The Trouble-Makers

Alex unlocked his car, hopping into the driver's seat and I slipped into the passenger seat. He started up the car and without a word and drove away from the school. My heart was still beating quickly and I had no idea where we were going or what Alex planned on doing. I knew he was still pissed off, I could see it in his body language, but at least now he was calming down. Kellin seemed to really know how to set Alex off and I was only glad I was able to stop it.

I don't know how you were able to stop him, because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to myself...but if it's one more strike, Kellin's out...

Jack's words echoed in my head and I felt a shiver run down my spine. That meant Alex really was going to give it to Kellin this time, and who knows how far he would've taken it if I hadn't stepped in. I didn't like Kellin in the least, but there was no way I was going to let Alex do that to someone.

The car ride was silent until Alex pulled to the side of the road. We were right next to a park for little kids, but since school was still supposed to be going on no one was there. Alex finally looked over at me, his face masking whatever emotions he was feeling right now. He nudged his head to the side before getting out of the car and I got up to follow him.

Walking over towards the park, he sat down under an old oak tree, resting the back of his head against the trunk of the tree. I sat down next to him, chewing on my bottom lip.

"You shouldn't have done that, you know," Alex finally said, staring off at the park in front of us. Our shoulders were pressed against each other and I could feel him heave a sigh.

"Done what?" I asked, looking over at him.

"Gotten involved," he said, his voice quiet and not seemingly tense at all.

"I couldn't just stand there and let you do that," I defended myself.

"But you should've," he said, his voice harsh before he blew out a breath. "What I'm saying is when I get like that, it's best to stay out of my way. Jack and the guys know that, that's why they didn't get involved."

I paused, looking away now. He really was a ticking time-bomb, just waiting for the spark to set him off, and right now Kellin was that spark. "You had to have had some control over yourself, I mean...you backed away, didn't you?"

Alex shook his head, looking down at his hands. "You don't understand, Stella. It's not always like that. Sometimes I don't realize what I'm doing and..." He took in a sharp breath. "I've hit Jack before," he admitted.

"What?" I asked, confusion coursing through me.

"I've hit him before; hard. I got pissed off and was going at this guy and when Jack went to pull me off and I hit him and broke his nose, but I realized what I did afterwards." Alex shook his head, still staring down at his hands. "God, Stella, are you serious you want to be around us when we act like that?" He looked over at me. "If I did that to you I wouldn't be able to live with myself. So when I'm like that, you have to back off. You can't intervene, that's why Jack and the boys don't."

I slowly nodded my head and I could see the worry well up in Alex's eyes. "I understand," I said, and Alex turned away from me. "But that's not going to stop me." He turned his head back to face me now, clearly shocked by my words.

"W-what?"

"You heard me. I refuse to let something like that stop my friendship with you." I felt a smile slowly perk onto my lips. "Stop worrying so much, things will be fine. I mean, I was able to pull you away from fights today and the few times before. You'll get better."

"But what if I don't?" Alex said, shaking his head. "Stella, I can't hurt you." His voice came out desperate, as if he were afraid I was about to run away from him right here and now.

I slowly shook my head. "I trust you, Alex," I nearly whispered. "You wouldn't ever do that to me."

Alex closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath to calm himself down. I set my hand on his arm, squeezing him gently and I felt his arm become less tense. He slowly shook his head. "I don't know how you do that."

"Do what?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

Alex was having a hard time meeting my eyes so he looked down at my hand on his arm. "That," he said, nodding his head towards my hand. "How you calm me down so easily."

A smile grew on my face again and shrugged my shoulders. I honestly didn't know what to say to that. We sat like that for a while, just sitting close and letting Alex unwind. It wasn't until Jaime and Jack showed up did we realize hours had passed and school was already out.

"There's our star," Jaime said, walking closer. "You love to put on a big show, don't you?"
Alex muttered something at him but I didn't understand it.

"When I saw you tense up before you launched at Kellin, dude, I thought you were going to kill him," Jack said, chuckling and sitting down in front of us.

"Yeah, I thought for sure this was the day you were going to finally commit murder." Jaime sat down next to Jack.

Their words were meant to be light and funny, but Alex just shrugged his shoulders at them. "I was going to," he said, a creepy half smile forming on his lips.

Jack's expression flickered for a moment, but he went on. "Good thing we have princess then," he declared, looking over at me. "I thought that scene was definitely going to scare you away from the group."

"Are you kidding? It takes a lot more to scare me away," I teased, and Jack chuckled at me.
Jaime looked up, joining back into the conversation. "Well, you can't be scared away now, anyways."

I furrowed my eyebrows at him, watching him slowly. "What do you mean?"

Jack chuckled beside him, shaking his head. "You do remember what you said to Alex to get him out of the fight, right? You're becoming one of us."

I felt my body tense again. I had totally forgotten about that promise. It was Alex's turn now to grab my arm and squeeze it reassuringly.

"I guess princess wasn't being true to her word," Jack said, a taunting smile creeping onto his face. He was doing this on purpose; he wanted to see if I would back down, wasn't he?

"Of course I meant it," I said, holding his stare. "I want to be a part of the Trouble-Makers."

Jack looked over at Jaime before looking back to me. "Okay, princess, you're on. But you still have to face a challenge from us since we haven't known you as long as we've known Mike."

"And what would that be?" I asked.

I felt Alex chuckle beside me, squeezing my arm. "We're going to a party."

Notes

Your guys comments about Stella beating up Kellin :'D Maybe I'll throw that in, who knows? c;