I stick my hand into the tub if M&Ms, shoving a bunch of them into my mouth. My tongue must be all kinds of different colours by now, but I don't care.

"If you eat any more of those, you'll have more chocolate in your body than water," Lena chuckles.

"That sounds perfect," I respond. "I would love to be chocolate."

"Would you?"

"It's better than being human."

"Aw, come on," she nudges me with her elbow. "Things aren't that bad. We're sitting in a fort, for Christ's sake!"

"Yeah, well, that's the only thing making me happy right now."

"And me?" she pouts. "And your snacks? And The Lumineers?"

"Okay, okay," I chuckle. "There are some positive things in life."

I've been cooped up in my room for the past two days. It's Monday, so I'm meant to have class, but we have the week off for Thanksgiving. I've barely even thought about it. Lena's tried to make plans with me, but I'm not interested.

I don't want to risk seeing Tyler. Lena keeps assuring me he isn't home, but I'm not going to take the chance. I don't even want to see his things.

Apparently, he hasn't been home since he got out of jail. I'm not sure what I expected. I don't want to see him, but I assumed he'd still be around. I thought I'd still hear him chatting with Owen in the morning, or cooking his meals, or even just the shower running. But it's been quiet. The whole apartment has been quiet.

I've seen Owen a few times, but he's been spending most of his time with Tyler. He's keeping an eye on him, making sure he's okay and doesn't do anything stupid.

It's mostly just been Lena and I. Steph was here last night, but she had to get back to her roommates. It was her idea to build this fort though. She said it would give me a place to hide from the outside world. And by that she meant Tyler.

The fort isn't anything special, but I love it. It's a blanket thrown over mine and Lena's beds as a ceiling, and a bunch of pillows tossed on the floor. The only light is coming from my laptop screen. We've been watching Pretty Little Liars from the pilot onwards.

"Caleb is so attractive," Lena says, scooping up another spoonful of ice cream.

"You think? I like Toby better."

"No way," she scoffs. "Calebs hair is so... luscious."

"Luscious?" I laugh. "It looks gross!"

"You look gross!"

"Hey!"

"Don't insult Caleb!"

"Fine! I'm sorry!" I chuckle. "My god, you really like him, don't you?"

"Do you think our future children will watch this show?" she changes the topic.

"Probably not."

"I mean... we watch shows from our parent's generation, right? Like Golden Girls, The L Word, Friends..."

"The L Word isn't that old. It's like... early 2000s, right?"

"Shit, really?" she scowls. "I never knew that. I thought it was way older."

"Maybe it is. I could be wrong."

"Either way, I hope my kids will watch PLL."

"They'll probably have something similar then, or a remake. Like they did with 90210."

She gasps. "I miss 90210!"

"I had the biggest crush on Dixon!" I laugh.

"Dixon? Fuck no! Liam!"

"Oh my god, yes! He was so hot!"

"I fucking hated Naomi!"

"I was obsessed with Annie!"

"Yes, bitch, same! And Adriana! She was so hot!"

"Yes!" I cheer. "I literally wish I was her!"

"Didn't she leave the series at some point?"

"I don't remember."

"We should watch it."

"Now? Or after PLL?"

"After PLL. I need to see how Hannah and Caleb end up."

"Alright," I laugh. "Let's keep watching."

I lean forward to continue the show, but the sound of Lena's phone stops me. My heart rate instantly picks up.

Please don't be Owen, please don't be Owen, please don't be Owen.

"It's Owen."

Shit.

"Do you want to know what it says?" she asks me. "It's about Tyler."

"What about him?"

I wouldn't be surprised if he got himself arrested again.

I feel so bad. I never wanted any of this to happen. I let Christian get to me, but it never should've happened. I just panicked. But he won't listen to me.

I'm not hurt by what he said outside the police station. It's not like I don't know that I have problems, too. I just wish he'd hear what I'm telling him. I wish he'd forgive me. I wish he'd realise it was a mistake. I wish we could move on from this.

"Owens lost him," Lena says.

"What?" I scowl, confused by her words.

"They were at the Barrel, but Tyler's disappeared."

"What do you mean he's dissappeared?" I exclaim.

"I don't know, that's what the text said!"

"Give it to me."

I read the message over, but it just says exactly what Lena told me. Tylers run off somewhere and Owen can't find him.

"Do you think he'll come home?" I ask, handing Lena's phone back to her.

"I doubt it. He probably just went to a different bar."

I let out a frustrated sigh, sliding further down beneath the blankets. Lena puts her hand on my head and plays with my hair.

"I hate this," I complain.

"I know, girl," she comforts me. "It sucks."

"I just wish I could talk to him."

"You can, you just need to give it time."

"How much? It's been too long already."

"Don't worry. He'll come around."

"I don't know."

"I do," she insists. "If he doesn't, he's a stupid asshole."

"He's a stupid asshole, anyway," I mumble.

"yeah," she laughs. "That's true."

But it's not.

"Do you hear that?" Lana asks.

"What? I don't hear anything."

"Listen."

I sit in silence, tuning into my senses. Af first, I only hear the sound of my heart thumping. But then, I hear voices. The noise rises, until it sounds like there's an entire crowd of people in the kitchen.

"What the heck?" I scowl.

I follow Lena up, carefully climbing out of the fort. As soon as the opens the door, the room is flooded with noise. It's not just some people talking. There's music playing, too.

"Shit," Lena mumbles, sticking her head into the hall.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Tylers here."

My heart skips.

"No."

"Yes."

I push past her, walking into the hallway. The entire living space is crawling with people. I don't recognise any of them, except for Tyler. He's sitting on the couch, taking a hit from a bong. He removes his lighter and inhaled the final cloud of smoke. He leans against the backrest, laughing at something the girl beside him says.

He looks horrible. There's no more blood on his face, but I doubt he's showered since he left jail. His shirt is even more ripped than it was, and the bags under his eyes are almost as blue as his bruises.

His eyes meet mine. He keeps his expression cool, acting as nonchalant as ever. I scowl at him, but he doesn't seem to care.

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I'm so sorry 😭😭 I was going to suggest uploading two chapters at once so you won't have to deal with these cliffhangers anymore, but there are only a few chapters left and I don't want to upload them too quickly. Just bear with me! We're almost at the end!