Emma

I gazed up at the starless sky. I have been doing so for so many minutes now. I started counting them at first, but then I stopped. It's not like I am gonna have these minutes back. The night was chilly and relaxing, the background noise coming from the inside topped it all off. I wanted to stay there forever. However, that was not possible. I knew life wouldn't treat me good for long before another hurricane came crushing me. And I still stayed on the empty porch, smiling mindlessly.

I felt shifting from a distance, and instantly I tensed up.

I was being watched.

I was barefoot and in an onesie. Doesn't matter if it was my ex-boyfriend, or my mental boyfriend's father trying to prove a point. I stayed put, but I couldn't help the shiver that went through my body when another shift emerged from the same distance. And out of the blue, two people appeared.

Ethan. And a bulky man I've never seen before.

I sucked in a harsh breath and clenched my trembling fingers together at their sight. I felt sadness and anger consume me like never before, but I still couldn't move. Somehow, I knew they weren't gonna do a thing. This time at least. The sinister smile Ethan threw my way, along with the wink the other gave, I knew that was a warning. Of what? I had no idea anymore.

Does that guy work for Ethan and his gang? Probably.

I stood up when both of them started walking. Away. Still, I couldn't wrap my head around why were they here. I let out a strangled groan in the empty space around me, realizing that I was on the verge of tears. I have my strong moments, but that doesn't mean I am strong. I was fed up with how my life was passing by with no ounce of mercy on me.

I don't know for how long I stood there, gazing at their retrieving figures before they disappeared into oblivion. My heart was clenching hard in my chest that I didn't even notice the blinding light of the car parking in front of my house. Another car followed. At first my body focused on running, but that was before realizing that these cars belonged to Noah and Lucas.

From the inside I could feel their worried stares directed at me. I probably looked like I was having a heart attack. Or maybe because I stood like a statue for a very long time, not even giving them a reaction.

''Hey what's wrong, babe?'' Noah was the first to reach me, taking my shoulders in his hands softly. I looked at his frantic eyes, shaking my head as an answer.

''W-what? N-no, nothing is wrong. I was waiting for you guys, just probably fazed out.'' I laughed nervously, lightening up the mood. They all were out of the cars by now, looking at me, making sure I was actually fine.

Lucas's eyes softened up, ''You sure, little one?'' He pushed Noah's hands away from me in the process, and I couldn't help but laugh at his behavior.

''Positive. Now let's go inside.'' I smiled, leading them into the house. The house that was filled with pretty little girls, who once were a mess. Remember when Veronica didn't feel like changing out of her onesie? I should have seen the makeup and teasing pajama coming my way. There she sat like an oblivious girl on her phone, looking gorgeous.

Nora was still the same as I left her. Abby and Della changed into cute sets as well. They were all sitting in the living room, television turned on what seemed like The Vampire Diaries and snacks filling the table.

''Hey! Did you both fight or something?'' Della was the first to talk, focusing her attention on Lucas and Noah. I turned to take a look at them to notice their split lips. Oh, I didn't see that before.

My eyes widened at both their faces before I asked them, ''Oh my God, what happened this time?'' Slight anger laced my voice.

''Nothing, nothing. It's fine now, right guys?'' Levi answered instead of them. When none of them replied, he went his way and pinched both their sides. ''Right guys?''

''Y-yeah, yeah. It's okay.'' ''Everything is fine.'' Both their answers were.

''Anyways, I am STARVING. I am gonna order pizza, okay?'' Carter stated, already fetching out his phone, ready to order. Pizza? Sure. I can't imagine someone saying no to pizza.

''Do not order for me.'' Della buzzed in, rotating her palm over her stomach. ''What? Do you know how wrong it is to eat late at night? I am just healthy, okay?'' She said defensively, noticing our looks.

Lucas laughed, walking up to her, ''Babe, you are gorgeous, you can eat whatever the hell you wanna eat and you will still look gorgeous.'' awwww. Yeah, okay. I don't wanna see my brother like that again. At least not in front of me.

''I am just trying to be healthy. It's not about me looking gorgeous or not, Lucas. I will look gorgeous in whatever. I don't need you to justify that!'' UH-OH. Oh my God! I forgot it's her time of the month. That's why she was munching on those Nutella sandwiches later.

Lucas's eyes widened in shock before he raised his hands in surrender, ''Okay, okay! Do not order for her, Carter. It's okay, babe.''

Della narrowed her eyes in distaste as she placed both hands on her hip, ready to argue, ''So now what? You order him not to get me pizza? Wassup bossy man!'' Lucas was about to speak, but she cut him off, ''Carter, you know what? Get me two boxes... And I am not sharing with any of you.''

Della started walking away to sit on the couch before Lucas quickly hurried after her, ''Hey! what did I do wrong?''

Della slowly turned to look at him, tears in her eyes. Okay, that's a dangerous zone we're getting into. ''Is it okay if I ordered already?'' Carter whispered, looking at me and Noah.

''Go ahead.'' Noah and I nodded towards the door.

''So you think I am over-reacting or something? Am I not good enough for you babe?'' She broke down. Okay that's it.

As Lucas was just about to tear his hair out, Della took off running upstairs. I stared shamelessly at everybody's else's reaction to see that it matched mine. Logan fell on the floor laughing as the girls were still in their trance, and Lucas probably planning his suicide.

Lucas turned to us, his hands up in the same surrender, ''D-did I do something wrong? Fuck's sake, someone answer!'' He screamed his frustration out.

I was about to talk when Noah tugged onto my hand, excluding us from the area. I tried to stop him but with a single hush of his I was a goner.

"Where are we going?" I hissed as he continued pushing us upstairs, and before I knew it we were into my room. With the door locked. Using a key.

My breathing got heavy, and once my vacant room now felt like peephole with all the tension hanging in the air. My fingers trailed on the door frame as his body pressed right into my back, driving my thoughts absolutely insane.

Slowly with burning senses, Noah dipped his head into my neck, sucking right into my sensitive flesh in hunger I've never experienced before. His hands secured around my waist, turning me quickly to face him.

"N-noah..." I muttered, my tongue tied in pleasure. Words seemed like an impossible mission at the moment.

"I missed you so much." He whispered harshly, trailing his nose up my jaw, his tongue leaving a wet road behind it.

His hands slowly ascended up the curve of my waist until it reached my zipper. Oh shit, I was still wearing that silly Onesie. Blush crept up my cheeks as a small smile complimented his dark features at the moment.

"May I?" One simple question, yet felt I felt so nervous upon the words that left his mouth. May he?

Yes.

For the first time I wasn't afraid to be vulnerable in front of someone. To be intimate. It was all new to me, but I was willingly doing it because I love Noah. And I didn't care about anything else standing my way.

I nodded my head, still finding it hard to utter a single word.

His eyes darkened and finger turned white from his tight hold on the zipper. "Words, babe. Words." His voice sent shivers down my spine. It was so chilling, I felt my legs giving up on me.

"Y-you may."

I couldn't blink my answer away before the zipper went flying down and the onesie was down my shoulders, leaving me displayed with my white bra on. Putting in mind I was wearing an onesie, I didn't mind a little bit of a see-through one. As long as it's comfy. But now, I seemed to be hating my decision.

"Fuck, baby. I can't with you." Noah voiced out roughly yet pained, judging by how his Adam's apple kept moving at the sight of me.

"What's wrong?" My voice was weak, but I couldn't find it in myself to care at that moment. I just wanted myself wrapped in him, consumed by his heat.

His eyes fluttered to mine adoringly, "You are just so beautiful, Emma." He smiled. That smile that could easily make my heart run miles. My heart skipped a beat, and involuntarily, my hands reached for his face.

I said, "And you are the best thing that has happened in my life." It was true. He makes me happy beyond words. I had no problem fighting against the world for him. And I knew he felt the same way.

His lips came crashing onto mine in urgency that left me breathless. The way his hands tangled in my hair, his body pushing me ever so close to the door, made me nearly lose my mind. He bit my lower lip, demanding entrance, that I ever so gladly offered him.

''NO! I REFUSE TO LET THIS HAPPEN UNDER THIS ROOF!'' I sucked in a harsh breath as I slightly pulled away from Noah, my eyes as wide as the sun. ''YOU BASTARD! GET OUT OF THE ROOM IF YOU ARE WILLING TO LOSE YOU FUCKING BALLS.''

''Oh my God.'' I chimed in.

''Yes Oh God. We need my balls.'' I slapped him on his shoulder, a deep blush coating my hot cheeks.

''I hear something! Do you hear something?'' Lucas's question was interrupted by a heavy push of his body onto the door, making a startled shriek escape my mouth. ''Not against the door, you fucking bastard!'' Lucas whined this time.

Noah's smile was dazzling, totally neglecting the situation we were in. His hands quickly worked my onesie back on, making sure my hair was down covering whatever was on my neck. He put my hood on, and pulled me by it towards him, giving me one single kiss on the lips.

Was that his goodbye?

''OPEN UP, YOU MORON!''

''Lucas, chill the fuck out.'' Never did Carter's voice sound more relieving.

''Not my sister! Anyone but not my fucking sister. Bang the wall, but not...Oh my God, my sister is bangin' NO, NO I CAN'T EVEN SAY IT. Emma, please get out.'' Wow. That was unexpected of Logan.

Noah growled, ''I haven't even taken my t-shirt off. Fuck's sake.''

In one quick motion, the door was opened by Noah as he side stepped me. Well, I was still giving them my back. My shoulders tensed as I turned around, greeted by all of their accusing eyes. Well, the boys' eyes looked accusing, but the girls' looked praising.

Abby carefully raised her thumbs, "Atta girl." She whispered.

Lucas took a deep breath, "Okay. Let's start with Emma moving away first. We don't want innocents getting hurt."

"W-what?" I stuttered. He couldn't be serious. Pfft...

Out of my peripheral vision, I saw the girls pickering silently on something, and out of the blue, Della fell down stumbling on the floor.

"Awww, my stomach is killing me. AHHH!" She screamed out.

"Get up, Della!" Lucas's voice came out stern and chilling.

"Ow, okay. Chill." She simply said, gaining her balance again.

Plan one: went down the drain.

"Lucas, no one is getting hurt on my watch. Deal with it." Levi talked this time, but at the wrong time as Lucas was already charging forward for Noah.

"Jesus freaking Christ. What the fuck!" Carter let out a high pitched scream.

Xxx

''Oh sweet heart, I am this close to knocking you out with this pan.'' Her sweet voice mused in my ears. I chuckled nervously and continued kneading the dough on the counter, or so I liked to tell myself.

I heard her grumble under her breath before she snatched the dough away from my hands. ''You are not supposed to hate the dough like that. Love it and it will knead wonderfully.'' Granny said seriously.

''Like what? Touch its shoulder and flirt with it.'' I huffed out, annoyed at how the dough started working its way in her hands like magic.

''That smart mouth of yours is what's pulling you down by your butt.''

''You are just saying that because you know how to bake, grams.'' I pinched her cheeks as she glared at me. She loves me.

She started flattening the dough after sprinkling some more flour on it, ''Now come on, add the cinnamon and the sugar I made right here, roll, and cut using this cutter.'' She instructed and turned around to heat the oven.

''You know when I told you I was craving cinnamon rolls, it didn't mean I had to help. Just for future preference.'' I teased as I started doing what she said.

She laughed, ''You are exactly like him, aren't you?'' I smiled at that.

Noah was not here with me. I came here alone because I wanted to talk about stuff he shouldn't hear. Stuff, if it all was in my hands, I wouldn't ever let him hear. I care for him too much to see him hurting even a little. I don't know what has he done to me. He literally flipped my world upside down, but again, it was already flipped. He made it sweeter. He made it bearable. And he made it worth living.

I was cut from my thoughts when a hand patted my shoulder gently, ''I know why you came here.'' She sounded sad when she said it, ''It's fine. I too have a bad feeling that something is gonna happen.''

I swallowed the lump in my throat and shook my head in denial. I came here to be comforted, not to be bummed out even more. I knew something was gonna happen, and maybe I needed someone to lie to my face. I needed someone to sugar coat his words, but unfortunately, that was not gonna happen. I'd be damned if anything good happened in my life.

''I have to tell you something, Emma. I am sorry. So sorry, sweet heart, but I think you should know.'' That didn't sound great, and it made my heart fall a little bit.

She ushered me to wash my hands first with her before she dragged me upstairs to her room. Her room was no surprise, warm and lovely just like her. The walls were painted light cream, a big wooden bed was centered in the middle, and beside it was small night stand, where her glasses, a cup of water, and medicines were placed neatly. My eyes didn't miss Noah's picture that was on the other nightstand. It didn't look like it was taken long ago.

We sat together on the bed, painfully, with a lot of dread filling my soul. Who knows who will I be leaving this room.

''Yesterday, one of Garett's men came here.'' W-what? Noah's dad sent his man here? ''But someone else came with him.''

My head tilted in question, ''Who?'' My voice cracked at the end from the amount of tension it was holding. When her hand reached mine, I didn't feel comforted. But the exact opposite. I felt like what I was about to know was earth-shocking, and maybe, I would give up on myself this time.

''The guy's name was Ethan.'' thump... Thump... Thump... ''He claimed to be your ex-boyfriend.''

My hand tore itself from her grip instantly. I couldn't control anything from this moment onwards. I felt like choking myself to death, just to have the chance to end it all. I wanted to feel like I had some sort of an option in my life; however, deep down, I knew I had none. My eyes were wide in surprise, my heart was beating so fast in my ears, making the blood rush through my veins, numbing me out even more.

''D-dear,'' I cut her off.

In a hasty manner, I stood up in urgency. Then, this is why they visited me too as well. Everything was hazy from the amount of tears pooling in my eyes, that any moment I expected to fall off.

''So,'' I started, ''you are telling me that my ex-boyfriend is working for Noah's real father, who is a big gangster, trying to get us all killed for some sake of revenge. Stupid revenge!'' I screamed for relief, but I found none. I found nothing but heart-break and a thunder storm building up within my chest. ''Is this how twisted our lives are!? Then why live it? WHY?''

By now Granny was on her feet as well, attempting to take hold of my frantic hands as they were tangled in my hair, gripping it harshly. I was out of control. All I could hear was the sound of my strained sobs through my clenched my teeth.

''Please, baby, calm down. We will find a solution.''

''NO! NO! I will find a solution.'' I pulled away without laying a hand on her. ''This ends now.''

And with that I took off running out of the room and already was at the stairs. If they want to make our lives a living hell, then I will bring hell to them. I refuse to sit and wait for my fate, especially if it's in some filthy hands of those who don't deserve to live.

''Emma! Wait! You can't possibly be thinking this through. You can't go. Honey, please listen to me.''

''What's happening here?''

Everything stopped. What felt like trapped anger, now felt like pure shock. The lava that was running my veins turned into ice instantly at the sound of his voice.

Noah.