Crys' POV

I swear I'm going to kill James and Jeremy. All morning they have been trying to get me to explain what really happened that day on the stairs but I refuse to tell them.

I never really would go into more detail than needed, with the exception of Michael's trial. It breaks their hearts to hear it and while they don't mind, I do.

Right now I'm watching Final Destination, hoping they'll shut up long enough for me to relax. I love them but when they team up, they are out right intolerable to be around.

"Please, Crys. We just want to help." James attempts.

"I don't need help and you don't need the unnecessary worry." I remind him.

"How's it unnecessary?" Jeremy pouts.

"Because! It happened years ago and he's behind bars. What good would come from you knowing more?" I explain, feeling my frustrations rising.

"Because we care." They say together, looking like scolded children.

"Look, I know you do. And I love you so much for it. But I don't want to keep bringing up a past I'm trying to move forward from. Please just let this go." I plead.

I watch them give up with a sigh before making their way to the kitchen. Not even a minute later, a large hand goes over my mouth. I'm about to scream when Harv's head pops into view.

My brows crease in confusion before he puts his finger to his mouth. After nodding slowly, he removes his hand.

"Come with me." He whispers.

"Where are we going?" I whisper back with a chuckle, while we sneak over to the door on our hands and knees.

Once the door clicks quietly shut, we run to the elevator and hit ground floor. The ride down is peaceful and I take the moment to close my eyes and enjoy the silence.

"Where are you taking me?" I chuckle, thinking of our escape.

"A park. I was going insane with their nagging, I figured you were too." He sighed while rubbing his face.

"Yeah, that's an understatement. I get they're worried but they go into over kill protective mode when they find these things out." I explain with a sigh as we make out way to this park.

"Yeah, they kind of said you've had a lot of bullshit happen. I didn't think I should pry though." He eyes me warily, like I might lose my shit.

We take a seat at the top of a grassy hill that looks over the park. It's so peaceful that I just lay back and enjoy the sun rays on my face and the sound of birds talking to each other. I suspect this is where I'll come when I need to get away from it all.

"When I got here, I had just run away from my ex." I explain with a shuddering breath. "The night I arrived, the twins could see I had a split lip and a black eye. They couldn't see the bruises on my arms and stomach though." I whisper to him, wanting to have him understand at least some of this.

"He sounds like a total bastard. Why wouldn't you tell your brothers though? Surely they'd go kick his arse." He asks like it's the most obvious thing ever. Not that I blame him, most don't understand.

"I don't tell them because they look at me like I'm fragile as it is. I know they'd kick his arse but he is obsessive and if he knew where I was he'd just come get me. I tried to leave before and he found me every time. I just never want to see him again." I explain as I sit up and pull my knees to my chest, resting my chin on them.

"Yeah, I imagine they'd have you attached to their hips if you explained how bad you really were." He gives a sad smile but he seems off in his thoughts.

"You know you can talk to me about anything right? I won't tell them if you don't want them to know either." He says as he grabs my hand for a moment.

"Thanks Harv." I smile. "I appreciate that." I tell him truthfully.

All I want is to be happy and move forward with my life. Michael spent years making sure I knew he hated me. And Travis went from being a loving partner to a drunk with anger problems. I know I don't deserve what they gave me, so I'm doing whatever I can to be happy and enjoy life.

The people in my life now, make me so happy that I feel like everything is falling into place.

My brother's are the best thing I could ever have in my life, even with their annoying tendencies.

Harv has been so much more than I could ask, between being supportive to making me laugh when I'm feeling down. He really was an unexpected friend.

Scarlet has been such a great friend and while she doesn't know what happened, she knows I get anxiety at times. I really can't say how grateful I am to have a friend like her.

Even with the phone calls about Michael, I'm still happy with my life right now.

"Do you think I should see him?" I ask after my thoughts go to Michael.

"Well, I think if you have questions that it's a good time to ask them. Plus he must want to see you now for a reason. But are you sure you'd be okay?" He asks while gauging my reaction.

I really don't know if I'd be okay afterwards, but part of me needs to know what he wants too. Maybe if someone comes with me, I'll be okay.

"I really don't know." I sigh while closing my eyes again.

"Tell me something about yourself." He says after a while of silence.

"Umm. I'm pretty sure I just did." I say confused.

"No. Not like that. Something about you that makes you happy."

"Oh. Err, I like to sing. Which you probably know already." I chuckle.

"That I do. How come though?" He asks.

"Well it's a great way to drown the world out, I guess. I feel free when I'm lost in the lyrics of a song."

"Is that what you're going to do after you graduate? Become a singer?" He turns to face me.

"Goodness no! I can't imagine doing it for more than enjoyment." I giggle. "I want to help people who have survived traumatic life experiences, mostly kids and teenagers though." I decide to tell him. I normally get odd looks when I tell people that's my dream career.

"That sounds good. At least you understand what it's like on the other side, for some anyway."

"What about you, Harv? What are you hoping to do?" I turn to face him as well.

"Well, I actually want to be a physical therapist." He says before laying on his back to look at the sky.

"How come? If you don't mind my asking." I can't help but be curious.

"My dad, he served our country but lost half his leg in the process. It took work but he got a prosthetic and learnt to live fairly normally again because of it. His physical therapist was patient and caring, which made the whole process better for him. I want to help others like my dad, so they get the most out of life." He says with a small smile on his face.

"Wow. That's really amazing Harv." I tell him truthfully.

We end up just laying in the sun, enjoying the sounds of nature. Harv is one of the only people I can be around and not feel the need to fill it with conversation.

○●○●○●○●○●

When the sun starts to set, Harv and I decide we better head back to the apartment.

After checking our phones to see ten missed called from James and Jeremy, we decide to pick up some Chinese food on our way back as a peace offering.

After placing our order, I tell Harv I'm going around the corner to call Jeremy and let him know about dinner. I'd call James but I don't want to be scolded.

"Crys? Where the hell are you?" Jeremy's worried voice fills the phone.

"Hey. Harv and I just went out for some fresh air."

"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to pester you. I just wish you felt like you could tell us." He sighs into the phone. "But you're okay, right?"

"I'm good. Harv and I are just getting Chinese for dinner, we'll be back soon." I explain before saying goodbye.

As I walk back to the front of the Chinese restaurant, I see Harv talking to someone just out the front of it. After getting closer, I see it's Chloe and by the look on his face, she isn't wanted.

"Harvey, just let me explain! You won't even answer my calls and your roommates don't let me see you." She pleads to him.

"What's left to explain? You cheat on me after years of being together, with him of all people!" He says, clearly frustrated.

"It was a mistake! I'm so sorry baby. It'll never happen again, if you can just give me another chance! Please Harvey" she begs. I almost feel sorry for her, if she wasn't such a bitch.

"A mistake?" He chuckles at her sadly. "How can I ever trust you again, Chloe? Of all the people you could fuck behind my back, it had to be Parker?!" He almost yells, getting a few looks off people in the restaurant.

"Miss, here's your food." A man approaches with our food in bags.

"Thank you." I smile before taking a deep breath.

Leaving the Chinese restaurant, I walk towards where Harv is massaging his temples and Chloe has tears threatening to fall.

"Umm, Harv? Food's ready." I say cautiously.

He looks over to me, and all I can see is pain in his eyes. He simply nods before putting an hand on the middle of my back and guiding me towards the apartment.

"Harvey! We're not done here!" She shrieks as she stomps her foot.

"Yeah, we are Chloe. Don't bother contacting me again." He says calmly before turning and continuing our walk home.

When we get to the lobby of our building, I pull Harv to the side where a couple of couches are. He's been silent the entire walk back and I want to at least know he's alright.

"Did you want to talk about it before we go up?" I ask quietly.

"What's there to talk about? I'm guessing you heard it all." He mutters. I simply nod, not sure if I should be pushy or leave him alone.

"I found out at the end of break that Parker and Chloe were fucking behind my back. I expected this shit from him, but Chloe knew what he was like to me, I guess I just thought she was better than that. That's why I was a prick when I first came back too." He said before running his hand through his hair.

"Harv, I'm sorry. She's a fucking idiot, really." I say sternly, earning a chuckle from him. "If you ever need anything, you know I'm here, right?" I remind him as he did to me.

"Yeah, thanks Crys." He says with a small smile.

"Well come on! Let's face the wrath that is the twins." I jump up before grabbing his hand to lead him to the elevator.

"Wait, why will we be facing their wrath?" He asks looking genuinely nervous.

"Because we ignored them when they wanted to nag me. Plus we've kept them waiting for food, and you never make them wait for food." I chuckle.

"Yeah, that's true. Did you know Jeremy ate my apple pie when I took too long getting us McDonald's once? Said it was tax for taking too long." He tells me with disbelief of his face.

"Yeah that doesn't surprise me. That's why I got an extra bag of prawn crackers." I smile at him as the elevator doors open.

"Please tell me all your secrets." He begs behind me as we go into the apartment.

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Edited 03/07/2018

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