"Evie are you okay, you look tired." Jane said.
The two girls were in math class, a class Evie normally enjoyed, however she seemed to struggle to stay awake. Evie shook her head.
"Boy drama." Evie signed.
Jane smiled. "Well I know we don't have real deep conversations like you and Mal do, but we're still friends. Why don't you go ahead and tell me about it."
Evie smiled. "I don't want to bore you with my troubles."
Jane shook her head. "Nonsense."
Evie sighed. "So I thought I loved Doug, I mean I still do, he's amazing. However the fact that he got mad at me for trying to help him made me furious. So ever since we broke up I've started talking to this boy named C….Charlie. I mean Charlie just listens to me and recognizes my flaws and accepts them. Doug saw my flaws and tried to improve me. However Charlie is a tad...well actually very selfish and arrogant."
Jane nodded. "Well it sounds like you just need to do take a breather and decided which boy is right for you."
Evie nodded. "Thanks, your actually really good at giving advice."
Jane chuckled. "Well I try."
When the bell rang the two girls got their bags and made their way to the cafeteria. Evie grinned when she smelled food. At the Isle, her mother would practically starve her, just to make sure she got the right figure. Plus the food was either stale or covered in mold. Here she could eat all she wanted and the food was amazing.
The two girls took a seat by Ben and Mal who were currently both on their phones. Both seemed stressed and exhausted causing Evie to frown.
"Hey guys." Evie said.
Mal looked up from her phone and waved weakly. "Sup." She said simply.
Jane smiled and turned to Mal. "Hey Mal, I have something important to do after school today so I was wondering if maybe you could plan the dance for me?"
Mal rolled her eyes before shaking her head.
"Jane I hate planning things. Why do you think my life is such a mess?" Mal asked.
Evie chuckled. "Jane, is there anything at this school that your not involved in?"
Jane blushed. "I just like being involved I guess, please Mal? You have great taste, when you came here your VK styles became trending."
"With a little help from me of course." Evie said while batting her eyes.
Ben smiled and wrapped his arm around Mal's shoulder causing Mal to tense up.
"It could be fun, you know just me and you planning a romantic evening." Ben said.
Ben was hoping she would say yes. Lately they hadn't been able to spend as much time together, Ben was distracted with his kingly duties and well Mal...Ben didn't know what Mal was busy with but it seemed to be taking a lot out of her.
Mal nodded. "Yeah. Sounds great she said quietly."
Mal grabbed her fork and roughly put some food in her mouth. The girl was nervous around Ben. Someone out there knew she had sex with Harry and it was only a matter of time before Mal got a baby bump. She was going to have to tell both of the boys.
Almost as if on cue, her phone buzzed causing her to gulp.
UNKNOWN: Hey there Mal, hope you had a good night's rest. It must take a lot of work lying to everyone. Remember how I said do what I say and I won't tell precious Ben about your dirty little secret? Well today's the big duel and I suggest you make Jay loose, or I might not be able to stop myself from letting a certain video spill out to lover boy.
MAL: Fuck you.
UNKNOWN: Big words from a lying cheater. Imagine if Ben knew the things you let Harry do to you ;).
Mal gulped. "Yeah planning the dance sounds great." She said through gritted teeth.
After school Carlos and Jane walked hand and hand down to Dr. Cricket's office. He was a local therapist only a couple blocks from the school. Both Carlos and Jane thought they should see him. They figured that if they didn't confront the problems they had with themselves they would never be happy in their current relationship.
Jane looked at Carlos. "Are you nervous?"
Carlos shook his head. "I don't know if nervous is the right...but I definitely feel something."
Jane sighed and looked up at her boyfriend. "Carlos...Carlos do you think I'm broken?"
Carlos frowned before cupping her chin and looking in her eyes. He smiled.
"You are anything but broken." Carlos said.
She blushed. She pulled away when she heard the door open. Carlos was surprised to see a blond woman standing at the door.
"We were expecting Dr. Cricket?" He said.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm his assistant, my main job is basically just opening doors for him. Carlos De Vil he's ready for you."
Carlos gulped and nervous walked over. He took one more look at Jane who gave him a supportive smile. He nodded and followed the woman.
She led him to a bright yellow room with two chairs and a desk. Sitting on the desk was Dr. Cricket. Carlos was surprised that a cricket helped so many people, but Carlos had heard how much he did for Pinocchio.
"Hello Carlos, how are you feeling?" He asked.
Carlos shrugged. "Well enough I guess."
Dr. Cricket frowned. "What brought you to my office Carlos?"
Carlos frowned. "Well...well I keep having these nightmares."
Dr Cricket leaned in. "What do you see in these dreams?"
Carlos frowned. "My mom, I keep getting flashbacks to what life on the Isle was like."
"Was your mother abusive?" Dr. Cricket asked.
Carlos sighed. "That's a nice way to put it. One time she put thousands of rats in my bed while I was sleeping." He said, seemingly scarred by it.
"How old were you?" He asked.
Carlos frowned. "Either eight or nine."
Dr. Cricket frowned. "Carlos I think you may be suffering from PTSD."
Carlos shook his head. "That's ridiculous I wasn't in the army."
"PTSD can come from and traumatic event. How do you feel when you have these flashbacks?" He asked.
Carlos frowned. "Scared...out of breath….trapped." Carlos sighed.
Dr. Cricket nodded. "Why don't you continue talking to me about your childhood."
Mal nervously walked by the gym. She could see the boys setting up, preparing for their match.
UNKNOWN: Clocks ticking Mal, hurry before Ben gets to see his sweet girlfriend doing some naughty things.
MAL: I can't do this to Jay.
UNKNOWN: Well, sweetie it's either him or you. CHOOSE.