So here's part 3 of this. I can't help but wonder if I'm updating too fast or too slow. I guess the little "twist" at the end of part 2 was okay. It's really hard to gauge these things if I'm not getting any feedback on it

*throws bait*

It couldn't be.

This shouldn't have happened. I replayed the events in my mind again just to make sure. But there was no mistaking it.

Nathaniel just broke up with me.

All this time I thought he wasn't taking this as serious as I was.

I know he accepted my feelings and stuff.

But there I was.

Alone.

My heart was heavy and my breaths became shorter. I had to get away from the others. They couldn't see me break down like this. This was even worse than Castiel yelling at me. I ran as fast as I could out of the hall. I saw that the basement was unlocked so I made my way in there. The moment I stepped inside, I felt myself grow weak. I slid down to the ground and sobbed. Pent up stress and the shock of what just happened was finally coming out. I was a mess.

Here I was sitting in the basement of the school sobbing.

Where was the me who was stronger than this?

Everything left me feeling broken and ashamed. I doubted if I should have gotten involved.

"Mir."

My eyes snapped at the voice talking to me. A part of me had hoped it was Nathaniel coming to apologize for what he said. But I was even more surprised that it was Castiel who was there. I tried to dry my tears using the sleeve of my sweater. But it just only made my eyes red and puffy and gross.

"What are you doing here?" I somehow managed to ask.

"I saw how he yelled at you." he replied.

I heard his footsteps get closer until they stopped just in front of me. There was something in his expression as he saw me cry. I wanted to stop it. I don't like for people to see me cry. But I couldn't stop the tears. I laughed bitterly to myself.

"I must be a jackass. I can only mess things up. I shouldn't have made that ca-"

"Don't finish that." he said, "You did the right thing. Even if he doesn't realize it yet."

"But he hates me and broke up with me." I admitted.

At that his eyes widened, ever so slightly.

"Oh...he's really pissed at you then." he remarked.

I glared at him and he smirked. I quieted down my crying to just some sniffles. He petted my head.

"There we go." he said, "That's the look I'm used to."

"So what do I do now?" I asked.

"Nothing. For now anyway. It's going to take some time for him to accept that this happened. Maybe it will get him to finally man up."

"Cas..." I warned.

"I'm being serious. At least this will get a dialogue going. If he's as smart as he claims he is. Now get up, being on the floor crying like a baby doesn't suit you."

I glared again, but got up regardless. I dusted the dirt off my clothes as he looked around the halls. I wondered what he was doing for a moment before he looked at me.

"Listen Ami, don't doubt yourself about this. If you hadn't done anything then this would have kept going. You did a good thing. If that idiot loves you as much as you do him he'll realize it. You're nosy, foul mouthed, sarcastic, sometimes act before you think, mildly violent."

"Is there a point to this?" I asked.

"Yes there is." he answered, "But despite all of that, you care. I mean you tried to help me despite how we both act around each other. I can see why he gets defensive if a guy talks to you."

My face became red as Castiel praised me. I wasn't used to such kind remarks coming from him. He grabbed the back of my head to pat it. That statement he said earlier got me thinking. But I pushed it away. His words had helped me a little bit.

"You should go home for the day. I'll make up something about you not feeling good."

"Right. Thanks."

"No need to thank me." he said, "After knowing how deep this situation goes, it's hard to ignore it you know. Get going, you look like shit."

I nodded as I started to leave. I stopped for a moment. I turned back around and hugged Castiel. He stiffened under my hold until he relaxed a little. He really has no idea how much he has helped me. I wasn't sure if I could even have the complete courage to do this if he wasn't here. We separated before any one could see the hug.

"Don't tell me you're on the rebound already?" he asked.

"Pfft don't be ridiculous. " I playfully remarked, "Even if I was you're not my type."

I waved goodbye as I left the school. I opted to walk home instead of taking the bus. After the past few minutes, I needed the air. I saw a car parked into the driveway and my heart seized up. I didn't recognize the car at all. Different scenarios played in my head. Maybe someone had connected the story together and got to me. Hesitantly I opened the door.

"I'm home." I called out.

"In here."

My eyes widened at the voice.

I nearly ran into the kitchen where I saw my mom talking with Aunt Rieka. I was so happy to see her I gave her a big hug. She seemed surprised at it before returning the hug. She gazed at me for a moment before turning her attention back to her sister.

"So Rieka, since Ami is here earlier than expected I'll take her for now."

"Okay Hanako, it'll do good for the two of you to hang out."

Mom patted my head as we both went into the rental car. Mom explained that Dad was a couple cities over for a business summit and since she was in the area to check up on me. I have a feeling that my stress over Nathaniel and his home situation had something to do with it too. I'm sure Aunt Rieka noticed my current habits. We drove out of the city into a small cafe. When we got there Mom ordered a herbal tea and sandwich for me and herself some items. It was silent for a little bit while we waited for our orders.

"So Ami, Rieka tells me something is bothering you?" she started.

I nodded.

My mom is a kind woman who lets me grow on my own. But sometimes even more strict than Dad in regards to myself. I figured I shouldn't lie to her. So I told her everything. About what happened with Nathaniel, what I did, the fallout, the stress from all of this. Everything. My heart felt worn out when I was done. I realized that my emotions were still so raw from Nathaniel yelling at me. My hands crumpled the napkins in front of me.

"I see. I wish you could have called us Ami. We could have helped out in this. We could have made this call as a concerned parent." she said.

"In the end he still would have figured out it was me and the result would be the same. I feel bad that I'm subjecting him through this."

"I can tell," she noted, "that's the main reason why I came here. Rieka told me how you weren't eating as much and waking up at odd hours of the night. You'll end up in a hospital at this rate. But don't feel guilty. What you did is going to have effects, no denying that. But if you didn't then no one would have. In that situation, no one wins."

"Sometimes I wish I hadn't been so curious. Then I would still have him here and I wouldn't be so worried." I admitted.

"Ami look at me."

As I did I noticed Mom's eyes hardened into determination. It was the same look I had when I was determined on something.

"Never ever say that. He's scared and trying to cope right now. What you did was a sign of how much you care. He doesn't realize that yet. Right now, what he most needs is some emotional support. It's hard to stand up to someone you have so much respect for. He'll push you away, but be there. When finally this situation is cleared then you can work on your relationship with him."

My eyes widened. I had never heard Mom be so serious before. Not that I can remember. Combined with Castiel's words earlier I felt the guilt starting to disappear. I shouldn't be pitying myself. Someone I cared deeply was going through worse and I should at least be there.

"Thanks Mom, I'm glad I can talk to you through this."

"No problem sweetheart. Just remember not to push too hard. He needs support, but he'll need some space to gather his thoughts too."

I nodded my head. I'll try to do that for him. My appetite started to come back and we spent the rest of the time getting my strength back and catching up. She dropped me off at the house, after I promised that if I felt like that again I would call her immediately.

That night, I had a good night's rest.

Nathaniel hadn't shown back up in school for the next couple days. I had seen Amber a few times, but she could barely look at me before leaving in the other direction. I felt bad. She and I never got along, but I hated seeing her look so depressed. I almost missed her ribbing at me.

"Ami! Why didn't you tell me about this!" yelled Rosalya.

Her sudden use of my name jumped me out of my skin.

"What are you tal-"

"About you and Nathaniel."

She pulled me aside to an empty classroom and closed the door. She looked pretty mad at me. It was then it clicked. Word must have gotten out about our supposed break up. I'm surprised it took a couple days. I thought it would be much sooner. I let out a small sigh.

"Yeah, it's true."

"It doesn't have anything to do with cops showing up at his place does it?"

"Wait what?" I repeated, "Cops are at his place?"

"Yeah, I saw it this morning on the way to school. They took his dad in cuffs and everything."

Oh shit.

"Ami, I know what's going on. I knew it was odd for you to be suddenly bunking at Amber's house. I had followed you when I told you Nathaniel was at school. And I heard him yell at you. And now with the social services and cops. Everything pieced together. Why couldn't you rely on me!"

"Because," I admitted, "I didn't want this to get out of hand like with Deborah. You saw the looks I had when I tried to tell people about her. I had friends finally. After so many years of transferring from school to school I had friends who saw me for me. Not as a Gallade. I didn't want something like this to cause such a rift between me and the school."

"And who do you helped you find out what she was up to? When all those girls either turned their back or did nothing, I was there." she retorted.

"I know. And I'm sorry. I just don't want to be alone."

"Fine, I forgive you this time. But next time you have to tell me. I'm your friend no matter what Mir."

"Thanks Rosa." I said while smiling, "Right now I think I got everything covered but if I need you, I'll call you."

"Good." she remarked, "We're going for a spa day eventually. You need a day to relax after a break up and all this."

I laughed. I remembered why I trust Rosalya so much. But now that a couple days had passed since that little event, I wanted to check up on Nathaniel. I hoped nothing bad had happened since now the authorities were involved. I tried to text him again but he either didn't get them or ignored them.

Either way I'm not surprised that I didn't receive a response.

"I'm thinking about visiting his place." I said.

Rosalya looked at me as if I sprouted two heads. One of the last things I should be doing is visiting the place. But he wasn't coming to school or answering my attempts to reach him. I had to at least see if he was okay. Any glimpse of Nathaniel would ease my nerves.

"Do you need me to come with?"

I shook my head.

"Nah, I'll ask Cas to come with me. Just in case."

As it turns out Rosalya had something important to do so she regretfully couldn't come even if I asked. I wasn't mad. She's been worried sick about me being worried sick about Nathaniel. I figured I should give her time to do what she needed to do. I found Castiel around the halls and told him of my afternoon plans.

He looked at me as if I sprouted two heads too.

"You sure that's a smart idea Gallade?"

"Not really." I admitted, "But my intention isn't to start anything. I just want to check up on him as a concerned classmate. If it gets too much I'll leave."

"Alright fine. I'll come with you because I don't feel right having you go there alone. I'm not too sure if you and that imbecile got into a fight would be pretty."

The two of us were ready to leave the school before I got stopped. It was Melody. There was a certain look on her face. It seemed to morph into something when she realized that Castiel and I were leaving school together.

"Is it true what I hear about you and Nathaniel?" she asked.

"If you mean the two of us aren't seeing each other then yes."

I really wonder how many people are going to say something about this.

"What happened? I thought you two-"

"It doesn't really matter what happened." I quickly said, "Just that it did. It was...mutual."

Her hearing me say mutual seemed to lessen the look she gave me. I shifted under her stare. This was getting awkward for everyone.

"Come on Gallade, we got places to go." Castiel said.

We both left Melody to her thoughts while going down the street to the bus stop. After we got on the bus I let out a sigh.

"You feel okay about this?" Castiel asked me.

"Yeah, I'm okay. It's probably best that Mel doesn't know what's going on. I don't want to make this awkward. Well, more than it already is. She doesn't need to be subjected to the same kind of worry. I can worry about relationships and stuff like that afterwards. What he needs now is support I think."

It was silent the rest of the way to our destination. Once we got off, it was a short walk to Nathaniel's house. My hands shook, but I rang on the buzzer. For a while, there was no response. But I could hear the motor of the gates opening. Right on the other side was Nathaniel's mother. She took one good look at us and glared.

"Miss Gallade, I'm surprised that you're here. And you're that boy arguing with Nathaniel during the open house."

"You got it." he snarked.

I tugged on Castiel's jacket to get him to stop. She already looked pissed to see us. I don't want it to escalate.

"Is Nathaniel home? I just wanted to see how he's doing since he hasn't been in school a couple days."

"Of course not." she replied, "The police took him in for questioning. And frankly Miss Gallade I don't appreciate you here. You've done a great deal of damage to this family and I rather not see you around here again."

"You should be thanking her." Castiel interjected, "She's the only one who cares about your son enough because obviously you don't give a shit."

"Cas! Stop it." I said.

"You two leave immediately before I call the co-I mean because I have you removed from the premises."

Castiel roughly brought me to his side as the two of us walked out of the driveway. I had known that she was going to be hostile towards us. But I had to see how Nathaniel was doing. Even if it ended up in failure. It was another silent ride back within the city. I was too absorbed in my own thoughts to really talk about it. He walked with me to my house.

Oddly enough, I didn't realize until then that he didn't live that far from me.

That night I got a text from Rosalya. She told me that Amber had mentioned Nathaniel would be at school tomorrow. It would be the time to at least check up on him. I was happy, but nervous. I wanted our bond back. Even if it just goes to friendship. But I knew I couldn't force this. I let out a small sigh as I put the phone away.

Things have got to get better.

They need to.

I was debating on putting Melody in this fic at all. She's been kinda subjected to some opinions lately. But it ended up happening. I hope I kept her and MC's interactions to each other neutral enough. And there may or may not be a hint to an event happening beyond what I've already written.

Maybe.

Please review, I don't bite and they make an author's day.