I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself tightly before walking into my room and drying off quickly with my mom's brown cotton towels. They were nicer than the ones back home, they actually dried you and didn't compare to the feeling of sand paper. I wrapped my hair up and pulled my purple panda pyjamas on, I felt much calmer now. The need to cry had finally stopped; I was ready to speak to Victor calmly. But I wasn't going back to his house to do it; I'll go in the morning. He's probably angry at me anyways; I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't want to see me again. I shouldn't let Janet get to me like she does, I know I had to fix things with dad but as far as I'm concerned she's never done anything for me therefore she's not my mother in any way at all. Speaking of my mom though, she'd seen me crying when I got home. I have a feeling she'll be wanting answers too, although I'm sure her clever mind can think of a few things. I felt a constant pain in the bottom of my stomach, I hate thinking Victor hates me. I can't bear that he'd rather be with some other girl, it isn't fair.

I heard the front door and I listened to make sure mom was getting it; she was. That's good; I can't be bothered to go down in this state. I sighed and put the towels in the wash basket before brushing through my hair, as I was tying my hair up; I heard someone walking up the stairs. I paused and listened; I tied my hair into a high pony tail and went to the door. I listened carefully and then there was a light knock at my door, I hesitated and then realises how ridiculous I was actually being. I opened the door swiftly and stared at Sky, she was wearing a grey hoody with jeans and a white t-shirt. She looked so casual, she must be back from her camping trip; obviously. She'd told Zed she'd never been so his mom made sure they all went but of course they accepted Victor would rather stay here with me and I was here to stay with mom.

"How are you feeling?" Sky asked, I moved from my door so she knew she could come in. I sat down on my bed and sighed, did Victor send her?

"You tell me" I muttered, why would she ask if she already knew? I frowned and she came and sat beside me after shutting my door.

"You're upset mostly, a little angry and partly confused" she replied, that sounded about right. "I hope you don't mind but I read the email, Victor didn't; he's too much of a gentleman to pry into your personal life" she explained, I wasn't angry she had. It sort of made me feel a little relieved that I didn't have to explain it, "I'm sorry she's like that Marley, nobody has the right to make you feel so bad about yourself." I agreed, I didn't think she should have the right too either but it makes no difference; she's who my dad prefers.

"Yeah well..." I muttered; I wasn't sure what to say. I was hoping my reaction to Victor was excusable because of that but I knew it wasn't. He'd been waiting as long as I had for this and he wanted to find me more; I was just plain cruel to dismiss him as if I actually could.

"Victor's sorry" she eventually told me after we sat in silence for a while. I fixed my eyes on my yellow summer hat on the back of my desk lamp so I didn't have to look at her; I felt guilty.

"He shouldn't be; he had every right to say what he did. I shouldn't have freaked out like I did" I mumbled quietly; afraid she'd just accept that and leave. I didn't want to believe it was my entire fault but I knew it, he was tired. That was my fault, he wasn't thinking straight when he said it not that I'd blame him even if he was.

"Yes he should. You may not have noticed because you haven't been here as long as everyone else but it seems to be a pattern that we female soulfinders don't seem to fully believe the Benedict's undying love for us. Victor's hot headed Marley, he says things without thinking because he feels defensive. He didn't mean it, I promise." I rolled my eyes; of course he has undying love me. "He does," moaned Sky, "Ok, Ok. I get it, believe me I do. I was ready to leave Zed when I first met him and Phee ran away from Yves so many times he practically follows her everywhere she goes now." She smirked at that part, Phoenix actually ran away? Well then it's perfectly normal for me to go back to Paris to fix my life isn't it? He'll be a big boy and if he really loves me, he'll be waiting for me when I get back. But why should he? He should be happy with someone else, someone who isn't as messed up. I won't ever be good enough for him; I'll always feel like I'm holding him back.

"He deserves to be happy, Sky" I complained,

"And he will be!" she almost shrieked, she wanted me to believe something that was impossible.

"Yes, he will. When I'm as far away as possible, then he can move on with his pretty friend" I replied, it hurt. My own words hurt because I knew they were real and I also knew that's not what I wanted. But this wasn't about me.

"That's not true, you can't leave him. He will follow you to Paris if so be it, and even if he liked this 'pretty friend' before hand; he has no feelings for her now. You will be the only girl he ever looks at again!" Why was she pushing this so hard?

"Unlucky for him then" I muttered frustrated,

"Oh my God" she breathed, I looked at her unsure of what she was going to say next. Not many sentences started with that, "You really don't see it, do you?" I looked to the window and back to her, slightly confused.

"See what?" I asked sharply, what didn't I see?

"Marley, you're beautiful." I rolled my eyes and stood up, for the love of God. I thought she was talking about something serious,

"I'm really tired" I commented, hoping she'd get the hint and leave. Feeling slightly annoyed that she was so pushy and pointing out ridiculous things.

"I'm not going anywhere until you believe me, how can you be so blind? How do you not feel it?! Feel how much he loves you!" she was almost shouting at me, what did she want me to say? My mom appeared in the door way, I stared at her with a fierce look to say I was angry.

"She's right Marley" she told me, oh come on! Is nobody on my side these days?! I pushed past her and ran down the stairs; I grabbed my bag off the side and walked out the front door. I heard mom and Sky follow me but I kept walking. I don't care if I'm in my pyjamas, there's hardly anyone around and I sure as hell wasn't going to wait around and be ganged up on.

"Marley" mom shouted, I walked faster and caught the bus as it was just about to leave. I gave the man some money and went to sit at the back of the bus; I didn't care where it was going. There was only one other person on the bus and it was an old man, he ignored me; tired I think. The bus pulled out just as Sky reached it and I hugged my knees and stared out the opposite window so I didn't have to look at her.