Intertwined

Water Under The Bridge

As Asher reached the girl, he spoke up. "Hey are you ok?"

"F-fine" Rose responded, still looking around. Asher glanced around as well. "Who are you looking for?"

Rose finally stopped looking around and turned to face Ash.

"I'm looking for Nate"

"Eve? Are you gonna walk back with Asher?" Mike asked. Evelyn didn't move when she answered. "I'm not sure"

Mara looked over at Eve. "It'll probably be safer if we travel in packs"

"I guess so...I'll walk with him then. When he's done with...that" Evelyn looked at the two still conversing.

"Just be safe, Eve" Mara gave Eve a reassuring smile, which the latter returned gratefully.

Asher glanced around for the boy mentioned. "Maybe he had to talk to a teacher?"

Rose shook her head. "He isn't like that. He never talks to teachers even when he needs it"

"Thank you, Mara...You too. At least you've got someone to protect you" Evelyn smiled teasingly at Mike and Mara.

Mara giggled a bit, blushing slightly "Yes I do"

Asher nodded slightly at what Rose said. "There has to be a reason. Don't jump to conclusions"

Rose looked down. "How can I not?..."

Evelyn grimaced. "How...how does it feel?"

Mara sighed a little, and she shrugged a bit.

"if you want, I could walk you to your house, just to make sure you're safe" Asher gave her a small reassuring smile which Rose returned with a scared smile. "That would be helpful"

Evelyn didn't know whether to be grateful or not that she got an answer. Either way, Asher looked like he was done so she walked over to him.

"Shall we start going home now?"

Asher turned to Eve, a little surprised she was willing to walk with him. "Oh uh....sure. We just need to walk Rose to her house first"

"Wait what?" Mike interjected. Evelyn's expression basically said "what?" as well

Asher gave Mike a 'trust me' look. "To keep her safe, because ya know"

"After everything she's done?" Mike took a step forward as he spoke with not so fond remembrance.

Asher slightly glared at Mike. "Mike, quit it"

Mara was just silent.

"No no, these three actually bullied us many times a day. They wanted to hurt me and Mara...Did you forget that already?!"

"No, I didn't forget that! I witnessed it too! But If I have the chance of making sure someone doesn't get hurt, then I'm going to take that chance!"

"Stop it! This is not helping our situation!" Evelyn immediately got between the two, her arms outstretched at them. She sighed heavily and looked up.

"Mike, you go escort Mara to her home, and me and Asher will go with...Rose. Okay?"

Mike didn't respond. He just stepped back and took Mara's hand again, and nodded briefly.

Mara wasn't a fan of fighting, for obvious reasons, so she was pretty silent, biting on the fingernails of the hand Mike didn't take. Asher still glared at Mike, not responding either.

"I'll assume that's a yes...Let's go" Evelyn stated. Mike turned around slowly and started walking away with Mara.

Mara quickly followed him, shaking a little. Asher kept his glare focused on Mike as he walked away, while Rose was silent in the background. She felt bad for what she did to this group of friends.

Now they're all torn apart because of me...