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I proceeded to scan the room with cautious curiosity. Rowen wasn't a part of the five who sat around the white table and he didn't occupy himself with the objects on the shelves. Where was he?

Leighton, the three girls from the party and a sandy-haired boy whom I noticed from the group of guys that were with Rowen at lunch, crowded the table in a uniform manner.

The three girls sat to Leighton's right, he sat at the head. The boy sat across from Avery who sat in the middle.

"Hey," I said with a short wave.

As they turned their attention to me at once, an unsettling feeling fell in my stomach. They sat like participants in a board meeting, intimidating me with their professionalism and blatant scanning of my stature.

When each of them offered their own greetings Leighton stayed quiet.

Between my confusion and discomfort, I glanced at MaΓ«ile for some reassuring explanation that told me where Rowen was and that this wasn't weird at all. She did nothing but shrug.

The silence is pierced with a low pitched shout. "Eden!" Val called. I gave her my attention with a hesitant smile.

They all looked charmed by my entrance like they knew I'd be here but nonetheless surprised. I glanced at Leighton for another moment, he was twirling his pen between his fingers.

Not once did he look in my direction.

I cleared my throat. "Is Rowen here?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said, brushing away the topic as she urged me to come by fanning her hand towards herself. I looked back at the door, thinking this was my chance to make a run for it before I got trapped in this forever.

It wasn't their friendliness that raised my suspicions, it was their openness. Those with outstanding popularity in high school weren't usually welcoming to newcomers.

Not that I wanted to be a threat to their hierarchy, I had enough on my plate.

I walked to the end of the table, next to Maya where there was an empty seat. We made eye contact as I took hold of the back of the chair, with the intent to pull it out to sit and she gave me a sweet smile.

She wore an emerald green tunic dress over her white blouse, with the tie tucked in the round neck of the dress. This was the version of our uniform that I had only seen a few girls in. Maya had dark brown dreadlocks that fell over the back of the chair in a ponytail. Her eyes a deep brown that complimented her brown skin.

I glanced again at Leighton. He wore a troubled expression that suggested he had something he didn't like on his mind. I figured that was why he was ignoring me. I stepped in front of the chair to sit when his voice stopped me.

"Sit here," he instructed, continuing to look at the pen he fiddled with.

My forehead creased as I blinked at him who paid no mind to me. He couldn't have been speaking to me, instructing me. Without even a glance? I think not.

I rolled my eyes and continued to take the seat I intended on sitting in.

He sighed "Eden, here." He pointed at the seat next to him. I lowered my eyes at him. He tilted his head. "Please," he simpered.

I frowned then pushed the chair back in and walked around and took the seat. I sat across from Val who didn't wear her cordial smile from before.

"I'm Seth," the guy to my left introduced. His hair was buzzed, he had a light stubble on his chin and a recently shaved moustache.

"Eden." I smiled.
"Rowen must've invited you," he said.
"And yet he isn't here."
"He went to get something for Wylder, he'll be back soon," he assured me with his naturally charming tone.

When I looked over at Leighton he was laying with his head down on the table. Tapping his fingers rhythmically on the metal footing of the table.

I turned back to Seth. "So what is this, why are we all just sitting here?" I asked.
"We're hanging out," he answered.
"Is this one of the extracurricular clubs?" I asked.
"You could say that."

"What do you guys do?"
"We hang out?"
I looked at him crazily. "Can't you do that anywhere else, why school? You can't possibly like being here that much."

"Are you saying Stonewell's a bad school?" Val instigated.

I rolled my eyes. "No normal person enjoys being at any school after hours," I grumbled.

"It's ok, you'll see soon enough," Seth said with a knowing grin.

MaΓ«ile got up to open the door again. Rowen entered with an unfamiliar face. Their conversation and boisterous laughter died down as they stepped further into the room. Leighton lifted himself up at their entrance.

"Rowen," I called with a wave. Suddenly I could breathe a lot better.
"You came." he smiled. I nodded

"Who's she?" The guy who entered with him leaned over and whispered not so softly to him.

"Eden," Rowen told him.
His eyes darted back to me, his mouth fell agar. "As in..."
"Yeah," Rowen confirmed. A puzzled expression cast above my brows. The guy shook his head and laughed to himself.

Rowen neared Leighton and placed a dark green folder in front of him. Leighton pulled it closer to him and opened it slightly. Everyone at the table stretched for a peek, but it was quite hard to see when he held it so closely.

Being right next to him I could see a bit better. In the folder, there were pictures of cars and buildings. What they all included was a boy our age with frizzy sky blue hair.

Leighton flipped to the last page which revealed a bruised and bloody version of the smooth-faced guy with perfectly straight teeth. His teeth weren't so straight anymore and a swollen ball forced his left eye shut.

My eyes moved to Val who seemed to have gotten a peek of the pictures as well. We locked eyes, her's revealed content and I was frightened. She smiled sadistically then folded her arms and sat back in her seat.

I looked back at Leighton and Rowen then back down at the folder. "What the hell?" I said and he closed the folder.

"He said he'll sue," Rowen mocked.

"Not when his family's going bankrupt," Leighton scoffed.

While I was busy processing what I had just seen. Rowen's friend walked behind me to Seth, who he tapped on his shoulder to get his attention.

"What?" he groaned, annoyed.
"Go over." He told him to move seats.
"No," Seth said.
The guy slapped Seth's arm lightly over and over. "Come on!"

Finally, Seth gave in but not without an exasperated sigh. He took Seth's seat beside me.

"I'm AK," he said, taking my attention away from what I'd just seen. For that I was thankful.

When I turned to him he held his hand out for me. "Nice to meet you gorgeous." He smiled and I shook his hand. Seth muffled something under his breath in annoyance and Val rolled her eyes.

I felt a tap on my back. When I turned around it was Rowen. He was walking past to take the seat beside Maya. He asked me if I was ok with thumbs up. I nodded with an assuring smile.

"Valerie, the lights," Leighton ordered once we were all sitting.

"Could we play a game first?" She suggested.

"I'm down," AK said. The rest answered with shrugs or nods.

"Something simple for our newcomer," she smirked at me. "Truth or dare."

"Leighton, you first?" She turned to him. He shook his head.

"I'm not in the mood." He glared at her.

"Ok, Eden." She leaned forward, her eyes scintillating with mischief. "Truth or Dare?"

"Truth," I said. I wasn't in the mood to do anything stupid.

She took a breath. "Is it true that your brother no longer lives with you?" She asked.

"What does that have to do with me personally?" I asked with a scrunched up face.

"Truth or Dare," she repeated. Her eyes widened daringly.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, it's true."

"So, it's true then that he stole from your parents then ran off?" She cocked her head to the side and patronised, doe-eyed.

"What?" I snorted, "That's ridiculous." I laughed.

River went to France with his own money that he had saved up. My dad -advised by mother dearest - had cut him off because he disagreed blatantly with everything that they did.

"Maybe your parents told you otherwise to protect you since you two are so close," she persisted.

"Don't speak on what you don't know," I warned her. My parents didn't care about my protection, only of themselves.

"I can't imagine being so ungrateful to my parents who've given me everything," Avery chimed in.

My eyes darted in her direction. Her plumped lips twitched into a scornful smile. Not only did no one ask for her input I was starting to get angry.

I took a breath. Unlike the ones today this one concealed my will to hop this table and slam both of their heads in it. "I'm going to need you two to shut up about my brother." I looked between the both of them with fiery eyes. "You don't know anything about him, and you never will," I spat.

Valerie frowned. "Did I hit a nerve?" She batted her feline eyes as she continued to push as if there was something here she needed to uncover so she could prove something to everyone.

No one will ever understand how much River had helped me when he also suffered from our parents' abuse. I always thought how they treated me was the worst way in the world, but River suffered twice as much as I did because he stood up not only for himself but for me.

He suffered for me. There was none as strong and caring as my brother. He was not a thief and had every right to leave.

"Yes, you did," I said in a strangled monotone, my eyebrows in a frown. "I'm letting you know now that if you continue I'll backhand you across this table," I promised sincerely with the friendliest smile.

I heard reactions about the group but focused only on Avery and Valerie's. Avery's jaw had gone slack and she cowered away by putting distance between her chair and Valerie's.

Valerie gave her a sideways glance, swallowing hard before she opened her mouth to me again. "Is that a threat?" Her brows raised.

I put my hand to my chest, artificially hurt by her accusation. I shook my head righteously. "No, not at all," I told her. "I'm advising you to shut up." I dared her to speak again with a wicked glare.

Her imperious attitude had fallen from her face. She tensed, going pale with every version of me beating her that played in her head. They snickered shamelessly at her sudden cowardice. She shot them all angered glares.

"You're my new favourite person." AK nudged me with his elbow and whispered.

"Get up and do what you need to do," Leighton said to Valerie.

"MaΓ«ile, the lights," he instructed and she turned it off with great annoyance.

During Val's stunt, Leighton hadn't said a word, his face stayed neutral till the end. After, when I turned to him as Val got up he winked at me with a pleased expression.

The room was engulfed in darkness when the lights were switched off, there were no windows that offered excess light. I was still fighting myself to calm down. It was one thing to come at me but another entirely to come at my brother.

My eyes met Rowen who was looking at me guiltily. "I'm sorry," he mouthed.
"It's whatever," I mouthed back with a shrug.

Valerie stood next to the shelved wall. In her hand, she had a button that she pressed. Simultaneously the books on the shelves flipped into a bleached board that pictures of cars similar to the ones in Leighton's folder projected on.

She flipped her hair and adjusted her uniform before she began. "As we all know Leighton races against" -a tall muscled brunette appeared on the board- "Dominic Harley, reigning champion, tonight." She began.

"Is she talking about Street racing?" I questioned and was hushed by Avery's dramatic shushing. She definitely made more noise than me.

"Isn't it illegal?" I said under my breath
"Not for us." AK grinned.

"He's known for defeating his competitors with his personalized Nissan 350z. Though not so popular anymore, more people have started to repurchase this model."

On the screen flashed a stubbed gray car with beatle eyes, its tire rims were neon orange. The car looked like it couldn't go past 5 miles an hour. I grimaced at its ugliness.

"Leighton has never competed against him, for obvious reasons," she sneered.

Pictures of cars with flattened tires and parts exploding or on fire transitioned across the screen. They all laughed.

I didn't get the joke. I looked at them then at the screen with great concern.

"After training for two years, he thinks he's ready." She folded her arms, disagreeing with doubtful eyes. Seth clicked his tongue as he shook his head.

"Have some faith, Valerie." A playful smile spread across his face.

What's happening right now? I thought as I watched them stare at each other for too long. If it lasted any longer I would die of disgust.

"Continue please." Seth snapped her out of her trans.

"Leighton will be entering the race with his Chevrolet Corvette C6," she said. Seth and Rowen's heads snapped in his direction with astonished expressions.

"That's not what you've been practising in!" Rowen noted.

"You're right," Leighton said placidly.

"Dude, what the fuck?" Seth murmured.

"What does that mean?" I leaned over to AK.
"It means he's crazy." He snorted.

Leighton pressed his index to his lips then pointed to the board ahead.

"With Antonio's help, he made a few tweaks to make it more powerful." She finished by closing the presentation and putting back the shelves. MaΓ«ile turned on the lights.

"Time to make the bet." She stood at the other end of the table with a velvet box. "Will you be joining us MaΓ«ile," she asked with a condescending tone. MaΓ«ile gave her the finger then resumed whatever occupied her attention on her phone.

"Are you for or against Leighton winning?" She slipped the lid off the box. "Starting amount is $1000."

"Do you want to join?" Her feather like voice queried.

"No, she doesn't Maya." Valerie scowled.
"I didn't want to anyway." I rolled my eyes. "I'd rather not engage in illegal activity," I added. Valerie chuckled mockingly.

"You witnessing this makes you guilty by association," Avery added as she folded her sheet in half.

"I'm sorry?" I blinked.

"Don't listen to them, we won't get in trouble," Seth said reassuringly.

"If we don't get caught," AK jeered and they burst into laughter.

These people are crazy, I should've run when I had the chance. I looked at them bewildered, like a deer in headlights as I thought of the possibility of going to prison.

I felt someone reach for my arm. I turned in surprise to Leighton. "Nothing about this is against the law. We're just a group of friends betting the money we have in abundance for fun, you can't get locked up for that," he consoled.

I nodded slowly with skeptical eyes. "You street race?" I asked the obvious.
"Seems like it."

"Isn't that dangerous?" I asked with a worried expression.

His lopsided smirk evened as the other end of his mouth curved up. "Are you afraid I'll get hurt?"

I narrowed my eyes contemptuously with a smile. "Human decency."

I turned back to Valerie who began speaking again."Okay, see you all tonight and we'll see who walks away with the money."

They all got up from their seats and started to leave. I got up, taking my hand from Leighton and walking over to Rowen.

I pulled him by the arm and stepped aside, out of earshot. "Aren't these the same people you told me you didn't want me to be corrupted by?" I folded my arms.

"Why'd you invite me here to gamble illegally?" I whispered through my teeth.

"Eden we're not gambling," he insisted.
"No, you're betting on Leighton's life!"
He laughed. "Eden chill ok." He laid a calming hand on my shoulder. "You're fine. This is all fine," he guaranteed. I sighed frustrated.

"Do you want a ride?" He asked as we walked to the door.
"Danvers is on his way," I told him.

"Ok, I can't stay, my dad's waiting for me," he said hurriedly and pressed his lips against the side of my head before he left.

I twirled around to AK approaching me. As he got closer, I realized he and Leighton were about the same height. I hadn't noticed how strong his cologne was until now.

"Eden, Eden, Eden," he said with a delighted tone and an idyllic smile. Something about the way my name rolled off his tongue made me want to hear him recite it like a poem.

"AK." I grinned. "Is that your real name or do the letters mean something?"

"Angel Kennedy," he reintroduced, taking steps forward. His hair was long enough for him to put it up into a small bun. He had an angular face and his lips had a natural bubblegum colour.

"Meeting you has been the highlight of my day. The way you made Valerie shit her pants," he said mind blown. "Amazing!"

He took my hand in his. "I want to see more of you. I want to get to know you," he said solemnly. I had forgotten we weren't the only two in the room.

"Angel," Leighton called with a bothered tone. We both turned in his direction.

"Go home," he said.

Angel turned back to me and whispered, "He thinks he's my dad." I giggled.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said as he complied with Leighton's suggestion.

He kissed my hand before he let go. "You won't."

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "I don't actually go here," he explained, then he said goodbye to the three of us and left.

I should've figured considering the fact that he was not in uniform.

Afterwards, MaΓ«ile approached me. "Did you have fun?" She asked listlessly.

"I think they're all crazy," I confessed.
She bobbed her head. "So you see what they're doing?"

I furrowed my brows. "What do you mean?"

She scrutinized with a displeased shake of her head. Then she began with a hushed tone. "They're a group of generally close friends, what are you doing here?" She pointed out.

Immediately I took offence, but she had a point I just didn't know to what.

"Tell harabeoji I'll see him tomorrow," Leighton interjected.

"You guys are related?" I looked between both of them.

"Step cousin's," they said at the same time. Leighton went back to what he was doing and MaΓ«ile left the two of us alone. I walked over to the table to retrieve my bag. Danvers would be here soon.

"You know Korean?" He was intrigued.

"Only a few words that I've picked up from dramas, like grandfather," I told him. He gave me a pleased nod.

There was only silence between us for another five minutes. I watched him put back the table and stacked chairs in the supply closet.

"Are you coming to cheer me on tonight?" He asked when he was done.

"I don't know if I want to get involved with you guys," I admitted.

He leaned up from the table. "You make us sound like criminals."

I didn't reply.

"Are we going to talk about earlier today?" He walked across the room over to me.

"No. Let's talk about why you have pictures of some guy who I can only assume you ordered to be beaten up." I folded my arms.

"He had it coming," he said

"Just so you know, I'm not into this gangster lifestyle."

"We're hardly a gang," he snorted.
I rolled my eyes. "Could've fooled me."

He laughed. "Okay." He unfolded my arms and held my hands in his. "The guy in the folder tried to run me off the road when we raced last week. That was my revenge."

My eyes widened with worry, then they narrowed dubiously. "He looked half-dead!" I retorted.

"Well I almost died," he said in the

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