The car didn't even properly stop and I was out of it. My family were all outside when the car arrived and they all came down to meet me halfway. Once again, I felt the tears stinging my eyes. I ran into Bear, as he was the first one to me, and I wrapped my arms around him tightly. I buried my head in his neck and I sobbed. I couldn't even hold it back. Dad hugged me also, and even Charlie. Dad kissed my forehead and hugged me even tighter. When we pulled away, I saw Ely staring at me with wet eyes. I walked to him and engulfed him in a hug. He kissed my neck but said nothing. I could hear the sobs coming from him and it made me want to cry more. "Don't ever do that to me again." I nodded quickly and hugged him tighter. "I love you, Sebastian," he whispered in my neck. I smiled.

When we pulled away, I noticed Cj was talking to my parents. Charlie walked to me and hugged me again. "I was actually worried about you." I grinned and hugged him tighter, "I knew you secretly like me."

He shoved me away immediately and shook his head. I laughed softly. I left the two then went to my dads and Cj. "Thank you," I told him.

"Anytime."

"I'd give you my phone number, but you don't seem to have a phone," he smiled.

"You can write it. I'll get a new phone soon... right dads...?" I looked across at them expectantly. Dad looked at Bear giving him an unsure look. Cj laughed softly and took out a random paper from his back pocket. Dad gave him a pen and he wrote his number on the paper. "Call me if you need a lift again," he winked. I grinned and looked downward at the paper with his phone number. I glanced back as Ely made his way to the scene and wrapped his arm around my waist. Cj glanced at my boyfriend and nodded.

"Thank you," Ely said. I smiled back at him as I placed my hand over his.

"It's cool," Cj said with a grin. He stretched out his hand to shake Ely's then my Dads'. I reached over and gave him a thankful hug. He smiled for the last time, then went into his car. I faced everyone, staring at each of them. "We should go inside.. I have to explain."

"Yes, please," Bear said. He slung his arm around my shoulders and walked me into the house, with Ely and Dad following behind. Charlie was already inside when we arrive, sitting with his phone in his hand. When we went into the living room, Charlie put away his phone and looked to us.. well me. They all looked to me. I took in a breath, holding my dad's hand for some type of moral support as I began to tell them everything that happened, from the first noise I heard in the kitchen, to my running away from him.

"Did you call the cops?" I asked them.

"We couldn't file a missing's person report since it's barely been a twenty-four hours," Bear said. I could have died during that day I was with Jaxon, and the police didn't even care. I leaned against my dad, putting those thoughts out of my mind. Although Jaxon threatened me many times, he didn't actually do it. I don't think he would have. I still believe he isn't the heartless monster he wants people to think he is. Beneath all that, he has a heart. He's probably just been through some shit that got his shell hard to crack, but I don't think it's impossible. I'm so happy to be home, but I just hope that he'll be safe. I don't think I'd like to hear that he ends up dead somewhere.

"I missed you," I tell Bear. He smiled and ruffled my hair, "I missed you too, kid."

"Not a kid," I rolled my eyes.

"You're my kid."

"I'm your teenage son -- there's a huge difference," I say matter-of-factly.

"You're my kid," he repeated.

"You know a kid is a baby goat, right?" I looked up at him.

"Yeah, well if the shoe fits.." he replied. My jaw dropped and my eyes widened. "Are you calling me a baby goat?!"

"No," Charlie interrupted, "You're a teenage goat."

"Wow, you people suck. Can I go upstairs?" I asked.

"Aren't you hungry?" Dad asked me. I shook my head, no. I don't feel like eating. I wasn't gone for weeks without food, so I think I can wait until tomorrow morning for breakfast. Well it practically already is tomorrow since it's about two in the morning.

Dad nodded at my response, "Okay, well, uh yeah, you can go take a rest."

"Thank you."

"Charlie, back to bed," he said, "and Ely..." he trailed off. Charlie stood up and walked out of the living room. He was on his phone now. Who the fuck is even online at two in the fricking morning? I only stay up this late with Ely -- not to just randomly be on the internet.

"Can't he stay the night?" I asked hopefully. I glanced across to Ely then back to my Dad. He looked unsure about the suggestion, but I prayed he said yes. I needed to lay next to Ely tonight. I need to hold him and hug him. I don't think I would be able to sleep fine if I don't have Ely with me tonight. Before Dad could say anything, Bear interrupted. He said, "Yes, Ely can stay the night." Dad looked over at him with rose eyebrows. "Go on," Bear said.

"Someone's in trouble," I said softly, for only him to hear. He flashed me a smile, "He'll get over it," he looked at his husband, who still had that annoyed/surprised/shook look printed all over his face. He looked back to me again, "or not. I'll deal with him. Go get some rest." I nodded my head and stood up. I took Ely's hand and led him up the stairs.

When we were at my bedroom, I immediately dropped on the bed, loving the feeling of the soft, clean sheets. I hugged my pillows tightly and sniffed it. It hasn't been long, but I felt as though it's been a lifetime away from my family and home. I have never actually been away from them. I've never went to summer camp or anything like that. It was always the four of us together. I never imagined there'd be a time where I wouldn't have them. And I realized yesterday that I need to start living in reality.

I won't always have my dads and one day I'll be alone. I won't have them. I don't think I could do it on my own though. I need them in my life at all times -- which is childish, but it's how I feel. I need my dads and my brother. I need my family.

Ely leaned against the wall and just stared at me. I flashed him a smile then nodded for him to join me in bed. He sighed softly and came to me. I furrowed my eyebrows. I sat up. "What's wrong?"

He looked across at me with a look of disappointment, which shocked me. "Why didn't you tell me? Sebastian, he was in the house - in your closet - and you knew and you didn't tell me."

"He would have killed you," I said softly, "I couldn't let that happen. I just... if something happened to you-"

"What about if something happened to you? I don't know what I would have done if you got hurt, Sebastian. You're the only thing that matters in my life right now and if something happened to you I wouldn't be able to carry on. You could have told me."

"I'm sorry," I muttered, "I really am."

Ely sighed, "All that matters is that you're safe now." He hugged me and kissed my forehead. I flashed a small, barely noticeable smile. He pulled away and stared at me for a moment. He brought his face closer to mine and he placed a kiss on my lips. He moved away and stared at me again. My fingers ran up to behind his neck and I brought him closer to me again. The kiss was more passionate than the last. His hands ran through my hair gently as I allowed his warm tongue to slide into my mouth.

I pressed my hand against his chest, halting all actions. Ely looked at me with furrowed eyebrows. "Uh so uhm..." I didn't know how to say it. I know it's nothing and it actually meant nothing to me, but I had to let Ely know that Jaxon kissed me. It was to throw off the cashier at the grocery store and it didn't mean anything to me, but he still needs to know.

"What is it?"

"Jaxon kissed me.. it meant nothing, I just thought you should know."

"Why did he kiss you?" he asked.

"As a distraction so he wouldn't be caught shoving me around. But I'm swearing to you it meant absolutely nothing to me," I tell him honestly.

"Thank you for telling me, Sebastian," he smiled and leaned in to kiss me. He's too good for me. "I trust you," he said. Even after what happened some months ago, Ely trusts me. He's too understanding for me. How did I end up with such an amazing person? I ran my fingers through my hair slowly and continued to stare at him. I flashed a smile, "I love you."

"I love you too," he finally smiled at me and it felt like such a relief. Ely leaned in and kissed me again. I moved in closer, also pulling his head to mine even more. I climbed on top of him to straddle him and his hands immediately went down my body. I pushed him backward to lay on the bed while I was on top of him. My lips worked down to his jawline then his neck and I kissed and sucked at his sweet spot.

Ely randomly stopped me and I stared at him in confusion, but realized his eyes weren't on me. When I looked back I found my Dad's standing at the staircase and leaning on the short wall/railing there. "Reasons why this shouldn't have happened," Dad said while looking over at Bear with that 'I told you so' face. Ely cussed softly beside me .

"Relax, babe," Bear said to Dad, "I'm sure they just missed each other."

"I'm sorry," Ely spoke quickly, "I didn't-"

"It's okay, Ely... just no sex and sleep with your clothes on. All your clothes on," Dad said.

"We just came to say good night, but obviously your nights are already good, so we'll leave," Bear said, taking Dad's hand. I blushed and looked downward to my hands. "I'm serious," Dad said, "Keep your clothes on."

"Yes sir," Ely replied making me chuckle a bit. They withdrew down the stairs, but I didn't move until I felt like they were in their rooms and not lurking by the stairs. I let out a sigh after a few minutes passed. I glanced at Ely and apologized softly.

"Yeah, uh, we should sleep."

"Yes. Agreed." I kicked off my shoes then stood up and walked to get a change of clothes. After changing into something comfortable, I walked across my bedroom to get to my bed. Ely just sat there staring at me, with that sort of scared look on his face and it made me chuckle. "You can take off your shoes..." I moved on top of him and slowly began to push his jacket off, "...and your jacket." My hands reached under his top, "And even this.." I leaned down and kissed his neck. He hung his neck backwards a bit and a soft moan of pleasure left his lips. My hands went under his top while the other was in his hair, tugging softly at the roots.

Once again, my boyfriend pulled away from me. I rolled my eyes and threw myself off. Ely looked across at me and I flashed him a smile that said 'all is forgiven'. He, in returned, grinned at me, then leaned down to peck my forehead. I got comfortable in bed as he went to use the bathroom. I intended to stay up a little longer so we could talk, but the sleep kicked in and I was out before he could return from his short trip to the bathroom.

The next morning I woke up cuddled next to my pillow. I opened my eyes and Ely wasn't there. I knew he obviously had to go home and go to school, or his asshole parents would be worried. I don't and never will like his parents. They are complete jerks and completely selfish. But Ely barely pays any mind to them and he's happy, so I guess I'm okay with that. 

I yawned and rubbed my eyes then lay in bed for a moment. I'm far too tired for any activities today. I just want to stay in bed all day until twenty years pass or something. I rolled out of my bed and zombied my way down to the kitchen. I met my dads and Charlie eating breakfast.I scratched my head as I stared. "You look absolutely horrendous this morning,"  Bear said, "I thought we said no sex."

I glared at him, "I think I'm allowed to look like this considering the night I've been through."

"He's right," Dad said, "Cereal? Eggs? Toast? What would you like?" They were both already dressed for work, and yet they were still rushing around the kitchen, with their coffees, putting dishes in the sink. I sighed and shook my head, "it's all good. I'll take care of myself."

"Are you sure, love?" Dad asked.

"Yep. I'm fine."

"Do you want us to stay home? I don't think it'll be safe to leave you-" I interrupted him.

"Please, Dad, go. I'm okay here, I promise." I nodded my head.

He stopped and sighed while staring at me. He glanced over at Bear, then finally said, "Okay. But just call us if you need anything at all. I love you." He kissed my forehead. "Come on boys! We're late!" He called afterward. Bear kissed my forehead also, "Love you, teenage goat. Be good today."

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes. Charlie walked passed me, out the door behind my Dads. Usually, I take Charlie to school and dads go to work with their own vehicles. But now I guess Charlie's riding with one of them -- which is going to suck. They are going to pamper and embarrass him when he's in front of the school gates. That's one of the reasons I actually have my own car now. I just couldn't take that, so I decided I'd simply take the bus. But being the protective parents they are, they believed that something might happen while I'm on the bus WITH AN EXPERIENCED ADULT DRIVER, and so they bought me a car. I'm not unappreciative - I love the car - I just hate driving. 

I sat at home, bored out of my mind for a couple hours. I refused to disturb Ely because I know how much his parents expect of him - so he needs to keep his grades up, and even though ditching one day wouldn't destroy his perfect record, it doesn't make his parents any less believing in that. And other that Ely, I had no other friends. I decided to go back up to my room.  I'm not going to study, nor do anything productive, I'm just going to lie on my bed. However when I got up there, I realized there was sun and if I lay on that bed I'd burn up and shrivel like a raisin. I looked around my room, noticing 1) the room was in dying need of furniture and 2) I need to clean. My clothes are thrown all over the place and I've only been back for one day. Damn, Sebastian, you suck. 

As I was picking up my clothes, I decided to check my pockets, just in case I had money in there -- it's a habit of mine, which I was forced into since every body in this god damn house can't be trusted. Any money found laying around or in MY pockets when it's sent to laundry, goes to a large jar for rainy days. I could have like fifty dollars in my pocket and I sent my clothes to be washed and my dads find it, they'll put it in that jar -- and once it's in the jar, its never coming out. 

In the pocket of my jeans I found a folded dollar and a gum packet. When I dug further, I found a phone number, which I remember to be Cj's phone number. I smiled at that and instantly dropped the clothes on the ground again and went downstairs to get to the house phone. I dialed his phone number then impatiently tapped my foot as I waited for him to pick up. I'm bored as hell and I need someone to come save me.

Cj answered the phone in a monotone voice and I laughed softly at that. I said, "Hey, it's Sebastian. The kid you saved from a-"

"Oh hey, little man. What's up?"

"I'm not a little man," I replied, "I'm bored."

"Hey if you need fun, I can get you fun."

"No, no, I just need a friend right now," I said.

"Okay, do you want me to pick you up? I'll introduce you to my friends." I nodded and agreed with him. We discussed the times, then we hung up the phone. I must say, this is all so random. I don't even know where he lives, but I'm going to meet his friends. He actually doesn't seem like the type of person that would have good friends, but hey, can't judge a book by it's cover.

I got dressed quickly and waited outside for Cj to pull up in front of my door. Mrs. Bradly was outside today, working on her plants, like she does every day. When she saw me sitting on our front porch, she waved at me, then motioned me to come over. I groaned under my breath but still got up and walked across the street to my senescent neighbor. 

She was adorable as hell, but nosy. She knows everything about everyone in the neighborhood because when she's out here taking care of her plants, she's also taking in every detail of everyone else's life in the neighborhood. She had the stereotypical white, sort of curly grandma hair. She only wears long, baggy, ankle length dresses or baggy shirts with long baggy skirts. I have never seen Mrs. Bradley wear anything but that.

"Sebastian, sweetie, how are you?" she asked with her hands on her hips.

"I'm okay, Mrs. Bradley. How are you?"

"Fine, thank you. So I saw you were out late last night... your family looked worried..." she trailed off, obviously asking me to explain what happened to her, but I'm not going to do that. She's too nosy for her own good. I smiled, "Uh I just stayed out a little later than usual."

"With that tattooed boy? Are you with someone else?" she leaned in closer to me. I laughed softly and stepped back from the old woman, "No, Mrs. Bradley. He's just a friend."

"You don't find him cute?" she asked. I furrowed my eyebrows, slightly shocked that she's even thinking about these things. I shook my head, "Just a friend."

"Okay, son. But why didn't you go to school today?"

Just after she asked that, Cj's car pulled up and he honked the horn. I glanced back at him and flashed a smile. When I looked back at Mrs. Bradley, she had raised eyebrows and her eyes shifted from me to Cj. I shook my head, "Stop it, Mrs. Bradley -- just friends, remember." I grinned as I stepped back from her short picket fence to get to Cj's car. I waved one final goodbye to the now smiling old woman, then quickly got into the car, and he began to drive.

Cj looked over at me and smiled. He asked about Mrs. Bradley as a conversation starter and so I told him about her. His place was actually (and conveniently) about fifteen minutes from mine. He took me back to his place, while explaining that he had some people over, which included his best friend and his girlfriend. The house wasn't big, but it was obviously a family house. The two story house was painted in a dull beige color, with a small lawn in front of it, next to a driveway. Cj parked and we exited the car. We walked up to the door and he pulled the door shield before pushing the door open. 

When we entered the house where there was a guy sitting on the couch, with his back to us, and opposite him was a female, her head down in her phone. The room was generally small and consisted only of couches and a table between them. There was no television and the room just looked like something major was missing. The two people who occupied the room looked back at us after Cj cleared his throat. 

"This is Sebastian, guys," he said, then turned to me, "Have a seat. Relax." He walked away to go to his girlfriend and placed a kiss on her lips. I decided I didn't actually want to be close to that, so I just took a seat next to the brown haired guy who was on his phone. He switched off his phone then glanced across at me. "Hey, man. Nash."

"Sebastian."

"He's the kid who was running for his life from... what were you running from?" Cj looked to me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Uh someone sort of 'kidnapped' me... but I got away. I don't know, he just told me he needed a driver, with a gun pointed to my head, so yeah.."

"Fuck," the girl said, "What's his name?"

"Why do you want to know his name, Jess?" Nash asked her. She shrugged her shoulders, but I still answered her question. "His name was Jaxon. I saw his ID."

"Wow, you're a sneaky motherfucker," Cj said. I chuckled lightly and shook my head. 

"I'm just observant... a little," I furrowed my eyebrows, confused at my own statement. I don't even know if that was true, but who cares. Beside me, Nash chuckled softly at my expression. 

"Well I don't know him," Jess answered finally. Cj didn't seem to think the same thing, based on how he blinked over at Jess and rose an eyebrow. However he averted his attention pretty quickly, probably as a cover up. I don't know what he was insinuating with his eyes and I really have no time to sit and think about it.

"So uh, your boyfriend.. he's uh pretty protective, isn't he?" Cj asked me. I looked up at him in shock. I guess I was just surprised he asked about Ely.

"Ely? No.. well yeah, he is sort of. Something happened in the-"

"What happened?" Nash asked and they all became so interested in me. I felt like sinking back into the couch until I disappeared. I tried to change the topic, but they immediately found me out and pressed further.

"This is obviously really juicy," Jess said, "So spill the beans, kid."

"I'm not a kid," I said to her. She rolled her eyes at my response, but didn't comment on it. I decided I should just tell them. I mean, they are just three random people that I'll probably never see again. They look like rebels, which I'm not, so this seems like just a one time thing. So it would be okay if I tell them. Ely shouldn't even care because he doesn't know them nor do they know him and they'll never meet, so it's all cool.

"Okay," I sighed, "If you must know... I have to tell you the whole story."

"Great," Jess grinned, "I'm cool with story time."