The Trouble-Makers

All of us Trouble-Makers stood in the makeshift parking lot in front of Kellin's house. We were all shifting uncomfortably, not sure what we were going to be walking into. The boys were almost completely convinced that Zack was helping Kellin in on whatever was to come, but I didn't think so. Zack couldn't do anything like that...could he?

"It's not too late to leave," Rian finally spoke up. He was always the most realistic one of the group.

"Are you kidding me?" Jack asked, cracking his knuckles. "And miss all the fun? No way."

I shifted on my feet, leaning into Alex. He wrapped an arm around my waste, pulling me close. "Hey, it's going to be fine," he murmured down to me while they boys continued to talk.

"I'm just nervous is all..."

"Things will work out." He ran one of his hands through my hair. "I'll keep you safe."

I leaned my face against his chest, taking in a deep breath. In Alex's arms was where I did feel the most safe and comfortable, and I didn't want to leave. But I knew we'd have to face what was to come whether we ran from it or not.

"Hey, princess and Prince Charming," Jack called, his voice sounding slightly far off. I hadn't realize they moved away from us. "You guys coming or what?"

I bit down on my lip, sticking close to Alex as we walked up to the house.

"It's show time," Mike said, causing Jaime to snicker. We pushed our way into the house and were greeted by the usual scene at Kellin's parties; people divided by groups and just talking or drinking...but the air grew tense as people noticed us.

"Guys!" I heard Zack's voice exclaim as he made his way over to us. Alex brought me closer to him now. "I'm so glad you guys came, I didn't think you would actually come."

"You kidding? How could we skip free drinks?" Jack asked sarcastically, leaning back against the front door.

Zack's smile wavered, obviously not sure if Jack was joking or not. "Well, drinks are in the kitchen, come on."

"I don't like this," Mike muttered low enough for Zack not to hear it.

"Man up," Jaime replied, which caused Alex and I to chuckle.

"This place brings back bad memories," Alex remarked, and if Zack heard it he chose to ignore it as we ventured closer to the clique. I squeezed Alex's arm apologetically.

"Look what that cat dragged in," Kellin said, and Jack stiffened quickly. "When Zack said you guys were coming I didn't believe him."

"When Zack told us you invited us we don't believe him either," Jack shot back coolly.

Zack shifted uncomfortably between the two of them. "Uh...how about some drinks?" he asked, putting a few bottles of beer on the counter.

"I think Kellin would be a little hesitant to give Stella a beer bottle again," Jack said quietly, us Trouble-Makers beginning to laugh at that.

Kellin tensed but didn't reply, leaving a small smile on his face.

"Oh, Stella! I haven't seen you in so long," Nicki's shrill voice filled the room, running over to me and pushing Alex away by wrapping her arms around me. I was tense in the hug but managed to wrap my arms around her back. She pulled away, a bright smile on her face. "I wish you would've told me you were coming, I would've wanted to plan an outfit with you."

I smiled back at her, not willing to say anything back at her. She may be good with faking, but I definitely wasn't.

"So nice to see the girls getting along, wish we could be like that," I heard Kellin say behind me, and I had to stifle a giggle from that. Did he think we were stupid?

"I just see a fake chick making Stella uncomfortable," Alex said, grabbing my waste and pulling me into him and away from Nicki. Her eyes narrowed at his comment, but she must have been biting her tongue because she didn't say anything.

"Okay, let's cut to the chase, why are we here?" Jack asked, leaning against one of the counters.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kellin said.

"Don't give us this crap," Jack muttered.

"This is a waste of time," Jaime added.

"He just wants to mend the bridges," Zack said, innocence feigning in his voice.

"Why don't we go talk over here," Nicki said, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Alex and the boys.

"No," I said sharply, pulling my arm out of her grasp. "I'm staying here."

"Don't be stupid, Stella," she said through a giggle, her patience running out. "Come on."

I stood my ground, and the boys went quiet watching us.

"Stella...come."

I chuckled darkly at that, resting on my hip. "Telling me to come? I'm not your dog."

"You might as well be because you'll come crawling back to us after your scum of a boyfriend is done using you," she remarked.

I froze at that, my blood beginning to boil underneath my skin. "Excuse me?"

"You want to know why we invited you to this party?" she asked, and I could hear Kellin telling her to shut up. "We were going to get you all plastered enough and beat the crap out of you. Then you wouldn't have remembered what happened and guess who'd get the blame? Alex." She chuckled.

Kellin cursed under his breath.

"It wasn't going to work anyways, they weren't taking any sips out of their drinks." She shrugged her shoulders.

I could feel the boys intensity growing at her words and I wasn't sure what was holding them back right now. I felt a hand drop on my shoulders, and I turned to see Jack watching me intently. Confusion crossed my face...was he asking my permission to fight? I but down on my lip, turning to face Nicki in front of me.

"It takes more than just a little plan like that to tear us apart."

"You can try and glorify your little freak group all you want, but you will never amount to anything. Your friends are all going to end up in prison, and where will that leave you?" She smirked. "You'll go back to being Zack's little slut who gets ordered by Kellin and I. You are nothing."

Jack's grip tightened on my shoulder but I refused to look at him now. I pried his hand off of me. This was going to be an eventful night.

Notes

Oh man, only one chapter left guys :D /u\