I sat in the car and immediately, the boys began their interrogation.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Daimen asked.

"That's for me to know, and you to not," I replied and Jax and I shared a smirk. I'd learnt how to fight like that from being in a gang.

Daimen opened his mouth to protest, but Oscar cut him off, "who were those people?"

"Dunno," I shrugged, "they wanted to 'teach me a lesson' since I offended James and Cole."

My brothers frowned. Julian looked ready to turn the car around and beat those losers up himself.

"But you're okay now?" Jax asked and I nodded. Physically, I was fine. Mentally... not so much.

"Have you heard from John lately?" Jax asked casually, but I could see the anger in his eyes when mentioning that scum's name.

I shook my head, "not since Mom died," and I was thankful for that.

"Who's John?" Will asked.

"Mom's friend," I answered shortly.

"We can always track him down, if you want," Brandon offered.

My eyes widened, "NO!" Jax and I yelled at the same time.

Silence.

"Um, well I-I mean, there's no point?" I stammered, "he's probably busy?"

Jax mouthed 'smooth'.

"Okay," Brandon said slowly, looking like he didn't believe me. To be honest, I wouldn't believe me either.

"Oh look! We're here!" I said to try and change the topic.

X ()

Currently, my brothers, David and Lisa were sitting at the dining room table. For the past 10 minutes, they were practically interrogating Jax- and Elijah had joined them. Lisa and I exchanged exhausted looks.

"Dear," Lisa calmly put a hand on David's shoulder, "leave the poor kid alone. He's been friends with Iris for eight years and I don't see what he's done to warrant this questioning."

Thank you! I wanted to shout.

"Come on, Jax," I stood up, "let's go for a walk."

David opened his mouth, but Lisa shot him a look and he closed it again. Julian made to follow us, but Lisa glared at him. I gave her a grateful smile and Jax and I left the house.

As soon as Iris and Jax left, the boys rounded on me.

"Why did you let her go?" David asked.

"Why didn't you let me follow her?" Julian asked at the same time. The boys nodded and looked at me.

As sweet as it was that they wanted to protect her, it was also a little overbearing. David, Elijah, Oscar and Brandon last saw her when she was eight years old. They'd missed most of her childhood, so were naturally protective of her. As for Julian, Oscar and Will, they'd always wanted a little sister, so I guess that's why they were protective over Iris.

I rolled my eyes, "Honestly, she's fifteen years old! She's a big girl now and can take care of herself."

With much grumbling, the boys reluctantly agreed.

"Sorry about my family," I chuckled.

Jax laughed and slung an arm around my shoulders, "it's cool. I think it's nice how protective they are over you."

I hummed in agreement and we continued walking in silence. Unknowingly, we'd travelled to Pratoh Park- where it all started. I inhaled sharply- I haven't been back here since-

"Alex," Jax whispered, as if he knew what I was thinking. His grip around me became tighter and I leaned into him, trying to keep my tears at bay.

After collecting myself, I walked over to the tree and ran my fingers over it's worn trunk. After a minute, I found three letters carved into the wood 'A, J, I' with the word '4ever' underneath it and outlined with a heart. I stifled a sob.

Jax came behind me and rested a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"It's not fair," I whispered, my voice trembling, "he didn't deserve to die," I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of anger.

I rested my forehead against the tree, hot tears cascading down my face.

Jax had been standing next to me the entire time, not saying anything. When I started crying, he wrapped his arms around me and whispered sweet nothings into my ear. I calmed down and wiped my tears away.

"Better?" Jax asked.

"Much," I nodded. Sometimes, it's too much. I feel like I'm holding the weight of the sky; putting on a fake smile, being cold and mean just to push away and keep everything safe. Sometimes, I explode. Because, for a minute, I'm done with being Atlas. I'm done with holding the sky. Then, it's over. And I go back to holding the weight. I go back to this twisted version of normal. It's like a vicious cycle I can't escape.

Jax understands the cycle. When he was around eight years old, some men stormed his house, killed his parents and nearly killed his older sister. He took 4 bullets to save his sister, but never fully recovered mentally from the trauma. His sister- Tracy- is now happily travelling the world with her friends and they call each other every day, even if she's a thousand miles away. When Jax and I first met, he was recovering. He used to have flashbacks and night terrors. Alex and I helped him to get through his, they helped me get through mine.

Currently, the two of us were lying in the grass, staring up at the starry sky, neither of us saying a word. I brought my phone out and saw I had 50 missed calls and 66 texts from my brothers, David and Lisa.

"Ah gummy bears," I said and the phone lit up with Will's name.

"Hello," I said, knowing I was in for a lecture.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!" Will's voice bellowed so loudly I dropped the phone. His tiny voice continued screaming and I patiently waited for him to finish. I never imagined that my shy brother knew so many curse words.

"I'm at Pratoh Park," I said calmly, "with Jax."

I heard Will relay that information to someone else before telling me my brothers would be there in five minutes.

Sure enough, I saw the black car at the edge of the park and six arguing figures tumbling out of it.

"Should we yell for them?" Jax questioned.

"Nah," I leaned back again, "they'll find us soon enough."

"Iris, I love you, but your family look like they want to kill me," Jax said nervously.

"Love you too Jax and they won't kill you... probably."

"I'VE FOUND HER!" I heard Brandon scream.

"GOOD!" Daimen yelled back, "TELL HER SHE'S AN IDIOT!"

"I HEARD THAT!" I shouted and Jax chucked.

My six brothers stampeded towards me, told me how idiotic I was, before engulfing me in a hug.

Instinctively, I backed away. I saw hurt and confusion flicker on my brothers faces. Jax looked sad and angry (not directed at me) at the same time.

"Sorry," I smiled weakly, "don't like being touched. Anyways, let's go home. I'm tired."