Fera popped a scoop of strawberry yogurt into her mouth. We sat at the back of the cafeteria less populated with people. "Mmm," she groaned in glee, dying a little more on the inside. It was impossible not to be fascinated by her love for yogurt across the table. Fera was the first I encountered who enjoyed yogurt to the point of worship.

"Is it that good?" I asked with an incredulous tone. Today the cafeteria offered salad, lasagna or fish and chips. Of course, I went with the chips option. Fera went with salad and yogurt that she brought especially from home. Taking a fry, I brought it up to my face, studying it for a moment, before dipping it in tomato sauce and popping it in my mouth.

It was a habit I took up after mom died. I'd come to admire the little things around me, studying them and just appreciating that they belonged to my world. Having gone through grief, you tended to find a way to cope with everything- for me, it was this method. I wouldn't take anything for granted ever again. That's why Noah was one and only precious brother which would have my protection for as long as I lived. I wonder how his lunch is going?

"Ummhah," she spat out best she could with the spoon in her mouth. "Itsdabwesttingever."

"Ahh huh," I replied slowly, pretending to agree with her. Fera gave me a dumbstruck expression. Taking the spoon out of her mouth, she pointed at me with such seriousness.

"Your loss. One day you'll come apologizing on your knees when you realize what you're missing out on."

"I doubt-"

"Are you Verona Bridon?" Someone squawked in a high pitched voice. Expecting an unfriendly encounter, I give Fera an uneasy look. She returns it with a tight smile. Turning our heads, Electra hovers next to our table with two other figures. They cloud her sides, hands planted on their hips while she takes the forefront.

"Who's asking?"

"This has nothing to do with you." Her palm raises to face Fera. "Stay out of it." At the quick dismissal on Electra's part, the snickers from the barbies behind her start to cloud my hearing. Eventually, it's all I can hear, the sound exploding in my ears irking me the wrong way. I may have only met Fera today, but the need to protect her against their obvious attempt to embarrass her was most important right now.

"What do you want?" I asked angrily. My anger was directed at the platinum and crimson barbies behind her. Noticing the darkness in my emerald eyes and the tick in my jaw while I glared at them, their snickers seized to exist. I managed to make them shrink back in fear from what I'd do to them. Electra briefly looked over her shoulder at them. She was clearly displeased at how easy they crumbled.

"I got something to make real clear." She announced, her gaze burning the side of my cheek.

"Do you now?" Fera countered sarcastically.

Electra sent her a glare, before focusing back on me. Placing a hand on the table, she supported herself while she leaned down to meet me face to face. Our noses were at a touching distance, her breath fanning over my face. It was an attempt to scare me, but it was nothing compared to my uncle. "I saw the way you looked at Striker." She whispered with disgust. Her eyes studied for my reaction. "Don't think for a second that just because he gave you a little look it means anything."

"Never. Even. Crossed. My mind." I replied nonchalantly. Electra's eyes darkened at my indifference to Striker. Retracting from me, she returned to standing regaining from what little I gave her.

"It better stay that way." She pointed a finger at me, resulting to threatening.

"Aw!" Fera babied in a low voice. "Is liddle widdle Electra nervous that she won't be Striker's favourite pet anymore?"

"Seriously!" Electra blurted, whipping her neck in her direction. "You never seem to mind your own business. Don't think that you're all that just because you hide behind your cousin. He has a life to live as well."

My intuition shouted that there was a history between her and Electra. The air was tense with their silent friction. Fera formed a fist on the table at Electra's retort. A raged storm brewed in her eyes, while she exhaled a breath.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I choose who becomes my business. And in this case... Verona Bridon is my business. So. Get. Lost."

Electra tensed, caught off guard by the steely edge in her voice. I naturally held my breath while she spoke-hanging onto every word. I was seeing a new side of her today, and this one scared me the most.

"Anyway." She swallowed and cleared her throat. "Stay away from Striker if you know what's best for you."

"Stay away from me if you know what's best for you."

Fera interjected sharply. Electra avoided direct eye contact with her, settling her attention on me instead. Not daring anymore confrontation with her, she turned away quickly and tried to escape.

"Oh, and Electra."

Electra halted in her footsteps as if she'd whipped her. Her posture turned rigid every second that Fera didn't speak.

"At least my cousin loves me. Does Striker love you?"

Fera was out to draw blood at that jab. I saw Electra's hand grip her skirt tightly. And even though I didn't see her expression, I could imagine it was hurt. Fera waited patiently for her answer.

"I thought so," she commented as Electra stormed off keeping her silence. At that moment I genuinely felt sorry for her. I couldn't imagine what I'd do if my brother didn't love me back. It was an unimaginable thought and I was shutting it off before even thinking about it. Everyone deserved to be loved- even someone like Electra. It wasn't right for Fera to use that as a weakness, but there was much more to the story that I didn't know.

Then I came to this conclusion: Skye-West was filled with dangerous people. Should have just gone to Eastwood, Noah.