Joe's POV

I woke up the next morning, and Nick was already out of bed with his phone in hand. He was laughing at something, what an idiot, it's too early for laughter. Or any kind of emotion, except of course annoyance if he didn't shut the hell up.

"Leonie put her number in my phone, somehow while I didn't see," he smiled, too giddy for morning.

"Intriguing, now go back to bed Romeo." I groaned, seeing he wasn't going to comply and tried to rub the sleep from my eyes. "What got you up all bright and early?" I asked, half expecting the answer to have to do with Leonie.

"Yesterday Leonie mentioned she's a morning person, and that she loves to get up and go for runs or go to the gym in the morning." I finally noticed his gym outfit, sweatpants with a white stripe down the side of each and a plain gray long sleeved shirt.

"I see, and you thought you could really pull it off and make it look like you just happened to be meeting her?" I laughed, he was so lame with the ladies.

"No, I was planning on asking her first, obviously." He smirked at me, when did he get all this confidence, and this snarky attitude was pissing me off too.

"I have quotes from you saying something about being shy with chicks, when'd that all change?" I asked.

"Things change bro, try and keep up." That just pissed me off.

"Watch your ego, Fromeo." I felt stupid as soon as I said it, hair insults didn't work when I was being serious. He rolled his eyes at me and left, but forgot his phone. I was annoyed at him for being such a hot shot, so I picked up his phone and scrolled down to Leonie's name. Just when I was about to pull up a text message, he had an incoming one from her.

From: Leo

433-555-7878

mystery, innit? ;-)

wanna come 4 a run with me?

I decided to have a little fun, he ruined my sleep, I'll ruin his petty plan. Something was provoking my evil tonight, I don't know what though. I figured it's best not to challenge it. I hit the reply button.

Leonie's POV

From: Nick J.

433-555-1212

nope, not rlly.

Not with you, im going 4 1 by myself tho.

What the hell was up with that text? He could have made up an excuse or something, that was straight up rude. I threw my phone down on my bed, getting into my track suit before responding. I didn't dress nice, knowing I'd be with Nick. I threw my hair up in a messy bun, wore a pair of boxer shorts my ex had given me, and threw on a hoodie. I was far from presentable, but I didn't give a shit right now. I glared at the phone, figuring I'd have to respond eventually.

Nick's POV

I went back to my room, I'd forgotten the phone. Joe had it in his hand, with a sly smile on his face. I snatched it from his hand, it said Text Message Sent.

"What the hell did you send?" I interrogated, pissed.

"Oh, nothing." He just kept that smug smile on his face the whole time.

From: Leo

433-555-7878

wth? Screw you.

:O

"Idiot," was all I had the time to say, as I set off to find Leonie.

Kevin's POV

Was it too soon to call Laken? I was freaking out here, would she think I was weird if I was all over her after our first date? I dialed her number a few times, I just didn't have the courage to press send. I decided I just needed to gain an ounce of courage, so I dialed her number, taking extra amounts of time on each number key. I was about to press send when it rang, and by fate, it was Laken's number calling. "Hey Kev, I don't mean to sound forward or anything but would you want to go to dinner tonight? I figure you need something redeeming, there's not much you can fail miserably at while at dinner," she was being sly, as usual. She almost seemed nervous though, did that mean she actually had feelings for me?

"Uh, sure," that's all I said, and regretted it instantly.

"Um, Kevin, no one's forcing you. If you don't want to come, all you have to do is--"

I cut her off, "I want to come, Laken, in fact why don't you come a little earlier and hang out with me and my brothers? We have a little lounge at the concert venue last night, you know where it was?" I asked.

"How couldn't I? It's what blocked my way trying to get in and out of that store," she practically snorted, as if it was obvious.

"Cool, see you in a couple."

We had a weeks beak from tour, for which I was grateful. It just meant more time with the girls, hell yeah. Bored, and anxious for my date, I went to go figure out what Joe and Nick were doing to pass the time. I got there and Nick shoved past me out of the room, mumbling something about killing Joe. My little brother was sitting on the bed, his face was twinged with guilt but overcome by the sly smile he was wearing.

I rolled my eyes, "What'd you do?" I disregarded that though, "Let's go the venue lounge."

Laken's POV

Chilling with his brothers seemed so much easier than one on one with Kevin, so I dressed casual. Denim skinnies, a pale yellow tank top, and flats of the same color. I chose an over-size white purse though, shoving a chic dress and formal heals into it, for later. Makeup was done, hair perfect, I hopped into my little Camry, and set off en route the venue lounge.

Once arrived, only Joe and Kevin were there.
"Uh, hey?" I knocked, opening the door at the same time. Kevin perked up when he saw me, which was reciprocal. We just smiled at each other for a second, until I heard Joe gag that is.

"So this must be Laken?" He stared me up and down, and it was a little bit uncomfortable after a while. He nodded his head, he seemed to approve for Kevin. Uh, yay?

Kevin performed a little introduction between me and Joe, and then we sat down and exchanged some small talk. Then Nick, and a girl walked in.

She seemed to be walking a little faster, eager eyes darting towards Joe, lips pursed.

"Keep your revenge to yourself," she muttered, not wanting to start a conflict. He raised his eyebrows innocently, he wasn't bad looking at all but Kevin made my stomach flip.

Nick followed her, then noticed us and introduced his partner. She seemed nice, regardless of her first impression.

"Hey Laken, feel like doing a webcast?" he asked me, he seemed into whatever he was planning.

"I'm up for anything!" I giggled, and left out the 'as long as I'm with you.'

He started up the webcam and gave the fans his usual greeting. I was surprised at how many fans there were, considering it was unannounced. We started goofing off, making kissing faces, and talking about random crap.

Then the comments started pouring in, some said we looked cute together. Others said they loved Kevin, a few had responses relevant to the chatter, and most were rude.

"Ew, he could do so much better, like me."

"Where'd he pick up the whale?"

Everything they were saying was hurtful, but I just kept smiling. I would not let that get to me, or more I wouldn't show him that it got to me. He shut the web cam immediately, and turned to face me.

"Laken, they're so wrong. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." He smiled, and I tried to put on my best act.

Joe's POV

Nick and Leonie were making kissy faces on the couch, Kevin and Laken were goofing off in front of the webcam, and I was sickeningly watching it all with a disgusted face. I don't think I would have cared much if I had Rhiannon with me, even though we wouldn't be all googley eyed.

Wrapped around your finger, always in my mi--

"Hello?" I picked up my phone mid-ring.

"Um, Joe, could you come get me?" It was Rhiannon, but her voice was strained and quiet.

"Sure Rhi, where are you?" I was concerned now.

She told me the address and I could hear sniffling and restrained tears through the phone, I knew something big was up.

"Guys, I think something's wrong with Rhiannon. I'm going to pick her up," I announced quickly.

"Joe!" Leonie said my name, and pulled me aside with Nick watching like a hawk, it annoyed me.

"Look, Joe, when you find her, don't ask too many questions unless she's willing to answer, alright? Rhi's had a little bit of a crazy life." I tried to heed Leonie's warning, but there was too much on my mind.

Finally, I pulled up to see Rhiannon huddled against a building clutching herself into a small ball. She didn't look right, apart from her location and position. Her usually tingling aura was dull, almost depressing. I jumped out of my car, and slammed the door shut, as I knelt on the paved sidewalk.

She looked up at me, wordlessly, she didn't have to say anything. Her face was covered in bruises, as well as her arms. I couldn't say anything, and when I wanted to I held back the urge. I just wrapped my arms around her, lightly cradling her as not to hurt her any further.

She stood up, and I followed her movement, while she limped towards my car. I made to help her, but she put up a hand and did it on her own. Even in a serious situation, she felt the need to show her independence, that's a tough chick.

"Joe, I don't want to go back home." She looked at me, terrified.

I nodded and gave her shoulder the lightest of reassuring squeezes, I'd never been in this situation before.