So, once again I posted a little late. Sorry. But once again, I have a slightly longer chapter.

Cress POV

Cress was glad to have Thorne by her side in her first class. The whole night and morning all she could think about was how Aunt Amanda was going to enter Stage three soon. It couldn't last long could it? And it hadn't helped that her father had basically been emotionally unavailable throughout the whole thing. He never talked to her anymore, always hiding somewhere doing heaven knows what.

Thorne was there for her though. He distracted her when she needed it, and comforted her at other times. He had either grown emotionally a tremendous amount, or really underestimated his own abilities.

At lunch Cress was feeling great. Or as great as she could be with the current situation. Walking into the lunch room she saw Scarlet sitting alone. She didn't look lonely, but Cress was sure she was. Sitting alone for three days straight. Cress had sat alone often. She had never liked it. She was so grateful for her new friends. Maybe she could extend her friends to Scarlet. A pass it on sort of situation.

"Do you think she's lonely?" She asked Thorne while they were in the lunch line, and she gestured to Scarlet.

"I doubt it. She seems like a lone wolf kind of person." Thorne considered.

"But what if she's lonely and just doesn't want to ask people?"

"Then maybe she should grow a spine and ask. I think she's fine being alone."

"But..."

"If you're really that concerned then you ask her."

"I don't want to. I don't like talking to people."

"Are heroes afraid of inviting someone to sit with them? No. I'll help you if you want, but you have to do at least something." Thorne told her sternly.

"Fine," she grumbled. She would be brave in her own small way.

When they walked over to where Scarlet was sitting she gave them a disgruntled look. Maybe Thorne was right. Perhaps she liked being alone. Be brave.

"Hey, Scarlet," she said when it was clear that neither Scarlet nor Thorne were going to say anything.

"Cress, isn't it?" It was clear Scarlet remembered fine. "And you're Thorne."

"Yep. Do you want to sit with our group today?" It sounded awkward when Cress said it. She was sure Thorne could have said it much more eloquently.

"No thanks, I enjoy being alone with my thoughts. I would be fine if you sat with me, as long as talking was kept to a minimum. I might even allow Thorne, but I will not sit in a large group. Maybe later."

Thorne finally said something. "Allright. That works for us. Cress, you want to sit with the group or Scarlet? I'll go where you go." Cress thought she saw Scarlet roll her eyes.

"Let's sit with the group. I need to talk with Jacin." She all but whispered, feeling embarrassed that she hadn't listened to Thorne when he said Scarlet wanted to be alone.

When they were far enough away she voiced her thoughts. "I should have listened to you. Scarlet just wanted to be left alone."

"I will tell you I have probably never heard those words before and will probably never hear them again. 'I should have listened to you.' Also, never listen to me. I am rarely right, and even now, it was good practice for you to talk to her. It's a life skill to be able to talk to people. You'll need it for a job."

"What if my job requires no people skills? Like I write a blog?"

"What are you even going to write a blog on?" He sounded incredulous.

"I don't want to. But I could write a blog on books. I wouldn't need to interact with any people."

"You'll need to interact with your friends and family. That requires at least a little bit of social skill."

"And I already know that. I'm talking to you aren't I? I have no problem talking to you, Winter or Jacin."

"What about the rest of us? We all care about you."

"Even Iko?"

"Even Iko. I know she comes across as a bit self involved, but she does care. She's been Cinder's best friend since was little and helped her through some hard stuff. She cares, believe me."

"Then maybe I'm intimidated by them. Cinder, Kai, and Iko are all so capable I guess. They're confident."

"I'm going to tell you a secret. Well, not really a secret. Cinder used to be bullied. A lot. She had issues with some of her foster families, and was bullied for her arm and leg. She wore gloves everyday. Now she doesn't. She doesn't really care all that much about what people think or say. Her confidence is hard won. She still has to fight for it sometimes, but she has it. You'll get there someday too. Don't worry." He gave her a reassuring pat on the back as they sat down.

Cress felt a little in awe of this new information. She had seen a glimpse of it before, when she had first met Cinder. She had a broader picture now. With bullying, foster families. Cress wondered about her past. About how her sister, Peony fit into all of it. Was it okay to ask?

"Cinder?" she started, but paused, still unsure.

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask about your family? Your backstory I guess?" She felt stupid asking it like that. But she wanted to understand.

"Sure, you want to hear the whole thing?" Cress nodded. "My biological mother was kind of young. I don't know who my father is, not sure if my mother did either. When I was three or four, my mother died of lung cancer, probably due to all of her smoking. I don't remember a lot. I got put into the foster care system. I went through a lot of families. None of them liked me all that much. To be fair, I wasn't the easiest kid. Then, I got put with Garan's family. I liked him, he liked me. I hated his wife, Adri, though. And his oldest daughter, Pearl. She was a few years older than me. Later, Peony was born, and like you know, she survived against incredible odds. She still had lots of health implications. It got too much for Adri though, dealing with both me and Peony. Peony was two when Garan and Adri split. They got a divorce, and Adri took off with Pearl. Garan adopted me on his own. Peony died three years later. That was a few years ago. Garan's still my father. I have no idea where Adri is, or where Pearl is. I don't quite care. Garan's looking into fostering again, so I might be able to help another kid. Be a foster sibling, better than all the ones I got."

Cinder's story really seemed like it was that of a hero. Cress hoped that Thorne's words were true, that she'd get there someday. That she could be her own hero. If she could hold out, everything would be okay.

Iko suddenly plopped down, killing Cress's mood.

Jacin suddenly spoke, "Cress, did you find anything out about your aunt?"

Before Cress could say anything Iko exclaimed, "Did you guys see the new kid?"

"Scarlet?"

"No, today is his first day. Liam Kinney."

"Iko, you interrupted Cress. We were talking about her aunt?" Jacin, not seeming so very patient, said.

"Oh, yeah. But, Liam's really hot. Anyway, go on, Cress."

"I asked a nurse at the hospital. Fateen. She was nice. A little too cheerful considering the circumstances. Anyway, she's in stage two like you thought. But she's probably going to enter stage three within a few days."

"Stage three and four are the shortest. They need to figure something out fast." Jacin's voice was filled with contempt. Contempt that the doctors hadn't earned, Cress felt.

"Jacin, they're doing their best."

"Are they? Because, to me it seems like they haven't done a whole lot."

"If you know so much why don't you do something?" Cress told him, feeling a little angry herself.

"Maybe I will. Maybe I'll find a cure, or a solution in a few days."

Iko laughed awkwardly. But of course, it didn't seem all that awkward when Iko did it. "That got a little heated there for a bit."

"She's right. I'm sorry, Jacin. I was brash." Cress quickly apologized.

"Cress, you're fine. I'm not offended at all. Trust me, it takes a lot to bother me. I doubt you will ever be capable of it, shortcake."

"I hate that nickname," she grumbled.

"If you hate it too much I'll stop. But I don't think you really hate it that much." Jacin teased her. Before she got to know him, Cress would've thought it impossible for such a stoic and cold person to tease someone.

"You're right. I don't mind all that much. Just not too often okay?"

He consented. Everything fell into easy chatter. Cress wished she could feel as carefree as them. She had so many weights on her shoulder. She remembered that they all did, in their own way. But none Cress imagined, could feel as heavy as her's.

Cress felt her phone buzz. Was it her dad texting her? Was Aunt Amanda gone? She was scared to look, feeling like seeing it with her eyes would make it true. As long as she didn't look, it wouldn't be true. But that was ridiculous.

She hesitantly pulled out her phone. She could feel Thorne's eyes on her.

It was her dad.
But Amanda wasn't gone. First she felt immense relief, then dread when the words on the screen sunk in.

She had entered stage three. No. No NO. She wasn't supposed to be yet, she was supposed to last a few more days.

"She entered stage three," Cress whispered. Even though she was quiet, everyone heard her.

There was silence. Then Iko, "Did you guys see Kinney?"

Cress felt like a wire had snapped.

She interrupted Thorne who was saying, "Iko, it's not the time." His voice was soft, trying to defuse tension.

Cress's voice was angry. "Why can't you just shut up? Everytime, you have to say something." Iko looked hurt, but Cress continued on, burning with pent up emotions. "My aunt's going to die. And all you care about is some new kid."

"Cress-no," Iko tried to protest.

"She's going to die!" There were hot tears in her eyes.

"Cress," Thorne's voice rivaled her own. "She's not dead, and she's not going to die."

"You keep saying that, but how do you know? You don't!"

His voice was softer now, more comforting. "Yes, I do. They'll find a cure. Jacin might even." His minor, half hearted, joke seemed as inappropriate as Iko's comment..

"Jacin's basically just a kid! They haven't found a cure yet, so Jacin sure won't in the few days she has before she's gone."

Cress left. She wondered if she would regret her words later. She might, but right now she sure didn't.

Thorne POV

The table was left in a horrified silence. He wanted to go after her, but knew that wouldn't help anything. There was only a few minutes before they would have to go to their next class, Thorne would let her cool off then talk to her.

Winter started to get up.

"Winter, let her go. She needs time to cool off. I'll talk to her later."

"Iko should apologize." Jacin was angry.

'I'm sorry," she said.

"Not to me, to Cress. Why do you always have to do that?"

"Jacin!" Cinder was harsh. "It's none of your business. Stay on your side of the street. Let Cress and Iko work it out."

"She'll probably botch up the apology and make everything worse."

"Stop. Jacin, you're making things worse." Cinder was struggling to keep the peace.

"Iko did that fine on her own."

"Jacin, that was unfair. If you don't have anything kind to say, don't say anything," Winter said.

The table fell once again into silence. Before Thorne left he told them, "Leave her be for an hour or two. Iko, you should try and talk to her before the end of the day. I'll talk to her, it might be better for you to talk to her tomorrow, and give her time to cool off."

He left. He hoped that Cress would be in their next class. She wasn't one for ditching much, but she had a good reason to not want to be around people. Thorne specifically.

He'd try. If she didn't want to talk to him, she didn't have to.

He found her in the hallway.

"Cress, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

She didn't look at him. "It's fine. I'm not that mad at you. Mostly Iko. You said she cared. It didn't seem like it."

"No, it didn't, you're right. Iko's just not that great at some stuff. She tries."

"You said that before. But maybe she's changed Thorne. Maybe she doesn't care anymore. People change. You've changed. You used to be a jerk."

Ouch. "Says who? You didn't know me."

"I saw enough. You were cocky, arrogant. You're nicer now."

"Cress, I haven't changed. I've always been this person. People have different sides, okay? Before you only saw that side. Cinder has practically always seen me the way you do now. You just haven't seen Iko's better side. It's there, I promise you. If you got to know her better-"

"I don't want to get to know her better if that's how she treats me when I don't know her."

"People aren't perfect okay? I can be a little arrogant. Iko can be a little self involved, and doesn't know how to handle situations. You aren't perfect. You yelled at us back there."

"I know I'm not perfect. At least I try."

"We all try. We all do our best."

"How can her best be to talk about Liam Kinney? He hasn't even been here for a day, and he already takes precedence over my aunt who is dying. How is that trying?"

"Cress, I get it. I understand-"

"No you don't. Your aunt isn't dying. You still have both of your parents. You don't have to deal with Anthony."

"Cress, there's this saying. Assuming makes an ass out of you and me. You just assumed an awful lot. No, Anthony hasn't been targeting me specifically. You know who Jules Keller is? No, you don't. He tormented me all through grade school. You know Kate Fallow? She was the only one who helped me. And she didn't even call Jules out. All she did was be a friend when no one else would. Nobody else bothered to help, they just assumed I was a cocky, arrogant, jerk, who could take care of himself. I transferred schools because I couldn't bear to face Jules anymore. Yes, I have both of my parents. But they don't pay any attention to me. They just give me fancy, expensive toys to entertain myself. My grandpa was the only who ever took the time to talk to me, see how I was doing. He died right before Jules started tormenting me. So, no, I haven't been through exactly what you're going through. But I've been through my own crap. Come find me and talk to me when you understand that." He was more sad than angry. Upset, that he had to tell Cress this to make her understand. Upset, that she had said those things without understanding.

He left her there. He had no interest in going to class anymore. Iko found him. He guessed she was ditching too.

"I feel awful," she said.

"Me too."

"Why did I say those things? I'm such an idiot."

He just nodded.

"Thorne, you're supposed to tell me I'm not an idiot. That's why I'm talking to you."

"Iko, you're not an idiot. You just need to learn what to say. I get that it's hard. It's ok. You just need to learn."

"Should I apologize to her?"

"Tomorrow. She needs space. I think we all do."

"What happened?" Iko finally seemed to see that he was upset.

"We both said some things. I tried to tell her that you didn't mean it, you just didn't know what to do. She told me I couldn't understand. She told me I used to be a cocky, arrogant, jerk, but that I was nicer now. She said my aunt wasn't dying, I had two parents, I didn't have to deal with Anthony." The words hurt to be repeated. He forced them out anyway.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Iko understood. She knew. Everybody in the group knew practically everything about one another. Except for Cress. She hadn't yet taken the time to know them, in the midst of her own trials. "I really shouldn't have said those stupid things."

"I said plenty of stupid things too. I think I accidentally called Cress an ass."

Iko was trying not to laugh. "Seriously?"

"I said that she had assumed a lot of stuff. Then I told her that saying, assuming makes an ass out of you and me."

"I don't get it."

"Spell it out. Assume. A-s-s-u-m-e. A-s-s. Ass. U. You. M-e. Me."

"Oh. That's kind of clever."

"So Kinney, huh?" He was tired of talking about the drama, so he changed the topic. Even if this new topic was part of the problem.

"Yeah. He might even beat you and Kai. He's really hot. "

"That's ridiculous. Nobody beats me, even his majesty with his heavenly, chocolate-brown eyes, and perfectly tousled hair."

"Who said that about Kai? I won't believe you if you say Cinder. She's not romantic enough to say that."

"I believe it was you who said that. Before Cinder even talked to Kai? You were going on about him."

"I did say that!" Iko exclaimed, "I remember that now. It made Cinder mad. I think she punched me in the arm."

Scarlet POV

Gym was boring. Nothing happened. Scarlet was pretty sure that the Coach's rule from last time was in place, so she could've gotten in trouble if she wanted to. But her new policy didn't allow it.

Instead she observed, a rare thing for Scarlet, though it was becoming more usual.

Cress was there. She looked upset. Scarlet didn't see Thorne. They had been together during lunch. Maybe he had to leave early. Or they had gotten into a fight.

Looking closer, Cress seemed both angry and sad. If that was correct, it had probably been a fight. Such common things, but they upset life so much.

Scarlet decided to talk to her. She clearly had social anxiety, that much was evident from lunch. Cress looked like she needed someone, and she clearly would find it tremendously hard to go and seek help.

So Scarlet offered herself.

"Do you need someone to rant to? Or something…" she asked, based on her assumption that Cress was angry.

"I'm good." It didn't sound like she was. But if that's what she said, Scarlet needed to respect it.

"Okay." Scarlet shrugged her shoulders and walked away.

At the end of class Cress approached her timidly. "Is your offer still open? Too rant?"

Look at that. Cress had actually spoken to her without Scarlet doing the first talking. Good for her.

"Yeah. You want to walk and talk?"

They started walking when Cress nodded.

"My aunt is sick. She's my mom's sister, and my mom died in labor; I'm really close to my aunt." It seemed as if Scarlet was going to get a whole story, not just what had made Cress upset.

"She has letumosis, which is a rare, fatal, disease. She just entered stage three out of four. Iko said something stupid," as humans often do, Scarlet thought to herself. "It made me mad. I kind of went off. I said some things that I kind of regret. I left. Thorne came and found me a few minutes later. He tried to explain to me that she didn't mean it. I kind of went off on him too. I told him he couldn't understand because his aunt wasn't in the hospital, he had both parents, he didn't have to deal with Anthony." Cress looked like she was crying.

"He told me a lot of stuff. About him. All the crap he's gone through. He said that he didn't want to talk to me until I understood."

It was time for Scarlet to speak. "Cress, I'm not trying to be mean. But I will be very blunt. Do you know what sonder means?" Cress shook her head. "It's the realization that everybody has a whole life story. As complicated as yours. You need to realize that real fast or you will get nowhere in life with people. Everybody's gone through crap. It's hard to see that in the middle of your own trials, I get that. But you need to switch your perspective."

"I know." Cress was definitely crying now. "I can't believe I said some of that stuff."

"Everybody feels that way sometimes. Best you can do is apologize and move on."

"What if he doesn't forgive me?" She was honestly scared of this.

"There's nothing you can do." It was the truth. "You can't change how he thinks." The tears were really flowing now. "Do you need a hug?"

Cress nodded sniffling. Scarlet wasn't much of a hugger, but she did it anyway. Cress needed it.

"Before the end of the day, apologize. That's all you can do. I promise you though, if you ever need to talk again, I'll be here for you."

I won't be able to post for a bit. I'm going to a camp from Monday till Thursday. Hopefully I'll be able to post Saturday, but probably not. We'll see when I can post.

In other fun news, I went camping Thursday night. It kinda sucked, I don't know how, but I got 17 mosquito bites. I promise I wore repellent. It obviously didn't work.

Anyway, please review.