A/N: Another long week... Ugh. At least I have two weeks off now! Also sorry for the late update as I stated before I had a long week.

Anyways, this story is nearing its close. We're more or less on the final stretch now, a few more chapters (maybe one or two new plots) and then this is done. (Note how I didn't say the series is done). I may be planning on a third one (more of like a epilogue thing) with one chapter being the ending to each of the character's stories. So yes, I will be writing another long story!

Anyway I can leave this rambling for when I get closer to the time for it. After all I have that Two Queen's story to begin writing (You know if you requested it ;) ) and a few other things to attend to. But I'll just answer reviews now.

JustaFriend - Thank you! I hope you're safe and well too :)

Till next time,

D.L.D


Heather's P.O.V

It's been a week since I found Marietta at the spot and I haven't been home since. I thought it'd be better if I just stayed away for a bit and let my mother and siblings settle in. Let my family figure out what they needed to do, before coming to check on them. After all I didn't live with them. I wouldn't be there to check all the time and help set boundaries and routines. It seemed better for me to stay away for a while than dropping in and possibly disturbing their new way of doing things.

But now I was at their house. By invitation.

My mother had called me saying that she wanted me to come at the end of the week to see if they'd moved on well. Of course I had accepted and told them that I'd be there, however I was anxious about what could be awaiting me inside. Marietta had been a wreck last week and judging by the phone calls my mother had been dropping on me Damion had been acting out. So I was expecting to see a house with no order and depressed or crazy teenagers. All that was standing between me and seeing if my suspicions were right was the front door.

I knock on it, inhaling deeply ad I hope that they'd settled in ok.

The door immediately swings open, revealing the hallway. At first it's silent, but then everyone from my immediate family jumps out of their hiding spots and yells congratulations. I end up stumbling backwards, nearly falling down the front steps in shock.

"Surprise!" My mother scooped me into a hug. "I thought it'd be nice to throw a baby shower. Don't worry it's females only."

I blink still shocked from what had happened. My mother had planned this? A surprise? She knows I like to know about these things, so why surprise me? Why didn't she just tell me? I still would've agreed.

"Oh..thanks mother," I say, holding a smile as I close the door behind me.

The living room was already decorated, all sorts of baby-themed decorations littering the place. Pastel colours, storks and dummies were plastered everywhere, only reminding me of the extra person I was carrying around with me. The thing that I had gradually learned to accept and not hate over the course of a few months and scans.

I honestly didn't want to have a big celebration for the bump. I just thought it'd be better to get it over and done with. To just give birth, raise the kid and celebrate events with them. The way my parents raised us. I hadn't exactly been paying any mind to it like that. Baby showers, gender reveals and other baby related things weren't at the top of my extremely long priority list. In fact it was near the bottom, perhaps even non-existent. Maybe it was because my mind still couldn't grasp that I was pregnant, but honestly I don't even know if it's that. Maybe I'm just not maternal.

Wouldn't surprise me with how I was raised...

The rest of the afternoon went well, me managing to ask my mother about how everything was going and earning a satisfactory response. It turns out that my family could actually be normal. Marietta was speaking to the school Councillor and was gradually getting better; although Damion was being douchier than usual it was because he was making sure no-one was upsetting our sister; and my mother had managed to make them feel like they were in an actual family-friendly environment.

By the end of the evening I felt quite well and decided that I should take up my mother's offer of bringing Alejandro to the new place. She knew I'd been avoiding it after the fiasco with my father, and so she assured me none of that will happen.

"Well it was nice catching up with you," My mother flashed me a grin.

It was now late into the evening. Everyone had left, taking all sorts in tow and wishing me well. I had so many gifts from relatives I rarely saw, that I promised I'd come back for them tomorrow with the car. My mother probably planned that so I couldn't weasel out of her dinner plans.

"I can't deny, it actually was," I nod, agreeing with her. "So, you're sure everyone will be ok?"

"Yes," My mother laughed, shaking her head. "You worry about your family, I'll worry about mine."

I turn red, knowing her comment is true, before smiling and laughing along with her.

"Ok, I'll be back tomorrow," I turn to leave and make it to the bottom of the front steps before she replies.

"And make sure to bring your man this time!" My mother warns, her tone playful yet serious.

"I will mother!" I flush red, annoyance taking over.

She only laughs as I continue down the street, fuming but knowing that things can only go uphill from here. After all when things fall, the only place for them to go is up.


Lindsay's P.O.V

"Thanks for the tea sesh Dawn," Katie flashed her a smile, somehow managing not to blurt out our entire plan for today.

Since last week, Katie and I have been working on the finer details of our plan for B and Dawn - or Bawn as we and many others have dubbed them. Thanks to B we were able to schedule a tea session with her to talk about relationships and how we're feeling. The perfect way to slip into a convo about her and B's non-definable relationship.

So now we were on a platform in the trees, enjoying the weird blend of tea that Dawn brewed herself. It smelt a lot like jasmines and that Chameleon tea. Like something out of those herbal shops or gardening centres. I really have to ask Dawn where she gets this from and how she brews it. Or drop in a for a weekly tea sesh - Katie did say they were a good way to detox and feel great.

"No problem at all," Dawn gave us both a warm smile, her place face showing some colour. "I have to say I wasn't expecting you two to book one, but I'm sure you have something important to address."

Katie and I share a look before I nod and begin to spin the story. Concentrating, I try to remember the words Katie had told me to memorize ages before we even booked this.

"Well...Katie and I were just wondering about whether everything was ok between us and our guys," I sigh as I think about it. "You see I don't talk to Tyler much these days and we're both busy and stuff and Katie's getting ready to leave for Fashion school."

"Oh..." Dawn paused, her eyes clouded with thought. She then tapped her chin before smiling, setting her tea cup down. "Well I'd advise professional counselling or something - however I can see that you both are happy with who you're with. Perhaps it's just the time apart?"

"Yeah maybe," I nod, taking her advice and actually noting it down. Even if what I said was a total fabrication, it might come in handy. After all those magazines aren't the best with relationship advice. But they do have good fashion tips - oh and samples! The samples are amazing! But yeah I needed the advice, so I kept it.

"Well, how do we know you're being honest?" Katie tested, clearly dismayed that I had gotten distracted. "Do you have someone you feel connected towards? Maybe even like?"

"Well..." Dawn flushed slightly. Her hands fumbled slightly and she tucked a stray hair behind her ear before clearing her throat. All of her nervous behaviours were now gone and she was strictly professional. "I would say yes, but that isn't the focus of today is it?"

"Aww, but if you're helping us we should help you!" Katie pushed, her eyes sparkling with determination. "And don't give any of that nature first stuff or I'm married to the Earth. You're telling us and we're gonna help you. Right Linds?"

"Oh, um - yep!" I nod, caught off guard as I was going for another sip of that tea. It was really relaxing. No it was amazing! I have to book a weekly sesh with Dawn. Wait...lemme writ that down. I can't forget it like I usually do then -

"Lindsay?!" Katie's voice snapped me out of my mantra, causing me to blink.

"Yeah?" I answer as if it's normal for someone to just zone out. Well in the way I do anyway.

"Do you think we should help Dawn get with this mystery guy?" Katie raised her brows, eyes flickering to the pensive blonde. She was now at a bookshelf acting as if she couldn't hear us. Smart.

"Well why don't we figure it out?" I say, smiling at Dawn as Katie does a silent facepalm. I know that she's not happy with my question. In fact it defeated the whole point of why we came here today. But - and I know it's a hug but, but I really think it could work - if we got Dawn to play along maybe we could get closer to putting her and B together. After all she'll know that we're setting her up on a date, she just won't know who with.

"You can do that," Dawn answered, smiling softly as she returned to the table with a few books. "Now if you're done talking about who I may like, can we move onto you two's issue? You did come to solve it."

"Well it's solved now," Katie sighed, rolling her eyes slightly. She then shot a smile to Dawn. "Thanks for the tea, Dawn. See ya next week."

Katie then grabbed me by the arm and rushed me out of the place, causing me to leave the rest of my tea.

"Oh..ok then?"

I only sighed as we left and Katie got ready to interrogate me. Yay.


Sierra's P.O.V

"Ok so we need to make sure everything is set up," I look at my new assistant, glancing at them as they peer at their clipboard.

Today has been extremely busy, especially since it was the day of the first filming. Yep I said it, first filming. I was given the clear to start airing the show and now I was rushing around to make sure everything was perfect for this first episode. After all first impressions mean everything! (Even with TV shows).

"Yes of course!" My assistant, a mousy woman named Rena gave me a shaky grin.

She was an English migrant, coming to the United States to work in the entertainment industry. Since the first meeting she's shown that she is inexperienced and extremely clumsy, though she is really capable and reliable. In fact she had saved me out of a couple close calls by adjusting a few things, and getting me some much needed coffee breaks and such.

Right now she wore an earpiece, her dark hair tied into a short ponytail to keep it out of her face. She held her clipboard within her hands, the action matching her office-like demeanour as well as he dark pencil skirt and white blouse completed with a brown cardigan.

"Great!" I give her a grin before setting about checking everything.

Sky wasn't due for another half hour. In fact I had plenty of time to prepare for today's first episode, but I had to make sure everything was perfect. I had to solidify my place here and prove that I can be great at this. That I was a matchmaker/TV host. My blogging and reporting had been the beginning of it, but now it had kicked off as a career. One that could make me a lot and I couldn't afford to screw up.

Rena and I went about making sure that everything was in place. The lighting crew were ok; the make up crew already dealing with things; the director and producer were also in place and more or less everything was all ready and raring to go. All that was left was for my first guest/ co-host to come in. I had a lot to fill her in on and let's not even mention all of the plans I have for her match! Oh I almost forgot, making one of the hosts a match would totally prove how legit I am. That would definitely make more viewers call to appear on the show! I should tell Rena to note that down...

I open my mouth ready to tell my assistant the idea when it clamps back up, my eyes having spotted the first episode's guest.

"Sky!" I greet her with a hug, knowing that she hadn't been shown much kindness after her high school blunder. Oh it is going to be juicy covering that before moving onto her match.

"Um...hi Sierra?" She returns the hug stiffly, her expression cautious. "So...what do I have to do?"

"Well head to the makeup department and I'll deal with the rest," I say simply, pointing towards the two artists Jared and Jan. They were really good at what they did, if it wasn't just basic TV touch up makeup I'd totally let them choose my look.

"Ok then..." Sky wondered towards the two artists, looking like a penguin in a desert. She stuck out. A lot.

Rena stood beside me, tapping her pen to her cheek in thought.

"That's the guest and co-host isn't it?" Her eyes glanced towards Sky who looked extremely uncomfortable under the bright lights and attention. I really couldn't blame her with all her bad encounters with attention. They were truly horrible.

"Yeah she is," I say giving her a final glance before turning on my heel. I then click my fingers, deciding to take on that bossy CEO role - but not too bossy. "But she'll be fine. Just try to be nice to her, 'kay? She doesn't have too many nice influences or friends."

Rena looked at me, confused for a bit but then nodding. Her hazel eyes seemed to sparkled with recollection. Understanding. She had clearly gone through similar experiences explaining her timid nature and tendency to apologise profusely. But maybe everyone has had a bad encounter like Sky and just used a different way to tackle it? I mean I started to blog because of it and people like Heather and Gwen clearly reacted with locking themselves off. oh and Courtney decided to better herself to the extent that no-one can hate her.

But clearly that made things worse for them...

The sound of clicking snaps me out of my thoughts. Blinking, I can't help but feel odd as I realise it's Rena drawing me back to reality. Instead of being her usual timid self, she's sharply clicking her fingers in my face a stern expression on her face.

"We should be prepping," She coughs, giving off an professional air. "I'm sure you want everything to run smoothly today."

"Oh...yes you're right!" I nod and we continue to check everything off, my nerves begging to jumble the closer we get to airing time.


Courtney's P.O.V

"Courtney we've got a lead," My lawyer's voice echoes in my ear as I clutch my phone in annoyance.

So now they decide to come with some huge lead. When I've decided to take things into my own hands and deal with Chris and his crazy plans through the people. When I made a completely good plan with my social circle and had no need for their leads or lawsuits.

Perfect timing...

"Oh really?" I ask, the annoyance in my tone unconcealed. I was pissed and I wanted them to know it. I also wanted them to know I was extremely skeptical of them. About whether they were working for me or were involved with Chris. This call made the theory even more credible now. "I thought you said a month?"

"Well the undercover found a lead earlier than expected," The lawyer continues, sighing as the sound of other voices fill the background. "In fact we have a whole solid case. We had to get into the inside to uncover it, and of course sacrifice your trust, but we have a real lead."

I fall silent, brain processing the words I was given. Lead. Trust. Sacrifice... These all link into whatever my lawyers are doing, but their words just now prove to me that they are playing on both sides. That they can easily deceive one side or the other in favor of what they'll receive. Or that they were really good at acting...

"And how am I meant to believe you're not double-crossing?" I choose my words carefully, artfully. If I wanted to catch them I had to be sneaky. Find a way to draw the answer from between the lines, but not make it too subtle or obvious. Like using that gold paper in Art: You have to brush it delicately and not touch it, otherwise it'd stick to your hand and tear.

"Because we've been loyal to you from the start Ms Fairbank," They begin, their voice serious and professional. "Though I admit Chris has tried to bribe us, we haven't swayed. Your father is our boss after all, angering him would be detrimental. We'd be out of a job."

"Which is why you wouldn't tell me if you were," I say simply, adding a sigh. "Listen I don't care if you are double-crossing I just want to know if there's anything in those contracts that can be used against him. If you give me that information, I'll forget this topic. It'll never be brought up again."

There was a pause on the other side. Voices then spoke, low and muffled so I couldn't make out what they were about. Then the sound of typing and paper filled the background, making me aware that my lawyers were getting up to something.

"Never again?" The main lawyer spoke, their question genuine yet cautious and tired. "We are tired of you suspecting us Ms Fairbank."

The last statement was added on as an afterthought, perhaps a way to make them not seem suspicious. But it set all the red flags off in my head. In fact it made me even more suspicious of what intentions my lawyers had.

"Yep," I say simply, knowing that a response like that didn't mean much at all. "Now how do I take down Chris?"

"Well..." My lawyer began, and soon I was frantically messaging Gwen to gather a rally.


Mike's P.O.V

"Well Mike it seems you're recovering great," Mrs Davey eyed me as she went over her clipboard. "I don't know how, but you've miraculously flipped the odds..."

"It was hard but all it took was dedication," I chuckle as I reach for the back of my neck.

My therapist wasn't lying when she said I was recovering finely. In fact I felt better than I had in the few weeks I've been doing this 'treatment'. I no longer had sleepless nights plagued with night terrors and sudden hallucinations of past memories. I didn't wake up in a sweat or start crying as I was suddenly hit with a wave of recollection. Instead i found myself slowly building my way up. Slowly gaining more sleep and feeling more of a peace in my own mind. And it showed.

No more bags or rings of darkness shrouded my eyes. No more creases in my brow or permanent states of drifting off happened either. I was slowly rebuilding myself. Slowly gaining my own peace a happiness and discovering who the real 'Mike' was. Not the one who was constantly battling for control within his own mind.

However I couldn't feel at ease. Not yet. There was still one memory left. The big bad that all of my personalities dared not to name. The one who was dubbed 'the original' before I was shaken out of that state and given a normal shot at life.

Mal.

And he was stronger than all of my personalities combined. The final boss in what seemed like a video game of a mind. The big bad against all the good within me. And now we were going to war, with only one remaining and that one being the victor.

"If you say so," Mrs Davey smiled, a knowing look in her warm brownish-hazel eyes. "So...are you ready to tackle him?"

"Mal?" I tilt my head, knowing that she already knew the answer to that. "Nope, I'm scared shitless."

"Well I'm sure you'll teach that hooligan a lesson," Mrs Davey laughed slightly, a smile still splayed on her lips. She waddled in her usual busy fashion, getting the equipment needed for today's session. "You're stronger than you think Mike."

I smile at her words, knowing that they have been said to me many times within my life. When I first entered the system; when I faced so many traumatic experiences at such a young age; and even when I emerged from the system and with Mal locked up. Everyone had always said that I was stronger than I thought, all because i decided to live with all the shit cards life had dealt me with. A lot of people kill themselves over things less traumatic than this. Over things that they saw as inescapable. But somehow I rose from it and tried to make the best of things.

But things always seem to go down for me. It seems like life is always trying to give me the worst, even now, but I keep on moving. I keep on hoping.

"Thanks, Mrs Davey," The words are sincere. Honest. I want her to know I'm grateful before anything happened to me. Before I face off Mal and potentially lose. At least if I do it now, she'll know that I'd changed over what happened in my head and that I wasn't really a sociopathic monster.

She'd know I'd been erased...

"Oh don't mention it Mike," The old lady gave me a smile, she then began setting the machine up while I stuck on the electrodes. She then turned to me, her eyes softened at the edges and her wrinkled skin seeming powdery. "You're a kind young man and it's been a pleasure helping you recover. I hope - no I know that after this you'll be able to live happy."

Once again I smile at her words, tears threatening to break as I hold the plastic cup in my hand. Mrs Davey has done a lot more than she gives credit to doing. From warning me about going to Chris' high school to helping me with small everyday issues. She's become the sort of grandma I lost at a young age. A grandma that is kind and assuring. Someone who would give advice and not make you feel ashamed or stupid.

I really should thank her for it.

But instead, I down the liquid and feel the world begin to melt.


"You're pathetic!"

A kid spits on me, their saliva mixing with the water from the dirty pond. I was already soaked, my books and bags ruined and probably a scolding heading my way. Once again, I'd been cornered by the same scumbags from school. They decided it would be funny to dump me in the stagnant pond as well as my books and then beat me up.

My lip was bust and a black eye was forming, the blues and dark purples already coming into view. My arms a legs were filled with scrapes and small cuts, one of the kids thinking it was funny to get a penknife and stab me with it at intervals. The plaster my adoptive mother had placed on my nose was already peeling off, the tender and not properly formed scab coming into view. Blood was pouring from that wound too, the bullies deciding to peel it off just to be funny.

Jerks. Scumbags. Douches. Dicks...

They're all not worth my time or effort to fight back. But I try to anyway. Even though I know that I couldn't really win; that I couldn't really fight. After all I avoided violence after the dark streak it left on me. All violence was, was a reminder of all I'd lost. Of the people that were robbed from me and the trauma it had created. The personalities it had created. The reason why I'm bullied and labelled as freaky.

Freaky Mike. My own personal brand.

"Just leave me alone," I scowl, wiping the bully's spittle from my face. "Go torment someone else."

I was still in the murky pond, the cold water causing me to shiver. My books were scattered around me, a few ripped out pages of them scattered about. The bullies had done significant damage to my belongings - and body - but I wouldn't show them that I wasn't done. Instead I just sat there in the pond, looking as if I were defeated and lost. As if I had given up on fighting back, when really i felt something burning inside me. An anger and malice so pure that I was afraid to let it loose.

Afraid of what it would do...

"Aww but they're no fun! They all fight back," Another bully, a girl this time, laughed. I remember her, she was Lacey. A real bitch she is.

Lacey, or Lacey-Anne as her parents had dubbed her, was known to be the most cold and bitchy girl in our year. With her jet black hair and rabbit features, everyone loved her. Lovely ocean blue eyes went with her lightly freckled skin and lipgloss. She often painted her nails to match too, a nice headband going with the whole look. She was the perfect little angel, the example of a model student and what we should all aim to be. Bleh.

Lacey was really just a huge fake. She went around naming and shaming everyone, taking pictures and getting boys to do her dirty work. Why boys? Well they were the easiest for her to recruit since all the girls were either fake friends or 'haters' as she dubbed them. Boys were just easier for her to go for. After all, all of them had a crush on her. All of them except me. I didn't like anything about her. Not her fake ways or her blue eyes. She was just one big fake to me and she knew I thought that.

That's why she hated me, because she knew she couldn't use me.

"And what makes you think I won't?" I raise a brow, the anger in me simmering and growing. It was quickly beginning to boil, to fester and bubble. Soon I wouldn't be able to hold it in and then - then I don't know what will happen. I've never let it go that far...

A laugh went around the bullies, all of them giving me funny looks as if I just said that cats could speak.

"Yeah right, Mike," The first bully laughed, "You've never fought for anything in your life."

"That's what you think..." I mutter darkly, but it wasn't me who said it.

It couldn't be. I didn't want to say that.

'Don't worry I have this handled,' A voice, much deeper than my own chuckled as the world began to fade away. 'Clearly you can't protect us, so I will.'

The next few years I remember nothing but endless violence and anger towards the world. Mal ended up being the opposite of what I wanted. He ended up falling back into the system, taking drugs doing thefts. He even ended getting us into Juvy. Something that I had always wanted to avoid as I knew it restarted the whole cycle. The whole thing was a nightmare for me. Watching as the world around me say me as something I wasn't. Being able to do nothing from within the cage of my mind.

But that's when Mrs Davey intervened. She managed to tame Mal and he disappeared for a while. Then Chris came with his school. Oh Chris. He fucked up the perfect routine I found, managed to trigger Mal again and put me in this mess.

Now I was in a blank room, facing the very entity that caused this. That constantly battled to be on top, despite knowing that he wasn't good for us. He wasn't what 'Mike' needed in his life, at least not in the ways that Mal seemed to prove himself as worthy.

"We're gonna fight," Mal smirked, a glint in his eyes. "You always were a pansy, a sissy even. So we're gonna see if you're worthy of protecting us."

"You're insane!" I shout, balling my fists as I try to contain my anger and annoyance towards him.

He only laughed, his dark chuckles vibrating throughout my head space.

"Use that anger Mike, that hatred," He smirked as he held up his arms, ready to fight. "Fight for something in your life for once."

His words struck a cord, memories flashing before me as I stood there motionless. My parents; My grandparents; Medallia; being heard when I was abused; revealing that I was being bullied... i never went against any of it. I never fought for what I wanted, for what I believed in. I just received. Like a sacrificial lamb. I received the blows but didn't fight back, I never decided to try and see if I could change things. I just accepted it as it was...

A blow to the face snaps me out of my thoughts, the punch connecting with my lower jaw.

"Now fight me," Mal smirked, something burning in his eyes. "I've seen that look in you before and now we're gonna end it. Prove to me that you can look after us."

Something about his words stir me. I find myself slowly becoming more frustrated, more angry, before actually responding to it. My arm raises and I rush towards him, something new taking over.

"Can you stop saying that!" I punch him square on the nose, the anger becoming too much. "I've looked after us before haven't I?"

"Shitty job you did then," Mal chuckled as he wiped his nose. He then swung at me. "All sorts ended up happening to us. At least when I was in charge no-one said shit to us. In fact everyone was scared of us!"

"And being feared is better than being loved?" I spat, venom in the words as I duck his blow and go to strike.

"Better than being a useless pansy," Mal answered quickly, too focused on my response to see my blow. I hit him in the stomach causing him to stagger backwards.

"You're way too arrogant," I say as I ball my fists, walking towards him. "You made things a hell of a time worse."

"Psht please," Mal rolled his eyes, mimicking my stance and actions. "I was doing us a favor."

"No. You. Weren't!" I swing and catch the side of his face, this time deciding not to try and talk to him.

Instead blow after blow comes, the anger taking over my vision and limbs. Soon there's blood and barely any fighting back. I'm left with a limp Mal and bloody hands, my knuckles split open from all the punching I'd done.

"I'm not killing you," I say as I look down at Mal.

He didn't look the best, his face distorted and blood all over. I didn't look much better, probably with a few injuries too. Although Mal had barely struck me, his blows were hard and precise. Perfect to hit the enemy with.

"Why not?" He chuckled, spitting blood from his mouth. "Too good for it?"

"Nah," I shrug, a smile on my face as I sense myself waking up. It seems that my head has finally figured out what to do with itself. How to make Mike, Mike. "My mind will do that for me."

His eyes widen in shock, his face blanching as he realises what I mean. For once the smug Mal was now speechless, a look of fear spreading across him as light begins to flood into the corners of my mind.

"No wait, I - "

But I don't hear his words, all I hear is the voice of Mrs Davey asking if I was ok.


Gwen's P.O.V

"So you'll be there?" I raise a brow, knowing that their reliability was splotchy at the best of times. Heather wasn't exactly the first person I'd contact for this kind of stuff, but I think something within me told me to just tell her about the rally. Maybe it was common sense or perhaps just the hope that her hormones had driven her crazy enough to actually agree with me, but somehow I found my way into calling her.

How I got her number? Well that's a story for another time.

"Well this is Chris we're talking about," Heather scoffed, an eye roll clearly added into her speech. "I'll be there. There's no way he's making me live in one of his crusty towns."

"Glad you agree," I smile as I cross her name from the long list I had in front of me. I still had what seemed like too many more to go. Around a quarter of the list had been crossed, me eliminating some choices and others already being called. So far most had agreed and even given ideas towards the violent retaliation we had planned for our middle-aged weirdo college directer. In fact I had to convince a lot of people not to kill him. After all if we went through with that the consequences would be crazy.

"More like know it's the best choice," Heather spoke quickly, her tone sharp and harsh. "Anyway, just give me the info and then forget this number. I'll be there and that's all you need to know from me."

"Wouldn't want it any other way," I respond dryly, her behaviour already annoying me and lighting the short fuse that led to my anger. I grit my teeth before exhaling, deciding to end the call now that I had what I needed. "Just make sure you're there and don't tell Chris."

"I won't," She answers simply. "Now get off my phone nerd."

I end the call, sighing as I throw it onto the coffee table. I wasn't in the mood to get into a fight over something as petty as that. That was something high school Gwen did, not the new and highly matured college Gwen did. No instead I ignored Heather's meaningless words and looked back over the list, brows furrowing as I see the names I'd highlighted.

List

Justin

Lindsay

Harold

Anne-Maria

Cody

Blaineley

Alejandro

Jo

Lightning

All of them were names of people that were hard to deal with. Especially Lindsay and Jo. Both of them were difficult to get a point across to, both for entirely different reasons. However since Courtney was busy investigating her lawyers and everyone else was getting supplies for the rally, I was left to make all the phone calls.

Just like old times...

Sighing I look at the next name, I pick up my discarded phone and begin to dial the number listed beside it. Tonight was going to be long and something tells me this is only the beginning.


Ella's P.O.V

"I got the role!" I can't help but smile as I show everyone the email I was sent last night.

Apparently I was just what they were looking for (really surprising actually) and they wanted me cast as the main character immediately. Well after a few acting classes and prepping for my role. There were a bunch of classes and stuff the company had sent, saying that I had to be ready for when we started shooting. That date is set for six months from now.

"That's great!" Zoey smiled as she passed me back my phone.

"Yeah, I'm sure you'll enjoy it," Shawn nodded curtly in agreement.

"Mhm," Mike nodded, smiling a little too widely.

He's been off for the past couple of days, however he seemed to be slowly getting better. A week ago he had the worst morning face ever. Deep black rings had surrounded his bloodshot eyes and Zoey had been fretting over him quite a lot. We had all asked what had happened and why he looked so haggard, but Mike would only respond with blaming a nightmare or past memories. We had all begun to suspect it wasn't that, however now he was recovering. So I guess it was?

"Well I'm glad you guys are happy for me," I try to contain my excitement with a small smile, brain already firing with what everything would be like. "You think I'll be able to leave for the classes soon?"

A mixture of nods and shrugs traveled around the table, some agreeing and others seeing the negatives to the situation. The possibility that everything wouldn't go as planned or as I wanted it to.

"Well it depends on Chris' Life Plans thing doesn't it?" Jasmine sighed as she looked at me, her gaze sad but hopeful. "You know he runs a tight ship around here."

"We all do," Amy grimaced as she rolled her eyes.

"But you should go anyway," Zoey smiled, her being the only perky one of the group. She nudged Mike, indicating that he should agree with her. "It's important to follow your dreams after all. Plus Chris couldn't argue with Disney! He'd end up bankrupt."

"Yeah he would," Mike nodded, agreeing. He then blinked. "But...you should be careful about it. I say you tell them you're coming and then hand in a leaving letter to Chris. I'm sure he can't argue if you leave on the day you give him the letter."

"Plus he hates your singing," Amy added casually, a smirk on her face as she examined her nails.

"And he hates your singing," Zoey rolled her eyes, agreeing with the blonde.

I sigh, sinking into thought as I tap my chin. Amy wasn't wrong and neither was Mike. In fact they were right to encourage me to follow what makes me happy, but what if I couldn't do that? Reality did have a way of sinking dreams to the bottom. What if Chris harshly dragged down mine?

"Just do it," Amy laughed, a knowing smile was splayed on her lips. "If he has edge way we'll deal with it. Right guys?"

The others nodded, agreements spilling from their mouths. It causes me to smile, tears of happiness brimming from the demonstration of friendship they just gave me.

"Thank you!"

And I meant it. I truly meant it.