*Chapter 33*

"Don Raler's head is your fricking brother, dude what the hell?" Collin gasped. "Is it just you two or is your whole family like that?"

"Trust me it's his family," Zaron chuckled and shook his head at it.

"What's going to happen with all of us now, like is it going to end?" Memphis brought up a serious topic. While I didn't know what he was talking about, the mood in the room dropped almost instantly.

"What is it? What does he mean? What will end?" I shook Zaron to grab his attention, though his gaze was fixed on the ground.

"It has been nearly four years now, and with that last mission, we crossed everything out of our list. What further need is there for this anymore?" Zaron stated.

"I know you're right, but it's still hard to wrap my head around it." Pixie sighed.

"What are you talking about?" I really felt left out in that moment.

"Our gang. We're going to disband," Zaron dropped.

I widened my eyes in shock. Was it because of what happened a week ago? Was it because of me? Here I was over thinking things again when actually I hated doing that.

"Don't break your head over it, it was going to happen sooner or later. You see, it all started a few years ago, we were some roughed up kids who needed a ridiculous amount of money for all sorts of reasons. Actually, it was Memphis idea and he was the one who convinced us into this," he started. "So we got ourselves into business, gaining money by fulfilling tasks after tasks. And now, we finally reached our goal, we got our money, we're all free of bills. So why keep this up any longer when there is no reason to?"

"So you all knew that the last mission was going to be our last?" I raised my eyebrows. Every one nodded. "I don't understand, what did y'all need money for?"

It became silence for far too long.

"Maybe, we should start to properly introduce ourselves," Memphis suggested.

"Yeah good idea, then let me make the start." Surprisingly, it was Pixie who quickly took the lead. "So I'm Paxon Garie, I'm 20 and the reason why I joined is because five years ago, the company where my father was working at went bankrupt because of a stupid mistake. Anyway, together, we manage to build up our own small electronics company which is why I needed money for it. Just didn't want my Dad to do all the work on his own. And now we're independent workeraholics."

"I'm Jane, my last name is unpronounceable, I'm 21 and my family sucks. I'm sure, my parents love the fricking Bibel more than their own daughter. I just temporarily needed money to survive when I ran away. And at the same time I wanted to put my shooting skills to use while practicing them. Now, my next goal is going to the army."

"Do I really have to do that?" Collin sighed. Though Loki gently threw a punch on his shoulder, so he would speak up. How ironic. What was with these two anyways? "Okay fine! Name's Collin Bennett, also 21 and I joined because our house caught fire and we needed money to get around. Besides, I want to go to University and become a better Insurance consultant than ours back then."

"I'm Lucas Hudson, 24 and joined because my younger sister was in a coma for a while and the hospital fees were getting so expensive that we couldn't afford it anymore. And now, she's doing pretty fine, also started school few months ago," Loki introduced himself and I never heard him talk that much at once before.

"Memphis Jacobs, I'm 26 and joined cause I simply wanted to help out my cousin who got himself into some deep shit," he half grinned as his eyes were fixed on Zaron. Wait, wait a second. He's Zaron's cousin?! I thought they were just friends!

"Zaron Mendall, still 24 and joined because I got messed up, hung around with false friends and almost ended up in prison. At the end, I had to pay a damn high fine, and obviously, my parents were not up for paying for me, so my 19 years old broke ass, had to find another way."

"Oh wow." I was quite overwhelmed with all the background stories I got. "I guess, it's only fair if I introduce myself as well," I bit my lips.

"Seriously?" Zaron raised his eyebrows.

"Well even if we ain't a gang anymore, we are still friends, right?" I grinned. He grabbed my hand and nodded. "Okay so, I'm Quentin, 18 and was born as the youngest child in the Collister family. Everyone has high expectations of me of following my Dad's steps just like my older brothers, when in reality, I don't want to become like him at all, even though I really admire him. My dream is to have a good job, live a normal life and get married with Zaron."

"How adorable," Zaron whispered and pressed a brief kiss on my cheek.

On the other side, everyone was staring at me. "I don't know whether to believe you or not," Pixie muttered.

"Same here," Collin agreed.

"Ditto," Jane and Memphis said at the same time.

"Though it'd make sense as to why he's able to fight now," Pixie considered. "And what reason would there be to lie?"

"I'm not lying," I rolled my eyes.

"Okay wow, that must sink in for a second," Memphis huffed. He was the one talk, he was Zaron's frickin' cousin! "Damn, you're a frickin' Collister?? I thought it was just a myth."

"So now that everything is clear between us-" Zaron started but I interrupted him.

"No, just one thing. Collin, Loki are you finally dating now?" They both looked at me like they just ran into a trap. "So you are?" Collin blushed and Loki was just Loki, not reacting nor saying anything as always.

"What? Loki and Collin ain't gay, what you talking about?" Jane giggled and shook her head. But my gay-detector was definitely feeling something between them.

"Whatever you say," I waved away. If they don't want to come out to us, then it ain't my business to squish it out of them.

Later, Zaron head off to do, I had no idea what but Memphis grabbed our attention. "Okay guys, Zaron's birthday is next Friday, have you already come up with something?" His birthday was already that soon? On top of that we actually planned our date on that day. And Zaron didn't mention a single word? That idiot!

"What about a grill party at the beach?" I suggested.

"That," Memphis looked like he was about to complain but changed his mind. "Is not even a bad idea. Okay, I'll do the planing."

And before anyone could reply to that, Zaron returned, not suspecting anything as he sat back down beside me. That was until he noticed everyone staring at him. "What?"

"Hey Pixie, wanna go for a walk?" I changed the subject and stood up.

"Why?" He groaned. "I don't want to." But I was not taking a no for an answer and grabbed his arm before heading for the door.

"We're coming," I waved at them before closing the door behind us.

"Where do you want to go?" He sighed as we went through the streets while the stars where shining in the sky. The air was cool and the streets almost empty. It was no wonder since it was already 11 pm.

"Just to the convenience store," I grinned. "To get some candy."

"And why do you want to take me along?" He kept asking questions.

"Because going alone is boring," I shrugged. "And because I want to go with you. Why? Is there something wrong about that?"

He looked at me for a few seconds blinking at me like he was trying to figure me out. "No, no it's not." He shook his head.

"Besides I had the feeling that you have some questions for me, don't you?" I skipped across the street, leaving him a bit behind. "You can ask me whatever you want, you know?"

"Okay then, have you always been like this?" He asked which is when I stopped skipping to look at him.

"Like how?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"So crazy and carefree," he shrugged.

"I'm not crazy," I rolled my eyes. "But yeah a little carefree. It's easier that way. Not caring about everything too much, just doing things like I want or just enjoying my time, no matter whether I get hurt or not. Though it's difficult when it comes to the one's you love," I whispered the last part.

"Do you love Zaron?" He raised his eyebrows when it was silence for a minute.

I bitterly chuckled at the question. "You have no idea. So much that I don't think it's healthy anymore." I glanced up at the sky as I took a calming breath of the fresh air. We slowly approached the convenience store where I got to pick out my favourite kinds before returning with a bag full of candy.

"Hey what about you, are you in a relation ship?" I wondered.

"Me? No, girls don't like nerds," he shook his head.

"You seriously believe that?" I shook my head. "Don't be stupid. You're cute, and I know what I'm talking about. Because Zaron lacks a little bit of cuteness. Though he's super sexy so it's fine."

"What do I have to do to become sexy?" He asked and that made me break into a fit of laughs. I would have never thought that something like that could come out of his mouth.

And because I found it too funny, I grabbed him and rubbed his head to tease him. "There's no need for that, I like your cute side way more anyways."

He chuckled as soon as I let go of him and fixed his hair as we could already see Zaron's place from the distance. But before we could reach the door, Pixie stood still, looking down like something was bothering him.

"I wanted to apologize for what I did to you." His eyes were fixed on the ground.

"For what?" What did he do again?

"You know the the little joke that went wrong and you ended up with an allergic reaction." I still looked at him with a questioning face. "The Viagra I told Collin to mix in your candy bag?"

"Huh? So that's how it happened? So it was you? Wait, I'm allergic to Viagra?" I widened my eyes. "You're such a meanie!" I chuckled. "Karma will come for you, you'll see," I giggled.

"You're not mad?" He frowned.

"What for?" It wasn't on purpose. Besides, it would've really turned out funny if it had worked out.

"Thanks, Quentin," he said, that caused me to stop walking again. "Thank you for helping Zaron out when I couldn't. Thank you for not listening to me at that moment. And thanks for being a good friend even if I said I didn't like you."

I was speechless. I didn't know what to say nor whether I should have said something in that moment. At the end, I didn't. I just couldn't.

He quickly hurried to the door, ringing the bell when a nervous atmosphere spread between us. Jane opened up and in a blink of an eye, Pixie got inside. But I wasn't done with him just yet which is why I followed after and stopped him. "You are not being serious, are you?" I bit my lips as the feeling of guilt quickly returned.

"Yes, I am." His gaze that was focussed on the floor, slowly raised up, meeting my eyes.

"But it was all my fault." I leaned my head against his shoulder. "I should actually apologize."

"What are you talking about? It's because of you that we're all sitting here as if nothing happened." His hands slowly went to my back as I let go of him just to press my hands against his cheeks and placed my lips on his for a kiss. It was nothing special, just our lips touching each other. But it meant something for me. I wanted to show how greatful I was.

He stepped back and stood still in utter shock until I let go of him to wrap my arms around him. "Thanks, Pixie. For that and also for believing in me back then," I whispered with a slight smile.

Then a sudden sound appeared from the side, causing us both to snap our gaze in that direction, seeing Zaron's eye twitch in anger. "What in the world are you doing?!" He growled.

"Wish me luck!" I winked at Pixie and giggled before running away just as I got chased from Zaron.

"You cheater!" He barked.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it was not how you think it was," I justified myself.

"How was it then?" He finally stopped chasing me, leaving me some time to breath.

"Just not that kind of kiss. Don't worry, I only love you." Those words soften him up a bit, though it didn't change his angry mood.

"Don't let it happen again," he warned as I wrapped my arms around his neck to give him an apologetic kiss. He extended the kiss once he let his tongue glide in mine, distracting me from reality when he slowly pushed my pants down to squeeze my ass cheeks.

"What are you doing?" I partially moaned, partially giggled against his lips as it was getting hotter between us. He took advantage of the moment and all of the sudden smacked my ass in surprise when a sharp pain spread through. "Ah," I hissed when another smack followed where I bit my lips to ignore the pain.

"Now go and repent your doings!" He muttered, before he left, closing the door in front of me with force. Of course, he was still angry.

"Ouch," I rubbed my ass which should have probably turned bright red by now.

________