Crys' POV

I can do this. I did it just fine before, who cares that it's a new school. I have James and Jeremy if I need them. Plus Scarlet and Harv all go to the same college as well. You can do this Crys. Stand tall, be confident and just blend in.

After I give myself a pep talk, I turn to my wardrobe and dress in mid-thigh denim shorts, an off shoulder t-shirt and black converse. I put on some eyeliner and deodorant while leaving my hair down, before giving myself a once over in the mirror.

As good as it's going to get.

Walking out of my room, I go make myself a strong coffee and jam toast for breakfast. Sliding down into the dining chair, I get lost in my thoughts again. My nerves are going all over the place while I try to convince myself that I'll be fine.

I don't realise Harv has come in until he sits down at the table with his breakfast too.

"Hey Crys." He yawns out.

"Hey Harv, how are you going this morning?" I mumble, before taking a long sip of my life force.

"Getting there, slowly. Are you excited to start at a new school?"

"No, not really. But I'll survive." I say honestly, not meeting his eyes.

"Why'd you transfer anyway? Wouldn't it be easier to finish college before moving?" He asks with a wary look on his face when my head shoots up at his question.

I give him a humourless chuckle before shaking my head. "No, it wouldn't have been easier. Let's just say I needed a fresh start and my brothers." I say as I look back down at my coffee while hearing him hum.

I go into thought about him again. I'd be lying if I said I don't miss his good days. When he was sober and calm, we had some great times. They just didn't outweigh the bad times and I knew it wasn't healthy or safe to stay. But that didn't make it any less hard to do.

I do miss the company and comfort someone close to you offers though. I have the twins, but it isn't quite the same I guess.

Speaking of the twins, they finally stumble into the kitchen and join us for breakfast.

"I want another day off." James grumbles.

"I want another week off." Jeremy replies before they both bring their coffee cups to their mouths at the same time.

Harv and I share a glance before chuckling. We are pretty civil to each other now. Spending yesterday together watching movies helped us to ease up a lot. Plus I think I got a point in my favour when I told the cake... I mean Chloe to get lost.

When we are all finished eating, we gather what we need for the day before walking towards the college together. The twins ramble on about the friends they are going to introduce me to and how I'll be as loved as they are.

Yes, they were always this full of themselves.

I tense at the thought of it all, but I know it'll be good to meet new people. Harv seems to see my reaction and gently grabs my arm to slow my walking, while the twins walk ahead still rambling together.

"They're all nice people Crys. If you start to feel uncomfortable, your brothers are there and I'm happy to keep you company too if you need it." He says quietly while his hands are resting on my shoulders.

I give him a small smile and nod. "Thanks Harv." I realise it's a raspy and weak. Clearing my throat and repeating my pep talk, I look up at him and smile. "I'll be fine, really."

He gives me an unconvinced nod before we catch up with the twins. As we arrive at my new college, I take in the beauty it seems to hold. Green grass and trees for shade are around it, the building has beauty in it's design and age.

Once inside, we go our separate ways and head to our own classes. I generally just keep my head down while there and pay attention in my class. I like my teachers though, and they seem a lot better at their job than at my last college.

Afterwards, I walk towards the cafeteria for lunch and see Scarlet and a couple of other people. I hesitate for a moment, debating on how social I really want to be.

Before I get the chance to choose, Scarlet spots me and bounds over before hugging me. As I return her hug with a chuckle, she pulls away slightly to look at me properly.

"You can do this Crys." She tells me with a smile and it somehow convinces me.

After I nod with a small smile, she drags me over to meet them. As the girl and boy see us they break into a big smile.

"This lovely lady here is Darcy. Darcy, this is Crystal." Scarlet introduces.

Darcy has long blonde hair and bright green eyes. She looks kind of shy but gives me a smile and waves nonetheless.

"Hey. Just Crys is fine." I smile back.

"And this handsome devil is Evan."

Looking over at the rather stylish man next to Darcy, he's tall and lean with black hair and almost black eyes to match. He's definitely handsome.

"Nice to meet you Crys." He beams, before surprising me with hug.

"Oh! Nice to meet you too." I chuckle.

"So, how are you liking it here so far?" Evan asks with an arm draped over my shoulders. It makes me a little uncomfortable but he shows no bad intentions, so I leave it.

"Well so far it's pretty good. The college is amaz-" I'm cut off by Jeremy yelling.

"Crys!" He yells before James and Harv catch up to his jog.

"Hey Jeremy. Have you met Darcy and Evan?" I ask, knowing he's met Scarlet at work a few times.

"Umm, not officially. Seen them around though." He says while offering a bright smile.

As James and Harv reach us, I introduce everyone again. Heading towards a table, finally, we start eating and catching up on our first day.

I don't end up saying a lot but it feels relaxed with everyone here. They're all really nice and no one pushes about why I moved. Harv and Jeremy sit either side of me but I keep noticing Jeremy glancing over at Evan when he isn't looking, while Evan does the same to him.

Those of us that have classes, leave to finish our day. I actually really enjoyed myself and a lot of the fear I had left pretty quickly. I hate how much I overthink situations at times.

When I'm done for the day, I walk home to have my time alone. It's relaxing and I'm glad for the time to myself, living with 3 men can be suffocating on occasion.

○●○●○●○●○●○●

After a week of us getting used to college, assignments, and work, we fall into a bit of routine. We learn each other schedules and it allows us all to know when we each get time to ourselves.

I remember the boys saying they had work or something so they won't be home for a while. Welcoming the thought of peace, I decide to have a bath and put some music on.

Humming lightly along to the music, I relax into the warm bubbles and sing to the songs on my playlist. Annoyingly once I'm out of the tub, I realise I didn't get any clothes. Shrugging, I walk out of the bathroom in my towel and walk into my room.

Thank gawd no one's home!

When I have my bra, panties and shorts on, my phone starts to ring. Not knowing the number, I hesitate before answering. I slowly bring the phone to my ear before hearing a familiar man's voice greet me.

"Hello Miss Rossi?" He greets as I let out a nervous breath of relief.

"Hello Mr Smith. Umm, what can I do for you?" I ask while gnawing my thumb nail.

"Well, I'm calling on behalf of Mr Phillips. He has requested to see you." He says clearly unsure of my reaction.

"I'm not seeing him, sir." I say trying to stop the tremble in my voice.

"I know you don't want to. But I must pass the message on. He wants to make things right. I won't push you Crys, I'm simply playing messenger." He says kindly.

"I'm not giving him a second of my time. I'm moving forward and I'd like to stay on that path. Seeing him won't help me do that." I explain with partial honesty.

"I understand. If you change your mind, just give me a call. Call if you need anything at all, you know I'm here." He says before we say our goodbyes.

I slide down the wall when the call disconnects. I can never see that man again, he's done too much for me to ever be able to stomach the sight of him.

I don't know how long I'm sitting on the floor half dressed, staring at my blank phone. I zone out thinking about the phone call and the sad excuse for a human being that wants me to see him willingly.

"-ys?" I faintly hear.

"Crystal?!" Jeremy's voice suddenly brings me back to reality, snapping my head towards the bedroom door. "You ok, baby girl?" He asks when he sees something's off.

I simply shake my head and that's all he needs to join me on the floor. Wrapping an arm around my shoulder, he pulls me to him and kisses my head.

"What happened? You seemed okay earlier?" He eventually asks me gently, almost like he's scared to startle me.

"Hey Jeremy, where you at?" James voices floods the apartment.

He walks in moments later, spotting us on the floor. Without questions, he walks to my other side and sits next to me and entwines our fingers.

"Mr Smith called." I say quietly, struggling to sound normal.

That's all they needed to hear before sitting up to look at me properly. Curiosity and concern etched on their faces.

"Mr Smith said he wants me to visit him. Apparently he wants to make things right..." I chuckle sadly.

"Are you going to?" James asks cautiously.

I stand up a bit, shocked he thinks I would consider it. Realising my bra is still showing, I quickly put on a singlet. I start pacing the room as my brain starts to go into overdrive.

"Of course I'm not going to. How can you even ask that?! He ruined everything, took so fucking much. Who does he think he is to even ask such a ridiculous thing?" I rant. The more I say it out loud, the angrier I get at it all.

"Crys calm down. We don't want you to either. It was just a question." James says with his hands up in surrender.

"Hey guys... Everything okay?" Harv appears out of nowhere. I mustn't have heard him come in with my rant.

"Yeah, we're just discussing-" James starts.

"Non dire niente, James." I warn seriously. (Don't say a thing, James)

He looks at me surprised at first, it's been so long since we spoke Italian. He sighs and walks over to me while Harv just looks lost about what's going on.

"Mi dispiace, Crys. Cosa succede se lo manteniamo semplice." He says, knowing he's asking a lot. But he's right, this isn't just about me. (I am sorry, Crys. What if we keep it simple.)

I look over to a guilty looking Jeremy for back up. I know part of this situation is their problem too.

"Penso che dovremmo dirglielo." Jeremy replies quietly, before we look over at Harv. (I think we should tell him.)

"Fine... tell him." I sigh before sitting on my bed.

"Remember us telling you our parents passed away?" James asks knowingly. Harv simply nods before eyeing me for a second.

"They were killed by our uncle. And he's asked Crys to visit him at the prison today." Jeremy explains leaving most details out, thank gawd.

Harv looks over at me but I'm relieved to only see concern and not pity. He seems to understand my yelling earlier now that the reason is out there.

"Well just stand your ground. At least he can't come to you." He says trying to lighten the mood a bit. He succeeds for a moment.

I ask them to give me time to myself and I'm relieved they don't pester me.

I lay in bed and force my thoughts away from the horrible man and his lifelong consequences.

I think of our parents, how much I miss them and what I would give for even a moment with them again.

How could he destroy our family...

I know tears are streaming down my face as I remember the good times with them. He's taken away so much more than just our parents, but they are the one thing taken that I can never get back.

Eventually I cry myself to sleep from the exhaustion.

Why can't he leave me alone?

☆☆☆☆☆☆
Translation from Google translate. I'm sorry if it's inaccurate.

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Edited 20/06/2018  

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