"It's all going to be okay," Garroth reassured, petting my head gently.

"I've never seen him look so cold," I whispered. I was curled in a ball, leaning against him.

"He'll come around." The world was frozen again, the clock on the wall ticking mindlessly. My numb fingers were curled around a warm mug of cocoa that Garroth had made for me.

I had told him everything, the entire story from the party to the moment I broke down when I walked through the door. He was understanding and calm, never pushing me to continue when I was uncomfortable. He was the greatest best friend I could possibly ask for.

"Hey, you know what always makes you feel better?"

"What?" I lifted my head frm his shoulder and looked at him. He smiled a little.

"Let's go train in some combat." He stood, offering me an open hand. I stared at his hand for a few seconds before accepting it and shaking my head at the idiot before me.

"Fine, depressed or not, I can kick your butt any day."

We went downstairs and strapped up, getting ready to fight.

Barely five minutes in, Garroth managed to knock me down. I got back up, but he kicked my legs out from under me again.

"Maybe we shouldn't-" I swung at him, but he grabbed my fist with ease. My anger boiled and I began pounding him, swinging a fast as I could. I tackled him, I began to aim to punch him as hard as I could in the chin. But he didn't move, just closed his eyes and waited.

I stopped.

"First you beat me twice, and now you aren't doing anything?" I panted, slapping him across the face lightly.

"You need to get anger out."

"I don't want your pity," I whispered, standing up and leaving. Without taking off my training clothes, I laid onto my bed, curling into a ball.

The day faded into night, and my windows were open. Night air filled my room, and I shivered, but didn't move to stand up.

My door opened, and I heard Garroth sigh, but I didn't turn. He picked me up with little trouble, and used his feet to turn the blankets of my bed down. He laid me back down, putting the blanket over me. I followed him with my eyes as he closed my windows.

"Get some sleep, Kate." He instructed before leaving me in my silence.

I don't know when I fell asleep, but I woke up early. I willed myself to roll over and I noticed a small bowl of cereal, and a glass of water. I smiled.

I wasn't sure what time it was exactly, nor did I really care all too much. I sat up and ate my food, drank my water, then waited.

I waited for the pain to his all over again. Waited to be washed over in sadness ad hurt. But it didn't come.

Instead I felt nothing. Completely empty, and grey. Like a faded curtain.

I walked down the stairs to see Garroth and Aphmau whispering to each other, they seemed to be in an intense conversation, so I attempted to listen in.

I took one step forward, but the board creaked, and both of them turned to see me. Aphmau smiled gently, and I could see the hesitance.

She was caught in a crossfire. Was she to be loyal to Travis, her friend for years, or me. The first female friend she had in years.

I wasn't going to make her choose, so I didn't get offended when she stayed in one place while Garroth walked closer to me.

"You're up," he exclaimed, stating the obvious, but also wanting to fill the silence. He smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah, I um..." My eyes drifted to Aphmau. She was smiling politely, but there was no kindness in her eyes. Her teeth were grinding together, and her fists were clenched. She looked ready to throw a punch.

So she chose who she was loyal to, Travis.

"I just came down to see where you were, thanks for the real fast. Aphmau?" She tilted her head to the side, not trusting herself to speak. "Could I speak with you for a moment?" I cringed at the formality, and Waite for her response. Garroth warily looked at her, and she surprisingly nodded eagerly. She hopped up the stairs and into my room. I followed, closing the door behind me. I quickly changed, realizing I was still in my training suit, and sat on the edge of my bed.

There was a long moment of silence. She isn't look at me, only glared at the wall.

"You lied to me..." She whispered, clearly hurt. My chest tightened with guilt. If only she had known the full capacity of the lies I've told her.

"Aph-"

"At the party. You said it was wind. You were crying." I blinked a couple of times, taken aback by the words.

That was what she was mad about?

"I was. But I wasn't ready to talk..."  I couldn't look look at her, and settled for fiddling with my drawstrings of my sweatpants.

"I talked to Travis. He told me his side of the story. What's yours?"

"It's not true." Even I was surprised at the abruptness of it all. "I didn't go for Travis because of his money."

The real intentions are far worst.

"Gene fed him dirty lies because he was mad at me. Mad that I broke up with him. Mad that Garroth went after him. Mad for stupid reasons. He's petty, and wrong." I heard the sound of footsteps, and didn't know what to expect, but I wasn't thinking I would be embraced.

But here we sat, Aphmau's arms around me as I shook with anger.

"Garroth and I were arguing. He was telling me I had to leave. That you were in no place to see me."

I sighed. She wasn't upset with me. Such a kind and wonderful heart.

And I killed her boyfriend.

My thoughts had become too much, and I began to sob once more. Aphmau held me, shushing me.

What had I gotten into?

A/N ...so. Life's been. Busy. And bad. And hectic. And...I stopped writing. I stopped doing a lot of things I loved. But I got the sudden urge to write some more, and so...here ya go. I'm not gonna promise constant updates, and more chapters soon, because I can't promise that. I'm in the middle of exam week, and not doing so hot, but you guys deserve me not being an ass, and at least trying to explain why I've been so neglective. I should really sleep...cause like, I have two exams tomorrow. Will I? I dunno. So here's a chapter, I'm a little rusty, so. I love you all 😊