...

THEY WERE WOKEN UP by the sound of pans clashing against each other. It was a horrible, screeching noise which made them all curse as they pulled their pillows over their heads, eager to get some more sleep. Nothing could muffle it though and Ella closed her eyes, wishing she was anywhere but here.

"I want to die," Alex muttered.

"Not before I kill whichever fucker is making that noise first," Levi hissed.

They had stayed up late talking about whomever and whatever and although it had been fun, the consequences were here in her fatigued eyes and throbbing head. Ella would guess they probably had two hours of sleep, nothing more, and combined with the previous, tiring day the need to pass out for fourteen hours was stronger than ever.

"Rise and shine, criminals in the making!" Clarkson's voice boomed," rise and shine!"

"I'll show him who's a criminal in the making when he gets close," Alex snarled from under his pillow.

And although Ella knew she had the image of a non-violent girl to maintain, if Clarkson would have come within arm's reach then, she would have been perfectly capable of strangling him.

"It's seven o'clock!" Clarkson yelled," get up!"

The terrible sound didn't decrease, but instead only grew in volume as Clarkson seemed to pace around in front of their tent. Finally Levi rose, his eyes screaming murder when he moved towards the entrance. Before he could tackle Clarkson and inflict damage though, Will grasped him by the ankle, his own head still buried in his pillow.

"Levi, don't do it," he said, his voice muffled.

It seemed like Levi was one second away from doing his threats justice when Clarkson zipped the entrance open, light spilling in their tent. Ella squinted against the bright yellow, only faintly managing to see the outlines of the man.

"Let's go hunt breakfast," Clarkson said.

He left their tent open and continued on to the next, his voice booming through the forest again. Levi had to be held back physically from attacking Clarkson, but eventually they were awake, scowling as they changed. The guys had walked out of the tent to give her privacy and Ella emerged soon after, her black top and skinny jeans earning her a whistle from Alex.

"If going camping means having to look at you all day," Alex winked," I don't mind."

"Your colorful string of curses only five minutes ago begs to differ," Ella said, before pulling on Levi's sweater over her top.

Levi blinked in surprise and she looked at him.

"You don't mind, do you?" she said," I didn't think it would be this cold and your sweater is pleasantly warm."

"Have you even met Levi?" Alex snorted," he minds everything -"

"No," Levi cut him off as his gaze wandered over her," wear it."

"Thanks, you wonderfully grumpy, old man," Ella said as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

He scowled at her, but didn't move to push off her hand to her surprise. It was Clarkson's voice that broke the moment though as he yelled at them to gather round.

"I see you survived the night," a sweet voice cooed when she walked onto the clearing.

Ella didn't even have to look to know who it was, Alex' tensed posture a telltale sign.

"Hey Ava," she said.

"Hey new girl," Ava grinned as she walked away from the group of guys she had been standing with.

"Ava, come back," one protested, but she didn't spare him a glance as she neared.

For someone who was going camping, the girl really didn't care to dress for the occasion. Her attire was completely unfit for nature, from the skintight, black jumpsuit to her heeled boots, jewelry glittering on her with every move she made. But to be honest, imagining her in sweats was hard to do.

"I like the boots," Ella said.

Ava's eyes widened in momentary surprise, before her fuchsia lips curled up in a devious grin.

"They're nice, aren't they," Ava said," they told me I couldn't bring heels to go camping and that it was impractical and I told them all to fuck off."

"As you should," Ella said.

Ava's smile was genuine and she sized Ella up.

"I like you, new girl," she said," what's your name?"

"Ella."

"Don't go and become friends with her," Alex said as he threw a protective arm over Ella's shoulder.

Levi immediately proceeded to push his arm off before Ella even could, irritation gleaming in his eyes.

"Or what?" Ava said, amusement flashing in her eyes.

"Or nothing, Ava," Alex said annoyedly," you know I would never threaten you."

Ava seemed to be taken aback by his comment, her mouth closing. She recovered quickly though, throwing her hair over her shoulder as she looked Alex in the eye.

"But you still can't share friends?" Ava said," we're not a divorced couple, Alex, and you can't act like we're sharing custody over people."

"I think you both have some problems to solve," Ella said," so we will just go over there -"

"No," Ava cut her off, her smile not reaching her eyes," I think sweet Alex here is too busy fucking everything that moves to solve anything."

Alex opened his mouth, anger radiating off him in waves, but bit his lip again. As Ella looked at the carnage unfolding, she couldn't help but wonder why she was standing in the middle of this mess.

"Did you hear that?" Ella said, grabbing Will and Levi by the arm," I think Clarkson's calling for us."

Levi looked at her like she was crazy.

"I don't hear sh -"

"That's because you're an old man on the inside," Ella said.

Will's eyes lit up when he realized what she was doing. He nodded fervently then, pointing towards the general direction of the crowd.

"She's right," he said," Clarkson's definitely calling us. Let's go, Alex."

"What?" Alex said, frowning in confusion as Will pulled him along.

"Is it your hobby to run away from me, Alex?" Ava said.

"It's not like I have to try," Alex said, trying to pull himself free from Will's grip," you keep your distance just fine by yourself."

"Ava!"

She looked up and her eyes softened somewhat when she saw whoever was nearing. For someone who was seventeen the guy had a lot of tattoos and he slung one of his completely covered arms possessively over Ava's shoulder. He was handsome, in that masculine, plain way that attracts you in strangers on the street. His hair seemed like it was made of fire and his eyes were like ice, everything about him flashy and colorful. Standing beside Ava just made the contrast between them even bigger, like night and day.

He nodded at them as a hello, before turning his head and pecking Ava on the cheek.

"You ready to go to the front, Av?" he said.

Alex' facial expression had hardened, his fists clenched by his side. It seemed like it took all the effort he had not to punch the guy, Will glancing at him worriedly. She didn't seem to notice it though, her eyes unreadable when she smiled.

"See you around, Ella," she said, before waving at the others.

"Who's that?" Ella said.

"Trevor," Will said," they've just begun dating."

"He seems nice," she said.

"Don't hang out with him."

Ella looked up in surprise at the low voice, Levi's reaction startling her more than the way Ava and Alex almost fought just now.

"Why?" she said.

"He's bad news," Will said when Levi didn't seem to be planning to reply.

"Aren't we all?" Ella said.

"No, babe," Alex chuckled lowly," we're bad news in the smash your windows, break your bones kind of way. He's bad news in the would cause you a permanent injury, then hit you in the same spot again kind of way."

"What about Ava then?" Ella said.

"Don't worry about her,"'Alex said," I've known her long enough to know she can take perfectly good care of herself. It's Trevor who should be worried, really."

Despite the fact he said that, his fists were still clenched by his side, his knuckles white.

"Come on!"'Clarkson yelled as they neared the crowd," those fish aren't going to catch themselves!"

That was the end of their conversation, everyone spinning towards Clarkson with various degrees of shock on their face. It was Alex who spoke first though, his voice incredulous.

"Those what are not going to do what now?"