"So, what did Nico want from you?" Declan asked a little too casually.

"Oh uh- he had a question for our physics class that we have together," I lied smoothly. My dad's a cop, obviously I had to be good at lying. Plus, Nico's secret wasn't mine to tell.

"Cool, cool," He said while nodding his head. "Did he get the help he needed?"

"Yeah, I guess time will tell," I said nonchalantly.

"So," Cyrus cut in from the other side of the table. "You're obviously not going to be grounded for your birthday, what's the big plan?"

"Your birthday is coming up?" Natalie asked, sitting up a little straighter.

"Yes, it is, but I don't want to make a big deal out of it this year," I said while giving an extra pointed look to Cyrus.

He always made sure I had a good birthday, which I was grateful for. Last year he invited half the school to a surprise party at his house while his parents were out of town. I'll admit, it was a lot of fun and people I didn't even talk to were there to wish me a happy birthday.

"I want to keep it simple this year. Just the five of us and a special bonding adventure or some shit like that." Having a big party was cool and all but I just wanted my day to be with these four goons I call my best friends.

"Sounds alright to me," Cyrus said, taking a fry from the large plate we ordered for the table. The others agreed and the conversation went on from there.

Of course, we were at the diner. It was the only place we could all meet up where dad wouldn't grill me about being grounded later. My manager Risa let me take an extra long break when they came around, as long as the diner wasn't too busy.

That, along with the free food, there wasn't much to complain about with this job. Watching Adam stuff his face with fries, I was confident he agreed too. I'm sure he would have applied for the job himself if he had the time.

"Hey, did you guys watch the new episode of Burning Bold last night?" Adam asked between bites.

"Yes, you mean the one where Sheila stumbled over Samson's dead body in the woods?" I asked him.

"Yes exactly! We both know who did it, don't we, Row?"

"Obviously it was Brandon," I said at the time he said it was Dimitri.

We froze and stared at each other. "You think it was Brandon?"

"You think it was Dimitri?" I asked at the same time.

"Of course it was Dimitri he's been hating on Samson since the beginning of the series. He's always lurking in the shadows and mean-mugging him everywhere he goes."

"Do we know what the hell they're talking about?" I subconsciously heard Cyrus whisper to Natalie in the background. I think she made a face and shook her head in response. Declan stared ahead at the both of us, completely wrapped our conversation.

"That's what they want you to think," I argued. "They're pushing the clues towards Dimitri but if you paid any attention to the background details and their conversations, Brandon was obsessed with Sheila, Samson's fiancé."

"No, you're literally being such a dumbass right now Rowena-"

"Hey," Declan cut him off, clearly offended. "Don't talk to my baby like that." He wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me closer into his chest.

"No, it's okay Declan," I smiled. "By the time the season finale comes out, we'll see who the real dumbass is."

"wE'lL sEe wHO tHe REaL dUmbAsS iS," Adam mocked me and then I gave him mocking sounds back, and then we went back and forth arguing and mocking each other. I think that made us both dumbasses.

"Natalie," A voice cut us off, his voice stern and serious.

We all looked up at the same time to see Jeremy standing at the edge of our table wearing a scowl on his face. Talk about a party pooper.

"Let's go," He said, not greeting a single one of us.

"Actually Jeremy, we're still eating. Why don't you sit down with us?"

"I don't have time. We have things to do, let's get out of here," He replied a little more forcefully.

"Babe this is the only time I can see Rowena. How about-"

"Natalie, we have to go. Get your ass up."

"It sounds like she doesn't want to go with you, Jeremy." Cyrus cut in.

"I wasn't talking to you Rivers. Mind your own business."

"Natalie's my friend, that makes her my business. And I don't like the way you're talking to her right now, so I think you should leave her alone."

Jeremy glared. "I think I'll talk to my girlfriend whenever I fucking want to talk to my girlfriend, and I'll talk to her however I damn well please. You got a problem Rivers?" Natalie was now visibly frowning at the way he was speaking. I think she meant to say something.

However, Cyrus stood up from his chair and pushed it back. "Yeah, I guess I do have a problem with you talking to her like she's your damn property. She's a human being you piece of shit, or did you forget that?"

"You have a crush on her or somethin?" Jeremy raised his voice, very obviously getting angrier by the second. "Trying to act all tough for her, is that it?"

"Okay, Jeremy," Natalie said as she got up from her own seat.

"You want to see me act tough?" Cyrus challenged.

"Not in my workplace you don't," I said, grabbing his arm to keep him from getting closer. Then I whisper yelled at him. "Are you trying to get me fired? Hell no. If you need to beat his ass, go take it outside. I'll cheer you on from in here buddy."

Jeremy was already stepping closer, pushing a chair out of his way. The sound of more chairs screeching back came to focus when Declan and Adam got up too, ready to jump in if they needed to. It was obvious things were about to get heated real fast. I let out an annoyed huff.

"Jeremey stop it. We can leave now, okay?" Natalie's voice sounded exhausted and urgent at the same time. Cyrus was watching her carefully as she waited for Jeremy to look her way, her eyes pleading. "Can we go, please?"

He finally looked down at her. "Now you want to leave?"

"Please," She mumbled. Jeremy let out a humorless laugh before he turned to walk out. She grabbed her things to follow him towards the door.

"Natalie, come on-" Adam tried.

"It's fine, I'll see you guys later," She replied quietly.

Natalie met Cyrus's gaze for the first time since he had been watching her. She slowed down for just a second, watching him back. But then she turned to leave just as fast.

We all watched her walk out the door silently. Then a clatter of metal came from the table and I turned to see Adam drop a spoon from his grip.

"Really, Adam? What the hell were you going to do with a spoon?"

"They can hurt, watch this," He said, picking the spoon back up and smacking the fuck out of my leg.

"Ow."

"See," He laughed, but then was quickly cut off by Declan punching him in the arm. "Ow!"

He was rubbing his arm mindlessly while we sat there for a little while. Then he let out another goofy laugh. "Imagine Cyrus having a crush on Natalie."

Cyrus reached over and whacked the back of his neck with a loud pop.

"What the fuck, man!" and then reached behind his head to rub the second wound he received within the last ten seconds.

*Casually sneaks back in after not updating for like... three weeks*

Welcome back you guuyyyysss im so happy to be writing again, life has been kicking my ass lately :)

Just wanted to thank you guys extra for being so patient and showing your support. I appreciate you all for that <3