I didn't go to school that day. Or the next. But I made progress and got out of bed. I played games with River when he wasn't at school and did a bit of my homework during the day. I knew mum didn't like leaving me at home, and when Nick was there, he made me get out of bed and do something with him. He taught me how to make rice paper rolls, although I couldn't decide whether I liked them or not.

"Go put proper clothes and shoes on." He told me once we'd finished cleaning everything up from our cooking.

"Why?" I frowned. I wasn't ready to face reality just yet.

"Just do it." He gave me a gentle push in the direction of my bedroom, hence leaving no room for argument. I was particularly unimpressed at having to change out of pyjamas, which I'd comfortably worn for the past few days. I chose a pair of shorts and a thin jumper, with a t-shirt underneath. I hadn't been outside to know what was suitable for the weather. "Where are we going?" I asked, sitting in the middle of the hallway to put my shoes on.

"For a walk. You need to get out." I frowned at him but didn't stop getting ready. I went and grabbed both Teddy and Abi's leads and waited until Nick was ready.

We walked in the opposite direction of the oval and park where I usually went. It made me realise how little I was aware of my surroundings, in comparison to how well I'd known the area where I used to live. I told Nick how I wanted to explore more, to which he only made sure I promised to never go alone.

"How far are we walking?" I asked when Nick had made no move in a direction which could possibly lead back home.

"Not too far."

"Be more specific." I huffed.

"Relax, would you? We're walking to my university."

"That's ages away!"

"It is not." Nick rolled his eyes.

"Are we going to see Logan?" I made the connection, even if it was a bit slow.

"Maybe. We'll see."

We were going to see Logan.

"Don't speak." Nick shushed me as he held open the door to a very black room. I could hear chatter, but it wasn't until I'd fully stepped into the room did I see what was going on. Although the room was painted black, straight ahead, all I could see was colour on white. There were people covered in paint of all shades of the rainbow and wearing a variety of coverage too.

I followed Nick as we approached the set-up, and I was quick to notice Logan was the one behind the camera.

"Nick! Ashlyn!" The same girl who'd done a photoshoot at my house appeared beside us.

"Ash, you remember Haven?"

"Hi." I smiled. Her hair was just as pretty as last time, in full curls with so much volume.

"Couldn't you have given me some warning you were bringing your sister in?" She jokingly glared at Nick. "I've been trying to convince your brother since the day I met you. He's been hiding you."

"Oh." I gave a questioning look to Nick, being completely confused, but was only met with his distant gaze, focused on Logan.

"Not you too." Haven groaned. "That love-struck dumbass over there won't be able to do anything once he sees you, Nick." Just as his name came out of her mouth, Logan stepped back from the camera, coming over to us.

"Hi Logan!" I grinned, feeling the happiest I had since the incident with Scarlett.

"Hey Ash." He grinned back at me. "You told her?" Nick nodded once, straight-faced. It was hard to believe the two were together; they were polar opposites.

"Gross." Haven scoffed. "Come with me, Ash. Let's get you all set up."

"What for?"

"Nicholas! Did you not explain anything to her?" Haven exclaimed.

"I wasn't going to bring her." He shrugged. "Do you want to get photos done? They'll be part of a showcase. Like the ones you saw from last time."

"You showed her those?" Logan raised an eyebrow.

"No. She snuck up on me."

"I did not!" I argued.

"Haven's known for doing that. Must be a sister thing." Logan chuckled.

"You and Haven are siblings?"

"Unfortunately." Haven sighed, shaking her head.

"They're twins." Nick added.

"Like me."

Haven gave me a new set of clothing, consisting of a white sports bra and a white pair of shorts. I came out of the changing rooms to a big grin of approval from Haven, and the complete opposite from Nick.

"Give her more clothes than that, Haven." He glared.

"It's fine." I told her, handing Nick all my other clothes, just adding to his disapproving face.

"Here Ash." Logan handed me a t-shirt, winking at Nick, which lessened his frown.

Haven gave me all the instructions whilst Logan and Nick didn't leave each other's sides. I basically got to douse myself in whatever colours I wanted, then roll around on the floor for a bit, laughing my head off as I went. It was the first time since I'd last been at school when I'd fully felt at peace and wasn't thinking about anything that had happened over the last few days. I was simply having fun.

Haven kept throwing out directions at me, telling me how to stand and the facial expressions I needed to make. I even got Nick laughing at one point, because apparently, I'd just looked that ridiculous. I didn't even care because I was having that much fun.

"How am I meant to walk home like this?" I laughed, motioning towards my paint-covered body.

"I'll drive you." Logan smiled.

"And make Nick walk!" I sent myself into a fit of hysterics once again. Clearly, all the fun I hadn't been having had built up to make me go insane. When I'd finally calmed down, Nick was looking at me as if I'd grown two heads, Logan was looking at me like I'd said something which really shouldn't have been that funny, and Haven seemed to be looking at me with pure adoration, or at least I'd like to think so. "Thanks for bringing me here." I hugged Nick, for once being too fast for him to react. I'd succeeded in covering him with paint, much to his disgust.