NAOMI'S POV:

I tried to keep a reasonable distance as I secretly followed Jess and Mr. Patry to his office. Her intake shouldn't be very long considering she was here only a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe her parents brought her home to help move into a new home without even giving her a chance to get acclimated.

I can only imagine how she's feeling right now. Aside from Jasper, she was the only true friend I had here so I'll admit my heart sped up as I saw her walk through those doors. . .I just hate that it's under these circumstances.

"Naomi, wait." I heard Mr. Davis yell from across the hall. He descended the staircase and behind him was the other girl from this morning. "I've been looking for you."

He approached but the girl waited at the end of the staircase, standing there awkwardly as if she were lost.

"Sorry, I've been. . ." I pointed behind me but didn't want to disclose that I was following them. "waiting for Jess. I feel so bad for her."

Sighing through his nostrils, he nodded his head. "Just try to not crowd her too much. She's going through a lot of emotions right now and coming back here is a shock for her."

"Yeah I know. . .."

A million thoughts went through my head when she walked through the doors. It was almost like I felt the wave of abandonment hit me all over again, I could see that same pain inside of her. . .that sense of betrayal from someone she trusted.

"So you were looking for me?" I interrupted my thoughts before my mind went to a dark place.

"This is Kelly," he motioned her forward and she obliged. "she was here a couple of years ago but since some things have changed, I was hoping you could show her around."

I gave her a small smile of reassurance before voicing my concern.

"You want me to do that?" I asked shocked. "Aren't there better students for that? Like we have RA's for it."

"I think you're the best one for it. Afterall, you don't get in nearly as much trouble as some of the other students."

"Really?" I'm calling his bluff. "Doesn't seem like it."

He rolled his eyes, no doubt thinking I was being dramatic. "Will you do it?"

"Sure, I can do it. What's her room number?"

"301. I've already taken her there."

Nodding, "You have Jess' old room," I smiled at her before turning back to Mr. Davis: "which means she needs to be relocated."

Placing his hands on his hips, he inhaled sharply. "I'm aware."

"Who is Jess?" She spoke.

Without hesitation, I spoke for Mr. Davis. "The girl you arrived with. She's in Mr. Patry's office now for her intake."

Awkwardly excusing himself, Mr. Davis interjected with a simple "I'll leave you to it."

Clutching her bag tighter against her, she avoided eye contact by scanning the hallway. "This place hasn't changed a bit."

"Not even in the slightest since I've been here."

I glanced back at Mr. Patry's door, trying to hear some of the conversation but it doesn't seem like it will come to an end anytime soon.

"Well, let's go back to your room and talk." I turned to the left and motioned toward the staircase from which she entered. "I guess I can give you some tips, but stop me if anything I say is repetitive."

"I will." She turned to the side and let me take the lead. "So, Mr. Davis seems to like you." She pried, narrowing her eyes at me to observe my reaction. "I was a favorite of the Administrators before, but then it went wayward."

I gave a slight agreeable gesture, mostly because I've become extremely reticent. The last thing I wanted was to go witness another act of astonishment from a student after revealing my particular situation. It's bad enough the current student body knows, and nearly everyone at school. It's amazing how fast bad news can travel; how nobody's business can quickly become everyone's business. Twitter has nothing on Braxton Academy.

Trying to break the silence, she continued. "How long have you been here?"

"It's been a while." I responded politely, but inside I was desperate to change the subject. "It helps that school started and we get a break from these walls."

"Well how long is a while? When I was here last time, I was here for almost half a year."

"Um. . .." I quickened my pace, trying to climb so maybe I'd be out of breath or someone would walk by and interrupt.

"Like I said, I was the favorite at one point. But the nearer you are to your stay, the harder they'll be on you. 'Cause they know you're leaving. . .."

Abruptly, I stopped to face her.

"I've been here longer than half a year and I'm never leaving." I interjected, my voice noticeably breaking at the end.

She took a step back, literally as she stepped back down to the previous stair. I shut my eyes and adverted her look of both confusion and sympathy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap. . .it's just not an easy thing to talk about."

Shaking her head, she stepped toward me as she shot me a lowly smile. "I totally get it. I'm sorry I asked."

"It's fine, it's not your fault. It's a really common question to ask." I continued up the stairs, motioning for her to follow, as I tried to shake off my discomfort.

What a wonderful first impression I've just made. Another student bearing witness to the insanity that has encompassed me. Not surprisingly, we finished our long walk to the corridor in silence, even after we reached her room.

Opening the door for her, I stepped to the side and pressed my back against the wooden frame, allowing her to enter.

"I'm sure you already know this but, you know, it's nothing special but you can make it your own."

"Yeah well, I don't want to get too comfortable. I don't intend on staying."

"Oh."

Sometimes I forget not every student wants to customize their rooms because they detest the idea of making this a home.

"Well," I continued. "are you only here for a couple of months? Like first term or?"

She nodded. "Something like that."

Something like that? What does that even mean?

"Okay then. So I'm literally right down the hall," I motioned to my left. "in 308, it's the last door on the right."

Nodding, she stood in the middle of the room and took a deep breath, inhaling the cold air.

"If you have any questions, just let me. . .."

Before I could finish, I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. Turning to my left, I embraced Jasper's sudden appearance.

"Hey, I thought I heard you." He smiled down at me.

Smiling back, I ignored the fact that Kelly was witnessing all of this. "Hey what're you doing up here?"

"Mr. Patry asked me to help Jess move some stuff into her room."

Nodding, I started thinking of how I could possibly make things better for Jess.

"I better get going before someone sees me. I'll talk to you later." He brushed the back of his hand against my arm before turning to leave.

"Wow." Kelly said thoughtlessly.

Confused, I narrowed my eyes.

"He's really cute. Are you two. .?"

Turning my head, I was torn between asserting that he was mine but also hesitant to disclose our relationship.

Automatically, I recalled Mr. Davis' voice. "The Administrators do not condone students having relations."

"That's not what I asked." She smiles vindictively. "But hey, if he's not yours I'll gladly step in."

Raising my voice, I felt my heart beating rapidly. "Don't even think about it."

"Excuse me?" She asked, taking a step forward. "If he's not yours, what's the problem?"

Mr. Davis told me to keep it to ourselves. Disclosing the relationship would only cause issues for them and for us.

"I'm sure you'll find out that I always get what I want." She continued. "And if we're going to have any issues, just know that you won't succeed."

"I'd be careful in making enemies Kelly." I took a step forward to match her energy. "I'm going to be here indefinitely, I don't have much to lose."

"Is that a threat?" She asked under her breath.

Before turning to walk away, I left her with a clear answer. "Absolutely."