𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐌𝐄

─ ❝ act xxv ❞

⎡ act xxv - dejection ⎦

┊❝ He's always been... distant ❞┊

── "WAIT, what?" Kira exclaimed in disappointment that next morning when (Y/N) met up with her and the rest of the group, Alina beside her looking just as sad. "Your dad... said you couldn't go? And you even bought that pretty dress and everything..."

"Yeah..." (Y/N) muttered softly as her eyes lidded, starting at the floor since she wasn't sure if she could handle the disappointment in their eyes, Shariah and Sawyer exchanging a look at her meek demeanor. "He... I don't know, he just assumes the worst in these kinds of situations. It's mainly because of... personal reasons." Shifting uncomfortably, she then continued in an even softer tone, "I'm sorry, guys. I really did want to come."

"You don't need to feel sorry," Alina reassured her with a soft smile. "There's nothing you could've done since your dad said no."

"Still..." Kira sighed. "You're eighteen, right?"

"Even if I'm eighteen, I still live in the house my father pays for, along with the food, clothes, and school tuition I use," (Y/N) gave her a sad smile. "I can't necessarily disobey him since he very well could just kick me out without a moment's notice. He's just... cautious." Her smile faded as she continued, "But, he's always been... distant. So, I don't really understand."

"Don't worry about it," Sawyer settled his hand lightly on her shoulder in a comforting manner. "We'll find another way to celebrate."

(Y/N) smiled softly.

I feel like Sawyer always knows what to say to make me feel better.

It's... nice.

"Damn," Shariah sighed as she slung an arm around Alina's shoulder, something she had to strain to do since her girlfriend was quite a bit taller than her. "I was really hyped thinking we could all hang out together to celebrate the twins' birthday at this party. It sucks that you can't go, (Y/N). Is there something else we can plan to celebrate like Sawyer suggested that your father will approve of?"

"I'm not sure," (Y/N) shrugged. "It all depends on time, place, and the people there."

As the four continued speaking, Kira crossed her arms over her chest with a small frown, her eyes closed as her brow ticked with mounting irritation. Finally, she let out a loud grunt of frustration that immediately silenced all conversation and made all eyes turn towards her.

"I can't accept this," she announced with determination. "(Y/N), we'll just have to sneak you out no matter what your dad says!"

(Y/N) blinked at Kira in utter confusion.

Kira's smile merely broadened.

Wait...

She's serious?

"Here we go again," Alina rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I... I don't know about that..." (Y/N) trailed off nervously as she awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck, already able to picture her father's rather intimidating, silent anger—and she hadn't even gone through with the deed. "I just... don't want to set my father off anymore."

"I know, I know... but I think you need this," Kira proclaimed as she grabbed both of (Y/N)'s shoulders to peer deep into her eyes. "You do."

She blinked again.

"Don't pressure her into this," Alina smacked her twin across the head before locking fingers with Shariah. "And anyways, we need to get to class now. Break is over, so if you don't want to be late, we should get going now."

"Ugh, fine," Kira whined before turning back to (Y/N). "Just think about it, (Y/N), 'kay?"

"O... kay..." (Y/N) laughed weakly.

I don't know if me sneaking out will work...

Letting out another sigh, she jumped when feeling a hand on her shoulder, the person behind her obviously trying to get her attention. Turning to face Sawyer with a small, sheepish smile, she felt the tips of her ears burn when he merely chuckled at her cautious nature before gesturing with his head down the hall towards the art room. Graciously following him, glad that he didn't tease her for her reactions, she gave short responses to his chatter as they entered the art room and sat down in their designated seats.

Going through the rest of her day, thankful when being able to avoid Ian or Dylan, (Y/N) was finally relieved when able to collapse onto her bed, drained from the tumultuous day she had.

She groaned when her phone pinged.

_________________

Text Message
Today 3:47 PM

Dylan: hey

_________________

In an instant, she shot upwards, chills crawling down her arms from how nonchalantly he was able to test her when not even twenty four hours ago he had been threatening not just her, but her friends as well. Gritting her teeth, she made the easy decision of ignoring his message. Unfortunately, such tactics didn't work when he could very well just message her incessantly without the fear of being blocked by her due to his said threats.

_________________

Text Message
Today 3:48 PM

Dylan: don't ignore me

Dylan: (y/n), I said not to fucking ignore me, so pick up the damn phone

Text Message
Today 3:50 PM

Dylan: I know you're there

Dylan: I know you're reading my texts

Text Message
Today 3:51 PM

Dylan: you can't ignore me forever

Dylan: I'll make sure of that

_________________

(Y/N) shuddered.

What the hell...?

Why is he texting me like this?

_________________

Text Message
Today 3:53 PM

Ian: I read Dylan's messages to you over his shoulder

Ian: he sounds pathetically desperate

Ian: you might as well answer him since he'll keep doing that all night... and it would be best if you didn't ignore me, either

_________________

Placing her phone on silent, (Y/N) plugged the device in on her nightstand before sitting down at her desk to begin her homework, not realizing just how obsessively the two boys who were texting her were staring at their phones. The only class they had that day with her was chemistry, and somehow, that was the only time they had been able to see her.

The way she so blatantly disregarded them was maddening in and of itself.

They did very well hiding it.

But then again, nothing can be hidden forever.

Especially when they were spiraling into a twisted web so deep and so ensnaring that even they weren't sure they wanted to be free from it.

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To be continued...