Crys' POV

"Thank you so much for your call. I'm just happy to be able to put this all behind me." I breathe out to Officer Clarke. Relief floods my system making me visibly slump.

"You're welcome. I'm just glad to have him off the streets. If you need anything, please feel free to call. Goodbye Crystal." She replied, sounding relieved her self.

As I hung up, I flop back onto my bed and just stare at the ceiling. Not a second later, I'm grinning from ear to ear like an idiot.

It's been a month since that awful party and in that time I was a bit all over the place. I had my good days, but my bad days were a bit scary, even for me looking back.

Some days I would simply refuse to get out of bed while other days, my mood would bounce from happy to angry to anxious. Honestly, it was tiring and I hated the lack of control I had over myself.

Two weeks ago, Harv had apparently had enough and while I was having a good day, suggested we look into the counsellor idea I'd suggested.

My professor had offered so I decided to go talk to him and work out if I could book a session with him. He happily booked it and informed me it was no trouble because on his two days off he is the student counsellor.

My anxiety was through the roof the day of my session though. I actually thought I might be sick at one point. The idea of talking about any of the stuff that actually made or caused my nightmares, anxiety or mood swings terrified me.

My professor, also known as Bruce, really surprised me. He asked me to talk of those most important in my life, what I enjoy, and then what I was comfortable talking to him about.

I decided to tell him about the party, how it had terrified me to be so helpless in a situation like that and that I hated a part of myself for always feeling weak.

My entire body was shaking by the end with tear stained cheeks but I also felt some freedom from the turmoil within my head. He had also told me if our sessions can't help with the anxiety that I may have to consider a medication to help me. But apparently, we both prefer to avoid that.

Walking out, I was instantly greeted with the most claustrophobic hug you can imagine. I left with Bruce's words, "remember you're not alone" while he gestured to my brothers and Harv.

Now I'm starting to talk whenever my mind starts to feel cluttered. I'm still keeping a lot in, but I feel like I'm back to how I was before the party.

I also put in a formal request to Michael's prison to no longer be passed messages the exception of certain exceptions. I told them if I want to see that awful man, I will do it without the nagging.

After my phone call from Officer Clarke, I feel so free right now. The creep from the party, he was identified for the first time and arrested.

Breaking myself from my thoughts of the last month, I burst into laughter.

I feel free!

Jumping from my bed, I run to the lounge and plug my IPod in. I'm home alone and have too much energy pent up with this new found freedom. So I'm going to have a little me time fun, no, nothing naughty!

I blare my favourite playlist, best for happy moods. I smile the entire time while dancing and singing to song like Hooked on a Feeling and most of Queens songs.

Currently singing my heart out to Jimmy Eat World - The Middle, I'm jumping up and down singing at the top of my lungs. The release this gives me is beyond amazing!

It just takes some time,
Little girl, you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything, everything will be just fine,

Suddenly, unknown to me though, I had back up vocals.

Everything, everything will be alright, alright!

A few manly voices joined me, making me sequel and spin around. There at the front door stood the three men I live with, smiling with cheeky grins and giving me a round of applause.

"You pricks! You scared the shit out of me!" I yelled before I crack up laughing.

"Hmmm, we're sorry. We got done with classes earlier than expected. But it was a good show, Crys." James chuckled before hugging me tight.

"That's okay, as long as you were entertained." I laugh with him.

"So, how's your day been?" Harv asks before raiding the pantry for snacks.

"Good! I got a call off Officer Clarke, she said they just arrested that creep from the party!" I practically yell before jumping up and down again from joy.

All three faces turn to me in a second. "Really?" The twins say together.

I nod with a biggest smile. I still can't believe that they actually found him. It feels good to know that the others he attacked can maybe start healing too. I hope with all my heart that they can.

"How? When?" James asks.

"Turns out that I had scratched him pretty harshly. When I did my examination with the doctor, she found his DNA under my nails. This made finding his identity easier. He was arrested today!" I hug him tightly.

"That's great, sweetie."

"Jeremy, you okay sweety?" I ask after noticing how abnormally quiet he is. I walk over to him before pulling him to my room. It's not like him to be so quiet. "What's wrong?" I try again after sitting us on my bed.

"Nothing. Just tired." He says while forcing a smile.

"Don't bullshit me. Please. I'm here for you too." I plead. I hate that my brother's might not confide in me like they used to.

He's quiet for a minute before sighing and looking my way.

"Evan asked me on a date, for tonight." He whispers.

"That's great!" I announce happy for him until I notice his lack of joy. "Isn't it?"

"I haven't dated a guy yet, Crys. Sure, I've hooked up but it's never anything serious. I know I'm bi, but actually starting a relationship kind of scares the shit out of me." He whispers.

"I can't give relationship advice but I can tell you that it's clear as day that you and Evan really like each other. Sweety, sometimes giving into temptation is worth it. Go on a date and enjoy his company like you have been since you met." I tell him while holding his hand tightly.

"You don't think he's just messing with me, do you?" He asks lowly. I haven't seen this side to my brother for years, but since college he was confident with his sexuality. The vulnerability in his voice is sad to hear.

"No, sweetie. He likes you as much as you like him. And if he breaks your heart, I'll kick his arse for you." I say with a smile.

He lets out a small chuckle before hugging me close.

"Thanks, Crys." He takes in a deep breath before pulling back to look at me. "I'm so proud of you, you know?"

Well that was a bit unexpected.

"Mom and dad would be proud. Even after all the bullshit, you still watch out for us too. I love you, Crys." He says before hugging me again. This time I shed a tear at his words.

"Okay, enough sappy shit. You have a date to get ready for." I tell him while shoving us out of my room. We give each other a knowing smile before he goes to his room.

○●○●○●○●○●

An hour later and both twins are dressed in different clothes looking like they're both going on a date.

"I thought Jeremy was the only one who had a date?" Harv grins at James with a knowing look.

"Oh shut up. It's not a date." He defends.

"Wait, where are you going?" I ask realizing that James is looking dressed to impress.

"No where... " he says as he runs out the door.

"What the..? Seriously, where's he going?" I ask Jeremy who is fidgeting with his sleeves.

"He's hanging out with Scarlet. He was scared you'd be mad that he likes her." He grins at me.

"Gawd, he's an idiot. She's crushed on him for as long as I've known her." I crack up.

"Really?" He asks in disbelief.

"You two really are ignorant, aren't you?" Harv pipes in. "Both like the people that like you but don't see it."

"Shut up. This is different. I haven't had a date since high school and it didn't go well." He mumbled the last bit.

"Not everyone is as horrid as that prick. And like I said, if he breaks your heart I'll kick his arse." I tell him before hugging him tight.

There's a knock at the door and Jeremy tenses. Putting my hands on his face, I make him look at me.

"He likes you. Have fun." I whisper before shoving him towards the door.

Jeremy quickly straightened his shirt and took a visible breath. Opening the door, an almost equally nervous Evan was standing there. The moment they looked at each other though, you could see them checking each other out.

"U-Umm, you look handsome Jeremy." Evan stumbles out with a megawatt smile.

"Thanks. You too." Jeremy mumbles while rubbing the back of his neck.

They just stand there smiling at one another, lost in each other's gaze. That is until Harv loudly clears his throat.

"As much as we love watching you to give goo goo eyes to each other, don't you have a date together?" He cheeky buts in.

"Oh right. Yeah. Jeremy, you ready?" Evan asks quickly. He gets a nod in response before Jeremy grabs his keys and stuff.

"Look after my brother!" I yell as the door shuts.

Harv and I slump back down into the couch, tuning back into the Charmed reruns playing. When the episode's over, Harv turns to look at me.

"Why was he so nervous? He goes out all the time but never looked like that?"

"When we were in high school he started to date another guy, back when he first came out as bi. After about a week, the guy laughed in his face in the cafeteria and told him it was disgusting to think he'd actually be interested Jeremy." I tell him sadly.

That day I watched my goofy big brother break into a million pieces right in front of my eyes. He'd had a crush on that jock for months, it was the guy that made him realise he liked both men and women.

I've never kicked someone so hard between the legs before.

"He hid himself away after that. Then our parents were killed and he put dating aside completely. He hasn't dated anyone in college as far as I know but he'd had girlfriends before all that. But Evan is the first guy he's gone out with and I guess old anxiety came back to him." I answer thoughtfully.

"People are pricks. He can be a handful but he's the best friend you'll ever have too. I guess we'll just have to see how it goes." He mutters to himself at the end.

"Okay, let's put a movie on! Have a drink and eat some good food." He claps before making his way to the kitchen. I follow to grab the food while he gets out a six pack of Jack Daniel's.

"So, what are we watching?" I ask, once seated with enough food for a week.

"Pulp Fiction?" He offers.

"Okay." I jump up and put it on. Once I slump beside him on the couch we crack open our drinks and hit play.

"Wanna make a drinking game out of it?" He asks about 10 minutes into the movie.

"Sure. When do we drink?" I ask laughing at his random question.

"Have a sip every time someone says 'fuck' or 'motherfucker'." He chuckles with me.

"Are you bonkers?! We'll end up in the bloody hospital." I tell him cracking up.

"Take little sips and you can tap out. How's that?" He offers with a cheeky grin.

"Oh gawd. This is going to end horribly. Okay, let's do this..." I sigh before we start our little game.

Say 'what' again. Say 'what' again, I dare you, I double dare you motherfucker, say what one more Goddamn time!

Shit, definitely going to end up in the hospital.

Yes, you did. Yes, you did, Brett! You tried to fuck him.

No, no...

But Marcellus Wallace don't like to be fucked by anybody except Mrs. Wallace.

"We're going to need more than this six pack." Harv and I laugh when this scene ends.

What have I gotten myself into?

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Sorry for the delay!
I officially booked my wedding date this week!

Happy reading!

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