"What?! How and most importantly why?!", I ask Ashton who sits on the couch while I pace infront of him.

"Apparently he served for what he did so they're leaving him early", he replies with his head in his hands.

"It's okay Ash, everything will be alright. We all are here with you", I sit beside him and grab his hand in mine.
He looks at me and nods hugging me to him.

"Al, we need to go to the agency. We have a meeting. We'll be back late. Don't wait up", Alex says while coming down the stairs, Julian right behind him, both of them dressed formally.

"Okay. Be safe", I say while they smile at us and leave.

"I'll leave too. You'll be fine on your own?", he asks while looking at me with concern flashing in his eyes.

"I'll be fine. You too take care of yourself and don't think too much about anything okay? You need to rest", I tell him in a stern voice. He chuckles and caresses my cheek.

"Yes ma'am. Love you", he kisses me softly and leaves right after.

That night I couldn't sleep knowing that Max is so close to finding me. I felt unsafe. I had a pit in my stomach, that something wrong was gonna happen. I kept tossing and turning until I fell asleep at dawn.

"Wake up! We are gonna be late Lydia!", someone screams in my ears and I jolt awake. I look around my room to see Mia and Violet standing beside my bed, looking at me.

"Are you gonna get up or do I have to dump your ass in the shower?", Mia asks me while giving me the look which has me scrambling to the bathroom.

A take a quick shower and Mia gives me the clothes she chose for me. It's a pretty good assemble of a washed jeans with a nice maroon top. I leave my hair down and apply kohl and lip balm. I grab my bag and head outside where the two were waiting for me.

"I'm ready. Let's leave quickly", I say while they give me a blank stare.

"You were the one who slept in", Violet says while Mia chuckles and unlocks the car while we get in.

"How did you guys get in?", I ask while Mia rolls her eyes.

"Your boyfriend told us to bring you to school today. He wanted to come himself but the coach stopped him. He gave us his key too, he knew you were gonna be asleep", Mia answers while Violet laughs. I just look at them and pull out my tongue. They do the same and we three laugh at our own childishness.

The school was really boring today. I couldn't stop thinking about Max and Ash's dad. We were now sitting in the cafeteria with our lunch in front of us but no one touches their food. Everyone is lost in their thoughts. As Aaron was about to say something, the voice that we haven't heard in a while, rang loudly in the cafeteria making us all turn around.

"Hello brother! Did you miss me?", Adam stands near our table with Macy latching on his arm. I couldn't help but notice the marks on her face that she expertly covered using makeup but I am a little too observant.

"What do you want Adam?", Mason asks him while the others just glare at him.

"Are you the spokesperson that my brother hired for himself, Mason?", Adam answers with a smirk plastered on his face making me want to puke.

"You don't talk to my friends like that Adam", Ashton takes a step towards Adam but I stop him by grabbing his arm. I shake my head at him and he breathes in deeply.

"Why are you here?", Ashton asks while the smile on Adam's face widens.

"Oh just making sure you know that our dearest father is getting out of the jail soon", Adam says while the others gasp and Ashton tries to fight my hold on him. I hold tighter and pull him back a bit. Thank god he wasn't putting in all his strength or else I wouldn't have been able to stop him.

"Can you just leave already? You have done enough", I sneer at him while he turns his gaze at me and smirks.

"Gladly baby doll. No one in their right mind would want to be with you guys", Adam says and turns on his heel.

"I hope you're ready for the dance practice Lydia. Be careful while you walk, we can't have you falling as well now, would we?" Macy says while looking at Mia who's being held behind by Aaron.

"You take care of yourself Macy. No need to worry about me", I reply and she glares at all of us and follows her sick boyfriend while Ashton storms out of the cafeteria. We all grab our backpacks and hurry to catch up with him.

"Ashton wait!", Aaron yells but he doesn't stop and increases his pace. The boys run to catch up with him while we three stand where we are. The boys need to get Ashton back in control. Aaron and Blake talk to Ashton while the others hold him in place. Ashton visibly relaxes and looks at me and nods his head.

I run towards him and hug him while he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight.

"Everything's gonna be alright Ash. I'm always here with you", I whisper and I feel him nodding his head. He planted a soft kiss on my neck and let go of me.

"Let's bunk the other periods and go to our favourite cafe?", Nick asks while everyone nods and we leave the school campus.

We all are sitting in a cafe near to out college. It's almost awkward when finally Blake breaks the silence.

"So your dad's getting out of the jail?", Blake asks, cautiously eyeing Ashton. Ashton's hold on my hand tightens.

"Yeah. I got a call yesterday informing me about it".

"Why though? I thought he was gonna be in there for a longer period of time?", Jason questions while others nod in agreement.

"Yeah but apparently they think that, he has served for what he did and that's why they're setting him free", Ashton replies while a round of curses and groans are heard.

"Can't you do anything about it?", Mason asks while Ash shakes his head.

"No I can't. The procedures are almost done anyways", Ash curses under his breath and I rub small circles on his hand to calm him down a little.

"You know what, fuck this shit. Let's go to the club tonight, get drunk and forget about this for one night. We owe ourselves", Blake says and everyone including me looks at Ashton, expectantly. He let's out a sigh and nods his head while the guys cheer and the girls squeal.

"It's been days since we went to the club. We're going to have so much fun!", Mia says. The guys discuss about the place and time while Mia and Violet talk about the dress they both are gonna wear.

"You sure about this?", I whisper to him and he sighs again.

"I owe it to myself Lyd. And you know, this is just the start. I feel it's gonna get a lot worse than this", he whispers back and I couldn't help but agree with him.

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A/N

I'm so sorry for the late update and that too a short one! My exams are approaching and the college is being a pain in my ass.

Anyways, how did you guys like the chapter? Let me know in the comments and do tap that little star in the corner.

Love you guys!

See ya hopefully soon!!