8 7

Amira woke up confused. She didn't remember what happened to her after she'd gotten to her room but she felt his arms around her and calmed down. She looked up at Dean and saw him fast asleep with....reading glasses? The lamp was left on and some homework was in their laps, when she looked down. She looked over and saw Liz sleeping in her daybed and slowly peeled Dean's arms away. She placed the homework aside and stood to get a thicker blanket and put it over her friend. It was then she saw a big bruise on her face and a blood trail under her nose.

"Wonder what did that," Laurette asked from beside her.

Mira shrugged and went back to the bed and stared down at the homework.

"Well someone seems ta be a diligent student," Amira muttered, earning a perverted laugh from Laurette.

"Sounds like something from a porno."

Mira rolled her eyes then picked up the papers and saw that all of the questions were right. She gasped before going to math then groaned when she saw only the example question was correct.

"Seems like he's a genius at anything except math."

Mira organized his homework by his class schedule then put it on the floor before going to his side and removing the covers. He was still fully clothed and his shoes were on but hanging from the bed.

"How in the shit did you sleep in this uncomfortable position?"

Mira rolled her shoulders and neck before removing his shoes then his socks and jeans. She then took off his shirt before pulling him to a laying position.

When he looked comfortable enough she sat on the floor in fatigue and looked up at him.

"What the hell are they feedin' 'em? He's as heavy as a ton of whales."

When she caught her breath she folded her his cloths and put his socks inside of one of his shoes and placed his folded cloths on top of the shoes. She stood and went to put the covers over him again but he grabbed her and pulled her on top of him then rolled to his side.

"What the hell? Evans? Evans!"

She didn't want to get to loud and wake her parents and Liz but he was snuggling into her and held her so close to his body.

"Dean if you don't let me go right now..."

When she got no response she huffed and decided to relax. He wouldn't do anything to her anyways and his arms made her feel oddly safe.

"I'll give you a free pass this time, Evans. Next time I'm gonna kill you. Got that?"

Amira looked at the sleeping boy then turned her body to be more comfortable. She stared at his face and decided to be honest with herself. She was feeling something when she was with him. He made her feel things she'd never felt before and it was nervewreaking.

"Look at you," she began as she spot softly, "sleeping soundly like you are. I 'ave a mind to kick you off me bed and make ya sleep on tha floor."

She smiled a little then pushed a loc of hair from his face.

"Where do you get off being so handsome? I'm only admitting it now that you're asleep so revel in it. The great Amira Scott has declared you the fifth most handsome fellow in my life." She placed a hand on his cheek and gently rubbed it with her thumb, the smile disappearing.

"Whatever happened to me earlier today, I know it was you that tried to help me. Thank you for that. For some reason I feel as though you were what pulled me back. I can't really remember where you pulled me from but I wish I did so I can thank you and apologies properly."

After a few more moments of staring, she slowly leaned her face closer to his until their lips connected. It was a brief, but meaningful, kiss that made her pull away quickly due to the fact that she didn't want to do so.

She looked at him in shock then turned her body to look up at the ceiling.

"Why'd I have to go and do that," she mumbled, feeling the blush forming on her cheeks, "I'm too fucked up to be with you anyways."

After staring at the ceiling for a while, Amira went to sleep with a smile on her face. What she didn't realize was the Dean was already awake when she first got off the bed. He smiled then closed his eyes to revel in holding, who he now would consider to be, the love of his life. He tried to ease his heart, hoping she couldn't hear it pounding but then stopped himself and prayed she heard it.

Dean woke up to an empty bed and sat up to look around the room. When he saw it was empty, he laid back down and looked up at the ceiling, remembering the events of yesterday and last night. At the thought of the kiss she gave him he couldn't help but to become giddy. He smiled and rolled around on the bed like a child that finally got the present he had begged for. In the middle of this, he hadn't realized Liz had come into the room until she chuckled. He stopped immediately and sat up looking at her.

With a small smile, she cleared her throat and went to give him one of the two mugs she hand then going to sit on the day bed.

"I see someone is happy," she stated as she dranked the content from the mug.

Dean smiled again then quickly crawled to the otherside of the bed and got off to sit next to her. She was taken by surprise and reeled back but he pulled her forwards to speak to her in a low voice.

"Amira kissed me last night."

Liz gasped but Dean placed a hand over her mouth and shushed her.

"She thought I was asleep and became all adorable and vulnerable then kissed me."

Liz moved his hand away from her and looked him up and down.

"You sure you didn't dream it? I mean, its hard to see her making the first move."

"Who making the first move?"

Mira came through the door with a tray that had three plates on it. Both Liz and Dean looked at her then each other before Liz spoke up nervously.

"Ah...a umm... A chess player!"

Liz looked at Dean for backup and he gave her a look that asked "why chess?".

"Y-yeah. I heard from a friend that there was a chess tournament and a girl won after making the first move."

Mira nodded in understanding then gave them their plates.

"Didn't take either of you for chess players."

The two laughed nervously and Amira gave them looks of confusion before eating her breakfast. When they all finished their breakfast, Amira had a debate with herself before sighing and sitting in front of them.

"Guys, can I ask you something?"

The two looked at her then each other before sitting on the ground with her. She huffed and played with the hem of her shirt before speaking.

"Did I hurt you Liz?"

The question took both people off gaurd. Mira saw this and gave a sad smile.

"I guess I did." The red head looked up at Liz then took her hand.

"I'm sorry. I can't remember hurting you but I never wanted to do that."

The smaller girl huffed and tackled Mira into a hug.

"Did I say that you hurt me? Did I ask for an apology?"

"But I did hurt your without knowing. Even if it were an accident its still wrong."

Liz pulled away and grabbed her friend by the shoulders and shook her a little.

"It wasn't you."

"But-"

"No, Amira. It wasn't you. You would never hit me so it wasn't you. I'm just going to lump it in as a mistake and move on because you are the only real friend I have ever had."

Tears came to Amira's eyes and she nodded slowly then looked to Dean. They had unspoken words pass through them before she stood and went to her desk. She grabbed a set of keys and went under her bed before pulling out a giant box safe.

No one realized Everly was watching from the doorway so she remained quiet and looked at the content in the box. It was filled with things that belonged to Laurette; the friendship bracelets she made with Amira when Amira was sick, their ring pops, without the candy on it, her favorite pencil and multicolored pen. Everly wanted to go to that box and find what Amira was hiding from her right then but remained hidden. Then she saw it, a familiar black book with skull on the cover and a lock to keep it closed. She decided then that she would have to get close to Amira so that she could read that book. Laurette had three books that held only secrets and sadness but Everly only had two of those but neither were books that spoke of bullies or suicidal thoughts. Just sadness of being ignored by her parents and not being able to talk to her school crush and other things that were miniscule compared to her actions. Now that she knew where the box was, she could read it and finally get to the bottom of the story. She quickly sat down her mothers get well basket and rushed out of the house. Sheila tried talking to her but the girl was already out the door.

Amira found her black and white composition book and tried to calm herself down before being it out to Liz.

"What is it," the girl asked. Amira said nothing and Liz looked to Dean then the diary when realization hit her.

"Mira you don't have to-"

"Just take the damned thing and read it, Elizbeth."

With hesitancy, Liz took the book and began reading. Dean walked over to Amira and pulled her into his arms. She didn't try to pull away like she would normally do and just accepted the warmth he gave her.

He kissed her forehead and embraced her, proud that she decided to give it to Liz instead of Liz finding out as he'd done that day in the courtyard.

When Liz and Dean finished reading she was sobbing loudly while hugging Amira. Mira awkwardly comforted her while Dean sat back, troubled.

"You're trying to go through all of this alone," Liz sobbed, "why won't you tell your parents? They would help you get through it!"

Amira rolled her eyes at the crying girl and smiled. She was pretty sure that this was how she'd react but a small part of her thought she was going to run away from her and not look back.

"I can't tell them. They worry from me enough and would probably make me go to a shrink again."

Liz sat up after calming down some, looked at Amira then began crying again in her lap.

Dean chuckled at the scene before him and decided to speak up and lighten the mood a bit.

"Its amusing that Amira is comforting you when she's the one that needs it."

Liz sat up and looked to her friend with puppy eyes.

"Oh my gosh, he's right! Now I'm a crap friend!"

The girl began to cry again and Amira groaned in frustration. She peeled her away and thumped her forehead.

"Didn' I tell ya I hated hug?" The two colored eyed girl went to speak but Amira slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Listen, I just wanted you both to have a little insight on why I act as strange as I do. I don't want pity or empathy but I do need you to understand. Got it."

Liz nodded, short hiccups the only audible sound she is allowed to make.

Mira slowly moved her hand away and Dean passed a box of tissues over to them. Liz took them and used them to wipe her face.

Sheila watched Amira with Jerry, who was crying silently. They were so proud that their daughter was finally opening up to others completely yet heartbroken because she hadn't come to them completely. But with pride outweighing the heartache, the two walked away to let the three teens have their moments.

Mira watched Liz sleep on her bed as she drew a sketch of her. She was ashamed of herself for assuming the worst about the girl. Dean had left shortly after Liz's parents dropped by to meet her and her family and to also bring over a weeks worth of cloths for their daughter. They were so happy that Elizbeth had a friend that didn't look at her eyes or the families wealth. Amira hadn't realized that her friend had it rough until her parents told her. It made her feel selfish to a degree. She decided then that she would grow closer to Dean and Liz, hoping that she wouldn't screw it up.

"You should sprawl her hair out a little more, Reed. It'll bring out the sexiness she possess in IRL."

Amira snorted and did as suggested.

"No one, and I mean no one, says IRL anymore. They texted it from time to time, though."

Laurette leaned down to face her friend and smiled in her sarcastic way.

"I'm dead, Amira. I can't text."

The Irish girl rolled her eyes and pulled back the sketch she made. She drew Liz sleeping but, instead of on her bed, she was in a field of flowers. She still needed to add color but the sketch was done well.

"This is probably your best work yet, you booger. You should enter in that talent show as a painter or an artist or whatever you wanna call yourself."

"Me? Entering a talent show? Yeah right."

"Why not?"

Mira looked up to see Liz wide awake watching her. Quickly, she closed the sketchbook and tossed it behind her.

"Didn't know you were awake," Amira said scratching her head in nervousness.

"I woke up and saw you talking to... Yeah. Why don't you want to do the talent show? Dean said you were a great artist!"

The red haired girl groaned and looked away from Liz.

"They aren't that great anyways so whats the point?"

Liz had made her way over to Amira's side and, subtly, inched over to grab the book.

"Besides, its an event for talented students to get a free scholarship to college and to show boat what they're good at to look better than everyone else. I don't know if I'd want to go to college and if I did, what would I study there?"

Liz grabbed the book and began flipping through the pages. She was instantly awestruck.

"My gosh, Amira, you'd get a full ride for these."

Amira looked up with narrowed eyes then they widened when she saw her sketch book in Elizbeth's hands.

"Hey! Give that back!"

Liz ignored her and ran around the room as she flipped the pages. She paused, however, when she saw a certain page. There was a girl with a bright smile along with Amira and Everly. It was only their faces but they all looked younger and happier. All three had been missing the same front tooth on their bottom rows of teeth and they smiled proudly. The girl she never saw before stood between them with the brightest, and goofiest, smile of them all.

"This is Laurette?"

Amira sighed and sat on the bed.

"Yeah, that's her."

Liz sat down beside her while looking at the sketch. It was in perfect detail.

"That was when we were kids. I had just met the two and we all had the same tooth missing so Laurette declared me their friend. Spouted on about it being fate or some nonsense. No one had taken a picture of us together back then so I drew this to make up for it."

Liz flipped to the next one. It was only Everly and Laurette, blowing bubbles together with black eyes. Amira chuckled at the memory and explained.

"This one was on my birthday. The two got into a fist fight because they wanted me to have a favorite. They both had their parents buy me super expensive gifts but ended up punching each other's faces. I made them blow bubbles together after telling them that I couldn't choose since they wanted to fight."

Mira explained a few more pages but one page made her pause and Liz want to cry. It was a picture of Laurette with a noose around her neck and sliced arms. It was the only one drawn with colored pencils and had the most details of all the drawings thus far. The girl's blonde hair was in disarray with bloody tangles. The cut on each arm was a long line from her wrists to her inner elbows. The background was a room that looked like someone placed a hurricane inside and let it destroy everything. The thing that caught her eyes, however, was Laurette's face. Her eyes were empty but held extreme anger and sadness. A closer look and Liz saw the word WHY written in both eyes. Liz looked to Amira who was staring at the picture in pain and confusion.

"I don't remember drawing this," she said lowly. Her head gave a dull pain and her vision blurred but she shook it away to analyze the sketch.

"I don't... I..."

"Mira? Are you okay?"

Liz watched her friend take the book and trace her fingers over the page.

"When did I draw this? Why did I?"

The pain in her head intensified by ten, making her drop the book and gasp in pain.

"Amira? What's wrong?"

Liz's voice began to fade as she found herself shifting between her room and Laurette's room on the day she found her.

Liz watched Amira look around her room in fear and shake her head multiple times. She tried reaching out to her but it was as if Amira couldn't hear her.

After a moment, Amira clutched her chest and stared up, past Liz. Her face morphed from pained and confused to shear horror.

"Mister and Misses Scott!"

Liz backed away when Amira began speaking incoherently. It wasn't long before both Jerry and Shiela rushed into the room. Jerry saw his little girl on the ground and was by her side instantly.

"She's been triggered again," He told Shiela.

"We only had that one tranquilizer. I order for more but they won't be in until Tuesday."

Amira began screaming and lashing out, more frantically than before.

"She saw a sketch she drew and didn't know she drew it," Liz said to the adults, "she tried to figure out when she drew it but I couldn't stop her in time before she... I'm sorry. I didn't know-"

Shiela was next to Liz in a flash, comforting her as best she could.

"Shh. You did nothing wrong, okay? I need you to run next door for me, though. Dean pulled her back once before the tranquilizer kicked in so tell him to bring his cute butt over. Can you do that?"

"But- but what if-"

Shiela pulled away and looked Liz in the eyes.

"You are not at fault for this. It was expected to happen already so run and tell Dean to hurry over here."

Liz nodded and rushed out of the house. Jerry held his daughter's arms down as best he could but she fought harder and scratched his arms up.

"Jerry, get behind her. This way you won't be hurt."

The man did as told and held his daughter from behind. She screamed and fought, trying to run away from whatever she was seeing.

Dean had just gotten out of the shower when frantic knocks sounded on his front door. His parents were both on business trips so he knew no one would answer the door. He rushed down the stairs while putting on cloths and heard Liz yelling for him. He opened the door to see her with tears streaming down her face, mucus dripping from her nose, and wild hair.

"Liz?"

"Amira is having another breakdown and-"

Dean wasted no time as he grabbed her hand and rushed to Amira's house. Once to her room, he let go of Liz and went to Amira. He kneeled before her and cupped her face with his hands, calling for her.

"Amira? Come back, baby."

Mira couldn't hear or feel anything around her. Her only concern was running away from the sight of Laurette a breath away from her. She wanted to look away but was held by something.

"Why, Amira? Why did you do that?"

Amira shook her head and closed her eyes to will the girl away but Laurette's voice grew louder and louder.

"Amira! Amira! AMIRA!'

Slowly, Laurette's voice got deeper and warmer.

"Amira, baby, come back to us."

Amira shook her head and Dean felt hopeless. He looked at her parents then to Liz before looking her father in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, sir. You can kick my ass later."

Everyone was confused until Dean leaned down and kissed Amira. Everyone froze in shock and watched as she slowly calmed down.

Once completely calm, she went lax and Jerry let her go, only for Dean to wrap his arms around her.

Amira slowly came back to reality and kissed the person kissing her back. She threw her arms around him and pulled him close like her life depended on it. Whoever it was felt so right and chased the nightmare she had away from her. He completely pushed the image of Laurette aside and brought her a warm light to blind her.

She opened her eyes and saw it was Dean that was kissing her. She wanted to close her eyes again and continue kissing him but he pulled away and looked down at her with so many emotions.

"Are you alright now, Red?"

Amira could only look him in the eyes and stare in wonder. Why was he the one to bring her back? She remembered her vision this time and wondered why he was the only one with the ability to bring her back from the brink. He looked over her and then to her family. She couldn't hear anything and she only saw him; just him. Oddly enough, she was content with the idea.