" What are you doing here," we both said at the same time, but mine came out muffled with the toothpaste in my mouth.

I quickly spit it in the sink and propped a hand on my hips.

"Why are you in my bathroom?" I questioned him again while trying to not feel embarrassed about my appearance.

" This is my bathroom. It is connected to the guest room." He answered and casually stood beside me, rinsing his brush.

" Ok then get out I need privacy" I answered annoyed at my embarrassment and at the quickly growing blush.

" What do you need privacy for, you are brushing your teeth" he replied, squeezing the toothpaste on his brush.

" My teeth need some privacy so respect that." I grumbled, flustered, and immediately wanted to smack myself, again.

Zane chuckled at my expense, on the joke, or on my embarrassment I had no idea.

He started brushing his teeth, smiling at me teasingly. I quickly rinsed my mouth, desperate to run from any more embarrassment. Putting my brush in the holder I exited the bathroom, slamming the door closed on the way.

Ariel this is not your house you can't slam doors here. I reminded myself of that and approached the bed with lazy steps

I climbed on the bed and fell back landing on the billow. My body groaned in relief on contact with the mattress. I sighed and turned on the bed, stretching my arms and legs a little before finding a comfortable position. I placed my hand under my head and my eyes started dropping, I yawned and within minutes I was out like a sloth.

-----

Something vibrated on the bed and I instinctively reached my hand near the pillow to shut my phone off.

It was still buzzing, I brought the screen in my line of view and squinted at it.

Blinking I tried to adjust to the sudden brightness, almost getting blind in the process.

34 messages in group chat.

If I could, I would have roared my displeasure at being disturbed from my slumber. Instead I swiped the phone open and read the chat.

After reading a few messages I reached a conclusion.

These morons were talking nonsense in the middle of the night, that too on the group chat.

I typed a reply with unfocused eyes on the small keypad, wanting to shut them up and go to sleep.

What the hell, I was sleeping -

They didn't let me sleep either- Banno

Lol, you are up- Thane

Lol, I almost killed u in my sleep-

Chill, Ariel it is the first day of the break- Valeina

Besides, we didn't get to have our movie night without you- Thane

I miss u all- you

Aw, we miss u 2- Valenia

when r u coming back?- Maven

In 2 days-

I heard movement in the bathroom, through the thin wall. I propped myself on my elbows, fully awake.

Light was spilling out from under the door and into the room. Minutes later it was turned off and the door soundlessly closed.

I rolled my eyes and picked up the phone again.

The floor in the hallway creaked as if someone was walking in the middle of the night. I stiffened and stopped all movements to listen carefully.

I checked the time. 12:45 am

Who is up this late.

I slide out of the bed noiselessly and inched closer to my door. My senses on high alert, I tried to listen through the door.

Someone is walking down the hallway.

I materialized a dagger in my hand.

I am not taking any chances.

I pressed my back to the wall next to the door as the adrenal highlighted my heartbeat in my ears. Drumming loudly as the creaking got closer.

With each step my nerves peaked. My colors tingled at my fingertips as I listened to the footsteps.

Closer, closer closer.

I tightened my hold on my dagger and held my breath.

But nothing happened and the footsteps passed my door.

I released my breath.

I shouldn't be bothered by it, anyone could have gotten to get a glass of water.

But why did they have to tip-toe in their own house?

I attached my ear to the door and listened.

Soon enough the footsteps disappeared towards the stairs.

I eased a little and moved away from the door, my dagger disappearing from my hand.

Out of the blue an engine roared outside, the unmistakable sound of a motorcycle driving by. Only it was louder, almost in front of the house.

I rushed to the window and bunched the thin curtains in my hand, pulling it to a side to peek out of the window.

Zane.

What is he doing?

He was seated on his motorcycle, shorts replaced with jeans. He rode his bike out of the garage, hands twisting the clutch as he raced away on the road before I could a second glance.

But I didn't need that, I am positive that it was Zane.

I stared after him.

Where is he going at 1 in the morning?

I need to tell Skye about this.

I stepped out of my room and crept to Skye's door.

I knocked on his door and the sound echoed in the dead silence of the night. I winced at it and grabbed the handle, twisting it with a hope that it was not locked.

I twisted it twice before the door was pulled open by a disheveled Skye. With disheveled hairs and bunched up shirt, but his eyes were on alert.

He scanned me from head to toe before and I pushed past him into the room.

He shut the door and turned to face me. Question clear on his face.

" I just saw Zane sneaking out of the house" I spoke quietly, getting to the point. as

" And," Skye searched my face for an answer and I whispered it to him.

" Why would he need to sneak out of his own house" I replied, hoping he would understand where I was going.

" He is probably out to get his drugs" Skye scowled in distaste.

I shook my head at him, he isn't thinking this straight.

" No, Skye I don't think so, remember why we are here" I spoke the last part quietly. His expression eased into seriousness a little but didn't change.

" I don't trust him" somehow my answer pleased him because he dropped his scowl.

Skye hummed in thought. " We can't do anything about it, Ariel, he already left"

" And what if he goes again tomorrow," I asked him with all sincerity, expecting him to allow me to follow him.

" Then nothing, you are not following him Ariel we are not detectives. What if he is doing an actual drug deal. I don't want you to get caught in the middle of anything. " Skye scolded me sternly and I pursed my lips in defiance.

He won't let me go.

" What is the plan for tomorrow," I asked him casually, dropping the subject for now.

"We can search in the school here, maybe we can get some clues" he mumbled to me and I nodded at him.

If there are any other colorless here then there has to be something about them in school.

Records or anything of significance.

And Skye can get it out.

We remained silent for a minute, thinking.

I sighed breaking the silence " Ok I am going to bed now,"

With those final words I moved to the door, but Skye held my arm. I turned to look back at him.

He squeezed my hand sternly.

Don't go anywhere.

I understood his unspoken command and nodded at him.

I am not going anywhere today.

_____________________________________________________________