Side A - Terry King
After Midnight - Early Sunday, September 9, 2012

"So I was thinking.. you're still learning, right? We could go out later and I'll let you drive around some. How's that sound?" Alex looked beside herself to the other girl for only a second, then turned her eyes back to the road in front of her. It was a Saturday, and even if it was this late at night -- there was a need to take heed of the traffic. The only answer she got from the other teen was some sort of grunt, along with the sounds of her shifting in the seat.

If she asked King to repeat what she was just asked, she wouldn't of been able to even get the first three words right. Terry's body may be in that small car, but her mind was far away. The ride became more quiet when Alex realized this a few minutes later. The stop and go of traffic, the small sound from the radio, the purr of the engine; things like that helped fill the gap of awkward silence. When the volume of the radio was tweaked with, it was like some sort of starting gun for Terry. Her lips parted and she spoke.

"Hey.."

Alex heard this, and slowly lowered the volume back to where it had been before -- then past to shut off the radio all together. "What is it?" She said. Casting a small, nervous glance Terry's way before looking back to the road again. King shifted a little more in her seat, then pressed arm to the window after straightening herself out some. Her brown eyes focusing on the night life just outside of that same window. "I dunno if it was just me, but.. did she seem a lil' weird when she left?"

Maybe it was Alex feigning stupidity, but she responded quickly. "Who?"

King set a side glance her way after a turn of her head. ".. Gabby. I just.. I dunno, got a weird vibe."

The ride became silent after that. A good minute passing before Terry finally got an answer to her question. "Maybe a little." Alex said. Her hands busying themselves with the turning of that wheel as they took a right.

"A lil'..?" Terry's voice spoke out again. It was followed with a sigh from Alex -- who then shrugged and responded. "I don't know. A little. She looked alright enough, Terry.. I mean - what do you expect her to act like? Her arms messed up and she's feeling like crap."

There was a soft tapping sound. King set her finger against the door, tapping it lightly while she thought. "We should turn back around.. I'm just gettin' this feelin'.." she said. Another sigh from the blonde followed. "Terry, sweety.. She's fine. You're just worried, alright? You're going to upset her if you keep acting like she can't take care of herself. Didn't you hear a word she said when she left?"

"I ain't doin' none of this out of pity 'n sh*t.." King remembered Gabby's words. She shifted more in her seat. Feeling antsy, feeling something just wasn't right. "We should turn around.. She's prolly still waitin' for her ride." She looked behind herself, at least until she felt that hand press against her thigh. Terry then turned her gaze over to Alex - who was now looking to her since they stopped at a red light. "Relax, she's fine.." King clicked her tongue when she heard that. "I Know.. but, I'm just sayin'.." The car moved again when green flashed. ".. It wouldn't hurt nothin'.."

"Terry... It's going to be crazy trying to drive back there." Which was true. The zone where the Red Dragon Inn was - was a bit of a hot spot for activity. Driving away was one thing, but going back? It'd probably take three times as long to do that. "She'll be gone by the time we get there.. How about you text her in the morning, okay? You keep worrying about her like that and she'll probably get mad. She's a big girl."

King dipped her chin and looked to her lap. ".. I guess you're right.." Thinking about it. Gabby was probably already with Donnie. Already getting annoyed by his worry, maybe saying the exact same thing `I'm a big girl.` to him. It caused King's lips to curl into a smirk while she looked off to the side.. but then it hit her. She pressed a hand to her pocket, feeling the bump, and then inside to grasp at those bottle of pills. Her eyes grew wide and she spoke out. "Sh*t.."

"What?" Alex was quick to say. Not really getting why the word was used. King pulled free that bottle of pain medication and looked to it. ".. Sh*t, I forgot to give these back before she left. She's gonna need 'em. We should turn around.. maybe-" But she was cut off by the car jerking to a stop. She looked to Alex, who wouldn't do the same for her. King blinked -- just watching the girl as she stared out through the front window. ".. Terry, she's fine. Just drop it." There was one beep of a horn from behind them, then another, it was only then that the car jerked forward and they drove once more. Terry continued to stare at her for a few more seconds, but finally began to slouch in her seat and look away like a chastised child.

"I didn't mean to piss you off.." King broke the silence after it became too quiet even for her. There was another sigh, but it didn't sound as annoyed as the last, King realized. ".. You're worried, I get that. But it's going to be fine, okay? If her friends are anything like you, they probably have more pain meds laying around." Alex's words sort of dulled King's worry. She remembered hitting up Gabby's work place while her ankle was busted up, and remembered that it was there that she had gotten her own bottle of pills a few weeks back. "Yeah.. you're right." King said.

"You like her, don't you?" It came quick from the blonde. King shot a look her way, then set her eyes back to the window at her right. Her lips parted, but then pressed to one other to thin out. The only answer Alex would get was the soft bump of a sound that came as King leaned her head to the side and pressed it against the glass.

King thought back on tonight, at the Arena. The feeling she felt while watching Gabby in that ring. The worry when the fight turned against the older girl. How her breath caught in her own throat when that final round was called and she thought serious damage was about to come her way.. and the relief that followed when the blade of Gabby's opponent came to a halt before piercing. No, not only that -- there was more that happened that night. How they sat next to one another.. how Gabby called Candy `Firestarter`. How she smiled, how she..

`Yeah.` She wanted to say.. realization hitting her. But she just couldn't.

"Sh*t.." Was all that left King's lips.

Side A - Terry King
6 AM - Sunday Morning, September 9, 2012

Beep..
Beep...
Beep....

Those high-pitched beeps met King's ear. If she were asleep, it would have easily awoken her. Sleep hadn't come so easily to the teen. Not when her mind had been plagued with so many thoughts from the night before. Same thoughts that were still on her mind, but now being constantly prodded at by the sounds of that alarm clock. Terry's arm slid out from under thin sheets and reached to press palm down against the device; where she kept it till the beeping finally stopped.

Mandatory Sunday Mass.

She needed to get up and get ready. But there was a downside to that plan. She didn't want to. There was a difference between need and want, and it was showing itself right now. King kept to her messy sheets. Sheets that were wrinkled and bunched up thanks to the tossing and turning from the short night before. It was better to not go. The decision was made, and all she needed to do was lay here and follow it through.

You like her, don't you?

Alex's words echoed within her thoughts once again. King couldn't deny what she was feeling right now. It was the same feeling that scared the hell out of her. It took time, but in that car - in that instant, she realized something. That something, now thought back upon, caused the girl to curl some within the bed. Her stomach just feeling awful. You're not supposed to get attached like that. It only causes problems. Her mother came to mind, and the relationship she had with the girls rarely seen father.

King was a bastard. Created from the union between an adulterer father, and a mother who just couldn't say no to him. Even at an early age, she could see what kind of pain love could inflict on a person. The phone calls between her parents, the emotions that came from the heated arguments they turned into. The names, the looked from her half-siblings. The fact that she knew her father would of rather her been aborted.

She didn't want to get attached. It was easy to love another for an hour, then leave them behind. Onto the next one - never make connections. Never return to them, but don't turn them away when they come back to you; another few hours of bliss beat an empty bed.. and then the cycle could continue.

You like her, don't you?

But the cycle with Gabby.. it was broken before it could even begin. They hadn't shared their bodies with each other, yet here King was - worried and thinking of her. It was a strange feeling. Abnormal for her.

King pressed knees and elbow bent arms to bed. Her back curled, making her look like a large bump sitting upon the bed under those covers. She sucked in a breath, then rose up. The sheets falling away to expose the tank-top wearing female. She wouldn't stay seated for long. The fight that was shown only seconds before to sit up, had left her in an instant. Terry collapsed and fell back first against the softness of her bed. Brown eyes, no longer covered by a blanket, locked themselves onto the ceiling tiles above.

"Terry! Are you dressed yet?"

Alex's voice spoke out from behind bathroom door. King looked to the clock. 6:48.. how did time fly so fast? She closed her eyes and sucked in another deep breath. Holding it for a few seconds, then exhaling slowly. ".. Yeah, I'm dressed." She called out. "I'm just finishin' up some homework, I'll meet ya' down there, alright?" A lie. She had already made up her mind about attending mass. She wasn't going to.

"You want a donut? I got some last night." Alex's voice came again. Followed after by the sound of that jiggled doorknob. When it wouldn't open, the girls voice came again. "Terry.. you are coming, right?" When the teen didn't respond fast enough, a knock to the door followed. Terry pushed palms to bed and forced herself to sit up. One of those palms, the right, then found her forehead - then slowly fell over her face before dropping into her lap after a sigh. ".. Look, I said I'm comin' - alright? I'm not feelin' hungry.." She snapped. Then there was a pause. King took the time to push herself out of bed and stand upon hard floor. "Not sayin' you should eat it though. I'll have it later, got it?" Trying to make her voice sound a little humorous when she said that. She felt terrible for snapping at Alex.

"What? Is that some fat joke.. I've lost two pounds, girl." Alex responded, but her own happy voice didn't last long. ".. If it's about last night, I'm sorry I got a little.." King unlocked the door as the girl spoke. Opening the door enough to allow her head to peek through. A smile flashed at the blonde. "I'm fine.. now gimme that donut." She reached in with an arm and motioned for the hand off. Alex furrowed her brows. ".. You're not dressed." It was obvious. King had no sleeve showing with that reaching arm. Terry just blinked, then stuck out the tip of her tongue. ".. Caught me.. you woke me up." She lied.

Alex must of been annoyed. She looked annoyed. Oh - she was annoyed. But she handed off that napkin wrapped donut and let out a sigh. ".. Seriously, you need to grow up. I'm not going to be around to wake you up forever." She turned and began to walk away. King looked to the donut, then back up at the leaving Alex. ".. Yeah, sorry 'bout that.. Thanks 'n all." All she'd get in return was a `You're welcome.` - then the sight of that door at the other side of the bathroom closing behind the blonde.

King pulled back and closed her own door. Turning about, then pressing her back against it. Donut rose up and pressed between parting lips. She might not have felt hungry, but she knew that she needed to get something into her system. The teen pushed from the door and stepped over to her desk. Looking over the different papers of work that she needed to get done, but focusing none on it. Her free hand reached out to take hold of that charging cell phone, and brought it up enough so that she could look at it.

There was a text.. but it wasn't from Gabby; the person she hoped it would be from.

Gabriella needed a ride but I couldn't get to my phone right away. I keep trying to text her and she isn't responding. She with you, Terry?

Terry blinked in a mix of surprise and confusion. It was from five hours ago.. She didn't remember her phone going off from a text after leaving the Arena. Then it hit her -- she didn't remember because the phone was placed inside her backpack during the car ride back to the dorms.

"Sh*t.. sh*t.." She read, re-read the text, then decided it would be better just to call the man himself. Thumbing over the screen and pressing down against that call button. She brought the cell phone to her ear and waited.. when she heard the voice pick up from the other side, she spoke out. ".. Hey, Donnie.. it's Terry.."

Minutes Before

Those steps up to that apartment made her stomach churn. She checked the Cardinal Inn -- nothing.. she texted -- nothing.. Donnie and Moe weren?t getting anywhere in their own search. The last text she even sent Gabby had gotten no reply.

`Why you gotta lie to me? Donnie called..` she sent.

Nothing. Nada. Zilch. It made her skin crawl just thinking about it. Those little hairs all over her body standing on end. A mind could think terrible thoughts when it came to situations like this. King?s mind went straight to a horror story. You hear it on the news, on the internet, on the tip of tongues from girls on the street. Abusive boyfriends, bruises and broken bones leading to accidental deaths.. A night they can?t hold back their fists enough, and the person on the receiving end not coming out of it. No -- can?t beat on them anymore.. Might as well get rid of them.

That?s where King?s thoughts took her.

Her feet did the rest of the work.

The more King thought about it while ascending those stares, the more it made her clench her fists in anger. Rage was building.. Rage she couldn?t help but want to unleash on one man. Rage that would build more and more at each new bruise, at each cut. Gabby would smile, she would joke, act like nothing was wrong -- but this was too much for even King to take.

The second she took that final step and went down that hall and came face to face with that door - she was ready to inflict some damage. She snorted back then, brushing a quick knuckle against her nose while shifting from right to left foot. Looking about herself to make sure no one was around, then setting her sights on the door again.

Knuckles knocked rapidly against the door. A pause between five knocks, then five more came. That hand lowered itself enough to prepare a fist. Paranoia was kicking in. She looked left, she looked right. Everything was clear - but for some reason she just couldn?t help herself; and then the sound of that door unlocking caught her attention.

King?s eyes shot to the door. Only ajar, the chain on the opposite side keeping the door from being fully opened. Half of a face was spotted, and it caused King to unclench her fist for only a split second. ?Terry..?? Mikey spoke from the other side. The door was then closed, that chain slid away, and reopened once more. That?s all she needed. King pressed a quick shoulder to the door, causing the man on the other side to step back or else be toppled over from the shove.

?Gabby.? That?s all King said.

And now you?re caught up..

?Now answer me.. and you better not f*cking say anythin? I don?t like.. ya get it? Or should I cut ya? again to make sure?? King got her point across by pressing that knife to his now bleeding cheek. ?.. Where - is - she..?

?I don?t f*cking know..!? Noah yelled out. That wasn?t the answer Terry wanted, and the way he yelled out again in pain and frustration mirrored that when she pressed the knife harder. ?You got the knife, b*tch..! Why would I f*ckin? lie!? I don?t know where she is!? he yelled again.

Part of her didn?t want to believe it. Part of her just wanted to cut him again.. but another part of King held her back. She let go of him then and quickly moved herself away from the bed. Backing up not one, not two, but three steps. The knife was held between herself and the still laying Noah. ?.. She?s mine, you mother f*cker.. you hear me? She?s mine! You stay the f*ck away from her!?

She didn?t know where that came from. But it just felt right to say. King continued to back away, this time towards the door. She shot a quick look over her shoulder, then back at the still laying Noah, but then she realized something. Another look over her shoulder - and there stood Mikey. They locked eyes for only a split second, but it was enough to have him back away and stay clear of her while she made her leave.

It wasn?t long before she made hurried steps down those stairs. The apartment building soon behind her, and that knife she clutched in her hand was soon left behind as well; chunked off to the side at some bushes while she went on her way. ?.. What?d I f*cking do..? Shakingly said.

Her now throbbing right hand caused her to groan in pain when she went to grab at the hood of her jacket. No longer grabbing for it, but instead taking that hurt hand within her left. She looked down and grit her teeth. It was busted.. she knew that just by the look of it. Blood was still seeping out from her knuckles, and everything was starting to look swollen. Not only that, but her eye was killing her as well.

The adrenaline high might have been slowly leaving her, but the paranoia was still there. Even when she was a few blocks away - she couldn?t help but look over her shoulder to try and see if Noah was flowing her. He wasn?t, but this continued on and on the farther and farther she had gotten.

It only seemed to leave her once she walked past the gates of St. Mary?s.

?.. Hey.? King?s normal hello after stepping into the bathroom attached to her dorm room. The person it had been directed to was the then naked Alex, who was rather busy drying herself off; but was forced to come face to face with the sight of Terry. Terry - who was now sporting a swollen eye that went well with her bleeding and shaking right hand.

?I.. sorta.. need your help.? Even in this sort of situation, King tried her best to smile.

September 11. Mid- morning.

Her phone started beeping again and Gabby groaned as she stuck out her arm so that she could grab it from that nightstand.

?Goddang people cannot just leave me the f*ck alone. I swear to God if this is Donnie again, I?mma pop him. People need to let me f*cking sleep.?

The rant would have gone on for several more seconds except she had the phone now and saw that it was from Mikey. She had mixed feelings over this. She felt bad for him because he got beat up by Noah and King in the same day because of her. She was grateful because he had tried to help her and then took her to the hospital. If he hadn?t stepped in and gotten beaten up by Noah, it was hard telling what could have happened to her. The fact that he didn?t call the police angered her, hence the mixed feelings towards him.

She finally touched the ?play button? on screen to look at whatever he had sent her. The video started off with just a wild movement of the phone and a girl yelling in the background. Then it focused in and Gabby blinked her bleary eyes several times to be sure she was seeing what she thought she was seeing.

King was wailing on someone and screaming heatedly. Then she grabbed something off of the nightstand...a nightstand that Gabby recognized as her own. Was that...a knife?

?Oh jesus. What the f*ck is going on??

She muttered between lips that were being chewed upon nervously. She could see the girl pinning some guy and holding what she assumed was the knife. Whose throat was King holding that knife against? It was as if Mikey could hear her silent question because he zoomed in and Gabby saw...

?Ohhhh fuuuuuuuuck. Noah. King, don? do that!?

Gabby knew firsthand what was going to happen in retaliation to what King was doing. The question became....why was King there and assaulting Noah? There was an obvious answer to the question. She was doing it for Gabby...but why now? What had set the girl off?

?.. Where - is - she..?

?I don?t f*cking know..! You got the knife, b*tch..! Why would I f*ckin? lie!? I don?t know where she is!?

?.. She?s mine, you mother f*cker.. you hear me? She?s mine! You stay the f*ck away from her!?

Gabby blinked several more times in confusion. Under the assumption that Alex was King?s girlfriend, Gabby?s first thought was that Noah had done something to her. She had no idea how he would know the girl, but it seemed to make sense in her mind.

Finally the video was over, after a very pissed off looking King glared at Mikey. None of it made sense so Gabby played it again...and again...and finally a fourth time. The last time she focused on what the girl was saying at the very beginning. She heard her name.

?Ohmygod King. You did -not- just start this sh*t because of me!?

But she had done exactly that. The panic rolled through Gabby and she drew her knees to her chest beneath those soft sheets, now laying in the fetal position. Hot tears of frustration burned at her eyes and rolled from beneath her eyelids as she closed them.

?He is going to f*cking kill her...and me. Dead. We are so dead now.?

Then one particular line moved to the forefront of her mind. Something she had missed while trying to sort it all out, even though she had heard it she hadn?t associated it with herself.

?.. She?s mine, you mother f*cker.. you hear me? She?s mine! You stay the f*ck away from her!?

?I?m...hers? What the f*ck is that supposed to mean??

______________________________________________

Twelve hours later...

We need 2 talk. Meet me @ Jerry?s Diner in one hour.

The text was cryptic and she had no intention of answering any questions if King replied. They needed to talk...face to face.

( Taken from Live Play )

Was it a little strange that perhaps she wished she saw Gabby the second the made her way through that entrance? King peered about. Looking from booth, to booth, to table and stools. There was no sign of that dark haired, fair skinned girl. Kings chest fell; letting loose that held breath in a drawn out sigh.

"Should've.." Her voice then trailing off. What she had meant to say was `Should've walked around more..` -- but there was no point in it. She was here, and she was early. Terry's brown eyes looked to a nearby clock on a wall and looked over the time. 1 hour, that's what the text had told her. It took her thirty minutes to get around here, and that was with her walking slow most of the time. She didn't want to be the first one to get here.. She wanted to walk through that door and see Gabby waiting for her.

Smiling.. happy to see her. But why was King kidding herself, Gabby was probably going to be upset. `It's worth it.. he deserved it`, she told herself while looking to her bandage wrapped right hand. `He deserved it..` she thought again. Lowering her right arm and stepping deeper into the diner. King stopped beside a boothed table and reached for her hoodie?s zipper. With a light tug, she'd pull it along and part the fabric so that she could shrug off the soaked piece of clothing and toss it to rest against that long bench of a seat before she settled down beside it.

Waiting.. that's all she could do now. King looked through the window and peered out into the rain. Perhaps looking far too interested in it.. but in reality - she was too busy thinking to really care what was going on. Here and there her focus was cut short. The sign of a person walking by - could it be Gabby? No, of course not -- the person had to be six feet tall and was a man.

King sucked in another breath and closed her eyes. It was the two beers and the pain medication. ".. Great.." She mumbled at her own situation. Right now would be a great time to not be under the influence of something.

"So coffee is fine?" King heard from the side. She blinked and quickly turned her head, then tilted it back to peer up at the waitress speaking to her. ".. Huh?" Her reaction. Confused expression going along with it.

"Coffee. I asked if you'd like some. You said `great`?" The waitress replied. King blinked a few more times then shook her head. ".. Nah.. Hot chocolate.." Then she paused. `Eat somethin'` -- Candy's voice coming to mind again. ".. is it too late to ask for a hamburger?" The waitress wrote down her request while speaking. "No, no. Not too late. No worries. Anything else?" The teen looked out of the window briefly, then turned back to the waitress.

".. Make that two hot chocolates.. I got a friend comin'."

The waitress walked off after some chit-chat with King. She must of got the message that the teen wasn't exactly that talkative right now. Terry looked back out through the the window and mumbled to herself. ".. You're still my friend.. right?

Thinking of Noah made Gabby move a little faster. She had to get out of the diner before King arrived. After pulling on her soaked hoodie and grabbing her bag, Gabby opened the door and stepped out into the much brighter dining area. She didn't bother to look around, just kept her head down as she walked towards the front door and past the booths that held the late night crowd of older teens.

King was still busying herself by staring out the window. Still on alert for any glimpse or sign of her company coming down the street. Tongue pressed itself to the roof of her mouth, and what followed with be the lightest of clicks. Cell phone pulled free from her still wet pants. Elbow pressing to the table and lower arm rising up enough to bring the device to eye-level. The screen lit up, and the time was on display. Wrist was then bent and chin found the back of her hand. ?Still time..? King mumbled again.

Another glance to the phone, but nothing more. She settled it down against the table and leaned back against the booth. Air conditioning was making this little wait even more uncomfortable. Hanging around out in the rain like that and still wearing wet pants. Even though her spaghetti strap shirt held upper half was somewhat dry, she couldn?t help but get the chills. Arms wrapped loosely and hands pressed to opposite shoulders. A twinge of pain coming from her right hand when she curled her fingers, even just a little, to attempt a grip at that shoulder.

?.. C?mon..? King sighed. Her leg starting to lightly bounce. Antsy for something to happen, but maybe a little too scared and hoping something wouldn?t. Kings attention shifted back to the window, and she kept her eyes on the image of the rain and nightlife on the other side. Focused enough to not even hear the waitress bring about those two hot chocolates.

When she finally did look away, it wasn?t of her own doing. The table that held those many teens had caught her attention by voice alone. She blinked, and then rolled her shoulders some. None of her business. The little distraction was enough for her to realize that part of her order had come in. She peered down at the two mugs. Her right hand twitching, about to use it to reach for one of the mugs, but she kept it in check with a easy reminding thought and began using her other hand instead.

It was then that she saw Gabby. When did she get here? ?.. Ayo..? King spoke, softly. It didn?t seem like her voice would be enough to catch the girl attention. The mug was lowered and let go of then. King slid out from the booth and took a few steps, and it was then that her mind didn?t keep things in check. She reached out with her injured hand and wrapped fingers about the girls wrist. ?Gabby.?

The last time she had done this, there was a punishment at the end of sudden grasp. The consequences just didn?t come to mind, forgotten -- not important. All King cared about at this moment was stopping her. ?Ayo, Gabby..?? She spoke with a somewhat pained expression, and it could even be heard in her voice. Why?d she have to use that hand?

?.. Thought he was just watchin? the fun.? King said almost somewhat unamused. She didn?t know Mikey had his cell out and was recording the whole thing..

She could only wonder how many others had seen the recording. A sick, maybe twisted even, sort of feeling came. `Good..` she thought to herself. `Asshole needs to be seen gettin? beat up by some girl.`

?Would?ve been pretty chilly.. standin? out there ?n all.? Lowering her gaze and running it down the girls wet clothes. ?.. You should take that off.? Gesturing to the hoodie. ?I got some drinks.. Hot chocolate, still warm.?

"Nah, I love the rain. Makes me feel good." She departed with that little morsel of odd information about herself as she shrugged at King.

"Hot chocolate sounds awesome. Thanks." She waited for the other girl to gesture to where she had been sitting, while she studied her shoes.

?Feel good now, get sick later.. but - hey. Guess it?s worth it?? A momentary pleasure did sometimes outweigh the problems it could lead to in the future. Her own situation with Noah seemed to reflect that.

?Over there.? King brought up a hand to urge the girl along while pointing back to the table.

?Ordered some food too. Should be out soon.. not feelin? that much hungry so we can share.? It sounded just like a friendly offer, but at the same time Terry was trying to see how long the girl had wanted to stay with her company. Was this going to be short? Was it going to be long? That?s what she was trying for.

"I don' get sick that easy, really. But yeah, totally worth it if I did."

Gabby moved off in the direction King pointed and dropped her bag and then herself onto the bench that didn't contain King's hoodie and bag. Her hands reached for the hot chocolate immediately and she took a big gulp of it without blowing on it too much. Luckily it had sat there for a few minutes and was tolerable.

"I'mma order something too cause I am famished...haven't eaten all day and just realized it." Now that she was here and hadn't gotten away with bailing on King...she might as well stay. It was just so she could eat and also to warn her to stay away from Noah. That's what she told herself anyway. That was why she was suddenly staring at King as if she hadn't seen her in months and was afraid she would disappear. She caught herself mid-stare and mentally chastised herself as she looked down at the hot chocolate and flicked a fingertip through the whipped cream.

?Makin? me eat.. I ain?t the type who likes to bring home doggy bags.? Exaggerated sigh. King leaned back into her own booth seat and stretched out an arm across its top. Maybe she was trying to look relaxed. Though she had to drop it when she almost used her wrapped hand to grab at her drink. Shifting some in her seat, she?d reach out and curl fingers about the handle of that hot chocolate filled mug and brought it up to her lips. A sip was taken then, more would of been taken but the waitress had returned with her food. ?Thanks.. she?ll be orderin? too.? Nodding over to Gabby.

"I didn' disappear. Been 'round here an' there. Needed to get my head straight."

Gabby reached out for a fry and let it dangle near her lower lip as she spoke again, looking down at the table. "Did he seem okay or is he gonna go beat the f*ck out of Noah too?"

Right there it was...just out there with no warning. Did she sound a little upset? Yeah, she did. And she was. Not overly angry or anything, but she was a little upset. Did she know Noah deserved it sometimes? She did...but she had been with him for seven years...since she was a twelve year old kid. Not even a full year after Donnie pulled her in off of the streets where she had been since her parents had died. Noah had a lot of control over Gabby that she didn't really even see. She was programmed to be upset over something like this. But her tone wasn't angry and King would be able to hear that.

"I don' care if you ask. I wasn' hiding. I just didn' wanna talk to none of you." Then she nibbled at her lower lip, sucking that lip ring to rest behind her top teeth for a moment before answering.

"I dunno if we are cool. Define cool, Terry. Is havin' a girlfriend an' kissin' on me cool? I mean, I s'pose we were just playin' round but that ain' how you made it feel. You made it feel like maybe I..." She just shrugged then. "Yo, it don' matter what I thought. I gotta boyfriend so I bet you think I'm a hypocrite or somethin' but you don' know nothin' 'bout my situation. An' you already knew 'bout him and still made the choice to be messin' with me...you didn' gimme that choice." Then Gabby just huffed out of frustration and shoved the fry into her mouth to shut herself up. She had already said far more than she had wanted to. It was evident by the way her face was pinking up and she couldn't look at King.

King simply listened to what Gabby had to say. Her lips parting every now and then, trying to break into that one sided conversation to speak her piece, but it never came. She was just forced to sit there and listen. Lips pressing more and more against one another to take on the shape of a thin line.

When she was finally able to, the girl spoke. "I was just worried.. if you wanted time to yourself, it's fine.. Gotta' do what's right for you. I guess I kinda' blew up a lil'.. I was just worried, but -- it's still my bad." All that silence on her end was enough time for her to think things through. What she wanted to say, how she wanted to say it. She almost wanted to just blurt out `I don't have a girlfriend!` when Gabby spoke it.. but, this was better.

".. I don't gotta' girlfriend, Gabby.. Who told you that?" Speaking rather calm about the subject.

"I didn' want time to myself...I wanted time with you...without her." The second those blurted words left her lips, she regretted them. "F**k, Gabby...why'd you have to say somethin' so childish and jealous soundin'?"

She tried to just move on with the conversation, but her voice was far too quiet and her cheeks far too red for her to be able to pull off the "it don't matter" act. "Yeah, I get it. It's just hard to see as it happens. I don'...." She cleared her throat a little. "I don' like seein' you hurt like this, 'specially over me. I ain' worth a black eye or that hand. But it ain' over King. You dunno what he is capable of. He ain' gonna let this die."

"Could you tell me.. yanno, why? I mean.. I got what you were sayin' but.. Did you think." King pulled her hand away then. Settling it within her lap, along with its opposite. She shifted some in the seat and leaned over the table some. ".. Me 'an you..?"

"uhm...nuh uh, no worries." Gabby rushed those words out, yanking her hand back and immediately attacking that chicken fried steak. She was lying through her teeth and felt like crap about it but she had to protect herself.

She's mine mother f**ker...

King's words came to mind and Gabby paused in mid cut and looked up.

"I mean...well..." Then she shrugged because what was she supposed to say. Still sitting there completely still, she decided to turn the tables.

"What did you mean when you told Noah I was yours?" There...it was out.

"I.." There was a pause then. King looked somewhat confused behind those words. She looked down at the table, then out through the window. `She's mine..` - it hit her then, what she had said. It took a few replays of what happened during that fight, but it was there.

What should she do - what should she say? Anxiety kicked in then. Her fingers began to fidget, but that caused a small wince of pain to run up her right arm. A side glance was then cast over to Gabby. This was panic mode. Part of her wanted to act like she didn't remember what was said. The other -- it reminded her of the emotions she felt, and the feeling behind those chosen words.

".. 'cus.." King started off slow. Unable to find the words. Her eyes closed, and her face sort of scrunched up for a split second as she looked away. ".. 'cus, I got feelin's for you.." Her own confession was out. It hurt to say, but at the same time it felt so good; but even that didn't cure the ache she felt in her stomach.

All King could think about now was rejection. This was why she never opened up to other girls. Simply whisper in their ears the things they like to hear at the moment, get under the sheets, and be gone the next morning. It was like she said.. `Feel good now, get sick later.. but - hey. Guess it?s worth it?` Those few moments of bliss was worth it.. but things have changed.

".. I didn't just go there lookin' for a fight.. I went there lookin' for you.. I.." King shook her head. "All I could think about was him hurtin' you.. I ain't lettin' some f*cker hurt the girl I.." She couldn't say it. All Terry did was go silent then.

Gabby went back to cutting and then eating as King fumbled for words and generally looked miserable. She watched King closely as she chewed, not being able to stop herself.

Gabby should know better than to eat during an intense conversation, as was evidenced by her starting to choke because she had sucked in a breath when those words left King's lips. Unfortunately for her, her mouth had been full at the time of that gasp and now she was coughing loudly. Not her proudest moment and definitely not what she wanted her response to be.

Finally, after a couple of moments and a few sips of hot chocolate, Gabby recovered and stared at King.

"You got feelings for me? How do you know? I mean...how can you be sure of that?"

"What if I asked you to run away? Like, just get away until I get shit fixed with Noah."

Gabby took another bite and contemplated what to say next. She forced a smile for King's benefit before answering her question. "Why not stay at the Ivy tonight instead? I don't wanna worry 'bout nuns or Infatuated classmates tonight. "

"I aint runnin' nowhere." King was quick to respond. Then quieted up once more while taking a drink of that hot chocolate. "I know it's scary.. but I just can't do it." She thought over the Ivy. Thinking on it while taking another bite of burger.

Then she'd nod. "Yeah.. Kinda want it quiet, just you 'n me.. Ivy then." She finished with another nod.

"Don' think of it as runnin', Kingly...think of it as savin' my sanity. I would be there with you all of the time. Just gone if the boss called for somethin'. Which he wouldn't since he would be the one hiding us. Please?" she gave King puppy eyes and the pouty lip. "For me? Please? "

King clicked her tongue. Shifting looks from the pouty Gabby, to the window, then back at that pout. "I'll lay low, alright?" She said with a sigh, following it up with a grin. "School 'n the Ivy.. How 'bout that?" Reaching out and seeking her hand. "You're gonna have to keep me not bored 'n junk, babygirl. Think you can do that?" King said with a little grin.

"Nah, I don' think that is enough. He knows where you go to school, yo. Fuuuck." Gabby put down her fork and knife and just cradled her head. "Please, Terry...just trust me on this. I know you are tougher than me...I ain' sayin' you ain' tough. But trust me. If you won' save yourself then save me 'cause he's comin' for me now too. If for no other reason, just to get to you.

No men allowed except for the priest.. but I getcha?..? King didn?t like the idea of just hiding away. She pursed her lips and leaned back against the boothseath while sucking in a breath.

?I can?t just skip school like that, Gabby.. Nn. But..? She sighed. Not liking what she was about to say. ?Fine.. I?ma have to call my..? Grunting. ?Dad.? Then huffing out. Elbows found the table and hands pressed to her cheeks. ?So.. you?re holdin? me up at the Ivy??

"I know ba... T. I know. And maybe G can pretend to be your pops or somethin'? Bring your books and I can help keep you on track with school. " Oh Yeah, Gabby was a pretty smart little cookie when she wasn't too busy trying not to be.

"You're gonna bring me cupcakes and I am going to Inappropriately touch you. You won't sue me will ya?" Gabby gave king a wink then nodded. "Ivy or go to that island boss talks 'bout. He could drop us off maybe. "

?Nah, they know my Pops.? King still didn?t sound all that thrilled - but if this was how it needed to be, she could suck it up. King shrugged her shoulders.

?No worries, I?ll call ?im.? The talk of cupcakes and touching was a good distraction away from the subject of her father. She smiled and leaned to the left just a little.

?Well.. if ya? let me touch you back, I?ll keep my lips sealed, Miss Gabby.? A sly smirk on her lips. It mixed well with the little lust in her voice. Then a chuckle ?Island sounds sunn.. it?s gettin? a lil? chilly. How?s the weather there??

"Gasp! Kingly, you would tattle tell on me?" Gabby affected a little false pout. "And here I thought you would want me to let you touch me cause I wanted you to and not because I was bein' blackmailed by some ornery lil minx. Hmph!"

She tried to look stern, wasn't that what teachers were supposed to do? Then she just burst into giggles. "You are a total brat." Which she liked.

"I haven' ever been to that island. I just remember the boss sayin' somethin' 'bout it that night you an' me got into that fight. I bet he'd take us for a couple of days to end the boredom of being holed up in the Ivy. He ain' gonna lemme stay on that island for weeks, though. I got stuff to be doin' for him but I bet I could take a few days off. He ain' so bad, really. Been nice to me. When we get back, I will stay with ya...promise! And I will deal with Noah." She said that but didn't have any definitive plan to do so yet.

"Yeah, we prolly should..." This said as she kissed King once more as well. A hand lifted to give a little princess wave to their audience.

"She's cute, ain' she?" Gabby called over to their admirers, grinning like a loon as she did so. Her grin only widened as she listened to the replies regarding her and King.

"Didya hear that? That guy said we look hot together."

Gabby's fingers curled around King's as she picked up her fork with the other hand and took a bite of potatoes. Which she choked on, again, as King spoke. Cough cough sputter.

"Kingly...you are so bad. But yeah, I'm gonna ride ya hard. You ain' never had a ride like what I'mma give ya." Taking another bite, chewing, and swallowing as her face turned three shades of red. Taking her sweet time in adding the last part.

"Talkin' 'bout your schoolwork, of course." She found that she couldn't quite meet King's gaze at the moment.

".. Oh? F'real? I was kinda' hopin' you weren't." King tried to look a little disappointed when she said that, but her almost trademark grin couldn't help but stay on her lips.

"Kinda' liked the idea of gettin' a ride I ain't never had before." Mouth opening to take another bite of burger. Oh, but that couldn't hide the smile she had on her lips. It was all over her face while she chewed.

"Could prolly charge 'em to watch us kiss a lil' more." Now she was being a complete brat. Her brow waggled when she said it.

"We could always use s'more money. How much should we charge?" Gabby looked entirely serious about putting on a show for money. Was it because she wanted the money, liked the excitement of being naughty, or because she wanted an excuse to kiss King again? All of the above would be the correct answer. Poor King for getting mixed up with someone with such questionable morals. What would the nuns think?

"Could prolly make a killin' if we let 'em take a couple of pics too, yanno. Just sayin..." Money. Money. Making out. More money. What wasn't to love 'bout this plan?

"For reals though...I ain' gonna let you slack on your schoolwork. That shit's important, T."

King sort of sat there. Mouth opened, ready to take one of the few lasts bites of her burger. Gabby's words, it seemed, stopped her dead. Her brow perked. She was about to speak -- but Gabby had to switch things up on her. She chuckled instead and shoved the rest of her burger into her mouth. Chew, chew, chewing took time and she finally swallowed it back with a good bit of effort. She looked like she could have choked, but she was total champ.

"I dunno.. I kinda' think I'll be able to butter up my teacher some. I gotta' secret.." She leaned in. Still grinning. ".. I hear she's gotta' crush on me."

Gabby took a sip of her hot chocolate then watched King over the rim of the mug as she giggled a little.

"You are so gonna be the teacher's pet. I better get a cupcake every day." She didn't deny the comment about having a crush, in fact...

"Maaaybe. I mean, alright, so what if I do? You think you can use that 'gainst me? Hm?" She tapped King's leg with the toe of her shoe.

"Of course. I gotta' work with what I got, right?" That leg tapping just urged King to slip out of her sneaker and run her own sock covered foot along Gabby's leg. Sure, she had done it before so it couldn't be seen as anything new, but that wouldn't stop her.

"Gotta' pretty girl all crushin' on me.. I'd be stupid if I didn't exploit it." Tip of her tongue peeking out from between her lips.

Gabby's arm slipped from the table so that she could slide a hand along King's calf. Smirking a little, she gave a little pinch to the girl's muscle.

"So, I'm just another pretty girl for you to hit on?" She stuck her own tongue out a little and made a face at King.

"Naww.. you're just the prettiest."

She brought her arm back up to rest along the table in front of her, playing with King;s hand with both of hers now.

"And I betcha say that to all of them, right?" Giggling a little as she intertwined her fingers with King's.

"Better come up with a new line if you wanna impress me..."

"Ahh.. I kinda' seen you blushin' a few times already, and I'm pretty sure I heard you say that you liked me.. Sorta' impressed you enough - haven't I?" The brattiness returned with a sign of pursed lips that tried their hardest to mask her smirk.

"Hm.. what should I say? How babygirl's got it goin' on? How sweet 'n cute she is.. how right now I kinda' wish I could crawl across this table an'.. Well." King cut herself off. "Forgot.. I ain't supposed to be tryin' to impress a girl I already sorta' won over."

"There ain' no such word as 'enough' in my vocabulary, dollbaby. You're gonna learn that before long. So, do somethin' to impress me more than you think you already have." Gabby offered her own smirk in reply to King's.

"Note to self : don't give your heart to Kingly cause she's a collector." Gabby could be wrong but she vividly remembered the way Alex looked at King. It wasn't on accident. Gabby was street smart and she knew a line when she heard one...and lines came from players.

Still, she was making a conscious decision to stay