Yeah, I have "too, to, two" problem. Haha. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll try my best to stop that nonsense. And I feel the same as you about the chapter. Something is missing from it. It may be the lack of POVs or everything is coming out so fast that I'm missing a few things. I'll keep thinking about it and see what's going on. Thanks again!

Macy's POV

Stella and I didn't get up from the couch last night. Despite how hectic and weird these couples of days were, I couldn't have been any more energetic. I rolled out of the couch and urged myself to take a shower. Grabbing a pair of clothes I picked up yesterday, I went for the bathroom, taking my phone with me.

I had six missed calls from Kevin. Joe never really explained why I shouldn't let him in the house if he happened to drop by. Maybe it was a good idea that I didn't answer the phone.

I took a long shower, letting the water hit my back warmly. I didn't realize how tense I was until now. It must've been because I was on the couch for two days straight. After getting out of the shower and throwing on my clothes, I checked the time. It was almost eleven. I yawned and ran my fingers through my damp hair.

"Stella?" I called walking downstairs. She wasn't in the living room anymore so I assumed she was in the kitchen. As I walked in, she was sitting on her counter top, talking on the phone.

"Yeah," she said, "Okay, we'll be waiting for you." She hung up and turned towards me, "that was Joe. He, Nick, and Bea are coming over in a little while."

"Did he explain what was going on?" I asked.

"Not really," she said, "All he said was they were going to Nick's place then coming to us."

"Hmm," I said pensively, "That's weird." There had to be some sort of reason to why they were going there but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"I know," Stella said, "But they'll tell us when the get here."

"Yeah," I said.

"Well," Stella said, "I'm going to hop in the shower. I'll be out in a little while." I nodded. As Stella left, I took her empty coffee cup and put it in the sink. I wouldn't be out of the house for another hour or so. So I filled the sink with sudsy water and did the dishes. Deciding that it was too quiet, I switched on the radio.

I hummed softly to the melody of the average pop song on the radio, scrubbing everything a little too much. I felt like I could run a mile but wanted to stay here until Joe, Bea, and Nick came. I had a feeling whatever was coming was going to be big.

Joe's POV

I got up earlier than Bea and Nick. I felt extremely guilty for doing this to Stella. We were supposed to be spending a lot of time together, but she would understand when I explained everything to her.

I had to find something to do that would pass the time. I didn't want to wake up Bea or Nick. I stared at them for a moment, watching him hold onto her in his sleep, like she belonged there. She really did, didn't she? She was happy, a faint smile spread across her lips. It was so peaceful and I ruined the scene.

I made my way downstairs and poured myself some coffee Bea's father had left. It was horrible; I was never a coffee person. But the caffeine kept me more alert than yesterday. It all seemed like a dream when I thought about it this morning. You can never really remember everything because it was just pictures in your head.

"I see you found the coffee." I jumped and turned around to see Bea leaning against the doorway to the kitchen. I quickly took another sip and went over to her, handing her the cup. She shook her head.

"C'mon," I said, "You need it." She was hesitant but took the coffee from me anyway, gulping the whole thing down in a matter seconds, "Ah, that's disgusting."

"Yeah," I laughed, "You feeling okay?"

"Yeah," she said, "Probably better than you." She put her hand on my shoulder, "I'm really sorry, Joe… about all of this."

"I just want Nick to be happy," I admitted, "You know, even though I found out no sooner than he did, I still feel pretty guilty. I think I owe it to him… to make sure he's right where he wants to be."

"You're sweet to think of him that way," she smiled.

"He's not ready to see my parents," I said.

"Would you?" she asked curiously.

"No," I said, "I wouldn't, and I'm not." Bea nodded and rubbed my back.

"I should go wake him up," Bea said. I nodded and let her go. We had to go talk to the orphanage without any idea what we were doing. I would call her dad. There had to be a way to get this meeting over with without consulting my parents. Nick didn't want to see them… and I would see to it that he wouldn't. Not until he was ready.

Bea's POV

When I went into my room Nick was looking out the window, "I didn't wake you up did I?" I asked. Nick shook his head. I walked forward, unsure if he really wanted me around right now. But today, I would do whatever he said no matter how much it killed me inside.

"Bea," he said, reaching for me with one arm. I walked forward a bit quicker and took his hands. He pulled me forward, next to him, wrapping his arm around my waist. I felt so scared; not of him, but of everything that we were going to do today.

"It'll be okay," I said, "You can stay here as long as you like. And… it won't be easy, but we'll get everything settled." He looked down at me blankly but nodded.

"I love you," he said, "You know that?" Wow; I've never heard Nick say he loves me. That was the first time he's ever said it. But I got sad. I don't know why. I felt like something wasn't right. I nodded, though. I didn't want Nick worrying anymore than he already was, "Do you love me too?"

"Of course," I whispered genuinely.

"Good," he said looking down at me. He turned towards me and easily lifted me up on his feet. He held me as close as humanly possible and pressed his lips to mine carefully. I put my hands on his shoulders. He held me there for what seemed like forever but I loved it that way, "You need to let me talk to Florence alone." It came out as a mere whisper.

"Why?" I asked, finally opening my eyes and completely pulling away from Nick. For some reason, I didn't trust him alone. I felt like he was going to do something.

"I don't want you two dragged into this," he said.

"What?" I scoffed, "Nick… if anyone has to be in this its Joe. I want to be in this… with you."

"I know," he said, kissing my forehead, "But this discussion… just needs to be held alone."

"Okay," I said slowly. What was I thinking? I can never answer that, can I?

Nick's POV

I left Joe and Bea at the house, telling them to wait for me there. But that wasn't going to happen. All I had was Bea and Joe… but I wasn't going to put them through this… not them.

I barged through the orphanage. It was very quiet except for Florence whose powerful footsteps filled the entire building. She was soon in front of me, worry in her eyes, "Nick," she said, "I think you and I need to talk."

"I don't," I shrugged, "I understand all of it. So I'm done talking." I walked passed Florence and upstairs. I barged through my room. If I didn't need it, I would leave it. That's how I had to think. I had one small backpack. I threw in the only things I need: a spiral and pen, money I've found or saved from working for Florence, and the picture of Bea and her mom. It's caught my interest since I saw it; I wasn't going to leave it behind. It was selfish… but I would send it back if I had to.

"Nick," Florence said in the doorway, "You're being irrational."

"Am I?" I laughed, "Because… I really feel like it. I mean, let's fact it. Nothing ever works out well for me, does it?" I looked at Florence who was trying to find a good argument to use against me. But she didn't have one, "I've ruined my brother's life."

"You didn't do anything wrong," she said, "I did… I should've told you, Nick."

"You're damn right," I glared, "Because if you did, I wouldn't have to go through the same shit over and over again." I zipped up my bag and threw it over my shoulder, "I love Bea… and now I have to leave her. Do you know how that feels?"

"Then don't leave," she said.

"I have to," I replied, angry that she didn't understand, "Why can't you see that? If I don't go, her life will be miserable. I can't have her see me this way. I'll ruin her life if I stay."

"You know that isn't true," she said. I looked down at the floor, waiting for Florence to move out of my way.

"I'll come back," I said, "Just tell her I'll come back."

"No," she said, "If you go… you're gone. You will not have her think of you every day, hoping you will return… and if you don't… you'll come back? I don't believe that, Nick. Until you prove me wrong, I have nothing to say to her."

"Fine," I scoffed. She moved out of my way before I could push her.

Joe's POV

We let Nick go to the orphanage alone. Bea and I waited… and waited… and waited. This did take a lot of time. I mean, Nick wasn't happy with Florence. I wouldn't be.

"Where could he be?" Bea asked.

"I don't know," I said. I stood up and looked out the small window in the front door. But there was no Nick, no nobody. I wondered if Bea's dad was there. He talked to them last night, explaining that Nick would be staying at Bea's house.

That's when I heard it; sirens.

Bea stood up quickly. She looked out the window then saw her Dad pull up in her driveway. She quickly went out the front door. I followed, hoping she wouldn't fall over; she forgot to take her medication again, "Dad," she said, "What's going on?"

"Joe," her dad said, rolling down the window, "Don't let Bea leave the house."

"Dad!" she yelled, "What's going on!" He already backed out, heading for the orphanage. Bea and I were thinking the same thing. But I had to contain myself and keep Bea here. She was about to run but I locked my arms around her, "Joe, let me go! He could be hurt!"

"Bea," I said calmly, "Bea, calm down. He's okay."

"No!" she squirmed, "He's not okay! He's hurt! Something is wrong!" I had to drag her in the house. Her pleading was breaking my heart. I knew something was wrong. But he wasn't hurt.

Shit.

Bea's POV

"Joe, let me go," I said weaker. Joe managed to get me in the house. He pulled me in the living room and sat me down. He sat next to me, wrapping his arms around me, "Why are you doing this!"

"Because, Bea," he said, "He's okay. I promise."

"You can't do that!" I said prying myself from his arms. I stood up but he beat me to the front door, blocking my way, "You can't promise me something like that."

"Bea, you're going to get yourself hurt," he explained, "Just please… wait." I glared at Joe but turned around, pacing right in front of the door. Joe didn't move though, knowing that if he did I would take off.

It had to have been an hour or so. The outline of my father opened the door, causing Joe to move out of the way. He stood behind me as my dad nearly limped inside the house. He wouldn't look me in the eye.

"Dad," I said.

"He took off," he said, looking at Joe, "Nick's gone."