Forced Withdrawals [Nox's Building]

[Sterling]

Sterling giggled. "Nox is always stupid when it comes to his love life. He is a stupid boy. Ice-cream sounds good and I can have A glass of wine. It's not illegal here. But I don't like it. My parents gave me some once, it was gross. They were happy I didn't like it. More for them."

She didn't really care where they talked thought "I don't need to go someplace quiet. I don't care if Liam hears how stupid he is." He voice raised as Liam found his way into the room with the rest of them. He looked a little ashamed, he hunkered down into a corner with his laptop and ignored everyone. He looked upset.

"He's afraid of Nox." Sterling said. "He likes me, he kissed me back, but he's too afraid of Nox." She rolled her eyes. "He's a pussy cat, can't hurt a kid -- specially not a rich kid who's dad has the power he has."

[Tatyana]

Maddie’s words struck her like a slap. They were the unfiltered words of a child that had seen the truth and couldn’t help but shout it. She wasn’t the first one to say it. Ashton had said it earlier. Hayden may have said it too. But this was different. This came from someone she had truthfully let in. It came from someone she considered to be a kindred spirit.

Tatyana didn’t say anything for awhile. She sat there, allowing the words in as she looked at the two girls. She was scared. She always had been. She knew that. She put on a brave face all the time and she fought to protect her own, but she was scared. Always scared of being hurt. And here was a girl half her age telling her that it was okay to be scared.

”I’ll try,” she said, her voice serious. She would, but she couldn’t promise anything. It wouldn’t be easy.

Maddi held on to Kenzie, and Tatyana didn’t interrupt again yet. Maddi hadn’t told Tatyana she wanted her to leave, so she stayed, but she let Maddi be there for her sister. She had a lot to think about.