I cried. I actually freaking cried. I know I'm kind of being a baby, but I can honestly say no one has ever said anything so nice to me before. I could literally feel my heart swell from their kindness. And the moment they all took me into their embrace, I could feel my magic pulse through my veins. It hummed in contentment, and touching all of them at once put me into a state of euphoria. My heart was beaming with happiness, and I could feel my tattoos buzzing in agreement.

"Th-thank you," I choked on another childish sob. My arms wrapped around all of them at once. I never realized my arms would be long enough for something like this, but they seemed enormously long right about now. Which, I was honestly kind of grateful for. Xavier grabs ahold of my chin from resting against Cole's abnormally hard chest. Seriously, what the hell do these guys eat? Cement?

My eyes lock onto his. Damnit, was he blessed by God or something? How can someone be so damn attractive?

"You don't have to thank us, princess. We'd do anything for you," he replies.

"But, why? You just met me. Why would you want to help someone you hardly even know?"

"Because you're apart of our family now, and we care about you," he answers. The way he's looking at me makes my breath come out in pants. He's looking at me as if I'm the most beautiful and important person he's ever seen. Which is impossible, considering I'm basically useless. But he looks so convinced that I almost start to believe it myself. Almost.

"You can't get rid of us now, kitten. No matter how hard you try, we'll always be there for you," Cole comments thoughtfully.

"I-I... I don't know what to say," I confess.

"You don't have to say anything, babygirl. Just let us take care of you," Ashton basically pleads. I've never felt so appreciated before, and I know I want to stay with them. I know I couldn't part with them even if I tried. We belong together. I can feel it, that sense of peace and belonging. And I know there will be no argument. I can already tell I'd lose, and I wouldn't want to win, anyway. So, I just nod meekly.

"Princess, we need to talk about this. But right now you need to eat. I'm not going to let you starve a minute longer. Just know you're not off the hook yet." Xavier throws a wink my way and successfully manages to clear the mood. It's as if he knows I've reached my limit and can no longer talk about these things right now--which I very much appreciate.

He grabs ahold of my hand and leads me to the cafeteria. Cole takes my other free hand while Ashton follows behind, still carrying my bag. When we make it to the cafe, we see many groups of friends eating while engaging in pointless, high school conversation. When they notice our arrival they stop their conversations and stare at us. I probably look like a wreck. I mean, I was just crying my freaking eyes out, so I would be surprised if I look like I just crawled out of a sewer. I wouldn't say I'm the prettiest cryer. At least Cole wiped the mascara from my eyes. Now I won't look like a racoon, at least.

As if sensing my dilemma, Ashton says, "Don't worry, you look beautiful."

I can't help but blush like the idiot I am.

I send a small smile his way as a "thank you." He just beams in return. It really lights up his eyes and enhances his ruggedly handsome features.

As we walk passed the masses of hormonal teenagers, we hear whispering.

"Damn, she's hot," says one kid in a football

jersey that has the word Saints plastered across the front. His friends snicker in agreement. I just roll my eyes.

"Holy shit, those guys are so sexy. I bet the only reason she's with them is because she puts out. Well, I wouldn't mind fucking them for attention either," laughs a snarky blonde-headed bimbo. I can tell the guys heard her, too, because I hear what seems to be growls escaping from deep within their chests, which is still kind of confusing, but I choose not to question it. The only thing I can really focus on is the fact that that bitch just basically called me a slut in front of all her friends.

I'm about to walk over there and give her a piece of my mind, but a hand shoots out and grabs me by the arm, pulling me into someone's chest. A very muscular chest, might I add. I tilt my head up to see Xavier, and my eyes follow down his arm to see that he's the one who grabbed me, like somehow he knew I was about to beat a bitch. Sometimes I know when to choose my battles, as I've learned to over the many years of abuse. And sometimes, I just want to punch someone in the face.

He only confirms my assumptions when he says, "Now, now, Ava. We don't want to go starting fights. Do we, princess?" He smirks.

I grumble under my breath, to which he chuckles at.

We continue to make our way to the lunch line, grabbing our food. I pick up a cheeseburger and a water bottle and make my way to the line to pay for my food, but Ashton stops me.

"Come on now, babygirl. You didn't think I'd let you pay for your own food, did you?" he smirks, a mischievous glint to his eyes and a playful tone to his voice.

"Oh come on, Ash, you're already carrying my bag. I'm not going to let you pay for my food, too. I'm a big girl; I can do it myself," I huff.

He lifts his left eyebrow teasingly. "Ash?"

I blush; I didn't even realize I just called him that. But I defend it nonetheless because I think it's cute. "Yeah, Ash. You guys call me nicknames, so I get to give you ones, too."

"I like it," he replies.

"Awe, I want one too kitten," Cole whines.

"Hurry up. We haven't got all day. She can give you a nickname after we sit down. Let's just buy our food first. We've held up the line enough as it is," Xavier interjects.

I turn around to hand the lunch lady the money for the food. But before I'm able to even reach for her, Ashton has already handed her a 20 dollar bill to pay for both of our lunches.

"Keep the change," he says to the lady with graying hair and a bored facial expression. She nods curtly.

We take our leave to find a table. Once we've found an empty table with four seats, we plop down and start conversing.

"So, kitten, what's my new nickname?" Cole asks again, bouncing eagerly in his seat, our previous conversation completely forgotten, thankfully.

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So, that's it for this chapter. It wasn't super long, but oh well. The next one should be a little longer. As always, until next time...

Sincerely,

The Annoying Author Lady