And I doubt he will be getting any because of this case. I wait for him to say something but he doesn't. He's just watching me and I'm watching him.

"So, I'm free to go?" I ask, breaking away from the stare.

He sighs, flipping through the file again until he stops at a blank page. He runs a hand through his light brown locks before lifting his gaze to meet mine. "If the forensics proves it."

I nod my head in understanding. They were still running some tests and I hoped that they would realize that I had been framed. That my DNA at the crime scene was a set up.

I notice he picks up his pen again and clicks the button at the far end of it, lifting his gaze to me yet again. "I want you to explain everything that happened the moment you left the party, again."

I huff, almost involuntarily. We were back to square- I trail off when I study the look on his face. His eyes have softened just a little and I suddenly feel encouraged to lie again. Maybe I was finally breaking through to him.

As much as I wanted to speak the truth, I decide against it. I have a strong feeling that Bellamy is being questioned just like I am and we have to give them the same story. We didn't have time to argue about it and unlike all the other irrational decisions he was making recently, I hoped that this doesn't cost us.

I retell the events to Detective Danvers slowly, making sure nothing sounds different from before although the plan was simple.

I was truthful about the first half, that I was worried about Bellamy as he wasn't replying to my texts and when I went to his house to check on him, I was knocked out on his doorstep by some men. And that was when the lie started. I told him that I was knocked out pretty bad, gesturing to the bump at the back of my head. I nodded and I continued, saying that I woke up when Bellamy nudged me. We were at some cottage in the middle of nowhere and made a run for it when we heard gunshots.

"And did he know your location?" He asks.

"Find my friends, it's an app—"

"I know," He huffs, waving a hand in the air for me to shut up then he looks at his watch. "The reports should be here by now. That and your boyfriends statement."

And with that, he picks up his file and leaves the room. For once the room doesn't feel too cold, either someone turned up the heating or I was sweating out of nervousness and anxiety. I patiently tap my foot as I wait in silence. I can't help but think about what Bellamy said to the investigator. I hope our stories match.

I look up at the door when it creaks open. I immediately recognize my mother's voice. She's screaming at someone but I can't make out what she's saying as two officers enter the room.

"You're free to go miss." I bounce up, almost knocking the chair behind me. "But we might call you back if need be. The test results came back negative and a search team has been dispatched. You need not to worry anymore."

"And what about Bellamy?" I ask Detective Danvers who's quietly standing beside the other officer.

"You can meet him outside." He says.

I nod as the other officer leads me outside, whose name I couldn't catch. Detective Danvers discreetly stops me at the threshold and his voices drops an octave. "I know there's more to this than you're leading on, and have you know that I will find out."

It takes everything in me to not react to what he just said. I take a bigger step out of the door and rush over to mom who catches me in her warm embrace.

I finally let a chill run down my spine and bury my face in her neck. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I lift my head up to see Bellamy and Brianna.

Mom pulls away and searches my face as if I've been hurt. "The lawyer was away and none of others available." She kisses my forehead and I smile at the gesture. "I'm so sorry baby."

"It's alright, I'm okay." I try to ease her tension by laughing but it comes out as a cough instead. Brianna hands me a water bottle but I hug her instead. Something feels different, as if things are a little better than before.

I pull away from her and reach towards Bellamy who has been patiently waiting for me but I'm pulled away. I frown and turn towards my mother.

"We should get going, before they come up with something else." She explains as she takes my hand and leads me to the exit.

Bellamy doesn't seem to mind as he falls in step with me. I can sense his irritation but there's nothing we can do about it. Nothing I want to do about it. We take one step forward then two steps back, and I'm starting to get tired.

"Mom, why don't you go on ahead, I'll meet you by the car in a bit." I say as we exit the station through the back door as instructed by one of the officers.

Mom arches a brow at me, "No, Blake. You're coming with me. I've had enough."

"Enough of what?" I shriek. "I'm the one who spent hours inside that tiny little room, reminiscing about all the bad things that happened in my life! I'm sorry if you got tired of waiting for me but just give me a second to relax, please."

She silently glares at me. I hear more than I feel her hand slapping my face, my head dull with pain. A gasp escapes everyone's lips as I stagger back, falling into Bellamy's chest as I bring my hand to my hot cheek. "We are not doing this here." I can barely hear her over the ringing sound in my left ear.

Bellamy wraps an arm around my shoulders. "You shouldn't have done that."

"Don't speak a word to me. I'll have you thrown in here just like you deserve."

"Mom, don't. Let's just go home. All of us." Brianna tries to turn her around but the woman won't budge.

I ignore the pleading look Brianna is giving me and focus on mom as I straighten up. "If it weren't for Bellamy, I wouldn't be here."

A smirk stretches over mom's face and I almost want to smack myself in the head for saying that.

"I meant I would've been in a worse place, I—" I cry out in frustration as she talks over me.

"No sweetie, you're absolutely right. This boy has brought you nothing but trouble. His constant mind games, his poor background, and his bad habits, all have affected you. You're lucky we got out of this one," She says, gesturing to the building behind us. "Do you realize this case can effect your acceptance at NYU? You can't throw away your entire life for a boy, Blake."

"Mom," I say, but she shakes her head and reaches for me.

"I can help you out of this, but you need to come home and tell me everything. We can work around this and make sure NYU doesn't get the wrong image. You worked so hard for this, your dad worked so hard, don't throw it away Blake. Your dad wouldn't want you to."

For a moment, I forget the pain in my cheek, I forget about the boy standing next to me and I forget about all of the promises we made to each other. In the moment, the only thing that feels right is to follow mom. I had a dream, I had plans for the future and I put too much time and energy in it to abandon it now. I had to make dad proud, I owe it to him.

I turn towards Bellamy and I can see the determination in his eyes. He thinks I'll choose him. No, I should choose him.

Dammit Blake, think about your career. You have to put yourself first. You can run after love later, it's never too late!

Wrong, it's now or never. He won't wait for you forever. You can figure out everything with him. He loves you, don't push him away. It's all you need to survive.

I close my eyes as the voices in my head get louder and louder. I try to push everything out of my head but it doesn't work. My hearts pounding in my chest and my breathing becomes staggered. My knees feel weak and I fall into the darkness.

Author's note:

Hello everyone, I hope you well and safe. Please take care of yourself and others around you during this pandemic. Not too proud of updating during lockdown but I had to get my mind off of stuff.

My prayers to go out everyone and hopefully we'll make it out of this soon. 💜

Sorry for the small update but I just wanted to get on with the story and lowkey end on a cliffhanger.

What are your thoughts about this chapter? Do you think it was wrong of Blake's mom to bring her dad into this to try to manipulate her? What do you think Bellamy's gonna do? Should Brianna have done something rather than just stand there idly?

Also, are any armys reading this story? I got version 2 of Map of the Soul: 7 and I'm obsessed with it! Do you have any albums of BTS?