"Home, coming up!" Tuffey called from the driver's seat.
The band looked out the window and sure enough they were in New York, Alex had kept them busy the last few hours.
They could make out the media circus out side the Wolff's apartment building.
"Someone should untie Alex" Jessie said in here singsong voice.
Nat stood up and trying to make amends made his way to the back of the bus.
"I said leave me." Alex said softly not looking at Nat has he entered.
"But Alex, we're home" Nat said trying to reach for the leash to untie Alex.
"I want someone else to do it" Alex said moving away from Nat's hand.
Nat sighed and left feeling worse than he did before he went in.
"Jessie, you better do it, Alex won't let me" Nat said as the bus slowed to a stop.
Jessie got up and went to the back of the bus.
"Hey Alex, How are you?" she asked.
Alex didn't answer and just sat there as Jessie released him.
"Come on Alex, lets go, we're home now" Jessie said extending her hand.
Alex stood up and walked slowly to the front of the bus.
"Traitor" Alex muttered quietly as he passed Jessie, ignoring her outstretched hand.
The other band members tried to talk to Alex but he ignored them all, dejectedly stepping of the bus as Tuffey opened the door.
Immediately he was met with the sounds of the clicks of cameras and flashes of the bulbs and the voices a numbers of reporters all trying to talk at once.
"Alex! Alex! Is it true you back on lemon lime soda?"
"Alex! Are you drinking lemon lime soda again?"
"Are you or Are you not drinking lemon and lime soda again?"
"You guy's are jerks… you ruined my life" Alex said loudly and angrily as he pushed his way through the mob.
The rest of the band stepped of the bus.
"Is Alex addicted to lemon lime soda again?"
"Is Alex an addict?"
"Do you support Alex's statement that we are Jerks"
"What!? Get out of the way" Nat replied annoyed as he pushed his way through the mob toward the apartment.
Alex entered the building first and made his way up to the apartment where Mr Wolff was standing their waiting, with Juanita and her foster family.
"Hey Alex! How are you?" Mr Wolff said enthusiastically.
"Hey dad" Alex said dejectedly.
"What's …" Mr Wolff then got distracted by Nat entering the apartment, "Hey Nat!"
Alex went over to Juanita.
"Can we talk in private?" he asked quietly.
"Hi Alex, yeah what's the matter?" she asked a little of guard.
"Alex wait!" Nat called, but Alex ignored him and with Juanita entered his and Nat's room.
"What's up with you two?" Juanita asked inquisitively.
"I hate him…" Alex said struggling to contain his emotion.
"Why dawg?" Juanita asked before noticing one check was significantly redder than the other. "Did someone hit you?"
"…" Alex made a slight noise as tears began trickling down his check.
"Nat?" Juanita whispered wiping some tears off Alex's face.
Alex just nodded.
Alex then laid down and rolled over and sunk his face into the pillow. Juanita gently stroked his hair in an attempt to comfort him. When Juanita left later that day she gave him a kiss on the forehead and then left him alone.
That night Alex in a singlet and boxers climbed into bed, when Nat come out of the bathroom.
"Come on Alex, at least say something to me?" Nat said in desperation, Alex had so far avoided talking to him the rest of the day.
Alex said nothing has Nat climbed onto the top bunk.
"Alex, I'm sorry." Nat pleaded to no avail.