I learned more about Rilden than I was told by Rex. I got to know more about his personal life more than I thought I could ever know.

He has four siblings; Matt, Natalya, Olivia and Amston Green. And he was the middle one.

I was told this by my brother that night. I was surprised when he told me, Rilden looks familiar to him, and so I asked him, how do you know Rilden?

Rilden's older brother Matt and my brother Haxsel had been close friends when they were small. At that time, both were in Israel. They still do keep in touch but it's been a really long while since they met. And that's why my brother asked me, how do I know him, when he saw Rilden's photo in my phone because he was certainly sure that I've possible never met him.

Haxsel had known Rilden when he was so little and he also told me a little that he know about Rilden's family.

I was surprised, impressed, and wished if I had ever gotten a chance to have met with Rilden because both our brothers were friends. But I can only say that, it isn't what God wants now.

After Haxsel told me about all what he know about Rilden -only at my request; he wasn't pleased with it though- he asked me to let go of him, to let go of my love interest for Rilden from my entire mind.

I tried to tell him that since he's friends with Rilden's brother, he can't say I'm hopeless for it but my brother insisted, I should let go because that's good for me.

We came back from New York two weeks ago and here I was standing in front of my long mirror in my room, after I got dressed and got my hair done for the first day of new school year.

This summer was dreadful, and I don't regret saying it over and over again.

But maybe, things can be a bit lightmooded at school with having Emmy and Harry around. And, that's what I'm looking forth too, because my emotional level is so exhausted.

I didn't got a chance to see Emmy when I came back but Harry dropped by, a week ago, after his London trip with his cousins and gave me a new pencil box he had bought from London for me and Emmy; his two and only female best friends.

A pencil box isn't the name that could suit it right because this wasn't just any pencil box I've seen; it was four layered, had a flexible and adjustable flashlight lamp inside, a calculator, some kind of abacus riddle game set-up, a mirror (much to my amusement) and above all, the cover of the either sides of the box was a 3d picture of Harry Potter & the Dumbledore's Army and the Pevensie siblings from Narnia!

I hugged Harry and thanked him while he shrugged his shoulders saying, "It's nothing, really." Why, much to my heartwarming sight, he also had the box filled up with all tools I'll be needing to fit in a pencil box, just one difference that, everything was expensive.

I smiled at the memory and threw my backpack over my shoulders and headed down for breakfast. And after having my food, Haxsel and I bid our byes to our parents and Nicky and went on our way in his car. My brother was the one to drop me at school everyday since my first day in school.

"There's the Canfield's car." my brother pointed his chin towards a black Lamborghini in front of us as we took our turn on the road to our school.

"Could that be Max driving it?" I asked, peeking out to see who's driving my best friend to school today.

"That's Aiden." Haxsel said, and raised his hand in a hello gesture to the back of the Lamborghini. Maybe Aiden, Harry's fourth eldest brother, had seen him through the rear glass.

I was right, because I catched Harry's eyes in the other rear mirror of the passenger seat he was sitting. He shot me a smile, which I returned with a chuckle.

When Haxsel parked his car outside of our school gate, behind Aiden's, I quickly got out and flung myself at my friend, while our brothers got out and greeted each other.

"Ready for another year of stress?" Harry asked teasingly, once we pulled back from the hug.

I rolled my eyes, smiling, "Nah, what can go stressful with you as our cheerer?" I asked, nudging his arm.

Harry rolled his eyes and smirked. He was about to say something but I interrupted as I spot Emmy by a few meters away from us, waving to her brother who was leaving after dropping her.

"Emmy!" I exclaimed at the sight of my best friend whom I haven't got a chance to see face to face in person until now, after Harry's birthday on the second week of June.

Along with a few heads that turned to us at my exclaiming, Emmy looked over to us. Surprised and excited, she beamed widely before running to us, crashing us both in a group hug.

"Oh my goodness, guys!" her cheeks were still rose from her rushy run to us. "We are finally back together!" she said.

I gave her an extra hug, "You're a bit tanned. Too long sunbathings, huh?" I asked teasingly.

"Don't I look tanned? I had quite a lot sunbath too." Harry said from beside me.

"Yeah, but I saw you last week and I noticed it." I said, pulling back from Emmy and looking at him.

He rolled his eyes.

"And by the way, Hailey," Emmy began, "Rex asked me to wish you a good luck for the first day of new school year. She said you haven't seen her message yet."

I quickly slid off my backpack from my shoulders and got my phone out. "Oh thanks, Emms. I didn't use internet today." I muttered and checked into WhatsApp for new updates.

There were several messages from my cousins, which I thought to respond later because I'll go literally stuck talking with them. I saw Rex's message below them and texted her back, wishing her good luck as well. To my not-so-big surprise, there was a message from Jade too. We have grown close for past days and so, I can expect anything from her now. I smiled mentally and texted her a thanks, promising to tell her everything about my day when I return home.

Harry and Emmy had already engaged themselves in conversation about the box Harry had brought for us, and I slid my phone back into my backpack as I saw my brother and Aiden coming to us.

"I thought you might've reached inside the classroom by now." Aiden said, glancing at his younger brother, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"I wasn't waiting for your goodbye biding, if that's what you think I'm still here." Harry snapped, slightly annoyed.

Aiden didn't say anything but rolled his eyes at the sky before smirking. His eyes then landed on me, hugged to my brother's side, and smiled. "Good to see you again, Hailey." he said, extending a hand out, which I took to shake. He then also shook hands with Emmy, before patting twice on his annoyed brother's hair and walked towards the school, after giving a pat on my brother's shoulder.

"He's so annoying." Harry hissed, glaring daggers to his brother's disappearing backsight. "I would've given anything in the world to have him not to drive me to here but dad insisted I should go with him today because dad has asked him to check on something."

I don't wonder why Harry's dad wanted his son to check on something in the school. Because they were the ones running this building.

"Chill out, bro." Haxsel smiled at Harry, patting his shoulders. "It's just for today. Then you can have your bodyguard driving you-"

"I don't have a bodyguard, honestly." Harry cut him off, "That's out of fashion to me." he said casually.

I saw Emmy rolling her eyes, next to him. "Alright then, let's go, shall we?" she asked, eagerly looking towards the crowded gateway.

I turned to my brother and gave him one last hug. "God be with you, sweetheart." he said, kissing me on top of my head. "I love you."

"I love you too." I said and pulled away from the hug, "And, Amen to that." I said, before turning back and walking to the gate with my friends.

Once we got in, Harry spotted some of his colleagues and walked towards them, when he saw his brother in the corridors of where we were supposed go. Emmy and I walked to our lockers, arm in arm, catching up on the time we missed each other. She told me about her Californian and Canadian trip while I told her about mine.

"Oh I see," I heard a familiar but still unrecognizable female voice behind us. Neither of us dared to turn because, not everything that is talked aloud here has anything to do with us. But unfortunately, it had.

"Houston and Birchwood are still sidekicking Canfield, huh?"

That literally got both of our legs stop abruptly. I loosened my arm from Emmy's and turned back to see three girls behind us. At the sight of the middle redhead, Emmy and I automatically exchanged a glance; and I'm sure, she's wondering the same as I; what is she doing here?

Orlana Norris.

There was no wonder that, such slippery, masterly faking and mocking voice belonged to her than anyone I've known here. But the thing is, how come she's here?

Orlana had moved to another school a few years ago. And now she's... back?

Her friend, who stood by her right, chuckled, nudging her arm. "Oh Lanny! You don't belong here, do you?" the girl said dramatically in a mocking tone, as if clearly reading our minds.

Of course Hailey, your thought is written visibly on your face!

"Oh right, I don't belong here!" Orlana's drama began, "But why am I wearing this uniform?" Her dramatic face suddenly fell, replaced with a smirk that I can relate to an evil witch from cartoons, as she focused on us. "Because I'm back." she raised her left eyebrow challengingly.

Emmy snorted, rolling her eyes in annoyance, "No one asked you."

Orlana ignored her, "So, still hooked up with Harry? I think it's time you handle him back." she said, in something like a whisper.

Emmy burst into a fit of chuckles and then it turned into a laughter. I joined in. "Handle him back," Emmy managed to choked out in between the laughter, clutching onto my shoulder for support, "Did you hear that?"

"Yeah," I said, playing along, biting my lips from laughing out aloud. "Seems like your school wasn't treating you well, Norris," I paused to give her a head-to-toe mocking look that I knew would piss her, "You seem to be out of normal senses." I said.

"Harry's not a baby, in case if you forgot." Emmy added, probably because Orlana used the words handle back.

That caught her off guard and she pointed her finger, at me. "You," she hissed, "You're the one who ruined everything by getting in between me and Harry; destroying our friendship."

Oh great. Just great. I knew this would come.

Orlana and Harry had happened to be best friends since their first year in school. But as she grew, the more spoiled she got, and Harry once admitted to us that he's gotten enough of her. I only met Harry when I was joined in this school for my fourth grade; and we eventually became friends, especially because our brothers Hax and Max had been friends, so we got to hangout together. Emmy joined us a year later and I guess Orlana is right, I might've ruined their friendship, but I wasn't doing it on purpose. And when she moved to another school two years ago, Harry was relieved.

Since then, Emmy and I had been a thorn in the eyes of every girl who fancied Harry.

"Whoa whoa whoa, hold on there." Emmy threw her amusement away. "What do you think Harry would like say about this nonsense? It's not Hailey's fault that Harry chose her over you; seeing a trustworthy person and valuable friendship in her than a fake flattering hooked up on to his side looking for benefits." she said, holding the glare with Orlana, defending me.

I blinked twice at my friend, I've never seen her like this before. And her stern defensive voice reminded me of Rex.

"How dare you?!" Orlana growled and took a step towards Emmy. "You don't know anything about our friendship, you little bi-"

"Don't you dare!" I stepped in between, pointing my index finger at her nose. "Complete the word, and you're done for it." I challenged. I've had enough of playing the poor forgiving girl around her and I understood that, if I don't act brave now, she'll get on my nerves all over, especially since she's back. I think Naomi is better than this.

Orlana smirked.

Oh, she has mastered the mean girl features more than I had expected.

"Is that a challenge?" she lifted her chin, "What's the threat?"

"I'll call Harry immediately." I said smirking equally cunning, knowing that's her weak point.

"Oh I would love to see that," she folded her arms across her chest. "you little-"

"Lanny," her friend cut her off for her own good, by nudging her on the arm. "That's him." she said, jerking her head towards a group of boys behind me and Emmy.

I lowered my hand and turned to see Harry.

A malicious smile appeared on Orlana's lips. I don't regret comparing her name to the witches' in Disney cartoons when Emmy and I were younger. That's when once Emmy pointed out, even Orlana's surname actually belongs to Mr. Filch's cat in Harry Potter.

"See ya, girls." Orlana flipped her hair to her back and walked towards where Harry and his colleagues stood.

"Good luck, by the way." I called out before she was far. She turned to me with a surprised look on her face, along with her friends. "To get his attention." I said sarcastically.

She shot me a quick glare before marching off.

"Such a wonderful starting for the first day, don't you think?" Emmy turned to me, once they were earshot far, "This isn't how I wanted my first day to go."

"Same here. She's insane, really." I shook my head at the readhead, who was now walking behind Harry's group, trying to get a chance to talk, probably. "Really pathetic."

Having her around is going to drive me mad, no doubt about that.

Oh God, what's more to come?

I was answered to that question a month and half later, when I opened my locker.

Everything was normal and I had finally got to clear my mind as my brother said. He says, he's happy to have the normal me back; while I asked, was I being in-normal?

And in school, no disasters happened after the first day drama with Orlana, who, as I knew, didn't succeeded in her mission of sticking back to Harry's side and now Emmy and I were her glaring dagger targets.

I wanted to get a few books for my biology class after lunch and I had excused myself from Emmy to get them from my locker. Just as I opened it, something small and white fell off to the floor, light like a feather. It landed just in front of my left shoe. I grabbed my books and locked my shelf, before bending down to get it.

It was a piece of a nicely cut paper, with an unknown phone number written on one side along with a cursive written please call just below.

My heart jumped.

What is this? Some kind of trap? Whose number this could be? Who would've done this? Why though? And how did they managed to get this thing inside my locker while it was locked?

Maybe they, whoever it was, might've managed to slip the paper in through any possible gaps?

A lot of questions passed my head and I felt a hint of fear hit my heartstrings. Oh God, please be my guide.

I looked around to see if anyone's noticing me. But everyone in that corridor was hurrying to their classes after lunch. Whoever did this, I'm sure, have slipped it in during the lunch break because I opened my locker to keep my book before heading to the cafeteria and there was no such thing then.

For now, I decided to let go of the worries and walked to my class, slipping the paper piece into my pocket. I wanted to tell this to Emmy as soon as possible but didn't get her alone to talk until the end of the day, when we were walking out through the corridors.

"You got a what?" she asked, shocked. "Are you serious?"

"Of course, you think I'm joking?" I asked.

"Why is all these drama happening in your life? First it was Nott- oh sorry, I didn't mean to mention him." Emmy apologized quickly with a sorry look in her eyes.

"It's fine. I was wondering the same thing." I said, lifting my eyes up to the ceiling.

"Can I have a look at the number?" she asked after a few seconds.

"Sure." I took the paper piece out of my pocket and gave it to her.

Emmy examined it, what felt to me like a detective and I tried not to chuckle at her face expression; she looks so serious. "If you ask me, the wise way is to ignore it." she said, after shaking her head at the paper.

"But I want to find out who is behind this." Great. Now I sound like the detective.

"How so?"

"I'm gonna call to that number and-"

Emmy cut me off, "Have you lost your mind, Hailey?" she turned to me with a warning look. "If we ignore, that's the best. We don't want another Nott to mess around you."

"Who's Nott?" a male voice asked from near behind us.

Uh oh, Harry's voice. This isn't good.

"Harry, hey!" startled, Emmy turned around, greeted him, trying to sound normal.

I eyed Harry from head to toe; his dark hair was in a mess, his tie was halfway undone and his shirt was out of its proper place from the pants, and his coat... is probably inside his bag. And he was chewing on gum. "You look like you just had a fight with someone." I told him because of his appearance.

He shrugged it off, extending an open hand to us with two chewing gums on. I took one while Emmy asked, "Is it mint?" Harry nodded, so she said, "No thanks."

Just as she said it, the chewing gum flew up to his mouth. I've never seen Harry chewing gums before and now, everytime I see him after lunch breaks and after school, he's probably chewing gums. That was the only change in him that made me feel a bit strange about him but aside that, he's the complete same Harry we loved.

"So...found a new fictional crush?" Harry asked, looking between us.

"Excuse me?" I asked him, biting back a laugh.

"Yeah, this... Nott, I heard you talk about." he said, pointing his fingers at us.

Oh dang!

I laughed nervously along with Emmy, who threw me an apologizing smile. "Oh that's no fictional crush, absolutely not a crush." a shiver went down my spine as I said it. Nott? My crush? I prefer dying than that.

"Then who's it?" Harry pressed, coolly. "Come on, at least tell me which one of you having a Nott matter here?" he added, seeing us hesitant.

Emmy pointed her finger at me. Thank you very much, crime partner.

"I knew it." he chuckled under his breath, amused. "Who is it actually?"

I sighed in defeat, there's no way I can escape this guy with a boy matter, red in hand. Sometimes, he even act like my protective brother, much to my annoyance. "He's someone who tried to date me. You know, Haxsel's friend's cousin." I told him, cringing at the memory.

"And not to mention, twice older her age! I was disgusted." Emmy added, which made Harry's eyes go wide.

I cut in before he got a chance to open his mouth, "But Hax took care of it nicely by God's grace. It's totally over now." I assured him.

He didn't look relieved yet, "Totally over? Then why did I overheard you both saying his name a bit ago?" he asked, with that protective person on.

"That's because..." I trailed off, not sure if I can tell him the reason. Not that I don't trust him but if this mysterious person who left me his- or hers, but it'll probably a he, right?- phone number is someone who Harry know, then that's going to be the end of him.

"It seems like, we have another Nott problem on hand now." I said and told him about the phone number I got from my locker.

"Do you...by any chance, know this number? I mean, does it seem any familiar to you?" I asked as Harry examined the piece of paper Emmy gave him.

"No, didn't you look it up on Truecaller?" he asked, glancing up at us.

"I don't have it." I shrugged.

"I don't have such thing." Emmy said, "Do you?" she asked him.

"Yeah. And I've got a brilliant idea." he said and smirked down at the phone number. "Follow me." he said and climbed the steps out, walking towards the gate.

"Wait what?" I asked but he ignored and walked away with the paper in his hand. I looked at Emmy; she shrugged. And having no other choice, we both followed after him.

"Harry!" I called after him but he was ignoring our calls and walking to where his driver was waiting inside a black sports car.

"What is he up to?" Emmy wondered aloud beside me a we both walked up to him as fast as possible.

"Harry..." I grabbed his arm and stopped him when he was about to get in.

"Get in, we're going to the Pizza Hut." he said and opened the back door for us, motioning to get in.

"Really Harry? Pizza Hut? Is that your plan?" Emmy asked, a bit annoyed as I was.

"Relax girls." he smiled coyly, pushed us both inside and shut the door.

"That was rude." I mumbled to myself, stubbornly.

Harry got into his passenger seat and turned to the driver, "Drive us to the Pizza hut, please." he said.

The driver nodded and took off to Pizza Hut. Looking out over the parking lot outside of our school, I saw several people, girls mostly, staring at us; probably because we're leaving with Harry.

Although, this wasn't the first time people have seen us leaving in Harry's car; we used to go to the Pizza Hut, that was owned by the Canfield family, mostly every Fridays after school. But this time, I wonder why is he taking us to there, to solve my problem. I kept my mouth shut and waited patiently only because I trusted him.

After seven minutes of driving, the car strode inside the spacious courtyard of the hotel, to the private parking lot of the Canfield family.

The car stopped, but no one moved. Emmy and I definitely didn't make a move because we were brought here by Harry -who was now lost in his phone- and looked at each other, confused.

After a moment of silence and no movements, the driver cleared his throat, "Er... Mr. Canfield, we've arrived." the poor dark man in his late thirty's, announced awkwardly.

"Oh right." Harry's head shot up from his phone to the front glass and I can't believe he didn't notice anything at all. "Thanks Kent, er...my friends and I have something important to sort out here, so... you may go in and suit yourself with whatever you like and we'll be there in a moment." Harry said to the driver.

I remember the first time I heard Harry talk to Kent with his authority like big man talking to his salaried driver, but as I've always admired, Harry was always gentle and humble at the same time.

"I'm afraid I can't leave without you, Mr. Canfield." Kent told him.

"Why not?"

"Because I'm your bodyguard." the man replied.

Harry's head shot towards the driver with a jerk from his phone, "You're my what?!" he almost exclaimed.

Equally shocked, Emmy and I hold back our laugh at how priceless he looked. Harry has always hated the idea of having a bodyguard and now, his face expression was unreadable.

"Your bodyguard, Mr. Canfield." the man replied politely, even though he knew Harry heard what he said previously.

"Who put you up to this?" I can see the anger in his eyes flashing; not to the poor guy but to whoever signed him up for this.

"Your older brother Lior, Mr. Canfield." Kent said.

Harry ran a hand through his hair as if he's frustrated, "I knew it!" he hissed under his breath, "Lior wasn't pleased when Dad agreed with me, that I don't want a bodyguard, at least, any sooner." he leaned back on his seat and murmured something else under his breath before turning to the driver, "Since when he put you up for this?" he inquired.

"Since the first day of your school this year, Mr. Canfield." Kent said, calmly.

"Oh, darn Lio!" he groaned.

I exchanged a glance with Emmy as we always did when Harry uses these forbidden words, which he don't care to change no matter how many times we told him not to.

"Maybe it's because he cares for your safety, Harry." I spoke for the first time we got into the car.

"Miss Houston's got a point, Mr. Canfield." my eyes shot to the driver as he continued, "As you know, there's a rumour outside about the mafia leader in hiding, Bobby Khuller, might try to attack anyone who's on his rival side, in revenge. And your family has been his rivals for years, Mr. Canfield."

My stomach curled at the mention of Bobby Khuller's name. But what caught my attention most was, my best friend's family has been my old mafia leader's rival? For years? Like, maybe even when I was held there?

"But he's still in hiding, isn't he? Then how can he carry out on a revenge?" I heard Emmy ask.

"He has secret men all here and there, we can never know." Kent replied.

"But that's just a rumour." Harry said, not at all startled.

"I don't know Harry but... as long as he's out there in hiding, I think you should have a bodyguard as your brother instructs." I said to him, fiddling with my fingers.

"But it's not us he's after, you know? Of course my dad is giving his helping hand to capture the idiot but if there's anyone Bobby Khuller wants to hunt down is Magdalene Madyno; you know, the runaway girl from the mafia, Emery."

My heart dropped to my stomach. Emery is in danger? Oh God, please watch over her....

"Aren't you scared for your life?" Emmy asked him with a shaking voice. I closed my eyes because my tears because overwhelming in my eyes, my heart fearing for the lives of my two best friends now.

"Don't think I'm crazy, but I've always wanted to get a chance face to face with Bobby Khuller," he said. "After what he stole from us."

My eyes quickly opened at his last sentence, which he had only murmured, so I'm sure Emmy didn't hear because she was sitting a bit far, while I was sitting right behind his seat.

Stole from them? Bobby Khuller stole something from my friend's family? What could it be?

I saw how gravely Harry clenched his fists and just at the sight of it, my mind flashed back to Harry's mother's portrait back in their casino in New York.

I gasped inside my head, could Bobby Khuller has something to do with Harry's mother's death?

"Maybe we should skip this topic. Sorry for bringing it up." Kent spoke up in a calm voice, "I'll get out and wait outside until... until you're done with the... sorting out."

Harry smiled a tad, "Thanks Kent, and by the way, I'm glad it's you my idiot of a brother got sense to sign in as my bodyguard, because he know I won't argue much because you're already my driver." Harry said and gave a friendly pat on Kent's shoulder as he opened the door and stepped out.

"I don't think your brother is an idiot, though." I said, when Kent shut the door close.

Harry turned to me with a teasing smirk, "How can you know he isn't? You don't even know him." he stated

I shrugged my shoulders, "Anyway, I'm pretty sure that, he might not be an idiot as you are at most of the times." I said, not being able to hide my smirk.

He just gave us both a small smile and turned his eyes to his phone. I didn't get the reaction from him as I expected, like as he uses to say empty threats or a playful glare... but there was nothing amused on his face this time.

Oh no, did I hurt him?

I glanced over to Emmy, who returned the glance with a frown. "Harry, I didn't mean to hurt your..." I trailed off, not knowing what should I say. I only wanted to lighten up the mood before but didn't thought..

Harry waved his hand dismissively with a low snort, "Don't be ridiculous, Hayl, it's nothing to do with what you said. It's just something..." he didn't finish the sentence and we didn't push him either. Whatever it was, it's already holding him in a sad mood and we just don't want to push him to tell us because he never did. I think it's something special with such big families; they don't speak out about their family things, not even to the friends they trust their lives to, I guess?

Maybe I should ask Hax when he return home, but there's no hope if he knows anything or that will he even tell me such thing if he has promised to Max about talking about it to anyone else.

"It's Adam." after a moment of silence, Harry spoke up, pulling us both from our own world of thoughts.

I looked at Emmy confused before turning to him, "What?"

He held the paper piece I gave him earlier, between his fingers and waved it in the air in front of our faces. "The phone number from your locker, I mean. It's Adam's."

"Adam?" Emmy inquired eagerly, leaning forward, "You mean, Adam Lerch?"

"Yes. Her first crush, if I might say." Harry chuckled lightly.

My heart accelerated. Of course he was my first crush, like years ago, but why on earth would he leave his number in my locker, asking me to call him? Now?

"But why would he do that? I mean, he never showed any interest in her before as she had in him once." Emmy pointed out.

"Maybe he's feeling something now." Harry said, and I wonder if I heard a sarcasm touch in his words.

"But I don't want him." I protests, folding my arms across my chest.

"Yeah, because you have the ever so perfect of a Draco Malfoy now?" he asked in a teasing tone. "But I would like to remind you that he's fictional and you can't always go crushing on people who aren't real."

I ignored him. I'm not that crazy about Draco now; since when Rilden captivated my heart.

Emmy reached for my hand over my lap and squeezed it. I looked at her and gave her a small smile; she must've seen me frowning over the thought of Rilden.

"Although, I wouldn't encourage you to develop a crush on Adam because, you know, boys like his type isn't good for Christian girls like you two. He's really bad unlike how he looks outside." Harry shook his head.

"And, how do you know that?" Emmy raised an eyebrow at him, "You can't be someone's judge that faster." she mumbled the rest.

"Because I'm the one who has seen him smoking weed than he should, a bit too much in my taste; not you." Harry replied casually.

"What?!" Emmy gasped.

"Adam? Smoking weed? You've gotta be joking!" I shook my head at my friend in disbelief. "He's just a fourteen year old, after all!"

"And what's the big fuss about being just a fourteen year old? Look," Harry paused for a moment, digging into his pocket. "I smoke too." he said, revealing us both a pack of cigarettes.

My heart broke a little and I'm sure Emmy felt the same too, because her eyes were staring at the cigarette pack in his palm with eyes wide as saucers.

"Tell us you're kidding, Harry." Emmy pleaded.

"Why should I be dishonest? I'm telling the truth, girls." he said with a teasing chuckle and turned to face us. His face fell at the sight of the unshed tears that sparkled in both of our eyes. "Come on! It's just for a bit of fun! You two look like I told you I'm going to take a poison." he laughed at his own joke.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "How long have you been doing this?" I asked. Ha! So this is the reason why he was chewing a lot of gums.

"Since I was in London." he answered coolly.

"Does your father or brothers know this?" Emmy asked.

"Of course not, and that leaves you," here he pointed his index finger at me, "not to mention this thing to Max or even Hax. I trust you both with that, okay? Only if you don't want my older brother to burn me alive."

I didn't feel to laugh or comment at his sarcasm but my glare fell. "Harry," I called him, rubbing my temples, "you can't do this. It's not good for your health. And... and, Jesus don't like such things."

Harry gave a snort as I expected, "Do I care what Jesus likes?" he asked as he always does, his words stabbing like a knife into my heart. "Aye, smoking a bit ain't gonna kill you." he said, taking everything as a joke.

Emmy sighed in frustration, "Harry, we're being serious. This. Is. A. Drug! And it will have you addicted to it, no matter what! But if you could just stop it now-"

"Hello? Remember why we're here?" Harry cut her off, annoyed by us. "Not to discuss my smoking but we have an idiot to take care of." he said, motioning his head at me. Great, as if I'm the idiot he's referring to.

To be honest, I even forgot the very reason why we came to the Pizza Hut in the first place.

"Okay, so what's your plan you told us about?" I asked, finally deciding to leave his personal things to himself, since he's annoyed.

"I want you to call him."

"Excuse me?" I asked. Did I heard him right? I did wanted to call to this number a bit ago, to see who's it but now that Harry told us it's Adam Lerch, after checking on Truecaller, I definitely don't want to risk a talk.

"Yeah. Call him, Harry? That's crazy! Let's just leave it!" Emmy shook her head.

"Chill out," Harry raised his hands up to calm us, "We need to know why he wanted Hailey to call him, that's all."

"Well, thank you very much, best friend, I'm not interested." I rolled my eyes at him.

Hello? I don't want to risk a talk with another guy with love interest on me. I've had enough nightmares.

"Yes, maybe Haxsel should take care of it." Emmy suggested.

My eyes suddenly shot towards her, "What? No, never my brother. It's a bad dream if I'll have to let him take care of it." I threw my hands in the air. Okay, maybe I'm acting a bit dramatic now but still, I can't risk my brother to know this fuss.

"I know that, and that's why I'm suggesting this, Hailey." Harry said, "Trust me, I know how brothers are like. When it comes to their sisters, they're like mentally uncontrollable wild elephants."

I almost laughed at his comment. He's right, I can't deny it.

"Yeah, and you're acting almost like one now." I heard Emmy muttering under her breath.

"Just call him and we can know what he wants. You can stop him in this very startings, Hailey. We don't want it to go to your brother's hands." Harry continued, "Just one call, Hayles, just one call."

Just one call and I can end it here, whatever it is that Adam wants. I thought to myself.

I glanced over at Emmy. "Nuh-uh, I'm not supporting you in this." she folded her arms stubbornly.

"Ignore her, Hayle." Harry said, "Just think how bad it'll be if we let our brothers take care of the matter. And, if we ignore Adam, he'll think that you're too naive or afraid to take a risk to call him."

"That's ridiculous, honestly!" Emmy cried out in frustration, "Harry, she had enough talking troubles with someone already. You don't want to gift her with another nightmare, do you?" she asked, glaring at him.

"I'm only trying to help. In this way, we can solve this by our own." Harry stated his fact, glaring back.

The fight between them lasted a bit long and Emmy eventually gave up. "Fine!" she groaned, "But if this ever goes wrong, Don't. Blame. Me." she said.

"We won't, would we?" Harry asked me, winking.

I sighed.

"Are you sure you can do this?" Emmy asked me concerned.

"I should, shouldn't I?" I glanced at her helplessly, "Or else my brother will have to solve it out; which either will get me homeschooled at the end or he will hire me a bodyguard to walk me around the school, which, is a nightmare." I rolled my eyes when I finished.

Emmy nodded understandingly, "Okay, I got it. I'm with you." she paused to take a deep breath, "Forget what I said before, if anything ever goes wrong, if we're getting ourselves into any troubles, I'll be there with you, for you. We'll fight together." she smiled warmly at me.

Her words melted my heart and I quickly hugged her. We heard Harry snort from his seat and we giggled, before pulling back.

"Are you two done with the affections?" Harry asked sarcastically, and not waiting for our response, he got out of the car. We both wondered what is he doing but as an answer to us, the door to where I sat, opened and he got in. "I just want to hear what that idiot is going to say." he said as caught us looking at him confused.

Now squeezed in middle of my two best friends -to which I was thankful for- I prepared myself to pick up the courage and ask God's wisdom to talk to Adam. Harry gave me some instructions from his plans, to which I nodded dumbly.

He then handed me the paper piece that had the number and I dialed it in my phone. I felt my accelerated heartbeat even on the tips of my fingers, which made me uneasy to dial. Seeing me clumsy, Harry rolled his eyes and snatched the phone from my hands and dialed the number himself. He checked it twice and quickly pressed the call button.

My eyes widened and I wanted to put my both hands on my head, oh Harry! Not that quick!

He then handed me the phone when the bell rang. Harry rubbed his hands together and leaned in closer while Emmy straightened herself and I, I was like I'm going to pass out an moment from now.

Five rings, and it stopped as the person on the other end of the line answered my call.

"Hello?"

At the sound of Adam's voice, my heart stopped dead, again.

A/N: Now that's a cliffhanger, I guess? I can't promise the new chapter next week because it's my birthday on Thursday and I'd love to take a break and stuck my nose into Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban book and complete it.

Thanks for your patience, guys. I hope you're enjoying my book as much as I am. There are more things to come and truths to uncover. Just hold on!