“Don’t worry, they’ll let you stay,” a blonde boy leaned over towards Alex. He had caught Alex’s eyes roaming on a bickering Niall and Ava in the corner.

“If they don’t… I don’t think it’ll be very devastating,” Alex eyed the gray dust lining the room as she sat apprehensively on an old sofa.

“It’s better than the dirt ground in the cold,” the boy laughed. “Luke,” he held out his hand as an introduction.

“Alex,” she looked at the boy for the first time since he wandered to her side. He had light eyes that seemed rather innocent and a lip ring that glittered in the light.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Luke nodded.

“You guys can crash here,” Niall said, still in a bored voice.

“Thanks man. I really appreciate it,” Ashton forced through a tight smile, only Alex could tell how truly forced it was. He had been eyeing the garage as well. It was a one room with a couple futons spaced about the gray cellar like room.

“Can we go now?” Harry was sprawled out on a futon, seemingly taking a nap.

“Where uh… where are we going?” Alex wondered.

“You aren’t coming,” Ava scoffed.

“Why wouldn’t they come?” the boy who was introduced as Louis asked. “They’re with us for the night.”

“Oh, are they? We don’t even know these people,” Ava spat bitterly.

“And?” Niall shot.

“No one can be worse than us,” Louis said. Alex and Ashton continued to shoot looks at each other, feeling invisible but wishing they truly were.

“They’re coming,” Harry’s voice was firm and deep and suddenly Ava shut her mouth. And it seemed like the debate was finished, for good.

“C’mon. We’re going to the field now,” Louis beckoned.

---


The field was vast and open as Alex stood towards the back of the group. The others were beginning to spread out large blankets they had brought from the garage. The sky was a thick layer of black with stars painted along as lights to guide the way.

“There you guys are!” a sudden raspy woman’s voice emerged from the trees that they had just come from.

“Layla!” a chorus of voices came. The only one unimpressed by her entrance was Harry; instead he scoffed.

“Boys, Ava,” Layla sang in greeting. She was a leggy blonde with stunning green eyes. “Who are the newbies?”

“Who knows,” Ava whispered, but Alex heard and hung her head.

“Ashton.” Ashton held a hand out, eagerly approaching the gorgeous girl. But he tripped over a patch of rocks hidden in the tall thick blades of grass. He merely stumbled, but everyone saw and Alex couldn’t even help but laugh lightly along with a few other snickers. His cheeks flushed, Layla reluctantly took his hand.

“Layla,” she introduced, fighting back a laugh. “So, how about we get this night started?” she pulled a tall clear bottle from her bag slung over her shoulder.

Cheers broke out at the sight of the liquor. And she tossed it over towards Louis who popped it open and slung it back.

“Hey! Don’t hog it all!” Ava lunged at Louis, arms around his neck, groping at the bottle.

“Ava, simmer it! You really think I’d be this late for only one bottle of vodka?” Layla giggled, pulling out three more bottles of excess liquor.


Greedy hands began reaching for the bottles and Alex lost herself amongst everyone. Even Ashton threw a couple of the bottles back.

“What about you, Runaway?” a husky voice said in Alex’s ear. She jumped up, startled.

“Oh… uh…what about me?” Alex played innocent. His breath was saturated in alcohol.

“Want a sip? Or… more?” Harry whispered further into her ear. Alex could have sworn though he wasn’t only offering a drink.

“I’m good actually,” Alex’s voice wasn’t nearly as convincing as she would have hoped, but Harry shrugged and left her alone.

The night began to get loose and everyone’s lips grew sloppy.

“How’s your night going?” Luke threw himself down next to Alex. He only tasted tipsy at this point and still perfectly coherent.

“Good, probably not as good as theirs though,” Alex laughed nervously, watching Louis and Layla deeply making out on a blanket. Louis was allowing his hands to wander up and down her torso.

“Yeah, they hook up a lot when they’re drowning in alcohol,” Luke laughed, watching them too.

“Why are Harry… and Ava… even Niall, the way they are?” Alex blurted. Luke looked uncomfortable. “Sorry, they just seem so…”

“Intense?” Luke finished her sentence.

“Yeah, that’s a good way to put it,” Alex nodded.

“Well, just like you and your brother, we all have our stories. We all hangout, but our stories are our secrets. We vowed never to tell one another. That’s how we like it.”

“So… you’re all damaged? Lost souls?” Alex asked, looking at Luke.

“You could call us that,” Luke forced a laugh as he picked at the grass.

“But you don’t seem to damaged,” Alex stated. “I mean, no offense if that was the look you were going for.”

“Didn’t your parents ever tell you never to judge a book by its cover? A person goes deeper than the surface. A smile can cover a lot.”

“Yeah. I guess so,” Alex said slowly.

“I’ll let you in on some information about us as group, just not individually,” Luke offered, forcing a smile.

“I think that would be nice,” Alex agreed.

“Okay… so as far as you know Ava and Niall are siblings, I think they came from New England somewhere, but then again none of us really know. We just guess from accents. Ava is scary intimidating if you haven’t noticed, but so is her brother. I advise you not to approach him. He’s always on his own. I was surprised he offered up the garage to you too. He’s usually very… defensive over property. Onto Louis and Layla, who hook up a lot, as you can see, but they are strictly friends with benefits. They actually don’t have feelings for each other. The two of them are fun together, always partying. And of course… there’s Harry,” Luke began, but suddenly he interrupted by Layla.

“What about a game?” she slurred. “Get to know the new Runaways?”

“Whoa whoa whoa,” Ava sat up; pulling through her drunkenness and appearing sober long enough to fight at the comments. “They aren’t Runaways. They aren’t one of us. They’re just lost and trying to find their way back home. Their car broke down; they aren’t staying.

“What are you talking about?” Alex’s attention was sparked.

“Way to go Ava,” Niall spat.

“What was she talking about? ‘We aren’t one of you?’” Ava pressed.

Everyone avoided her eyes though, along with Ashton’s. Even Luke.

Notes

DO U GUYS LIKE IT?????

Cause I like u. winkkkk..

okay I'm done. Kay bye.

xxx