The Trouble-Makers

Rian's words coursed through me and I suddenly widened my eyes. I could see it all over Rian's face, he was worried. If I didn't put an end to this, who knew how far Alex would go. I gave a small nod to Rian. "You boys get Jack, I'll deal with Alex," I said, my voice coming out shaky.

I walked past Rian and was horrified to see Alex was still kicking the crap out of the nameless guy even though the guy wasn't even putting up a fight anymore. As much as this scared me, I knew I had to put an end to it.

"Alex," I said quietly at first, trying not to look at him but that didn't catch his attention. "Alex!" I nearly screamed, and I saw a flicker cross his face at that and he paused with his fist still raised in the air. "Stop this, please, stop," I said, my voice choking as I stifled a sob. The pour guys, they weren't even a part of this; it was Kenny who did the real wrong and I didn't think even Kenny deserved to be beat like this.

Alex let go of the guy and looked over at me, his eyes wide. He stood up, walking towards me and he watched my tears on my cheeks. His face looked like he was in a daze as he gently put a hand my face to wipe away my tears. I flinched slightly at his touch, and I saw the look of hurt cross through his face.

He blinked slowly, looking over towards Jack who was struggling to fight against Mike and Rian as they pulled him off. Jaime was no where to be seen and neither was Kenny, and a shiver ran down my spine at that.

I felt Alex's hand weave into mine as he pulled me away from the bruised and swollen guys. He pushed through the crowd. He went past the entrance doors. He didn't stop until we stood in front of his car once again.

Alex finally released my hand and he sat down on the ground, putting his head between his legs and it took me a few minutes to realize he was struggling to breath.

Panic attack.

I immediately sat down in front of him, grabbing his head between my hands and forcing him to look me in the eyes. "Listen to me, Alex. You're fine. No ones going to hurt or leave you. Just breath. Slow. In and out. Let the air into your lungs, you're fine." I repeated to him in a soothing voice until he calmed down.

"T-thanks," he stammered, slowly standing up and using the car to lean against. "How did you learn to do that?"

"I used to get really bad panic attacks when I was little and that's what my dad used to say to me when I was going through them," I explained, edging closer to Alex. Just because he had a panic attack didn't mean I we going to let what just happened slide. "Alex," I started, "is that...usually how far you take those fights?"

He looked towards the ground now. "No," he admitted. "When I'm that pissed off it usually gets worse." He paused. "The only reason I stopped was because I heard your tone and then," he looked up towards me now, "I saw you were crying."

I felt my chest constrict and stepped closer to him, pressing my head against his chest and wrapping my arms around him. He slowly wrapped his arms around me as well and squeezed me closer to him. "I don't like that side of you, it scared me," I whispered.

"I know, I'm sorry you had to see that," Alex said with his cheek against the top of my head. He pulled away to look down at me. "I couldn't stand seeing the way he touched you like that," Alex said, his voice turning harsh towards the end. "He had to learn that wasn't okay."

"And you don't think one punch would've been fine?" I asked, shaking my head. "And then when you and Jack went after the other two-" my voice choked and Alex quickly pressed my head against him again, hushing me.

"It's fine; it's okay. It's over now," he reassured me, rubbing my back. I could tell he saw no error in his ways, it was obvious, but at least he knew I disapproved.

Alex kept his arms wrapped around me securely, making sure I felt safe. Even as the other Trouble-Makers came by he stayed in our position.

"Those freaking idiots deserved more than what they got," Jack growled, walking towards us and clenching his fists. "I don't know why you guys had to pull me off."

"I'm just shocked Alex hadn't jumped in sooner," Mike admitted. "He lasted a lot longer than I thought he would."

"I did step in earlier," Alex responded, his voice rumbling over my head. "Right before they started dancing."

"You obviously weren't very persuasive," Rian said, shaking his head.

"I think they get the picture now," Jack said smugly, and it made me nestle closer to Alex at their tone.

"Speaking of which, where's Jaime?" Rian asked.

I heard a rustle and figured Jack just shrugged his shoulders. "I haven't seen him since after I jumped at that guy. He'll prob show up soon."

"He better not take long," Mike complained.

"It's whatever," Jack responded, suddenly in a lighter mood. "Princess, why don't you take a step away from Prince Charming for a moment?" Jack asked and I felt Alex's arms drop from holding me. I turned around to face Jack, and he looked like the same old Jack. The happy, slightly moody and sassy Jack, not the one who just beat a guy to a pulp. "Tonight you both pumped up the party and caused a scene." A smile flashed across Jack's face.

"I didn't cause that scene, that was your guys' fault," I defended.

"We only reacted because of something you were doing," Jack shot back. "But anyways, welcome to the Trouble-Makers."

I felt a smile perk on my lips and I thanked the boys for the congratulations.

"Dang, our first girl Trouble-Maker," Rian said, blowing out a whistle. "Kind of weird."

I opened my mouth to reply but Rian's facial expression dropped and his eyes widened. Confused, I looked to the other guys but they were all just as grim, with the exception of Jack's who's looked slightly excited.

"Come here, Stella," Alex said, pulling me back into his chest. "Just don't look, okay?"

I slowly nodded my head, my breathing speed increasing. I had no idea what they were staring at that was behind me, but it obviously wasn't good.

"What happened to you?" Rian asked quickly, concern filling his voice.

"Oh, relax," Jack answered for the other person. "It's not even his blood."

My body stiffened and Alex squeezed his grip tighter on me, but it wasn't helping.

"I don't think that guy will be coming around anyone of us for awhile now," Jaime snickered, obviously pleased with whatever he did. I had to assume the worst.

Alex coughed, and I felt him shake his head above me. "I think we should all go now," he said, his voice harsh again.

Jack chuckled. "Yeah, we got to go get Jaime cleaned up." I heard footsteps shuffle away and Alex released a sigh.

"It's okay now," he said softly down towards me, and it took me a while to finally pull away from Alex's safe embrace.

***

Alex parked his car outside my house and he looked over at me. Even in the night light I could tell a half smile was forming on his face. "I'm glad you're a Trouble-Maker," he praised, his smile broadening.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm always with you guys now so we might as well make it official."
Before Alex could respond Jack pulled his car in behind us and parked in, and I scrunched my eyebrows. "Why is Jack here?" I asked.

Alex tilted his head at me. "He didn't tell you?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I don't think so."

"It's a Trouble-Maker tradition for us to stay the night at the new Trouble-Maker's house the night they become one," Alex informed me, popping open his car door and hopping out.

"What?" I exclaimed. I got out my own car, shooting a glare at Jack and the boys who were heading up the driveway. I couldn't help but let my eyes longer at Jaime, but he looked like he changed shirts. "You guys need to stay outside for a few minutes, I'll flick the porch light on and off when it's okay for you guys to come in."

I creeped inside my house, hushing Jay as he meowed a greeting at me and tip toed to my dads room which I found no one in. I let out a sigh of relief, he must be working over night. See, my dad did know I had finally made friends this school year, but he definitely didn't know they were all boys and I wasn't sure if he'd be exactly pleased with my choice of friends.

Flicking all the house lights on, I walked over to the front door and flicked the light switch.
Soon enough my house was filled with boys once more as they kicked off their shoes and dropped their over night bags on the ground on top of each other. It was already almost one in the morning and I didn't think we'd be falling asleep soon.

"Princess," Jack said, ruffling my hair, "I would've never guessed you'd be a Trouble-Maker."

I frowned at him, adjusting my hair and sticking my tongue out at him.

"Are you kidding?" Alex asked, letting his arm swing around my shoulders and pulling me closer to him. "I knew from the start she'd be one of us."

I pushed Alex's arm off of me, offering him a smirk. "So I didn't know you guys were sleeping over, so when my dad comes home he's probably going to be royally pissed off," I informed them. "So take your crap, including your shoes, and dump it upstairs in my room."

"Sir, yes sir!" Jaime mocked as the boys disappeared down the hallway.

I let out a sigh, reaching downwards and scooping up Jay. "Jay baby, what are we gonna do with these guys." I chuckled, scratching underneath his chin.

"Stella!" I heard Mike call and footsteps coming down the hallway. "You have any food?"

I hitched my thumb towards the kitchen and Mike's eyes brightened, but soon the rest of the guys joined him. I couldn't help but chuckle at all their regular, boy behavior; after seeing them in that fight I needed this to remember how they really were. I just wished they'd never show their other sides.

Notes