At this point, I don't have any nails left to chew. They're all gone. Somewhere on the floor probably. Like my dignity after losing my gang leader.

"Do you think an Amber alert is when a child has gone missing?" Ryan asks his twin.

"Or is it when we're alerted that Amber is gone," Bryan adds.

I let out a hopeless sigh and my head drops into my hands. I can't handle the stress. The idea of Amber with the North. What could they be doing to her right now? I bet Xavier spiked Amber's drink at Club Cube so he can kidnap her...

"I swear, if we don't get Amber back, my hair will start falling out... and, and if my hair starts falling out, I will literally die," Lynch bubbles while pacing up and down the kitchen. I glance at the soon to be 16 year old boy and notice that his hair, does on fact, look a little more down.

"If I ever see Xavier again, I will kill him with my bare hands," Blake growls. He leans against the counter and has his fists balled up. Ready for a fight.

"According to statistics, you'll have to hold him for at least three minutes if you want to choke him to death and well, I haven't seen you working on your fitness. It'll take a lot of strength to hold someone older than you for three minutes," Myra observes. She still has her purple wig on, but I notice she swapped her contacts for her glasses.

I might not be the sharpest pencil when it comes to figuring things out, but something about Myra just showing up randomly - in need of a place to stay, is fishy... I make a note to look into the situation later - she might be a spy.

Damn, I should go boxing again soon. I need to get rid of all the tension inside of me.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings.

We all look up - startled and slowly, move to the foyer. It can be Goldy, but it can also be someone else. Someone not welcome. When all of us creep our way to the foyer and stare at the door, you can hear a pin drop in the room. With a startling bang, the door gets kicked open and we all duck.

"Can't any of you guys open a bloody door?" Goldy asks. We look up and she's framed perfectly by the sunset behind her. Sean is right beside her and I wonder why our driver was outside.

"Amber... you're... you're back..." Blake whispers.

"Not Amber," Goldy sings.

Those two words hit me hard. I almost forgot about Rebma. Not because I'm ignorant, but maybe just a little hopeful. I want the golden girl back. The girl that danced with me at the Northern ball and had a Jane Austen Quotes sparring match with me. The girl that teased me mercilessly about my boxing robe. I want the girl that never, ever judged and made me see people differently. She's the only shot I have at getting a love like the one my parents share. 

I suddenly have my mind drifting back to my parents. I still want Goldy to see them again. They seemed to get along great and I wonder if they still will now that she's technically their leader as well. I miss my family. My younger sister, Kelly, especially. It's hard with them so far away. Safe. But still far away.

I watch as Goldy struts past us and heads to the office. The rest of us share a look before following her and standing at the door while she ravages her desk for a piece of paper and pen. It's so weird to see Goldy constantly in gang leader mode. I miss the days where she could just be. Just be fun. Just be kind. Just be. Now it's all planning and being serious.

"Where's Gareth and Falco?" Goldy asks.

"Upstairs, we'll go get them," the twins say before running up to fetch Goldy's new second in command and his son.

"Amby?" Lynch suddenly asks before stepping forward.

Goldy looks up for a split second to acknowledge Lynch before she has her noes in more papers. "We need to try and set up a meeting with the South. I don't trust the North. Blake, you need to go make sure our latest drug shipment made it to the docks. Owen, I want your girls back in business, but make sure their rent and groceries are paid for. Sean, stay here and make sure all the cars will be running smooth. I want the twins to invite the South over some time. I'll talk to Gareth and Falco in a sec and, and... And who the hell are you?" Goldy asks while looking straight at Myra.

"Uh, I'm Myra, I just n-need a place to c-crash at," Myra hastily tries to explain while fixing her purple wig.

"You one of Owen's night girls?" Goldy asks.

Myra has a hard expression that coats her face when she says: "I am not a prostitute."

"Then what use are you?" Goldy asks with a face of stone. Gang leader mode.

"I'm a great listener and from what I gathered, you need eyes on the North and South. See what threat they are. I don't think either will wait very long before doing something. My best bet is going somewhere where both gangs ought to be. And since there are only two areas of neutral ground in Tygerwell, I can already point out which will be the best option for spying. The school of course. You need to watch them there," Myra explains - ending with a classic push of her thick rimmed glasses.

"She's right," Blake suddenly says, "Tygerwell is and will always be the one place to find all four, or well, three gangs at..."

Goldy looks at Myra for a long moment before letting her attention fall back onto the paper work and saying: "I like her. Make sure she has a room. Whoever is willing, may take her to get some clothes. It seems that my brains, Blake, has found himself some brains."

Everyone falls into place, Blake heading to the door with a sour expression, Myra looking around and sending me a weirdly flirty smile - almost forced, before following Blake. And Lynch, standing there completely lost.

"You called?" I hear a scruffy voice ask next to me. When I turn, it's Gareth with his head held high as always. The dark skin and even darker look in his eyes make him look dangerous, but the small smile he has reminds me we're on the same team.

I spot Falco next to his dad - nearly identical with the dark and dangerous look, but unlike his dad, he doesn't have his head held high - almost like he's trying to say that he knows his place. He's only the son of a second in command. And unless of course through either Goldy dying or marriage, he'll stay a second in command's son and can only hope for being a second in command himself one day.

"Oh, yes, I need to know where Sterling kept their guns. Where we keep all our guns. I want this gang running smoothly again," Goldy says.

"I can take you this weekend," Gareth says.

"Good," Goldy responds.

I wonder if the old Goldy, the golden girl one would approve of the gang running smoothly. No doubt Rebma doesn't care about the violence and corruption gangs cause. It's a heavy burden and it took me a while to get used to. Amber on the other hand, would not have acted the same. Procrastination for one would've definitely occurred. Torn between making the world a better place and following her parents' footsteps. Whether I like it or not, Rebma is better for the job than Amber would ever be.

Without warning, someone suddenly knocks on the front door like a madman. Everyone sends sharp looks at each other before Goldy, Gareth, Falco and I creep our way closer to the front door. Goldy motions for me to open the door.

At first, I'm extremely nervous about the idea of it being the North or South or whoever wants us dead, but knowing my leader gave me an order, I sand up straight and open the door with confidence.

Standing there, is a woman made of fire.

"Are ye jus' gunna stand there or are ye gunna call yer leader, Eejit," the woman says with a scowl. She looks familiar, but I can't put my finger on why.

I'm at an immediate loss for words.

"Actually, I've changed me mind. Yer far too handsome to pass for an opportunity to take to bed," the red woman says before walking pass me and smacking my ass.

Did... Did she just sexually harass me?

"Venessa, you're here," Goldy says tight lipped.

"It's Venessa now? I come to bring you medicine and you start calling me Venessa?" the red woman rants.

"Medicine?" Goldy asks.

"Don't be a bloomin' Leavy head! Yer medicine! For the heart transplant? I'm afraid ye'll have to take 'em everyday or face the consequences," Venessa explains and holds out a white plastic bag for Goldy.

"Thanks," Goldy finally says and takes the bag.

"Now where can I find myself some food?" Venessa asks before turning to me and saying: "Or is man candy all ye have?"

"I can ask the chef to cook you something," Goldy offers.

"No need! I'll find something!" Venessa replies with one last look at me, licking her lips and heading to the kitchen to ravage the cupboards for whatever it is she wants.

Everyone slowly follows the red seductress and watches as she makes herself completely at home. She ends up with a pack of cookies and starts tearing at it like some wild animal. With the fur coat and red hair, she somewhat resembles a fox. 

"I like your hair," Lynch suddenly chirps next to me.

Venessa looks up and has the biggest grin on her face when she walks over and says: "Awww isn't this one just a cutie? How old are ye?"

"I'm almost sixteen," Lynch replies - pushing out his chest and failing at looking intimidating.

"Almost sixteen! So cute! If I wasn't twenty, I'd go for ye. Amberry, ye better keep this one away from the ladies next year, or gentlemen of course. I don't judge,"  Venessa says before stepping away from a some-what scared Lynch.

"Who is this?" Gareth asks Goldy.

Goldy sighs before replying: "This is Venessa..."

"MacArtan," Venessa helps.

"Venessa MacArtan. She's the North's second in command," Goldy explains and I suddenly understand why she looked so familiar.

Immediately, I feel a weird feeling spread all over me. This... this Venessa woman is from the enemy? And she... She smacked my ass? How do I respond to this? I resort to standing up straighter and glaring at the red seductress. 

Venessa finishes her cookies before giving me a look over and strolling back to Goldy. "Well, I did what I came to do."

"Do you expect payment for the medicine?" Goldy asks through gritted teeth.

Venessa scoffs, "Oh please, of course not! Friends don' asks for payment! But, to be honest, since ye're offering, a night with Man Candy over here won' be a bad idea," she says and gestures towards me. I shift my weight. 

"He's a free man. He can do whatever he wants," Goldy replies.

Venessa licks her lips and says: "Or whoever he wants."

With one last look at me, Venessa strolls back to the front door. I follow Goldy and watch as Venessa winks at me and says: "Ye can call me Nessa, Man Candy." She does a one last flick of her red hair before leaving with a: "Cheerio the nou!"

As soon as Nessa is gone, Lynch starts laughing hysterically at me. "Man candy!" Lynch wheezes. "You're man candy!"

"Shut up," I grumble.

"Do you think the word man-candy was invented before or after cannibalism?" Bryan asks his twin.

"After," Ryan confirms.

And with the way Nessa was looking at me, I'd agree completely.

Hey goldies!

Before y'all rant, let me just say I have exams and since this is my last year of high school, I have to focus on them. Annnnnd my one man show performed this weekend at the Artscape - which is like one of the biggest theaters in my country (South Africa). It was for a competition (Nationals) and I came third in my province - which means I'm eligible for the top 15 that'll perform again some time. Wohooo!

ANYWAYS, what do y'all think about the idea of Nessa with Owen? Let me check the ships.

Venaul (Venessa and Paul)

Danessa (Daniel and Venessa)

Ambessa (Amber and Venessa)

Venowen (Venessa and Owen)

Blessa (Blake and Venessa)

Venessean (Venessa and Sean)

Other

PS: THANK YOU FOR 5 MILLION VIEWS ON TGAAGG I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

~ Holly Shmit