Kelsey's Point of View:

It had been about a week since I had last seen Justin, and if I was being completely honest, I missed him. I missed waking up next to him in the morning, finding him lurking around the house in search for the keys he's misplaced. I missed the smell of his aftershave and his cologne mixed together. I missed when he would stand outside smoking, his chest bare to the cold air. I missed when he would pull me in tight and hold me for what felt like days when it was only a few minutes. I missed his eyes, his smile, his hair, the way his jaw did that thing that made me go weak in the knees... I missed everything about him, and sometimes I lay awake at night wondering if he missed me too.

"Kelsey!" Carly called from the other side of my bedroom door, startling me as I snapped out of it, my phone clenched in the palm of my hand. It had been a bit over a day now since he had last called me, and to say I was worried would be an understatement. I was absolutely petrified about what was going on because I wasn't there with him.

"I'm coming!" I called back, stuffing my phone away in the back pocket of my jeans. I had promised we would go out for lunch today being that our classes were cancelled, and even if I wasn't up to it, it was the least I could do.

I needed to get my mind off of things.

Grabbing my jacket, I opened my door, walking down the hall and into the living room where I found Carly standing, her foot impatiently tapping against our hardwood floors. When her blue eyes caught sight of me, she exasperatedly threw her arms in the air. "Finally!" She cried out while reaching forwards and grabbing my arm, pulling me blindly behind her as she forced me out of the apartment.

"I'm sorry?"

"What took you so long? I told you an hour ago to get ready," Carly let me go, unlocking the doors to her car as we both situated ourselves inside.

Pulling my seatbelt on, I relaxed comfortably against the leather seats, "we got back from school not even half an hour ago, Carly."

Pausing mid-sentence from continuing on her little tirade, she pouted, her shoulders falling slightly, "same thing," she waved her hand dismissively, making sure to turn the car on as she reversed out of the parking slot and onto the street.

Rolling my eyes, I sighed, looking out of the window, my elbow resting near the door handle as I pushed my chin onto my closed fist. Watching the trees go by, I felt an aching begin to form in my chest. Seeing all these kids running innocently through the streets playing tag caused a deep frown to crease between my brows, my own lips soon following suit.

They had no care or worries in the world. They were free to do as they pleased without any lift threatening consequences. They didn't have to force themselves to stay away from the one they loved. They didn't have the world on their shoulders, and it killed me inside to know that the innocence they carried would eventually be ripped away from them just like it had been taken away from me.

"Kelsey?" Carly shook my arm a bit, startling me out of my own thoughts as I turned around to face her.

"Huh?" I blinked. "What happened?"

"You totally zoned out there for a second..." she trailed off, a knowing look I had grown accustomed to crossing her eyes before licking her lips, "are you okay?"

Taking a moment to try and recollect my thoughts, I laughed humorlessly to myself. It was a simple question yet it had so many answers. "I don't know."

"Kelsey—"

"What would you do without John?" I absentmindedly questioned, moving my body around a fraction so that I didn't have to crane my neck as much, curious to see what she would say—though I already had an idea.

"I, uhm," furrowing her brows in confusion to why I was suddenly bringing this up, she coughed, "why do you ask?"

"Just answer the question," I sighed, almost pleadingly.

Stopping at a red light, Carly wrapped her fingers tighter around the steering wheel, almost to the point where her knuckles colored over white. "I would lose a part of myself," she said quietly.

Nodding, I looked ahead, keeping my eyes on the road before us. "Then no," I paused, "I'm not okay."

No One's Point of View:

Walking into the room where all the guys were situated comfortably on the couch, Justin ran a hand tiredly through his hair. He had spent the last week thinking through all of his options, with as much of a clear head that he could possibly manage with the state of mind he's been in. It was hard for the young man to cope with the near loss of his head; the lack of indifference in his actions making it hard for him to make conscious decisions, but he did it.

He knew if he wanted even an ounce of his life back, he had to do what he thought was the right thing to do, no matter how hard it was going to be in the end.

He had grown close to the boys, each of them like his brother; his second family, holding a bond no one could touch; their illegal actions tying them together in a way no one would understand. Risking their lives for one another with every day that passed, willing to take a bullet if it meant saving the other, the Kings were forever notorious in not only their reputation, but by the laws they live by in their family.

Calling a meeting about an hour after he had made his decision, Justin let Bruce know it was time, and for once, the older gang member had agreed to go through with it. He wasn't going to fight it anymore, not after all everything that's happened. They had gone through thick and thin together, winning and losing battles throughout the darkest years of their lives, and after Justin had nearly lost himself to it, he knew he couldn't risk it again.

"What's this about?" Marco asked as he stumbled into the living room last, plopping himself lazily on the couch, his legs on the coffee table and hands spread behind his head as he looked up at the man whom he looked up to for quite some time.

"I did a lot of thinking," he swallowed hard, looking him in the eye before drifting to gaze at everyone else, "and I kept repeating what Bentley told me, and I just kind of relived the last few days..."

"You pulled through man," Marco shrugged, "don't worry about it."

"No," he shook his head. "That's not the point. The point is that I let all of this get too far to the point where I was losing my mind. I wasn't me, I was someone entirely different and I knew it in my heart that what I was doing wasn't right, but I didn't care." Licking his lips, he dropped his gaze to his shoes, stuffing his hands deep into the front pockets of his jeans.

"I can't keep depending on everyone else to fix my problems—to fix me," he sighed deeply, "I just think it's time we all let this go while we still can."

Marcus froze in his seat, lips parted in shock as he tried to register what he just said, "Wait, you mean—"

"We cut all ties with everyone, we give our advances away, and we close ourselves out of the business," Justin looked up to meet the gaze of the man who dedicated just as much of his life as they all did to something that marked them dead since the very beginning.

"You know it's not that easy, right?" Marco pushed himself into a sitting position, leaning his elbows onto his knees, "forming a gang and then just ending it? Things like that don't happen."

"We make it happen," John said, "and I know it's easier said than done, but what can anyone do if we leave? They can't force us all to stay, besides one less competition they have to worry about."

"We'll be made a joke of," Marco argued, "hell we're already looking pathetic with Lyndon taking all our business deals these past few weeks. We're lucky Prince had all our main contacts under lock and key or else we would've lost everyone."

"I don't give a fuck what anyone has to say about us anymore," John pressed irritably, "we've been the most notorious gang this town has ever seen for years upon years. No one can touch us even when we're gone."

"The cops have been on top of us since I've been out of jail," Justin added, "They've been watching my every move. The blow out on the warehouses is just the start; they're waiting on us to do something to screw it all up so they can come in and take us all down. They don't want just me anymore; they want to make sure we're all taken care of."

"So we just give them what they want?" Marco gestured openly with his hands, "since when did we just give up?"

"The second everything started falling apart," Bruce stood from the couch, his voice now overpowering everyone else's as they all turned to look up at him. "We can't keep fighting a fight we know we won't win."

"Weren't you the one who told us never to give up? To keep fighting even if we lose?" Marco spoke incredulously, not able to believe the man who had pushed them all to succeed was now the one telling them to forfeit.

"I said a lot of things I wish I hadn't," he stated. "I thought we were untouchable and we were for a while, but even the best fall down sometimes. We can't keep a winning streak when the game is now being controlled by someone else."

Lacing his fingers together as he placed his forehead against his hands, Marco closed his eyes as he took in a deep breath before muttering a rough "fuck" soon after.

"I know it's a lot to take in," Bruce said, "but it's what's best for all of us." Walking over to Justin, Bruce clamped a hand over his shoulder giving it a slight shake, "we've been through hell together in this house. The amount of times we came home bruised and battered, but—"

"It didn't matter because we won," Justin finished for him with a small smile, "we always praised the other even when we looked and smelled like shit."

"We won and lost a lot of battles together, but that's what made us stronger. We've all lived through and survived hell together. This is just a bump in the road, and who knows? Maybe one day we'll get things back up and running again."

"I don't know," Marcus shrugged, "once we're out, I don't know if going back to this will be the best thing for us. It's already given us too much grief. We've lost too many people, nearly lost others, even those we love and care about. Hell, I almost died," he let out a breathless chuckle to ease the tension in the air. "I just think if we end this now, we might as well end it for good. Go on with our lives; see what else is in store for us."

"Could you imagine us all living a normal life?" Marco laughed loudly, "That shit would be comedy. We barely know how to function without a gun."

Sighing, Bruce slowly nodded his head, "I guess we'll make way, won't we?"

Looking at him, Justin felt a pull at his insides. He could see the pain written in his eyes though Bruce himself didn't bother to acknowledge it, knowing this was the right thing to do, but Justin knew this was the life he was practically born into.

With his father in the business, Bruce was always around the brutal gang life, knowing the ins and outs like the back of his hand by the age of eight. Then when his father was killed in a shootout, Leo took charge, continuing his father's legacy until it was passed down to Bruce once Leo's wife died of a bomb that was meant for him. He secluded himself and continued his own private business elsewhere, leaving Canada under Bruce's control.

Forming the perfect gang; he found Marco from the streets, Marcus from a bar, John from a shelter and took Justin in on his own, marking them all a King.

And now he was giving up all twenty three years of his life to start a new one he knew he'd never survive just to ensure their safety.

Taking in a sharp breath, Justin took a look around the room, the memories of all the things they had gone through together from the very beginning flashing through his mind, taking him back to this very spot eight years ago.

"Good job kid," Bruce clapped a strong hand over Justin's shoulder as they stepped foot into the living room. "You earned yourself a good three grand tonight."

His eyes widened. "Three grand?" he questioned, "as in three thousand dollars?" Justin paused to recollect his thoughts, not being able to believe his ears. "You've got to be kidding me."

Marco laughed as he walked past, shaking his head, "why would you question it? Just take the money and shut up."

Counting the hundred dollar pills, Bruce slapped the stack on Justin's hand before quickly swiping his tongue across his thumb and counting the rest, handing John, Marco, and Marcus their cut for the night as well.

"All of this because we robbed a store?" He looked up at him, astonished that such an act could be rewarded so greatly.

"Hell yeah, kid, but it wasn't just any store. It belonged to Danny Evans, a man who happens to owe us, well, me a lot of money and in this world, once you're past the due date, there's no going back."

Justin nodded, letting the information sink in before taking the money in his hands and stuffing them into the back pocket of his jeans. "Thanks then, I guess."

Chuckling, Bruce slapped his back, "don't sweat it kid. Everyone's rewarded for their right doings."

"And if you mess it up?" Justin questioned though he sort of knew the answer to it. Hoping he was wrong however, Marco proved him otherwise.

"We beat you until you realize how to do it right," he tossed over his shoulder almost as if it were a normal thing for them, and when no one corrected him Justin didn't say another word.

"You're doing fine though so you don't have much to worry about," Bruce added after tossing himself on the couch with a beer bottle in hand. "I suggest sleeping though; we have one hell of a day tomorrow."

"Alright," Justin nodded before clapping hands with each of the guys and leaving the room though he stood back a bit once he heard them start to talk.

"He has sick potential," Marco noted once he thought the coast was clear. "The way he held the gun to Jeff's head and demanded he open the register was brilliant. Jeff nearly pissed his pants and I haven't seen him that afraid since James had him on the ground choking on his own blood."

"I see a lot of me in him," Bruce agreed, "He's born a killer. The look in his eyes after he finished the job was of pure victory. I could see he wanted to complete it with a bullet to Jeff's head, but he remained in control."

"Not many people can do that," John said, "but we have to keep in mind, he's only still a kid."

"You were seventeen when you got initiated," Marco rolled his eyes; "he's only a year younger than that."

"I'm just saying, this is a lot to take in for someone who's just starting," he shot back, his eyes hard on the guy who didn't seem to have any shame whatsoever. "It's not easy to go around killing people."

"He doesn't seem to have a problem with it so why do you?"

Pressing his lips together, John sat back in his seat, keeping quiet knowing if he continued this argument any further; he would end up shoving his fist through Marco's mouth.

"Alright," Bruce held his hands palm out towards the boys, "enough. I think it's time we all get our asses to bed. We have a good three hours before we have to get up again."

Once he heard commotion, Justin continued his way into his room before closing the door behind him. Feeling the satisfaction knowing he had done a good job, he couldn't help but agree with Bruce. He had wanted to kill the man, to show him he wasn't someone to be messed with. He liked the control, and the power; having such leverage over someone older than him, maybe even more powerful even at such a young age. It was thrilling and Justin knew this was the start of something new for him.

Good or bad, he had yet to find out, but he knew that time would come soon.

With his heart lurched in his throat at the naive mindset he had, not knowing this would become of his future, Justin shifted his gaze. Finding Marco staring at his hands, he couldn't help the smirk that lifted the corners of his lips.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Bruce barked as he came charging into the room, his face red with anger. "Were you trying to get us all killed?!"

"You wanted him out of the way, right? I did what you asked!" Justin shot back, irritated that they were flipping out over what he thought was nothing.

"I told you to keep quiet!" Bruce yelled, "I didn't tell you to pick a fight with the bastard! One wrong move and he could've had us all pinned."

Laughing bitterly, Justin shook his head, "you're all so fucked, and it's ridiculous. Get your head out of your asses and realize I did you all a favor! Standing there talking doesn't get him, or anyone for that matter, to listen. It makes you look dumb and weak, and quite frankly, I thought we were better than that."

"The last time I checked, I ran this gang, not you!" Bruce shouted at the top of his lungs, refusing to back down to someone far younger than he was.

"Yeah, well you're doing a shit job," Justin spat, his eyes darkening with every second that passed.

"Yeah? Then why don't you try running your own gang tough guy," Marco hissed as he walked over to them after tearing off his damaged jacket and tossing it to the floor.

"Where the fuck did you come from?" Justin growled, his intensified gaze now landing on his.

"My mother's fucking vagina," he sneered back, the sleeves of his shirt now rolled up to his elbows.

"Clever," Justin humorlessly laughed, "now how bout you go take a seat because I wasn't talking to your stupid ass."

"You know for someone who just arrived, you sure as hell have quite the fucking mouth on you," Marco stepped up, "and I think it's about time you learn your first lesson on what happens when you disobey orders."

Before Justin had the chance to say anything back, Marco swung his closed fist against the side of his lip causing his head to jerk to the right.

With the taste of blood, Justin wiped the corner of his mouth. Seeing the blood smeared on his fingers, he grinned to himself, cocking his head to the left almost as if he was analyzing Marco before hitting him in the jaw followed by a knock out in the stomach.

Wrapping his arm around his neck, Marco pulled Justin around into a headlock before pounding the side of his head in with his fist, his knuckles bruising with every hit.

While trying to pry his arm off, Justin made sure to lock his fist upwards into Marco's face, blinding him out for a second while removing himself from his grasp before digging his fingers into his shoulders and shoving his knee into Marco's stomach.

Taking Justin by the back of his shirt, Bruce used his elbow to bash it into Justin's lower abdomen before twisting his arm around behind his back and shoving him down on the ground, the heel of his boot digging into his spine.

Kicking the side of his face, Marcus then leaned down and took the back of Justin's head before bashing it into the floor twice.

"What do you have to say for yourself now, tough guy?!" Marco spit an inch from his face, wiping his face off with his t-shirt.

"Fuck you," Justin groaned, "the only reason I'm on the floor is because of this punk holding me down, otherwise I could take you all down on my own. See? That's the difference between me and you," he choked out from his lack of air, "I don't need people to fight my battles. I've been doing it all on my own. You guys fend on each other; I dealt with everything by myself."

Nodding towards Bruce, he let Justin go with a shove while Marco took him by the back of the neck, forcing him on his feet. "We do things differently here, and I think it's time you realize we're a fucking family now whether you like it or not. You don't do things on your own; we do things together," he gestured around them, "as a team."

"That's bullshit," Justin laughed crookedly due to the numbness of his mouth, "and fucking pathetic."

"One day you'll realize you need us kid," Bruce shook his head at his ignorance, "we're a family whether you like it or not, even if you don't think so." Walking out of the room only to come back with a bottle of peroxide and a towel, Bruce threw it at Justin who easily caught it in his hands, "go clean up. You look like shit."

It always came down to them, even at the worst of times, even when they were angry, even when they were upset or happy; they never turned away from one another.

And that's how it would always be.

Kelsey's Point of View:

As Carly parked the car, I couldn't help but feel the tension in the air between us. It was awkward to say the least, and I hoped as time went on, it would decrease. Stepping out of the car, I closed the door behind me while staring up at the huge sign that welcomed us to Tom Horton's.

"You ready?" she called out beside me while walking ahead, her hunger clearly evident by the way she stepped through the entrance before I ever had the chance to answer.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed the door while walking inside behind her. "Like you would wait if I wasn't," I laughed as she shrugged.

"Well, I'm starving," she noted while stopping near the hostess. "A table for three, please?"

"Three?" I furrowed my eyebrows, "I'm sorry I think she means two people," I told the hostess while looking over at Carly, "it's just us."

"No," she gave me a look that told me she would explain after before turning away and facing the lady once more, "it'll be three."

"Okay ladies, right this way," she gestured with her chin behind her while grabbing the menus and leading the way.

Sitting down, Kelsey thanked her quietly while grabbing the menu before looking at Carly as soon as she walked away; leaving them in their privacy, "spill."

"Tanner's joining us for lunch."

As soon as his name came from her parted lips, the blood in my veins froze over, "you're kidding me, right?"

"Nope," she popped her lips, putting emphasis on the constinent, "I'm not. He should be here in about..." she trailed off while looking down at the watch wrapped around her wrist, "a few minutes."

"A few minutes?!" I cried out incredulously before looking around and quickly lowering my voice, "are you kidding me? If Justin finds out—"

"How could he find out unless you tell him, which I doubt you will,"

"He has eyes everywhere Carly or did you forget that?" I hissed irritably. "You know how much he hates him and his trust issues regarding Tanner! We just started to work things out Carly," I frowned, "please don't ruin this for us."

"I'm not trying to ruin anything," she defended, "I'm happy you guys are doing okay, but none of it excuses the hell he put you through."

I shook my head, "tell him you cancelled."

"Too late," she shrugged, "because he's already here."

"Carly!"

Laying her hands palm down on the wooden table, she leaned across it so that I could only hear her, "I'm tired of you revolving your entire life around him. I know you love him but you should be able to live your life the way you want to, not how he wants you to. Now sit back and fucking relax before I force us all to go out drinking instead."

Before I had the chance to say anything, Tanner had made his way over to us, "hey guys."

"Hey," Carly politely greeted, standing to give him a side hug before sitting back down, her eyes boring through mine as I kept my gaze against the table while drawing pretend shapes with my index finger.

"Hey Kels," he said though I flatly ignored him.

Wincing at the contact Carly's foot made with my shin, I scowled over at her before turning to look up at Tanner, "hi."

Awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, he scratched the toe of his shoe against the tiled floors, "how have you been?"

"Good," I looked down at my menu, purposely ignoring his eyes as I tried to decide on what I wanted to drink when I heard Carly inviting him to sit down beside her. Tensing as soon as he sat down beside me instead, I looked up at her before swallowing down hard, "what do you want, Tanner?"

"For you to stop being weird with me," he sighed, his hands playing with the napkin in front of him.

"I have nothing to say to you," I immediately went in defense mode, my lips instantly numbing together as I shook my head. "I don't get why you can't just leave me alone."

"Because you're my friend," he easily defended, eyebrows furrowing together.

"I told you that I didn't want to be friends anymore, why can't you just respect my wishes, and let it go?"

"I would if I didn't know better," he countered sharply, shaking his head. "You're only doing this because of Justin."

"Shut up," I spat irritably, "stop acting like you know about him or me or our life together. You don't know anything! You just showed up out of nowhere and caused us more trouble then I would've liked. I have enough going on; I don't need to add you onto that list."

"You're pushing me away for no reason, Kelsey. For someone who apparently loves you so much, he sure as hell as too many trust issues. If he loved you, he wouldn't have to worry about us because he would know that I don't like you like that, and vice versa, but clearly he doesn't love you as much as you think you do."

Before I even had the chance to think things through, my palm met with the warmth of his cheek in a slap so hard it made my skin tingle. Ignoring the heads that turned my way, I abruptly stood up from my seat, "you know what, Tanner? Fuck you," I glared so hard, I could feel the steam ready to blow from my ears as if I were in some Looney tunes cartoon, "this just proves how you know little to nothing." Scoffing, I shook my head, "I'm out of here," shoving past, I turned before they had the chance to move, "and I highly suggest neither one of you come after me."

No One's Point of View:

It was no secret that Justin and John's friendship went a long way into something that could be considered almost as if they were brothers instead of just best friends.

John always felt a sense of protection for the younger guy, knowing what it's like not to have much of a family anymore. Raised in a shelter where he had to share a bed with tens of other kids, John was always the protector, watching over everyone.

After the night his best friend died after walking outside to get the soccer ball that ended up on the street and being caught in the midst of a shootout that resulted in him being shot in the head, John swore to never let those he cared about out of his sight ever again.

Justin reminded him of Nathaniel, Nate for short as the younger boy at the time preferred over his real name. He had the same look; short hair swiped from his eyes and a button nose. They both shared the same humor and John knew Justin was fighting something inside of him in return for the sanity he desperately wanted to hold onto.

John could tell he was in a state of mind where he was lost within himself, the boy he always was, scratching at the cage it's been locked inside. Justin was trapped in his own head taunted by his own demons, and by the way he reacted in certain situations and the thought behind his every move was almost as if he was driven by a different force.

Disowned by his family, losing his baby sister and then being backstabbed by the one girl he seemed to care about despite the dark cloud that seemed to follow him wherever he went, John knew Justin needed that one thing that could keep him sane.

And that's when the small petite brunette stumbled into their living room with a red-hot pissed, pressed and overly annoyed Justin Bieber by her side after a job gone wrong that John knew this was it. She was the one.

When the others saw her as a problem, an issue that had to be solved, John saw her as a guardian angel sent down to give life to the man who seemed to have lost it.

As Justin looked over at John next, his head reeling until it came to the one memory he held close to his heart, he smiled to himself.

After he took a shower, Justin settled onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling with his hands tucked behind his head. Looking up once he realized someone had walked into his room, "sup man?" he nodded towards John.

He returned the gesturing, bumping fists with him before taking a seat at the edge of the bed. "Hey man. What are you doing?"

He shrugged. "Thinking, trying to think of a plan."

"Or thinking about her," he noted.

Justin snapped his head over to see him smirking, "what are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. The other guys—they may be blind—but I'm not. I can see right through you Bieber."

"The fuck are you talking about Rivera?" He spat, narrowing his eyes at him.

"The girl."

"What about her?" Justin looked away.

"Oh, so now you know who I'm talking about?" He could sense the amusement to his tone almost immediately causing the young man to inwardly growl.

"No," he spat. "It could be about anyone, right?"

"Yeah, but only one girl came to mind when I said that, right?" He stared at him long and hard.

"Who? You mean Kayla?" Justin locked eyes with him.

He shook his head. "Me and you both know I'm not fucking talking about Kayla," he paused. "I'm talking about Kelsey."

"What about the bitch?" Justin spat.

"You like her."

He laughed, "I don't like anyone, Rivera, and you know that." Justin shook my head, "don't be a dick bro."

"Don't play dumb bro. There's only so much hate you can hold and Kelsey doesn't pertain to any of it." John turned to face him better, "you trust her."

"I don't trust anyone but you guys. Hell, I don't even trust my family," he scoffed a laugh.

"That's a different story," John pointed at him.

"Not really," he mindlessly looked away.

"Whatever. All I'm saying is Kelsey is something to you."

"No. She's not." Justin monotonously spoke, wanting him to shut up already.

"That's why instead of coming here or going someplace else or calling us when you got stabbed, you went to Kelsey's? Or the fact that you went out with her?" Sarcasm dripped from each word that escaped his lips. "Face it man, you trust her and the fact that she didn't tell the cops about what you did just adds onto why you have a pull towards her."

Justin kept quiet, listening to what he had to say.

"Listen man, all I'm saying, is that... it's about time you let someone in." He stood up from the bed before heading to the door. "Think about it."

If it wasn't for him, he wouldn't have let his guard down enough to learn more about the girl he grew to love today. It was because of this man that he got something good out of this life. John had opened his eyes to a world he blocked out. The world of love and happiness, a place he desperately wanted nothing to do with at the time. A place he slowly, but surely opened enough to let the light shine through.

She was the best thing that has ever happened to him, and as much as this lifestyle fucked him time and time again, if it wasn't for the things he did, he would have never laid eyes on the woman he was going to marry one day.

Knowing he would never forget the things he had done for him, Justin finally managed to flip through the memories in his head like a scrapbook until he landed on one with Marcus.

"You doing okay?" the wavy haired boy stepped into the closed off room with a tray of food for the younger boy who laid on a tousled bed nursing yet another knife wound.

Shrugging, Justin grinned sheepishly, "this isn't my first rodeo Marcus, and I'll be fine." Leaning over while ignoring the pain that shot up the left side of his body, Justin grabbed a handful of popcorn before stuffing it into his mouth.

"I know, but it's not easy to deal with this for the third time in a row now. It's bad enough you just got over getting shot in the leg two weeks ago, this could seriously slow you down—"

"Nothing," Justin interrupted almost viciously, "could slow me down. Alright? I said I'll be fine. It was just a knife Marcus."

"A knife that could've easily fucking killed you. You do understand that this isn't a video game right? You can't just lose all your lives and start over. Once you're dead, you're done."

"And if I don't care?"

Marcus pressed his lips together knowing he wasn't going to get through the stubborn boy anytime soon. Deciding on a different mechanism instead Marcus leaned back in his chair. "What did the duck say when he bought lipstick?"

"What the fuck?" Justin choked back on his laughter with his hand held in the air midway from meeting his mouth.

Sighing playfully, Marcus rolled his eyes, "just answer the damn question."

"I don't know?"

"Put it on my bill," he grinned from ear to ear like he had accomplished something huge before bursting into a fit of laughter. "Get it? Money goes on a bill, and ducks have bills?"

Laughing despite not finding it funny but instead fascinated by the fact someone who was supposed to be tough and scary found himself funny over a lame joke he had come up with, Justin shook his head. "You're fucking dumb."

"Well then," Marcus scoffed, "that's the last time I try to make you feel better."

"There's nothing to make me feel better about," Justin scowled before retreating back to his playful demeanor, "however I find it fucking hilarious that you're a gang member who kills people yet you're sitting here telling me these whack ass jokes that my brother, who's thirteen might I had, wouldn't even tell."

"Shut up," Marcus threw his popcorn at him, "you're lucky you're on this bed because—"

"Because what?" Justin laughed, "you wouldn't do shit."

"How's that old bruise doing?" Marcus did a once over, "your temple doing okay from the impact of my shoe indenting itself into it?"

"Fuck off," he growled.

"Nah, but I can find you a bitch to fuck if you're good enough," Marcus chuckled as he dodged the bowl that flew in his direction as it came clanking loudly on the phone.

"You're a prick," Justin laughed as he relaxed back into the bed, "but I wouldn't mind a bitch sucking my dick right about now."

"That can be arranged, I'm sure Kayla wouldn't mind making a visit," Marcus smirked, knowing the two of them had something going on no matter how hard they tried to deny it. It wasn't anything serious of course, just the usual fuck buddy when the other couldn't find any entertainment for the night.

"As long as she keeps her mouth shut and doesn't end up biting my dick off, I'm game."

"Good, maybe then you'll get the stick outta your ass."

Narrowing his eyes, Justin threw the remote in his direction next being that it was right next to him, and it was the hardest thing he could find. "Get out,"

"Yeah, yeah," Marcus put his hands up, "I'm going."

It took a while, the memories of everything Justin had endured since the very first day he stepped foot into the house flashing through his mind, reminding him of the reason he had chosen them in the first place before the sadness dwelled on him that he had to let this all go.

As messed up as it was, this was what he grew up around-sex, violence, blood, and death. It was what he was used to, what he grew accustomed to and having to let go of it was like letting go of a piece of himself. And never in a million years did he think it was going to be this hard.

"This doesn't have to be the end, you know," Justin noted quietly, "this could just be the beginning."

No One's Point of View:

Fresh out of the shower, Kelsey padded her bare feet across the hardwood floors with a robe on as her damp hair matted itself down against it. Picking out her flannel pajamas, Kelsey dropped her robe before slipping them on along with a pair of fuzzy socks.

Tired though not fully, she decided it would best if she laid down instead even if that meant looking at nothing but the ceiling while the time moved slowly around her, hoping sleep would slowly overcome. Pulling her covers back, she sat cross legged on the bed, putting her phone on the charger linked into the circuit just beside her bed.

Knocking softly on the door, Carly didn't wait for an answer as she peeked her head around the side of it, "hey..."

Looking up just in time, Kelsey fumbled with her fingers on her lap as she nodded, "hi."

"Can I come in?"

Not saying a word, she watched as Carly came in anyways, closing the door softly behind her before walking across the room. "Look, I just came by to apologize. It was wrong of me to invite Tanner without your consent. I shouldn't have done that and I'm sorry."

"Are you really?" Kelsey licked her lips, "because it doesn't sound like you're all that upset over it."

"He's our best friend, Kelsey."

"Was," Kelsey pointed, "he was my best friend, not anymore. Besides, I don't even know him like that to consider him a best at that. A good friend he was, yes, but he's nowhere near being my best friend."

"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kelsey furrowed her eyebrows.

"Look, I know you love Justin, but cutting off everyone in your life just because he doesn't approve is silly, okay. I get he has trust issues, I do too, but Tanner hasn't done anything to any of us for him to be some kind of threat."

"Spencer didn't seem like he could hurt me, but look how that turned out."

"Tanner's not Spencer, Kels," Carly sadly shook her head.

"How do you know?" Kelsey cried out, "how could you possibly know if he is or not? He could come through that door right now and kill us both and we wouldn't even know it!"

"Okay, now you're just being ridiculous," she rolled her eyes with her arms crossed against her chest. "Stop comparing him to everyone else just because Justin put that bug in your head. You know this is basically his words, right? Not yours?"

"I have a mind of my own Carly."

"I don't know about that," she scoffed with a slight laugh that didn't hold any humor to it, "lately you've been doing everything Justin's told you to do. You've been doing that from the start, like some sort of puppet and he's controlling the strings."

"What is your problem with him all of a sudden?!" Kelsey threw her arms in the air, "one second you're all 'oh Justin's just looking out for you, Kelsey, he means well' and now you're all 'he's this and he's that and you shouldn't let him control you, Kelsey' like give me a fucking break."

"I'm just looking out for you!"

"Cry me a river, Carly. There's nothing to look out for! Justin's not some monster; he's my fiancé, your boyfriend's best friend."

"He could've fooled me a couple weeks ago," Carly spat bitterly.

"You know what?" Kelsey exasperated with a sigh, "I'm tired, and I really want to go to bed and no offense, but I really don't want to stay up all night bickering over something you know you're wrong about so if you don't mind, I would really appreciate it if you kindly left the room."

Taking a few seconds to process what had just happened; Carly didn't even know what else to say as she nodded to herself before turning to exit through the door. "Goodnight," she called out behind her though Kelsey never returned an answer.

Taking a deep breath, she stuck her feet under the warmth of her blanket before settling herself back into the softness of her mattress after turning the lights off.

Laying her arms on top of the blanket that she pulled up over her chest, Kelsey closed her eyes, hoping for sleep to overtake her mind and body when a soft thud was heard against her window.

Peeking one eye open, she turned her head slightly to the right, straining to hear better as she held her breath as if that got in the way of listening when she heard the same sound, this time, only louder.

Widening her eyes, Kelsey sat upright, inching back against the headboard of her bed as she pulled her knees up to her chest. This is it, she thought, I'm going to die.

Squealing lightly to herself, hurriedly moving to cover her mouth with her hands, Kelsey watched as the lock on her window twisted open before shuffling was heard and it was pushed upwards, letting the cold night air in.

Sucking in a sharp breath, readying herself to scream bloody murder, Kelsey opened her mouth to do so when she saw a leg thrown over the edge and onto the floor of her room before they tucked the other one in as well, standing to their full length, facing the other way.

After brushing themself off, they turned just in time to see Kelsey's horrified face quickly change into the look of distinguish before she frowned in confusion. "Justin?"

He stared deeply into her eyes before a small smile pulled at the corner of his lips, "hey babe."

"What are you doing here?" Kelsey exasperated though she would never admit that she needed him now more than ever. He was the only one who could ever make her feel better even when she felt nothing short of horrible.

"Don't act like you didn't miss me," he cheesed gently while stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Besides, I feel like I just climbed Mount Everest right about now so the least you could do is let me stay."

"You shouldn't be here, Justin." She shook her head while trying her hardest not to look into his eyes, knowing that if she did, she would crack. She always did.

And he knew that.

"Why not?" he hummed out almost teasingly knowing she wanted him to stay even though her ego kept her from saying so. She always tried to make it seem like she didn't need him at all and that she was fine on her own, but even when he tried to play it off the same way, he knew he needed her just as much as she needed him.

"Because we need time apart remember?"

"You needed time apart, I was fairly content with the way things were," he cocked his head to the side while glancing down at her, refusing to back down. He didn't go through all of this just for her to continue shutting him out. If things were finally going to start looking good for them, he needed to make an effort into gaining her trust back. "But you wanted to be stubborn," he smirked, "as always."

"I am not stubborn!" Kelsey gasped, a frown pulling at her lips as she caught his eyes with hers narrowed.

"You could've fooled me," he taunted sarcastically, loving to push every button of hers knowing he would get a reaction out of her.

"You're an asshole," she huffed with a pout of her bottom lip.

"Awe," Justin laughed, "don't pout at me like that."

Turning away from him, Kelsey waved a hand dismissively behind her, "just go away."

Sighing with a playful roll of his eyes, Justin walked over to her before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back into him. "Don't be like that," he mumbled into her neck with his nose nuzzling the side of it.

Taking in a sharp breath, Kelsey instinctively latched onto his hands with her own, "w-what are you doing?"

"Getting you to fucking relax," he rasped, lips barely brushing against her ear as he moved her hair to one side, "still so fucking beautiful." He murmured with a hiss of a breath that seemed to be sucked in between his teeth.

"Justin..." Kelsey slowly shook her head, not wanting this to escalate any further. She knew this could easily end up with her on her back while he hovered over her, and she didn't want that. Not tonight.

"What?"

"Don't," she mumbled while pulling herself out of his grasp. Rubbing her right arm up and down awkwardly, she shuffled on her feet, avoiding his intense gaze that seemed to burn against her with every second that passed.

"You can't seriously be mad at me still," he expired as his arms fell down beside him, already missing the warmth of her body against his.

"I'm not," she shook her head; "I'm over that, I promise."

"Then what is it?" he shot his arms out, losing every ounce of patience he had left, "huh? What? You can't stand being around me anymore? Is that it?"

"No! Of course not!" Kelsey retorted in shock that he would even think that way.

"Then what?" he looked at her, "am I not good enough?"

"Justin," Kelsey paused, hurt that he would even think that way, "You know that's not the case. You're more than enough."

"Then what else is it, Kels?" Justin backed away a bit instead of advancing on her, knowing he couldn't push the barriers no matter how upset he was. It took everything inside of him to remain calm but he knew if he wanted his girl back, he would have to do everything in his power to prove to her he wasn't the same guy he was that night in the interrogation room. "It's been weeks! I feel like I'm being punished here."

Standing there dumbfounded, Kelsey didn't know what to say. She wanted nothing more than for them to be together like how it used to be, but she knew the moment she let him in, it would start all over again. The pain, the hurt, the fear that he would put his hands on her and finish the job.

"Loving you is like suicide," Justin numbly whispered, not even realizing he was saying all of this out loud.

Parting her lips, Kelsey felt the back of her eyes burn as she swallowed down the thick saliva that began to form in the midst of her throat, nearly choking her from the discomfort she felt at the revelation he had made.

"It drives me mad—you drive me mad," he confessed, "I could feel myself losing my mind over this crap and it shouldn't be like that! It shouldn't be like this—we shouldn't be like this. I love you. I love you so much it hurts, and it scares me that at any second, this could all be over and I could lose you forever."

"Justin..." Kelsey whispered, internally begging for him to stop. This was not what she wanted. She didn't want this to happen.

"What?" he forced out at the same time he saw the tears spill and fall down her cheeks like a waterfall. A waterfall he seemed to cause whenever they were together, whether he meant to or not. "Shit, Kelsey, I—"

"Just hold me," she choked out, "please."

And just like that, all thoughts vanished from his mind and Justin found himself walking over to her in two big steps before scooping her into his arms, sighing in content at the way her head fit perfectly into the nape of his neck. And for the next ten minutes all they did was stand there holding one another.

Nothing was said and nothing was done and that was probably one of the things that stuck out when it came to the odd couple. They were polar opposites, and maybe even somewhat the same, but even then it was the silence they communicated with.

They didn't need words to let one another know how they felt even though most of the time they took that route as opposed to kissing and making up.

Pulling away several seconds later, Justin cupped Kelsey's face, tipping it back so that he could look into her eyes. Scanning them with his own, he felt a pull at his heart strings, seeing the love, hurt, and confusion hidden within.

Wrapping her fingers around the flaps of his jacket, Kelsey closed her eyes as he pressed his lips upon her forehead in a gentle, but reassuring kiss.

"I just want us to be okay," he whispered, pained to have said it. They were always inseparable, and call him crazy, but every second he was apart from her was almost equivalent to dying.

She was the air he breathed, the reason his heart kept beating, and without her around, it was almost as if the life was being sucked out of him.

The only thing that kept him going was her voice at night wishing him a good one before they parted ways, and if he was good, the two of them would hold a conversation that lasted longer than two minutes.

And if he was really lucky, they would talk throughout the night to the point where she would fall asleep before him and that alone was a prize for the young man who wanted nothing more than to have her sleeping in his arms.

"We will be," she said, a small smile gracing her facial features that made his heart beat accelerate.

"Kiss me," he said.

"What?" her big brown eyes stared up at him like a deer caught in the headlights and it was in that moment that he loved her even more than ever.

"Just do it," he rasped, thumbing her chin upwards, waiting for her to do as he asked.

Afraid that she would back down, Justin's heart nearly leaped out of its cage the second she contemplated the idea before leaning up on her tiptoes and capturing his bottom lip in a kiss that made his head spin.

Feeling the wind being knocked out of him, Justin dropped his hands down to her waist as he pulled her in close, leaving no room for either one of them to breathe.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Kelsey meshed her chest against his as her hands pulled his head down to her level, fingers threading into the hairs that seemed to grow longer since the last time she'd seen him. Tugging gently causing him to groan against her mouth, Kelsey giggled at the vibration it caused, causing him to smile.

Pulling away in a chuckle as she giggled, Kelsey didn't even know what had overcome her but the laughter wouldn't die down. Holding onto her stomach, she leaned into his chest while he watched her in awe, unable to contain himself either.

"S-sh-sh," Kelsey held a finger to her lips, "Carly's going to hear us." She whispered, choking back on the giggle that was close to tumbling out of her mouth.

"You shh," he scolded teasingly, "you're being louder than I am."

"Oh, puh-lease," Kelsey looked up at him, "do you hear yourself?"

"Do you hear yourself?" Justin repeated in emphasis directed towards her. "You're the one laughing like a fuckin' hyena!" he defended through forced back laughter though it didn't remain that way when he saw her expression of shock and anger that nearly made him piss his pants.

"Take that back!"

Justin shook his head, "no way."

Dropping her mouth in the shape of an 'o', Kelsey narrowed her eyes in anger, "you take that back right now mister or I'll—"

"Or you'll what? Jump on my back?" he laughed again, "I'm so scared," he waved his hands in a frantic motion.

Stomping her foot on the ground like a child with her hands balled into fists at her side, Kelsey knitted her brows to meet together in an angry gesture, "take it back right now!"

"The last time I checked, you were twenty one, not five," Justin noted with a smirk. He loved this side of her, the part that didn't worry about anything else and just let her guard down. Wanting to take full advantage of it, Justin raised his eyebrows as if to say 'now what' which only angered her more.

"What's that?" she gasped pointing behind him.

On instinct, Justin whirled around to see what it was when he realized there was nothing, "what're you talk—"

Before he had the chance to say another word to completer his question, Kelsey jumped on his back.

"Ha, gotcha!" she cried out in victory, taking him completely off guard causing him to grab onto her legs though he tripped on the small rug she had causing him to fall backwards on her bed.

Crying out in surprise, Kelsey latched onto his neck nearly choking him when they came falling down.

"Fuck, Kels," he groaned, pulling her arms away just as he took a second to capture his breath before turning around and pinning them up above her head. "Were you trying to kill us?"

"No," she sighed, "I just really wanted you to take it back."

"So you thought me crushing you would help?"

"No," she shrugged, "but it got you on top of me though, didn't it?" she arched a brow, her teeth coming down on her bottom lip in a way she knew Justin loved.

"Fuck," he growled, "don't do that."

"Do what?" she innocently batted her eyelashes up at him.

"That," he stared long and hard at her lips, wanting nothing more than to use his own teeth to tug against it, his hands itching to rip her clothes off and take her like he had so many other times before.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she whispered, her fingers wrapping around the chains hanging down from his neck as she tugged gently after he let her arms go.

Guiding him down, his hands imprinting themselves on the mattress on either side of her head, Justin swallowed hard.

Pressing their lips together slowly, Kelsey propped her leg up, bending her knee as she let his chains go just to cup his cheek.

Deepening the embrace, he practically dug his fingers into the covers, his body mending against hers as he fit between her legs.

Rolling them around, Kelsey straddled his lap, keeping her hands pressed firmly against his shoulders while her long hair fell down creating a curtain around them, "hey, Justin?"

"Hmm?" he murmured as his hands ran up and down her thighs before his dark eyes managed to find hers.

Leaning down, Kelsey held her hair to one side as she grinned, "Are you going to take it back now?"

Snapping out of his sudden trance, it was Justin's turn now to hang his mouth open in shock.

Laughing, Kelsey quickly crawled off of him though it was no use because he just ended up catching her just as she leaped off. Pulling her back against him on the bed, Justin tickled her sides watching as she burst into hysterics, jerking in several directions wanting him to stop. "Ju-Justin, st-stop!" she choked out, "I can-can't breathe!"

"What was that?" he called out over her, "I'm sorry, I can't hear you!"

"Justin!" she shrieked out loud, "stop!"

"Give me one good reason why I should," he reasoned while his fingers continued to dance across her hips, keeping her in one place while she fought to contain herself.

"Because!" she cried out, "you l-love me!"

Halting in his actions, Justin didn't know what came over him but hearing those words was like someone had knocked the air right out of him.

Feeling the tension that began to form around them, Kelsey slowly turned to face him, her chest moving rapidly while she tried to catch her breath, "what's wrong?" she asked, almost afraid if she had said the wrong thing.

"Nothing," he closed his eyes before standing up and walking away. Running his hand down his face and behind to the back of his neck, he awkwardly rubbed against it, mentally cursing himself for reacting the way he had.

Sitting up in bed, Kelsey frowned, "I'm sorry, I—"

"What?" he turned around, unsure if he heard her right.

"What?" she countered, taken back.

"What did you say?"

"I said I was sorry—"

"You have nothing to be sorry about," he immediately cut her off.

"But, I shouldn't have—"

"Said it?" he asked and when she stayed silent, his heart broke even further, "there is nothing wrong with what you said. If anything it's probably the only thing that isn't a lie."

"Justin—"

"I thought you forgot," he acknowledged sheepishly while staring at the floor, mentally cursing himself for sounding and seeming so weak. He was never like this. He hated feeling, talking about it or even expressing it. He thought of it as something no real man would ever do if they wanted to keep their genitals intact, but then she came along.

"How could I ever forget?" she whispered in distress. Never in a million years could she ever forget the love he had shared with her. Through their ups and downs, he had shown her what it was like to be loved. He was the keeper to the key that led to the lock kept around her heart, the heart that would forever belong to him.

"I don't know," he shrugged helplessly, "it's like we take one step forwards and then five steps back. It doesn't matter how hard I try, I always find a way to fuck it up..." shaking his head, Justin felt his throat burn. "I mean look at us," he gave a sad smile, one that wrote out every emotion he felt like a painting pinned on the wall of a museum that held a secret world shied away from everyone else, "we're broken."

Holding her breath, an uncomfortable silence fell between them.

Opening her mouth, Kelsey closed it seconds later not knowing how to piece together the thoughts in her head.

"I want you to stop beating yourself up over it," Kelsey exclaimed after what felt like a lifetime since she last spoke. "I want you to forget what happened and move on because thinking about it won't change anything. You can't erase time, but you can make sure the time spent after makes up for it." Fighting back the tears, she took in a deep breath, "we're not broken," she smiled back, matching the aching she felt in her chest, "just bent."

"Do you think we can fix this—us?"

"We can try," Knowing there was so much that had to be settled between them but seeing as though now was not the time, Kelsey decided it was enough for one night. Holding her hand out for him to take, silently gesturing for him to do so, Justin slowly made his way back over to her.

Pushing back the covers, she got under while tugging down on his hand, "come on."

"Are you sure?" he eyed the bed cautiously. He hated that they weren't settling this once and for all, but he knew they were at least making progress and that meant more to him than anything else he could have expected.

"You refused to leave before and now that I'm asking you to stay, you don't want to take it? Geez," Kelsey mocked, hoping to ease the awkwardness between them, "make up your mind."

Shaking his head at her, Justin squeezed her hand before letting it go. "Shut up," he gave a crooked smile before pulling his jacket and shirt off, only leaving his pants on as he fit himself comfortably beside her on the bed.

Pulling her swiftly into his arms, noting how perfectly she fit against him while breathing in her scent—vanilla and strawberries, a mix he grew fond of. "I missed you," he murmured.

"I missed you too," Kelsey sighed as she comfortably laid her head on his naked chest, her eyes closing blissfully at the warmth that engulfed her in comparison to the cold she felt before he arrived.

It was weird between them. He could feel it, and she could see it, yet they both laid there in each other's arms like they didn't just talk about the beginning of the end. Instead, she was back in her bedroom three years ago and he was back in his, forgetting the hazy memory of a tangled girl beside him at the time.

The events in their life leading up to that one fateful night; the night that seemed to bless yet curse them all at the same time.

The night that held them together at the seams, the night that started it all, the night that brought these two together.

A night neither one of them would ever forget...

A small and out of place brunette stood with a drink in her hand, gulping the remainder of her beer so fast it nearly made her head spin, capturing the attention of a boy not too far from where she stood.

"Nice going, shawty"

Spotting a sandy haired boy with a devious smirk pained on his plump lips, Kelsey turned to face him as he slid off his glasses, revealing his light caramel eyes.

Arching an eyebrow, she licked her lips, trying to shake off the nerves that began to build as she swallowed. Feeling Carly's nails dig into her arm, Kelsey controlled the need to wince in pain. "Ugh, thanks?"

"I give ya props for downing that so quick," he ignored her confused remark, "usually girls around here don't know how. I'm impressed." He winked before sliding the glasses back on and saying no more. Pushing past them with a group of guys following his lead, they all disappeared into the sea of people around them.

"Ow," Kelsey muttered as soon as he walked away, "you didn't have to grab me like that you know."

"Oh my god," she breathed out, completely in a daze.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Did you know who that was?" She gawked as she turned awkwardly, looking at the people partying before looking back at the brunette who still seemed to be lost over what was going on.

"Was I supposed to?"

"Are you serious?" She slapped my arm.

"Again, ow!" Kelsey backed away, continuing to rub the spot she hit. "Did you lose your mind? Because I'll help you find it."

"I'm not kidding Kelsey." She gulped, the lump in her throat going down as she did so.

"No I'm not Carly. What is up with you? Am I supposed to know who that is?" she furrowed her brows as they met in the middle.

"That's Danger." She breathed out shakily. "He's the most talked about kid in town..."