"Come with me upstairs, I've got something to show you" mom says, pulling me to my feet. I stand involuntary and follow her lead to the  outside of the building. We walk around the side to the stairs that leads to the second floor. This was the first time I was going up here, Gio never came up here either.

"Mom I don't think Gio would appreciate us knocking the door down. I don't know where he keeps the key" I try to tell her but she continues on, completely ignoring me.
Next thing I know the door flung open and she stepped inside. I hurried up after her, eager to see the inside. Perhaps it's a bulk or storage room of some sort.

"So what do you think?" Mom asks me with a small laugh, switching some lights on as I finally stepped inside. It wasn't a storage room at all. It was an apartment. Well, sorta.

"Wow! I had no idea this was up here. Does Gio live here? I thought he had his own place?" I ask curiously, taking a tour of the open-planned space. It was simple enough with huge windows, dark floors and aesthetic-looking brick walls.

"Correct, he does have his own place and a pretty big one might I add. But that's not the point. The point is that Gio is willing to let you stay here" she tells me, placing the key in my hand.

At first I laughed thinking this was some sort of joke. There's no way Gio would let me stay here. He doesn't even like me that much anyway. This has to be a joke. Mom has to be kidding. There's just no way!

"Nice one, mom, but I'm not in the mood for jokes right now" I say to her, taking a seat on the floor.

"And I didn't come all this way to make that lame joke, Kaia. Now get up and start cleaning. I will help you move your stuff in" mom says sternly. "See? I told you I would fix everything. Now if only I could meet that Ashton. I would definitely twist his ears and give him a good punch for what his done to you"

"Okay, okay, that's enough" I laugh, escorting us both out of the place to get the cleaning supplies organized.

**

By the time Gio came round again we were just about done with the cleaning. I convinced mom to let me move my stuff on my own, telling her it wasn't much anyway. She hesitated at first but finally agreed. Truth is, I didn't want her to find out that I was staying with Axel. She would flip out and be so disappointed in me. Of all the people I could've turned to- I chose Axel, who just so happens to be Ash's brother.

"I see you're all set to move in?" Gio greets us at the front of the building. I had no words to say, instead I reached out and hugged his straight frame. He didn't return the hug of course (being the typical Gio) but he cleared his throat a little too loud, a clear sign he was slightly uncomfortable.

"Thank you for letting me stay here. I appreciate it alot" I say to him with a small smile and watch as he nods approvingly at me before turning to mom and laughing.

"You're welcome. Now you have no excuse to be late and you can keep downstairs clean and tidy aswell. It's a win-win situation. I love it" he laughs heartily with mom joining in too.

**

After all that work I felt like taking a really long bath and just sleeping for like three days. It was around seven in the evening when I arrived outside Skylodge. I planned to sit down and tell Axel all about what happened today and that I was moving out. I couldn't delay anyway since I'm planning on moving tomorrow, my only free day before another hectic week at school.

I let myself in and called out to Axel who responded from the laundry room, I think.

"You're home! I thought you were knocked out somewhere. You know, given your state this morning" he greets me sarcastically, standing by the kitchen counter.

"Uh yeah, I'm back in one piece. Anyway, I have something to tell you" I say, not wanting to drag this on.

"So do I" he replies with a grin, moving to sit on the armchair. I take a seat on the sofa and wait for him to speak.

"You go first" I suggest, feeling abit anxious. I hope I didn't do anything embarrassing or inappropriate last night.

"Okay, so what do you remember about last night?" Axel begins, leaning back and studying me carefully in amusement.

"West and Todd helping me get to the door then you helped me inside and dropped me on the bed. Why?" I answer him after trying my very best to recall what I could remember.

"So absolutely nothing after that?" He presses on, looking more interested. Gosh I hope I didn't do anything stupid. Well it wouldn't be a suprise to me, not now anyway.

"Nothing" I muttered lowly, shaking my head. "Why?"

"Ash was here. He was desperate to talk to you" Axel informs me.

"What?" I ask in disbelief. "And did we talk because I don't remember having any conversation with him"

"No, no, you were so gone he had to hold you steady before taking you back to bed when you got up after hearing us talking. I sent him home and told him to atleast come by when you're sober. It's up to you though if you wanna see him again."

Well I must've looked like a complete mess infront of Ash. Being drunk out of my mind.

"Now what did you have to tell me?" Axel asks in a rather cheery voice, pulling me out of my own thoughts.

"I'm actually moving out. My mom's pulled some strings with Gio and I'll be staying in one of his apartments. I'll move my stuff in tomorrow so I figured I'd tell you right away" I explained to him and watched as his face fell a little.

"Oh" he answers, nodding slowly. "Okay then, well would you need me to help with anything?"

"No but thank you. You've done alot for me already by letting me stay here" I tell him with a smile. I really am grateful for everything. 

"Alright then blondie, I'll get dinner started I guess" Axel chuckles, getting up and heading into the kitchen. I give him a nod and take myself into the room to take a nice shower. I'm drained.

**