She was nudged lightly as she walked into her classroom. Turning to look at Huey, he gave her a smirk that mad her want to run for the hills, even though it was threatening to turn her into mushy goo. But he isn't Riley…her mind whispered. Her shoulders still tingled from his arm being around them before he slipped off into his own classroom.

"Thinking about Riley, Izzy?" He grizzled. His smirked widening more when she started sputtering for excuses. Her cheeks flamed; some playful instincts came up and she batted his arm.

"N-no! Stop it Huey." Her mind cursed itself. She needed to work on her stuttering. "It's just…"

She was pulled into a one armed hug. Huey's own distinct scent was soothing. Not the type that made her feel butterflies but it also made her feel as safe as she felt when she was with Riley. She felt protected.

"You good. Riley and I aren't gonna let anyone step on you anymore." Huey's voice rumbled above her. She gave him a grateful smile. But first things first… Her eyes moved to the tall brown haired girl with her nose in a book. Pulling out of Huey's grip, she made her way over, her mouth opening and shutting on how to try and gain her attention. Her courage flared and she softly called out her name

"Angela?"

Brown eyes framed with glasses looked up at her with surprise before she suddenly lunged at her. Arms wrapped tightly around her. She felt herself go into shock.

"Bella, it's so good to see you're okay." Angela's voice whispered in her ear. She pulled back and gripped her shoulders and Bella felt like she was being analyzed. "What Lauren said was uncalled for. I was going to go after you but the new boy beat me to it."

"I'm sorry Angie." Bella whispered, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "I'm such a bad friend. I should've - ,"

A small tinkle of laughter made her choke on her words when she was pulled back into a hug.

"Bella, there's nothing for you to be sorry for, you were mourning. It's really good to see you so animated again. You're getting better, that's all that counts."

Bella sobbed against Angela's shoulder. "I don't deserve a good friend like you."

"No, you don't deserve what that boy has done to you. You came out on top, Bella. A boy like him does not deserve to keep a strong woman like you."

She doesn't know how long they hugged but she gave a thankful smile to Huey when he gave her some tissues to wipe her face. Moving back, she introduced them.

"Huey, this is Angela Webber. Angie, this is Huey Freeman."

She watched Angela give Huey a bright smile. "Thank you, for looking after Bella. It means the world to me."

Huey just nodded. "It's mostly my brother that gave her the push. And I'm gonna be here when he ain't so nobody feels the need to mess with Izzy."

Angela moved sideways and whispered to her. "I have a feeling that both he and his brother aren't going to like Mike at all."

Bella giggled before nodding her head. Yeah, she can see Riley's reaction but Huey; he looked a whole level of having killer vibes.

They all returned to their seats as class started. Initially in the beginning, she was shocked to learn Huey and Riley shared some of her classes. She must've been really out of it to not notice them until they approached her in the lunch room. She could tell how behind she was in her studies and vowed to do better. Taking her notes diligently, towards the end of class, she approached her teach and began speaking to her about extra credit and things she needed to catch up on. With each class she walked into, she always walked out with more papers than usual. All of her teachers agreeing that they were proud of her and would hate to see her fail. Riley helped her carry some with the two classes she had with him before he ran off again to go to his own next class. She made sure to organize her work before heading off to lunch. Riley was leaning against the wall outside the cafeteria doors on his phone and Huey was reading a book, next to him. A petty side couldn't help but giggle on the inside on how they ignored every single girl that talked animatedly towards them but they haven't uttered a peep until she came into view. Huey closed his book and Riley sped walked towards her, swinging her up in his arms.

"There's our ma. Time to eat."

Her feet touched the ground and she was pulled into the lunch room. Both Riley and Huey on each side of her. It made her feel so small. They were so tall and built. It made her see how the brothers looked standing next to each other. Riley had danger flagged around him, he seemed to ooze dangerous vibes and Huey was more reserved but you can see in his eyes that he looked like he'd take anyone down to who so ever offends him in any way. Riley was showing her some things off of his phone when someone called out her name. She cringed and tried to curb the need to hide behind both of the brothers. It seemed as if both of them are well in tuned to her feelings because their eyes narrowed dangerously when the blonde headed boy she tried desperately to avoid rushed up to her with a boyish smile on his face. His blue eyes sparkled. She shuddered.

"Hey Bella!"

A fake smile appeared tightly on her face. "Hi Mike."

"I see you're out and about." He started fidgeting and she suppressed the groan she felt bubbling in her chest. She knew what was coming. "So, would you like to go to the movies with me and the rest this Saturday?" She wanted to breath a sigh of relief but held it in and continued to give him a fake smile. She could say no but she figured if Angie was coming, she'd be fine. Then again…

"Can I bring Riley and Huey?"

She could see that he finally realized that she had company and he looked taken aback. She peeked up at them. Riley had his arms crossed and was glaring daggers at Mike, while Huey held his hands in his pockets and sized him up. She shivered at the feel. She felt as if they were going to bury him alive.

"Y-yeah that's cool?"

She blinked as he practically sprinted from them. When he was far enough, both the Freeman brothers unraveled and Riley was once again showing her the stuff he owned and gave her promises on showing her one day. She had to shake her head, a slight smile on her face on how they seemed to quickly flip switches on their personalities. Once they took their seats at the…former residents table, Riley took no time into making sure she ate whatever she got. And it made her feel warm that she could a smile on his face when he seemed please by it. It was pleasing. She thought about it, feeling it strange that she had no problem submitting to him. With her ex, she always felt the need to fight him back on it. He treated her as if she was a child. On the contrary, with Riley, both her mind and her body wanted to be subservient to him. He made her feel so small and girlish. Protected and, dare she say, loved? It couldn't be possible. They had just met.

"Hey, uh, can you guys help me study?" Her voice quieted to a whisper. "I really need to catch up on my work."

Riley's eyes darted towards her as his head was tilted back, drinking the bottle of water. She couldn't help but be entranced on how his Adam's apple bobbed up and down. It looked so strong. How his head was positioned, she could start to see more of the scar but it did not seem to end there. His head bobbed up once and she took that as a yes before his brother answered to her question.

"Yeah, that's fine Izzy."

She shyly smiled at both of them and went back to eating. Things seemed to go smoothly for the rest of the day. If only things went her way still.

Since her class was the closest to the parking lot, she ended up waiting by Riley's car. Perching her book bag on the hood of the car, she leaned back against the door and started reading the study guide, she had to go over for next weeks' test.

"Bella!"

She felt as if she went flying in the air. Her hands fluttered around, trying to keep the packets in her hand as she looked at Tyler.

"Yes?" She sighed. She wanted Riley here. He had no problem in making everyone stay away. She became uneasy when he came closer to her. Not being able to back up, stuck between a slightly built teen and a car was not helping. Besides, isn't he dating Lauren? Last time she checked he was. So she couldn't understand why he was near you.

"I was wondering if you'd like to hang out sometime." He said.

Her eyes flickered up and down. Since he was so close, his scent washed over her and she sneezed. While he did not smell awful, he wasn't like Riley. He made her feel nervous. She could feel her hands sweating and she felt like crying. Where was Riley? It wasn't like she could not breathe. Her mind flickered back to her widely searching the forest. Tyler's black eyes seemed to be looking at her expectantly and her voice cracked when she finally found the words to say.

"I have a lot of work to be catching up to, I can't."

"Come on Bella, it'll be fun." He smiled at her to what he seems to think is attractive. "Take a walk with me."

Her being froze. Take a walk with me… She could see his hard golden eyes staring at her as he beckoned her towards the forest. How they pierced to an unrepairable part of her soul when he viciously broke her heart. A sob tore from her throat and it seemed as if lava was being poured down her cheeks. Through her blurry vision she can see Tyler start to mimic being a fish and he started to jitter around, looking around for something. The papers in her hand started to wrinkle as her fists tightened and her sobs steadily grew louder.

"Bella, oh man, don't cry Bella please!" Tyler pleaded with her but she was reliving the moment that felt like it happened yesterday instead of months ago. The pain was there, she wanted to get stronger but some things just could not be dimmed so quickly. She was starting to try. With the help of her friends, but they weren't here yet. She wanted Riley to hold her and tell her everything was okay. She wanted Huey to come stand by her. She wanted Angie to take her hands and tell her that she was strong.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!" An angry deep voice snarled, the echo vibrating across the parking lot. Pretty soon Tyler was pushed from her sight and she was pulled into someone's embrace. She felt herself being slowly rocked side to side as a hand rubbed down her back. "Why is she crying? What the fuck did you say to her?!"

"Shh, calm down Izzy, you alright." It was Huey that was holding her. She tried to look at him as his hands wiped the tears around her eyes. She twisted around, trying to look for Riley to see him holding onto Tyler's jacket. They were nose to nose, Tyler's feet barely touching the ground. She never seen Riley so puffed out before. He seemed as if he wanted to burst right out of his skin.

She cried towards him, holding out her hand. "Riley." She wanted him. His head snapped over to her. She could see how angry he was. She has seen his outbursts but to see him that angry, just wow. His head turned back to Tyler, his head ducking towards his ear. She strained to listen to his words but they were muffled. Soon enough, Riley dropped Tyler and walked towards her. Huey's arms unraveled from her, Riley taking his place. His hands rubbing up and down her arms. Her tears had stopped but her sniffles were frequent, even when he started pulling her towards the back of the car, tossing Huey the keys.

Watching the trees fly by, her sniffles came to a stop while Riley held her. Pulling herself from his grasp, scrubbing furiously at her face, her embarrassment came forth. She knew she was still grieving, though couldn't help to be ashamed that she broke down.

"What did he say to you, ma?"

Her sleeves were still pressed to her eyes, trying to gain her bearings. She didn't know how to approach the subject without telling whole story. Forthcoming with the story meant hiding the truth. The real truth. Something that could have her committed if they thought she was insane. She couldn't tell Riley the truth. Even if she was a horrible liar. She did not know if coming out with it would give her any lick of relief. Figuring, she could just tell him the end of the chapter of her life would help them understand. Knowing she could not delve too into the truth. She had to keep her new friends safe. She did not want them to die. A flash of a portrait in the home made her grit her teeth. She knew she had to go through it alone. If she had to die, she would do it making sure they stayed safe and alive. The truth can never be revealed.

"He -" She swallowed the lump in her throat. "He told me the same words my ex said to me before he broke up with me and I just, the flashes, it," She struggled. It felt like her tongue was being tied in many knots. "It was just so painful. How he ended things…so many promises broken. Too many lies told. And I believed they all truly loved me." She whispered at the end. "I now realized that people who pretend to be something they're not are just fakes. They do not know the word of family. And it was the one thing, they liked to throw at my face. That I was family. Family never leaves anyone behind. No matter the circumstance." She shook her head, smiling sadly. Her hands were now in her lap, her back ramrod straight and stiff. "It was then I realized that they are no family. No love, no truth, no personality. My dad. He's always tried to look out for me. Everyone told me to stay away. I let my real family down for a bunch of fakes."

A deep breath and she turned her head away to look towards her side of the forest. "There are some things I came to term with, it doesn't make the pain hurt any less. They may have dominion of my emotions and memories, but they'll continue to stay there. In the past. They will not be my future. I don't want them to return. I do not want a bunch of heartless people near me. They will never be anything to me, no matter what they say or do. They could come right now and try to reason with me. But I know all they'll end up with is a gun to their face by my dad."

Her house came in view and they parked in the driveway. She felt like running on autopilot but remained strong by their side. Filing into the house, she took a seat on her father's chair and slowly tried to come up with a way to approach the subject on her idea. A man with long blonde hair and black eyes staring at her hungrily, made her smile softly.

"There is something I wanted to know, and I know it would be the first step in helping me. Do you have any tattoos?"

She would've giggled at the surprised look on their faces, had it not been for another flash of the man coming to her mind again. He had left his mark on her. But she wanted another reminder of him herself painted on her forever.

Riley sniggered and looked his brother. "We're corrupting baby girl, Huey."

She had to let out a laugh when he once again raised the book to cover his face as he deadpanned. "She's been hanging around you Riley. Don't lump me in this. You're rubbing off on her."

Riley shrugged before standing. She blanched when he started removing his hoodie, which also reminded her that she kept his other one on her bed. She knew she should return it; she won't. She squawked when he started removing his shirt. She felt her face steaming as her eyes darted away from him.

"What are you doing?" Her voice came out in a squeal.

"What's wrong baby girl? I'm just tryna show you my tattoo." His voice sounded smug. An urge to hit him pulled at her chest. "C'mon Bell, take a good look."

Turning her head to take a peek, her eyes widened at the fine print of the excellent ink portrait on Riley's right shoulder. It expanded towards the middle of his back and ended towards his hip. It was a snake twisted around a large rose. It dripped some water droplets. It wasn't colored but the art was just breathtaking.

"Holy crow," She breathed.

"Yeah, it's bangin' ain't it." Riley boasted before pulling on his wife beater. Her eyes stayed glued to his body, watching the muscles ripple with every movement he made. When his body turned in her direction. It was like her throat was closing into itself. His chest and torso looked so beautifully carved. They weren't overly large, just well define. Very well defined. Suddenly he bent down and his eyes connected to hers, a wide smirk on his face. "See something you like, baby girl?" She was sure her face was tomato red by now.

"S-shut up." She grouched. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see Huey's form shaking slightly. Her eyes narrowed. "You better not be laughing, Huey Freeman!" She snapped.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Izzy." He coughed. Squinting her eyes, she huffed, turning back to Riley, who was staring back with a thoughtful look on his face.

"You lookin' to get some ink, baby girl?" He asked.

"Yes," she answered slowly. "Even though I'm no good with needles – or blood, there's someone who I want to honor."

"Someone special in your life?"

"Well," she paused to think a little. "It's not that he is particularly special to me after all that's happened but he did show me that there is some honor in people who can be there real selves."

His head tilted, eyebrows burrowed. "Thank god. And here I was thinking that you were about to ink that son of bitch's name on that pretty little body of yours." Her mouth dropped. Like she would ever put that boy's name on her. But that was beside the point, she wasn't pretty at all. "Don't give me that look, you really don't see how beautiful you are?" She tried to open her mouth to deny it but he waved a hand at her. "Nah, none of that now." She tried to squeeze herself into the seat when he walked to her, his face leaning dangerously close to hers. His thick arms caged her in, her herself struggling not to shut her eyes and breathe him in. "You are beautiful baby girl." His hand lifted and reached out to trace her cheek. "You got this natural beauty in your grasp. And I have no idea why you don't see it. There isn't any guy that hasn't seen you think any different than I do. But there's one problem with it. And I'm man enough to admit it that I would have no problem snatching you." His face leaned closer until the tip of his nose brushed against hers. "I'd love to make you mine, Isabella. And I don't take to sharin'."

If she could faint, she'd do so right now.