Crys' POV

As great as it was spending time with Harv's family, it's kind of nice to be back at home. I always miss my own bed when going away, there's just something about it being your own that makes it better. 

The twins have told us that we have to go to this over the top New Year party tonight, so Harv and I are just laying in bed watching Netflix on my laptop. Though I think he's on the verge of falling asleep by the look of his drooping eyelids. 

He really had a blast being home for Christmas, I think seeing his family did him a world of good. Watching as his eyes finally flutter shut, I enjoy the relaxed look that takes over his handsome features for a brief moment before turning my attention back to the movie. We settled on Pirates of the Caribbean, since it's apparently a favourite for both of us. 

Just at the part where Jack, Will, and Norrington are on the wheel, sword fighting, my phone starts vibrating in my pocket. Pulling it out slowly, I see it's an unknown number calling me. After a short debate about whether I should answer it or not, I decide on ignoring it since if it was any of my old friends, they'd message first. If it's anyone important, they'll leave a voicemail anyway.

Watching the rest of the movie cuddled into Harv's side, I slowly start to drift off. My slumber has been utterly peaceful since I started sleeping next to Harv, the safety his presence seems to provide makes it all the better. We tend to spend half an hour almost every night just talking about random gibberish before falling asleep, and I think that helps too, letting my mind drift to happier things before the memories get a chance to invade my mind. 

My phone vibrating shakes me out of my slumber, making that horrible noise as it drifts across the bedside table. Grabbing it as quickly as I can, hoping not to wake Harv before he's feeling rested, I answering quickly.

"Hello?" Saying, realising I never checked the I.D. beforehand.

"Hey Crissy, how you doin'?" The familiar voice casually asks through the phone.

My world feels like it's shattered right there and then at the sound of his voice, this can't be happening. How is he contacting me, and what does he want? Can I not just be left alone to feel happiness for a little while?

"What do you want?" I ask, hoping to sound as unaffected as I'm pretending to be.

"That hurts, but I guess I do deserve that. I just want to talk to you." He says, his voice a bit different from the last time I heard it. 

"I have nothing to say to you." I deadpan, meaning every word.

"Then can you just listen? Please, I just want to talk to you for a few minutes. I want to make things right." He almost sounds like he's pleading through the phone, though I know that can't be right.

"No, you lost the right to ask anything of me the day I walked out of that apartment! Which by the way, I had a black eye, cracked ribs, and a split lip while doing so. For all I care you could drop dead Travis! Goodbye." I seethe out into the phone, hanging up and throwing in onto the bed.

Pulling my knees up towards my chest, I bury my face onto my hands trying not to cry as I rest on my knees. I feel like I have to be on the run again now, though I have nowhere else I can go. This was my only stop for safety, and now I wonder if it's still the sanctuary I thought it was. He only got my number though, that doesn't mean he knows where I am. Perhaps I'm not as unlucky as I thought I was.

"Hey babe, what's the matter?" Harv's soothing voice asks, as he wraps his arms around my now trembling form. I don't say anything before throwing myself into his embrace, crying all the pent up tears that I tried so hard to hold in. "What happened Crys? Did you have a nightmare again?"

Shaking my head 'no' at him, I take a minute to try and get myself under control. It takes longer than I care to admit, but I'm feeling so freaked out at the moment.

"He called me." Was all I got out before Harv's face turned to anger.

"How the fuck has a prison not gotten onto their staff yet?" He starts to rant, leaving me confused for a moment before realising who he thinks called.

I really do attract a lot of bad attention, don't I?

"No, no. Not him... Travis just called me." I say quietly, realisation showing the moment he remembers who the name belongs to.

"Shit, are you okay? What did he want? How did he get your number?" He fires question after question at me so fast, I can't help but chuckle a little at him. 

"I don't know how he got my number, but it has to be from one of my old friends. I never even gave my college my new number." I say, voicing the sad thoughts that have floated through my mind. "He said he just wanted to talk, but I just wanted to get off the phone as soon as possible. He did sound different, but I never know if that's a good thing or a bad thing." 

"You didn't answer my first question." He unfortunately points out, making me sigh in disappointment. 

"I will be, I just need to let it all sink in a bit. He didn't mention knowing where I was, and I don't use any location crap on my phone he could use either." I say, lifting my leg so I'm straddling his waist. 

The warmth and safety he provides me with just his touch, still fills me with a happiness I can't even begin to explain. Cuddling into him as he rubs a hand up and down my back, leaves me wanting to just forget about it all and go back to sleep. 

"It would be nice if I could put that part of my life behind me, but I'd be too scared to actually have a conversation with him to do so. I think that bothers me more than anything." I frown into Harv's chest.

"Well, If he calls again, just come to me and I'll stay with you the entire time. You could even put it on speaker, and I'll tell him to get fucked if he starts to bother you." He tries to soothe my stupid worries.

"I'd like that." I mumble, clinging tightly to his shirt.

We stay like that for another ten minutes until the tell tale signs of the twins coming home radiates through our place. Their laughter echoes off the walls as they slam the front door shut. Sadly, it seems to be getting closer to Harv's room before his door is pushed open. 

"Hey hey hey! No funny business now that we're ho-" Jeremy's voice taunts into the room before seeming to stop mid way. Feeling Harv's arms tighten around me making me wonder if he's giving my brother a death glare. 

"Just not right now Jer, Okay?" Harv mutters, rubbing my back some more making me feel drowsy.

"What's going on?" James' concerned voice joins the conversation. 

"Her ex got her number somehow, and called her." He says, holding me close when I sniffle at the situation. 

I need to get myself together, if I let him affect me like this from a phone call, then how have I improved myself from the girl who was dating him? He can't hurt me anymore and I know i'll never go back to him. 

I'd rather drop dead than go back to him.

"I'm fine guys, really. He just surprised me is all." I smile up at my brothers, hoping that I look like it's true. 

I think I will be fine, I just have to learn to prepare myself mentally before anything big like that. Now that I've had time to think about it, I think I can deal with him, as long as it's over the phone. Just as that thought enters my mind though, my phone vibrates with a message. 

'I'm sorry I got you so upset. I still want to just talk and make things right, but I won't call you again. I'm glad you seem to be doing okay.' The message read, and it oddly didn't upset me as much as I thought it would.

Maybe he is trying to make things right, and forcing me to talk to him is certainly a good step in that direction. Don't get me wrong, I am not that forgiving where I will just let someone back into my life after everything that happened, but I can at least start to move forward with it.

"Just ignore it Crys, he can't get to you." Harv soothes after reading the message.

"I'm not too worried." I reassure him, before Jeremy starts to freak out about dinner going cold. 

After eating the takeout food they went out to get all of us, I went to go enjoy a nice hot shower. Washing my hair and body before brushing my teeth, I regrettably turn the water off and get out. Already having an outfit for this 'big party' tonight picked out makes this all a little easier for me. 

Walking to Harv's room to tell him the shower is free, I head over to my own room to start getting dressed. Putting my bra, panties, and socks on first, I then pull my black leggings up and slide the gold dress over my head to make the outfit complete. The dress would normally sit mid thigh, but with it being colder weather, I wanted the leggings to add some dignity for myself.

My low heel boots make it look that much better, before I dry my hair and put the straightener through it. Finishing with some light make up, I give myself a once over to check if I forgot anything. Adding a little bit of jewellery to the outfit, I give myself a nod of approval before going to join the boys. 

Seeing them all waiting there for me, I get their attention pretty quickly. 

"Shall we go? I want to get shit faced for the new year!" Jeremy jumps on the spot in excitement.

"This wouldn't be because you finally have someone to kiss on new years, would it?" I tease, earning an over dramatic gasp from my dorky brother.

"I'm wounded, and I'll have you know I always have someone to kiss on new years." He defends.

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Walking into the over sized house with Harv by my side, the party is already in full swing. We all go grab our first drink of many for the night before searching for our other friends. Seeing them all together on the outdoor couch, we join in the conversation of catching up on holidays. 

It sounds like everyone had a great time with those they love, Scarlet beaming brighter than most at being able to go home. I missed her so much over Christmas break, she has become one of the best friends I could ever ask for. Always so understanding and caring, always knowing when I need to be cheered up. 

"I'm stealing your girlfriend away for a moment." She smiles at Harv, pulling me from him lap and dragging me down the path hand in hand.

"What's up with you?" I chuckle at her, missing her odd ways.

"Nah, nothing. I just wanted to be able to catch up without their prying. I know you don't always like talking about things in front of the twins." She smiles, a cheeky grin.

"Yeah, bull shit. Spill the beans." I laugh.

"I don't know what you're ta- Okay! Fine! I wanted to talk about James." She admits after giving her an 'I'm-not-buying-it' look.

"What about him?" 

"Well, we were talking over Christmas a little. And he wants to take me out on a date, but we both agreed we wanted your approval before anything happens." She explains, showing an oddly nervous side to herself I've never seen before.

"So, this is you asking me for permission to try dating James?" I ask, acting as if I need to give it some thought.

"Well, yes! It'd kill me going behind your back. I know you've already suspected I like him for a while, but him actually wanting to take me out on real life dates is a whole other concept. Plus what if things go sour between us, or you change your mind, or things get awkward." She rambles, making it hard to keep my laughter in.

"Oh, would you shut up!" I finally burst, holding my stomach while laughing so hard tears stream down my face.

"What is so funny?" She asks, looking a little worried and sad.

"You're rambling, chill out Scar. Of course I approve of you two dating! It's about time you both became aware of each other's feelings." I smile at her when my laughter died down.

"Really?! You're serious?" She squeals. 

"Yes, oof!" I stumble, being tackled into a hug by my best friend.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She shakes us side to side, beaming at me.

"Go tell him, you gotta have someone special for your new year's kiss." I push her back towards our friends. 

She hugs me again, a smile stretched over her face so big, it must be hurting her a little. After she mutters another 'thank you,' she practically skips back up the path to our friends and jumps into James' arms. 

It's nice to see them actually get together after putting it off for so long. 

Taking a moment before rejoining the chaos, I look around the garden in this extravagant house. It is really rather beautiful, with an array of roses with colours varying depending on the section they're in. A large gazebo is in the middle of it. 

Walking over to it, I look out over the rest of the scenery before I hear footsteps heading my way. I didn't think it'd be too long until Harv joined me over here, Scarlet and James are probably already becoming insufferable. 

Though as I turn around to see his stunning features, I'm left just plain stunned at what I see.

"Hey Crissy, is now a good time to talk?" A gasp very audible from me, as I lay eyes on someone I hoped to never see again.

"Travis." 

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I just need to say, 1.64k reads! Oh my gawd! 700 of those were since the last chapter too!

Now that my other book is complete I'll try to release chapters faster.

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