A/N: Hey there! It's me. I had a major writer's block and it sucks. Okay, so here's the new chapter. Thank you to the new readers who had added my story to their Alerts and Favorites! Love you guiseee

It was early in the morning when I woke up. I immediately took a quick shower and I hopped into a clean change of clothes. I was already allowed to walk around after a week although my hand was still pretty well casted because of the wound. I also wasn't allowed to do anything that needed too much work which is basically mostly everything I do. It felt like the only thing I can actually do is breathe and talk. I climbed down the stairs and headed to the kitchen, hoping to be of help. Tessa was already cooking when I entered. I wasn't sure if she didn't notice me enter or she just didn't want to talk to me.

"Can I be any help to you?" I spoke

She said nothing. I'm guessing it was the second option

"Uh, Tessa?" I called

"No!" She exclaimed "I have it all under control alright?"

I was a little taken aback but I quickly shook it off. Instead, I just sat down on the counter and gnawed on an apple. After a few minutes of pure silence, Tessa spoke "I'm sorry for-"

"No, it's okay. I understand" I smiled "Bad day?"

"Week, actually." She sighed while she plopped a few ingredients on the pot

"Me too" I waved a hand on my casted arm

Tessa giggled but then it slowly faded "I shouldn't have woken up my dad. I should have just let you guys go. I'm sorry"

I stared at her but I just smiled "No, it's fine-"

"But it isn't, is it?" She looked at me this time, her eyes staring into mine intently. When I didn't answer she pursed her lips "I just had this little fantasy that Hal and I would be together and if he stayed-"

I bit my lip as I watched her eyes drift to her feet then to her hands then to me again. She frowned "I wanted you out of the picture."

I blinked a few times before speaking "What?"

"It's just- You and Hal have this, uh, spark. When I see you two together, the way he laughs and how he's always himself when he's with you. I felt jealous, I guess. I wanted that girl to be me. I wanted Hal to be like that to me." She grunted "I wanted you gone; I wanted all of you gone. I know it's sick for me to think like that. I shouldn't have-"

I jumped off the counter and I placed a hand on her shoulder "It's okay, Tessa. You weren't thinking straight, that's all. You were just too caught up with your feelings to think of anything else. At least we're still alive; at least we're still here."

"But, your friend-"She sounded panicked "He died and I was the one who-"

"No, Tessa. It wasn't your fault; you didn't know they would shoot him. You weren't the one who shot him. It was just-"I breathed deeply, unable to continue

She smiled "I get it, Lourdes. Thank you"

I simply smiled

There was a short silence before she spoke "I still like Hal, you know."

Of course, she still does I sighed "I figured"

...

I hopped off my motorcycle with a grunt. I had been scouting half the day now and I can hardly feel my legs. Thankfully, we didn't saw any sign of Skitters anywhere near here so that kind of calmed me down a bit. Maggie playfully nudged me and signaled me to follow her and so I did. We went to the backyard where the kids usually spend most of their time. Matt was there, of course playing with some other kids. Maggie and I settled ourselves down on a bench, silently watching the kids play basketball. Matt's gaze lingered to me and he gave me a wave. I made sure to give a wave back. I scanned the yard for any sign of Lourdes but I couldn't see her anywhere

"You looking for someone?" Maggie spoke beside me

I shook my head 'No one in particular."

She chuckled then she raised her finger and pointed. My eyes darted to the place Maggie was pointing at. Lourdes was sitting under a huge tree, watching Matt and the others. She would smile and chant whenever Matt would score and I couldn't help but smile back.

"She is something, isn't she?" Maggie smiled

"She's nice" I replied

Maggie arched her eyebrows "That's it? She's nice? I know you have like a gazillion of other adjectives you can describe her with, in that little head of yours."

"Alright fine, she's really helpful and interesting and-"

"Pretty?" Maggie said with a smug smile

I rolled my eyes "Yes, she's pretty."

Maggie chuckled then she nudged her chin towards Lourdes' direction "You might just have a little competition in your hands though."

I looked back at Lourdes but this time she wasn't alone. Ash Fisher was sitting beside her, holding a can of soda in his hands. Ash said something that made Lourdes laugh, I frowned. They had been becoming close for the last couple of days. Ash would come visit her everytime he isn't on watch. I barely even get to see her now because not only is Ash always there but because of some scouting duties. It bothered me, yes. Lourdes is a close friend of mine and I would like to see her every now and then. But sometimes, I can't help but wonder 'what if I'm just telling myself that?' What if I like her- more than a friend? I shook the though away from my head. This was crazy; I can't have feelings for Lourdes! Not when Karen- She's been captured by the Skitters while I'm thinking about my feelings for Lourdes. LOURDES! Like my close friend, Lourdes

"Hal?" Maggie called beside me "You okay?"

I smiled "Just fine"

Maggie narrowed her eyes at me "Something's bothering you"

I scowled "No, I'm okay."

She snorted "Sure, keep telling yourself that."

I sighed and slumped down on the bench. Maggie glared at me "Okay sure, don't tell me but I want you to think about this problem of yours. Think about it long and hard, Hal."

Believe me, I'm trying to

A/N: And you reached the end of it, well, I'm glad I updated so yay!