penny.

8; Answers

The next day at school I felt like crap. No, scratch that, I felt like someone had ripped my heart out of my chest and stepped on it with nails attached to the bottom of their shoes. So actually, I felt great.

The boys had kept me company for a few hours and Eli ended up carrying me back into my own bed at three in the morning, but they hadn't left me alone since. Today I had training again with Kaydence but I today was going to be different, I was telling Kaydence my answer to fighting in The Pit. I hadn't told anyone about it but I knew my name would be plastered across flyers around the compound and all around Ridgecrest, too. Jay would be pissed since I didn't tell him but hey, he was sleeping with Mari for three months so we can call it even. I didn't even know how the guys would react and I wasn't willing to find out anytime soon, they really didn't need to know.

"You know you could always try to look good in public," Ava sneered at me when I sat down at lunch. The guys weren't here yet so I had to deal with the pleasantness that came with the bimbo in front of me. I had absolutely no motivation to dress even remotely cute so I was sitting here in a pair of plain grey leggings and an oversized sweatshirt from my old dance team in Ridgecrest.

"You know you could always try to not be a bitch but we all know that would be too hard for you," I smiled innocently at her. She gave me a glare but backed off as soon as Eli sat next to her.

"What are you girls talkin' about?" Owen asks when he plops down next to me, his own box of pizza on the table in front of him.

"Just how gorgeous you are obviously," I batted my eyelashes at him, "Are you gonna eat that entire thing?"

"I'm a growing boy," He shoved half a slice in his mouth before smiling at me widely, disgusting.

"You doin' okay?" Jace said lowly from across the table. He locked his eyes with mine and the hazel flecks reminded me of Jay all over again.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." I nodded anyways even though I think I felt my heart break for the millionth time in the past twelve hours. Eli and Ava were engaged in what looked like an intense conversation, well, Ava was babbling on about how her morning went and Eli was trying his best to pay attention to her. I don't know why he even tries with her, she basically crawled out of hell and all she's going to do is drag him right back down with her.

"So, when can I meet your mom?" Owen asked before picking up his second slice of cheesy goodness.

"Uh, I don't live with her so never." I laughed awkwardly and spared a glance at Eli who was now looking at me with knowing eyes. I wasn't ready to tell anyone else about my mom leaving, telling Eli was enough for me.

"Oh, so who do you live with?" They knew about Papa's death from eavesdropping on my screaming match with Jay, but the details were vague to them and I doubt they would figure out his death anytime soon.

"My Tia,Aunt, I mean." They probably had no idea what that even meant before I corrected myself.

"Ohh, so when can I meet her?" He winks at me with a mouthful of pepperoni.

"She's not home too much so probably not for awhile." He frowned but it was just the truth. I didn't ask about her schedule and she didn't bother asking about mine because we both knew I wouldn't tell her everything I was doing, especially when it revolves around the gang.

"Why do you want to meet my family anyways?"

"Well obviously I need to profess my love for you and get their blessing to take your hand in marriage, did I not hint at that enough?" He faked a confused face and I elbowed him in the side, idiot.