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Believer
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Safe Titanium
Flash Forward a few months. Sorry it had to be done. POV Layla"We just got the call, the jury is back with a verdict." Luke announced. I sighed and Finn pulled me close. "You ready, La?" Leo asked, offering a hand to help me up. I nodded and took his hand. Eve came up to me and whispered, "Don't worry, we've got you" "Thanks, Eve." I said and hugged her. Our friends got up and walked out to the two cars waiting. Keri and Eve had both volunteered their cars so that we could all go together for the verdict. Peter, Vander, Jake, Hart, and Tom all got into one. They had really bonded in the last few months and were constantly hanging out with each other. I smiled at them as they got in. Keri, Sally, Eve, Leo, Finn and I got in the other car. The last few months had been hard for all of us but also wonderful too. Finn and I were closer than ever. Leo and I were too. We had even gone to therapy with Dad together. Eve was even more like my sister. I was closer with every member of our
Safe Aftermath
POV Layla A few weeks later....After the trial, things seemed to calm down. I say seemed because I didn't feel calm. I was still stressed out most of the time. My therapist said that it was normal but I felt like the walls were closing in on me sometimes. I loved having my wonderful family and friends around but sometimes they were completely overwhelming to me. It was awful and for some reason it was getting worse. I tried to hide it from Leo and Finn. Honestly, I tried to hide it from everyone but Eve knew everything. She would stay with us almost every night now, even when her parents were home. Her parents didn't seem to mind and Dad, Leo and I loved having her with us.I woke up in the middle of the night with a gasp. I had the nightmare again. I could see Tate and Billy. They had me and they had killed everyone. I screamed when I saw my friends and family on the floor, dead."Shhh. It's ok. It's not real. I'm right here." Eve said as she jumped into my bed. My Dad had gotten h
Safe Gone
POV FinnI knew that Layla was pissed but she needed to understand that we were just worried about her. She was having such a hard time and we wanted to help her. As I sat at the lunch table, I thought. I mean, I could kind of understand why she was upset. I didn't listen to her and she was more than capable of handling Steven. I didn't even think that he was a bad guy and probably did just want to study with her. Dammit. The more I thought the more I realized that we were all being protective asses."I feel bad about Layla." Peter said and I nodded."I do too" I added."She really can take care of herself. She told me the other day that sometimes she feels suffocated by all of us. I'm beginning to wonder if we're the reason she keeps having panic attacks." Eve responded."What do you mean?" Leo asked."Well, I noticed about a week ago that she usually has them after a nightmare or whenever we're all together in a big group. It's like she gets overwhelmed by us." Eve explained."Shit.
Safe A New Problem
POV FinnWe cleaned up after we ate and I sighed."Come on, we can't put it off any longer." Layla said and pulled me towards the door."Fine but before we go, I want to say something. I know that I'm an ass sometimes and I know that I'm overprotective. I'm sorry. I'll try to do better. I love you, Lays." I said and pulled her close."I shouldn't have just left like that. I'm sorry too! I love you, Finnie." She replied and I kissed her. She pulled away after a few minutes though."No more distractions. Time to face the music" she said and we walked towards her house. Thankfully, Bear wasn't home yet. All our friends were sitting in the living room, working on homework when we came in. They all looked up at us."I wanted to say something to everyone. I'm sorry for taking off today. I know that I worried all of you. Please forgive me." Layla began."Of course we forgive you!" Jake said and rushed to hug her. All of us were surprised and smiled at him. I realized how much Jake genuinely
Safe Wednesday
POV LeoI jumped out of the shower and got dressed. Tom and Hart had already showered, thankfully so we were doing good on time. I tossed my pjs in the hamper and went to kitchen. I passed Eve in the hall and pulled her close. I loved having her stay with us. I kissed her but she pulled away."I've got to run to the bathroom" she said and I chuckled as she hurried away. I walked into the kitchen and smiled at the sight that greeted me. Layla and Hart were making pancakes while Tom was cutting up some fruit. Dad was getting stuff out of the fridge while Stan and Spike looked on in wonder."I think that we should have enough chairs if we grab the ones in my room." Layla said."I'll grab them and the one from my desk." I called as I ran to get them."Thanks!" Dad called. I brought the chairs and added set up the card table so we would have room for everyone."Are you going to be able to make enough pancakes?" I asked Layla, worried. I loved her pancakes and could eat a huge amount of the
Safe Wednesday Night
POV FinnKeri and I sat across from each other in a booth at the Diner, waiting for Layla. Sally, Hart, Tom and Jake were in the booth behind us and we were all chatting back and forth."I'm so worried about this math test. I have an English and a science test this week too but I feel prepared for those. This math one is the only thing I'm concerned about." Keri said and I agreed."I feel the same way. I have a few other tests but thanks to all our studying this year, I'm ok with those. It's just math that I think I'll fail." I added."I hope Layla gets here soon. She's the only one who understands this stuff." Keri replied."She texted a few minutes ago. She and Peter had to clean up the room and then they are both coming here." I responded."She and Peter are such good friends. It's funny how well he fits in with us. I forget that we haven't been friends with him that long." Keri commented."It's the same with Layla. We really haven't known her that long. Leo told me once that Layla
Safe Thursday
POV LeoWe were all in the lounge, talking. Except for Layla and Finn. I nervously watched the door as it got later and later."Where are they?" I asked Eve. Peter was just sitting down next to me."I just saw them making out in the hallway." Peter informed us. I started to jump up but Eve pulled me back down."Damn, Leo. Leave her alone. You should be grateful that Finn is cheering her up. She's going to beat the shit out of you if you don't cut it out!" Eve snapped. I was startled by her words. I sat back down and thought about it."I just hate seeing her scared and those nightmares were the worst" I defended."You think that I don't know that? I share the same room with her. You have no idea how many times she woke up with bad dreams that terrified her. I know that you are trying to help her but you can't force her. How many times do you need to learn that?" Eve asked me. I nodded slowly. She was right."I know. I should apologize." I said and started to get up."Not now, give her
Safe Friday
POV LaylaAfter we pulled up to school, Eve and I quickly handed out the rest of the lunches. All our friends were touched. It was sweet how such a little thing made everyone so happy. We were all in a good mood when we sat in the lounge and hung out."I'm excited about the dance tonight. Daddy got us a stretch limo so we can all drive together comfortably." Eve informed us."I'm excited too. Can Keri and I go with you to get our hair and nails done?" Sally asked. Eve looked surprised."Really? Sure! I'll call right now and book you both appointments!" Eve replied, happily. She grabbed her phone and walked out to the hall. I smiled at Sally. I knew that she hated getting her hair and nails done and that Keri was so particular that she didn't like anyone other than her normal hair dresser and nail tech. I also knew that they knew how much this meant to Eve and they wanted to make her happy."That was really nice of you two" I said to them. Keri shrugged and Sally grinned at me."She de
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Safe All Good Things (Epilogue)
POV LaylaThe next couple of years had some ups and downs but our friends stuck together through everything. At first, I had to fight with Leo, Van, Jake and even occasionally Finn for my independence and against their natural tendencies for being overprotective asses. Eventually, they got better or at least livable although I still had to punch Leo from time to time.Marissa and her Mom both moved to Porter for a 'fresh start'. It may seem strange to move to the place where your son/brother committed horrible crimes for a new beginning but somehow, it worked. Marissa had a long road to recovery but since she had so much support here, she has remained sober for the last years of high school and graduated with a full ride to a good school back in Chicago. She and Vander dated for a while again but just couldn't make it work. She ended up casually dating Jake for the last year of school and for some reason, they seemed to fit. Vander was happy for them both.Jake and Pam broke up right
Safe The Morning After
POV FinnPeter and I walked back to our house a bit after Layla and Marissa went to bed. To say that I was frustrated was an understatement. I slammed the door closed and threw my hat on the table."It'll be ok, Finn. She's not going to leave. She's just pissed and needs some space." Peter tried to calm me."Space? How am I supposed to give her space when all I want to do is have her with me all the time? My head understands what she needs and wants but the rest of me is violently disagreeing" I storm. Peter nodded."I get that but you are going to have to find a way or you really will lose her" he replied. I sighed."I know. I know." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath."You know her. What should I do?" I asked him."Back off. Let her call you, let her make the first move. Give her some freedom. She's safe. Give her what she's asking for." he suggested."Freedom?" I asked weakly, knowing how dangerous that sounded."You have to risk losing her. She needs to find herself again. If
Safe Pissed
POV LaylaFinn finally parked his bike between Leo and Tom. I quickly took off the helmet and went to hop off when Finn grabbed my hand."Where are you going?" he growled. I glared at him."Inside." I replied, furrowing my eyebrows."Not without me. I meant what I said before. You need to stay with me." he ordered. I scoffed at him."Don't be ridiculous. I'm fine. This is the Den. It's safe!" I argued."No, he's right. The same goes for you, Eve." Leo piped in from behind me."What the hell?" Eve stormed and I looked at her. She looked as pissed as I felt. I was trying to be understanding and all but this was too much."Listen, we aren't some helpless girls that can't take care of ourselves." Eve began but Leo cut her off."That's sure what it seemed like today, am I right, Finn?" he snapped. Finn nodded as he looked at me."Are you fucking kidding right now?" I raged. I slapped Finn and Eve did the same to Leo. Neither of them reacted except to try to grab us. Eve grabbed my hand fir
Safe New Problems
POV Layla"What was that?" Dan shouted."I don't know. Come with me to check it out. Steven come with us. Pam, Suzy, watch them!" Tyler ordered. He pulled out two guns and handed one to Pam and one to Suzy."If they move, shoot them" he finished. He held his gun while both Dan and Steven pulled out theirs as well. The three of them ran up the stairs. I glanced at Jake's hands and saw that he was free as well. He raised his eyebrows at me and I nodded slightly. I started to double over and cried out."What's wrong with her?" Suzy demanded."It's my stomach. I think that I'm going to be sick" I called as Suzy walked over to me. Just as I was about to punch her, she fell at my feet. We all looked up in shock as Pam put her gun away. She had just hit her own cousin on the back of the head and knocked her out cold."I'm so sorry, Layla, Jake. I never wanted to do any of this. My dad and uncle forced me. They said that they would beat me if I didn't help." Pam cried as she went to untie me.
Safe Lucky?
POV Marissa (Remember her? Billy's sister and Layla's best friend from Chicago?)I was so glad to be out of that rehab! Mom was overjoyed that I was out too. She was so happy that I convinced her to let me go visit Layla. I needed to make some things right with her and I knew that I needed to do it in person. I decided to surprise her on the day she and her friends were getting back home. With any luck, I might even run into her at the airport. I hurried off the plane when we landed and went through baggage check. I checked the screens to see when the flight from Florida would be in. Shit, it had already landed a while ago."Guess I'll just have to take a cab to her house." I mumbled to myself as I walked out of the airport. A cab pulled up to be just as a van passed. I looked up to catch a glimpse of Layla and Eve with some other friends in it. They didn't notice me. I smiled."Please follow that van. Some friends are in it and I need to catch up with them." I asked my driver. He loo
Safe Home
POV LaylaAfter we landed, Finn and I got our carry on bags as the rest of our friends did the same. We waited until everyone else had gotten off the plane to leave together. Finn and I followed our friends off the plane and into the airport. Keri led us all to the baggage claim where we wrestled with all the suitcases."I think that's all of them." Hart announced and I sighed at the huge pile of suitcases."Our drivers are over there." Eve gestured to three men all holding signs with her name on it."Why are there three? I thought you ordered two?" Finn asked. Eve shrugged."It's ok. We'll need them." she replied as she nodded toward the luggage."Why don't you girls and Hart all go in the first van while the rest of us help load the luggage?" Tom offered. Finn looked annoyed but he nodded."Ok but Peter and Jake should go with them. Just to be safe." Finn added and I agreed. I wanted to argue that we could take care of ourselves but we shouldn't take chances with Hart's well being.
Safe Traveling Home
POV Layla"Since it's our last full day here, I think that we should enjoy the beach and house today and then go out for a nice dinner tonight." Eve announced at breakfast the next morning. The rest of us agreed."Great! There's a really nice steak and seafood restaurant not too far from here that I already have reservations for at seven." She added and I chuckled. We all went and changed into our swimsuits."Finnie, we should pack up some tonight too." I suggested and he nodded."Let's go to the beach and then come back this afternoon and start packing." he recommended and I smiled."I'm going to miss sharing a room with you" I said and he smirked."I'm going to miss sharing a bed with you." he added suggestively. I rolled my eyes but giggled. We grabbed some towels and headed down to the beach. We laid down between Peter and Eve."It's so cool that your housekeeper washed all our laundry. Now I don't have to take dirty clothes home." Peter was saying to Eve as we settled in."Eve, I
Safe Vacation Fun
POV LaylaThe next day we decided to go sightseeing. Peter seemed in a better mood and loved every second of visiting the sights of the area which were not that exciting to the rest of us but we humored him. To be honest, it was boring but it got us out of the house and walking around. By the end of the day, we were exhausted. We got drive thru for dinner and everyone went straight to bed when we got back to the house.Everyone slept late and we all met up in the kitchen the next day."I don't want to cook. Let's just do fruit and cereal for breakfast" I suggested. The rest agreed and as we munched, we discussed what our plans were for the day."The weather is perfect. Let's have another beach day. We can make a bonfire tonight." Eve suggested."That sounds great." Keri gushed and everyone else nodded.Finn and I changed into our swimsuits and grabbed some towels. We spent the morning splashing in the water and building sandcastles. When we got hungry, we went back to the house and ma
Safe Rainy Day and Shopping
POV FinnLayla and I woke up to the sound of thunder the next day."That was loud" she commented as I got up to shut the window before it rained too much in."Let's get up, I want biscuits and gravy." Layla suggested."You can make that?" I asked, excited when she nodded back.We both took turns in the bathroom and then hurried down to the kitchen. She directed me as what to do and soon, the kitchen smelled wonderful. Van and Jake were surprisingly the first to stumble down the stairs."What are you two making?" Jake demanded as Van got them both some coffee."Lay's making biscuits and gravy and I'm making eggs and sausages to go with it." I answered.They both looked shocked for a moment and then Jake smiled a sly grin."If things don't work out with Finn, I'm here. Just so you know..." Jake faked whispered to Layla."Hey! I'm already signed up to be her rebound!" Van argued.I glared at both of them as Layla shook her head."Nope. She's mine, boys." Peter added as he walked in.He w
