"Something's up, he's been in an unusually bad mood all day," Beckett attempts to whisper to Misty during lunch. I say attempt because Beckett can't whisper to save his life. His voice has two volumes, loud and really fucking loud.

"If we find Leo I bet that will put a smile on his face."

The two snicker but it lasts all of a second when they realize I don't give them so much as a glare. Yeah, yeah, very shocking. I am well aware, no need to point it out or act on it. Please, let me be emo in peace.

Yes, typically I'd be on them about their bullshit, either cursing them out or insulting them. Obviously I'm not doing that because I am in a pretty fucking awful mood. I'm sitting at our lunch table poking at my food that I end up pushing over to Beckett with a heavy sigh.

"You eat it. I'm not hungry," I grunt, standing up just as Beckett's jaw drops.

"You aren't hungry? Holy shit something really is wrong."

"Do you need to see the nurse?" Misty asks. Both of them are ignored.

It isn't like I can talk to either of them. I can't talk to anybody and that's super fucking frustrating. For once I want to talk yet I can't. Does this count as karma? Is some fucked up torture from the universe? Because, if it is, Universe, you can go fuck yourself.

Everything about me is simply off today, for obvious reasons. Last night I didn't get a wink of sleep, which only adds to my already shit mood. Then, when I looked out my bedroom window that morning, I saw the car remained. Before I left to school, a different vehicle took its' place so the other could follow me. Knowing that there are creeps watching my home or worse, following my mom, puts my teeth on edge.

Fuck, that's not right. My everything is on edge. Every sound, every movement, it's maddening, forcing my paranoia to work over time. Every corner I'm waiting to see Clover standing there with a grin. Every second I'm waiting for my phone to go off to tell me something has happened to my mom. I even find myself constantly looking out the windows at school. When I do, I end up spotting that stupid fucking car somewhere. Clover wasn't joking, they are certainly keeping an eye on me.

Ok, think, Micah. Think. I can't let this get to me. I need to stay calm. I need to outsmart these dumb fucks. I can do that because, in the end, I'll have the upper hand. Today is about collecting information. I have to see these dumb fucks after school so, if they are watching me then I'll be watching them.

I must listen to every word they say. I must remember their names, their faces, what they drive, what they own, what they sound like, every little detail needs to be kept. So, let's start with what I already know.

There's at least two cars; the one tailing me and the one at my home. There's a slim chance whoever watched me last night is continuing to do so. It's probably safe to count two people are using a vehicle, that totals to four strangers and Clover. My first priority is to find out how many know then I can start thinking of how to get rid of them all at once. That's my only option.

Groaning, I slam my head against my desk. Going to school today was pointless. I don't pay attention to a word. My mind is not in the present, so much so that I nearly miss the final bell ringing. I don't even remember how the end of the day got here so fast. Upon hearing the bell, my entire body stiffens. Questions like what they plan to have me do and if I can even do it fill my head. The last thing I want to do is let them have their way but I know, right now, that's my only option.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I get up from my desk while giving Beckett a quick goodbye. I make sure to make it out of the room before he can ask me what's wrong. Seriously, I'd tell him if I could but it's best for the both of us that I don't. Who would have imagined the day would come when I'd have to risk my neck for Beckett? What a load of bullshit. I can't even rub it in and make him be grateful about it! I'm too nice for my own good.

I'm rushing out of school, uncaring of anyone I happen to hit along the way. Outside, I notice my babysitting squad across the street. The car's running, ready to follow me. I give them points for not picking me up, continuing to remain anonymous while also not being seen with me. They aren't complete idiots, which fucking sucks for me. I sure am getting the short end of the stick lately, fuck my life.

"Hey Micah!"

I stop dead in my tracks and spin around to find Leo waving enthusiastically at me from the doorway. On instinct, I wave back.

Hold the fuck up, instinct? Since when was it instinct to wave back? Oh no, Leo is contagious. I'm starting to naturally be nice. Someone quick, give me an antidote, I can't deal.

"You heading home?" Leo asks after running down the steps to meet up with me.

I happen to notice Beckett and Misty coming out of the doorway. Both notice us, grin from ear to ear then go on their merry way. I'm somewhat grateful, otherwise, both would probably chase me down to try and make me talk. At the same time, I'm in such a bad mood that I don't really want to be around Leo.

"Uh...no," I answer, glancing over my shoulder. My spine tingles at the thought of those bastards eyes being anywhere near Leo. "I'm tutoring tonight."

I shouldn't be so proud of myself for coming up with such quick lies but, in this instance, it's really coming in handy.

"Oh...ok, that's—that's cool." Leo's shoulders drop. Something tells me he wanted to hang out and, trust me, I would prefer that over what I'm about to do but, it's not like we can change that.

Seeing Leo so blue though makes me feel unpleasant. I'm having enough of those feelings already so I try to think of a way to change that.

"I'll text you when I'm done," I say in hopes to see that spark return to his eyes. I'm happy to say, it works.

Leo smiles from ear to ear, his cheeks tint a light pink when he says, "Ok! I'll be waiting, or, I mean, y'know, I always have my phone on me so it's not like I'm specifically waiting, just—"

I have the biggest fucking grinning right now. "Just what?"

Leo must have realized he walked himself into a corner. He's clutching the strap to his duffle bag, readjusting it over his shoulder with his gaze locked on the ground. I strain myself to hear his soft voice over the sound of those around us.

"Just...I'll...be waiting."

"Ok, I'll talk to you later then."

"Mhm."

With that, I give Leo a smirk that has him playfully rolling his eyes. At least I am heading off on a happier note. Damn, Misty and Beckett were right. I see Leo and I'm in a better mood. This shouldn't be ok with me nor should it work so easily but, fuck it, I haven't the time to complain or think about it. There are far more pressing matters, sadly.

Hopping onto the closest bus, I head in the direction of the address given to me. I pull the paper from my pocket to stare at the scribbled address. The closer I get, the worse the neighborhood gets until I'm in the part of town my mom always told me to avoid as a kid. She always said if I happened to get lost or miss my stop to never, ever get off here.

Sorry mom.

Even the bus driver gives me a sympathetic look. I'm used to it though considering I've gone to not so nice places before to practice. Shrugging it off, I jump out, punch the address into my phone and look for the specific place, which has to end up being so old boarded up building with no usable entrances that I can see.

"What an obedient thing you are," a stranger says. Looking over, I find a man leaning against the building at the edge of the alley. His mop of black hair is hidden beneath a baseball cap while his clothes are tattered and dirty. A second later, a girl appears behind him. She's twitching uncontrollably, green eyes opened wide in interest while her short blonde hair is a ruffled mess. Actually, she looks oddly familiar...I actually think I stopped her from stealing something before.

"Come along, Micah. Let's see what you can do," Mop Head says with a gesture of his hand and no introduction, not that I expected ones. I roll my eyes but do as I'm told.

So I've seen three people in total, Blondie, Mop Head and Clover. Glancing about, I find that the car from earlier isn't following us. Either they left because I'm with these two buffoons or the ones driving the car earlier are these buffoons.