Tpov

"What kind of chips do you want?" Nona asked as we browsed through the snack aisle of the local grocery store.

"Doesn't matter to me." I said but quickly added. "Just not that spicy stuff you and your mom always buy."

She laughed and replaced the bag she'd just reached for.

"Bland potato chips it is then." She said grabbing a different bag from the shelf above and dropping it into the basket she was carrying. "For your bland taste buds."

"Why am I bland for preferring food that doesn't make me cry?" I asked indignantly.

"Because the more you suffer, the sweeter it is."

"You are a glutton for punishment."

She laughed and we continued to walk down the aisle.

"So did you ever talk to Chase and Lewis?" she asked as we reached the refrigerated section and I pulled Jason's hoodie closer around me.

I didn't know why, but I'd worn it a lot ever since he'd let me keep it. Something about it just made me feel safe.

"Yeah." I said uncertain as to why, but feeling a little anxious as she continued.

"What'd they say about Alex?"

"They said he was sick."

"Jason too?" she asked and I nodded. "Have you heard from either of them?"

"No. But if they're sick they probably aren't really up for talking to a bunch of people."

We rounded a corner to where the store kept the precooked food they offered for customers and I was wondering what chick flick Nona was going to force me to watch tonight when she stopped.

"That doesn't look sick to me." She said flatly her tone cold.

"What do you mean?"

She gestured towards the side dish buffet where five boys were all laughing together. Each of them tall, strong, with short hair.

"Alex?" I asked in shock, barely recognizing him. Now that he'd cut his hair, he looked so much like the rest of the crew.

All five boys froze, their laughter dying as they looked at us, Alex looking just as horrified as I felt.

His eyes met mine but before any explanations could be made, Nona exploded with anger.

"WHAT THE HELL?" she shouted dropping her basket of snacks and storming over to Alex who backed away from her in fear. Everyone in the store was looking at her.

"Where the hell have you been?" she continued to yell as he froze. "I thought you were supposed to be sick!"

"Oh god." Lewis said running his hand through his hair while Chase put his face in his hands and muttered. "Not now…"

"First you freak out and ditch me for the dance on Saturday! Then you stand me up for the movies on Sunday! Then these idiots," she gestured towards Chase and Lewis. "Go around school lying saying you're sick, which made me worry about you and now I find out that you're not sick at all! What? You blew me off to hang out with your new friends?"

"Nona." Alex said the words tripping over themselves as they came out. "No! If you'll let me explain!"

"There is no explanation!" she said furious and she turned on Jason who was watching Alex but looked surprised to be addressed. "Aren't you supposed to be dying of the plague or something too? What the hell is wrong with you all?"

"Listen, Nona-" Chase started but she'd already turned and held up her hand to cut him off.

"I don't want to hear it." she said angrily. "C'mon Tani!"

She stalked passed me, not even bothering to pick up the basket of snacks which contents had fallen all over the floor, and continued to stride towards the doors of the store.

I didn't follow her, I was too busy looking at Alex who was watching her, horrified and what looked like heart broken.

He blinked and noticed me.

He spent a few seconds looking between the door that Nona had just gone through and me, then started forward but Chase, Lewis, and Aster all held him back.

He seemed to argue with them for a moment and then pushed past them only to have Jason grab his shoulder.

Alex looked back at him, a little desperately and said something I couldn't hear but something inside me shattered as Jason shook his head.

Alex looked as if he was going to argue, but Jason didn't give him the chance. He gestured towards small door on the side of the building, with a sign that read 'Employee exit only,' and pushed him towards it.

Alex glared at him for a full ten seconds, but then moved towards the door, shaking his head and avoiding my eye.

"No." I said quietly as suddenly, everything inside me went cold.

It couldn't be happening. Not now. Not again.

But it did. Alex walked to the door without looking at me and I felt sick as I realized Jason was watching him, his arms crossed over his chest, his jaw set, standing in the way I recognized. The way that meant he was going to get his way from someone no matter what it might mean.

Part of me expected a fight. Surely Alex of all people wouldn't be scared of Jason. He wouldn't let himself be bossed around like everyone else when we were kids, but he did. Alex glanced over his shoulder, first at Jason, then uncertainly at me. He shook his head, then stepped through the door outside and it felt as if my heart had been dipped in liquid nitrogen, then thrown onto the floor, shattering in a million pieces.

The others followed him, hesitantly at first and I noticed they looked at Jason and then at me before heading out as well.

All through this Jason hadn't looked at me, but as the last of the other three, Chase, walked through the door, he did. His expression was hard to read, but when his eyes met mine they looked sad.

Immediately I knew what was happening. Jason was taking Alex from me just like he'd taken everyone when we were kids. He knew exactly what he was doing and what it would mean. But even still, he wasn't going to stop.

"I can't believe you." I said my voice shaking with the rest of me as I turned and started to walk out after Nona. He'd taken the one thing I'd been absolutely certain he'd never get.

"Tani, wait-"

"No."

"Just let me explain." He said and I was surprised to feel his hand catch mine.

I didn't know how he'd reached me so fast, but I didn't care. I didn't want to know. All these secrets all the mysteries that surrounded him, it didn't matter anymore.

"Was this all just a game to you?" I asked turning on him furiously feeling my eyes narrow and pulling myself out of his grip. The people that had been looking at Nona we're looking at us now, and though I knew I was causing a scene I didn't care. I was too angry.

"What?" he asked quietly, sounding a little desperate but I felt no pity.

"Was this, all of this, your newest way to make my life miserable? Is this just a game to you? Was it a challenge to see if you could finally take away my last friend?"

"Tani-"

"No I don't want to hear it Jason!" I shouted. "I'm done!"

"But-"

"Just leave me alone!"

He froze apparently struggling with what I had just said.

"Please don't say that." He whispered.

"I mean it." I said without pity.

"Tani, please."

"I don't want to talk to you." I said feeling cruel at his expression, but too angry to care. "Leave me alone. Don't call me, don't text me, just go away Jason. Don't talk to me ever again."

It was hard to describe his expression. It was both miserable and blank at the same time. As if he was so upset, he'd run out of emotions to show. He didn't know how to handle what I was saying.

"Is that what you want?" he asked quietly.

I felt myself hesitate just for the slightest of moments, but then I remembered the way he'd pushed Alex towards the exit. Forcing him to leave. To leave me.

"Yes." I said coldly knowing it would hurt him but unable to stop myself. Not after what he'd done.

"Ok." He said softly not looking at me. "Ok, I'll leave you alone."

He shook his head miserably, looking completely defeated by life, something I'd never expected from him. He looked a little shell shocked, as if he wasn't sure what he should do next and I felt my anger slip slightly. I'd never seen him like this. Was I making a mistake?

"I'm sorry Tan." He said softly. "I really am."

I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to me, not that it mattered. He'd already stepped out of the door after his friends.

A shock went through me as I realized that now meant Alex.

I felt tears form in my eyes and pulled my jacket closer around me when I felt another shock. I was still wearing his hoodie.

Part of me wanted to take it off and leave it right here in the store, but I couldn't force myself to do it.

Instead I pulled it closer around me and went out to find Nona, knowing that no matter how much part of me wanted him to, Jason wouldn't follow.