Chapter 35

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I LAY IN bed scowling. Aaron had taken my list on my phone and packed everything for me telling me I needed to rest.

Like hell I did.

When I retaliated he burrito rolled me so now here I was laying on my stomach as he went to pack his stuff now.

"Aaron." I whined trying to shuffle. I feel like a fucking worm. "We have to be down in two hours." I shouted seeing the time was 5 am. "The bus leaves then." I grumbled as he kept ignoring me.

Today was became day. For a week we would be staying at the beach and as promised the girls get all the goods.

I was beyond excited. Except right now where I felt useless.

I wiggle forward until my torso hangs of the bed. I suppress a shriek as my cheek hits the floor my legs awkwardly slithering down too. I try to roll but feel stuck in the blanket. Damn this blanket.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't West the sexy worm." Aaron mused leaning against the doorway. I grumble looking up at him with strength since the blanket resisted me.

"Stop being a model and help me up." I seethed at him. He snorts placing legs on either side of me and sitting down. I feel the oxygen knock out of my body. "You're a whale." I gasped. "A fat rhino." I heave trying to push him off.

"I'm not a fucking whale." Aaron grumbles unpinning the blanket off of me. I breathe happily crawling off the floor and stretching my limbs like there was no tomorrow.

"You do look a little pudgy." I lie pretending to assess him. "A little from there too." I point to his killer shape jaw.

He gets up stalking me towards the wall. "Liar." He muses at me.

"Fine you look completely gorgeous. Incredibly sexy. God tier beautiful." I exclaimed at him trying to look through my limited vocabulary.

"Yeah?" He asks.

I nod smirking. "Tell me..." I ask leaning just a tad forward and looking at him. "Did that lie make you feel better?"

His face fell. "You're very rude."

"Just honest." I tip him off and leave before shouting. "Just to keep you in a happy mood just know you do look very handsome today." I make my way to the kitchen looking at a stack of pancakes ready to go and place two on my plate with strawberries and cream. I quickly chew them as our door open and Owen walks in his attire consisting of coconut printed trunks and a towel around his neck that had baby animal printed on it. Goggles strapped on his shirt as his flip flops slapped towards me.

"No swimming clothes?" He asked stealing a strawberry.

"Nope. I'll change when I get there." I chew on my food as he licks his hand.

"Ava is already wearing a skimpy bikini and bottom waiting in line for the bus. I think Ms. Lennon called her to her class." He tells me. "Hopefully though because I saw a little too much of everything."

I chuckle licking cream off my fork. "Nice shorts Hayes." I muse flicking his towel. "You've got style."

He sparkled his teeth at me. "You know I do. I even got sunscreen." He passed me his bottle and I arched my brows at him.

"This is for kids aged four to twelve."

"Young looks." He shrugged. "The pharmacist said this could work on us too." He threw it back in his large transparent bag. "I'm so excited."

"Me too, mate." I nodded placing my plate in the sink. "I ordered some pink lemonade and tarts." I nodded towards the picnic basket. Owen immediately ran to them opening the hood.

"Marry me."

"Olivia and Aaron would retaliate." I laugh.

"I was talking to the desserts." He responded looking at them and me. "But a threesome seems fine to me." We laugh as Aaron puts tow bags on the couch and screws his face at Owen's shorts.

"Chaotic." He mused. "Fitting."

"They are." Owen snapped the wrists and and hissed as it hit him. "Why aren't you wearing yours?"

"Because we are supposed to wear our clothing when we get there." Aaron sighed running a hand through his hair.

"No they said to where your clothing to the beach." Owen pointed at us.

"Yeah and this is called swimwear." I told him choking on a laugh. "Just put a shirt on."

"Fucking words and their fucking wrong meanings." He grumbled stomping to Aaron's room and getting a black shirt pulled on.

"Everything set?" I asked Aaron passing him a pancake filled with strawberry and whipped cream roll. He nodded taking a bite.

"All the necessities are up and done." He said swallowing. "You?"

"I was held hostage so I just have to blindly trust you." I narrowed my eyes at him as Owen erupted back in the room putting on a bucket hate.

Aaron stared at him wide eyed whilst Owen flipped his imaginary hair. "I'm sexy and I know it. So please hold off on the compliments." He gleefully said to himself and threw and arm around me. "First time going to a WA field trip. How do you feel?"

"Good?" I shrugged running a hand through my hair and then twisting it into a bun. I felt so tired. I had a fear of sleeping in class especially if someone I do not trust leaves me sleeping. The results of that has happened too many times. Maybe I would catch some sleep in the bus. "Am I supposed to feel completely blow away?"

"Yes. I'm going to the trip with you. You are bound to feel so lucky." He wiggles his eyebrows at me. "If it weren't for Aaron I know you'd be heartbroken and crying over your overwhelming love for me." I rolled my eyes chuckling.

"Yes because my destiny was to find you Owen Hayes and get madly in love with you and have your children. I was designed for you and only you. My mind capacity however expanded overtime and so did my judgement. But if it weren't for my lethal smartness my heart would be for you." I dramatically said to him as he beamed flipping me off.

Aaron shook his head piling both of our bags near the door and sighing loudly. I gave him an arched eyebrow. And he I needed rest. Hilarious.

"Have you all been in touch with Jordan lately?" Owen asked checking through our cabinets. I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at Aaron.

"No." Aaron simply stated. "I thought he went off to his parents again."

"He did." Owen confirmed fishing out a granola bar. "But he keeps going there repetitively. Like is there anything wrong? Bryce any thoughts?" He munched loudly but I only felt guilt inject into my brain and weigh down on my heart.

Holy fuck.

I have not asked anything of Jordan lately. I guess a part of me was still stubborn and mad at him for dooming me to this place and then being with Emery. Out of all the people he chose her. Sometimes at night I bites back at me - laughs at me - at how I forgave Emery so easily. Like blowing on a dandelion. I even hugged her. How can I let that go so easily? She humiliated me.

But whereas it concerned Jordan I forgave him. Because this place was not the hell I thought it would be but... at least I was not entirely lost. I had my own compass marks here. And unlike the wicked things that confuse me these were actual people. Maybe I would silently still not forgive Jordan for the sights I saw. My mother, the blackmailer, the gang. I just hoped there was a ladder to climb this mess. A new horizon to look out to.

Maybe I would find family and forever too. Peace and comfort would come to know me.

I could get that one day. No matter how foolish my hope was I still lit up the candles everyday even though they would blow out. Foolish.

I would have laughed at my previous self for this hope. I always thought hope to be a contaminant. Once it gets you you cannot live with out it. That is what makes the days so much harder because hope it always there. You always think you are going to make it until you do not. And then you ever lose hope or you hang onto it. It could be dangerous when you just do not know when to give up. When to open up your eyes and face the reality of it all. And to find a new path.

For me there were no paths. Each one I took I paved myself. And where that road took me was always a dead end. I always had to start a new chapter.

"I don't know. He probably is homesick." I told him picking at my nails. "He always loved being there. Especially with Charlize and his parents. I'm sure everything is fine."

Another loud munch sounded between us. Owen chewed loudly while speaking whilst Aaron only looked disgusted. "Maybe. But I have a bad feeling about this."

"I have a bad feeling of you eating like that too. Remember the last time you had diarrhea and the doctor told you to chew smaller bites?" Aaron mused while Owen screwed his face.

"He did not."

"You're right. It was more like explosive diarrhea. Horrendous." I laugh yet feel utterly disgusted by the image forming in my head. Somethings are better left untold and unseen.

"That's a personal matter!"

"When you were in the bathroom you made it quite public to everyone." Aaron hummed back as I laughed picking out a cold water bottle from the fridge and sipping on it.

"My asshole was exploding! What do you want me to do!" Owen screeched helplessly while I choked on the water my face turning red.

"Fuck Hayes." I heaved through coughs as my eyes watered. "Every single time I drink you say something stupid." I cough banging a fist to my chest as Aaron comes over and pats my back.

Owen just sniffs the air and rolls his eyes. "I can't help if women choke around me." He muses as if a certain thought with Olivia crosses his eyes. He laughs mindlessly to himself.

I sigh internally.

Owen and his imaginary friends.

As soon as I get my coughing fit in order I rub my face and open the door as Madison jumped in wearing Prada sunglasses.

"Ahh the devil wears Prada never seemed so real until now." Owen eyed her up and down.

"What died in your asshole?" She asked bitterly leaning her shades down.

Owen's eyes widened and he huffed out the room. "Sensitivity to a certain part gets him moody." Aaron put out with a secret knowing look at me.

"Then tell Olivia to sit on his dick and calm it." Madison muttered running a hand through her freshly done hair which were in cornrows. It looked gorgeous on her. Though I wondered how it took for it to get done.

"Your hair looks awesome." I voice my thoughts in awe picking at one of her long braids.

"Thank you." She mused tilting her shoulder side to side. "You're the only one complimented me."

Aaron snorted tying his sneakers. "Fishing for compliments are we?"

I sat on the couch and she followed sighing dramatically. "Fishing for dicks actually. Failed most part."

"Cut it off or let it go?" I ask just for confirmation.

"Haven't found the right guy yet." She told me. "I wonder if there are any good looking men in this world who meet my standards."

"Oh there are." Aaron assured her. "I just happened to be taken by her." He kisses my temple as I smile.

"You are so whipped."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Stop." I exclaimed feeling very annoyed by them bickering as every word they said made them edge closer to my ear.

"Sorry." Aaron mumbled straightening back.

"Whipped." Madison popped crossing her arms. Aaron signs her off with both middle fingers and she rolls her eyes.

Talk about siblings.

"I feel sorry for both your parents." I muttered rubbing my ears. "You both fight like banshees."

"Please. I'm too mature for that." Madison says.

"Right you are." Aaron drawls. "From which angle actually?"

"Which angle are you from?" She retorts.

"Every. Just ask Bryce." He smirks as I bury my face in my hands.

"Don't ask Bryce anything." My voice is muffled through my hands. "Bryce just wants to go to the beach."

"About the beach." Maddie exclaims. "I was just here to tell you I've got a plan for gaining the backseat on the bus."

I look up curiously.

"Aaron you're first on the registration list and Bryce is next. Both of you can place your backpacks there and Reuben will join you with Owen next. Sersha and me will sit on the forward seat being the closest to us." She explains. "And if Lennon has an objection towards that she answers to me." Ms. Lennon would probably hand me before taking it up with Maddie.

I could see it my mind so clearly. The Lennon has returned back to her habitat under the desks after she murdered innocent girl Bryce Weston. They would show a deranged woman with long nails and bloodshot eyes hissing.

Extra, Yes. Factual? Also yes.

"Why does the backseat matter soo much?" I inquire fixing the length of my black shirt and shorts.

Madison gasped dramatically glaring at Aaron. "You did not tell her about our sacred tradition?"

"It's not a tradition." He quickly replies. I look at him questioningly and he sighs rubbing his way. "Madison here thinks it's got the best view and that we also have never sat in any seat but the back."

"It's our holy tradition. That and we sacrifice the unkind so watch out Aaron." She joyfully wiggles her fingers at him. I chuckle shaking my head.

A notification chimes on my phone and my heart stops. I glanced quickly at it to only be able to breathe again. "Come on. Bus's leaving now. Sersha just texted on the group." I smile wobbly and get up trying to contain my shakiness.

Nothing happened.

It is all fine. Not the blackmailer.

But their recent text still flies through my head.

I hope London was fun but now you're back in Archdale. Watch your back when you walk back home. The two million are still waiting to be paid or the next money translated from an account will be your funeral's.

I would be dead by the end of the year. The money was not filling up their coffers because I had no more. I was practically begging for change at this point to myself. I needed a job. No exceptions this time.

And watching my back? Were they staking me? It could be possible.

"Hey." Aaron tilts my chin up with his finger. "What's up?"

I sigh with a small smile. Always the observer. "Just thinking."

He arched his eyebrow at me. I roll my eyes at the pact he made me take. A truth for a truth. And a change for a change. I was happy to take it knowing he was not taking anymore pills at night. That he was choosing to live.

That was all that mattered.

"I keep thinking about the..." I look around and see Maddie already left. I connect my eyes back with Aaron's and sigh. "Blackmailer."

He frowns as I finish. "Did they text you anything new?" I shake my head and he bites his lip. "Ignore them. You deserve a stress free vacation for once. Don't let them cloud your head."

"I'm not it's just..." I had not told him they had my life on line. I did not want to see the look on his face if I ever got to that point. I would rather die silently then hurt the people around me. At least for once being silent could be a blessing. "I need a job." I say instead.

Aaron lilts the corner of his lip disapprovingly. "Let me pay."

"I can't." I smile sadly at him. "They'll find out one way or another and then they'll demand more."

"Let them." Aaron growls. "They have nothing on us-"

"They crashed their car against my mother's. That's psychotic as it is but imagine the tent they would go. I have away too much by being naïve. I don't want to make the same mistake twice." I lick my lips knowing he was just as upset as I was but for what? We could not do anything. This was not a game. It was a life or death situation. My odds were against me. At least his could be set straight. These people around me were my only family and if I lost them too... who was I? Where would my home be?

"One week of freedom. Then we think about this." He says placing his lips on mine. I place my hands on his shoulder kissing him softly and then yearningly.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS TAKING YOU BITCHES SO LONG? HOLY DAMN MY EYES!" Owen shrieks slamming the door hard and covering his face. "The whole class is waiting questioningly. I do not want to tell them it is because you both are eating each other's faces."

"Fuck off Hayes." Aaron mutters as I turn beet red gathering my stuff. "Don't act like your roommate doesn't hate you already."

"Don't blame me. Blame the paper thin walls." Owen reprimands at us. "Now let's get going you guys." He waves us over as we run down the hall nearly sprinting towards the bus.

My legs pound against the grainy road as Ms. Lennon stands out the door of the yellow bus one hand clinging to the metal rod attached to the door while the other on her hip. "Ms. Weston care to share why you just delayed our trip by a minute?"

"I'll explain in the bus so the blame doesn't sink to you too." I quickly make my way over to the back seat and fell half on to Reuben who smiled at me. I rest my body against his and take in chugs of air.

"Look what I got." I turn startled or see Jordan as he pulls out a bag of fish graham crackers. "Just like the good old times."

I fish out some as we all sat down. Reuben to the left window with me next to him and Jordan on my left with Aaron at the right window.

Maddie and Sersha sat in front of us. It would have been noticeable anyway seeming Madison had braided pink in her cornrows.

"Where were you?" I ask him considering the bus was moving already.

Jordan's hand hovers over the pack of crackers and he swallows. "At home."

I glance at him fiddling with a cracker in my hand. "Is everything alright?"

"No... I was planning to tell you but it slipped my mind." I glance at him kindly.

"If you don't want to Jord you don't have to." I say sincerely. Sometimes holding secrets are better then letting them out.

He shakes his head his black hair falling on his brow. "I want to. I do. You see... mom and dad are getting a divorce." I stop moving all together and look at him disbelievingly. He smiled humorlessly and shrugs. "Yeah." I blinked looking at the grey surface of the bus.

Jenna and Henry always looked so in love. Always holding hands and laughing with stars in their eyes. "What happened?" My voice was quiet but I tried adding stamina into it. Jordan already had enough on his plate and having me saddened would only awake his own sorrow.

He rubbed his face leaning towards to keep both of our voices down and private. "I don't know. I came home one day to see Charlize crying. I asked her what happened and she whispered that mom and dad had been shouting all night. When I went to check on my parents I found that my dad was staying at a hotel while my mother stayed cooped up in one our spare guest-room. She was so fragile and hurt that I didn't bother asking her. I kept coming home early to comfort Charlize- I mean she's just a kid. I understand these things happen but she always imagines a connected family. All four of us in every drawing she makes. It broke my heart to see her so... so lost." I squeezed his knee.

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