RECAP:

The chapter will have its own recap. Enjoy.

Thank you for reading TGGBB.

~

"Can't we just skip this chapter?" Jordan complained. "This is so boring."

I smacked the back of his head and he set his head down onto the open textbook. "Ow," he grumbled.

"This chapter is important," I scolded. "It usually appears in the test. Anyway, every chapter is important whether we think otherwise."

"Hey, how is it for your classes?" Declan asked. "For all except one class, the AP exam is my final if we take it."

"I still have a test final," Jordan grumbled.

"One of my teachers is doing a mock AP exam to prepare for the actual one," I told them. "As long as we get above a C, we automatically pass."

"All of my AP exams are counted as the final," Bennet explained. "But for one of my classes, we have an ongoing project that will be due then."

"I can't believe our senior year is almost over," I said almost wistfully. "It seems like we've been in our senior year for years."

"Don't tempt her," Jordan grumbled out.

"What?" I asked.

"What?" Jordan asked.

"Dartwell is different from my old high school," Declan explained. "Here, we have the exams and finals first, then prom, and then graduation. In my old high school, prom is first."

"Netflix's PROM was so good. Went in expecting nothing and, not going to lie, made me tear up. Hashtag- Not Sponsored." I eagerly nodded, agreeing with Jordan.

Answering Declan's question, I told him, "They probably don't want us to relax so much since I heard that the school's test scores have been steadily dropping the last couple of years."

"Aw, were you expecting a prom-posal from one of us?" Jordan teased me with a grin.

I rolled my eyes. "If I wanted to get secondhand embarrassment, I would just interact with you more."

"Ouch," Jordan grumbled while Declan snickered to himself.

"You don't want to go to prom, Naomi?" Bennett asked me.

I smiled at him. "I think prom is as overrated as it is expensive."

There was a flicker in Bennett's eyes. "I see."

Jordan smirked. "You see what Bent? Got any plans you'd like to share with us?"

"No, I don't," Bennett told him with a frown. "My old school didn't have prom and prom always seemed to be a big deal for people."

"Yeah sure, if you have a date or are guaranteed to be prom king and queen," Declan said with a snicker.

"I wanted to know. Are you going to buy the yearbook?" Bennett asked us.

Jordan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Why Bent? You want those high school memories documented in a laminated book that is ridiculously expensive but is probably pocket change to you?"

"I just wanted to know if people actually buy them," Bennett explained. "In my old school, yearbooks weren't very important."

"Well if you guys will get it, I just might," Declan offered.

"I just hope the yearbook team has actual student events instead of other things," I muttered.

"What do you mean?" Bennett asked.

"Well, the yearbook team are usually graduating seniors and they have been able to sneak in bad pictures, rumors, and other stuff like a big senior prank. I heard in my freshman year, they printed out pages of someone's text logs. He didn't have a date for prom after.

Jordan let out a low whistle. "Yikes. I do not want to be that guy."

"Yeah, and everything was done under the teacher advisor's nose and now exists forever on laminated paper." I gave them a smile. "But I heard that there's a new advisor and they created stricter guidelines so it should be fine now."

"Well that's good," Declan huffed out.

"Maybe I should have joined yearbook," Jordan considered. "Imagine how many times I could have photobombed the picture?"

"I don't think I'd want to pay for that yearbook," I said with a shrug.

"Me neither," Declan agreed with a grin.

The two of us looked at Bennett for the final verdict.

"I don't think so either," Bennett told us. "It would only feed into Jordan's ego."

Jordan rolled his eyes. "Wow, look at the great support I have here."

Eventually, our small talk died down and we went back to studying in the living room of the base.

Or well, three of us went back to studying.

Jordan let out a tired yawn as he propped his head by his elbow. With a blank stare, he flipped through the textbook in a tedious manner as if turning pages but not actually reading them meant he was absorbing the content. He began to nod off and it was a matter of time before he took a nap right on top of the pages.

Despite how calm and quiet he is right now, Jordan's actually the life of our group, the only one at the other side of the seesaw to balance what would have been an awkward and tense atmosphere between the rest of us. Jordan's always armed with a charming smile and joke, funny or otherwise, that consistently managed to brighten your day just like the mischievous glint in his eyes.

You could never imagine that with his cheerful disposition he had to deal with a rough past but manages to push past it. He got into an accident when he was a little kid that left him colorblind. The irony of being colorblind but bringing color to our lives. And yet, he still pursues his love for art to go against the odds but, being the clever person that he is, will also study computer science because of his knack for technology.

Although I'm thankful he trusted me enough to slowly tell me about himself, it still hurt knowing that there was no color in his life- both physically and mentally. He calls himself selfish. He blamed himself for the medical debt built from his accident. He blamed himself for his parents' divorce from the accident. He blamed himself for believing he troubled everyone around him, including me. And although it might take a while for him to accept that isn't true, we'll be here to get it through his thick skull.

Declan quietly hummed to himself as he listened to music through his headphones. His eyes flitted between the workbook and his notebook as he worked to solve a practice problem. Declan frowned and glanced at Jordan, seeing that he was faceplanted into the textbook, then rolled his eyes before going back to his studying.

I still can't imagine that people were intimidated, even terrified, by Declan both back when we first met and to this day now that I know him so well. You couldn't blame them when his whole demeanor from his glares to his frowns clearly stated: 'don't talk to me, don't even look at me unless you want trouble'. And although some took it as a challenge, Declan was quick to end the fights he held in the parking lot afterschool with anyone who looked to build their reputation but found how to destroy it instead.

And the reason behind this tough exterior was because of his experience in the foster care system, put up for adoption and passed around from family to family, dealing with kids who reminded him that he wasn't wanted. All of it created that Declan.

But that isn't the Declan that I now know. The same person who can glare a person into apologizing for not doing anything could also smile and laugh with the rest of us, who uses his intimidating demeanor to look after his friends. He's someone who is in love with music but teeters between being proud of his talent and shy to showcase it. Someone who is loved by his adopted parents and adores his baby sister. That is the Declan that I know.

Bennett was typing notes onto his laptop, noted by the soft clicks of his keyboard. The typing abruptly stopped when he leaned back against his chair and opened up a textbook. He was about to go back to typing when Declan asked him a question, not about school but if he wanted to bet how long Jordan would take a nap.

Always holding a calm and aloof demeanor, Bennett was a man of few words but when he spoke, you listen. He was intimidating in his own right, not by meeting eyes into a glare but instead a look that read you and judged you without you uttering a word.

Most rumors surrounded him about his mysterious nature but it was all sourced from his background, a background of wealth and prestige as the named heir to his father's company chosen over his other two siblings. With such a background, he would have the arrogance from looking down at people like his younger brother or the individualistic nature from confidence like his older sister. However, he was the complete opposite- composed, quiet, calm, humble, and this balance of introspective and aloof.

And despite it all, he depends on his actions, not his words, to show his thoughtfulness for his friends. He was able to show how he cared for his friends, no longer by just carelessly using his money, but taking the time to cook and bake dishes for them. And it was through his friends that he was able to break through his composed character but not betray it. It was because of this he was able to now pursue a career in the culinary arts.

Smiling to myself, I looked back down at my notes for one of my exams, my hair falling past my shoulders as I did making me tuck some behind my ear. As I listened to the soft snores from Jordan, the faint music from Declan's headphones, and the light clicks as Bennett typed, I continued to write my notes.

I suffered through bullying for years since middle school. What was left of my self-esteem in middle school was completely destroyed in high school after I kept getting bullied for no apparent reason. But the real mental fatigue came from having to pretend that it didn't bother me to my bullies, my parents, and myself. I had nothing but my sarcastic remarks and the goal of going to a college far away to keep me going. I was stuck in a monotonous routine with no other escape but graduation.

However, another escape appeared in the form of a friendship contract from some classmate living in his own world along with two other classmates. It was a rough beginning and an even rougher middle, but I'm here now. And even then, someone from my past came back out of nowhere, but seeing that school is almost over, he'd never have to know what happened. This chapter of my life can close and I can finally move on to the next one.

The table was quiet with us in our studying zones when the silence was interrupted.

"Food..."

We all looked at Jordan who had his face against the open textbook.

"Is... Is he sleep talking?" Declan whispered in disbelief.

"I... I know..." Jordan mumbled out before muttering something incoherent. "Watercolors... Adult lemonade... Confidence intervals... Fred Astaire... Statistics... Car... Cotton candy... Paint..."

"Shh, shh," Declan whispered harshly at me and Bennett.

"You shh," I whispered back.

Jordan muttered a bit more but the words strung into nonsense sentences. After thinking about it, I realized that was actually how Jordan normally talks.

"Waiter... Bad Ideas... 50 Shades... Eyes... Anime... Her... For loops... Vanilla..."

I looked at the others and Declan just gave me a shrug and Bennett slightly shook his head, neither knowing what to make of it.

With his eyes still closed, Jordan's eyebrows furrowed together. "But... N-No... I know... That..." Jordan mumbled out. "That Declan is in love with me."

Declan sharply exhaled. "Alright, he's either awake or he's going to be when I kick his ass," Declan said dryly as he cracked his knuckles.

Jordan slightly lifted his head and rested his chin on the book. If he didn't look so tired, he would be smirking at Declan.

"I thought taking a nap would help me focus on studying," Jordan grumbled out. "But now I'm hungry."

He looked at Bennett and gave him puppy dog eyes and pouted. "Food..."

Bennett gave him a blank stare. "That doesn't work on me Jordan."

"Lame," Jordan stretched.

"I think we studied long enough for a snack break," I offered with a smile. "At least then Jordan could be able to study more."

"If you think so then I think we have some snacks in the pantry," Bennett told me.

"Lame," Jordan stretched again earning a short glare from Bennett.

Offering to get them himself, Bennett left the study room for the kitchen. Leaning against my hand, I poked Jordan's cheek with the eraser end of my pencil.

"How much did you even study?" I asked.

Jordan scoffed and sat up to lean against his chair, stretching his arms. "Rude."

"You didn't answer my question."

He smirked. "You're the smart one. You should know the answer to it."

I rolled my eyes at that. "How's studying going for you, Declan?"

"Well, it's going... going nowhere." Declan gave me a shrug. "I think the most important thing is that I'm studying in the first place."

Jordan sighed. "You never have enough time to study for everything unless you're great at time management and organization."

Declan and Jordan slowly turned to look at me. I hummed innocently, looking away.

"Well, that's definitely not me," I waved off.

Jordan stage-whispered to Declan, "How much do you think Bent would be willing to pay for some mind swapping machine?"

"We could always blackmail him with that thing," Declan stage-whispered back to which Jordan eagerly nodded in agreement.

I frowned. "I'm debating if I should ask what that is or tell Bennett about your blackmail plan," I said.

Quick to distract me, Declan said, "Hey, I wanted to go over this calculus topic with you. When I'm given this kind of problem..."

As I went over the topic with Declan, Jordan suddenly asked, "Isn't Bent taking a little too long with the snacks? At this rate, you might just review what we learned from the entire year."

"Hopefully he isn't actually making something from scratch again," I muttered. "I'll go check on him."

"Make sure he gets those vanilla wafers I saved up," Jordan reminded me.

"And I got some strawberry milk cans in the fridge," Declan told me. "Also, I think those vanilla wafers expired."

Declan paused. "Actually nevermind, just get them for him, Naomi. Also, maybe cross out the expiration date. They're overrated anyway."

"You're overrated," Jordan retorted back.

Shaking my head to myself as the two began to bicker, I went into the hallway to head towards the kitchen. Just when I was about to walk into the kitchen, I saw Bennett standing in front of the counter, leaning against it with his hand on the table, with his back facing me.

I thought about surprising him but realized he was on a phone call. I was going to at least reveal my presence just to get the snacks from him to deliver to the others while he finished up the call. As I took a step into the kitchen, I heard something that made me stop in my tracks.

"I told you to not call me again," Bennett sharply whispered.

When Bennett was about to turn around, I quickly stepped out and found myself with my back against the wall next to the doorway of the kitchen. I was frozen in place. Why did I just do that? What kind of instinct was that? I can't believe I just hid. I'm glad my fight or flight response is working perfectly although I didn't appreciate that my default was "flight". I should check for the software update later.

Now I was in an awkward position of coming into the kitchen so he'll end the conversation there or going back to the others empty-handed. If I did the latter, the others might complain to Bennett and he would know that I heard him. I figured it was better to just have him end the conversation despite my curiosity, but I paused once more when he spoke again.

He said sternly, "It'll be done by the end of this week."

The end of the week? That's when exams end.

Is the plan moving faster than we expected? Or was he talking to one of the other gang leaders. I knew that as our leader he was a step closer with all of them. Maybe he had to strike a deal with them. No, that can't be it. But that was only wishful thinking.

Was it about the gang in the first place or maybe his family? No, but that didn't make any sense either. Bennett said everything was fine given that he'll be going to culinary school.

Before I could question myself further,  I heard the click of the phone off before Bennett exhaled.

After counting for a few seconds, I walked into the kitchen.

"Hey Bennett," I said with a smile. "The others were complaining so I volunteered to check in with the snacks. Is everything okay?"

Bennett pocketed his and gave me his signature small smile. "I was making sure we still had snacks that were either strawberry or vanilla. They'd complain if I didn't bring any."

His reply said it all. Bennett wasn't going to talk to me about what just happened, either for advice or just to have someone who would listen. That meant that it wasn't about his family because he already knew that he could talk to any of us about it. I mean, Bennett and I already had that heart-to-heart on my birthday. That had to mean something. So it must mean that it's about the gang and his role as our leader.

For a second I thought about the business card Jae gave me. He said he owed me after one of his men pointed a gun at me in the last gang meeting. I didn't mind using the favor just to make sure Bennett was not facing something on his own and would have another group looking out for him- unless it was Jae's fault in the first place. The thought of considering using the card made me feel uneasy, but the thought that Jae was behind it made me feel nauseous.

I forced out a chuckle. "Yeah, you're right. We're already suffering from studying for exams. The last thing I need is to hear their whining too. Here, let me help you carry some stuff."

We began walking down the hall, Bennett carrying a tray of drinks while I carried an assortment of snacks.

Don't push him. Don't push him. It's at his pace, not yours.

"Hey, Bennett?" I asked lightly.

Bad Naomi, bad. No desserts for a week.

And for being a terrible person- starting now. Suffer as you watch them eat snacks.

Suffer.

Bennett glanced at me. "Yes?"

"Remember back when it was my birthday? When we talked?" I asked him. He gave me a slight nod and I realized he was waiting for me to continue instead of verbally responding.

"I just wanted to say I'm glad we were able to talk more," I told him truthfully with a smile. "Just know that I'm always here to talk to and the others as well."

Bennett paused from walking and turned to look at me. He looked confused but still managed to give me a faint smile.

"Don't worry. I already know," Bennett assured me. "But thank you for reminding me."

I returned him a smile, but when he turned to continue walking, my smile faded away.

He talked like he always did. It didn't seem like he was troubled at all or ever had that conversation on the phone. Is it because he's that good at hiding his feelings or has he always been troubled by something and has never told us? Then the thought that it was both crossed my mind.

We were eagerly welcomed back with open arms, and by we, I mean the snacks. And by snacks, once again, it didn't mean either of us.

Jordan complained that the expiration date has already passed for his snacks, Declan laughed at him as he cracked open his drink, and Bennett shook his head at them as he opened a box of chocolate snacks.

As I