Good afternoon one and all! This chapter's about 5-6000 words, which is a little short. But it came in earlier at least!

Casual chapter with a little more drama, so I'm picking up on things a bit and I didn't want it to be too over congested. Thank you for all the support! Special shout outs to Nietvries and Uniquely Amazing for their reviews. Helps my confidence in writing, so believe me they were well appreciated.

Hope you all enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Powerpuff Girls in any way, shape or manner as the rights belong to Craig McCracken.

Chapter 12: Some Things Are Best Kept Secret

After a secluded practice late at night, Brick entered the house welcomed by a filthy mess as the TV blared profanity and violence as the two ruffs dedicated their full attention to the video game. Boomer, losing countless times from his older brother, tried countless animated gestures to improve his chances as Butch remained in a completely flaccid composure of reigning confidence. The captain sighed in disappointment seeing the two mindless zombies.

-Brick-

Would it kill them to clean up a bit? I threw the keys at them to get their attention, but they didn't even flinch.

"Took you long enough." Butch muttered. "It's 1 AM."

"Nice to know you're more worried about time than our house. And would it kill you to say thank you for the keys?"

Butch let out a loud belch followed by a sidelong glance of indifference. "How's that for an answer?"

When Boomer finally lost the game, he gave me a worried look. "So do we have to leave now or what?"

"What do you mean? No one's leaving." The very second I said that Butch paused the game and snapped his head in my direction with his full attention.

"Brick those bitches go to the same school as us, of course we have to leave!" he snapped.

"The Powerpuff girls have a lot more to lose than we do if their secret gets out. So long as we have that against each other, nothing's gonna happen." Butch clenched his jaw in impotent rage. It wasn't the best compromise, but it's the only thing I've got going for me now.

"I'm not stayin here. Not with Butterbitch around the corner."

"Well I guess that's what makes me the leader Butch. I get to tell you whether you're staying or not."

"You know what?" Butch strode towards me with a low snarl. "I'm getting real tired of your bullshit Rapunzel–"

Suddenly Butch's body crashed into the wall as a jeep blew through the front door and hit him midsentence. By instinct I covered myself from the blow and made a dive straight for the floor waiting for any other the table i could see Butch knocked unconscious underneath our 2010 black Wrangler as heat furiously rose to my cheeks.

"BUTCH!" Boomer screamed and ran towards him just as someone threw a punch at his temple. Before he could swing his fist, the figure blocked and jabbed him right in the neck paralyzing him instantly. I instantly surged forward and pinned the guy onto the back of the jeep, but before I could nail a hit the mugger drove a knee straight to my side sending me back into a defensive stance. Right as I was about to teleport, the figure held out a gun directed for my forehead.

Butch tackled him to the floor in full force into what was left of the wall. As he groped for the gun Butch grabbed at the back of the mugger's shirt and launched him through the wall across from us to the backyard of the house. His face and body were covered in bruises from the blast as he glared furiously through the hole.

"STAY THE FUCK OUTTA MY HOUSE!" For a moment we were surrounded in silence, waiting for what would happen next. I kept myself still trying to listen for any movement, but the only thing i could hear was my heartbeat thumping wildly against my chest. He was nowhere in sight of this place. Grabbing the gun from the floor, Butch slowly glanced up at me with a bewildered look, unsure of what to make of this.

"Watch over Boomer." I murmured lowly and carefully flew outside through the hole Butch threw him out of. I can honestly say the forest never looked so still out of all the time I've lived here. The grassy fields that swished in a gentle hum didn't make a single sound that night. X-ray vision, enhanced hearing, 20/5 vision, and I still couldn't make out a single thing in the perpetual darkness.

That morning…

-Blossom-

"Gladys called me to say she's running late, but she should still be able to drop you off in time. See you in the afternoon!"

"Bye Professor!" Bubbles called out.

When he turned back, he gave us a sympathetic smile, as if the apology he us this morning couldn't make up for how he yelled at us last weekend. I wish I could tell him that it's not his fault; that we're to blame for the whole thing.

But I wouldn't even know where to start. "Hey Blossom, you have Ms. Wilson's homework?" Buttercup asked as she stuffed her books into the black backpack.

"Buttercup I told you I switched out for Pre-Cal. Ask Bubbles."

"Who's in your class?" Bubbles asked brightly. Her pigtails lit up the smile on her face almost as well as the pink floral skirt she wore with one of her favorite worn jean jackets. My day just felt ten times better seeing how happy she is, probably just from the fact that Buttercup and I have finally started talking to each other again.

"Nobody I met so far," I replied with a lowered voice. "except Brick."

Buttercup almost choked on her juice and stared at me in bewilderment. "The fuck's he doing in your class?"

"He's signed up for the program, can't say I'm too surprised really."

"The sooner we get those jerks outta here the better." She grumbled and looked at me expectantly. Bubbles was giving me the same look, as if they were thinking of the same conclusion.

"What makes you think we're telling anyone…?" I mumbled keeping my gaze low and quickly moved towards the couch for my bag.

Buttercup narrowed her eyes as though I spoke another language, but Bubbles's face softened, almost in relief.

"Blossom that asshole was ready to choke you to death of course we're telling someone!" Buttercup snapped.

"No, we're not! So far now the Rowdyruff boys haven't done anything to harm the public in the past two years–"

"–Oh I'm sorry, did you forget the one of them almost killed a shit-ton of people if it wasn't for me? This bastard's wanted in three states!"

"But that's only Butch!" Bubbles suddenly shouted before looking back to the floor. Looking closely I could see the smallest tint of red painted on her white face. "Boomer would never do that."

"How do you know?" Buttercup murmured icily and gave us accusing looks. "What the hell's going on with you two? It's like you actually want them to stay here!"

"I don't!" I said sharply.

"You said you'd take care of this–!"

"I did!"

"What is going on in here?" Gladys appeared from the doorway at yet another argument. Before Buttercup could respond I straightened myself that very second for an excuse.

"Buttercup's just mad because I never talked to Mr. Harvey about extending our winter reports."

Gladys glanced over at Buttercup with a sympathetic smile. "Buttercup you'll have plenty of time for it. If it makes you feel better I'll go to the school."

"Screw that."

She laughed at her response before taking Bubbles's bag and leaving the hallway. "C'mon guys we're gonna be late!"

"In a minute!" Bubbles called out as she turned to me in shock. "She doesn't know?"

Instead of answering her I glanced over at Buttercup who refused to look at any of us. Maybe from resentment, disappointment, or both, but I wasn't going to let her leave without giving her my reasons. "We can't expose those three without exposing ourselves Buttercup. Has that ever crossed your mind?" Seeing how conflicted they both looked, I came up with a final statement.

"For now, all we can do is hope there's no crime."

"And if there is?" Bubbles asked innocently by the door.

We both flinched at the cock of a gun to see Buttercup holding a semi automatic with a tight lipped grin. "Then we take them down like we did before."

-Brick-

By the time we got inside the school the girls were already by the front door sending glares along the way. I put my hand in front of Butch just as he was about to march towards them. He looked back at me with irritation.

"How many girls lift jeeps into a fucking house Brick?!" His entire face was covered in bandages not including the damage done to his body. To say he was pissed would be an understatement.

"You never know." I shrugged dismissively. "It could've been some freak from our past."

"Like who? They're all dead!" His expression darkened as he faced me with firm resolve. "Look, if you're not gonna expose them, I will."

"Blayke! Shit." Butch stormed off before I could catch up to him. Chances are he's better off alone anyway; blowing some steam off would be good for him.

Boomer was right behind me feeling uncertain. "Where's he going?"

"Who knows."

-Butch-

::Blayke. Blayke Jones. Could you come to the main office please?::

I groaned at Ms. Schneider's nasal voice; how in the hell does she choose the worst moments to call me in. I could go to class and ignore it, but I'm pretty sure I can't go anywhere else.

"What the hell happened this time?" I grumbled. Can't wait to see her glaring daggers at me, like I'm the next person to be on FBI's Most Wanted, but thinking about it she might have a point there.

"Hello Mary, you're looking lovely as always!" But instead of seeing the pruny hag I saw the two most vile creatures on the face of the earth looking as horrified as I did when they saw how bad I looked. I tried looking the other way to see if there was someone else for me. Anyone would be a lifesaver at this point.

"Blayke, there's some kind people that came to see you." Ms. Schneider said from the supply closet.

"Jesus Christ…" 'Kind people' my ass.

"H-Hello Blayke." Mrs. Engel stepped towards me with a trembling hand held out. With some light wrinkles, I admit she aged nicely compared to other people -Schneider-. Her gray hair never showed thanks to the platinum blonde dye and even now her green eyes sort of glowed. Almost like hers.

I gave her a blank stare. Did she really think I'd shake her hand? Thankfully Mr. Engle stayed right where he was. "I see you never lost the hair gel." He muttered.

"I see you never lost that gut."

"Walter please." The CEO snapped curtly. "Blayke, there's something we have to tell you… about Amy."

Well No Shit. I knew that the second I walked inside, but for some reason I skin turned cold at her name…

How come no one talks to you?

You tell me Barbie.

Thanks for sticking up for me back there. I really appreciate it.

Returning a favor. That's all there was to it.

Well… thanks for returning the favor! She smiled. It was a smile that could blind anyone onsight. I'm Amy.

Piss off.

"Our private investigator looked into some of the evidence and found finger prints on the back of her shirt from evidence of the scene. Amy didn't commit suicide…"

By the time I walked away from her she still followed me. Annoying bitch. Sheesh! I'm just trying to be friendly.

Just stay the fuck away from me, alright!

And if I don't?

I stepped closer to prove a point. Think I won't hit a girl? At 14 I could've been a linebacker, but she still stood there with her eyebrows raised in amusement.

No, She started smiling again. It was like she saw right through to people. but I think I'll take my chances.

Let's start over. I'm Amy, and I won't leave you alone until I get a name.

"…she was murdered." Hope this lady wasn't expecting sympathy. I smirked at the two of them as she stared at me in dismay.

"You think this is funny?" Mr. Engel snarled as he marched towards me.

"I happen to think this is fucking hilarious!" I scoffed. "After two years of nothing but jackshit, you come and tell me something I already knew. You pricks thought she was just the Family-Fuckup!"

They stared at me in shock. That's one thing about these people; they're hypocrites. Coming with a box of tissues to the person they blamed this whole time when it was really their faults. It's almost funny.

"Just goes to show how much you know your own daughter." I said coldly just as Mrs. Engel stopped her husband from lunging towards me with impotent rage.

"You should be grateful that we even came here!" he screeched.

"To tell me something I already knew? You call that being grateful?" Dr. Lee finally showed up to see what was happening, but there was nothing left to say.

"Just leave. I've got enough shit on my hands to worry about some girl. She's dead. Get over it."

"She was just fine until you came." He snarled from behind his wife. "The whole reason she's dead is because of YOU!" But I wasn't listening to him, from the abandoned park two years ago, I turned back to the blonde girl with green eyes and blurted out the first name I thought of.

Blayke. Nice meetin you.

Meanwhile…

-Blossom-

"Okay class today we will be addressing our Dickinson poems with the partners you had last week. For now, you have ten minutes to group up and get your thoughts together before you present to the class." When everyone got into groups he looked at us expectantly. "Why are you two by yourselves?"

Without even looking at Brick I gave Mr. Harvey the brightest smile I could muster at that point. "We've already discussed everything we need."

"Complete crap." He snorted. "Everybody procrastinates on presentations."

Just then Brick stepped in front of my desk with a wide painful grin spreading to both sides of his face. "Actually Brianne, there is one thing I'd like to talk to you about. Outside." I faced the two of them in confusion. He wanted nothing to do with me yesterday! Why the sudden change.

But I couldn't say anything in front of Mr. Harvey, so I didn't have much of a choice but to follow him. He won't do anything in public anyway."Sure, why not?"

By the time we were in the hallway I kept my gaze on the windows of the building looking down on the school campus so I can try to figure out what he wanted.

"You have two minutes. Talk."

"Why don't you?" My hands were yanked from behind as Brick shoved me against the window. I couldn't move with my face pressed against the glass, or even speak for that matter. I could feel the faint brush of his lips grazing against my ear as he lowered his voice to a deadly whisper.

"A little birdy came to my house last night and almost had one of my brothers in a morgue."

I snorted against the glass. "One less ruff to worry about."

Suddenly he twisted me away from the window to face him. His eyes still glowed with deep maroon, that glint in his eye still as bright as ever.

"Any ideas on who it might be?"

"Not a darn clue, now let go of me!" I gritted through bared teeth. Why couldn't anyone see this guy harassing me?

"Let us go with the Trans Ray then attack us on a night when we least expect it. Very clever Pinky; I must say you have grown." He whispered in mock awe.

"And you're still full of shit." He harshly shoved me against the wall again except this time I could hear the glass starting to crack as my head throbbed in pain. I couldn't expose my powers in public, otherwise Buttercup and Bubbles won't stand a chance.

"If you don't tell me which one of you bitches did it, all three of you'll be in coffins going with your memorial."

"Is that supposed to scare me? Brick if you were gonna kill me you would've done it already." I heard a gun cock from behind Brick and he stiffened instantly without a single glance at who it was. At this point I could care less so long as I'm not here alone.

"Put. Her. Down." At the sound of Buttercup's voice Brick hesitantly removed his grip from my arms, never turning from the window as I went to her side. I didn't know where Buttercup came from, but I sure was glad to see her.

"We don't want Brent Jones turning into a murderer now do we?" I smirked.

"Where'd you get the gun from Pinky?" Instead of answering him we left for class with the conflict in our favor.

"I can guarantee you Brick, with all the stuff you've done to the people in this town, you had this coming a long time ago. You just never thought it'd happen until now."

By the time we got into class Mr. Harvey already had us up as one of the first presenters. Brick came in with a restrained fury that only I picked up on.

"Brent?" He gave me a look that threatened to kill every person in the class if I didn't watch my tongue.

But of course, it was only a threat. "Are you ready to present? You're starting."

Brick slowly held up the paper with his jaw clenched. With my slight victory I smirked to myself at the amount of torment he was undergoing to read those words.

One need not be a Chamber…to be Haunted…" **

Gym

At the sight of Buttercup tearing through the other teams, Jasper starting to wonder if whether or not her help was even needed. She didn't know who provoked her, but whoever did deserved the redhead's gratitude. With this new realization, there's no way Jasper would've lasted in a fight with that maniac.

"Hey." Buttercup ignored her and continued the match.

"Hello? Serena Williams!" Jasper grabbed the nearest ball and slapped it towards the back of her head. Buttercup faced her partner in annoyance.

"What the fuck?"

"Hand slipped!" she beamed in satisfaction.

"I call bullshit!" The girls turned to the noise and saw Butch and Mitch walking towards them. "Having fun kitten?"

Jasper cocked an eyebrow at the jock. "Kitten?" He's said many nicknames to get her attention, but this one was cutting it close.

But to her surprise she saw him wrap a firm arm around the her partner's stiff shoulders. "Me and Bree here need to have a little chat. You don't mind, do you Jazz?" Before she could respond the jock was already walking/dragging her partner to the doors leading to the hallway. Wendy snapped her magazine shut from seeing the boys.

"Where the hell are you going with one of my students?" she demanded.

"Stop acting like you care Wendy!" Mitch snorted.

Mitch stayed indoors by the time they were the hall as Buttercup still struggled under his hard grip. "Let go of me!" she protested.

"Where'd you get that gun kitten?" His grip tightened to the point of where Buttercup was about to cry in pain, but she instead held her gaze on the green ruff.

"Stop calling me that." She growled. What she wouldn't do now to zap him into oblivion! But with the watch she couldn't do a damn thing to the guy, not in public at least. Butch pinned her to the concrete wall and held her close with a dark glint in his eye. Getting run over by his own car wasn't something to be taken lightly, and this gremlin was gonna pay for that.

"Answer the fucking question." He gritted through clenched teeth. Despite the amount of force he had on her, she still faced him with stone cold determination. Her green eyes sparkled with the same fiery glow he's seen countless times fighting her. That fierce glow, outlined by the spikes of her jet black hair made her appear as one of the most ruthless creatures he's met in his life.

Noticing his face her pursed lips curled into a sinister grin. "Oooh, got a couple scratches there Butchie. Got into some more fights?" she mused.

"Quit screwing around and just say what you did!" No one lifts cars for a living, Bubbles is a blond bimbo and Blossom wouldn't have the nerve to pull something like that. It could only be her.

"Did what?" Buttercup snarled, pausing at each word in defiance. Why the hell was she getting blamed for everything?! Whatever he was going on about didn't have anything to do with her!

Useless. He let go of her shoulder in frustration. "You bitches are all alike." The green ruff swung his fist for her temple where Boomer was hit.

"HEY ASSHOLE!" the two froze at the sight of Jasper glowering at Butch from the doors just before his fist make contact with Buttercup. "Lay off my partner!"

"Stay out of it!" he shot back before turning back to the puff with daggers. "Know what? I don't need your fucking confession; it's not gonna make a difference for what's gonna happen to you."

Backing away from Buttercup, Butch made his way to the gym and shoved past Jasper. "Unbelievable." She scowled in disgust before paling at the sight of the grotesque bruise surrounding her partner's arm. Jasper's heard rumors of Blayke's hostility, but she always flicked them away. It made her speculate what the kid could've done to instigate his aggressive side.

Noticing where Jasper's gaze was, Buttercup brushed past her to the gym. "Don't worry we'll win your stupid passes." and the remainder of the time was spent in silence between the two.

-Bubbles-

"So?"

I stared blankly at him. "What?"

"Bubbles did you or did you not come to my house last night?" Even by the staircase, I felt awkward hearing my name like that in a public place.

ButI had to laugh at his paranoia."Is that what you were freaking out about Boomer? You never even told me where you live!"

"Look Bubbles, all I know is that some freak threw our car right in the middle of our house and could've killed us five minutes! I don't know who else could've done that besides you three!" he whispered harshly.

I flinched back from him when the bruise on his neck showed out his shirt. Reaching out I stroked the side of his neck gently, just grazing at the bruise as his cheeks flushed a bright red.

"You actually think I'd hurt you like that?" I murmured softly, feeling a little hurt.

Boomer sighed helplessly. "I'm sorry it's just…ever since you guys came it's like I see more and more of the old Brick coming back and it's kinda freaking me out. It's like he's…threatened by you guys."

I couldn't help but snort at him. Before, all Brick seemed like was a socialite to me. "I never took Brick for being territorial."

"Then you don't know my brother." When I faced him his expression was completely serious for the first time since I knew who he really was. I stiffened at his accusations towards my family, and almost felt disgusted over how happy I was to see him this morning!

"My sisters and I were watching Real World and fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up it was almost one AM and they were there with me. Happy?"

We stood there in silence as the lunch bell rang, but it wasn't until another minute or so that I realized he wasn't going to apologize.

"So much for being friends." From there I left him so he could go see his stupid brothers. It won't change anything for me. Not anymore.

Cole Spencer examined the picture of the jeep with a pained expression. "Damn... what'd you do to the poor thing?"

"Long story. Think you can fix it?" Brick replied. Despite his apathetic personality, Cole's more than meets the eye. To start off he's the biggest grease monkey the Brick's ever met, so naturally he was the first person the boys called after the attack.

"It's gonna take a while, but I can do it in my garage at home. Mr. Lopez has enough cars coming to him from the Auto Cove."

"Wow, it sound like you actually like your boss." Colton replied with a raised brow, absent to Brick's silent glare. A lot of times he felt like Colton spoke on things he really knew nothing about, which was exactly the case most of the time.

"Because I do." he responded evenly. "He's a decent guy, and he treats us better than most."

Cole's phone rang as he left the table. "Gotta take this."

"So, we still up for tomorrow?" Donnie asked hopefully.

"What's tomorrow?" Butch replied through mouthfuls of his Sloppy Joe. He's been trying to keep his face hidden, but Brick didn't really see any point as to why. With all the violent sports he plays, no one would question it. Even if they didn't think it was from a sport, no one would dare ask him about it until his face healed.

Ty shot him a look of disbelief. "Blayke are you shitting me? We were just talking about the game yesterday!"

"Yeah, we're gonna have to cancel." Brick sighed, trying to make it sound like a burden.

"Don't cancel now, I just reserved spots!" Colton protested.

"We haven't hung out as a group in months!" Donnie whined.

"Sorry guys we have to uh.. fix our house." Butch mumbled into his food. Boomer, who's been silent until now, scoffed bitterly at the thought of the wreck waiting for them at home.

"How much of it?" Mitch asked.

"All of it." the brothers responded dejectedly. It'd take them at least week before they could get it to its former state.

"We can help you fix it up then. Just give us your address and–"

"Baser, we're not going. And nothing you say's gonna change that." Before they could press the issue further, Cole came back with a shadowed expression and slowly sat back into his seat.

"I'm cancelling on Saturday." Cole muttered.

"Qué coño!"** Donny shouted out in frustration.

"Okay Spencer; your excuse?" Colton grumbled in defeat. At this point, he might as well just call Jack to cancel.

"I'm fixing his car." Cole mumbled motioning in Brick's direction.

"Damn mano, what the hell did you do? First your house now your car!?" Donnie exclaimed.

"Long story." Brick muttered for the second time, wishing they'd get off the subject. He glanced towards Cole, the only person who didn't bother on trying to pester him, another aspect Brick's grown fond of.

But the dreary look in his eye alerted the red ruff of a deeper conflict. "Who were you talking to?"

Cole deliberately rose from the table with his things without facing Brick. "I'll have your car done by next week." And just like that he left the group in a daze as they looked to Brick for an explanation as he gazed at the lunch table for the right words."Cole and his family are having…issues."

"About?" Ty prodded.

"That's as much as he told me." He lied.

"Been there had that." Donnie snorted as him and his brother prepared to leave.

"What were your issues?" Boomer asked curiously.

After exchanging solemn glances, the two turned back to my brother with a serious look. "Divorce is a bitch." Donnie muttered bitterly. "I dunno if he's goin through it, but I send my sympathies to the pobrecito that is."**

"You never told me." Butch kept his gaze down to the tray, but it was difficult for him to veil the hurt look on his face.

Ty shrugged carelessly. "We didn't think you needed to know."

Butch stayed quiet when the two left. The brothers must've known something was up with the boys for a while now, but instead of calling them out on it, they kept their boundaries and avoided the provocations that could've happened, eventually deciding that the three -especially Butch- couldn't be trusted. They were a lot more keen than he gave them credit for.

Looking around the group of friends they had, the green ruff wondered if there was more than meets the eye for all of them, and just what other secrets were hidden from them.

-Brick-

In the cafeteria, I could easily get a late pass, so now we could figure out what to do next. "What're we doing about the girls?" Butch asked when we were alone.

"Bubbles didn't do anything." Boomer mumbled avoiding our stares. "She wouldn't… do that."

Butch and I looked at him like he'd just slapped us. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know I was insulting your little skank!" Butch snorted in response.

I grabbed Boomer from behind to stop him from attacking Butch. "I know because she told me! The Powerpuff girls didn't do anything, so they're not our targets."

"Then who is?" For a while, none of us could anything to answer that.

"Brent!"

As if we didn't get enough of the slut, Butch thought bitterly to himself.

"We'll talk about this when we get home." I switched on a bright smile and faced the brunette in a casual stance. "Hey Bells!"

"Cut the shit." Bella stood with her arms crossed like she was trying restrain her emotions. "What the hell's going on?"

"What're you talking about?"

"Brent stop bullshitting me, okay!" she snapped. "You don't talk to me for five days, you stop responding to calls or texts, you keep looking back to those fucking girls when you think I'm not watching you; you can't deny any of it, so you might as well just come out and say what's on your mind!"

Bella faced the floor with a torn expression, trying to understand a situation she couldn't even begin to grasp. And by the time her lower lip started to quiver I knew she was going to cry if I didn't say something, but I thought against it. Lying at this point makes it worse.

"You've been avoiding… something! Look it sounds crazy, but I know it! And now whenever I'm talking to you it seems like you're distracted, like I'm some burden on you even though I'm trying my hardest just to talk to you."

Her voice started to crack at the last words. "D…do you wanna take a break or something? Because if you have some things to straighten out in your life–"

"Bella of course I don't wanna break up with you!" In the spur of the moment I found myself grasping at her shoulders as if she'd vanish from thin air. "Why would you say that?"

"You can't even look at me half the time, I just want to hear the truth!" she cried with tears spilling onto her cheeks. Guess there's no helping it.

"Come with me." I took her to the back of the cafeteria hoping that this plan would work. "I wanted to give you this later, but this is probably the best time."

I gradually pulled out the silver charm bracelet from my back pocket and couldn't help but grin at how bright her eyes shined at the sight of the trinket. "Oh my God… Brent it's beautiful!"

I frowned in disappointment over the cramped space we were in. So much for the scenery. "It was a gift for Valentine's Day, but I wanted to let you know you're the reason I'm here, and I'm staying no matter what. Happy early Valentine's Day."

I held her close to my chest, wishing we could stay like this until the end of time. "I love you." She whispered. If only she knew; if only she knew how much my life was crumbling in front of me from past mistakes.

"Love you too. Nothing's gonna get between us." But it won't make a difference. No matter what happens to the problem we're in it's not gonna change the way I feel about this girl. Never.

"Really?" She looked up at me with her indigo blue eyes, and I knew I meant every word. I'd kill for this girl.

Anything…anything to keep her from my secret.

"Promise."

** I really liked this poem from Emily Dickinson that describes mental torment, thus the quote.

It means you don't need a house to consider yourself haunted, thus Brick's torment is of the mental psyche rather than just the physical aspect. Just a quick lesson on poetry .

** "Que coño!" means "What the fuck!"

** "El Pobrecito" means "The poor guy, the poor thing, so on so forth.

Shout outs for all the loyal viewers out there because within a few more chapters, there's gonna be a little surprise in the story. So read, favorite/follow, or better yet review and give me your feedback. All comments are appreciated and taken for consideration.