When Alex and I got to the bus I was still in tears.

He pulled my out of the car and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"Aww, sweetie, what happened?" Jack asked when he saw me.

I broke out into sobs again and Jack hugged me.

"Thanks," I smiled weakly.

"Hey, we'll take care of her." Rian offered as him and Zack walked up.

Jack and Alex nodded and walked away to talk.

I sighed, "Fuck."

"What happened?" They asked in unison.

"My step dad was hitting me, Alex heard yelling, came inside, punched my step dad, helped get my bags, and then we came here." I said quickly and took a deep breath.

"Did he do that to you?" Zack pointed to my eye that was probably starting to bruise.

I nodded.

"Come on, we'll get you some ice." They led me onto the bus.

Zack got some ice and wrapped a washcloth around it.

"Thanks." I smiled and held it on my eye.

"Do you need anything?" Rian asked. "Water? Food?"

"I could use a tequila shot."

Their eyebrows raised, "Really?"

I nodded again.

Zack laughed and poured a shot, "Lime?"

"Do I look like I want fruit?" I laughed.

I downed the shot and sat the glass on the counter. "Thanks."

"Really?" Alex said from the front of the bus.

I looked at him and giggled, he was shocked.

"What?" I asked.

"You drink?"

"Sometimes." I smiled.

Alex grinned and wrapped his arms around me, "I want to kiss you so bad right now."

"Then do it." I whispered and sat the ice in the sink.

"I don't think the guys would like that." He said.

"Hmmm." I tapped my lip in thought, and then mouthed, "Play along."

He nodded once.

"Alex," I said with a tearul voice.

"What is it?" He whispered.

"I really need someone to talk to." I cried and leaned into his chest.

"Alright, come on." He led me to his bunk and I crawled inside.

He climbed in beside me and closed the curtain. "Nice. The guys didn't ask one question. That's talent."

"Why thank you." I smiled.

"So, about that kiss." He said.

I grabbed his neck and pulled his face to mine.

His lips touched mine and imaginary fireworks went off in my head.

Alex's tongue flicked across my lip and I felt myself blush.

My phone starting ringing, "And there was hope in me, that I could take you there, but dammit, you're so young, well, I don't think I care."

"Shit." I groaned and pulled my phone out of my pocket. The caller ID read "home."

I answered, "Hello?"

"Where the hell are you?" My mother asked.

"Not home, obviously."

"Well get here, now!" She ordered.

"No."

"Get the fuck home or you're grounded."

"I don't care. Because honestly, that's not home, not anymore. Home is somewhere where the people there care about you. And you don't care anymore, so that's not home." I held back tears and waited for a response.

"Then at least tell me who hurt your father." She said.

"My father? Try again, my father died three years ago! Kevin is not my father, not even close." I said, no longer able to control my tears.

"Your father was a drunk, he was stupid."

"Never talk about him that way! Ever!" I screamed into the phone.

"He wasn't even a good parent to you, Annabeth."

"What? He was ten times the parent you could ever be! He actually cared, you never did." I yelled and hung up the phone.

I burried my face in Alex's pillow, I felt him rest his head on my shoulder and trace gentle circles on my back with one hand as the other searched for mine.

He found my hand and twined our fingers together.

"I can't go home, Alex." I whispered.

"I know, I know." He whispered back and hugged me.

"I feel so bad."

"What for?"

"For yelling at my mom." I said.

"But she was yelling at you and saying bad stuff about your dad, she kind of deserved it." Alex told me.

"I know, I still feel bad, I mean, she is my mom."

"Listen," Alex pulled me into his arms and made me meet his eyes. "You don't have to worry about her anymore, or your step-dad. You have us now, alright?"

I smiled, "Thank you."

"So, what's it gonna take to make you happier?" Alex asked.

I didn't say anything as I pulled out my iPhone.

I scrolled through my music until I found my favorite song.

"Something Corporate, Konstantine." Alex grinned.

I nodded.

"Don't let Jack hear you playing that, he might rape you."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Alex was just about to kiss me again when Jack tore the curtain open.

"Something Corporate!" He jumped on me and wrapped his arms around me. "Marry me?"

"Yes! I will be Mrs. Jack Barakat!" I laughed.

"Yay!" He laughed too.

"Okay, Jack. You can get your boner off me now." I poked his sides.

"You know you like it!" He said as he climbed off of me and got out of the bunk.

I giggled as Alex pulled the curtain shut again.

"That boy." He shook his head and chuckled.

I yawned and snuggled closer to Alex.

"Tired?"

"Very." I nodded.

"Sleep tight." He whispered.

I feel asleep quickly and slept dreamlessly.

~!Author's Note!~ Sorry this one's so short, had a little bit of writer's block. I'll make up for it on the next chapter. Don't forget to review! xoxo, AlyMay