“As amazing as that sounds, I don’t think it’s gonna work when we all enter the real, adult world and go to college or get jobs, so it’s probably best we get used to some separation now, in preparation.”
“Not true. There are a ton of jobs where I can just have you beside me all day, everyday.” Cole countered with a cute fake pout.
“Such as?”
“We could join the NYPD like Kade, and be partners.”
“No way! You want Livy dealing with criminals all day every day?” Matt snapped, as if this were a serious conversation.
“No. Good point. We could be EMT’s, working the same ambulance.” Cole offered, making me laugh.
“Fuck bro, try to suggest something that won’t put her life at risk every time she leaves the house!” Matt growled, and I couldn’t hold in my giggle.
“Fine. I’ll have to think about it, but I don’t like this ‘separation’ idea. It won’t work. I want you close to me, always.” Cole pulled me into his side and kissed the top of my head.
“I promise, whatever my job, I’ll always come home to you guys every night.” I assured him with a smile, and he grinned.
“I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.” Matt agreed as he leant in to kiss me quickly. I was just pulling back from his addictive lips when the bell rang, telling us we were all late.
“I told you we’d be late.” I sighed. “You guys need to go. I’ll see you in an hour.” I smiled at them both, then hurried into my class as they set off running to their own. I was so happy, swept up in dreams of our future together. I could just imagine us all in our own home, living our blissfully happy, unconventional lives together. It would be a dream come true with my four guys. I couldn’t wait! Maybe I was getting a little ahead of myself, but I didn’t think so. I just knew, deep down, I was destined to spend my life with those four amazing guys.
Everyone was already in class when I walked in, busily getting out the projects we were working on, and the materials they needed.
I gave the teacher an apologetic smile and hurried over to my seat beside Charlie. I had been a little wary of him at first, but in the few weeks since I started the class, I had grown more comfortable with him, and he was becoming a fast friend.
“Get caught up did you?” He teased, as I sat down and hurried to gather what I needed to get started, not wanting a lecture from the teacher on being late.
I laughed, but avoided any reply. Charlie knew the guys and I could barely keep our hands from each other and he was constantly teasing the guys over it. I refused to add fuel to the fire.
Instead, we worked together in a companionable silence. We were making portraits of our role models, and I was attempting to do a pastel picture of my parents. It was, however, proving difficult with no photo of them to use for reference.
I was sure if I tried, I could find a photo of them, from the media after I was taken, but I dare not look. I had fallen apart completely when I saw that Youtube video of them that the guys had shown me at Christmas. I couldn't risk that happening again, not when I was doing so much better lately.
I decided to maybe ask one of the guys to look on the internet and see if they could get me an image of my parents looking happy.
Maybe I would also bring my fear of looking at any news surrounding my disappearance, up with April in our next session, in two days. She would know how I should handle things. She’d been amazing at teaching me new coping techniques to handle my anxiety, and at talking through my issues with me. Seeing her was one of the best things I had done since I escaped, and I looked forward to my sessions with her for the most part.
“Livy?”Charlie nudged my elbow with his, startling me from the thoughts I had become lost in. I gasped, and backed away from him a little in my seat. Charlie had never touched me. I was sure it was because the guys had warned him not to, because of my anxiety. “Sorry. Shit! I shouldn’t have….It’s just….Brody wants you.” He nodded to the front of the class where My Brody, our art teacher, was looking at me impatiently.
“Sorry.” I whispered, my heart pounding from the start I had gotten.
“You’re wanted at the office Ms Byrd.” Mr Brody said, holding a piece of paper out to me. I jumped up and hurried to grab it from him, seeing he was growing irritated with me.
It was a small slip that simply had my name and the art class details hand written on it.
“Livy? You ok? You want me to come with you, or text the guys?” Charlie asked as I returned to my seat to get my backpack.
“No. It’ll be fine. Just tell Cole and Matt where I am after class if I’m not back please?”
“I will.” He agreed with a smile. I quickly gathered my backpack and coat, then left the classroom. It wasn’t the first time I had been beckoned there. It had happened twice before, usually just some paperwork to do with my enrollment, but both of those times one of the guys had insisted on coming with me.
It was creepy walking down the empty hallways alone, and I had an uneasy feeling I couldn't settle, no matter how many times I told myself to calm down.
I thought about texting the guys, but they were in class and they would rush straight out if they knew, getting themselves in trouble. I decided it would be better to find out what was going on first, then
