I wake up and immediately wonder where the hell I am, but guessing from the sound of the waves, the sun in my face and the hard thing Im laying on, I'm probably outside. I open my eyes to see Mason standing over me, just blocking the sun from my eyes.

"There she is. You passed out outside, dummy." He laughs and I look around, realizing I'm on the steps halfway down the beach.

"And why the hell did I do that?" I ask, getting a hand up and feeling both the sunburn I had acquired and the wave of pain from my hangover as I stand. I lurch forward, swallowing the bit of vomit that tried to hop its way up ny throat, "And what time is it?"

"It's about 3pm. You decided to sleep out here because your wasted ass was having trouble getting down them." The amount of amusement in Masons voice is astronomical.

"Why was I was trying to come out outside?" I ask after making sure none of the band was around, noticing that Mason moves with me to block my view of the house.

"Beats me. Most of last night is blurry for everyone."

"Yeah, same here. Quick question, why am I damn near naked?" I ask, suddenly very aware that I'm topless and start trying to cover myself with my hands. How the fuck did I keep my sandals on but somehow lose my bikini top?

"Couldn't tell you that either." Mason hands me his shirt so I can cover up. Thankfully he's insanely tall so it covers to my thighs, "That's why I came to get you. Sym figured you'd be less embarassed if it was me."

It suddenly occurs to me that if I'm topless, everyone probably saw me and that's why Masons blocking the house. He's not trying to block me, he's trying to hide me. My face flushes with shame and I cover it with my hands.

"I'm never drinking again." I groan and Mason laughs.

"That's probably not a bad idea; but if it makes you feel any better, no one can remember jack shit so Sym and I are the only ones who know. You probably stripped while everyone was too wasted to be fully aware." Mason tries to comfort me and it does make me feel a lot better that no one remembers, but I'm still ashamed I did it.

"So what all does everyone remember?" I inquire as we make our way up to the house.

"Well, the fantastic four don't remember shit." Mason laughs and I join in. I do vaguely remember them trying to keep up with us, which was their first mistake.

"I'm surprised they dont need their stomachs pumped. Those guys party hard." I start linking again as we get closer, not wanting to chance the boys seeing my lips move and having to explain.

"Oh yeah. But I remember a little bit and Daniel says you and Andrew took turns recording all the stupid shit we got up to. So, you might when want to check your phone when you get a chance." Mason mentions as he slides the door open into the kitchen.

"She awakens." Rose teases as she sets down coffee for Andrew and the boys, who look like they all got hit by their own individual trains. I wave before accepting the warm mug she's handing me.

"Earl Grey with milk and honey, just the way you like it." She smiles and I could swear I saw a halo above her head.

"Are you sure your sister isnt an angel?" I ask ans Mason laughs.

"Even the devil was an angel once." He teases and the boys all groan from how loud he was.

"How are ya'll fine? You drank just as much as the rest of us." Eli complains, his hands cradling his head which I can almost see is actually throbbing.

"Really high tolerance. Plus, you don't remember but you drank way after they did." Rose lies, shooting me a wink.

"Oh shit, really? That males sense." Ashton grumbles into his coffee.

"Go get changed Dove, food will be ready in a few minutes." Sym says from behind Rose.

"I didn't know you could cook." I respond, genuinely surprised.

"Oh, I can't. I'm just buttering toast over here." She links back and I fight the urge to chortle. I go upstairs quietly, trying to have mercy on the boys's heads. I notice my sunburn is starting to peel and fade, which is nice. Should be gone by tonight. I throw on some shorts under Mason's tee but decide to just leave the shirt. I'm going to shower after I eat anyways so what's the point?

Daniel comes out of the bathroom almost as exactly as I get the bottoms on, holding a towel around his waist and his hair pulled back. I stared at his chest for a second too long before realizing I should look away, my face burning worse than the sunburn.

Daaaaaaamn

Shut up shut up shut up

"Sorry!" I link, turning away.

"No! I'm sorry. I should've been more aware! I thought you were still downstairs." He apologizes, grabbing up some clothes before awkwardly clearing his throat, "Erm, how long have you been in here?"

"Only about a minute before you came out, I didn't know you were in there.. Sorry."

"No youre okay, it's your room too.. Uhm, you can look now." He states so I turn back around. His voice and stance is a lot less nervous now that he has some shorts and a tank on.

"Well, at least now were even on almost invading eachothers privacy." I mention and he chuckles, shoving his hands awkwardly into his pockets.

"Yeah. Sym said she's waiting for the guys is hangovers to calm down a bit and then she's going to have all of us rearrange so that shouldn't happen anymore. Something about Andrew not wanting to room with Mason because he's never there or whatever." He lets me know and I nod. That kind of sucks.

Besides the sometimes awkward moment after we walk in on each other, rooming with Daniel has been fun. Most nights we just stay up talking about anything and everything. Music, school, what it was like growing up in different packs, though when we start talking about Daniel's family he gets quiet and switches the conversation topic.

"So, I have a question." He says after a minute, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"What's up?"

"Why do you always use mindlink with me even when there's no one around?" He looks sheepish as he asks, pulling his hair out so it shadows his face.

"What do you mean?" I ask, realizing that I'm still using link, "Sorry. What do you mean?"

"Well, like that. With everyone else you talk out loud. We could be talking with everyone but as soon as you go to say anything to me, you suddenly start using mindlink. Why?" He finally looks at me, his eyes seemingly hurt. I feel a pang go through my heart at the sight. I guess he's right, I didn't even realize I was doing it. I sit down on my bed. Why do I do that?

"I don't know honestly. I guess I feel like I don't have to actually say anything, like you just get it. I don't have to explain anything to you because you just understand. You always have. Always knowing what to do or what to say depending on the situation. I'm sorry Daniel." I apologize and he shrugs, but it feels different, like he's only shrugging because he doesn't know how to respond. We go quiet again and I can see he's thinking really hard about something. I take a second to appreciate the cute tell he has of when he's thinking really hard; his eyebrows fret and his mouth moves back and forth, resembling a bunny's nose.

"Dove I need to tell you something." He speaks up and right then there's a knock at the door.

"Hey, foods ready." Andrew says, popping his head in and looking much better now that he's had more coffee.

"Oh, okay. We'll be down in a minute." I say, wanting to hear what Daniel has to say first.

"No it's okay. I can tell you later." Daniel says with kind of a relieved smile.

"Yeah. Hey Dove, go on ahead. I have a question for Danny Boy." Andrew says, opening up the door more, his face oddly serious.

"Ooookay. See you both down there then." I get up, smiling at both of them before scurrying out the door. I wonder what that was about? I head downstairs and sit at one of the barstools with a plate in front of it. I look down at the eggs, hashbrowns and toast covered in gravy with my mouth watering. I thank Rose quickly before I start eating, wondering what Daniel and Andrew were talking about. Before very long, they're coming down the stairs, all previous seriousness gone from Andrews face, but it seems to have transferred to Daniels.

"Hey are you okay?" I link but he doesn't respond. He goes past all the food, grabs a pair of keys and goes out the front door. He doesn't slam anything but something is definitely wrong. I looked at Andrew, who's got his face damn near in his food. I stand up and grab him by the ear.

"What the fu- ow! Dove, ow!" Andrew complains loudly as I walk with him out the back door. I get him down to the beach before I let go.

"What the hell did you say to Daniel?" I ask, slightly angry but more worried than anything.

"I just told him he needs to think long and hard before telling you anything. I've advised against it for now." Andrew says as if it's obvious.

"Tell me what?" I ask, my sad feeling of being left out quickly getting replaced with magma in my veins as he refuses to answer, "What the fuck are you two hiding from me?!"

"That's Daniels story to tell, it's not my place to say." He retorts defensively and I can feel my irritation boiling over.

"Then it's not your fucking place to get involved! You think I haven't noticed you two hiding this from me? I was mute Andrew, not fucking blind!" I feel my chest tighten. I hate this feeling. I hate fighting but I can't stop. "I was trying to be patient that you two would share with me when you were ready to but now I see he's been trying, you just keep getting in the way!"

"I'm just trying to help!" Andrew shouts back at me before taking a deep breath to calm himself. He takes a step towards me as my mind races. He's trying to help? He thinks this is helpful?! I shove him off of me as he tries to put his hand on my shoulder, accidentally spitting out not to touch me.

"Help me? You think keeping things from me ie helpful? Hiding things that have nothing to do with you, no less! What a load of shit. What me and Daniel have to talk about between us is exactly that, between us. So if you could get your nose out of the middle of other peoples business, that would be actually helpful." I go off, my chest heaving and I storm off inside before he can say anything else, taking the stairs up two at a time.

I pass by everyone in the kitchen and not a word is shared as I go up the stairs and into my room. The tears start to fall as I crawl into bed, wrapping the covers around me even though it's boiling in here. Why are they keeping shit from me? We three are supposed to be thick as thieves, we're supposed to tell each other everything. I get that everyone has things they'd rather keep to themselves, but if Daniel wants to tell me then everyone else should just let him! Does everyone know and I'm the only one left out? This thought cuts me deep and the teardrops turn to streams, leaving spots on my pillow, which I have clutched to my chest. I hear a knock at the door.

"Go away."

"Dove? It's Sym, can we talk?" At the sound of her voice, I go and open the door, immediately plunging into her already open arms.

"Shh.. Shhh... It's okay babygirl, you're okay... I've got you." She says in a low comforting voice.

"I don't know why they're hiding this from me."

"Oh honey, it's just a piece of very sensitive information and were scared it will change everything. Daniel tell you in his own time, but not saying it is eating him up inside, so he doesn't know what to do." She rubs my hair as she practically cradles me in her arms.

"Who else knows?" I ask, too desperate at this point to be mad. I just want them to stop hiding things from me. I'm not a baby, I'm not fragile.

You sure seem fragile right now.

Lisa's voice ringing in my ears makes my heart pang. She's right. If I want them to stop looking at me like I'm fragile, I can't be breaking down over the smallest things like this.

"Everyone, mostly. We knew the gist of it from when Daniel moved in, but that's besides the point. Are you okay?" I pull away, wiping my face.

"I will be, sorry about your shirt." I apologize and she laughs.

"Don't be. You really popped, huh?" She grabs me some tissues from the bathroom while I sit down on the bed.

"Like a balloon. I haven't exploded like that in a long time. I should probably apologize to Andrew," I groan, feeling bad for yelling at him, "I really need to get a hold on my temper."

"Though I agree, I also think you were right to be pissed. I hate when people keep secrets," she sits down, handing me the tissues, "Which is real rich coming from me, I guess."

After a few more minutes of pulling myself together, I decide it's time to head downstairs. When we get down the stairs I see mostly everyone's cleared out, everyone except Rose and Andrew, who are doing the dishes together. Rose says something about remembering what she said before touching Andrews shoulder and leaving to go outside with everyone else.

"Hey." Andrew looks at me and I wave a little bit.

"Hey... Need a hand?" I ask, stepping up to take Rose's place at the sink.

"Sure, if you wanna dry them as I go." He agrees softly. We spend a few minutes quietly working, the only sound between us being the clanging of the dishes in the silent room.

"I'm sorry." I blurt out, tired of the growing tension.

"Don't be. You were completely right, it wasn't my place to cut in, but now I really did do it with the best intentions. I'm sorry I made you feel like you weren't strong enough to know." He says, staring at his reflection in the sink. I look at him, caught off guard.

"How'd you know that?"

"I can feel them, remember? My emotions tend to get overridden when someone feels an emotion really strongly, like you did. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Sucks you had to feel all that."

"Well, there's downsides to every good." He gives me a wry smile, and for the first time, I wasn't jealous of Andrew for his powers. We go back to the quiet and I think of anything to break the silence.

"So does that mean you can feel when people are doing the nasty?" I ask, trying to catch him off guard.

"Depends on how good it is." He answers without hesitation and almost choke on my spit.

"Man you cant just spit out gems like that!" I laugh after my coughing fit.

"Hey you asked." He retorts, grinning from ear to ear, "We good?"

"Yeah, we're good." I match his grin, happy the tension is gone.

"So, I don't know about you, but some ice cream from a fast food joint in town sounds awesome right now." Andrew offers, dangling some keys from his pocket. I nod, he's right. Ice cream sound awesome right now.

We get in the car and start driving along, Andrew driving and me on GPS. Everything is going smoothly when suddenly Andrew makes a sharp turn down the wrong road.

"What are you doing?" I ask, rubbing my arm that got slammed against the door when he turned.

"Look. Daniels truck." He points down an alley after parking. Sure enough, the rust colored chevy pickup Daniel loves so much is sitting there.

"Oh shit." I get out of the car and jog over to the car.

"It's empty." I call, suddenly feeling worried. What if something happened?

"Well yeah, cause he's inside." He calls back from around the corner up front. I walk over.

"What?"

"Look, Daniels truck, and the Daniel to go with it." Andrew points to a pair of shoes inside the bookstore.

"Oh.. I knew that." I play it off and Andrew laughs, opening the door to the shop.

"Welcome in!" An old man greets from behind the counter with a wave. We wave back and slowly make our way over. We try to peek and confirm that it's him, because if we start talking to this person and it's not Daniel, that'd be embarassing. The person is sitting down one of the aisles with their shoes poking out. Those are definitely his sneakers.

We round the corner to find none other than Daniel reading a textbook about anatomy with his headphones in. We stand by his feet and he tucks them in, mumbling an apology. Andrew chuckles and steps in front of him. Daniel looks up at him, his face is a slate of cool stone. Jesus, I haven't seen that face since we met, back when I thought he hated me. Daniel quickly realizes it's us bothering him and the stone faced man is gone and my friend is back.

"Hey! What are you both doing here?" He asks, the surprise evident in his voice. Andrew doesnt respond, but instead points to his ear and Daniel pulls his earphones out, "Ah, sorry. Nothings even playing, I just didn't want people to talk to me." The sincere honesty in his answer makes me laugh.

"We were going to get ice cream and saw your truck. Wanna come with? I owe you both for earlier."

"Oh, yeah, sure. Just let me pay for this real quick."

We get to the pay counter where the old man is standing, and there's something about his smile and the energy around him that makes me want to protect him at all costs.

"Just this for you?"

-Time skip, gotta protect the old man-

"So what is that book anyway?" Andrew asks, spying Daniels book from across the table as we enjoy our sundaes.

"Oh, it's about the anatomy of the human brain and how the neurotransmitter lines work to make us function." Daniel explains, a glint in his eye.

"Oh wow, so you're nerdy nerdy." Andrew teases and Daniel throws a napkin at him.

"Joke all you want but I find this stuff truly interesting. Plus, I'll do whatever it takes to be a surgeon." Daniel sticks out his tongue.

"Oh? That's cool but is that going to work with the pack? What if something happens but your family needs you?" Andrew questions him sincerely.

"Don't worry. I'm going to be working at the hospital we own. It has both humans and wolves working there so in case something happens back home we still have people to cover for us." I look to Daniel, impress that the amount of dedication and thought he's put into this. Also, I didn't know we own the hospital. I wonder what else is wolf owned that I don't know about.

"Well, we believe in you." I give Daniel a supportive smile and he smiles back, a slight blush coloring his pale face.

After we all finish our ice cream we drive back to the house, a comfortable silence falling over us. We get back home before we get inside I grab Daniel's hand.

"Come on a run with me." I almost plead, hoping he'll say yes. I don't want to go back to being muted just yet, plus that thing he needed to tell me earlier is bugging the shit out of me still. He nods slightly and I pull him off to the side with me, giggling as I drag him off to the tree line.

-No Names Note-