SEVEN

"I don't wanna be here no more / I've fallen through the cracks in my floor / I'm fading, don't hate me now / I don't wanna be here no more / Let's start with a bang / Get lost in the city lights, drown in a lullaby / We cut like a samurai, sting like a butterfly / It's so hazy, don't blame me now / We're lost in the city lights, cut like a samurai." -VANIC FT. KATY TIZ

-x-

"Been crazy, come where you livin' at? / Kick down the door, get down or get done / I ain't come here for chitter-chat / But I'm far removed from that gangsta shit / It don't make much sense, rather make me rich / Don't be playing with my money, it'll make the flip / And in the last couple lines I'ma contradict / And for the last time I'm not on my conscious shit." - GTA FT. VINCE STAPLES

-x-

"I'm going back home to the place where I belong / There's nothing like it / No, nothing like it / Take me back home, where the blood runs through my soul / I can't describe it, there's nothing like it." -MORGXN

[Someone who is far away is going to be on your mind today - and you are on their mind as well. In fact, they've been thinking about you for a while now and are eager to get back in contact - perhaps they've even started a game of phone tag with you. If so, today you need to make an extra effort to reconnect with them. Send an email or reserve time for a long phone call. Not all of the people from your past are meant to be left there.]

Almond eyes trailed over the horoscope section in the magazine.

Korinna clenched the magazine in front of her as her eyes trailed over the words countless of times trying to figure out what this truly meant. Yes she was one of those people that believed in their horoscopes and if she didn't agree with what was written then Korinna stopped believing in it for the day. When she had woken this morning she had easily felt the drift in the air, knowing that Carl was gone but could still feel him everywhere. Before Korinna could decipher deeper into missing the said boy she had felt the light weight of the magazine on her clothed feet, knowing that the magazine was from Janice. Korinna thought about tossing it into the trash but not without seeing what was inside first.

"My step-mother's been getting better at communicating. I think our relationship is more cordial than anything right now and she's more considered about me having a relationship with my dad more so than us. I'm not really sure why that is." Monte's spoke to the group.

James cleared his throat, "Korinna do you have any input on what might be going on with Monte's step-mother?"

Korinna closed the magazine and plastered a small smile on her face and pretended that she were really concerned about Monte's problems, "Maybe your step-mother is content with at least having you speak to her. Of course she would fight for you to have a relationship with your father more because he is your father. A girl deserves to have a relationship with the man that helped bring you into this world."

"You don't have a relationship with your father." Monte scowled.

Korinna shrugged, "You're right. It's a lost cause."

"So is mine." Monte snapped.

Korinna rested her elbow on her magazine that rested in her lap then placed her chin into the palm of her hands as she met Monte's honey brown eyes, "Hm why is that?"

Monte turned her eyes into slits before turning to James, "You know what. I think we should move onto Cam and Janice. Maybe I'll go to my father's birthday dinner maybe I won't, only time will tell." She bit towards Korinna who sat back in her chair trying to read her.

James peeked over at the two teens with slightly wide blue eyes as he let out a silent whistle and scribbled onto his pad. James cleared his throat and blinked before turning to Monte, "Excellent job at informing us of your current plans. I believe that with you being open towards having your father being back in your life again is a huge step in your recovery, Monte."

"She was just caught a few days ago in the office stealing my files and Viola's famous vintage vodka bottle." Korinna bluntly reminded the blue eyed-freckled face man.

Monte couldn't help but to say something back, "Vete a la puta."

"Right back at you, bitch." Korinna kissed her lips at Monte who glared at her.

James used his fingers to blow a whistle while Cam watched on in amusement and Janice looked on in worry. Once James got the two girls to calm down he took a deep breath as he turned to Korinna then the rest, "Look you're all here for a reason. We can't expect every single one of you to suddenly be healed, it doesn't work like that. Time takes time and we can only hope that we can help each other the best we can before we let you back out into society. Yes we had a little downfall, sent two of our housemates off because we did all that we could for them plus they showed significant amounts of growth, and lost a member but you're all still here and that counts for something."

Korinna stared down at her feet while she could feel the eyes of Monte on her silhouette.

"I want to try a exercise. Everyone stand up." James broke the silence placing the clipboard on the chair behind him.

Monte groaned, Korinna could feel her anxiety kicking in a bit, Janice smiled with her eyes, while Cam questioned, "Do we really have to do this?"

"Yes we do. There's still fifteen minutes left of this group session so we're going to use up every last minute until I say you can all go, understood?" James dipped his chin, eyes staring deeply into Cam's who quickly raised his hands in surrender.

Korinna sighed as she stood beside Janice whilst James turned on his heels walking to the couch and held up bright orange tape. He crouched down in front of everyone as he formed a circle with the tape. Everyone in the room watched the man in curiosity as he stood up straight and smiled happily at his work of art. Clapping his hands again he walked back over to his chair and tossed the tape behind him before turning to face the teens who awaited for his next instructions.

"We're going to try an exercise that I'm very fond of. It's called cross the line. It's very simple, really. I can say something along the lines of: Cross the line if you ever...and if you have you step over the orange line and if you haven't you remain outside of the circle. Makes sense right?" James addressed, his eyes scanned the faces around him.

Monte rolled her eyes, "This is dumb."

Cam shrugged his shoulders, "I'm down to try it out."

James smiled, "That's the spirit. Now let's get started."

James began, "We'll start off simple. Cross the line if you're an only child."

James and Monte stepped into the circle, Monte had her arms crossed unimpressed with this game as James smiled and held his hands out, "Now we step back."

Korinna didn't think this was a bad game. It was better than constantly sitting in a circle talking about their issues and others offering advice majority of the time so she didn't mind this one bit. The game continued on with simple questions that weren't too deep until it of course got deeper, because if it weren't deep then it wasn't therapy.

"Cross the line if you have cried since being here." James spoke softly now.

Janice was the first to step into the line, then cautiously Cam moved forward, and lastly Monte followed after. James and Korinna were the only two who remained on the outside.

"Okay," James nodded his head as the three stepped back, "Cross the line if you have been a victim of racism."

James, Korinna, Cam, and Monte all stepped into the circle staring at each other before stepping back.

"A few more questions. Cross the line if you feel like here at Edge Heart Grove that you gained meaningful help here." James tested, wondering what these kids really thought.

Janice stepped into the circle. Monte pursed her lips looking up at the ceiling thinking about it while Cam jumped into the circle causing James to tilt his head.

"This is the second treatment center I've been to and you guys haven't given up on me yet. I don't know how much longer you'll keep me but I'd like to stay, It hurt me a lot to have my sister cry to me while I went through the detox. More so than my parents and I don't know why that is because I care about my parents too but being a disappointment to my little sister, I don't like making her feel bad because it makes me feel real shitty." Cam admitted while James smiled at him, silently thanking him for sharing.

James turned to Monte and Korinna who remained outside the circle. Monte boldly stared at James with her arms crossed and Korinna spoke up, "It's not that I don't think I haven't received important tips from this treatment center because I have. It's just that it's not as...as healing as you think. We're all screwed up and having others screw up here doesn't really help our situations. It could make you question things and feed on those impulses, especially me! And not care about the consequences because at this point what do I really have to lose?"

"Basically what you're saying is that just because the rest of have screwed up it's okay for you to do whatever you want now, right?" Monte sassed.

Korinna shrugged her shoulders, "Yeah pretty much." She smiled innocently, wiping the look right off Monte's face.

James saw where this was going and clapping his hands again, "Okay! Let's call it an end of our session today. You can all go back to your regular activities until it's time for dinner, I think we're going to order out today. I'm sure when Viola comes back later on she'll call you all in for a one-on-one so please be prepared for that. Good work today."

Cam molded his lips as he patted James on his shoulder, "Yeah and they call me the compulsive liar here." He finished with a laugh.

Korinna stood in the center of the room with five of her houses surrounding her. She had her hands on her hips to some extent she turned as she viewed the different models below her. These had to be her best works, she had her phone turned off so no one could reach her, Janice was sitting on her bed trying to work on some new homework material but Korinna could feel her icy blue's trailing over her form every now and then. Humming Korinna stepped out of the dollhouse circle and walked over to her bed peering down at the new scrapbook she were working on. Korinna had picked up a new book from her job the other day and didn't have a clue about what this one would be about. It's not like she had too many ideas about the previous ones she's done before, she kinda just did whatever she wanted and felt at the time. Meaning that the scrapbooks were often random with different images and materials thrown together but it worked for her.

This one had to be different.

Even with this new found attitude she had that was throwing everyone in the house off, this one had to really mean something. Korinna knew that in the back of her mind but she wasn't exactly sure why this one had to actually mean something. Something within her being was telling her to really tell a story as if it were going to be the best selling one, if someone were to ever wish to do so. Running her fingers through her hair Korinna lifted her head staring out the window in deep thought until a knock at the door brought the two girls attention to the noise.

There stood Cam who made his way into the room, his brown eyes staring at the dollhouses in awe. "Hey."

Janice eyed Cam who let out a small laugh, "Relax. I'm not here to start anything with anyone."

"What do you want, Cameron?" Korinna asked holding up two different types of paper.

Cam poked his lips out, "So it's Cameron now?"

Korinna didn't reply placing the papers up against the scrapbook, perfectly fine with ignoring Cam if that's what it takes.

"How's Carl?"

Korinna took a deep inhale, tossing the paper to the side and rubbed her temples before standing up straight as if she were effected by the question. Wrapping one arm around her tummy and using her hand on her other arm she started talking, "I don't know. He's been gone for a few days, I haven't reached out to contact him and neither has he. Does that make you feel better now? Do you think by me giving that bit of information that I'll let you bend me over on the bathroom sink and let you have your way with me now? Since you know you only care about what's in between my legs anyways."

Janice's eyes were wide behind her computer screen and she let out a snort at the words.

Cam cleared his throat, the tips of his ears turning bright red at the way Korinna was speaking. This was all new, Cam didn't know Korinna could be like this and he didn't exactly know how that made him feel at all. He couldn't instigate it could he? He could be respectful and understand that his housemate were involved with someone else, right? They weren't on the best terms but Cam was working at it, he was working at a lot after he were outed by Dove and went through detox which was brutal. At least he was hoping he was working on himself and not just lying to himself.

"I...I was just trying to make conversation." Cam managed to get out, his mouth falling open and closed a few times.

Korinna laughed, "Talk about what? We talk too many damn hours in this house and I'm tired. I don't want to talk to you, especially you because I never know what side I'm going to get. From the first day I met you maybe I could have been a bit nicer sure, but this place was foreign to me and after being here for the first month I actually thought I belonged. Now...I don't really want to be here. I don't want to keep giving you chances to prove anything to me because you don't have to. We're not friends, we're not going to be lovers either. So I'll ask you again, what do you want?"

Cam thought carefully over his next words. His eyes glancing at Janice who quickly shook her head that Cam almost missed it. He knew what he wanted but he wouldn't say it, not after everything that was said and done. Taking a deep breath Cam turned his attention back to the houses in front of him, "Do you want to get some extra cash?"

Sitting on her bed with her palms holding herself in a sitting position she crossed her legs, "Now you're talkin'."

Cam offered a smile which Korinna gave back as he cautiously stepped towards her and silently asked if he could sit beside her with his phone in his hands. Korinna nodded as Cam put a little distance between the two as he brought up his phone, "There's this app."

Korinna listened carefully before grabbing her own phone to install it herself and look it over, what it entails and how it worked. After creating an account under the username howlingram Korinna was good to go, taking Cam's advice for once. Cam softly smiled as he watched Korinna snap photos of her dollhouses and moved to sit on Janice's bed. Janice brought her electric blue eyes to meet Cam's brown eyes.

"I heard that she was worried coming here but now I'm worried for her. She's not acting right." Cam whispered to Janice.

Frowning Janice opened up a blank document typing rapidly before turning the laptop to Cam who read: I noticed her behavior's a little similar to her mom's when she were first here. But she's never truly liked you anyways Cam.

Cam rolled his eyes, "Whatever. I think she should leave and we can get Dove back, you know why? I have a bad feeling about where this is going, considering that her boyfriend is no longer here, she doesn't have her other best-friend Debbie anymore, and now she thinks you're a fake ass person. Plus we don't know why Monte was stealing her files either. Something doesn't sound right to me, or am I just completely bugging here?"

'No it's not just you. But I don't want her to leave, I made K's mother a promise and I want to keep that promise. She's rough around the edges but she just needs to be loved, everyone wants that so why shouldn't she have it? I think the real issue is Monte. We need to find out what she knows so we can help K.' Cam read and nodded his head.

"I'm not seducing Monte anymore," Cam whispered causing Janice to roll her eyes, "However I can do whatever Korinna wants me to do when she gets lonely since you're not even considered her friend either."

Cam watched as Janice signed to him, a movement that he had seen Janice do plenty of times when she were upset so it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what that means. Laughing Cam ruffled Janice's hair and dodged her punches before bumping their fists together, "Are we a team now?"

Janice shrugged her shoulders as Cam gave a wide grin and held his arms out for a hug. Janice cringed from the boy wanted to move away from him but he got his hug whether Janice liked it or not.

"Cameron can you stop being a creep for five seconds?" Korinna browsed the two behind her as she remained squatting.

Cam sat up straight while Janice smoothed down her clothes in annoyance. He sat on the edge of the bed, "Calling me Cameron has to stop right now, okay K?"

"No it doesn't." Korinna smiled as she stood up.

Cam walked over to Korinna standing inches away from her, "Mark my words K you're gonna be calling me Cam again one way or another." He winked.

"I'll call you whatever. I have no respect for you, and it's Korinna. I'll spell it out for you."

"No need. It's just a name, I rather get to know the soul instead."

"You're corny."

Cam poked her sides, "You low-key love it though. But go ahead tell me what I already know," He put on this higher octave, "I have a boyfriend. Get lost, Cameron!"

"I don't sound like that. Get out," Korinna pointed to the door.

Cam shrugged his shoulders looking over his shoulder at Janice, "See."

Janice shook her head as she also pointed to the door kicking Cam out. Cam rested his hands on his chest, "You know I bet if I looked like Enzo you two wouldn't kick me out."

"You're absoutely right." Korinna began pushing Cam out.

Cam scoffed, "You know you're very rude."

"Yet you're still living up my ass." Korinna commented shoving Cam out into the hall.

Cam licked his lips spinning on his feet so he could lean against the doorway staring up at Korinna through his lashes, "It's a nice ass."

Korinna gave Cam a fake smile and slammed the door right in his face.

Five p.m. - 76%

Korinna lay on her stomach checking over all forms of social media and the internet on her phone. James informed the housemates that he were ordering Chinese while Viola had just came in and wanted a moment to herself before she started calling them into her office. After liking Ethan's recent photo, Korinna studied his face. He looked good, was letting his hair grow out and had a bit of facial hair going on. In the photo he appeared to be out with a plate of pancakes in front of him but was not impressed as his knuckles were pressed into his cheek.

Krokos: nice pancakes + face

ethandolan: *eye emoji* hi

krokos: hey ethan :)

A ping went off from the mystery app that Cam told Korinna about. Sitting up straight Korinna left instagram and opened the app checking the messages from a user. It was from the person that requested to purchase Korinna's colonial dollhouse. Korinna had offered to ship it but the person preferred to meet up instead which was fine with Korinna, particularly if that meant getting extra money on the side. It's not like Michael's didn't pay enough money, but Korinna was part-time so she managed well and didn't have to worry about bills for now. So what could it hurt? Korinna wasn't completely dumb now as she sent back a message to the customer telling them that she'd meet them in ten minutes.

Getting to her feet Korinna slipped on Dove's fenty slides that she had left in her room. Pulling her cropped sweatpants higher up her waist she stood from her bed smiling at Janice who lifted her head from her laptop at the movement, looking around hoping that Korinna hadn't caught her dozing off. "Got me a paying customer!" Korinna cheesed as she went over to her drawer.

Korinna heard the mute girl behind her shifting on her bed as she shoved her undergarments around lifting up the board underneath them to pull out her dagger. Since Viola figured out most of the hiding spots you had to get a little smarter to keep your things and weapons were definitely not allowed but yet here Korinna was with her own dagger that was given to her as a birthday gift. It matched the same rose gold dagger necklace around her neck that Carl had given her the day he left for military school.

Clenching the necklace around her throat Korinna sighed as she shoved the drawer closed with her hips. Spinning she waved the real dagger in the air before shoving it between her waistband and her white tank-top. "No need to fake worry honey. I'll be just fine."

Janice frowned at that observing Korinna who picked up the said house and shoved her phone into her left pocket. Janice followed Korinna to the door wanting to say something to her but couldn't find her voice, not yet anyways. Once Korinna went down the steps Janice crept down the hall to Cam's room knocking on his door quickly waiting for him.

.X.

Easily Korinna had slipped into the warm summer night. She was only walking down the street to an intersection, something that should only take a few minutes if her customer weren't any of the multiple choice options Korinna had made up in her head. Shifting the house in her hands Korinna hummed to herself, the necklace bouncing against her chest as she walked along the sidewalk. The dark-haired teen didn't think about any of the negatives out there, those didn't exist to her at the moment. Getting to the end of the intersection she stopped seeing the headlights from a parked car.

Feeling the cool material of the real dagger kissing her hipbone she strolled over to the classic red mustang. Leaning over the rolled down window she stared at the man who turned his head but kept his hands on the steering wheel.

"Hi Dacey."

Dacey tipped his head, "I still want the dollhouse. Get in sissy. "

A/N: A short one I hope you don't mind since the previous chapter was long as hell. So at this point Korinna is feeling like she has nothing to lose, the girl is freaking terrified and I honestly don't blame her. She's still not putting up with anyone's shit clearly but she's risking herself by getting in contact with Dacey! Did you like this twist? Do you think Korinna got in the car? SO many ideas, it took me awhile to figure out what direction I wanted this chapter to go since we have to deal with Carl being MIA (For all good reasons! But I'll have something for Carlinna in the next chapter don't you worry). I'm kinda excited to write for the next chapter, I still have to watch last night's episode since I was too busy watching the AMAs (it was Eh lmao) + the walking dead.

Let me know how you felt about this chapter below. If there isn't a double update on Tuesday, Wednesday, OR Friday then expect one on the weekend sometime hopefully! Also if you celebrate thanksgiving and go out for black friday and I don't happen to update before then, then I wish you all a happy holiday and a SAFE one!

Chat later ;p

-ALES