Naia's POV

The dismissal bell rang and Mr. Harrison shouted out the homework as everybody started packing up their stuff. I shoved my binders into my backpack and hurried outside of the school.

"Naia!"

I turned to see Gabby and Matt standing together by the gate. I waved at them and started walking towards them.

"What a dweeb."

"She's so puny."

"Did you hear that she's been in foster care her whole life?"

"It's not rocket science why her parents didn't want her."

I knew that these comments were about me but I ignored them as best as I could and went straight to Gabby for her hug.

"How was school?" She asked as she let go of me.

I lied and gave her a thumbs up and a grin.

Matt fake pushed Gabby aside. "Step aside, stop hogging our little girl."

I giggled as Matt gave me a bear hug and a noogie.

"What do you want to do tonight?" Matt asked as we walked home. I wasn't sure so I wouldn't have responded anyway but Gabby seemed to have ideas.

"I'm taking Naia shopping. She needs new clothes. You can't wear that every day." Gabby said, giving my outfit a pointed look. Matt laughed and gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Good luck Naia.

Gabby scowled at Matt. "You weren't invited anyways. Maybe I'll ask Brett if she wants to come with us."

I laughed at the two. They were like siblings the way they bickered. It reminded me of the way Shane and Thomas would fight over silly stuff and that made my heartache.

"Is something wrong?" Gabby asked when she noticed my sad expression.

I nodded, not really wanting to elaborate on what I missed and desperately wanted.

"Are you sure?" Matt double-checked, placing an arm around my shoulder.

I leaned next to him and nodded. I felt really sad, missing Ellie and the boys, but even though I knew what to say, I didn't know how to say it. Thankfully though, Matt and Gabby dropped the topic as we approached the apartment.

We walked up to the second floor and to our apartment. Matt pulled out his keys and unlocked the door. It swung open to reveal a ransacked apartment.

Nobody moved for a moment. At first, I thought it was a joke.

But it wasn't, and I didn't believe my eyes.

"What happened?" Gabby asked as she walked in. I followed her and Matt followed me.

The whole living room looked like a tornado had hit it. There were books scattered everywhere, the couch pillows were thrown around, the coffee table had been flipped.

The kitchen wasn't any better. Food was taken out and half-eaten, cutlery was tossed everywhere, the plates were left alone but a few of the cups were shattered.

"Careful where you step," Matt warned as we maneuvered around everything to get to the hallway. The bathroom wasn't really messed up, probably because there wasn't anything really to tamper with. Whoever did this did however squirt almost a whole bottle of shampoo into the tub.

It didn't look like they were looking for valuables, just trying to make a mess.

Gabby and Matt's room was untouched along with my room, which was good, but on a closer look, I realized that there was a note on my pillow.

Matt got to it first and read it out loud without thinking.

"You're the reason why they're dead."

There was silence while we tried to comprehend everything.

"That's it, I'm calling Antonio," Gabby said and left the room. I reached out for the note but Matt shook his head.

"They might be able to get fingerprints," Matt said and placed the note on my pillowcase where we found it. Then he put a hand on my shoulder and guided me out the door.

In Matt and Gabby's room, Gabby was angrily talking on the phone, presumably to Antonio.

"Trashed the whole place and then left a note on Naia's bed!" Gabby was saying as we walked in.

"Okay, see you," Gabby said and hung up. She shook her head when she saw Matt and I. "Antonio said he'd be here soon. I have a bad feeling about this."

Matt walked over and sat down next to Gabby on the bed. He put an arm around her and pulled her close to him. "We'll figure it out. Everything's going to be okay."

I wasn't sure what to do if I was supposed to join them or not. I felt awful because this was my fault. Someone was obviously angry at me and Matt and Gabby had to be punished as well.

Before I could let my head get to me, I pushed the words out of my mouth.

"I'm sorry."

It was more of a croaky whisper than anything but Gabby and Matt heard it. They looked up at me shocked. I cleared my throat and looked down.

"I'm sorry," I repeated, not looking up.

Nothing happened for a moment but then both Matt and Gabby ran into me, embracing me in a hug.

"I knew you would talk to us!" Gabby squealed like a child on Christmas day. She had tears streaming down her face. When they let go, Matt picked me up and spun me around in a circle.

When he put me down, he put his hand underneath my chin and made me look him in the eye.

"None of this is your fault. None of it. We'll get to the bottom of this. I promise you Naia, none of this is your fault." Matt said, looking me in the eye.

I nodded but shifted my eyes away.

"This calls for a celebration! Naia's first words!" Gabby said and gave me another hug. She then picked up her phone and everybody walked out to the trashed living room.

"We're not supposed to touch anything." Matt reminded us as Gabby reached out to put the couch back together. Gabby groaned and pulled her hand back.

I laughed and took a seat on the floor. Matt and Gabby sat on either side of me.

"Naia, what's your favourite colour?" Gabby asked me.

I thought carefully before replying. "Blue."

"What about your favourite food?" Matt asked. I had a feeling they liked when I talked, and I liked it when I talked to them as well. It made me feel happy on the inside.

"Pizza."

Matt nodded in agreement. "What do you like on your pizza?"

"Just cheese," I said. It was so strange to suddenly talk. My tongue felt funny moving again in this way. I moved my tongue back and forth in my mouth.

Gabby took my hand into hers and smiled warmly at me. "I'm so happy you're talking to us Naia. This is incredible."

"Yeah," I mumbled, not really sure how to respond to that.

There was knocking at the door and Gabby got up to answer it. She opened it and greeted the person.

"Antonio!" Gabby gave him a hug.

"Antonio is Gabby's brother," Matt whispered from next to me and I nodded.

I remembered him from that morning when I ran to the firehouse. I remembered how I had thought that he might be Gabby's brother.

Antonio stepped in followed by two people that I recognized.

"Naia!" Erin and Hailey said at the same time. I laughed at the coincidence and smiled. I wasn't sure if the words would come out of my mouth for them but they did.

"Hi," I said quietly and giving them a little wave.

They all looked around the room.

"What happened here?" Erin asked, checking the living room out.

"Was anything valuable stolen?" Hailey asked, still standing in the spot by the door.

Matt and Gabby looked at each other and shook their head.

"I don't think so," Gabby said. "Just trashed the place up."

Matt snorted, "And left a note." He mumbled.

"Alright, Upton, you check with the neighbours, see if they noticed anything suspicious or even saw the person or people come in," Antonio instructed. Upton nodded and then left the apartment.

Antonio then turned to Erin and nodded, "You know the drill, let's get going."

"Do we have to stay here or can we go?" Matt asked Antonio.

"You guys can go, we'll take it from here," Antonio replied and Gabby thanked him.

"Thank you, really," Matt said and we left the apartment.

Gabby took my hand as we walked outside. For late October, it was strangely warm and I wasn't cold in my sweater.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Getting you some clothes and other stuff. Hop in." Gabby said as she motioned to a parked, gray, Chevy Equinox. I opened the back door and took a seat. Gabby made sure I was in and shut the door. I put my belt on as Gabby got in the driver's seat and Matt into the passenger seat.

"Is Matt coming too?" I asked as Gabby started the engine. They both laughed from upfront and I was confused why.

Matt shook his head. "Naw, Gabby's gonna drop me off at Shay and Severide's place while you guys go shopping."

"Who's Shay?" I asked, I hadn't heard of her before or met her at the firehouse.

Gabby answered as the car turned left. "She's another paramedic with 51. Hurt her shoulder about a week ago, she'll be back soon. Her and Anders are on Ambo 23. Have you met Anders yet?"

"I don't think so," I replied. I wasn't really good names so I couldn't really say. I could have and just forgotten.

A few minutes later, Gabby pulled into a driveway in front of a house and Matt unbuckled his seat belt.

"That's my cue, have fun girls!" Matt waved as he hopped out of the Chevy. He then made his way to the front door and knocked.

"And then there were two." Gabby joked as we continued on our way. I chuckled but didn't say anything.

Moments later, we drove into the parking lot of a mall. Lucky us, there was a parking spot pretty close to the main door and Gabby parked there. She parked the car and turned off the engine.

"All right, let's do this," Gabby said.