Chapter Twenty

*Four Years Later* (1st March 2026)

Third Person's P.O.V.

The game has changed completely and that overwhelmed Gemma. It overwhelmed her so much that turned to drugs and self-harm. With her friends going about their lives unaware of the sacrifices their broken friend had made so that they could smile every day. Their smiles are the only thing keep her alive at this point. Jessica and Adam finally got together and have been dating for two years now. They are happy, in love and it is all thanks to Gemma who managed to drag Evan and Thomas into her plan of locking them in a room until they confessed their feeling for each other. It was a bit cliché even for Gemma, but it worked so they are happy with it. Evan has been touring overseas with his rugby team since December, they'll be back in June. Caitlyn is interning at some sort of Cosmetics shop so she is very busy with fashion shows and promotions, but she is happy. Katherine and Brett have decided that they will remain friends for the time being until they both are ready to start something more. Katherine released her own books and is currently touring for her book. Brett opened his own gym and is very successful. Jessica and Brittney are now co-owners of their very own café and they have been doing very well. Adam is teaching Art and is coaching the kids football team at the local Primary School. Nikita and Logan got married and moved to L.A to start their sports and acting careers. James has an 8-year-old daughter and moved to Miami, Florida to be his daughter. Quinton and Thomas opened up their own comic book/music store. Thomas started dating Tamara last year November and are still going strong. Quinn and Bricia broke up a while ago and Bricia moved to France to be with family. Quinn has invested himself in the shop and creating a new comic book with Thomas and Adam. Gemma has been studying to get her PhD in Education, but has decided to take a break because the stress is too much. She and Dylan have formed an unlikely friendship and Dylan is a new and welcomed member of the group, for now.

Gemma's addiction to Speed has only gotten worse, it got so bad that even Dylan started to worry about her. He realised that he has a tough decision to make; tell everyone about her addiction and risk his business or keep quiet and watch his friend die of a drug overdose. Before he could make that decision, it seems fate decided to make that choice for him when Thomas and Jessica team up to find out what their broken friend has been up to. The two managed to convince Gemma to spend some time with Adam, who was brought into the plan and immediately agreed. Gemma and Adam decided to go out for lunch to catch up while the other searched the flat for anything that would give them any indication as to what it going on in their friend's life. Once they succeed in their plan and find out the truth in what is going in in their friend's life, they realise just how blind they had been for all these years. Adam sent them a message saying that they are on their way back, but by the time the two had read it, it was too late.

Gemma and Adam burst into her room and saw Thomas standing with the multiple bags of drugs while Jessica was standing with a box of blades both with shocked looks as they realised that they had been caught. "What the bloody hell are you doing in my room?" Gemma spat venomously though her gritted teeth glaring at the two. "No! you don't get to be angry because you have been caught lying to us, to me." replied Thomas matching her expression. "What is the reason that you had to take drugs and cut yourself rather than talk to us?" asked Jessica softly trying not to angry her friend anymore. "BECAUSE YOU LEFT ME ALONE!!! AND I DIDN'T WANT TO BURDEN YOU WITH MY PROBLEMS!!" Gemma broke, tears streaming silently down her crimson coloured face. "How many times do I have to tell you that you will never be a burden, ever." replied Jessica tear pooling in her eyes at the brink of falling. Adam walked over to her and put his arm around her to attempt to comfort her. That made Gemma envious as she wished that someone would do that for her, she wished that she had someone like that to comfort her when she feels the need to take more pills or to cut herself, but she doesn't and that stings. She has been alone her entire life and she can't take it anymore. She tried to be happy by herself, but a human being can only be happy alone for a short time before it longs for another human being's comfort. Her eyes moved to Thomas' blue-green ones and then to the sports bag that held her ticket out of here. She packed that bag last night during one of her many anxiety attacks before collapsing on her bed. She planned on leaving for a while to clear her head, but something or rather someone stopped her from going through with that plan. Instead, seeing the disappointment in his eyes she made her decision. She is leaving. Gemma darted forward and grabbed her sports bag and book bag full of other essentials before turning around and making her way to the door. "Hey! Where are you going?!" shouted Thomas following her out of her room with Adam and Jessica in tow. "Out." Gemma replied bluntly. "Why? Why are you leaving?" asked Adam trying to understand her. "BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU!! I JUST NEED A BREAK FROM EVERYTHING. FROM YOU AND YOUR GIRLFRIEND!! AND FROM BEING ALONE!!" Gemma yelled and immediately stopped realising what she had just said not believing what she had just said, but the look on Thomas' face made her realise that she let her feelings for him come to the surface. So, she did the only thing she could think of. She ran. She ran out the door and towards the bus stop going to the airport with tears running down her face.

By the time the others got outside she was gone and they had no idea where she went. Like I said the game has changed and boy, does it only go downhill from here. Guess the dangers decided to reveal themselves in the most painful ways possible. What's next for these group of friends and their broken friend? Guess we'll find out soon...