Authors note:- I have changed the rating as I think I rated a little high. Please review.

It was late when Justin entered the house breathing heavily. His mum Liz was watching the television with Sophie and they both turned around startled at his noisy entrance.

"Justin, I didn't think you were coming back until tomorrow" Liz exclaimed happily as she rose to hug her only son. "I have missed you so much".

Justin winced at the tight hug his mum gave him.

"Are you ok?" she asked pulling back and looking worriedly at him.

"Yes, I'm fine just overdid it a bit in training this morning". He bent down to pick up his bag.

"Do you want some tea?" Liz asked as she started to walk into the kitchen. "There's some lasagne left over which I can heat up for you"

"Er, no thanks. I'm not really hungry as I had a burger when I got off the bus. I'll just take my bag upstairs and crash out. Is Ali in?"

"Yes, he's been upstairs all evening with Darlene talking in hushed tones" Sophie answered sulkily.

"Oh. Everything ok with them"

"How would I know, they never tell me anything anymore."

Justin apprehensively took his bag upstairs. He wondered what had happened whilst he had been away. After his encounter with Macki and his gang earlier he was worried that Ali and Darlene had also had similar run-ins with Macki.

He dropped his bag on his bed and knocked on Darlene's door. There was no answer but he could hear voices from Ali's room. He knocked on Ali's door and then entered without waiting for a response.

"Well look what the cat dragged in" Darlene said sarcastically to Justin. Ali looked very sheepish and miserable sitting on his bed.

"Is everything ok?" he asked his eyes darting from Ali to Darlene.

"Why should you care" Darlene snapped at him rising from the beanbag. "You've been away for the last month".

"He's been hassling you hasn't he" Justin sighed raising his hand to his forehead "I thought we had seen the last of him" he despaired.

"Who are you talking about?" Stuttered Ali nervously.

Justin whipped around making Ali jump. "Macki of course."