Overwhelmed.

Sitting in the car with my mother and...what do I even call Harry? Driving to a hotel because our houses are under observation, because of Shay, because Shay is my bully.

I know I have not been the best friend, or person. I understand why she wanted to hurt me but digging up bones and poisoning me seems a little overboard. Why couldn't she just bitch behind my back like a normal teenage girl.

It doesn't seem real.

None of this does.

I can tell my Mom is angry, so is he.

I don't blame them; I'm angry at me too.

It didn't take long to get to the hotel the police station had booked for us, but in a silent car it felt like an eternity, with the weight of everything pushing down on me.

They had only booked us one room; I'm guessing that hadn't figured out that we were having an affair then- that and the reason he is in the car with me and isn't in cuffs back at the police station. This was about to be one awkward night.

I walked into the room, nice but not too nice- I don't deserve it. Sitting on the bed trying to process everything that has happened in the past couple of hours. Harry and my Mom followed me, taking seats around the room, I could feel them staring at me- waiting for me to explain.

I don't know what to say to them. How do I explain to my mother that I have had a very complicated relationship with my English teacher and how do I explain to Harry that I've been keeping this huge secret from him- that mainly involves him.

I held my brain, not knowing what to say... "Do you want to order some food or something?" I asked, hoping, praying it would break the tension.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" It was Harry that spoke, my mother just watching the interaction between us both.

"I'll talk that as a no." I sighed.

"Are you seriously not going to say anything?" He was raising his voice and all of a sudden, I felt more of a child to him than anything else.

"I don't know what you want me to say." I stated.

"I'd like some fucking answers Skylar." He fired back.

"So would I." This time my mother spoke, I felt cornered- like they were teaming up against me.

"You think if I knew how to explain what was happening, I would have done it already?" I spat. "Do you seriously think that if I could have told you I would have."

They didn't say anything, my mother just looked at me with pity and Harry just seethed from his position, leaning against the table in the corner, gripping the edge so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"I didn't know who was doing this, I didn't know the extent to what they knew about me. I didn't know how far they would go to hurt me."

"I could have helped you." My mother replied.

"I was afraid you would get hurt, both of you." For a second, I thought Harry had relaxed but he still remained stoic and pissed off.

"You got hurt. She put you in fucking hospital Sky!" I don't think I have ever seen Harry this angry, he sort of reminded me of my dad when he used to come back drunk.

"I'm well aware of that Harry."

"She put cameras in my fucking house!" He stood up from his leaning position.

"I know! I am fully aware of what they did- they sent me the fucking remains of a friend." I fought back.

"SHE! Skylar, she did that- it was Shay not some masked figure behind a phone who just so happened to be in the right place at the right time!" I know it was Shay, I know she was the one behind this but for some reason I still just see some dark figure in a hoodie like on Pretty Little Liars, someone nameless and faceless, not a friend- not someone I trusted.

"I was scared." I said quietly.

"Then you should have come to me!"

"I couldn't." I replied looking down at the floor.

"I thought you trusted me." he fought.

"I do."

"So why didn't you come to me?" He shouted.

"I wanted to protect you." My stomach was churning, and my head was pounding- none of this felt real.

"Why?" I didn't know how to respond, why is he pushing this?

"Because she's in love with you." My mother finally spoke, I turned to face her with wide eyes and a pounding heart.

"What the fuck did you just say?" I muttered.

"I know my daughter; I know you Sky- more than you know yourself. You think I didn't suspect anything was going on between you and him?" I was speechless; maybe I do feel strongly about him, but this isn't the fucking way I wanted him to find out.

"Is that true?" Harry looked at me, suddenly very pale. I shrugged, not wanting to speak anymore, exhausted from trying to make them understand. I don't care if they don't understand anymore, I did what I had to do, I did what I thought was right- who gives a fuck if they disagree, they weren't there every time I got a message or a letter. They didn't know how it felt to be targeted, I wouldn't wish that upon them just because I 'should have' told them, this wasn't some kid picking on me at school, this was someone I trusted twisting and turning my secrets against me.

I'm not going to apologise for want to protect the people I care about.

I brought my knees to my chest and hugged them close to me, comforting myself. I rested my chin on top, sighing, "Can we be done with this now?"

There was a double bed for my mother and I and a single bed for Harry- we didn't have clothes or any of our belongings since we were promised that we could return to our houses in the morning. I kicked off my shoes and crawled under the covers, curling up and facing the wall so neither of them could see me. Hoping that when I woke up it would all be a dream.

***

I was screaming, at least I think I was, I couldn't tell- I felt like I was suffocating, drowning, like some intense force on my chest.

I sat up with a start, shaking and breathing heavily.

"Sky breathe" I had woken Harry up and he rushed my side, I looked to see my mom fast asleep- the weight of everything taking its toll on her. He held my face in between his hands hands and I relaxed- I'm safe, but it wasn't a dream. None of it was a fucking dream.

Shay betrayed me and my mom told Harry I was in love with him.

What a fucking night.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

"It's ok I wasn't sleeping anyway." He whispered back, giving me a soft smile.

"No...I meant for everything." He sighed before pulling my face down and placing a kiss on my forehead.

"I know. Get some sleep." He stood back up and returned back to his bed.

***

Thankfully, the morning was quiet- no one spoke unless it was necessary and neither of them asked me about A. I wasn't sure whether they were keeping quiet for my sake or because there wasn't anything less to truly say. Either way I was grateful for the silence.

Harry drove us to my house, where we met a couple of police officers who told us it was safe to go inside. My mom invited Harry in for a cup of tea, which we were currently sitting in silence drinking.

"Harry, do you care for my daughter?" My mother asked out of nowhere. He nodded in response looking sceptically between the two of us.

"And I know you care for him." I still nodded even though it wasn't a statement.

"Then whatever is going on between you two needs to end." I wasn't sure where this was coming from, but a part of me couldn't help but agree. "It's for the best."

"What?" Harry said.

"I agree." I said, shocking them both.

"What?" He repeated.

"If this comes out at trial its going to ruin your life." I stated. I wasn't wrong, if this went to a trial and there was a case I know that Shay wouldn't hesitate to implicate our relationship, I couldn't allow that.

"Is that what you want?" He asked, almost disheartened.

"At least until school is finished, we cant risk this anymore Harry- its not fair on you." He sighed and put down his tea.

"Ok. Walk me out?" I nodded and stood, walking him to the door.

After everything that's happened its hard to believe that this is how it ends but I cant keep risking it, just because the villain is locked up doesn't mean she still cant hurt me from behind bars.

"Can I just ask for one thing?" He said turning to me.

"Of course."

"Kiss me."

I hooked my finger in the collar of his shirt and embraced him, giving myself to him fully. We held each other impossibly close like it is the last time we will ever see each other.

"Goodbye Harry."

*

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