August 6th, 1996

Addison grabbed her backpack, frantically throwing everything she could inside.

Ten minutes. All she had was ten minutes.

She could feel the sweat on her forehead and the pounding in her chest.

She kept looking over her shoulder as if they would be there, standing in the doorway, ready. It was unrealistic but six years of abuse drives an unrealistic fear into a person that's almost impossible to escape.

Once her bag was packed she threw it over her shoulder before dropping to the floor. She started lacing up her boots, her hands were shaking so hard she dropped the laces several times before regripping them and starting again.

Addison heard a bang from downstairs and was up in a flash. She scrambled to grab the screwdriver she managed to steal and wrench between her mattress and floor.

Footsteps. She could hear footsteps on the hardwood floor in the living room.

She jammed the screwdriver between the wooden window frame and sill, shoving it as hard as she could. Her window was secured shut, just like the doors in the house, it hadn't been opened in over ten years. That would change today.

She felt the panic rising in her throat as the window wouldn't budge. Hot tears pricked at her eyes as she slammed it harder and harder. She had to get out. If she didn't leave now, she wouldn't live to see tomorrow.

A loud snap sounded, she almost cried out in excitement. The wood has splintered, meaning it was working. She rammed the screwdriver into a new spot, feeling sweet relief when it was easier that time.

"Addison!" A voice roared from downstairs. "That noise better not be coming from you!"

There was the panic again. She stepped back, ramming her boot into the hilt of the screw driver. She winced slightly at the noise but quickly regained herself and yanked the driver out. She grabbed the splintered wood, yanking it up with all the strength she had.

"Yes!" She cried out as the window slammed up.

"ADDISON! What the fuck are you doing up there?!"

Addison held up her middle finger in the direction of her bedroom door frame. There wasn't actually a door due to it being removed years ago.

She hopped out the window, ignoring the slivers in her hands. A piece of wood in her hand was nothing compared to what they did to her.

She climbed down the ladder her father stupidly left there after he was done painting the shutters. He gave her the perfect escape.

As soon as her boots hit the grass she took off, the shouts from her old bedroom getting quieter with every step. She threw her arms out as she grinned and the wind whipped through her hair. She did it. She really did it. She was out, she was free, she never had to go back there again.

She didn't stop moving until she got to the abandoned apartment at the end of Braller street.

Addison wasn't running away as an act of "teenage rebellion". No, Addison was running away to survive.

July 13th, 2002

"I swear to god Thomas if you touch me one more tim-"

"I'm not even touching you!" Thomas shouted back at the blonde girl who was giving him her best scowl.

"Touch me instead." Newt grinned as he made grabby hands at his boyfriend who happily settled between his legs.

Minho dramatically gagged which caused both boys to roll their eyes.

"Can I go back to my own room now?" Kis asked as she rested her head in her hands.

"No!" El pouted as she looked at her friend. "We're gonna play truth or dare."

"What are we, eight years old?" Kis groaned.

"It's fun you boring piece of trash," Thomas said as he threw a pretzel at her.

Kis scowled again as she swatted the pretzel out of the air.

Maybe one day a year ago the girl's constant terrible mood and resting bitch face would have offset Thomas, but by now any fear that Thomas once had of Kis was gone.

"Fine. Whatever."

El smiled as she tapped her leg. "I promise we'll go to that place you like this week and get that weird drink you're obsessed with."

Kis' eyes lit up slightly. "McDonalds?"

"Yes, we'll go to McDonalds."

Newt laughed. "You really can get her to do anything when you promise frappès."

"It's my secret to controlling her." El grinned as she met Newt's fist in a fist bump.

"You all fucking suck."

"Okay!" Minho said loudly as he clasped his hands together. "Let's get this thing started...El truth or dare?"

She pursed her lips, thinking for a moment. "Hmm, dare."

Minho made some weird hooting noise before motioning to Newt and Thomas. "I dare you to put some sort of weird power wall between them so we don't have to watch them make out the whole game."

El lightly rolled her eyes before motioning for Newt and Thomas to separate. The boys grudgingly did, frowns on their faces.

El flicked her wrist, causing a blockage of tangled vines and stone to erect between the two boys.

Minho looked at it before grinning at El. "That was hot."

A collective groan sounded from the group.

"And he says we're bad!" Newt snapped as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Alright El, just go before someone kills someone else," Thomas said as he leaned his head against the weird wall.

"Okay." El looked around the group, grinning when she landed on Thomas. "Alright Thomas, truth or dare?"

"Uhhh truth."

"If you switched powers with Newt what would you do with it?"

"Honestly? Probably just hang out in his room and watch him change without him knowing it."

Newt snorted out a laugh. "Tommy what the fuck?"

Thomas shrugged. "I like looking at you and you don't look bad naked at all."

Minho glanced at El as he shook his head. "I said anti-gay wall babe, it doesn't seem to be working."

El made a face as she looked down at her hands. "I don't think that's considered an element."

Kis rolled her eyes as she dug her hands into the box of cheez-it's in her lap. "Thomas go before I lose my mind."

"Fine fine." He drummed his fingers on his chin before grinning at the cranky blonde girl.

"Alright Kis, truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"She's gonna pick truth every time," El said as she pulled a hoodie over her head, it was too big on her which just made her look small. "She doesn't like to move."

Kis rolled her eyes. "Fuck off El. Thomas ask your stupid question."

"Alright...are you into anyone?"

Kis tried her best to keep her face neutral. Inside, she was freaking out. Of course that's what he'd ask. Out of everything his fucked up brain could have dreamed up, this is what he picked.

Kis brought up her shoulders briefly before dropping them back in some sort of half shrug.

"Does that mean yes?!" Thomas asked excitedly as he sat up straighter.

"El get rid of this wall! I need to see!" Newt shouted as he stood up and tried to see over it.

El laughed and with a flick of her wrist it was gone.

"Who is it?!" Newt asked as he practically fell over Thomas' lap.

"Do you know?" Minho asked as he leaned closer to El.

"No! Why would you think I know?" She asked as she swatted Minho away.

"Because you guys are joined at the hip!" Newt practically screamed. "The only time that girl is ever nice is when it's towards you!"

Kis scowled as she kicked Newt from where she was sitting. "Fuck you guys. You only get one question in this stupid game."

"Forget the game!" Thomas exclaimed as he practically threw his hands up in the air. "This is way more entertaining."

"Too bad that you'll never know."

"Come on Kis!" El pleaded as she clasped her hands together in some sort of odd begging motion.

Kis snapped her fingers and she was gone, appearing a second later, laying across Thomas' bed. "I'm done playing."

"I always forget she can do that stupid shadow travel thing." Minho shook his head as he flopped across El's lap.

"Well we can keep playing if you guys want," Newt said from his spot on the floor.

Thomas' room became their main hangout spot for some reason. It was the biggest, well next to Newt's but if anyone who wasn't Thomas stepped foot in there they'd probably never walk out again.

The five had become such a tight pair since the war. Minho finally accepted a place on the X-Men two months ago which was convenient because they got on the same training schedule.

"I don't wanna play anymore!" Thomas pouted as he pressed his face into Newt's neck. "I wanna find out who Kis is in love with."

Kis held out her middle finger from her spot on the bed which made everyone break out into a fit of laughter.

"I didn't know she was capable of such an emotion." Minho teased as El shot him a look.

"You guys, stop."

"She knows where just messing around." Newt craned his neck back to look at the girl. "Right?"

Kis threw a handful of cheez-it's at his face.

July 15th, 2002

11:34am

Thomas jumped, letting out a small (totally manly) scream as Newt appeared in front of him.

Newt was laughing so hard he had his arm over his stomach and he was completely bent over.

"That gets funnier every time."

"No it doesn't!" Thomas snapped as he pushed Newt which just made him laugh harder.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Newt wheezed as he cradled Thomas' face in his hands and pressed soft kisses to his lips. "I suck, I'm sorry."

Thomas pouted when Newt pulled his mouth away. "I didn't say that you could stop kissing me."

Newt rolled his eyes but pressed another kiss to his lips anyways. He patted Thomas cheek before threading their fingers together. "So why were you by my room?"

"I was coming to talk about the thing idiot."

"The thing?" Newt cocked his head before his eyes widened. "Ohhh wait the thing."

"Yes idiot. Now come on."

"I don't understand why we have to keep calling it the thing-" Thomas cut Newt off as he dragged him roughly down the hall.

Thomas burst into the library with Newt in tow.

"I got him!" Thomas whisper yelled as he pulled him over to the table where Minho and El were already sitting.

"We didn't have to make this into a whole meeting," Minho said as Thomas pushed Newt down into the chair.

"Yes we do!" Thomas snapped as he sat down on Newt's lap.

"There's an empty chair right there." Minho shook his head as he motioned to the vacant wooden seat. "Literally right there, there's no need to be on top of him."

"Yeah but he's cute." Thomas smiled as he caressed Newt's cheek. "Wooden chairs aren't cute."

Minho looked at El and shook his head. "If we ever act like them let's agree to set ourselves on fire."

"They're cute." El lightly shoved his shoulder before she pulled a wrinkled paper out of her pocket.

Thomas' eyes widened. "You brought the stuff!"

"If by stuff you mean a blank piece of paper then yeah!"

Thomas grinned as he pulled the pen out of the pocket in Newt's shirt. "Okay guys, this is probably the most important mission we will ever do as X-Men."

Thomas clicked the pen open, his tongue poking out of his lips as he scribbled words across the page. When he was done he grinned and turned it around.

Possible People Kis Could Be Into

"This is when shit gets real."

July 15th, 2002

10:17pm

"I can't do four people! I only have two hands!" Newt hissed as everyone fought over who could be invisible in the car ride.

"I got caught last week!" Minho whined as Thomas rolled his eyes.

"And what was your punishment? No bacon at breakfast for two weeks? He's my boyfriend I wanna hold his hand."

"You hold his hand all the time!" Minho snapped.

"That's a terrible argument!" Thomas shouted back.

Kis and El exchanged a look of pure pity before looking at Newt.

Newt made a face and threw his hands up in the air. "This is insanity. Tommy, come on, I'm taking you and El."

"Great he not only rejects me but he also tries to steal my girlfriend," Minho muttered which just made Kis roll her eyes.

"Yup," Newt said as he hooked his arm around El's waist. "I'm suddenly into girls." Newt tried to keep a straight face as he looked at her chest. "Yay boobs."

"We're friends with children," El whispered to Kis who laughed.

"This is technically your fault!" Minho exclaimed as he turned to his girlfriend.

"What? How?"

"You promised the she-demon McDoanlds."

"Can we just go so we can get home before one in the morning?!" Thomas snapped as he took his boyfriend's hand.

"Agreed. Everyone to the car!" Minho exclaimed as they piled into the small car they totally didn't steal.

"Wait who said Minho could drive?" Newt asked as he sat in the back in between Thomas and El.

"I did since you didn't wanna hold my hand bitch." Minho shot back as he turned the key in the ignition and turned the car on.

Kis leaned her head against the window, watching the road fly by. It felt oddly empty in the car with the three invisible in the backseat.

"You okay?" Minho asked as he pulled out of the back driveway.

"Are you asking me?" Kis asked after a moment.

"Yeah."

"I'm fin-" Kis cut off as Minho swerved the car, earning a chorus of honks from the people behind him.

"Sorry guys," Minho said sheepishly as he straightened out the wheel.

"We're all gonna die," Newt muttered from the backseat.

"Okay all of you shut up, I'm done hearing you talk." Minho spat as he cranked the volume on the radio.

"I love this song!" Thomas grinned as he let go of Newt's hand and appeared in the back seat.

"I've never heard this before!" Minho shouted over the music.

"It's Dreaming by Smallpools!" Kis said as she turned it up more.

"This is my favorite song!" El yelled as she let go of Newt's hand too. They were far enough away from the school. It was fine to be seen.

Thomas started singing horribly and loudly. Newt was trying to stifle his laughs, as Thomas air drummed next to him.

Minho started tapping on the steering wheel.

El was copying Thomas' air drumming as they sang along.

Kis just shook her head at them.

The thing was, even though the music was blaring and everyone was horribly singing, the unspoken message could be heard by all of them.

Family. This is what family was like.

10:39pm

"Okay so now that we're all here." Thomas cleared his throat as he put his box of nuggets down. "We need to discuss a serious topic."

El cocked her head as she sipped her milkshake, asking a silent 'what?'.

They were crowded around the smallest table in the McDonalds lobby, boxes of nuggets piled in the middle of them.

Kis was sitting, silently drinking her weird coffee drink that she was obsessed with.

"What kind of serious topic? If it starts with a W and ambushed the school last year, I don't wanna hear about it," Minho said as he shoved a BBQ sauce covered nugget in his mouth.

"No it's not about that." Thomas pulled a wrinkled piece of paper out of his pocket before smoothening it out on the table.

"Oh my god."

"Okay so Kis, we made a list of about twenty possible people you could be into to."

She made a face and snatched the list, scoffing when she stopped on a name. "Thomas, why are you on this list?"

"Minho is too!"

"What the fuck guys? Why would I be into either of you?"

"Minho said he was too hot to not be on the list, Thomas said if Minho was on it he had to be on it too."

Kis crumbled the list in her hand and threw it behind her.

"Hey!" Newt shouted. "That took us like an hour to make! You didn't even read the whole thing!"

"I don't get why you won't tell us." El pouted as she looked at her blonde friend.

"Because you all need to stop being so concerned with my life."

"Well we tried," Newt sighed as he leaned his head on Thomas' shoulder.

"Did you guys hear they picked up some new kids yesterday?" Minho asked as he tried to sneak a nugget out of El's box.

"How many?"

"I can't really remember," Minho said. "I overheard Hanky talkin about it."

Newt snorted slightly. "Fuckin Hank."

"I don't know why you guys hate him so much, he's nice." Thomas frowned.

"We don't hate him, he's just odd."

"I like Hank," El said as Newt rolled his eyes.

"You only like him because he likes you and everyone likes you El."

"You're kinda rude to him Newt."

Newt grinned. "Because he's so fun to pick on."

"He's gonna make your suit malfunction in training," Thomas laughed as Newt clamped his hand over his mouth.

"Tommy you're only allowed to speak when you're agreeing with...OW! Motherfucker bit my hand!"

Minho rolled his eyes. "Please, you like it when he bites you."

"Yeah my neck maybe but not my fucking hand!" Newt glared at Thomas who was holding back laughs.

Kis made a loud slurping sound with her straw, frowning into the drink when she realized it was empty.

"You guys ready to go back?" El asked as she yawned and pulled her pink hoodie hood over her head.

Nods went around, everyone grabbing handfuls of garbage and stuffing it into the trash can.

Newt took Thomas' hand as they walked out. Minho took El's and Kis walked behind them, her hands in her sweatshirt pockets.

Yup, that's why I won't tell you who I'm into El. Kis thought as she watched the buff boy swing their conjoined hands. It's because I'm fucking in love with you.