“You’re making a scary face, just so you know.” Matt suddenly said from beside me and I turned my eyes on him.

“Yeah? I was thinking on how to best kill you without Ethan noticing...” I said with a shrug and I could see Matt roll his eyes in amusement.

“I bet you were. Anyway are we going to sit here all day or are we actually going to move?” He said as he threw his hands out in a ‘look how little we’re moving right now’- gesture. I shifted my eyes over to Kate who was still sitting beside Amber, trying to gain her attention by smiling sweetly.

“Kate, what do you think? Do you want to do something?” I asked her and chuckled as she dropped her smile and returned to her ordinary self as she looked over at me. Well I guess there was no need to pretend with me...hah I already knew how evil she could be.

“I want to go swimming! Can we go swimming?” She said as she looked over at me. Her eyes were already dimmed by disappointment because she already knew how I felt about swimming. I really hated it.

I sighed as I tugged at a wisp of my hair. I had asked and now I would become the villain if I said no. God dammit!

“Well of course we can go swimming little girl, I know the perfect place and I’m sure you’ll love it!” Alex voice suddenly said from behind me and I could feel my eyes widen as Kate shot up from her seat and started jumping up and down in excitement.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Did you hear that Matt? We’re actually going swimming!” She chimed and I just didn’t have the heart to disappoint her now. It looked like I had to stay here by myself then...joy.

I sighed as I rose from my seat and brought my dish over to the dishwasher. I distracted myself from the thought of being left behind when they went swimming and started humming to myself.

“This is going to be so fun! Do you think we should bring some food and eat our lunch at the lake?” Alex said as he strolled up to me and it took me awhile to understand that he was actually asking me. I looked at him for a second and then I bit my lip and said:

“Ehm...you can do as you want, I’m not going so...well yeah...”

Alex stared at me and the whole kitchen went silent. I blushed as everyone turned their attention on me and I uncomfortable shifted from one foot to the other. It was so awkward to be the center of attention like this. Why wasn’t anyone saying anything? My statement hadn’t been that weird had it?

“Are you kidding me? Why?” Alex suddenly said and I gave him an irritated look.

Why, he asked...well why did I even need to have a reason?

“I don’t want to fucking go! Mind your own business dammit!” I growled before I turned on my heels and stalked towards the kitchen entrance. I stomped around the corner but I didn’t even get to reach the stairs before I felt an arm grab me from behind. I yelped as I was roughly spun around and I instantly came face to face with Alex. I gave him an angry glare and he let out a threatening growl.

Before I had time to react Alex took a hold of me and threw me over his shoulder causing me to lose my breath for a second. He didn’t waste a second as he started climbing the stairs and even though I tried to hit him it didn’t help my case at all.

“Fuck you Alex! Let me down now!” I screamed as I struggled against his hold. When he replied by spanking me harshly I let out a startled yelp and I could feel his slap burn against my already bruised bottom.

“Ouch, stop it!” I yelled, cursing under my breath as Alex gave me yet another slap.

When we reached the first floor he walked up to the closest door and flung it open. He entered with me still hanging over his shoulder and I cursed yet again as he suddenly pulled me down and pushed me further inside the room.

When he had released me he turned around and walked out of the room again, slamming the door closed behind him. I could hear him lock the door from outside and I angrily kicked the closest thing I could see, which happened to be a small chest of drawers.

Who the hell did he think he was, locking me up in a room like this?! I wasn’t some stupid child he could push around as he saw fit! Fuck him! I would seriously kill him when he came back and I wouldn’t even feel sorry for it!

I was seeing red and I even considered thrashing the room just because I felt like it. Seriously just because I didn’t want to go swimming he couldn’t just lock me up! I have rights for God’s sake! I stomped up to the bed and threw myself down on the covers. I growled as I buried my face against a pillow and screamed on top of my lungs. The pillow muffled the sound but I still felt like a little kid, lying there yelling like a lunatic.

When I had finally calmed down a bit I flopped over to my back and stared up at the ceiling. I sighed and pouted as I rolled of the bed and went up to the closed door. I tested the handle by roughly pulling on it. When it refused to open I rested my head against the door and sighed yet again.

This would be a long day...

[Two hours later, around 2 p.m.]

I had since long ago stopped banging on the door trying to get anyone to let me out of this fucking room. The first half an hour I had spent trying to pick the lock, the next trying to break it down and the last hour I had just been lying on the bed trying not to think about how badly I wanted to be let out. I wasn’t a patient person and I hated confinement like this. It drove me insane and I was bored to death. I wondered if they had somehow forgotten all about me and went swimming without letting me out. It wouldn’t have surprised me really...

A sudden rattling sound woke me from my thoughts and I flew up from the bed. The door was pulled open and Alex stepped in without so much as glancing my way. My eyes stayed glued on him but I kept silent as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him. After a second he strolled up to the bed and sat down. It wasn’t until he had made himself comfortable that his eyes found mine and I felt a shiver run up my spine. His eyes weren’t exactly cold...but I don’t know...calculating?

I sent the unlocked door a longing look and contemplated making a run for it but as soon as the thought crossed my mind I dismissed it. Running had never ended well for me and this time would probably end up the same...

I shifted my eyes back on Alex and I could see him watching me closely. Was he waiting for me to run?

I sighed and then I slowly approached him. When I was almost at the bed he held up his hand and mentioned for me to stand before him. I frowned but moved to comply anyway. I stopped a step before him and gave him a questioningly look which he ignored completely. Instead of explaining anything he simply pointed at the ground where I stood and said:

“Kneel.”

I grimaced and had to bite my tongue so I wouldn’t curse at him for being so arrogant. After a while, when I had regained control over my flaring emotions, I slowly dropped down on my knees before him.

“Now tell me the reason as to why you’ve been locked up in here for nearly two hours.” Alex said in an even voice and I had to look away so he wouldn’t notice the irritation my eyes surely showed. Did he really expect me to apologize for not wanting to go swimming? Forget it!

“Fuck you.” I simply said as I made a move to rise from the ground. Before I had time to react Alex hand shot out and with a rough tug on my arm he pulled me up from the ground and onto his lap. He turned me so that I was lying over his lap and by placing a hand against my neck he easily held me down and kept me from moving away.

“God dammit Alex! Let me go and stop fucking around!” I yelled angrily as I tried to squirm out of his hold. A second after the words left my lips I could feel the first slap roughly connect with my ass. I let out a yelp as two more followed close behind and it stung even though my pants protected me from most of the impact.

“You never learn do you Ash?” Alex growled out and I whined as yet another slap hit my ass. I wasn’t fighting his hold anymore and it was as if his actions, instead of making me angry, made me completely submissive.

After three more spanks Alex pulled me away from his lap and made me kneel on the floor before him again. Even though I wanted to glare at him it was as if I couldn’t.

“Don’t fight it, pup. You’re not supposed to oppose me when I’m emitting this much dominance. If you try you’ll be punished more severely than with a few spanks, believe me.” Alex said from above me.

As soon as his words registered I finally let go and stopped fighting his authority. My body instantly relaxed as I accepted the fact that he was in charge and I almost laughed at the calmness that coursed through me and made me completely submissive. I could feel something close to threads connecting me with Alex and I gasped as his hand landed on my head and he gently intertwined his fingers with strands of my hair. Electricity shoot through me from where he had his hand and I let out a startled breath as I unconsciously leaned into his touch like a cat wanting to be caressed.

“You won’t disrespect me again, is that clear?” Alex said in an even voice. I let my eyes fall shut as I enjoyed the feeling of his fingers slightly tugging on strands of my hair. It was strange but it was as if my body melted into his touch.

“Yes.” I finally breathed and I could feel his hand pause.

“Look at me and tell me why you don’t want to go swimming.” He said after a moment of silence and I slowly let my eyes find his. He was looking down at me with a patient look on his face and I sighed deeply. I guess I had no choice...

“Mhm I...well to keep it simple...water scares me...” I silently mumbled and I could feel a slight blush taint my cheeks.

“Do you trust us to take care of you Ash?” Alex suddenly asked and I shot him a confused gaze.

“Yeah...ehm I mean I haven’t really thought much about it...I guess I don’t believe you’d hurt me...?” I carefully said and I could feel Alex’s eyes narrow on me.

“We would never let anything happen to you so there’s no reason for you to worry about it. You will accompany us to the lake but if you don’t like the water no one will force you to swim. You can stay on the beach. Do you understand?” He said in a reassuring voice and I could feel my body relax against him again.

After a moment of silence I let my eyes shift to the floor before me and then I quickly answered before I could change my mind.

“Fine, I understand.” I said, my voice tired from all the tension over the last hours. Alex’s eyes stayed glued on me as I slowly got up from the floor. When I had risen he took a firm grip around one of my wrists and tugged me closer as he himself rose from the bed. He gently wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly. I melted into his embrace and sighed as his warmth surrounded me completely.

When Alex finally released his hold on me I went to pull away but before I could his hand was suddenly gripping my jaw. He angled my face upwards and without giving me time to think he leaned in and captured my lips in a searing kiss.

I let out a soft whine as he bit down on my lower lip, making me open my mouth for him, and then I immediately let him have all control. Our tongues battled playfully until Alex took over the kiss completely and easily made me submit. I could feel his hand pull me closer and I sighed in bliss as his kiss turned gentler. I guess he wasn’t angry with me any longer and I was really hoping that meant that I would be released from this stupid room.

When Alex ended the kiss he took my hand and pulled me along as he exited the bedroom and walked towards the stairs. I trailed after him until we reached the main floor and then I followed as he turned left at the bottom of the stairs and walked up to a door to the side. He pushed it open and we entered the room together. I stopped in my tracks as soon as I stepped inside and was just about to turn on my heels and run back out when Matt got his eyes on me. Shit...

“Ash!!” Matt yelled as he jumped up from the floor and paddled (and when I say paddled I seriously mean paddled) through the mess covering the carpet.

There were clothes scattered all over the room and I could see Kate almost buried under a pile of shirts on the bed in the middle. Amber were standing by the closet with a tired-looking Vincent by her side while Kevin, Ethan, Adam and Anton were all leaning against the far wall trying to avoid Regina’s arms as she waved a pair of jeans around in the air.

“Oh my God...” I whispered as I let my eyes take in the scene before me and a second later I was tackled to the ground by Matt. We landed in a heap of clothes and I quickly pushed my stupid friend of me.

“I know right! This is like dying and then arriving in heaven!” Regina squeaked, her eyes wide from excitement as she stared at all the clothes.

“Yeah I can agree with the dying-part but I’m not so sure I’ve gone to heaven...more like hell, I would say...” I said gazing over at Kate to see if she was even breathing under all those garments.

“You know Ash, gay-people are supposed to like fashion and clothes.” Matt chuckled from beside me and I immediately threw him a deadly glare.

“Fuck you! That’s so stereotypical. I’m sure you’re just trying to hide your own excitement over all these pink clothes, aren’t you?” I said, gesturing towards a heap of pink tank tops. Matt rolled his eyes and gave me a wide smirk and a small laugh.

“You sure know how to talk back, kiddo.” He retorted and I slowly narrowed my eyes on him where he sat a few foot away from me.

“Who the hell are you calling a kid, retard?!” I growled and I could see Matt’s eyes shine playfully. He knew he had me and he was begging for trouble that asshole.

“Hm...do you see any other kids than you around?” He answered while pretending to look around for any small children and I knew I couldn’t let that slip. I’ll show him trouble...

Before he could react I shot up and threw myself at him. I registered his shocked face before I slammed into him and we tumbled to the floor in a tangle of limbs.

“Shit! Fucking...brat...” Matt growled as I got the upper hand, grabbed the closest piece of clothes and started rubbing it all over his face. It happened to be a pair of exercising-pants and I really hoped they were recently used and smelling because that would serve him well.

Matt grimaced and tried to push me of while avoiding getting his mouth stuffed with the pants. I could hear Kate start to laugh and I grinned as I leaned down closer to Matt and said:

“Are you going to give it up soon, Matty?”

“In your dreams asshole!” He shot back with a growl and a second later I could feel him wrap his legs around my waist and with a quick movement of his hips he rolled us over. I landed on the floor with him now on top and I could feel my eyes grow big as Matt sent me a triumphant smile. He took a hold of the pants in my hand and threw them to the side. Before I could say anything he had a pair of pink panties in his left hand and he gave me a wide grin as I started to shake my head from side to side.

“Nuh uh, that’s not fair!” I shouted as he grabbed one of my wrists and prevented me from shielding myself as he brought the panties closer to my face.

“If payback is a bitch and revenge is sweet I’m going to be the sweetest bitch you’ll ever meet!” Matt chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. I grimaced and quickly flipped over so my stomach came in contact with the floor and Matt was sitting on my back instead. I started crawling forward trying to get away from him while yelling:

“He’s finally lost it! He’s crazy and... oh my God I’m going to get killed! Help me! Holy shit, get him of me, get him of me!”

Matt lost a bit of his grip on me as he started laughing hysterically and I took my chance to squirm out of his hold and quickly crawl towards the bed. When I reached it I hastily threw myself on it and grabbed Kate from underneath the clothes-pile. I put her in front of me as a shield and she sent me a panicked look.

“Why are you always using me to protect yourself Ash?! I can’t help you!” She exclaimed trying to look at me from over her shoulder. I sent her a wicked grin and pointed at Matt who had stopped at the foot of the bed.

“Because that bastard would never let you come in harm’s way, even if it is to get back at me.” I chuckled and Matt shot me an evil eye.

It was true though, Matt loved Kate and even though he pretended that he didn’t care at times he would still do anything for her I’m sure of it.

“Well if you’re done wrestling maybe you can be of some actual use and help us choose what to wear.” Regina suddenly said in a dry tone and Matt and I shifted our attention to her annoyed expression.

“Ehm...You do know that we’re only going to a lake to swim right?” Matt slowly said and I almost face palmed myself where I stood. The guy had seriously no experience when it came to women and wearing fitting clothes wherever they went. You can’t just say that it’s not important what they wear to a girl like Regina...

“Ah...what Matt was trying to say just now were that we would absolutely like to help you pick out some...ehm...clothes...but we need to pack some food too so...maybe if you ask Vince he can help instead?” I quickly said before Regina could start lecturing Matt and then I jumped of the bed and grabbed Matt’s arm, pulling him along as I ran for the door. If we didn’t get out of here soon we would be stuck, choosing clothes for the girls forever...

I had time to see Vincent shot me a deadly glare as Regina and Amber turned their eyes on him and I sent him an apologizing look before I pulled Matt out the door. My mates, Kevin and Ethan followed us like there was fire at their heels and I realized that we would have to make this up to Vincent later.

He would have to take one for the team right now and I seriously hoped that he would get out of there alive and mentally sane.