Mated to the Rogue *DISCONTINUED*

T W E N T Y - T W O

I had my earphones shoved into my ears, the volume turned up to an almost uncomfortable level. I was lying in my pajamas I hadn't bothered to change out of and stared at the map on my wall, putting an imaginary tack on every location I wanted to visit.

I had stayed home all day today, and the three other days before it, calling Ms. Deby, the office secretary, and informing her that my great-aunt just died and I would be out of town for an indeterminate amount of days. It wasn't really a lie if you replaced "my great-aunt" with "my spirit".

I didn't talk to anyone these past four days, not that there's anyone to really talk to. My parents haven't been home since they sent him away. I don't know where they are, and I don't want to. I have no idea how I'm supposed to face them after they did that.

I heaved a sigh, shifting my body so I was now facing the ceiling. I gazed blankly at it, my face slack and my music so loud it was disabling my thinking, which was the point.

I was startled out of my zombie-like state by someone waving their hand in front of my face, forcing my gaze to it.

I tilted my head back and glared at the annoying boy with the honey colored hair. He just shot me a grin and took a bud out of my ear.

"Hey, Em," greeted Jesse.

"Arg," I grumbled in reply.

He put his hands on his hips. "That's how you treat your favorite person in the world?"

"McDreamy's here?" I asked, swiveling my head to survey my room.

Jesse sighed. "I wish."

He gestured towards the earbud that was still blasting music. "I didn't know you were into screamo now."

"I'm not, but Tyler Joseph's screaming is another story," I said, shrugging, which got me a concerned look from Jesse.

"Dang. You had one fight with Claire and now you're into punk music?" Jesse said, trying to lighten the mood.

I wish that was the whole of my problems, I thought, but I answered with a, "Not punk, alternative. His screaming just kinda relaxes me."

Jesse started at me. "You are not a normal human bean."

I frowned. "I know. I think my farmer harvested me too early."

Jesse snapped his fingers as if coming to a realization. "That's why you're so bitter!"

"It all makes sense now!" I said and slapped my forehead.

We both laughed shortly and I paused my music, sitting up to face him.

"So, why'd you come over?" I questioned.

"Frankly, I was concerned about your survival," he said, glancing around my room.

"Don't worry about that," I said, patting the chips bag on my bed. "I'm all set."

"That's exactly what I was talking about, actually."

I gave him an unimpressed look. "Anything else?"

"Oh, yeah," he said and reached into his backpack. "I brought you your homework."

I wrinkled my nose. "I don't know if I should thank you or kick you out of my house."

"You're welcome," he said, shuffling the papers and leaving them on my desk.

"So what's the real reason you haven't been at school? And don't tell me you're at a funeral."

I gave tight-lipped smile.