warning: violence and abuse, I'm sorry. 

It had been days since my birthday party, but I was still in a slump. There was something about knowing the fact that Knox had potentially taken a side that wasn't mine that had me in a state of depression, quieter than usual and mostly just sulking. I could tell that the boys were beginning to worry, but I didn't know how to shake off my disappointment and sadness. Knox had been there for me my entire life, and suddenly, there was the possibility that he wouldn't be anymore, and I wasn't handling it the best.

I felt badly about how much I was worrying the boys, but I did my best to reassure them I was doing okay, even if it was a blatant lie. The only person I didn't even attempt to try to lie to was Owen; he could see through my lies no matter how well woven they may be. School dragged on, and my heart throbbed. I had taken to constantly checking my phone, waiting for any updates from anyone. I was at the point where I would even accept texts from Zain about Knox, but no one had anything for me.

A week later, and I was no better. Usually, the entirety of Friday's were spent planning what I was going to do with the boys that weekend, but instead, I was glued to my phone, having to be forced to eat. Considering it was the weekend, though, I tried to paste a smile on my face and listen to the plans for the next couple of days as Kota drove Nathan and I home.

The drive was taking longer than usual; a combination of traffic and the stops we made for groceries and other miscellaneous items being the main reasons for it. I squirmed in the backseat, eager to get out of the car. I loved spending time with the boys, but wasn't too fond of being cooped up in a car. The moment the car came to a stop, I was flying out of it, dragging my book bag behind me.

"Restless?" Nathan inquired with a grin, taking my bag from me. I nodded, squirming still, ready to go inside, change into pajamas, and watch Disney movies with the boys. He looked over his shoulder, waiting for Kota before opening the door and guiding me inside his house.

I was about to head down the hallway to Nathan's room, when Kota gently caught my hand, leading me towards the living room instead. I raised my eyebrows, confused, but he only shot me a smile and urged me into the living room. I turned my head, opening my mouth to ask Kota what was going on, but was startled when a chorus of voices called out "surprise!".

I jumped and turned to face all the boys that were standing in the living room. Tears formed in my eyes, blurring my sight and causing the boys to turn into big shapeless lumps of colors. I couldn't decide who to hug first, so I threw myself at the person nearest: Kota. I squeezed him as tightly as I could, sniffling. It was a bit troubling that I had been so out of it all week that they were able to plan a surprise party without my knowledge, but I couldn't really care much about that at the moment.

I pulled away from Kota then wiped at my eyes and my nose, my eyes scanning over all the boys. My heart swelled as I realized that amongst the boys was Axel, Raven, Marc, and the twins. A true smile formed on my face and my eyes kept darting around the room, unsure of where to rest on. There was too many cute decorations and beautiful beaming faces that it was hard to decide what to take in first.

I had the very sudden and real urge to smother them all in kisses and hugs.

"You guys did this for me?" I asked, my voice quiet and cracking on certain words, but full of undeniable awe and happiness. I held my hands to my heart, still blinking away tears, and unable to stop smiling.

"Of course we did, pumpkin!" Sean exclaimed, his charming smile causing me to go a little weak in the knees. An arm wound around my waist, and I shot a thankful smile towards Luke, who pulled me in tightly and pressed his cheek to my head. I inhaled deeply, enjoying his sugary vanilla scent.

"We hated seeing you so sad," Luke admitted to me, his lips pressed to my ear as he spoke. I shivered slightly and he nipped at my earlobe gently before continuing with what he was previously saying. "We all wanted to make you feel better somehow. And then Silas came up with this idea. He said that you deserved to experience a real birthday party for once."

I was trembling with excitement and my eyes had new tears forming, but I still met Silas's gaze from across the room. He smiled softly at me, waving hi. Without much thought or regard to anyone else in the room, I raced across the small space and attacked Silas with a hug. He lifted me off my feet and I wound my legs around his waist, hanging onto him for dear life.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!" I whispered to him, sure that I would never be able to properly express my love towards this group of boys.

"You're so welcome, Aggele Mou," he said, pulling back slightly, his lips tracing over my skin. I pressed the gentlest of kisses to his nose before settling back on my feet.

I set my eyes on the older boys of the group, raising my eyebrows and grinning. Axel spread his arms in a sort of "what can you do" kind of gesture and it had me giggling. I wrapped an arm around his waist, melting into his side for a small hug. He pressed a kiss to my head, rubbing my back gently, his lips moving up into a small smile.

"Would you mind relinquishing my girlfriend to me, please?" North asked, raising his eyebrows, his arms crossed over his chest. Axel's grip tightened on me for a brief moment, before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead and releasing me. My heart fluttered at his gesture and I was confused for all of a second, but then I was in North's arms, hugging him as tightly as I could. He chuckled, obviously enjoying the love and gratefulness I was trying to express.

I had to make rounds to hug everyone because if I didn't they would complain, but afterwards, we all settled down into the living room. I was given a large slice of cake, despite North's grumbling. Raven threatened to sit on him if he didn't allow me to eat as much as I wanted to, though, so he gave in. We watched movies and we talked and we laughed, and it was the first time I truly felt like myself in days. I leaned into Gabriel's side, smiling at the room of beaming boys.

My heart was so full that I nearly forgot about everything that had happened recently.

As I began to drift off to sleep that night, my ears full of the laughter of my favorite people, in the arms of one of those people, I knew I had found not only a home, but men who would love me unconditionally, like I loved them.

***

If the boys knew what I was doing, they would lose their shit. Mostly, I was surprised I hadn't lost my shit or had an anxiety attack yet. I stared at the large estate, regretting my decision, but knowing it needed to be done. Even if I wasn't going to live there again, I needed to check on my siblings and grab things from my room. I took a deep breath, shaking my head, and walked in through the front door, scanning the immediate area.

As far as I could tell, no one should be home. The only person who would even be there at the moment was Micah, and I had checked in with him before driving over. I had to mentally reassure myself that there would be no one there to to question me or harass me. I was safe, I told myself.

I had only made it to the foot of the stairs when her voice rang out, stilling my heart and causing the hairs on the back of my neck to raise.

"Sang Sorenson!" She screeched, her voice too high pitched for her to be sober. Fear seized my body and my hands shook as I turned to face her, putting on a brave face. "Where the hell have you been? Do you even know what the press has been saying about your party? God damn it. Come over here right now."

I had to force my feet to move, force myself to walk over to her and look her dead in the eye. She was holding a glass of wine in one hand, and with her free hand, she gripped my chin tightly, keeping me still so she could scan my face over. I couldn't tell you what she saw, but I did know that whatever it was, had her laughing hysterically. In fact, she laughed so hard that she dropped her glass of wine. I opened my mouth, prepared to ask her what was going on, but I never got the chance.

She gripped my shoulder so roughly that I cried out, and I didn't even have the time to protest before she was shoving me to my knees onto the floor. The glass shards bit into my legs and I bit my lip to keep from giving her the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Her nails dug into my shoulders as she leaned down, her breath stinking of alcohol and hatred.

"Bad children have to be reprimanded, Sang," she purred, sounding lovely despite her dark words. She was psychotic, absolutely and completey insane. Something had to have happened to have her reacting so violently at only the sight of me. "You will kneel here, or else you'll be in even more trouble."

I gritted my teeth, finding the strength and courage that the boys had given me when I met them. "No," I spat out, pushing myself to my feet, rounding on Lauren. My legs stung badly, but I ignored them at the moment, concentrating on the anger I was feeling. "No more. I'm a good child. I don't deserve this."

Her face contorted into undiluted rage. I stepped back, fear mingling with the anger now. I could handle her angry, and I could handle her drunk, but I couldn't handle her when she was both angry and drunk at the same time. She shoved at me hard and I stumbled backwards, attempting to avoid the glass while also trying to reach the door to escape safely. I had made a horrible mistake, and I realized that now.

"You don't know what it even means to be a good child!" She screamed, following me even as I began to back away faster. Her hand found the wine bottle she must have been drinking out of, and she flung it at me. I ducked, beginning to hyperventilate at the severity of this situation. "You sleep around and corrupt your siblings and lie! And yet everyone loves you. They're in love with the little girl of the Sorenson house, so innocent and so sweet. I don't understand it! Why can't they see that you're a mistake?"

I'd finally found the door, and I was sobbing. I turned and yanked open the door, but I was yanked back by my hair. I hissed in pain and scratched at her arms, trying to get her to release me. She shoved me to the floor again, her foot colliding with my face. I collapsed onto my side, breathing heavily and forcing myself to keep fighting though it would be so much easier to just take her punishement and sneak out later.

I began to sit up, but she pressed her foot against my chest, holding me down. She sneered at me, opening her mouth to probably keep spewing out lies, but I didn't let her. I grabbed her legs and yanked her down, then tore out of the house. I didn't dare risk looking behind me, my eyes remaining on my Mustang, my safe haven. I slid into it, not even bothering with a seat belt as I tore straight out of the driveway.

I began to dial numbers frantically, hoping that anyone, someone would pick up their phone. None of the boys answered and I was left sobbing, slamming at my steering wheel, swerving in and out of traffic. With no other place to go to, I found myself pulling into the Sergeant Jasper. I wiped at my face, probably smearing blood, but I didn't care. I needed a safe place with other people there. I could no longer be alone in fear of what would happen. There were too many deranged people who disliked me.

The receptionist was obviously concerned as I passed through the lobby, but I didn't care, I kept moving. I wouldn't stop moving until I was in the arms of someone I loved, someone that could protect me. When I reached the apartment door, I flashed back to knocking on it just a few weeks prior. I hadn't been such a mess then, I had only been craving the company of my closest friends.

I knocked hard and fast, looking around, on guard. There was no real reason to be afraid since I had left Lauren behind, but I was on edge and afraid still.

"Sang?" Brandon's voice was layered with both shock and anger, but mostly fear. "Sang? What happened?"

I fell into his arms, crying hard again. "Lauren was drunk and angry."

Brandon didn't say anything, though I knew he must have been furious. He sweeped me up bridal style and cradled me against his chest, carefully walking me over to the couch and resting me on it. He pushed my hair away from my face and held my hand tightly, crouching next to the couch, his eyebrows drawn together.

"It's going to be okay," he quietly promised me, squeezing my hand.

I nodded, because when he said, it made it seem true.

a/n: Because I value my life somewhat, I wrote this and edited it as fast as possible so I could give you lovely people a new update! I just started junior year so it'll be a bit difficult to keep this going but I'm trying. If y'all didn't know: I started a new fanfic about the boys in a Motorcycle Club and thanks to Kia, it's going to become a series. 

There's only about 13 or so chapters left after this, can you believe it??

xoxo,

ry.