Hey guys,

So welcome to the sequel, as you can see I decided on the first cover. The votes seemed pretty even so I just went with my gut instinct in the end, which was this one.

Hope you all enjoy it ^.^

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One

I drifted in and out of sleep, part of me wanting to wake up, and the other part wanting nothing more than to stay in my cocooned state forever. However reality was slowly seeping back into my veins, as my dreams became less vivid and more questionable, and my memories began to blur back together.

When I opened my eyes, all i could see was the white ceiling above me. But this ceiling was higher than the one I was used to. And as I turned my head I took in the room I was lying in. Navy blue walls, a creme carpet... this was certainly not my normal surroundings. The room was tidy, except for the rucksack propped up against the wardrobe. I could see my clothes lying in a heap on the floor next to it, and I guess that was when my memories came back into focus.

I remembered getting home to my aunt and uncle's house after spending a selfish amount of time with Gerard, only to see they'd found the drugs stuffed in my wardrobe. Of course, they weren't for my own use, but rather a tip that came as a result of a drug drop I had been roped into. Not that it would have made much difference to them even if they had known the truth.

The facts had remained that I'd been smuggling drugs into their home, and that was the final straw in a huge build up, finally sending them off the edge.

They'd kicked me out of their house, and part of me was almost hurt by how quickly they washed their hands of me. Not that I could really talk as I had always been open about my despisal for them and their home. Except my cousin, of course. Ray was about the only family member who didn't currently hate my guts. Well, at least I thought he didn't. It was hard to tell by the guarded expression he'd been wearing when I'd left.

My mind skipped to turning up on Kellin's doorstep, recalling the offer he'd mentioned weeks ago when he'd told me I was always welcome to the spare room in his house if the bullshit got too much at home. At the time i'd thanked him and moved on, not realising i'd soon be taking him up on it.

He'd welcomed me in, telling me how his parents were never here and wouldn't mind anyway, as they liked to think of him having some company and not being holed up in that massive house alone. Of course, he had Vic, but his parents didn't know about him yet.

He didn't ask too much, which i was extremely grateful of. I knew i'd have to tell him something soon though, as my tired and drained expression that i'd worn when I arrived was enough for him to send me straight to the guest bed, but I guessed that now I was rested up he'd want to know more. At least Kellin already knew a lot about Ian and his gang, so it wouldn't come as too big of a shock to him to learn the rest of the details.

I think i'd have to keep the part about Gerard from him for a while longer though, as I feared that might just tip him over the edge.

With a yawn I stretched out my arms, enjoying the comfort of the double bed, with freshly washed sheets and a safe feeling to the whole room that I got in few places these days. I'd always liked Kellin's house, and not because of it's size or the expensive objects within it. I liked the sense of life it had, with friends always coming and going, people crashing on the sofa like a second home and Kellin always eager to make them a slice of toast as they did so. I knew he'd only get lonely otherwise, which was why he liked to surround himself with people.

I wondered about how much he even got to see of his parents. He didn't talk about them much and I knew from my own personal experience that it's better not to pry into such personal matters. I couldn't help but wonder what was worse though - parents like his who were always away, or parents like mine who literally sent me away. All the way over the Atlantic ocean, to be precise.

I lazily grabbed at my phone, being careful to keep myself cucooned in the duvet as I did so, and checked my messages. No-one else except for Kellin and Ray knew i'd been kicked out yet, so luckily I had some peace and quiet.

Ray hadn't texted though, which really bugged me. I thought he would've at least asked if I found somewhere to sleep for the night. I guess he'd just automatically assumed I was going to Gerard's house though, and hadn't bothered.

After ten minutes or so of procrastinating, I finally rolled out of the bed and pulled on my hoodie, feeling kind of chilly in my t-shirt and boxers despite the fact that summer was now in fully swing.

When I got downstairs Kellin was stretched out across the sofa, noisily eating toast as he watched some sort of crappy comedy programme. He paused it when I sat down on the other sofa though, sending me a bright smile.

"Hey" He glanced at my drained expression "Help yourself to the food man, if you're going to be staying here then you might as well get use to where everything is out there." He very casually gestured in the general direction of the kitchen, reminding me of why it had been his house i'd chosen to go to the night before.

Well, also because he was the only one except for Gerard that knew about Ian's gang, but his easy hospitality had definitely been a factor. Especially as going to Gerard's wasn't an option, as much as I had wanted to. It just wasn't worth the risk of someone finding out I was living there, and then starting to ask questions.

"Thanks" i nodded, but didn't move from my seat. "Well, don't you want to ask?"

"What? About what happened?" He asked, glancing me up and down "because if you want to get a coffee or something first then go ahead dude, it looks like an interesting story." My fingers twitched at the mention of caffeine, and I quickly found myself getting to my feet.

"Okay, sure, but I will tell you, don't worry" He just shrugged it off.

"I know" he said "I trust you." Part of me wanted to tell him that after everything that had happened he shouldn't, but I knew when it was best to just leave things, so instead I went in search of my caffeine fix.

**

"Well shit" Kellin whilst when i'd finished telling him about the events of the last few days (minus anything about Gerard "and they just threw you out? No regard for where you were going or who would take you in?"

"None at all. I told you, they've disowned me. They don't care anymore. Not that they ever did to start with, but you know." I tried to brush it all off. "I saw it coming a long way off really, this was just them making it official."

"Well you can stay here for as long as you want" he sighed "just.. make sure you keep my name out of all this gang business. I don't want to get wrapped up in any of that."

"Of course" I rushed "Seriously Kellin you're really saving me by taking me in like this. I promise as soon as i can i'll get a job and -"

"Frank, shut up, i like having you here and it's not like we're exactly struggling financially. Don't worry about it."

"Fine, but i don't like to feel like i'm taking advantage of all of this." He just shrugged it off again, and I felt slightly better knowing that he really didn't seem to mind me being around. I still wished I could at least pay for the food I was consuming though. I hated feeling like a burden to people I cared about.

**

"I'm going out with Vic later, what me to cancel and hang with you?" Kellin asked me later on it the day as we sat in the lounge, him playing some game on his phone whilst I sat on the sofa, laptop balanced on my legs as I messaged Pete to tell him about my change of address. I kept it reasonably vague, saying that James had finally kicked me out and that I was now staying with Kellin should he ever need to get in touch with me. I knew he'd want to know all the details, but I'd probably just spin him a lie about more tagging. Something he might actually believe, as I knew if Pete Wentz ever found out what was really going on he'd throw it back at me in disbelief. And then go tell his boyfriend.

"Of course not! Don't be stupid" I rushed "seriously, i've already invaded your home, don't let me spoil your love life too."

"Well, if you're sure" he frowned "I don't want you to feel like i'm abandoning you in your time of need. And Vic would totally understand too, although i haven't told him you're here yet. I didn't know wether you wanted people to know yet or if you wanted to tell people yourself."

"I'm totally sure, go have fun" I rolled my eyes at his overly-caring tone "i'm sure I can cope with one evening alone. Besides, i'm not even upset by any of it."

"If you're sure" He stood up "what shall i say to him about you being here? Or do you want me to not mention it at all?"

"Just tell him i'm staying with you for a bit whilst I sort myself out and that my aunt and uncle kicked me out. Say it was because I got done for tagging again or something, everyone will believe that instantly." I gave a wave of my hand "i really don't care what you make up to be honest, as long as we stick to the same story then it's fine."

"okay, i'll just improvise" he nodded "well, in that case I better go get changed. Help yourself to anything from the fridge for dinner, my parents pay for the food bills anyway - delivery comes every monday evening. Washing machine is in the utility room, the ironing board was last seen two weeks ago... oh, and you have to turn the downstairs bathroom tap on and off again if you want hot water from it. I think that's everything really. Welcome to casa del Quinn."

***

"So they just kicked you out?" Pete asked me over Skype, halfway through a mouthful of pizza "like, no money, no advice.. nothing?"

"Yep" I was sitting crossed legged in the lounge as I skyped him. Kellin had gone out with Vic and I had the place to myself, and I had slowly started to see why Kellin enjoyed having other people round so often. Big houses weren't so great when it was just you in them. Too many empty rooms for my liking. That's why I'd skyped Pete, knowing he'd bring me quick entertainment.

"That's so fucking low of them" He sighed "then again, you always did say they were dicks in that house."

"To be honest i'm glad to be out of there" I shrugged "now i get to live with Kellin, and I finally don't have someone breathing down my neck at every given moment, you know?"

"Surely they can't just let you live on your own if you're not Eighteen for another few months though?" He pondered "i mean, i don't think it's legal."

"No, but technically Kellin's parents live here, it's just that they go away on so many trips for their business. So on paper it looks like i'm living with them too. Besides, what would they do? By the time I got into the care system it would already be time for me to leave. No point."

"What about your parents? I know they're dicks but surely they're going to want to know where you are?"

"I had a few messages from them, but honestly then can just piss off. They'll soon forgot about me anyway, they always do." I brushed it off, not wanting to even have to talk about them.

"Hey, at least you won't be forced to go to church every day anymore" He grinned, trying to cheer me up "you can actually have your sunday lie-ins back!"

"Oh. Yeah" my voice must have faltered, because he frowned.

"What? Did you like it or something?"

"No, no" i rushed "I'll just miss winding them up in the services, that's all" he seemed to buy my excuse and carried on talking through mouthfuls of pizza, but my mind was still stuck on it. Now that i wasn't being forced to go anymore, it would just look suspicious for me to continue, which meant i'd have to see even less of Gerard in the public eye.

I shook these thoughts off, reminding myself that we'd easily work around this. After all, just a few more months lay between us and a legal relationship. And I wasn't going to let anything get in the way of the one good thing in my life.

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Hey woo we're back. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter!

~ Headfirst For Helena