Dreadful Monday, I said goodbye to my parents as I get in Kate's car.

Kate kept glancing my way while driving us to school. I look out the window and kept my gaze on the road " Do you want to skip school today? " Kate's voice broke through my thoughts.

"No Kate. We should go to school, education is important" I smile at her, and Kate smiles with a roll of her eyes " Ok, grandma. "

I look out the window at the pass-by cars. I wonder what they do for a living and if they're happy. 

"Look, I know your family is going through some stuff right now." 

I turn to my friend cautiously. 

"I know you haven't been home; you have been at the Godson's."

My heart sinks into the leather of her seat. 

"I stopped by a couple of times to see you at your house and your parents kept giving me excuses that I know weren't true. Your mom sat down with me one day and told me you're working for the Godson."

Kate glances at me 

"Your mom didn't tell me much else."

She looks at my tense arms on my lap. 

 "But as your best friend, you can rely on me a bit more. I'm always here to listen, Elena."

She touches my hand over my lap, my tense arms relax slightly at her warm touch. 

I squeeze her hand in reassurance "Thank you, Kate." 

She turns and smiles at me. When I say nothing else, she adds "How was your stay at your own home?"

"It was great." My mind reverts to my brother from last night. 

He was hiding something. Whoever is in that black SUV can't be good news. 

We pull up into the school parking lot, Kate finds her usual parking spot, I gather all my things ready for the day. 

We get out of the car, Kate waves her hand happily at someone behind me " Morning, Mr. Mattigon!" She yells and winks at me.

I look around the parking lot nervously for that familiar dark figure, I haven't seen him since that day. 

I turn to Mr.Mattigon with a polite "Good morning" and that's when I see him.

A few yards away, leaning against his car talking to his friends. A blonde girl stands close to his side she's laughing at something someone said, she leans in and lays her head on his bicep briefly before raising her head back and saying something to someone. 

As if sensing my stare, his eyes found mine. 

I quickly look away and found Mr.Mattigon still looking at me, he turns to look behind him when I quickly said "What's the agenda for today Mr.Mattigon? Any surprise quizzes?" 

He stops mid-turn before looking at me with a smile "No, no quizzes today. It'll be a fun day today."

"Ooh look at the time! I gotta run, see you both later." Kate said suddenly.

I know what she's doing, I narrow my eyes at her. The sad thing is she thinks she's helping me, but she's making it worse. 

I clench her arm before she can make her escape, through grit teeth and a smile still plastered on my face "Let's go together, Kate. You and I need to do something before class, remember?" I said to my best friend.

She looks at me with confusion before something registers in her eyes "Oh yeah, that's right. How could I forget, silly me." 

"Mr.Mattigon, I'll see you in class later." I smile my goodbye.

Mr.Mattigon still looking at me, I shift on my feet "Of course, I'll see you in class Elena. Kate, have a nice rest of your day." 

With that, he left, and I let out a heavy sigh. But the relief only lasts for a second. 

Mr.Mattigon reaches the school entrance, hand on the handle, he didn't twist it open. He turns to where Griffin stands.

Still in the same spot as his friends. Chin up, he looks down at Mr.Mattigon with a smirk on his face. 

 The door close with a hard slam. Mr.Mattigon disappears inside the building.

"Hey is everything ok?" Kate asks with concern.

"Yes, I just have a lot going on right now and I don't want to be involved in anything else at the moment."

My best friend wraps her arms around me in comfort "I understand. Let's get to class."

"Let's." 

We walk into the building arms in arms, I don't look back. He can go screw himself. 

Thankfully, the rest of the day went smoothly despite the rocky beginning. Kate and I had our lunch in the school's yard instead of inside the cafeteria. It was a good decision. Outside was nice weather, we chit chat and laugh on a picnic table under a nice, shaded tree with the winds on our backs. 

We talked about everything and nothing. Laughter always fills the air when it comes to me and her. 

We have been friends since preschool, we clicked and get along right away. There had been no hesitations between the two of us. 

By the time Kate drop me off at the Godson's the sun had set, and the sky darkens.

We pull up to the massive gate, it opens before I hit the intercom button. 

"Wow how rich are these people" Kate whistled as she drives forward.

I say nothing back. The massive home looms ahead of us. 

The beautiful blood-red rose vines the white brick wall, balconies adorn the second floor of the house. 

Beautiful high arch windows extend from the bottom to the top floor, and sheer white lace curtain drapes to the side allowing natural sunlight into the house rendering those speechless with its heart-stopping view. 

The front entrance could accommodate a family of giraffes. 

The car comes to a stop. 

"Wow," Kate said breathlessly. 

I unbuckle my seatbelt.

"You are living here in this house with them?" She said in amazement. 

She turns to me when I said nothing "Hey" her voice quiet when she sees the look on my face, she reaches out and squeezes my hand. 

"Want me to drive us out of here?" She asks quietly. 

Yes. 

"No. I'm just nervous because I'm still not used to being here yet. But I'll get over it soon." I try to smile at her reassuring her. 

She says nothing but keeps looking at me. 

"I'll come to pick you up same time for school tomorrow?" She finally said. 

I nod and thank her before closing the car's door. 

I watch my best friend drive away with knots in my chest. 

I turn around and was greeted by Lisa at the entrance way "Hi, Lisa. I was wondering if I could talk to you?"

Lisa smiled "Of course, sweetheart. It's good to see you back."

I trail behind her nervously as she leads me to a different room. 

I practice what I want to say to her in my head, so I don't sound crazy. 

A door opens, and I look back up. She's holding the door open with a smile; I swallow my nerve and walk through the threshold. 

My back stiffens.

Both hands were in his pocket leaning against the wall.

"Could you leave us, Lisa? I like a word with Elena." Griffin speaks to Lisa. 

"Yes, of course." Lisa response

"What?! No. I need to talk to Lisa." I interject.

"You can talk to her later. I need to talk to you first." He said in his cold voice.

I look at Lisa for backup, and she gives me an apologetic smile before closing the door behind her. 

I turn back to him. The room grew quiet tension in the air. 

"I have nothing to say to you." I let my anger carries in my voice. 

He assesses me with cool eyes as if nothing in this world could bother him. 

"I know." He said. 

He pushes himself off the wall and walks closer. I step back. 

"I'm not going to do anything to you, relax." He came to sit on the edge of the table hands still in his pocket. Leaving enough space between us. 

"What happened in the car that day. I apologize, I lost my cool and I shouldn't have done what I did." 

My fist clenched at my sides "Do you think a measly apology would cut it? Do you think you can just do whatever you want just because you can and apologize later then that's it? Then what, are we friends now? Do we sit around for tea and share each other secrets?" 

This time I take one step forward. 

"Fuck you and your apology, Griffin. I don't want your fucking apology. What I do want is for you to stay the fuck away from me. When I'm done with this so-called debt, I'm gone. I'll be so far away we won't even breathe the same air." My words slice the thick air.

Silence hits the room. He says nothing as he looks at me. 

He slowly gets up from the table his presence like a dark shadow engulfing the room. Does he think he can intimidate me? I'm not his fucking doormat. 

He steps closer, echo steps in the silent room. He stops when his chest inches from mine, a foot taller he looks down his nose at me. Chin up, I give it right back to him. 

"I did try. Don't blame me down the road that I didn't, Elena. This is me playing nice." 

He leans down face hovering over mine. 

"You want a fucking war?" His eyes slide over my body.

 "You think you're big enough to take me on?" His cool breath on my face

"You'll be on your knees begging for mercy by the time I'm done with you," I said, menace in my voice.

He leans to the side of my face and whisper "This is exciting."

Goosebumps fan my spine. 

Cold smile on my face I turn to him "That's fucking sad, Griffin. Not getting enough love from your parents?"

His face drops then a dark look overtakes his feature "It doesn't fucking matter. I'll be getting it from you." 

I lift my hand in anger but before it lands on his face, he grabs it and pulls me roughly to him. "Fuck you!" I yell in his face.

"Not yet." A smile creeps up his face

Before I get a word out, a knock at the door. "Your father is here, Griffin. He wants to speak with both of you." Lisa's voice carries over the closed door.

I push roughly against his chest he lets go with a smile. 

"I guess it's time." He said.