'What the hell?' Brianna said.

'What's wrong?' asked Jack. Dekka sighed. He really was no good at understanding people.

'I turn up for duty and find you two having a quiet romantic chat!' Brianna spat out the words.

'No, Brianna, it's not like that!' Jack finally understood.

'It's exactly like that!'

Dekka looked sadly at Brianna. Their first meeting since Dekka confessed her love for Brianna. It wasn't going well.

'You know why it's not like that, Brianna,' Dekka said quietly. Brianna had the decency to look slightly ashamed.

'What? Just because you like me doesn't mean you can't like him too? Or maybe it was a trick to get Jack!' By now, all of the children were listening spellbound.

'Don't be like that!' Jack was annoyed too. 'I'm not even allowed to talk to someone now am I?' Brianna slapped him as quickly as she did everything.

'Brianna,' Dekka pleaded, 'I'm your best friend. I would never try and take away your boyfriend.'

'You WERE my best friend. Now you've ruined everything!' Brianna looked near tears, but her words hurt Dekka more than any slap.

'Just stay away from me. Please.' Brianna was begging Dekka now.

'We were friends,' Dekka whispered. Brianna looked slightly ashamed of herself.

'I know we were. OK? I care too. But… it's just too weird being with you.' As Dekka opened her mouth to answer, Brianna interrupted. 'I'm sorry Dekka. Really I am. But Jack is my boyfriend. He's not your boyfriend, and I'm not your girlfriend.'

'She's not my girlfriend!' Jack managed to cut in. 'We're just friends, and hardly even that!' Dekka couldn't gather the willpower to reply.

Sam had come across by now. He had always been good to Dekka, considering she was going through more or less the same thing with Brianna as he was going through with Astrid.

'Listen, you three, don't argue while you're meant to be working. Either get to work, or get out,' said Sam in his firm, don't-mess-with-me- voice.

'Jack, come with me please,' Brianna said. Jack looked uncertainly at her and then behind him to where Dekka stood with Sam and Edilio.

'Please?' Brianna really did look miserable, so Jack took her hand and they walked off together. When they were gone, Sam walked over to Dekka and took her hand. Dekka didn't move; she was still in the same position staring after them.

'Dekka?' Sam asked gently. She still didn't respond. 'Dekka, I think you should go home now.' Sam sighed and turned to Edilio.

'I'll take Dekka home, Edilio. Cover for me, yeah?' Sam looked at the rest of the kids. 'Back to work now, everyone!' he yelled.

He walked Dekka home, though her movements were robotic and she wasn't responding to Sam, she still walked with him. When they go to her cabin, they stopped.

'Come on, Dekka.' It wasn't until they were inside and Dekka was sitting on her bed holding a drink made of Nutella and milk (which vaguely resembled hot chocolate) that she said anything.

'She hates me, Sam,' Dekka said with tears glistening in her eyes. 'She told me to leave her alone. She said I ruined everything. Sam, she hates me.'

Sam didn't have the power to comfort her, he knew only Brianna could do that. Despite that he pulled her into a hug and stroked her hair.

'I'm sorry Dekka,' he said. He could only imagine how miserable she must be. The thought that Astrid not only left him but hated him left a shot of pain in his body.

At nightfall, Sam left Dekka tucked up in bed. She was still tearful, but wasn't saying much. He felt bad about leaving her, but knew he couldn't stay with her forever.

Dekka was lying alone. She wanted to see the stars, but just didn't have the willpower to stand up. Dekka was broken. She longed for someone to comfort her. She wanted someone to tell her she was wanted. All her life she had been shunned. First by her parents, then by the children at Coates, and now by Brianna. She wondered what was wrong with her that nobody loved, or even liked, her much. She just wanted love. Thoughts were clouding her head and making Dekka feel almost suicidal. She just lay on the little couch. Feeling sick. Heart sick.

It wasn't until past midnight that she fell asleep, with night creeping over her at last. She fell asleep with tears scarring her vision.