*The Next Day, Zjael's POV*

We had just landed in Dallas. Jack grabbed my bag along with his bag and we were searching for the guys. When Jack and Alex returned to the hospital, I tiredly held out my arms wanting a hug from Jack. He came over and hugged me. I ended up meeting Zack and Rian that night before they left. Talking to Matt made me feel better about meeting them.

Also, that night Alex, Rian, Zack, and Matt pointed out Jack was different around me when he wasn't in the room. It was then that I decided I was gonna figure out why they thought that.....or maybe just leave. I was clutching onto Jack, I haven't been around many people in years. I looked up and my eyes met with Zack's. "I-I-I f-f-foun-found th-th-them." I stuttered. Jack and Alex looked to where I was looking then walked towards Zack.

"Happy Birthday, man." Zack said to Jack. "hey, Zjael." I politely waved. I was trying so hard to stay calm as I latched onto Jack more than I had.

"Z, you okay?" Jack asked quietly. I shook my head slowly.

"There are t-t-too m-m-many people here....I-I-I-I n-n-n-need to get out of-of h-h-here." I whispered to him in his ear.

"Let's get out of here." Jack said and moved quickly, while dragging me with him. When we finally got outside and by the bus, I collapsed by the wheel and grabbed my bag from Jack. I frantically searched for the two things that would help me, till I found it.

I grabbed the cigarette from my pack, put it to my lips, and lit it. I inhaled the smoke before slowly blowing it out and feeling some relief. That's when I noticed Rian, Zack, Alex, and Jack staring at me. "What?" I asked before talking another drag of the cigarette.

"Nobody told us you smoke..." Zack said as he and Rian turned to look at Alex in Jack. I took another slow drag. I hadn't smoked in three months.

"That's cause they didn't know, it's an occasional thing." I said while blowing out the smoke then got up and started walking around while finishing the cigarette.

"Why didn't you tell me you started smoking??" Jack asked. I figured he would have followed me.

"It never came up and as I said, it's an occasional thing."

"You think it would have been something good to tell us, or at least me?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Cause I wasn't planning on staying with you."

"Then why didn't you put up a fight in the hospital when I said you were coming with us?"

"I was done fighting, okay? Plus, it's a long story. Can we leave it at that?" I said and put my cigarette out then walking to the bus. I walked on and saw everyone in the front lounge. I walked by them to the back lounge and sat down. After a minute, the bus started moving and Jack joined me in the room.

"Z, open up to me." Jack said softly.

"I did."

"Why didn't you put up a fight if you didn't want to leave with us?"

"It doesn't matter!"

"Yes, it does. It really does."

"No!"

"Please, just tell me, Z."

"After beating me, my mom kicked me out and when I woke up in the hospital and were there, I knew it was my way out, that's the gist of it!" I screamed at him.

"So, in the end you did decide to come back with me?" Jack asked softly with hope in his eyes.

"Not to be with you, Jack." I said with a sigh.

"What do you mean?" He asked and I stood up slowly.

"I mean, when we get back to Baltimore, I'm getting a job and my own place."

"Why? You can stay with me and don't need a job."

"No, Jack. I want you to move on, forget about me and our promise. I want you to live your life to the fullest. I want you to find someone else to love and live your life with. That's something you can't do with me in your life."

"Why the hell do you think that?" He asked in disbelief. I watched as Zack, Rian, Alex, and Matt slowly and quietly crept in the little room we were in.

"Cause I'm just a burden on your life."

"Why would you think that?"

"Cause Alex, Rian, Zack, and Matt said you're different around me."

Notes

So, that just happened. What do you think will happen next? I'll post the next chapter after school once I'm done typing it up.

Hope you guys like this :)

-Rose