𝘼𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣'𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙑

I'm woken up to the sound of something crashing onto my bedroom floor and I gasp loudly, shooting up straight in my bed with fear filled eyes.

The sight of four male figures in my bedroom causes my heart to drop and I jump back, my back hitting my headboard as I start to hyperventilate.

"Hey, Alli, breathe" Makoa's voice snaps me out of my panicked state and I turn my head to look at him as he sits on my bed, gently taking my hand into his "You're okay. It's just me and the boys"

I take in small shaky breaths through my tear filled eyes and look around the room with a less frightened gaze.

Pope, John B and JJ all give me small concerned smiles and the blonde boy waves, causing the rest of my panic to fade away completely.

"I'm so sorry" I breathe out, taking my hand out of Makoa's to wipe away my silly tears.

I paste on a bright smile and loosen up my tense shoulders, allowing myself to relax in the boys' company.

"Don't be sorry, blondie" John B waves me off with a reassuring smile that makes my fake smile a little more real.

The overwhelming feeling of dread suddenly fills my chest and I quickly turn to look at the now empty place beside me in bed before glancing at my empty bathroom, my dread turning to confusion.

"Who was here last night?" Makoa questions and I hesitate as I turn my head back to look at my friend, but my hesitation is all the answer he needs "I'm going to fucking kill him"

Makoa stands up and I gasp in worry, grabbing his wrist to pull him back.

"Koa, please. It's just going to make things worse" I plead desperately.

"What is going on?" JJ speaks up but neither of us answer him as Makoa sits back down next to me, taking both my hands in his and looking me right in the eyes.

"You have to leave him before it's too late" He warns me in a low voice.

"It's fine. I'm fine" I try to assure my friend but he lets out a frustrated breath so I turn to the other boys with a small smile "Can you wait downstairs? I won't be long"

"Yeah, of course" Pope nods, dragging John B and JJ out of my room.

"This is not okay, Allison" Makoa declares sternly and I look back to him.

"He doesn't mean to scare me. I'm just too sensitive" I argue, shaking my head.

"No, you're not. He's just a fucking abuser" Makoa corrects me, causing me to frown deeply.

"He loves me" I protest.

"Someone who loves you wouldn't do this!" Makoa raises his voice in frustration, lifting up my arms to show me the dark bruises that circle my wrists.

A quiet sob escapes my lips and Makoa sighs, letting go of my arms to pull me into his own. I try to wipe my tears as they fall, internally telling myself that it's stupid to cry and I'm being a crybaby.

"You've got to open your eyes and realise that he's manipulating you, Alli" Makoa tells me softly, stroking my hair as I calm myself down "If he really loved you then he wouldn't do the things that he does to you"

"I know" I sniffle in defeat.

Makoa sits up straight and wipes my cheeks with his thumbs, giving me a warm smile.

"Go put on something pretty, yeah?" He tells me, knowing how it makes me feel better and I nod with a small smile.

"I love you, Koa" I croak and he presses a kiss to my forehead.

"I love you more, Alli" He counters.

The boy leaves me to get ready and I head straight into my bathroom to wash my tear stained face. After getting all clean and changing into some clean underwear, I slip on my fluffy robe and head into my room.

A gasp escapes my lips and I jump a little when I find JJ laying on my bed, playing around with my favourite stuffed animal.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to spook you" The blonde grins apologetically and I relax with a smile.

"It's okay. Am I taking too long?" I wonder, walking over to the bed where I've laid out two of my favourite sundresses.

"Not at all, princess. Just wanted to make sure you were okay" He hums, looking at the two dresses "I think you should wear the pink one"

"Okay" I smile happily, placing the yellow one back into my wardrobe.

"I like the room. Very pink" JJ comments and I blush in embarrassment.

"I know it's kinda babyish" I grimace, looking around my pink room and eyeing my stuffed animals.

"I don't think so. I think it's perfect for you" JJ objects and I look at him in surprise.

"Really?" I ask.

"For sure. It's fit for a princess" He grins and the compliment causes me to beam at the boy happily.

"Thanks, JJ" I chirp, grabbing my summer dress and slipping into the bathroom.

I change into the dress and take my hair out of it's bun, my straight blonde locks falling down onto my shoulders in a messy but pretty kind of way.

As I enter my bedroom again, I catch JJ staring at the stuffed bunny in his hands with a quizzical look and I giggle, catching his attention.

"What did she do to you?" I joke as I slip on my white converse.

"I just never understood these things. What's the big deal?" JJ questions and I sit down next to him, taking my bunny from his hands.

"I guess it's a comfort thing. Did you not have one growing up?" I ask the boy in confusion.

"Nah" He shrugs, shaking his head "I had a beer bottle I stuck googly eyes on if that counts?"

"Wait right here" I order, plopping my bunny onto my pillow and pulling myself up to round my bed.

I head over to the corner of my room where I have an alarming amount of stuffed animals that i've collected throughout the years and never had the heart to throw out. A fluffy lion catches my eye and I grin widely, picking it out of the pile.

I walk back over to JJ and hold out the stuffed animal to him with a hopeful smile.

"For me?" He chuckles and I nod as he takes it from my grasp with a smile "Why a lion?"

"You remind me of a lion" I tell him matter of factly.

"Why's that, princess?" He asks curiously, toying with the lion.

"Well, you're confident" I state, walking over to my closet "And I think you're brave"

"You do?" He questions, seeming a little surprised and I look back at him with a cardigan in each of my hands.

"Yeah, of course. I wish I was as brave as you are" I admit and he smiles warmly at me.

"You're braver than you think you are" He assures me, making me smile.

»»-------------¤-------------««

I sit on the HMS Pogue with the boys as we head to pick up Kiara and Sarah from where they stranded the girls after I gave them an earful for doing it in the first place. My worry for the girls fades quickly after the boys explain how they thought of most things and assure me that they'll be okay.

"So what's going on with you and Kie?" John B asks me curiously and I look up at him.

"What are you talking about?" I laugh it off in denial.

"Come on, Alli. We see the looks and the touches" Pope chuckles.

"Every time you talk she gives you her full undivided attention and when she touches you, you blush like a little girl" JJ teases me and embarrassment burns in my chest.

"I do not" I mumble out.

"Allison" Pope hums with a grin.

"I have a boyfriend" I try to change the subject.

"A shitty one" Makoa adds.

"Koa" I scold my friend.

"Makoa's right. He treats you like shit" John B agrees, making me frown sadly.

"Kie would treat you right" JJ jokes and I blush at the thought, the blonde boy succeeding in making me smile "Look at the blush!"

"JJ!" I whine, causing the boys to laugh at me.

"Uh oh!" Pope announces and I turn my head to see both girls sat on the edge of the boat they're on.

"You forget your keys or something?!" John B hollers and they glare at the boys.

"You guys need a tow?!" Pope adds.

"You gotta admit it was kinda funny" John B says as the HMS pulls up next to them.

"John B. Mastermind, huh?" Kiara says sarcastically.

"I'm always plannin'" The brunette replies.

"Some patriarchal bullshit" Kiara scoffs, standing up.

"Yeah, that sucked" Sarah states, pulling herself up.

"You still love us though, right?" JJ asks cockily, throwing Kiara the rope "Here"

"Yeah, whatever" The Carrera girl snarks at him before smiling at me happily "Hey, Alli"

"Hi, Kie" I grin.

JJ elbows me to get my attention and wiggles his eyebrows at me suggestively, making me giggle as I hit his shoulder playfully.

"Hey, you still hate me?" John B asks Sarah.

"A little. We're both gonna get you back when you least expect it" Sarah retorts.

"Watch your back, boys" Kiara warns them.

"Well, I for one welcome that challenge" Pope chirps.

"Me too" JJ agrees.

"So, did you guys, you know..." Pope drawls off.

"Reconcile our differences?" Kiara offers.

"Mm mm" Sarah shakes her head.

"Not even close" Kiara scoffs.

"But we're...willing to work together" Sarah states, looking at Kiara and I smile happily.

"You know what? That's victory" John B says triumphantly.

"Yup!" JJ grins cheekily "You know what it was, guys? Hydroponic"

"Don't say that" Pope says shaking his head.

"All right, shut up" John B snaps at the boys before looking at Kiara and Sarah "You guys ready to jack some loot?"

"Yeah, whatever" Kiara laughs.

"All right, let's get in the boat" John B grins.

"Let's get it" JJ declares, throwing his arm around me as Pope starts up the engine and takes us back to the chateau.