I tossed and turned all night, reliving their behaviours, each of the times I had met them.

The first time at the wedding when they had been rude and unwelcoming, but not overly viscous, I know they had the wrong idea about my relationship with Dad and that had been one of the reason they did what they did but for me it was another scar in my mistrust of people.

I dreaded the thought of going anywhere near the college with them, their friends would all see me as a target and after what happened at the party, they would think they had freedom to do so and that the boys would back them. And no matter what they said, I wouldn't trust them, I didn't know if I ever would.

I groaned and dragged myself out of bed when Virginia knocked on my door for breakfast, laughing at my garbled response. Handing me a coffee when I finally made it to the kitchen, where a tall redhead was sat with May.

"Hey" she said grinning at me as I hovered in the doorway. "I'm Jazz, Aunty Ginny thought you may like to meet me" she stood up and looked me up and down.

"You're a cutie, I can see why you will need a steer round the college" she grinned again and against my will I found my mouth curving into a grin as I shot a look at Virginia.

"Come and sit Anni, this is my niece Jasmine," my eyes shoot to the girl as she huffs at the use of her full name, "She is also at college with you, I think you may share a couple of classes. I thought last night about the boys offer to show you round and realised you might feel happier with Jasmine, she and the boys have a different friend group and I want you to feel safe" she trailed off as she seemed to realise she had shown her doubt about the boys offer.

"I heard what they did" Jazz looks at me. "They are idiots, but Aunties right, we run in different circles, it's rare they come near me at college, but it's up to you, so what do you say cuz?" She grinned again and I felt myself relax.

"Okay, if your sure it's no problem for you"

"Oh cutie, it's no problem for me, my friends are going to love you as well, just you wait and see. Now we've still got a few days and today I'm meeting a few of them for coffee and shopping, so do you want to come with me?"

My gaze swings to May and Virginia who watch me with soft smiles.

"Can I?" I ask quietly and Virginia nods, her hand squeezing mine.

"Any time you want to, now do you need some money" she reached for her bag but I shake my head, now I have access to my account again, money is not an issue.

"I'm good" I tell her with a smile, before looking at Jazz. "Do I need to change?" I ask nervously and she laughs at me.

"Hell no, you look fab, I wish I looked like you" she praised and I blushed as she laughed again at my reaction.

May got up smiling as she started to bring the breakfast stuff over, giving me a chance to watch Jazz interact with May and Virginia. She seemed so carefree and happy and I felt comfortable around her. Breakfast was noisy as they all laughed together, even making me laugh with them at times.

We had finished and I was getting my coat from my room, when the boys finally appeared, Maverick stepping in my way to stop me.

"Where are you rushing off to?"

I felt my body tense as he blocked my way but Jazz's voice from the bottom of the stairs answered for me.

"Get out of her way Mav, she's coming with me" she said loudly and I watched as the boys exchanged a heated look with her, but Maverick stepped back and I rushed past to join her.

"See you" she waved over her shoulder at them as she guided me out ahead of her.

"You looked like you needed saving" she told me once we were seated in her car.

"Thank you, I didn't know how to tell them, without causing an issue, they don't like me" I tell her honestly, feeling I could trust her.

"My cousins are spoiled and opinionated and don't know when to back off, let alone how to admit they are wrong about anything, ignore them, you've got me now and from what I know about you, you're crazy smart, too quiet but we can work with that and cute as a button, trust me, I will look after you" she grinned again and I shook my head at her.

"You're crazy but thank you" I grin back at her, "tell me about the friends we are meeting?"

The rest of the journey she describes her friends who all sound slightly crazy, like her, we are meeting four boys and two other girls to officially get some school supplies but in reality it's a catch up and get coffee.

As we head through towards the cafe, I find my steps slowing nervously and it takes a moment for Jazz to realise buts she's quickly back and grabbing my hand, dragging me next to her and giving me an encouraging smile as we end up in front of her friends.

"Hey guys, this is my cousin Indiana, she is coming to college with us next term" she introduces me and they say hello, I can see the speculation in some of their eyes.

As I slide into a seat next to Jazz and she points at each friend giving me their names as she goes. "Matt, Derek, Katie, Nathan, Jenny and Sam"

Matt is the one who asks the question I was waiting for "Your brothers had a party for you, I heard there was an accident?"

"I fell off a table, and got concussion"

"I hear it was more like they attacked you" Katie added, "Are you okay?"

I swallowed and nodded, "Yes, I'm okay, it was a misunderstanding" I whisper embarrassed.

"How old are you?" Matt asks curiously.

"Seve...nteen" I stutter out embarrassed.

"Shit really, you must be really smart then, what classes are you doing, do you tutor?" he replies in a rush making everyone laugh and breaking the tension, as everyone joins in with teasing Matt, and I can take a breath.

I feel a little nudge from Jazz and look at her to see a smile and I smile back, listening to the banter around me.

It was late afternoon when we said goodbye to everyone, Nathan pulling me into a hug and saying loud enough for everyone to hear "We all want you to know, no matter what your brothers said, we don't believe them and we will be here if you need anything, all of us" I hear the murmurs of agreement around me as I feel my eyes water and Jazz pulls me out of Nathan's hold and towards the car as we both wave goodbye.

"How you doing cutie?" She asks me as we travel back towards the house and I turn to face her.

"Thank you for today and for not judging me, and rescuing me, your friends are cool too, just thank you"

As we stop in front of the house, she reaches over and pulls me into a hug. "If you need anyone to talk to, I'm here" she tells me and I nod, realising I've been hugged more since I got here than I had in the last three years in total.

"Now lets go see what goodies May has baking today" she laughed and we rushed into the house in search of treats.

The biscuits were soon on the table and I was able to relax as once again the boys were out and not expected back till late.