Hey guys, I am so sorry for the lack of updates. It's my senior year in high school and there have been lots of work to do before I'm off to college. Again, sorry for not updating but I will update more frequently when I am out of school which is soon. Thanks for your patience and support, I really appreciate the reviews left for me.

Ari's Point of View

I breathe out a groan as I pass by another empty hallway, I feel bad about how I had left things with Ella, but I don't know how to handle putting a face to the man who was supposed to love and protect me. I walk into the kitchen, hoping to grab something to eat since my stomach was protesting. The kitchen is nice, professional-hotel looking nice, and I let out a scoff when I thought about its cost.

Someone clears their throat, not sure which one of them, but the four boys sit at the table while Callum is searching the fridge. Attempting to exert confidence, I greet them all. The boys were wearing what I assume were uniforms for school, I inwardly cheered because I then I wouldn't have to fuss about choosing an outfit that'll let me blend into the crowd.

"How do you like your eggs, Ari?" Four pairs of glaring eyes are set on me, this causes me to shake my head. Even with my growling stomach, I don't need more reasons for them to hurt me than they already do. I made a move to turn around and wait by the front door, but I was stopped by Callum. "Why don't you go sit down at the table?" By the sound in his voice, I knew this wasn't a real choice. "There are bagels on the counter, or you can have fruit or yogurt from the fridge?"

I shake my head at the offer, making a plan to grab food when no one was around to glare at me as if I had killed their puppy. Callum opened his mouth, probably to insist I eat something, but my sister walks in and diverts his attention to her. Callum goes through the same routine about breakfast with Ella.

"I'm done. Who wants a ride?" said the guy from earlier. Good, he seems to be ignoring me. The twins move out of their chairs, but the unpredictable one who found me 'amusing' shook his head.

"I'm picking up Claire this morning." Oh, these idiots can get girlfriends, surprising. Using the commotion to my advantage, sorry Ella but you're on your own on this petty argument and left before anyone could see me. Finding my way to the front door was another hassle but it was worth getting alone time. Well, that's what I thought I was getting but then the one with the girl to pick up, walked in, "Hey, you're Airi or something, right?"

I lean against the wall, waiting for Ella or Callum to drive me to school. His comment doesn't affect me, whether he knows my name or not won't matter when they decide to throw me out.

"Come on, I have to know your name if you're gonna be our dad's sex toy." He brings his arm around my shoulders. My body tenses and I attempt to move away, but he grabs my wrist then spun me into his arms. I struggle to break free, "I don't think you know my name, I'm Easton. How about we make a deal, you tell me your name and I let you go?"

He lets the question hang in the air, and I was going to give in reluctantly before I could feel his hands slip down my back to my hips. I freeze in place because that's all I can do. My senses don't work, flashes of memories fly by and I let out a short yelp when I start remembering. Easton jumps back, scared of what happened. My body curls itself into a ball on the floor, I feel fear coursing through my body but my sense of surrounding is numbing. My past plays like a movie in my brain with no way to stop it.

I don't know how long I was sitting on the ground, kneeling, with my hands cupping my ears but when I finally opened my eyes Easton was staring at me. He was sitting in front of me, his arms are in the air like he wanted to comfort me but didn't know how. I swiped the tears that stained my face while standing up to face the opposite direction. "How long was I like that?" I recoil at my shaking, stuttering voice.

"Umm...," he looked so lost and confused but stood up and answered, "A minute, two at the most." I nod, so it was short, that's good. Before I could ask him not to tell Callum or Ella he asked the question I knew I'd have to face eventually, "What was that?"

"A panic attack." My answer was short and simple, I didn't want to dwell on this subject, not when I know he won't drop this.

"Why did you have a panic attack? I was just teasing you, you know, I wasn't going to actually hurt you." His brows were furrowed, maybe he was confused or trying to figure me out, either way, I wasn't sure.

I didn't know how to answer, I've never told anyone, not even Ella. The Royals were not people I trusted but I knew I had to give him something or he won't let me walk away. "I... have a fear... of physical interaction with... others, especially men." Silence filled the corridor as Easton comprehended the information I had given him, and it's not a total lie but certainly not the truth. Eventually, he nods and turns to leave, most likely because he's late to go pick up his girlfriend. "Hey," I wait for him to face me again before I speak, "No one knows... about the panic attacks, not even Ella. Can you not tell anyone? I don't want Ella to know that I'm not normal, and Callum might throw me out if he knew."

Easton turns back to the door, I start to fear that my secrets would finally be exposed, but he speaks as he opens the door. "I wasn't going to tell anyone anyways."

Just as he stepped out the doorway I stepped towards him, "Ari." He turned to give me a strange look, he's confused, "My name is Ari." Easton didn't reply but I did see the small smile on his face as he closed the door.