pte

of s

lling me out of a fitful sleep. I woke

eamy date with Peter, the encounter with the thugs, and the hot

" I screamed in frustration,

or any messages, but

from any tantrums

nstairs. I quickly dressed for school and went downstairs to find o

us killed," Victori

d by and let you endanger my daughters," Vi

e killed. I will pay back t

interrupted, steppi

wake," Victoria said wi

. What's going

me, my mom, and my sister aren't the ones he

. We are family,"

" I screamed, feeling

Andreas City," my father said. The words hit me like a sledgeh

His sons are equally feared: Damian, the charismatic but ruthless eldest; David, arrogant and demanding; Denzel, a charming but notorio

s welled up. "Dad, of al

aid, his voice full of regre

ff to school. We'll deal with this when I

ing? Don't you know you'

tch your tongue," my

ble." She stormed out, leaving me in a state of

-

the previous night's events and my

ch," I cried ou

t the car stayed close. My fear escalated. I fumbled for my phone to call 911, but as I neared the school, the

Why is he following

: "You're safe, Love. Mysterious." The message made

the hot guy," I said, t

eyes, and cold demeanor-filled my thoughts. Despite hav

-

. I decided to confide in Alex about my issues. He wasn

" I g

eplied, clea

ing me and not ca

't be mad," I begg

How was your date w

I don't think I'd

out?" Alex see

soon. I'm unsure about

support whatever decision

Never mind. Thanks for listening. You'

e this myself. I grabbed a snack from the cafeteria and ate in silence, reflecting on

-

Peter calling my name. I

at's up?

ing to tell yo

t is it?"

up with Tiffany

" I asked,

he connection anymore. I have my e

be?" I asked, brac

u," he r

ed. "Say something,

o say. I'm speechles

at you wanted?

what I want, not w

d don't need? Like, you don't need me

you right now. I'm dealing with too mu

y. My heart is with

d break Tiffany's heart

art caring about

guess,"

ything except you. My whole world i

sk our friendship," I said, walking away to avoid further discu

relationship with him while I was still figuring out my own

-

I quickened my pace. The car pulled up beside me, and the window rol

oth reassuring and unsettling. "But you need t

th relieved and terrified. Who was this man?

-

ortex. I felt trapped in a web of emotion