Chapter 16 - Blackout

"Let go!" Mina tugged her hand back. She didn't want to be entangled with anyone or get mocked. No more Prince Charmings.

He let go then pulled her hoodie over her head, giving her a slight warmth. He was helping her.

Minas cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She shouldn't have yelled at him. He had pulled her to safety while she was in a daze. She turned to the side, avoiding him and berated herself. She could curse anyone but him right now, in fact she owed him. "I'm sorry."

"You should be." She turned back. She didn't expect him to say this. He met her gaze and smirked. "You were standing there like a statue; if it was anyone else they would've left you outside the door."

"That's not fair. I just had an off-day."

"I saw. Your best friend and your boyfriend are dating. Aren't you happy for them!" He said sarcastically and rolled his eyes.

Mina felt depressed. Forget Brody, she's more upset with herself and Nan. She liked Nan a lot, but didn't she also like Brody? If Ever had told her earlier, then… She shook those bad ideas out of her head. Mina didn't want to keep thinking about those unhappy things.

"I don't know how to feel about it. We weren't even dating yet. He asked me out two days ago, and I was going to say 'yes' today." Mina crossed her arms and vented to this stranger she didn't know. She looked at his face, she didn't want his pity or to be judged. She only told him because he helped. His face was handsome and playful, but he held no pity for her.

"So what are you gonna do? Forgive them or get revenge." He nudged her with his elbow, "Personally, I'd get revenge in this situation."

Mina frowned. She didn't want to forgive them. But the thought of revenge hadn't crossed her mind either. Because revenge would involve hurting Nan and she promised Ever she wouldn't harm Nan. "Do I have to choose?"

"You could always do both."

A shout made her hesitate on what to pick. "Mina! Mina, where are you?"

It was Ever. She could see her walking through the crowd looking worried and her heart softened. She still didn't want to see her after Ever had seen her messy state earlier. She looked down hoping to avoid her, but Ever had zeroed In on her already.

"Mina! You had me worried sick! Nan couldn't find you either! I had just left for a few minutes-" Ever took a look at the student next to her. Her eyes cleared and she turned her next questions to him. "Why are you still here?"

"He helped me." Mina interjected. However, a glare from Ever made her want to leave.

"I wasn't asking you." She stated like it was a fact.

Mina wanted to leave. The atmosphere was neither hostile nor friendly between them and she had just realized she had forgotten her phone. Probably because she wasn't used to taking it wherever she went and he also hadn't called in the morning.

Didn't they know each other? She could just slip away. Her attendance wasn't the best to begin with. She'd just go home and sleep. Her arms and legs were sore. She could also feel the thrumming of a headache being born. Maybe she'd feel better after some rest.

She made sure no one was paying attention and slowly retreated towards the street. However, Ever must've been on super attentive mode and easily spotted her and went over.

"We need to talk more about what happened." Her eyes were earnest. Mina knew that Nan and Ever kissing wasn't Ever's fault.

"Alright." Mina wanted to give Ever a chance. She couldn't trust her as she did before but explaining is okay. Probably after her nap though.

Ever drug her across the street, opened a white car and sat in it. She'd never seen Ever drive. Was this even her car. Were they stealing it?

Ever shaved her in the passenger seat, sat Herself in the driver's seat and started the engine. "Where are we going?"

"You ask a lot of questions."

Mina pursed her lips and tried to focus on the music.

…

Mina stood at the doorway with a surreal feeling.

Ever had called the Wongs. They were hours away visiting family. They promised to get back as quickly as possible. That was fine. But who was the boy with beautiful green eyes staring back at her.

Ever introduced them. "This-" she pointed to the teen with red hair and green eyes, "-is Nick. She's Mina. And we've had a long day. Get out of the way now. Go sleep in a room you look haggard."

Ever sat her down on the sofa inside and brought her some water. She sat on a lone chair near the kitchen. "The time for curiosity is now. Ask what you need and I'll tell you the truth."

Now that Mina was here, she couldn't find any questions that needed answering. Not with sleep looming over her. She tried to meet Ever's gaze. "If you had known ahead of time, would you have stopped it?"

"Known what? That Brody would grab Nan from the hallway and start making out with her? No, I didn't know and it's not her fault either. I didn't know about it any sooner than you did." Ever looked depressed for a moment.

Mina's stomach tightened. Brody had initiated that kiss? And he had the gall to look remorseful afterward? Not only that but he– Mina's thoughts hit a wall and she looked up. No part of this explained away Nan kissing him back. But Mina was too exhausted. She watched Ever through her lashes fighting sleep. Did she drug her?

Author's Note from MidnightBlue27: Hello! This was my chapter. It feels shorter than usual for good reason. One of my family members had gotten into an accident and mangled their foot. A large chunk is missing so they cannot walk on their own much. Their injury aside, I finally get to do the legendary author's note detailing why my chapter is 2 days late. The next chapter will be posted on November 18th.

Since we're here, I plan for this to reach 20 chapters with an extra special ending that will get posted on Christmas. Chapter 20 being posted on December 18th and The Epilogue on the 25th.

Baphy: I'm just here to suffer (oﾟﾟ)o