"You went to the mall?", I asked Ren as I curled my hair, getting ready for prom tonight. "Yeah, I had to get something for my mom and return a couple of things," Ren said through the phone. I looked at the time and read 5:40 PM, I have time. I put the curling iron down and touched the curlers on the top of my head, which curled my bangs.

"Are you getting ready," he asked. "Mhm," I mumbled, pinning a strand of my hair back. "I'm almost done with my hair, I just need to do my makeup," I said as I grasped the handle of the hot barrel, twirling a strand of hair around it.

"Ok, I can't wait to see you tonight."

I smiled, "Me too. Bye, I'll see you in about an hour."

"Bye, love you," Ren said before hanging up. I glanced at my phone and shook my head as I continued doing my hair, he'd always hang up after saying that before I can respond. Too embarrassed to hear my response. After curling the final piece, I ran my fingers through my curls and sprayed hairspray to keep it in place, at least for a few hours. My hair is so thick, my curls only last a fraction of the time.

I went to my bathroom to get my makeup bag and eyeshadow palettes. I looked up at my mirror to check my styling. A knock came at my door and I called out, "Come in." Ali peeked inside and she gushed, "Ms. Nova! You look beautiful." I smiled as looked at the mirror before looking at her, "I didn't even do my makeup yet."

She shook her head, "You're going to be the most beautiful girl there." I smiled, "Thank you P'Ali."

She opened the door wider and showed me my dress, packed in a clear zip-up dress cover. "Here's your dress, by the way," she said as she went to my bed to lay it on top of the blanket.

I rummaged through my makeup bag and said, "Thank you, P'Ali." She hummed and closed my door as she walked out of my room. I sighed as I sat in my chair and put some primer on to start on my makeup. My idea for makeup was to keep a glowy, dewy base and a dark red lip. My dress was a smoky grey color, off-shoulder, with short tulle sleeves draping the arm. The dress was an a-line silhouette with a voluminous tulle skirt, its length barely covering my toes.

After I finished my base, I went to do a simple brown eyeshadow look to emphasize my big, doe eyes. I did my eyeliner with a brown pencil and applied mascara before gluing on separate wisps of individual false lashes–to make my eyelashes appear fuller. I finished up by putting on a lip stain and a gloss on top, to make them shine under the light. I took my bangs out of the curlers and smooth them down with my hands, parting them to frame my face.

I stood in front of the mirror, satisfied with my look, and went to take off my satin robe. I dressed in my undergarments and took out my dress from its cover. My hands ran through the fabric and I was mesmerized by how fairy-like it looked. I carefully stepped into it and put my arms through the sleeves. I smoothed my skirt down and spun while looking at myself in the mirror.

I took the earrings Ren bought me, and wore my engagement ring–with a few other rings to wear on my fingers. The dainty, silver bracelet I wore was from my mom a few years back. I took of my dad's necklace and replaced it with a silver chain and diamond pendant. As I hung dad's necklace on my jewelry tree, I wondered if he could see me, I wish you were here dad. I smiled as I looked at the picture of us, which sat on top of my desk.

Before I left, I spritzed some perfume on and took my small clutch with me that only held eyelash glue, lipgloss, and my phone with my wallet inside. I put on my silver, open-toed, stiletto heels, bound to give my heel pain for a of couple days. I walked out of my room, turned off the lights, and closed the door. I looked to my right at mom's office and saw that it was closed. I didn't know if she was home, but if she was it wouldn't make a difference anyway.

I walked down the staircase, my hands lightly touching the railing to keep my balance. I already felt pain in my feet as I walked the wooden stairs.

"Oh my gosh, Ms. Nova!"

I looked up as I stepped off the last stair, and saw Uncle Ken, Aunt Cel, and P'Ali smiling at me. Ali snapped a couple of pictures of me as I stood awkwardly in front of them, showing a small smile. Aunt Cel walked towards me and brought my hair to drape it in front of me, "You look beautiful, darling."

"You look like a princess, Ms. Nova," Uncle Ken said. I nodded, "Thank you, you're all too sweet."

Ali added, "I can't wait till Sir Ren sees you, he'll faint at your beauty." I blushed as Ali took more pictures. Aunt Cel motioned them to come and stand next to me, "Let's take a picture. Ali, can you take, what are those called? Selfs? Sel–"

"Selfie," Ali said.

"Yes, take one of all of us," Aunt Cel said. Ali immediately extended her arm and went in front of us to get a better angle. Uncle Ken was on my left and his hand was around my shoulder. Aunt Cel was on my right, her hand resting on my waist.

"Ok! Look at the camera, smile!"

She snapped a couple of pictures and she said, "Ok! Funny face."

I put bunny ears above Uncle Ken's head and stuck a little bit of my tongue out of a corner. Ali chuckled as she looked at our pictures. We all laughed as she showed us the funny one–Uncle Ken doing some wacky expression, Aunt Cel pretending to kiss my cheek, and Ali doing a heart with her finger.

"Could you send these to me?" I asked and Ali nodded, "I will." She smiled as she sent the pictures to me via messenger. Aunt Cel fixed a few details of my dress, ruffling up the tulle or combing through my hair,  with her perfectionist's hand.  

The front door opened and mom came through, wearing her coat and slipping off her shoes. Aunt Cel immediately went to assist her, "Welcome home, madam." Mom shrugged off the coat and gave it to Aunt Cel, "Thank you."

She looked at us and Ali kept her phone to her chest as she bowed to her, "Hi Madam." Mom smiled at her and Ali points at me, "Isn't Ms. Nova beautiful in her dress?"

Mom looked at me and she nodded, "You look beautiful, Nova." I smoothed my clammy hands over my skirt, "Thanks, mom." Mom nodded and Aunt Cel pushed her gently to me, "Go and take a picture with your daughter. You should document this." Mom nodded with a strained smile, Aunt Cel taking her bag from her shoulder, as they stepped back a bit from us. 

I moved over a bit as mom stood by my side. She took a hesitant hand and touched my back. Aunt Cel, "Closer, a little bit." Mom leaned in more as Ali went in front of us with her phone, "Ok, smile!"

My hands clutched my bag as I smiled awkwardly for the picture. Ali snapped a couple of pictures for us and she showed a thumbs-up. Mom let go and moved away a little as Ali offered her phone, "Would you like to look?"

Mom shook her head, "No need. I need to finish up some casework." She looked at me and went to kiss my cheek, "Have fun and stay safe." I nodded as she walked away from us, and went to her office. My eyes followed her until she shut the doors as I chewed my inner cheek. I slowly looked at Ali, Uncle Ken, and Aunt Cel and knew their spirits dwindled a bit. Comforting smiles only showed on their faces. Ali says, "Cheer up, it's your prom night! You should be excited."

I smiled and nodded, "You're right."

In perfect timing, the doorbell rang. Uncle Ken went to open the door, "That must be Sir Ren." Ren appeared at the door, looking a bit disheveled and out of breath. He was only in his white turtle neck and black slacks, with his black shoes. Alarmed, I walked to him, "What happened?"

He looked at me and behind me, plastering a smile on his face, "Nothing, are you ready?" Ren's eyes lingered on me, and he kissed my cheek, "You look amazing." 

I smiled as I combed a strand of hair away from his face and felt sweat touch my fingertips, "Why are you sweating?" Ren shook his head and whispered in my ear, "I'll tell you in the car, I don't want your family worrying."

Uncle Ken looked between us, "Is there something wrong?" I looked at Ren and his lips tensed, as his brows furrowed for a second. "Nothing, we should go, right Ren?," I said.

He bowed, "I hope you have a good night."

Aunt Cel nodded, "Ok, have fun! You don't want any pictures?"

I held his hand and said, "We can take some real quick." Ren's fingers tightened around mine as I whispered, "Please?"

He nodded as I patted away sweat from his face with my fingers. I let go of his hand and hooked my arm around his, as he leaned toward me. Ali took a few pictures and said, "Done! I'll send these too!"

"Thank you!", I said as Ren went to open the door for me. The three saw us out as Ren led me to his car at the front. He opened my door for me and guided me with his hand into the car. He closed my door and ran to the driver's side, as I rolled down the window and waved at Aunt Cel, Ali, and Uncle Ken.

Ren slowly drove out of the driveway and Ali shouted, "Have fun you two!" I waved before rolling up the window. Ren looked intense and drove with speed. I asked, "Can you tell me why you're so tense right now?"

He said, "I went to the mall."

I nodded in response and Ren's brow furrowed, "I saw Talay at the mall. I had MJ confirm it was him."

"Gorya's friend?"

He nodded, "I saw him with a group of guys and it seemed suspicious. He was in his uniform too, I only guess he was working during that time I saw him."

Ren felt around for his jacket at the back and I asked, "What are you looking for?" He gave me his black jacket and said, "Take my phone and look at the most recent video." I quickly unlocked it and went into his camera roll and video folder. I watched a zoom-in video of six or so guys, huddled together. In the middle was, who I assumed is Talay wearing the bright pink and blue jacket. I squinted and brought the phone closer to my face, "I recognize him." The familiar haircut and silver-rimmed glasses called back to the moment on the rooftop. He stared at my hand, with my ring, and had a sarcastic grin on his lips.

"You do?", he asked.

I nodded, "We crossed paths when I walked to the rooftop. He came out carrying a big bag of trash. I asked what he was doing and he was...all of a sudden combative. It was weird."

Ren sped up faster as I asked, "So, what about him? Is he dangerous?"

"I don't know, I have a feeling but, we're going to MJ's pad. Kavin is meeting us there too."

I said, "Gorya's with him, right?"

Ren nodded, "I'm sorry Nova. I'll take you to the prom–"

I waved it off, "I don't care about the prom, I just want to know if Gorya is safe. She's more important than a dance." 

...

I hiked my dress up as I ran into the elevators of the complex. Ren and I quickly pressed the button for the top floor of the complex, and I asked, "Do you think Gorya is ok?" Ren didn't answer I bit my lip and went to dial her number on my phone. The elevator doors opened and we see a security guard at the desk just before MJ's front door. He stood and bowed his head, "Good evening, Sir Ren." Ren nodded as the guard opened the automated doors, letting us pass through.

MJ and Kavin look at us as we stride in. MJ says, "Hey–" I immediately interrupt, "What do you know about Talay?" MJ looked at Ren before explaining, "He has no record. He's a student at the school, and he's just a regular person. I searched if he had any businesses affected by the Parama Group and I found nothing."

"But, that doesn't explain why he's with an anti-F4 group," Ren said. I looked at him in surprise, "Anti-F4?"

Kavin explained, "There's a group that labeled themselves as the anti-F4. They've been together for as long as we've been in Kocher High. But, they've never done anything, only act like a club and spread some petty things about us."

"I don't think that's the case. Look at the video, there are at least three of them wearing the uniforms. I think they're planning something," Ren said as he pointed at his screen.

Kavin asked, "What do you mean?"

I looked at Ren as he said, "Retaliation. For everything we did, what Thyme did."

MJ asked, "Maybe it's all in your head. No one would ever touch us. They're all talk anyway."

Ren said, "Why would Talay be seen with them? He came to the school after the red card ended. Why would he be against us?" I looked at the screen of Talay's information and read his occupation: deliveryman/rider. "He wouldn't touch you guys. He would harm the next closest person." I mumbled.

"Who?", MJ asked.

I immediately took out my phone and dialed Gorya's number, but it went straight to voicemail: "The person you are trying to reach isn't available. At the tone, please leave a message–"

"She powered off her phone," I whispered, combing my hair out of my face. "Gorya?", Kavin asked.

"Yes! Gorya! Talay become friends with her only recently. He's a part of the anti-F4 group, and we don't know the motive but, he knows how to get to Thyme and that's through Gorya," I exclaimed and chewed on my nail as I thought of what his motive might be.

Ren took his keys from his pocket, "I'll find her. Can you try to call Thyme?"

MJ showed his phone, "I tried and nothing, I can't reach him." Kavin groaned as he went back to the computer. Ren held my hand, "Stay here." He walked away but, I ran to him, "Let me come with you."

He shook his head, "No, it's dangerous."

"Ren. I'm going with you." I walked in front of him but, he pulled me back.

"Stop Nova. It's not safe, I can't protect you. We don't know how many are on his side," he said.

"I want to find my best friend. I want to see if she's all right. Let me find her. Please." I kept eye contact with him, my eye brimming with tears. Ren sighed as he pulled me with him, holding my hand and leading us back to his car. MJ and Kavin look at each other, Kavin asking, "What do we do?"

MJ pointed at the monitor, "Pull up the security footage from the school."

...

I scrolled through my phone to find any chat that would indicate where Gorya is, but it seemed they made a separate one or took me off the group. I chewed at my lip, anxiously as Ren pulled up to the stadium parking lot. I looked up and asked, "Do you think they're here?"

Ren nodded while taking off his seatbelt, "It's worth a shot." I opened the door and quickly ran out. The pain shooting up from my heels didn't matter to me as Ren and I ran toward the stadium. Dirt splashed everywhere, and I felt the grainy substance throughout my feet. My dress was completely ruined but, that was the least of my worries. Please, Gorya, be ok.

We make it to the entrance, but the board that was originally there to block the entrance was torn down. Ren looked at me and took my hand, leading us inside together. My heart was racing and sweat began to build up on my body as we ran into the stadium. 

"Stay by my side," Ren said. 

People were cheering as a boy, Por, pushes Gorya straight onto a metal bar. I let go of Ren's hand, "Gorya!" I watched Gorya fall to the ground– the grimy, dark water at the center of the stadium. I cried out as I ran to her, my feet slipping from the water, making me fall to my knees, my dress lessening the impact, as I fell just before Gorya's limp body. My ankle shot with pain but I ignored it and crawled to her, cradling her body in my arms.

I tucked her hair away from her face, and pressed a kiss on her forehead, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." My tears fell on the ground and on her face.  Ren came to my side and he looked at the people who stood in shock, watching us in the stadium.

The three girls, Jane, and her friends stuttered, "We were going to help her. But, these guys stopped us." I cried as I rubbed Gorya's cold body. Ren looked at the two boys who pushed Gorya and they said, "Thyme gave the red card, so we thought–"

Ren slapped the water, prompting me to look at him as he says in a low, threatening voice, "If something happens to her. I will never forgive you." Ren looked at me before moving Gorya and carrying her in his arms. He grunts as he supports her weight and I helped him adjust his arm. I carefully stood up and my foot makes me stumble a bit. Ren looks at me, worried, "Are you hurt?"

"No, it's just my heels, I'm ok. Let's take her to the hospital," I said. Ren nodded and walked ahead of me as I turned to the students still at the stadium, "You almost killed her." They looked away from me as I walked, with a bit of a limp, and followed Ren out of the stadium.

We got to Ren's car, and he placed Gorya in the back seat, covering her with his suit jacket. I sat with her and laid her head on my shoulder. Ren looked at my dress and my ankle, "It's inflamed! Nova, why didn't you say anything?" I wiped my tears and shook my head, "It doesn't bother me. Let's take her to the hospital."

"Nova–", his eyes regretful and I shook my head, "I will be fine. Let's go to the hospital now, Gorya might have some head trauma which is more important than my ankle." Ren stayed silent before going to the driver's seat. His phone rang as he opened the door and I busied myself wiping Gorya's face from the grime and dirt. My heart broke as I looked at her, a bruise forming on her face. 

"It's Kavin," he said before walking a few steps away from us. 

With one hand I unbuckled the straps of my heels and released my feet from the torture. My ankle was in pain but, only if I moved or walked on it. I looked at Gorya who slept on my shoulder, still not making one movement before I placed another kiss on her head, rubbing a soft thumb on her cheek. 

Movement caught my peripheral vision, and I looked up to see a group of guys approach Ren and hit his head with a crowbar. Ren instantly fell to the ground, and I screamed, "Ren!" Two of them, wearing familiar school uniforms came to my door and opened it. A wave of fear washed over me as I worried for Ren and Gorya. They dragged me away from Gorya by the arms as I thrashed and screamed, "Let go of me!" A napkin smothers my mouth and nose. I struggled to get free but a hand kept the napkin on my face. In a few seconds, my nose smelled acetone fumes, and my eyes began to shut against my will. 

...

Note: 

Hi guys!

I want to be more consistent with posting so, I wrote this chapter in time to post. Sorry for the cliffhanger though, I do feel a little bad for doing that. Just a bit ;)! The next chapter will be just as long and it will come next week, I can guarantee that! 

Thank you for your encouraging and insightful comments. I appreciate your show of love and votes for this story!