So, he knew he had to calm his friend down before he pulled him even deeper.

He attempted to guide him back to his drumset. "Mate, you're overreacting. Let's just get back to practic--" Calum paused when Ashton shoved him off and nearly into a pile of gardening supplies.

"Don't you ever touch me, you sick bastard!" Ashton warned, eyes dark in rage and before anyone could say anything further, he took the floor from them.

"I felt it...I felt something was off about you two. I felt the vibe between you two and it was anything like a sibling relationship. It was like Mhina was already in a relationship and was cheating on you or something." Ashton began to spill and all anyone could do was watch in horror as he continued.

"I noticed how angry you'd get whenever I'd hang out with Mhina or how she'd get when you'd be with Nikki for too long. I saw it. That time when she stormed off during practice, I sensed it. When we were on the trip and you'd sneak glances, I noticed," Ashton stepped up to Calum with each sentence, eyes drilling holes into the brown boy's. Cal didn't break the eye contact but deep down inside he was breaking.

"And that night when you and Mhina left, when you went to comfort her...I knew it. That night when you both didn't return until later on that morning," Ashton turned his head to sneak a dark glance at Mhina who stood with her mouth agape, before looking back at his so-called best friend, continuing.

"I knew it and when Nikki told me--"

"Ah, so Nikki told you all of this?"

"Not all but she gave me some insight on you two."

"Yeah, I'm sure she did! Coincidently after she gets in a fight with Mhina!" Calum tried to turn all of this on Nikki and make her sound crazy because he wasn't going down like this.

Not in front of the rest his bandmates, who stood in confusion and silence.

Nikki kicked off the door and got into Calum's face.

"You calling me loca? You saying I'm some kind of liar?!" She asked bitterly, daring him to answer 'yes' to his questions.

He felt terrible deep down inside because he was making her seem like she was putting on based on her and Mhina's relationship.

He hated he had to do it.

But once again, he had to look out for himself...as selfish as it sounded.

He shrugged, "I'm just saying I'm not surprised you tried it after you got whooped." Calum simply said, eyes moving from hers to Ashton's.

Nikki's eyes widened and she jumped at Calum as if she was going to swing but Ashton held her back.

"Relax, señorita Hot head." He stepped infront of her and crossed his arms over his chest as he stood a few inches from Calum.

His eyebrows came together as he spoke, "Okay...since you claim this is all false," His eyes trailed over to Mhina, who hadn't spoken a word since he began spilling. But he ignored it for now because he knew he was about to nip it in the bud. "Then look everyone in the eyes and say it."

Calum felt his breath get caught in his throat.

He was stuck.

Ashton made this bigger and harder than it was before. It was no longer this love rectangle or triangle....it was everyone involved.

If he lied and said everything Ashton spoke was untrue, he'd risk his friendship with him and maybe even the band. Also, Nikki would be deemed a liar, though she was spot on with everything.

However, if he told the truth, everything, including his relationship with Mhina would be destroyed. He'd be known as that perv who had a thing for his foster sister and his mom would be ashamed of him.

But probably most important than this all was the effect this'll have on Mhina.

And as the thought crossed his mind, he turned to the girl, his eyes sad and full of guilt.

He couldn't figure which would be best...so he didn't answer. But that was all the answer Ashton needed.

He chuckled bitterly then turned on his heel like he was going to walk away but he twisted back and connected his fist to Calum's jaw.

Everything kind of moved at a fast pace but within a few seconds, Luke was holding Ashton back, Mhina was screaming, and Calum was holding his face in Michael's arms.

"Ashton, what the--"

"Let me go!" He yelled venomously, jerking in Luke's grasp to try and get to Calum.

He wanted to pummel the boy for not only lying to him and trying to lie to cover the lie but for betraying him and being down right gross for hooking up with his foster sister.

"Dude, chill, I'm sure we can figure this out." Luke strained, trying his hardest to contain the aggressive boy in his arms.

Ashton shook his head and jerked so hard he flung out of Luke's embrace. He sniffed and began walking backwards.

"I--I can't do this...not anymore." Ashton sized Calum one last time as the brown boy moved his jaw left to right to test of it was broken, a hand still holding his face as he met eyes with the angered drummer.

The golden haired boy then looked at Mhina, who was crying and his jaw clenched. He couldn't do this...so he faced forward and left the garage with a slam of the door.

Everyone was silent.

Kind of shocked all of this unfolded within a matter of minutes.

Nicki shrugged and started towards the door, as well.

"My work here is done." She tried to mumble but the quietness made it as clear as day. And this time, Mhina became mad.

So, she reached and grabbed the Hispanic girl by her hair, bringing her back a couple steps.

As Mhina yanked with all her might, Calum broke away from Michael and held the girl back.

Luke grabbed the other, who just like Ashton, clawed at his holding arms.

"You always doing things behind my back, chica! Try it again when I'm facing up you!"

"Keep up with that mouth then!" The two went back and forth, both trying to get to the other.

Luke decided he's had enough but also he wanted to rid the current situation. He began walking towards the door with the girl, giving them both time to cool off.

Also, he knew she'd calm down for him if it was just them in the room.

"Yeah, Luke you better keep that trick far away from me!" Mhina continued, finally calming down as Calum held her waist.

All the while, Michael was examining the two, noticing the not so sibling vibe between them. It was like he was holding his girl back and not his sister--foster--sister. His eyes scanned the grip on her waist, the way her hand sat atop of his to assure she was okay to let loose.

Maybe, Ashton was right.

"He was right." Michael said quietly but from the way Calum and Mhina whipped their head to the boy, he realized he wasn't too quiet.

Calum shook his head, feeling that panic take over him just as it did when Ashton went on his rant.

"Mich--"

"Calum, you---she's--that's your sister now. Legally, she's your sister!" He pointed at Mhina with a face twisted in disgust.

"Just listen, man."

"No. You ruined this...our band, your friendship....her adoption because you wanted to be selfish."

"Mike, I know, but I'm not--"

Another interruption by the fed up boy. "Whatever, dude. I-I gotta go." He said without another word, glancing at them with hurt eyes as he took the same exit as the other three.

The boy felt tears brimming at the edge of his eyes but he was too proud to breakdown.

He was sure it'll happen once he's in the comfort of his own room.

Mhina felt her heart drop as Mike closed the door, not even slamming it which showed he wasn't mad, just disappointed and upset.

She turned to Calum, noticing the gloss in his eyes and reaching a hand to his cheek.

"Calum, I'm so sorry. I--" He jerked away from her, causing those tears to stream down his face from the motion.

Mhina stood mortified as she watched the boy she loved cry.

"Save it." He said in an emotionless tone. She tried again and he held her wrist.

"Calum, please, I'm so sorry. Please, just tell me what I can do to fix it and I will." Mhina begged, ready and willing to do anything to fix things.

Calum furrowed his brows down at the girl and snorted.

"You wanna do something? Stay on your side of the hallway from now on. That's what you can do." Calum dropped her wrists and left without another word.

The girl was frozen in her spot, the words he said echoing in her head.

And all she could do is cry.

And that's exactly what she did.

-sorry for the wait!-

So there was no A/N for the first half of this chapter so I decided to put it here!

This has, by far, have been one of of the most dramatic and emotional chapters thus far which is fitting since we are literally, maybe, two or three chapters away before this book is over.

I'm proud of this chapter because I was able to grasp everyone's take on what happened (something I struggled with) so yeah this was fun.

Anyway, if you liked this then pls vote but if you LOVED it then comment!

Let me know how yall feel!

Who side are you on?