After school, Travis was leaning against my locker.

He moved so I could put away my stuff, and the silence between us was awkward and thick.

I followed behind him quietly to his dorm room, and kept my gaze on the floor as we walked down the hallway.

"We're here," he spoke, opening a door and walking inside. I followed close behind, looking around. There was a double bed up against the wall, and a desk by the window. There was a TV on the wall, a few shelves, overall it was a pretty simple room.

"Nice," I commented, looking at some things on the shelves.

"Alright, time to talk. So that was your ex?" Travis sat on his bed, leaning against the wall and looked at me. I glanced at him before walking over to a bookcase.

"Yeah....back at my old school, and then he ran away, leaving all of us," I tried to make it as vague as possible.

"Sounds like a jerk," he scoffed.

"He is, I suggest to stay clear of him," I ran my fingers along the spines of the books. Much to my surprise, there were multiple classics there. How to Kill a Mockingbird, Oliver Twist, Grimm's Fairytales, a script from Romeo and Juliet, The Great Gatsby, Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice, The Odyssey, 1984, it was like a little heaven on the bookcase. "You like reading?"

"Hmm? Yeah, I got a thing for older books, ones that are original and took more originality."

"I'm surprised Pride and Prejudice is on here, it's kind of....not manly," I laughed a little, pulling out the aged book.

"Hey! I am allowed to like a good bit of romance every now and again!" He defended himself, snatching the book and putting it back.

"What's with this script?" I questioned while pulling out Romeo and Juliet.

"I was Romeo in last years play," he grinned, proud of his achievement.

"Impressive," I laughed a little and put it back.

"Somehow, you've managed to shoot down the subject of the reason I brought you here," he sighed, placing a hand on my cheek. I flinched a little, not used to someone touching me gently. "I just need you to answer me one thing....are you going to be okay?"

"I am okay."

"No you aren't, if you were already okay, you wouldn't of reacted that way at the sight of him. Are you going to be okay?"

I nodded, looking intently into those emerald eyes.

"Alright," he whispered leaning his forehead on mine, causing me to stiffen, "don't go doing anything stupid."

"You're one to talk," I smirked, my tone equally hushed, we both leaned in more. Our noses brushed, and we were so close to kissing. But it was too early. I can't show that I would fall in his trap like this so easily. So I forced myself to pull away. "I should go..."

"Okay, see you tomorrow," he sighed.

He pulled away, smiling. I nodded and left his room.

When I got home, I heard yelling. Curious, I listened through the door.

"I'm stuck with a good for nothing son! Zane was never like this! Zane would've gotten the mission! Zan-"

"Well I'm sorry I can't be more like Zane! But what about Vylad? He's your son too!"

"That boy is not my son!"

"Yes, he is!"

"No he isn't! He will never be my son either, he's just an accident created by your mother and a stranger!"

"Well he's the closest thing I have to family! You are the worst excuse for a father I have ever seen!"

"That is it! When you come back to the facility, you are going to be properly disciplined!"

Garte stormed out of the house, not even noticing me as I jumped out of the way. I walked inside, looking at Garroth who was tying his sneakers and grumbling a string of curse words.

"Um..."

"Where were you!?" Garroth shouted, "if you were here, my good for nothing dead beat dad wouldn't of flipped out at me!"

"Garroth, I-"

"Let me guess, you were out making kissy faces? Man, I wish I was given a job that easy! But no, I'm only here out of your pity!"

"Garroth, that's not why I-"

"You know, you could have warned me he was coming! At least I could have prepared myself for the hell I was about to ensue!"

"I-"

"I'm going out, don't bother me," he growled, pushing past me with a bag strapped to his back. I flinched as the front door slammed shut. He was mad with me. I hated when he was mad.

I huffed and sat on the couch, I didn't even get to tell him about Gene.

My kitten jumped up onto the couch, rubbing against my arm. I smiled and rubbed her head. I pulled out my phone, deciding I needed to contact someone, anyone.

"Hello?" A familiar accent carried through, a little eager.

"Hey, Jeff."

"Katelyn, it's so great to hear from you, how is everything?"

"Well...."

_____________________________

"Gene?"

"Yup."

"As in, Dante's brother?"

"That's the one."

"Wow..."

Jeffory fell silent at the mention of my ex.

"Listen, I should go. Sorry to leave so soon, but I have a night lesson. See ya, Katelyn."

"Bye," I hung up and sighed.

The front door opened and Garroth stumbled through the door, tripping over the floor mat. He closed the door and threw his bag on the nearby chair. He plopped onto the couch beside me and didn't look me in the eye.

"Look...." He sighed, "I'm sorry about freaking out at you. The mission is very important, because it can cost us our lives. I understand that you didn't get the chance to warn me about my father, and it wasn't even your responsibility, he's my dad. My problem."

"It's fine, you were just steamed from him, don't worry about it," I got off the couch and walked into the kitchen to make something for supper. Garroth followed me and sat at the barstool.

"I just feel bad about taking my anger out on you."

"Garroth, it's fine. I understand. We all have our issues, and I'm not upset at you," I put some rice into a pot of water and set it on the boiler to cook.

"Good," he let out a breath, "so were you with Travis?" He changed the subject, sounding a little bit like he was about to tease me.

"Yeah..."

"And? How did it go?" Garroth went to get a glass to fill it with water.

"Good....we talked about Gene..." The sound of glass breaking made me flinch. I looked to see Garroth shocked and shards of glass at his feet.

"Why...?"

"Gene is at the school."

Garroth's face went pale, and he drew in an unsteady breath.

"He could screw us over..."

A/N Sope yeah, life. Been in a crappy mood today, dunno why tho :/ maybe I just need to write more? Or take a break? Not sure, let's hope I know what to do tomorrow. I love you all devils, byeeeeeeee.
Song: Running With The Wolves by Aurora