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This chapter is unable to be edited due to a wattpad glitch so I am sorry for the spelling errors. If you're also getting an empty chapter because of a wattpad glitch I'm sorry but I'll have to sort it out tomorrow because I'm going out.

You also can't vote if you're here early because of a wattpad glitch

And I can't see comments till tomorrow because of a wattpad glitch so sorry about that too

Anyway, enjoy! ..sigh.

"You're going to have to flag down a black taxi." I said to Aaron eventually as he just nervously looked out into the busy road.

"...You can do that in this country? Why don't you do it? You like people right?"

"What? First of all, no way. And secondly...I really can't talk to people right now..." I explained nervously, crossing my arms in discomfort.

"What am I then, a Llama?"

"Well, I know you don't hate me..."

"Why is a cab driver going to hate you?"

"...You never know..."

"What? We can't both have social anxiety damnit, we'll never get anything done." He complained, but I just side stepped until I was standing behind him.

"We could walk, I mean, we'd get back by tomorrow at least."

He just turned his head and stared at me for a bit, before sighing. "... Just this once." He said before stepping forwards and at least attempting to seem like he wanted the taxi driver's attention.

"Okay, we're walking." He chickened out after a few moments and I giggled before slapping my hand over my mouth. "What was that?" He chuckled.

"I don't know, it was hideous."

"It was the most adorable laugh I've ever heard."

"It was an unintended impersonation of a teenage girl."

"Your whole existence is an unintended impersonation of a teenage girl." He commented.

"Um, excuse me?... True."

"Oh hey, it worked." He said as a taxi pulled up and I made a face before taking a step back.

"Ah ah, no backing out come on." He grabbed my hoodie and dragged me behind him into the car.

I bit my lip and ignored the driver's existence while Aaron talked to them.

"You're acting like you're about to be murdered." He pointed out quietly once he'd finished and I sighed.

"... Do you know what happened with...the court?" I asked and he unlocked his phone.

"Apparently nothing is going to happen. The judge adjourned the court again, but you're eighteen tomorrow so he just said the verdict was... nothing. Nothing is going to change. And he also ranted a bit about how people waste their money and his time according to Chance." He explained and I sighed in relief.

"We won." He smiled and I gave him a half assed smile in response. A bit too bittersweet of a feeling. "... It's your birthday tomorrow." He added on, frowning and I smiled.

"I don't celebrate my birthday." I stated and he frowned at me again.

"You should, you're eighteen, it has to be good. I remember my eighteenth..."

"Well that's bloody good, it was only a year ago." I smirked and he rolled his eyes.

"It was two years ago actually, my twentieth is only in just over a month."

"Oh, cute." I said and he nudged me.

"Stop calling me cute, I'm two years older than you."

"Aww, are you insecure?" I teased and he nodded.

"Undeniably and to a concerning extent, yes." He huffed and I pouted at him, putting my head on his shoulder.

"Why?"

"Why are you insecure?"

"...I'm not..."

"You thought a random stranger was going to hate you." He stated.

"That's not the same thing as disliking being called cute." I chuckled and he rolled his eyes.

"That's not what I meant. Everyone's insecure about different things."

"Ok, I get it. What's wrong with being cute though? You can be both masculine and cute at the same time. It makes you unique." I smiled at him and he blushed.

"You're making me blush." He stated and I laughed.

"You always blush at everything, which is cute." I exclaimed and he managed to become even redder.

"I blush easily okay, emotions are hard to conceal." He defended and I tilted my head.

"That's a blessing in disguise really."

"How so?"

"You can't lie or hide anything from anyone, which sucks for you in the moment. But in the end, it makes your life much easier, filled with less misunderstandings and regret." I explained, and he smiled at me.

"You're cute." He commented and I gave him a look.

"I know." I eventually replied with a teasing smile and he chuckled.

"Everyone's back at the manor at the moment... including... there's a lot of shouting apparently." He explained as he read his phone, and I sighed.

"I don't think I can go anymore." I worried, hugging his arm and burying my head between it and the back of the seat.

"You don't have to, but it'll be better if you do."

"What else can I do?" I asked, unsure if he could hear my muffled voice.

"Stay at a hotel for a few days."

"That sounds tempting...wait,-" I stopped myself and sighed.

"I'd stay with you." He offered and I smiled.

"I want to... But. I need to sort things out with Charlie." I sighed in frustration and moved my head so I was looking out of the front of the car.

"Well, I'll be right beside you, if you need me to." He reassured me quietly and I sighed.

"I want to not be pathetic, but...I think I do." I gripped his arm tighter and frowned.

The idea of being alone right now scares the shit out of me...what's wrong with me....

I grew up on my own, what happened?

"You're not pathetic. I would never survive on my own, I'm not brave like you." He smiled and I rolled my eyes at his parent-like comforting.

I sighed and stared out of the window, still leaning on his arm. He leaned the side of his cheek against the top of my head, and I bit my lip to hide my small smile.

-

"Riley you need to get out of the driveway eventually." Aaron warned when I just stood outside of the gates.

I could see activity at the front of the house, a car was running with its boot door open, and there were various people walking around.

"I can't..." I tried to step back but he grabbed my arm.

"You seemed determined a few minutes ago, what happened? You can do this, I promise." He encouraged and I gave him a look.

"You're not speaking to a child Aaron, you don't need to talk like that."

"Well I speak to children the same way I speak to adults. Treating them equally encourages them to develop more empathy and less superiority issues when they are older." He stated and I raised a brow at him.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You're deviating." He complained and I snorted.

"Whoah, big fancy word."

"We can wait until it has settled down if you want. But I don't want you getting too cold." He suggested and I sighed.

"I'm fine."

"No you're not... you're shaking."

"That's not why I'm shaking." I stated, frowning at the manor and he sighed.

"You know all of the people here, you don't have to be scared of them."

"I'm not scared of them. It's just...I feel...I feel like something really bad will happen if I go over there." I explained honestly.

"Yeah, I understand, it's called social anxiety." He stated and I shook my head.

"I don't have anxiety."

"You're anxious, it makes sense, you don't have to go over there yet."

"No I'm being pathetic."

"Don't say that, you can't control how you feel."

"They hate me."

"They don't, I promise. It's just your anxiety talking, irrational thought."

"I don't have anxiety!" I huffed. "Although I'm feeling very irrational."

He smiled at me and let my arm go, standing there patiently.

"I'll wait till you're ready."

"I don't feel like I'm going to be ready."

"You need to remind yourself that no one will harm you here, even the ones that have bad intentions, I won't let them get to you." He tried to comfort me but I just shook my head, feeling a pressure build up in my throat.

"I... I can't. I don't know what's wrong with me." I started pathetically crying again and he pulled me into a hug.

"It's fine, it's perfectly fine to feel this way after something like this. I used to get it this bad too."

"But I have never felt this way before, I don't understand. I don't have anxiety." I complained as I tried to stop myself from sobbing.

"Well, maybe now you do." He sighed and hugged me tightly. "Or maybe you always have, you just hid it so well, that even you didn't know you had it."

I frowned and sighed, biting my lip and trying to get control over myself.

"I just want to sleep for a few years." I sighed and pulled away. He smiled before placing his hands on my shoulders and looking me in the eyes.

"You don't owe it to them to talk to them, or push yourself. I can go talk to Charlie if you want, you don't even have to go inside." He suggested and I huffed.

"What sort of friend would I be to Erin if I did that?"

"Okay, I never got to know Erin, so I'm not a true judge, but he can't be such an amazing god of a person that he deserves a friend who will go through hell for him, lose all his family and mentally scar himself forever AND then have to see it through to every detail, you don't have to be the one that sorts this out, you've done enough for him...and you also only knew him for a really short time so..." He said and I frowned.

"It's pathetic, but it's not like I know what you're supposed to do when you have a friend, I only have my instincts to go on." I admitted and he shifted his gaze to the floor.

"...Most people wouldn't even do that for their lover, let alone their friend... you've got some interesting instincts, that's for sure."

"Hmm, and what would you know about what people in love would do?" I teased with a chuckle and he rolled his eyes.

"Have you ever been in love?" He retorted and I paused.

"...You know, I thought I was before, with my ex. But since then I felt something much stronger, and I've realised I don't really know what love is, and maybe the feelings I have for people will be stronger each time, until I find the person I will truly love...it makes me scared actually, it must be a very strong feeling." I admitted for some reason, probably procrastinating from going inside, and he smirked.

"And the worse part, is that love tends to sneak up on you doesn't it, so you can't prepare yourself." He said with an amused smile and I chuckled.

"Okay Mr.A-Demi whatever, you'd really know about that wouldn't you."

"Yeah 80% of my dialogue is quoting books and TV shows." He smiled and I raised a brow.

"You been watching chick flicks or something?" I laughed and he gave me a look.

"No... You're deviating again" he frowned and I shook my head as I laughed at him. "Well I'm glad you're feeling better, are you ready?" He asked and I sighed.

"Not in the slightest, in fact I feel kind of faint." I worried and he frowned. I just smirked and then leaned forwards, resting my forehead against his.

He chuckled slightly as I closed my eyes and tried to control my breathing. "Is this gunna be our thing now? High forehead instead of high five?" He commented and I snorted.

"I don't think I'd ever find a situation to give you a high five." I retorted.

"Good point."

"I need to do this." I said after a few moments of silence, moving back and looking him in the eyes with determination. He nodded at me and smiled warmly. "...Just...catch me if I fall okay." I added and he snickered.

I took a few determined steps towards the house before feeling a flush of anxiety again. My heartrate started to go up and I gulped nervously.

I jumped when Aaron suddenly placed his and on my shoulder. "How about, we play a game?" He asked as we walked and I gave him a confused look.

"Um, is that appropriate?"

"Just trust me, what about, telling me about your favourite subject?" He persisted and I smiled at him.

"Um, you've asked this before, I don't really have one...And also this sounds like a boring-ass game."

"Why not? Surely you have something you enjoy more than others. Do you like biology, animals and stuff?"

"Sure that part of biology. But the other subjects within it like humans and diseases, not so interesting."

"English?"

"Uh, sure..."

"Surely there was something you did when you were younger. I mean...your room has drawings all over it..."

"Those abominations? Yeah I'm not a future Picasso if that's what you're thinking."

"But you like to create. Surely you've done creative things?"

"Actually, yeah. I used to create book cover designs and do things with this pirated version of Photoshop." I smirked. "Spent too much time on my 10 year old shitty laptop in an internet café during that phase. Ugh, I learned that nothing is more frustrating than a slow computer."

"Graphic design?"

"What?"

"Are you serious? That's what it's called, why don't you take the subject at school?"

"Uh...it was just a pass time. Besides my mother enrolled me into my classes, the ones that were easiest for her to pretend she taught me." I explained and he sighed.

"She really didn't give you an education..." He commented and I frowned.

"No, she didn't. I did. I taught myself online, an online school. Sadly, I don't recall it having graphic design.  Besides, that's the last thing on my mind." I huffed and he frowned.

"I think you'd like environmental... studies." He smiled and I gave him a look.

"You mean environmental sciences? You just avoided using the word science didn't you. Thanks." I chuckled and he opened his mouth to defend himself.

"...Y...yeah." he admitted and I laughed. "I mean it's called both."

"I know what to get you for your birthday now." He smiled and I frowned.

"What, like a present?" I questioned and he frowned.

"Yeah, they are kind of a thing for birthdays." He stated and I bit my lip.

"That wouldn't feel right..."

"Yeah you're getting it anyway."

"...What then?"

"A fast computer with Photoshop on it, obviously." He explained and I chuckled.

"'A fast computer'? Sounds like you don't really know what that is."

"And you do?"

"I spent a considerable time of my life working an illegally full time job in a computer shop, I should hope so."

"Another subject you should have enrolled in! And why did you have a full time job?"

"I had to feed myself some way." I said and he glared.

"I'm starting to hate that so called mother of yours." He growled and I blinked at him.

"Okayyy, calm the sudden hostility attack. I happen to value my experiences of looking out for myself. It makes me independent...at least, it did..." I sighed, thinking about how much I've relied on people recently.

"Hey, first of all, you're seventeen still, you're allowed to be dependent and rely on people. Besides, even thirty year olds still have people they rely on, people they deserve to be there for them. You can't feel bad about that, we're a social species, we need relationships. Even elusive introverts like ourselves." He raised his brows for dramatic effect making me smirk.

"Ok..."

He smiled at me before shifting his gaze to infront of us. "Hey Alex."

"Hey, damn you look like shit Riley." Was Alex's first words as I glanced in his direction, I was confused for a moment as I realised we'd already walked all the way to the front of the house.

"I feel like shit." I replied, not quite managing a smile at his trademark obnoxious comments.

He gave me a small twitchy nervous smile before walking away with haste.

"Damn, did I scare him away?"

"You look like someone just died to be honest." Aaron admitted and I smiled. I was not doubting that, my eyes were sore from crying, and my cheeks were still wet. Not to mention the fact I already had bags under my eyes this morning, and the overall pale look I was sporting.

Speaking of which, I really should have eaten something...

I was snapped out of my thoughts by Aaron's sharp sigh. "Great, looks like something vile is headed this way."

In the seconds it took to follow his eyes Matias had already reached us, storming over while been pulled back by a small lady to no avail.

"U-um, Aaron.." I worried while trying to take a few steps back.

"It's fine." He reassured seriously, glaring ahead with crossed arms.

"You little fucking shi-" He didn't get to finish his threatening growl, because his hair was grabbed and pulled down until his face collided with Aaron's lifted knee.

My jaw dropped as I watched him stumble back in shock and Aaron returned to standing beside me.

"What the fuck?!"
"What the hell is going on here?!" Chester growled as he stormed over and Matias lightly dabbed his nose as it started to bleed.

"Approach him again and you'll get a lot worse than that." Aaron threatened as Chester grabbed Matias and harshly pulled him backwards.

He just narrowed his eyes and glared as him as his face began to become smeared in blood. I bit my lip trying to hide my amused smile, but I began shaking again just from seeing him.

I became more than slightly nervous when I realised nearly everyone had now gathered outside, some observing and some shouting and arguing with Matias and the people accompanying him.

Okay, calm down...

I felt my hands become sweaty as the argument seemed to get louder and more chaotic.

"...And Riley, where did you even go?" Someone saying my name caught my attention and I looked up to see Chance glaring at me with Luca and Zac standing next to him with equally accusing looks.

I took a step away from them and glared at Luca, who had a largish red mark on his cheek. The air seemed to have become thin and hard to breathe, and my legs began to feel weak from shaking so much.

"Are you going to say anything?" Luca demanded and I could only manage a shake of my head.

"Just leave him alone, you're stressing him out." Aaron growled and they started arguing between themselves as I tried to catch my breath.

Okay so...I think I'm going to faint.

I put my hand against my head and cringed as I began to feel nauseous and dizzy.

"Um, Aaron." I called quietly and grabbed the sleeve of his jacket to keep myself upright.

He turned to face me, relaxing his features as he noticed my current state.

"I think we should go inside." He suggested quietly as I hyperventilated, taking short useless breaths and panicking slightly.

I shook my head trying to tell him I didn't think I could walk before my knees seemed to give way. He reached out quickly and grabbed my arm, stopping me from impacting harshly with the ground.

I just winced and held my head, the world was spinning as he gently let me sit down on the gravel.

"Riley, you need to breathe." He said calmly as he looked me in the eyes, kneeling next to me.

"Sorry, I-I'm fine." I managed to get out, but sounded like I'd just finished running a fucking marathon.

I jumped as someone quickly knelt down and grabbed my jaw to make me look at them. Luca stared intensely at my eyes before pushing two of his fingers against the side of my neck.

"What's wrong with him?" Nate asked as he stood over us, and I looked away from them.

"His pupils are dilated and he's

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