I groan loudly as I hear Scarlett's soft snores in my ear, the blinding light of the sun streaming into the room. My head feels as if it's been set on fire, the pounding was becoming louder and louder.

I grimace as I can taste stale wine on my tongue, I rub my eyes before trying to look for a bottle of water.

'Scar.' I whisper.

'Scarlett.'

'Scar!' 

I frown as her snores get louder indicating to me that she wasn't waking up for shit. I knew that her parents were out of town, but I still couldn't help but feel awkward going downstairs on my own. I swallow, my throat is that dry it feels as if I'm eating sharded glass.

Fuck, I'm going to have to go.

I slowly lift myself out of the bed, tiptoeing out of the room. I keep my footsteps quiet until I reach the kitchen.

'Why are you walking like that?'

I let out a high-pitched shriek as I jump three-feet into the air, 'W-What the fuck is wrong with you?!'

Lucas laughs slightly, 'Says, the one who is creeping around my house.'

I clench my jaw, 'I didn't think that anyone was awake.'

'So, your solution was to act like a robber?'

'Yes!' I hiss before clutching my forehead, I try and rub soothing circles on it.

'Ah, the hangover the free prize at the bottom of every bottle.'

'Not funny.' I pout, as I slowly trudge towards their fridge, I pull the door open.

'A-Autumn.' He says with a hoarse voice.

My eyebrows knit together, 'Did you just call me by my actual name?'

'W-What are them marks on your arm?'

My entire body freezes as I look over to my arm which is holding the door open, my pyjama sleeve top has risen up exposing my burns, I quickly pull it down. My breathing becomes shallow as tears burn the corner of my eyes; I shake my head in an attempt to get rid of them.

'I-I just got really drunk one night and accidentally put a cigarette out on my arm. Total idiot, I know.'

The dark-haired boy scoffs, 'Do you really think I'm that a fucking idiot?'

No, I don't think you are an idiot at all.

'I-I'm telling the truth.' I murmur meekly as I finally have the courage to turn around and face him.

His expression was hard with a clenched jaw, there was a glint of anger shining in his eyes. His arms tightly crossed against his chest.

'Bull-fucking-shit. What the fuck happened?'

'Just drop it!' I hiss as I feel anger bubbling in my stomach, 'Why the fuck do you want to be so involved in my life?'

He shakes his head, 'Stop putting up your defences. I'm not falling for any of this.'

'Fuck off.'

'No, I'm not just fucking off.' 

I let out a bitter laugh, 'Why? Because you think we're fucking friends or something.'

He takes a step closer making my breath hitch, 'I just fucking said, that I'm not falling for it.'

Hot tears fall down my face as a strangled sob escapes my lips, 'S-Stop making this harder, please.'

'I'm not making anything hard, I'm trying to be there for my fucking friend.'

'I-I don't need you to be there for me.'

Lucas sighs loudly, 'I know you don't. But I want to be.'

'B-But why? I-I'm fucking awful to you. A-All of you.'

He lets out a laugh, 'Y-You aren't awful to me, you aren't awful to fucking any of us. Why do you think that?'

'B-Because...I-I have never had any actual friends before I-I don't know how to do this!' I cry out as I throw my hands in the air, 'I-It's so fucking hard.'

'Princess, you do know how to do this. Y-You are a good friend.'

I sniffle, 'I-If I'm a good friend, then please don't ask me about my arms again. I-I don't want to lie to you.'

His expression softens, 'O-Okay, I don't want to push you. I-I didn't want to make you cry.'

'I-I know.'

He runs a hand over his face, 'I-I...Are you safe? At home, are you safe? D-Do you need somewhere to say?'

I give him a small smile, 'I-I'm safe at home, I promise.'

His fists clench, 'I-I fucking hate, that I can't ask any questions.'

I wince, 'I'm sorry. I-I don't want you to be mad at me.'

'Y-You think I'm mad at you?'

I nod weakly as I turn my gaze to the hardwood floor against my feet, I couldn't bear to look him in the eyes anymore.

It was all beginning to feel too much.

'Princess, I am mad. B-But I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at whoever the fuck did this to you.'

I swallow harshly, 'O-Oh.'

Small footsteps cause my head to snap up, Scarlett walks into the kitchen her happy face immediately drops, when she takes in my panicked form. Her eyes narrow at Lucas before shoving him harshly.

'W-What the fuck did you do?!' She shrieks out, 'T-That is my best friend, did you fucking make her cry?'

My heart leaps at the thought of someone actually considering me their best friend, then I'm filled with a surge of warmth.

Holy fuck.

Scarlett Summer is my best friend.

'H-He didn't do anything!' I manage out, 'S-Scar honestly.'

She pulls away from her brother, 'T-Then what happened?'

I shake my head before wrapping my arms around her tightly, her body stiffens before she responds.

'What's going on Autie?' She whispers.

'Honestly, I'm okay, more than okay.'

As she moves away from our embrace, she studies my face nodding slightly.

'You'd tell me if you weren't okay, wouldn't you?'

'Y-Yeah, I would.'

And for the first time, I wasn't actually lying. I've never had someone to rely on, who would keep my secrets and wipe away my tears. 

And now I actually have it.

'Can you please apologise for hitting me now?'

Scarlett raises her eyebrow as she sighs loudly, 'Fine, I'm sorry.'

I finally gain the courage to look Lucas in the eyes, 'I-I'm also sorry for crying like that.'

'Princess, you can't thank me for stupid shit, and you also can't say sorry for stupid shit.'

'B-But still-'

'But nothing, I just want you to be okay.'

My stomach flutters at his sentiment, 'I-I want you to be okay too.'

The pink-haired girl next to me expression changes, there is a sparkle in her eye that I've never seen before. And I couldn't help but wonder why it was there.

She claps her hand together, 'So, shall I make everyone breakfast?'

Lucas snorts, 'Fuck no. You'll burn the kitchen, down. I'll cook.'

I perk up slightly, 'You cook?'

'That I do, princess. Do you find it hot?'

I scoff, 'No.'

'Keep lying to yourself, love.'

I want to wrinkle my nose up at him calling me that, but I couldn't. Why did I like hearing him call me that?

Better yet, why did I want him to call me that again?

' 

A:N

Thank you so much for the love!

Speaking of love, do we prefer Autumn being called Princess or Love?