Intertwined

Was I Too Hard?

Mike had been holding Mara's hand throughout their walk, yet he was closed off. He didn't say anything.

Mara was pretty closed off as well and shaken up a little too and she was still biting her fingernails, lost in thought.

"Was I wrong, Mara?"

"Wrong about what?" She slightly looked over to him.

"Did I overreact when I told Ash off just now?" Mike asked like a little kid.

She shook her head a bit. "I don't think so. You knew they aren't great people, just maybe try to think of it from Ash's perspective"

"I get what he and Eve are trying to say but...Something keeps nagging at me. They didn't just hurt me, they hurt the girl I love as well..." Mike took a second to realize what he said, his face getting all red.

She blushed as well, rubbing his hand a bit with her thumb. "I know, but Ash was just trying to help her be safe"

"Maybe...You really know how to cheer a guy up, Mara. I feel so lucky" He winked teasingly.

She blushed more and smiled at him.

Mara's house started to appear in the distance. Mike sighed.

"I guess...I'll see you tomorrow then"

"Yeah. See ya tomorrow, Mike"

"That's Mikey for you, little Mara"

She smiled and got up onto her tippy toes and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Shorty" He teased her again.

"Oh shush" Mara shoved slightly, laughing.

"You should see Matt. He's the giant between us"

"Yes he is"

"And you're the tiny baby"

"I am noootttt" She insisted playfully.

"Denial is not just a river in Egypt, little Mara" Mike cheekily turned away from her and started leaving while giggling.

She huffed and pouted, turning and walking to her own house.

Mike's cheerfulness died down as he walked in the other direction.

How can I help all my friends when they're all turning against each other?

He walked on home with his head mostly down...

The next day

Matt had to admit, at least to himself, that even though he was used to being an introvert before, he somehow has trouble spending his time alone after making friends.

It's probably because I'm so worried about them...That I just can't ignore my conscience and enjoy some alone time at home.

He looked up and saw the school getting closer. Still, he dreaded the moment he had to tell his friends...

As Matt walked up to the school, Asher and Rose were almost there as well. Rose was teary eyed while walking with Asher, who was looking at the girl with sorrow in his eyes.

Okay, Matt was...puzzled. Asher and he had not been the best of buddies but he had to go up and figure what's going on.

Oh God, please don't tell me that they got themselves into a mess when I left them for half a day.

Matt found the courage to go up to the duo. "Ash?" He started gently, hoping that he didn't come off as mocking like it usually did.

Ash looked over at Matt. "Hm?"

"What's going on....here?" He added the last word hesitatingly as his eyes landed on the sobbing girl in front of him.