Adelaide's Point of View

"Do you really have to go into work today?" Luke whined, pulling me in for another hug.

I chuckled. I've spent the entire day with the boys and I could tell they were desperate for some strictly guy time, plus I was lucky enough to receive the late shift today. "Yeah, sorry. If you guys want some flowers let me know. I can hook you up."

"Please don't tell me you work for Clifford's mum," Ashton complained, his eyes skimming my face for a reaction. I just nodded my head and he groaned loudly, lifting one of his hands up to remove the residue of sweat that was clinging to his forehead, just below his bangs. "Well, tell him I said hello. I wonder how that jerk is doing."

Calum's arm enveloped around my waist, pulling my back against his toned stomach. "Ash, did you know that Addy and Michael are friends? Isn't that weird?"

"Why would you want to be friends with that douchebag?" Luke shouted in an exasperated tone.

I shrugged, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the way they were speaking of my coworker. I was aware of the bad blood between them, but it still made me uneasy hearing bad things about the people I cared about. "It's funny because he says the same exact thing about Cal."

"Well Cal is a douchebag," Ashton agreed, the three boys chuckling together. I quickly found out that teasing each other is their way of showing affection. "But not the way Michael is. Mikey is a terrible friend."

"He's nice to me," I protested, folding my lips over in a pout. Calum kissed my cheek gently. "I better get going. I'll come back over tomorrow before you boys leave, okay?"

Calum's grip on my stomach tightened. "Why don't you just sleepover here tonight?"

I glimpsed between Luke and Ashton, and they nodded their heads rapidly, smiles growing onto their faces. "If that's okay with you guys. I don't want to interrupt on your bro time."

"We'll have plenty of man time while you're at work, Ad," Calum insisted, spinning me around to peck my lips softly. "Please come over after work?"

"Fine," I said defeatedly. Ashton and Luke were making whipping motions behind me and I was cracking up as opposed to Calum who had flipped them off. "I'll see you guys tonight, then."

--

The shop was completely empty except for Michael, Lucy and I. I was questioning Mrs. Clifford's thought process on how leaving us with the responsibility with the late shift was a good idea. Apparently all of the adults were busy which is why we had this opportunity, but in the back of my mind I knew this wasn't going to be a good idea.

Michael was swinging keys around his index finger and approached me as soon as I stepped foot into the store. He flashed me a smile. "We're closing early and you two will just make your annoying bouqets without having to deal with any customers."

"Smart," I mused, enjoying the idea of not having to tend the front desk.

After twisting the lock and sticking the We're Closed sign to the door, he nudged my shoulder. "So, you were too chicken to come to the party?"

I laughed, completely forgetting that my original intention the other night was to go hang out with Lucy's friends. "Yeah, I wasn't feeling up to it. I'm sorry. Maybe next time."

"Lucy picked up a pizza so we can go have ourselves a little party right now," He insisted, looping his arm through mine as I was escorted to the back room.

The cardboard box was a banner for the beautiful pizza sitting in the middle of it, cheese falling off the sides and a slight layer of warm grease covering the top of it. I instantly snatched a piece and took a bite, moaning in delight, and then collapsing onto the chair next to the redhead. "Sorry I couldn't come the other night," I told Lucy, using one hand to cover up my mouth since I was currently chewing with my mouth open.

She grinned at me. "It's alright, Addy. You did miss out on Michael being an obnoxious drunk who cried anytime he was left alone, though."

"At least I wasn't dancing like an idiot to the Cheetah Girls," Michael countered, sticking his tongue out at Lucy. She pushed his head softly, her fingers getting tangled in his mess of hair. A look of pure adoration covered her eyes as they shared a giggle, and I wondered if she had a crush on him. My girl senses were tingling and I had a feeling that at least one of them were smitten.

"I would have loved to see that," I admitted, initiating another round of chuckles. "Oh, Michael, Ashton Irwin says hello."

"Are they back in town?"

"Yes, I just met them. They seem like some nice guys," I said shyly, suddenly regretting bringing Ashton in conversation because I was aware it might stir up some conflict.

"Is he still extremely hot?" Lucy inquired, wiggling her eyebrows at me. I nodded my head in confirmation, making her squeal. "I used to have the biggest crush on Ashton. He was a year older than us, but he still hungout with everyone in the grade below. Such a good kid. He was very obnoxious, but he always smiling, wasn't he Mikey?"

"Lucy," Michael hissed, which only made her giggle from her own teasing. His face had paled and he seemed to be in a daze, which worried me. "Ashton, Luke, Calum and I were all good friends, Ad. Not anymore, obviously, but yeah. I hope he's doing well."

Our shift continued with three of us sitting by the large metal table, Lucy and I diligently working on our custom bouquets while sharing one of our numerous nonsense conversations. Laughter and an old classic rock CD filled my ears. Work was much more enjoyable when you are so distracted by conversations that you don't even realize you are doing any streneous work. I loved the echo in the large room due to how silent it truly was in here with the absence of any customers. It was just three of us and the flowers, and I didn't want it any other way.

"It's ten o'clock?" Lucy exclaimed as she glimpsed up at the clock on the wall behind us. Our shift ended at eight, meaning that we've willingly been here for an extra two hours. "I better be getting overtime for this."

I giggled, collecting the finished bouquets and placing them on their shelves, ready to be twisted with ribbon and plastic film tomorrow and sent off to whomever may recieve them. I hung my apron back on the rack and dusted my clothes off, removing any excess bits that might have lingered onto my attire. "Well I'll see you guys tomorrow then?"

"Yes you will," Lucy said happily, giving me a short embrace as she slid her card down to clock out.

Michael raised onto his tippy toes and retreated the curtain from the window, glancing out of the glass. He made a face of uncertainity. "Adelaide, it's really dark outside. You shouldn't be walking home this late. Let me drive you."

"I'll be fine," I assured him, knowing that in this quiet town I would be more than capable of handling myself. It was a short distance to my home.

Lucy shook her head rapidly. "Addy, you have to walk by the bar and it's a Saturday night. There will be plenty of drunk people and it's really dark out. Just let him drive you, it's not worth the risk."

I sighed. I have never worked the late shift before so I do suppose that taking the risk might not be the best idea. "Alright. But at least let me bring you some gas money tomorrow."

He slung his arm around my shoulder, pulling me out of Fabulous Florist and towards his sedan. "You don't have to. Your presence is payment itself."

I burst out laughing at his snide remark, sensing the hint of sarcasm there. "You're such a loser," I complained, sliding into the passenger seat. It was still quite confusing being on the opposite side of the car than what I was accustomed to in America.

His finger twisted the volume dial and let the overplayed mainstream music from the generic Top 40 radio station play. "Oh I'm the loser? You're the one who only has like three friends!"

"That would make me a loner not a loser," I protested playfully, watching as he drummed his hands against the leather steering wheel to the beat of the song. "Besides, I actually made two new friends today."

"Luke and Ashton are friends with anyone who has a vagina," Mikey stated, rolling his eyes at me.

"Oh, now it makes sense as to why they were friends with you."

I expected him to be slightly offended, but instead he threw his head back and cracked up, almost seeming to be cackling at my witty response. "You're too much, Addy Winters."

My throat became dry from all of our giggling today. I spotted a bottle of water resting in his cup holder and gripped it in my hand. "Can I have a sip?" I asked politely. Michael's eyes flickered from the road to my hand and he nodded. I lifted the bottle to my lips and instantly he reached over and smacked the end of it, making me drop the bottle and for water to spill all over my chest. "Michael!" I screeched.

He burst into hysterics again. "That's for calling me a loser," He explained as he caught his breath. "Nice bra, by the way."

I realized that the liquid had seeped through and made my white shirt appear to be sheer, revealing the pink bra I was sporting today. "You're such a pain," I whined, opening the door when we pulled up in front of my house. I would walk over to Calum's after I cleaned up a bit for the sleepover that I was quite anxious about. "Thanks for the ride, Mikey."

He nodded, following closely behind me as I carefully unlocked my door. His hand gripped my wrist before I could step inside my house and he spun me around, placing each of his hands on my waist. "You're an incredible girl, Adelaide," He whispered, leaning forwards.

I registered what was happening and put my palm against his lips, dodging his kiss. I didn't mean to have lead him on. Our relationship was strictly friendly, I didn't feel anything romantic towards Michael, and I feel bad that he might have misread my behavior. "Michael," I said breathlessly. "I, I can't kiss."

"What do you mean? It's easy, Addy, you just put your lips together like this," He stated while leaning in again, this time much closer, and his hot breath tingling against my skin.

"No." I put my hands on his chest, pushing him away. "No, I can kiss. I just, I can't kiss you. I'm so sorry."

"Why not?" Michael barked, although I could tell it was due to being hurt by rejection, not for actually being angry with me.

I swallowed. The lump in my throat seemed to be growing to the size of a bowling ball. My teeth were chattering. My lips were quivering. My lungs were breathing quicker than usual. "Um, well, I have a boyfriend."

His face grew pale as he dropped his hands from his sides. His fists clenched together as his jawline grew more prominent than ever. "It's not- please tell me it's not. It can't be. Please, tell me it's not Calum, Adelaide."

I bit down on my lip, gulping. "Well then I would be lying."

"No. No. No. No. No," He repeated loudly in a furious tone. His head whipped around, spotting Calum's adjacent house. The lights were all on and it was quite obvious that he was inside. Michael bolted towards it, darting through the grass while muttering curse words under his breath.

I chased after him, desperately trying to keep up. "Michael!" I screamed, grasping his forearm and tugging on it, but he just shrugged me off of him and continued running. "Michael. Don't. Michael, please stop!"

I leaped in between Michael and the front door, placing both of my hands on his biceps and trying my best to stop him. "Michael, do not go in there. Let it be. Please don't go in there. You know I hate fighting."

His eyes were dark and intense. "And you know I hate Calum and that I will never in a million years let him to do what he did to Ellie to you. You need to stay away from him before you get hurt, Addy! I've been telling you this since the first day I met you! Staying away from him does not mean dating! How much of an idiot can you be? I'm going in there, Addy. I have to say hello to my buddies anyway."

I have never heard his voice ever reach that level of screech. He was full on yelling, straight into my face. I understood his pain, but I did not appreciate his scolding. "Mikey," I whimpered, feeling tears forming in my irises. "Please."

That babyface of his that I had always admired softened at the crack in my voice. He opened his mouth to speak, maybe to apologize or to say goodbye, but instead the door swung open, revealing a concerned Luke. Michael's anger bubbled again and he pushed past me, racing inside the steps.

"Michael!" I shrieked, but he didn't stop, he sprinted right into the kitchen where Calum and Ashton were now standing on their feet, their eyebrows arched with confusion.

"You prick!" Michael shouted at Calum. "You can't be dating Adelaide! I told you to stay the hell away from her! You know that you're going to hurt her, Calum. She has no idea what you've done. I'm not letting you take advantage of one of the nicest girls I've ever met! I'm not letting her become your next victim!"

He lunged at the now furious Calum, and Luke swiftly wrapped his arms around his stomach, holding him back, despite his thrashing. "Don't you dare, Clifford," Luke screamed.

I was distraught. Tears were flowing out of my eyes as Calum's vein popped out of his neck. He was fuming. Ashton was holding onto him as well, preventing him from colliding with Michael. "You don't know anything, Mike. Why don't you mind your own business and leave my girlfriend alone before I beat the shit out of you!"

"Stop," I called out, but my voice was so weak due to my sobs that the muffled noise was most likely inaudible.

"Why would you beat me up, Calum? I've done nothing wrong here! I would actually treat her the way she deserves to be treated! I wouldn't ruin her life," He spat.

"You've always been so jealous of me." Calum laughed bitterly, shaking his head viciously.

Michael suddenly broke free of Luke's scrawny arms and jumped forward, raising his fist in the air. My heartbeat was more rapid than ever as I leaped in front of Calum and between the two of them. I squinted and somehow I had enough adrenaline in those few miliseconds to slap Michael's cheek before his fist could punch anyone, initiating a smacking sound that echoed through the room.

All of the screaming and yelling stopped. Everyone was frozen, including me. My palm burned from the contact of his skin and I slowly glimpsed up, seeing his awestruck face and the flaming red mark of where I had just slapped him. "I'm so sorry," I said breathlessly, beginning to cry again.

"I almost punched you, Adelaide! Why would you do that? What is the matter with you!"

"I'm so sorry, I just needed you two to stop! Please leave, Mikey. Please. I can't take this!" I blubbered, my eyes being clouded from all of the tears. I felt Calum's hands protectively wrap around my waist, rubbing my belly softly.

My coworker nodded his head, seeming to be both heartbroken and still shaken up. "Okay. Um, good to see you guys again."

Ashton instantly burst out laughing at his comment that was so out of place for such a crisis situation.

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Author's Note: Oh snaaappppp. much drama

I made a playlist for Afraid! It is in the external link :) Or if you are on your phone you can just type in 8tracks.com/sugarplumyo/afraid and it should come up. If you have any songs you think should be in there please let me know!

Again thank you guys so much for reading/voting/commenting. It's so amazing that it's ranked omg

I update every other day! x Love you lots

dedicated to nxxlau for all of her wonderful comments and support :)