~

Aaron.

I stare in shock, wide-mouthed as I see Aaron and Elliot eating each other out. Aaron had to be the biggest player I knew. He has dated more than 10 girls in the last few years. Most girls pooled at his feet and bad boy charms, but he was gay?

Or maybe he's bisexual. I was too stunned to think. Elliot opens his eyes and locks gaze with me. I quickly shut the door and walk far away from the toilet, trying to process what I just saw.

I go back to where the students were partying and my eyes catch Gray and Luca engaged in a conversation, laughing by the bar. I rolled my eyes and looked in the other direction, but not before Luca sees me. He raises his hand and signaled for me to come over.

Fuck. I walk towards them with a bored expression. Luca gives me a quick hug and plants a kiss on my forehead. "Wanna dance?" He asked.

I glance over at Gray, who had just walked away from us. He was standing on the other side of the room. I see Amy walk up to him and wrap her arms around his neck. He smiles at her and leans to plant a kiss on her neck.

Fuck him. I know I'm acting like a brat, but I can't help it. He was my first love. I had literally imagined myself having babies and living with him in the future. Yes, I was that much in love.

I grab Luca's hand and lead him towards the dance floor. I turn my back to Luca and he instinctively guided his hand towards my hips. I lean my head backward, resting it on his neck as we move in sync.

I close my eyes, enjoying the close proximity of our bodies. I rub my hands from my thighs up my body and bring it to wrap around Luca's neck.

"Fuck," He mutters and trails a hand down my hand. He plants soft kisses on my neck, making me gasp. He swiftly turned me to face me and cups my face in his arms.

He drags his eyes down to my lips before looking me in the eyes slightly asking for my permission. I close my eyes and raise my legs slightly, bringing my face up to his.

Just before our lips could touch, I'm yanked to the side by someone. My attention is drawn to Gray, who was now pulling me away from Luca. He tightened his grip on my hand as he leads me away. Luca tried to follow us but is stopped by Zyair and Aaron.

I silently follow Gray and he leads me to a room and locks the door behind us.

"What the fuck was that?" I demanded, crossing my arms around my chest.

He runs his hand through his hair and tries to steady his breathing. He sighs and looks up at me, his angry demeanor now replaced with an emotionless expression. "I don't trust him."

I raise an eyebrow and scoff. "He's not yours to trust."

"I'm just trying to look out you, Kelch. You might get hurt by him," He crinkles his brows in concern.

I mentally roll my eyes. I doubt anyone could ever hurt me as much as he did. He had no right to care about my feelings now. "Like I said it's none of your business."

I walk towards the door and unlocked it. I open the door and Gray immediately closes it back with a swift hand. "Do you like him?"

What part of 'it's none of your business' didn't he get? I lick my lower lips and cross my arms defensively. "What's it to you?"

He stares at me, his eyes roaming around my face desperately. He masks his emotions again and clears his throat. "I'll soon be your step-brother, so-

"Oh spare me the BS, Gray," I throw my hands up angrily. "In fact, stay the fuck away from me," I flipped his hand away from the door and walked out, leaving him there alone.

I walk a few feet from the room and come in contact with Luca. He scans my face nervously and clasps my hand. "Are you okay?"

I nod my head and his eyes trail to something behind me. His expression visibly darkens and he drops my hand.

He walks past me and I turn my head to follow his gaze. "What's your problem?" He glares at Gray.

"I'm sorry," Gray drawls dryly, making it very clear he was less than sorry.

~~~~~~~~~~

I clench my fist angrily when I see Dove sway her hips seductively with Luca behind her. It's been two years but the sight of her still drives me crazy. I had broken up with her for her safety.

The Cagers were brutal and not to be played with. I had joined the Cagers at the age of thirteen when my father used me as collateral. He had made a deal with the Cagers and told them if it didn't work out they could kill him and take me.

The deal didn't work out, but my father ran away before they could kill him. After months of looking for him all to no avail. They decided to take me in.

I didn't do much in the beginning. They used me as a drug carrier. I was the cute young boy that no one would ever suspect, making me perfect for the job.

At first, I didn't know how dangerous being in a gang could be until my first kill. It was a kill or get killed situation. I was 16 when I made my first kill and it haunted me for months.

I was sad and pushed everyone away including Kelch. I cheated on her on four different occasions in an attempt to get her to break up with me. I couldn't bear the thought of her dating a murderer.

But no matter what I did, she still stuck with me. When my mother's job got her transferred, I couldn't be happier. The only way I could get the Cagers away from completely was to disappear. I cut off everyone, deleted all my social media accounts so they couldn't trace me.

The two years in London were bliss. I barely used the internet, fearful they could trace me. My mum fell in love with her co-worker and was extremely happy when her job's headquarters asked for her to be transferred back.

I had initially decided to stay back in London. But then I realized I could either run and hide my whole life or face the Cagers.

I chose the latter, which was a bad idea.

I had thought I was big enough and felt they couldn't intimidate me anymore, but I was wrong. I spent my entire childhood fearful of them and such fears don't disappear easily.

I take a slow sip of my drink and see that Kelch's back is turned to me, her face inches away from Luca's. I nod at Zyair and he immediately nods back, understanding what I needed him to do.

I walk towards Dove and grab her arms roughly. I knew I had no right to stop her, but I couldn't help myself. Aaron appears at that moment and he and Zyair comically stop Luca.

I drag Dove, who was surprisingly calm, searching for an empty room. I open the first room I see and walk in with her. I lock the door and run a hand through my hair trying to steady my breathing? Why did I just do that?

"What the fuck was that?" She asks, crossing her arms across her chest. My eyes dart to her chest, which was more prominent due to her crossing her arms.

I give her a void stare, something I learned to do with The Cagers. Never let your emotions show, even if you've got a gun to your head.

"I don't trust him," I shake my head.

"He's not yours to trust," She deadpans.

I try to convince her that he's bad news, but she flips me off, claiming it's none of my business. To be honest, Luca was a good guy. We could be good friends only if he'd stop pinning over Kelch.

I stare at her unable to fathom my emotions. I like her way more than I let on. She was the first person to see through me. She knew I had problems but still stayed with me. No one really knew anything about me being in The Cagers, not even my best friends.

No matter how many times I cheated or hurt her, she still wanted me. Sometimes I wondered if she was stupid or dumb. But, deep down I knew I still wanted her to want me.

"Do you like him?" I ask, crossing my heart, hoping she wouldn't say yes. Say anything but yes.

"What's it to you?"

I just stood there not knowing what to say. I couldn't tell her I still had feelings for her. Not after how I broke her. I could ask her to get entangled with me because it would just endanger her life.

"I'll soon be your step-brother, so-

"Oh spare me the bs Grey," She flips angrily. "In fact, stay the fuck away from me."

I let her remove my hand from the door and walk out. I know I wouldn't be able to stop their next make out, but I'd make sure I don't see it.

I walk out after her and see her with Luca again. I roll my eyes as he locks gazes with me. He walks towards me, clenching his fist by his sides.

"What's your problem?" He glares at me. His eyes seem very familiar and I try to remember where else I've seen him.

I droop my lids and heave a small smile. "I'm sorry," I say dryly. I most definitely wasn't sorry, I already did what I did.

He notices my calm demeanor and smirks. "I'm sorry too," He sneers and walked away from me.

He walks towards Kelch and grabs her face. Without any warning, he smacks his lips on hers, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in.

My anger reaches its peak, watching Kelch lean in and wrap her arm around his neck. I heave and rub my temples, trying to stop myself from doing anything rash.

I place my arms in my pocket and take long strides towards them. Raising my legs up, I kick Luca waist hard, making him saunter to the side, clutching his side.

Dove screeches, widening her eyes in shock. I look at her and immediately cringe when I see her lips red and swollen from the kiss.

"Are you crazy?" Luca growls.

I thought I just hated seeing her with someone else, but now I realize I can't stand it.

I don't know what I'm trying to achieve by acting this way, but one thing is sure as hell.

If I can't have her, no one can.

••••••••••