Wow I'm so sorry for being MIA for so long. I was really at odds with this story, and just felt like delating it. Recently I reread it again and really focused on the story I was trying to tell. Then I just kind of fell in love with it again. Also its summer now and I've been working on some virals oneshots(; expect those to be posted within the next week or so. Please review, the reviews really truly give me the push I need and are awesome for creating ideas. Enjoy the new chapter!

Hi, Shelton, Ben and I awkwardly piled into my living room. Hi took the floor, Shelton took the chair, and Ben and I took the loveseat. It was go time.

"Alright Tor, all week at school you wouldn't tell Shelton or me anything, because you wanted a group talk, well here we are. So talk."

"Ok guys, in my mind there are four topics we need to discuss. The First topic is our flares, we need to get out and practice using them. The second topic is about a mystery arsonist. The third topic is Chance and Ella. The last topic is Jason and Madison."

Shelton spoke for the first time that afternoon. "Ok as for topic one, I don't think it's very important, I mean when we first started flaring we needed to know about our flares because we didn't understand it. We understand this it's basically the same thing. This is a more mature strand, not a totally different disease."

Hi shook his head in agreement before speaking, "Mystery arsonist? Come on Tory don't be silly. If this is about the harbor burning down, that's one little thing. Don't try pull a; "I think we've got a mystery on our hands." We have enough to worry about."

"Hiram it's not about that one fire. There was another, I was there, I put it out. Just like the harbor fire, kitty litter was used as a fire starter! Look me in the eyes and tell me that doesn't make you a tad curious."

Hi tried to look me in the eyes but he couldn't. We both were fully aware something fishy was going on. Shelton cut Hi off before he could speak.

"Tor I agree with Hi we have enough going on. We need to focus on Chance ans d Ella."

"I want to know about Jason and Madison." Ben spoke up, his voice dripped in a dangerous tone.

I took a deep breath before continuing. Bending the truth a little, but staying as accurate as possible I told the boys about Jason's behavior after the fire. I couldn't tell them why I really was out. Chance. If the fire wouldn't have happened I would have met with him and told him everything. Looking back on it now that would have been a death wish. Ben knew that I left to meet Chance, but the other boys didn't. I really didn't want to get into that discussion when there was so much more to talk about. I went on to tell them about Madison bringing me home and her behaviors. While I was talking each boy wore a totally different expression. Shelton tugged on his earlobe then spoke up;

"Tor do you think Madison saw you with Jason at Kit's car?"

I sucked in my breath a little. I had honestly never thought of that. I reflected back upon her actions once she had gotten to Morris. The way she eyed my house…the way she had looked at Cooper… Whatever Madison was up to had me worried.

"It's very possible, but Jason was the one to break up with her, not the other way around."

"Well frankly I don't give two shits about Blonde and Meat Head."

"Ben for the love of god, play nice." Hi teased quietly, mocking what was probably supposed to be me.

"I agree with Ben to some extent. Like I said the real issue is Chance and Ella." Shelton strained his voice to a slight shout- trying to get his point across.

I threw my hands up in surrender.

"Fine boys you win. Let's pack up in the mystery machine and go pay Chance and Ella a nice little visit. What are y'all planning on saying to them? Hm? Think of that little detail?"

I can feel the pressure building in my head. It spreads throughout my body violently, harshly, ripping through my veins like fire. I feel like a balloon, ready to pop. Why does this happen. I am you're average 14 year old in so many ways. I wake up every morning dealing with the stress of walking through the halls, taking tests and completing my homework. Once a month I deal with the struggles of the bloody Nile. Nothings worse than performing the average B&E and feeling my insides be torn apart on repeat as my vagina plays the song of its people. I stress about grades, but madly procrastinate everything because I'm only human. Except for the small detail where I'm a genetic mishap. On top of the daily stresses, I have to worry about Jason and Madison, and there strange behaviors. I have to worry about Chance and Ella, how they fit in with the new flares. I have to worry about the new flares, which is almost the most depressing; it's a sinking déjà vu feeling. Then there's my mystery arsonist, and finally my relationship with Ben. That one falls in both "teenage girl" and "Hey look I'm part wolf."

I was so deep into my thoughts I didn't realize what Ben was doing. He reached over and pulled me into his chest. I sunk in a little as I regulated my breathing. He spoke over the top of my head, but I could still feel his warm breath, and the tickle of my hair as it was stirred by his soft words.

"Listen guys cut Tory slack; she is trying to keep the team afloat. Now let's go talk to rich boy and Ella that is if you're ok with that Tor?" Ben pulled me from his chest and forced me to look into his eyes.

"Of course, let's shake a tail feather."

Friday 1:23 pm CLAYBOURNE MANOR.

We had driven straight to Chances house after asking Ella if she needed a ride. Much to our surprise the petite girl did not, because she was already there, and had been all morning. I decided not to pry. What Ella and Chance did was not my business.

"Oh come on Tor!" an exasperated Hiram had whined "Aren't you just the least bit curious to know if your best friend is shacking up with young bachelor Claybourne.

"No Hiram."

The rest of the drive was a peaceful silence. I didn't blame him for asking. I'm not the sharpest knife when it comes to relationships but it's obvious, even to me, that Hi likes Ella. It's also obvious that she doesn't feel the same way. The number one boy on her brain is Chance Claybourne.

I rapped my knuckles loudly on the large mahogany door. Much to my surprise it was Ella who opened up. She was wearing a large Bolton Lacrosse shirt and short pink shorts. Her hair was ruffled and her face was completely bare of expensive products. My instincts told me she was over all night. Judgmental thoughts filled my head, then a twinge of guilt. Don't be a hypocrite Tor you've stayed the night here too.

Chance served us large mason jars filled with sweet tea. All but Ben, who was uncooperative like always, graciously accepted. Chance and Ella sat questionably close but I tried to ignore it, we had more important things to discuss. Important things I had no idea how to bring up. Hi tried breaking the ice.

"So, this weather. Really nice. Maybe we all ca-"

"Cut the bull shit Hiram. Why are you here?" Chance wasn't playing around.

Much to my surprise it was Shelton who stepped in.

"Chance, you want no bullshit? Ok we can flare still your 'cure' was just a temporary solution."

Wow Shelton not the approach I would have taken buddy.

Chance jumped off the sofa so quickly Ella had to reach up and steady him. The next words that spilled out of his mouth were unrecognizable slurs. Ella stood up shakily and made direct eye contact with me. Then she closed her eyes. I saw her body tremble. Chance glanced over at her then did the same. I watch both of them, their eyes squeezed tightly.

"Relax" Hiram whispered gently.

Both let their bodies relax, the tension in the room was raw, hot, and uncomfortable. All of the sudden the two sets of eyes snapped open.