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Thalia Lively

I wish I could turn back time.

Of course disrupting the natural order of events by going back in time to change an event isn't exactly good, but I wonder what my life would be like if something was changed. What if I never met Riley, or the boys in general? Where would I be right now? Probably not spending every second searching for my friends that are in deathly serious danger.

Besides being overwhelmed by the constant stress caused by school, friends and family, I'm not doing good in any other aspect. I've been losing sleep, more than usual. I can't sleep knowing Nathan isn't with me or that he's in harms way. God, I wish he wasn't so stubborn.

If you told me five months ago, when I first came to this school that I would fall for with none other than Nathan Reyes, I wouldn't believe you. I'd laugh actually, mainly because back then I was so broken beyond fixing and I doubted a relationship would ever exist for me.

"Thalia, are you listening to me?" My math teacher snapped at me as I stood in front of her desk stuck in my own head.

"Not really," I mumbled.

"Yeah, I figured." She responded sarcastically. "Main point is, you really need to work harder and bring your mark up. I don't know what happened, you used to have the highest mark in the class, it just doesn't make sense. Is everything okay?" She asked genuinely curious.

"Yeah, everything's fine. I just haven't been focused, that's all." I answered curtly, desperately wanting to leave the class and go home already. The fact that she singled me out as soon as class ended and held me back wasn't really lifting my already dazed mood.

"I can assign you some extra work to help bring your mark up if you want, take it or leave it." She concluded once she realized she was one of the last people I'd ever confine in.

"Yeah, sure, thanks." I spoke quickly but in a bored tone, which Nonna would not be happy with. She would throw her slipper at me if she knew I was doing bad in school and talking to the teacher without respect. However, Nonna's not here right now.

I hurriedly grabbed the work she handed me and got out of there without a goodbye. All day I've been having an... off feeling? There's something deep in my gut that won't go away, almost like my body can tell the future and is warning me ahead of time. I dug out my phone from my jacket pocket and frowned when I saw no messages or calls. Everything seems about right so why am I feeling like this?

Deciding that it's probably nothing, I shrugged it off and exited the school without a second thought. Everyone's already gone, since I was held back after school for longer than really needed. I mindlessly wondered to the end of the school parking lot where I usually park, but stopped in my tracks once I saw a glimpse of a huddled group in the deepest corner. I narrowed my eyes, trying to make out the people and what was happening. I subconsciously started walking towards the group of seemed like girls with a few guys standing by watching.

The second I saw Colt, one of Victors outsiders, I pushed down the panic and met his eyes. I could tell his interest just spiked up some more once he recognized me and because now his attention was on me, everyone else also turned to me.

And now I was finally able to see what they were huddling around once they spread apart with wicked smirks sent towards me. I felt a thousand emotions curse through me, but only anger stuck. Before I could even think twice, my body ran towards the group, straight past Megan, straight past Rebecca, straight past James, straight past Colt, and towards an unconscious beaten up Riley.

"What the fuck did you do?" I yelled at no one in particular but Megan was the first one I pinned my anger on. "You fucking bitch," I didn't let anyone respond as I attacked Megan mercilessly. I sent both of us to the ground and although her group of friends jumped in and attacked me from all sides, I couldn't feel the pain as I continued to target Megan. I felt my fist hit her face continuously, and I held back the frustrated tears that wanted to spill for Riley. I stood up and knocked one of Megan's friends out since she kept pulling my hair, pathetic. I turned my attention right back onto Megan who began cowering away but I was faster than she was. "I'm going to kill you," I said and her eyes widened as she looked around for help.

"That's enough." A rough voice called out and when no one stopped, I could feel myself be lifted off the ground and away from Megan.

"Get the fuck off of me!" I yelled and fought my way out of the persons arms. "You're all going to fucking pay for this, I swear to fucking god." I continued.

"I thought you said she left, I told you we can't do anything with any of them around, especially her." Rebecca piped up and spoke to Colt, referring to me.

"We did what we needed to do, she was too late." Colt answered her then turned his attention onto me. "She's the first message we're sending to Nathan, and if he doesn't come back after this, you're next sweetheart." I was beyond livid.

"Fuck you," I spat at him. "Fuck Victor, fuck your little whores," I continued and glared towards Megan who was still on the floor bleeding. "You're pathetic, you know that?" I chuckled as I turned my attention back on Colt. "You guys have no way of finding him and he isn't even trying to be hidden from you. All you can do is team up with some idiots, and you aren't getting anywhere. If anything, you're going to end up as a dead man before Nathan even finds out about this. You remember Emmett don't you? Riley's boyfriend?" I continued. Although Nathan and Carter were avoiding us, they aren't avoiding Victor or Colt and their little gang members, who aren't so little.

"He'll be too late, we have them distracted at that little warehouse they've been staying in. We've been tracking you all since the beginning, and right now I don't think they're in the best condition either." He cockily grinned down at me.

I scoffed. It took no hesitation for me to swing at his face after that statement, and since he wasn't expecting it, I landed the punch straight onto his eye. His head swung back to face me and now he didn't look so friendly.

He hit me back.

I was sent to the ground from the impact, but I bounced right back up, disregarding the pounding pain on my cheek.

"Listen here you bitch," he got up in my face but I stood my ground. "You watch your fucking tone when you're talking to me. I don't know who the fuck you think you are but I could kill you on the spot—"

"So do it." I gained a sudden confidence that might lead me to my death but my mouth was making decisions without my permission at the moment. "You want to act all big and tough, huh? So kill me. Right here, right now." I took a step towards him, showing him I wasn't going to coward away.

"Do you have a death wish? Stop it, Thalia. Colt let's just go." Rebecca piped up, clearly looking terrified of the sudden turn of events.

"You're just like him." Colt spat. "You're the exact same and it's going to end up with you both in the same place. Dead." He took a step back. "But not today, I have other plans for you. Until then, you watch your words." He began walking away and some of the other guy bystanders followed him silently. Megan was helped up by her friends and they dragged her limp body to their car, blood tracing behind Megan's tracks.

"I warned you." James finally said something.

"He's coming back." I answered, my eyes set on Riley. "And you're all going to wish he didn't." I continued with a broken voice.

"How are you so sure that he even cares enough to come back? He hasn't done anything until now at least." James argued against my point with a calm voice.

I finally looked up from Riley's body and towards James. "How are you so sure that he won't?" I shot the question straight back to him.

"I'm not." He confessed, and with that he walked away into the snow blizzard that slowly started spiralling around us. I looked at Rebecca who didn't move from her spot since I first showed up.

"I'm sorry, I-it was Megan who—" I cut her off.

"I know." I stated curtly.

"In the few seconds you attacked Megan, you caused more pain than she did to Riley." She stated randomly. "I was too scared to go against them, but I'm more scared to go against you." She continued and I looked up at her impatiently.

"Where are you going with this?" I rushed her.

"I overheard them talking. Victors coming out sooner than he's supposed to— like really soon. You guys are running out of time. Get Nathan back here if you don't want that to happen again, after all he's the one they really want." Rebecca warned me softly.

I picked up Riley's body and carried her to my car, not saying another word to Rebecca as I left her behind.

• • •

"Ow," I hissed as Bethany tried cleaning up the gash on my cheek that caused by the impact of Colt's fist. We were in Riley's hospital room since I refused to leave her alone ever again. I also refused to be helped but Bethany wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Stop moving," Bethany ordered. "I want an explanation. Right now." She said forcefully, in a mother like tone which made me feel obligated to comply.

"I think you know already," I answered grumpily.

"I do." She agreed. "But I want to hear you say it."

"She was jumped by some people who are trying to send a message to your son who disappeared. I defended her and him, I let my anger consume me and went against them alone, therefore ending up with me like this." I summarized the previous events.

"Do you know how many times I've had to stitch up my own son at 4am night after night? Enough times to the point where I've lost count. All because of those people who have it out for him, and because of his little boxing issue. I had to stop myself from calling the police like a hundred times because he never wanted me to. It just never ends." She says, not once meeting my eyes as she stayed focus on my injury.

"It's not his fault," I softly defended him. "I'm confused, why did you guys just let him leave? Especially when you guys know what he's involved in." I questioned their parenting techniques.

"He left without us knowing, and his father hasn't stopped searching for him. Although those two have it out for each other, Blake has never once not looked out for him. Blake seems so sure that he's okay but nothing in the world would make me happier than if he just came back already." Bethany confessed her feelings to me and I realized we were in the same boat.

I simply nodded at her, not wanting to take this conversation any further since my head was pounding and I couldn't even think straight. "All done," she smiled at me and stood up from her stool, packing her things away in the meantime also. With that she gave me told me she'd be back soon to check up on Riley, and left.

I looked over at Riley who was still unconscious from what I could tell. "Fuck Riley," I mumbled softly with tears brimming my eyes but I didn't let hem drop down my face.

After that, about forty minutes passed with me sitting next to her bed with my head down in my arms, waiting for her to wake up. They seemed to have injured her head immensely since it caused her to be knocked out for more than two and a half hours. The thought of them hurting her causes rage to pulse through me and I suddenly started wishing I caused more damage to them.

"Tal?" Riley muttered as she fought to open her eyes which made me stand up quickly and grab onto her hand.

"Ry, it's me. I'm right here." I said and she looked over at me with a smile which made me question why anyone would ever want to hurt her.

"Heyo," She said, happiness radiated off of her and I was beyond confused since she had just been beaten up and was admitted into a hospital.

"Riley, do you remember what happened?" I questioned curiously.

"Unfortunately, yeah." She sighed, then looked at me sadly. "Sorry, it was my fault—" I cut her off before she could go there.

"How the fuck is it your fault? Riley don't say that." I interjected her apology.

"I was outside of your class waiting for you like I usually do and I saw your teacher hold you back so I went outside and waited at your car for you. But then they saw me and of course, I started to panic. They wanted to ruin your car at first just to fuck with you but I didn't let them so they had a better idea and decided to ruin me instead." She told me the story and my heart sank to the bottom of my stomach. "When Colt arrived, he said I was a better plan and ordered Megan to fight me until I was unconscious— which she did."

"Riley, forget the car, I care about you more! You should've let them ruin the car." I hissed when my head sent a wave of pounding pain once I raised my voice.

"B-but it's your dream car, and it would've costed a lot to fix it—" I stopped her once again.

"No money in the world could buy me another Riley. What if they went further and ended up killing you?" I scolded her but then realized I needed to take it down a notch. "I'm just glad you're okay." I said softly while she opened her arms for a hug but winced once I squeezed her. "Shit sorry," I said while jumped away from her, not wanting to cause more damage.

"I'm just kidding," she giggled and I rolled my eyes at her. "Thanks for fighting for me," her voice was almost inaudible but I still caught it. Her eyes ranked over my minor injuries compared to hers.

"I was too late." I responded, my voice dry and curt, mainly because I was so disappointed in myself.

"You didn't know, it's not your fault." She argued quickly. Her eyes widened and I could practically see her heart rate speed up. "I-is Emmett here?" She asked.

"Not that I know of. I have no idea where any of them are, they aren't replying to my texts or calls. Colt said he sent guys to the warehouse so I don't know." I answered sadly, knowing she wanted to see him.

"I hope they're okay," she said quickly, concern covering her features.

"They're fine, cmon, they're our boys. They don't lose." I tried cheering her up but I was being honest also. Our group may have our flaws and we do get caught off guard at times but the boys always bounce back. They remain at the top for a reason.

• • •

"I hate hospitals," I groaned as I helped Riley to the couch in my living room. "I'll never understand why they take so long to do the simplest things like checking a patient out of their rooms and shit." I ranted as I plopped down on a chair across from Riley. Bethany wasn't around but when she did finally answer my call, she was able to get us out of there like eleven hours later.

Riley was meant to stay at the hospital since she was in critical condition but Bethany said she'd come around often to check up on her— plus Riley had a killer puppy dog face.

"Stop talking so loud, Heidi's sleeping." Riley scolded me and my eyes widened, completely forgetting about that part.

"Oops," I whispered. It was almost 3am so Nonna was definitely fast asleep by now, but she's a heavy sleeper so I doubt she heard me. "Do you want something to eat?" I asked Riley who nodded quickly.

"God, please, yes. Hospital food is pure rubbish." She made an adorable disgusted face and from then on, we struggled to move her half limp body to the kitchen where I cooked various foods for us to devour. "You've been blessed by god, to be able to make such amazing food." She complimented as she scarfed down her last pancake.

I chuckled at her. "Thanks, my mom taught me. It's odd how out of the things I remembered, it's her killer recipes." I said softly, which made Riley stop what she was doing and paid full attention to me.

"What was she like? I-If you don't want to tell me—" I cut her off for what feels like the hundredth time today.

"From what I remember, she was the happiest person ever. She was amazing. Confident, caring, understanding, patient, every good quality you could think of. I seemed to of inherited more of my fathers traits since I'm the opposite. Stubborn, closed off, impatient, cold, etc. From what I remember I've always been like this but I suppose everything's heightened after the accident." I ranted on the comparison of my mother and I. "She was the best person ever and I would give anything up to have her with me right now, but life doesn't work that way." I have Riley a sad smile.

"You've grown so much from when you first arrived, I don't know if you realize that or not. You're more accepting now, and although it took us forever to even enter your life— I mean cmon it's been five months." Riley joked and I laughed along with her. "I'm proud of who you've become, and I think your mother would be too. She's watching over you and I could only imagine her proud smile." I let out a shaky breath as I held back tears.

"T-thank you." I stuttered, smiling to myself as I imagined my mother beside me. Before I could respond, my phone vibrated in my hoodie pocket, resulting in me pulling it out and reading Ethan's message.

Ethan
Open your door. It's important.

I looked up at Riley who shared the same concerned expression even though she didn't know what was going on. I handed her my phone and while she read the text, I helped her up and to the front door with me. She leaned against me once I opened the front door, both of us peaking outside for the boys.

Each of the boys stood in front of us, looking completely unharmed which confused me but I was still grateful for it. Before Riley or I could even say anything, the boys split apart to let us see the unexpected guest who was hidden behind them.

The unexpected guest was covered in blood splatters and looked at Riley and I with a soft gaze that slowly morphed into a hardened one.

"B-blood?" Riley questioned him, both of us looking at him speechlessly.

"It's not mine," he answered. "It's Colt's. I heard what happened." Carter answered Riley.

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{ not edited whoop whoop }

Times running out for the gang.
Carters back which means Nathan's not that far behind...

Shorter chapter I'm sorry! Don't kill me for what happened to Riley by the way KSKSKKS

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING, I FREAKING LOVE YOU ❤️

Thalia @ Colt and Megan ^