"Finally we have vacations now! I'm bored of this hell hole", Mason muses and Aaron snickers.

"It's not a vacation Mason. They're giving us time to prepare for our upcoming exams", Aaron says and Mason snorts.

"Who's gonna study anyway?"

"Everyone except for you", I say with a smirk and he snickers while others laugh and nod their heads.

"So guys, let's meet at my house today. Around 5?", I ask them. I need to tell them everything ASAP.

"I'm coming and that too with FOOD!", Blake says and everyone else agrees with it.

"We will be there at 5 Lyd", Mia tells me with a smile.

"Do you have practice today?", Nick asks me.

"Yeah I do. Ashton is gonna wait for me. I'll be done by 4".

"We can wait too. Blake and Jason can leave early and buy food", Mason says and everyone agrees.

"What should I bring?"

"Anything and everything", Mason, Nick and Violet reply at the same time. Blake laughs but nods.

"So, who all failed the chemistry test today?", Mason asks everyone. Except Ashton, Aaron and me raise their hands. The two boys shake their heads in amusement.

"Come on, it wasn't that bad", Aaron says and all turn to look at him at the same time which is freaky.

"That bad?! It was the worst. I felt like the teacher was taking out his frustration on us!", Jason exclaims and we all laugh at him.

"I know right! It was so difficult. I couldn't remember what I studied yesterday or for that matter the entire week!", Nick says with so much frustration, Violet kisses his cheek and tells him that everything's going to be good.

"How did you not fail Lyd?", Jason asks with a confused expression and I burst out laughing.

"I had the best tutor Jason", I tell him and wink at Ashton who bears a smug expression.

"I asked you too Ash and you said NO to my face but you could tutor her! ", Mason exclaims and bangs his hands on the table for the theatrics. We all laugh out loud and the whole bunch of students turn to look at us. Mason looks down at his hands in embarrassment.

"Guys, I am leaving for the practice. I will see you at 4", I get up and kiss Ashton on the cheek and wave at everyone.

As I turn my back towards them, I could feel the fear and anxiety getting the best of me. I am sure that they will support me in this situation but somewhere I am scared of how they will react. I am scared of them leaving me because of my past.

During practice I wasn't myself and I could feel that and so did the others. I needed to get my shit together but that just seems impossible to me at this point of time when I am not even sure if the people who have become my family will stay with me when I tell them all about my past and what the risks are when they are seen with me.

As I exit the auditorium, Ashton is standing right there, with his hands in his pocket. Others seem to have left or something but all I care about is that Ashton is right here when I need him. It's like he knows whenever I feel stressed out or doubt myself. He's always there and that's why I don't want anything to happen to him and I will protect him at all costs.

"You are scared", he states and without another word wraps his strong arms around me which instantly comfort me. Being in his embrace makes me feel secure and at peace. I know, it looks as if I am depending on him for my mental stability but that's not it. I can calm myself down but sometimes you just need someone to be there for you, tell you that everything is going to fine and hold you and lend you their support when you are on the verge of breaking. 

"I am just worried about how they are going to react when I tell them all about my past and my true identity. What if they all get angry and leave me alone or worse ask you to choose between me and them? Somewhere in my mind I know that they won't do anything like this but my brain seems to be in a pessimistic mood today. I can't seem to think of the good outcomes", I finish ranting and he just looks at me with amusement in his eyes. I punch him in the stomach which I am sure didn't hurt him in the least bit but I got the satisfaction of hitting him anyway.

"I need to teach you how to punch without hurting yourself", he says and I can't help but get offended. I had taken lessons before coming here but I seem to have lost my strength. 

"I didn't hit you hard on purpose, you idiot. I can throw a proper punch and break someone's face, are we clear?" He doesn't argue and just nods his head.

"Crystal clear. Now we should get going. Others are waiting in the car for us", saying so he grabs my hand as we leave the premises. 

"Were you guys having sex or something?", is the first thing we hear which comes out of Mason's potty mouth as expected.

"Got a problem with that Mason?", Ash answers cockily and I can't help but laugh out loud. We all know Mason didn't get laid since a long time according to him which is just a freaking week. I have some sex crazed people in my life.

"Of course not. I am happy that everyone is getting laid except for me", he says with a frustrated face and we all laugh at his ridiculousness. 

"Dude, just shut up", Nick smacks him in the head.

"Stop hitting me you ass", Mason retorts and hits Nick, barely missing his eye.

"Okay kids, stop it right now. Mason, get in the car with us", I practically order him and that leaves him no choice but to oblige.

"You go girl!", Mia and Vi scream and mock salute me. I bow and make my towards Ash's car. 

Mason is sitting at the back, pouting like a five year old kid who was denied a candy. I get in the car and give him what's left of my protein bar and he just perks up like a child would. I just smile at him and he smiles back in a very cute way. Ash just shakes his head and starts the car. The dread of telling the truth settles in my stomach again and I can't help but fidget in my seat. Before Mason could catch me shivering, Ashton grabs my hand in his and rubs small, soothing circles which calms me down a little.  

"Finally, I thought the sexual tension in here was going to suffocate me to death", Mason says and practically runs out  of the car. Ashton turns to me and looks straight into my eyes.

"It's going to be just fine. They will understand and stand by you just like they did when I told them about my father. You know they love you and would never let you down. Just relax and let's go inside before Mason starts with the 'sex in the car' talk", he says and I cannot help but laugh. The nerves in my stomach seem to have calmed down a little, thanks to Ashton.

"Lyd, Blake and Jason bought a lot of stuff to eat. Come on", Mia calls out to us and we leave the car. I see another car approaching the house. I tell Ashton to go ahead and I wait for my brothers to park the car.

"Well, look who's here to welcome us, Cole", Julian says and Cole turns to me and scans me for any injuries. This is what he always does when he gets home. 

"Hey Lyds", Cole greets and hugs me to him, tightly. I know he is always worried about me. He doesn't have to say anything, his hug tells me everything I need to know. 

"Am I getting a hug anytime soon?", Julian asks and we both break apart. I spread my arms wide and he steps into them and hugs me. Cole too joins and its like a small family reunion.

"I am going to tell the truth to everyone. They need to know the risks of being seen with me", I tell them and they look at me with an unreadable expression. I almost thought Cole was going to protest but his next words take me by surprise.

"You should. They all need to know everything. Do you want us to be there when you tell them?"

"I would like that", is all I can say.

"Lets get going then. Its the time for truth", Cole says and goes inside.

"What's happened to him?", I ask Julian, still staring at the door.

"I have no idea. I thought he might go against it and fight with you on this", he says, looking as dazed as I feel.

"Lets go inside. We have things to reveal", he nods and we finally enter the chaotic house which seems lively than never before.

"Lyd, I saved you and Julian two pieces of pizza", Blake says and hands us the slices in a plate.

After everyone is done eating we all sit in the living room, talking about anything and everything. Ashton and Cole sit beside me for emotional as well as physical support. I gather all the strength I could and clear my throat, evidently stopping all the conversations around me. Everyone looks at me and I feel slightly overwhelmed by all the attention but I clear my head and look at everyone.

"Guys, whatever I am going to tell you now, I just hope you will be open minded about it and process everything before reacting", I say this with a straight face and the humour from everyone's faces seems to have disappeared.

"Lyd, is something wrong?", Mia asks me. 

"First, let me start by telling you my real name. I am Allison Lanter", I confess and all the faces in front of me show different emotions. Some look confused, some think I am joking and some are absolutely lost.

"I will explain everything if you will allow me to", I say, giving them an out. I don't want to burden these amazing people with my baggage. No one says a word but I know them and I know that they want me to continue and so I do. I tell them everything, from how my parents were brutally murdered to Max being on the killing spree. Alex and Julian tell the part where they are still searching for him but to no avail. 

"You guys can take all the time you need. I understand that this is a lot to process. I-", before i could continue, Mia interrupts me.

"Why didn't you tell us before? You told Ashton but not us?! Why Lydia or should I say Allison? Didn't you trust us to be by your side?!", Mia asks while tears were running down her face at a very rapid speed. I couldn't help it and my tear glands too gave in.

"I am so sorry Mia. It's not that I didn't trust you guys, I just didn't want you guys to suffer because of me. As I told you, I had only three friends before and when I met you people, I just knew that I had to protect you from my dreadful past. I didn't want  my past to have any effect on my present. You guys are all that I have got and I didn't want anyone of you in the harm's way", I tell them. I pour all my emotions into it and that seems to break the spell. Everyone looks at me with pride and some amount of sympathy.

"Damn girl, you made me cry", Aaron says and they all get up and hug me. In that moment I knew that I did the right thing by coming out clean. They all deserved the truth and I know they are going to stand by me even though I wouldn't ask them too.

"I am so proud of you Allison. You have been through so much but yet you manage to smile everyday. If it was me, I wouldn't be able to get out of my bed", Violet says and hugs me again, tears streaming down her face. I hug her back and thank whatever the good spirits are up there for these people. I am not a believer in religion or God but today I am just grateful to Him. If my parents are up there somewhere watching over me, I know they would be happy that I have someone to turn to except Alex and Julian. 

"So who's up for some ice-cream?", Blake asks and the boys go into the kitchen to get bowls for all of us. The girls stay back. They both tell me how proud they are to have a friend like me and they will stand by me no matter what happens. 

Today, after a very long time, I feel like I belong here.

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A/N

I know its been a while since I updated and I am so sorry. 

I hope you all like this chapter. 

Let me know what you think in the comments and do tap on that little star in the corner.

Now, I need to get something of my chest, so here it goes. I am going to talk about the flood situation here in India. Our country is suffering alot because of the heavy rains and this OUR fault. Humans have become selfish than ever and this is just the karma hitting us hard. Today, people are suffering because of people who cut down many forests just to build a home for themselves. Many animals and people have died and are being carried away with the flow of the rivers. I just hope that this calamity calms down soon and the people and animals get saved. People who can help, I urge you to donate some blankets, food, to the respective organisations. Lets save our people from this disaster and help them build a life for them and their families.

Thank you so much my amazing readers for putting up with me. I love you guys!!!

See you soon!