The photo above is of Axel^

Did you see Back Again's new cover? Amazing work done by @GlamorousDolls! Thank you!

I walk up to the guys still sitting at our table, talking about a very serious topic by the look on their faces. As Mina and I walk up, the looks on their faces vanish and they give us a small smile.

I smile back at them and a look of relief appears on Preston's face. "Hey, are you okay?" He says searching my face for the answer.

"I will be," I reply, no more lies or secrets. I will say how I feel, not keep it bottled up. "But there's something I need to tell you guys." I sit down in one of the seats and the boys all turn their attention towards me.

"What is it?" Axel questions, his full attention on me.

"I kind of r-remembered something -- about my past", I say timidly.

I explain to them about the memory, the whole time a worried expression on Preston's face and concern on the other two boys. I explained to them how my parents are keeping things from me, never telling my anything. I explained to them how I felt about everything and my thought.

"So your parents never told you anything from before the accident?" Brent asks.

"Nope, not even about the accident itself", I answer.

"Do you know who was in the car with you?" Preston asks snapping out of his own thoughts.

"No, it ended before I could find out." I answer, "But if anything that motivates me more to do what I'm about to ask you guys." I say confidently.

"Shoot." Says Axel returning to his normal self.

"I want you guys to help me remember. I can't be kept in the dark any longer, not knowing who I am. I ask you because I know I would never do it on my own but I want to try new things and try to remember who I am." I say quickly all in one breath. I give them a hopeful look uncertain of how they'll react. "What do you guys think?" I ask awaiting their response.

They all look at each other as if discussing it telepathically. Sharing a couple nods and smiles in the process. "Of course we'll help you. You're our friend, you deserve to be happy." Brent says smiling.

I smile back at the boys, happy they accepted, "How do we go about this? I had the idea but not the plan." I say.

They all look at each other a smirk on their faces. "Don't you worry, leave that up to us", Axel says a mischevious expression on his face.

Oh no. What did I just sign up for?

-:-

"We're what?!" I yell out over the phone.

A couple seconds ago Preston called me saying to pack because all of us are going to New York. That it would be good for me to clear my head a little. I'm fine with that but what I'm not fine with is that he means this week.

"We're going to New York City," Preston says matter of factly.

"No, I mean the part where you said we're going to skip school. I can't fall behind in my classes." I protest.

"Relax we have it all figured out. We call in sick with a virus, the stomach flu, on Tuesday but actually go to my place. We can come back on Monday so your little nerd self to get any missed work and complete it." He explains calmly. "Sound like a good enough deal to you?"

I think it over. I'm already ahead in all my classes so I'm not missing much. I really want to remember who I am, and some time away from school with no worries could do that. I want to remember my old life; what if in my old life I loved the city? I wouldn't know. And that's what motivates me to say my next words.

"Yes. I'll go. When do we leave?" I say confidently. Well, there's no going back now.

"Great!" He says. "The boys and I will pick you up in an hour so get ready." He hangs up the phone after saying goodbye and I get to pack up my bags.

I grab my gray Adidas duffle bag and make a list of everything I need. I put in a couple of shirts and shorts along with a few pair of jeans. My underwear, bras, and my basic necessities for makeup. It's only a week or so so I can pack lightly. A couple minutes into folding I get a text alert from Preston.

Ace: Don't forget to pack a bikini

Piper: Do I really have to Preston?

Ace: Yes, unless you want all your clothes to be soaked:)

I don't reply, giving in. I know the guys will not resist from pushing me in fully clothed. I grab shampoo, conditioner, and other lavatories for after swimming or whatever they have planned. I hate wearing a bathing suit, I have a fairly good body but I hate feeling and being exposed. I pack it never the less and continue. About 30 minutes later I've packed everything and cleaned up my room since I hate leaving it a mess. I decide to take a quick shower and wash my hair so that I'll be ready for bed once we got there.

I get dressed in a white undershirt and a baby pink cropped hoodie with ripped mid-rise jeans. I put on my white Adidas sneakers that almost every person on the planet earth has and I'm ready with 5 minutes to spare. I lounge around my kitchen looking for food and I find pretzels and pack a food bag for the road because I love food. I mean who doesn't?

A minute or two later I hear the doorbell ring. I open the door to reveal Brent.

"Ready milady?" He asks holding his hand out for me.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I said, taking his hand.

We walk to the car and I see the guys and Mina are already there.

"Piper! I still can't believe you agreed to skip school. This is so unlike you and I'm loving it!"

I laugh as I get inside the car and sit on Mina's right. Sitting on her left was Axel, which I wasn't surprised to see, while Brent sat in the front with Preston.

"Well, I guess it's because I've pushed away my past long enough. It's time for me to start remembering again. Or at least try to".

Preston looks at me through the rear-view mirror, "Don't worry Pipes. With all the activities the boys and I've planned today, you're sure to remember something. Even if it's only a small fragment of your past."

I smile, "Thanks, Preston. And to all of you too, for putting the time and effort into helping me. I'm so grateful."

"We're in this together", said Axel

"Of course we'd help you, Piper. We've been through hell and back and we've made it this far", said Mina.

"Yeah, besides, we get to skip school. Anything to miss my agonizing teachers' lectures", Brent said confidently.

We all laughed and talked some more. An hour later we're all sat in the car playing Truth or Truth.

"Ok, this question is for Axel. What's something you don't usually tell people?" I asked.

"Hmm, let me think."

"Make it good," I add in.

"Alright alright, but you guys have to promise you won't laugh."

"I can't promise that." Preston says jokingly. Axel gives him a look that could literally burn your soul. "Fine! I promise," He said in a mocking tone, giving up. "I won't laugh."

"My real name is -- Winston."

"What!" Yells Mina, "Where the hell did you get Axel from?"

"Axel is my middle name, Winston is way too formal and snooty, Axel fits me better so I started to go by it freshman year."

"I am officially calling you Winston from now on," Mina says laughing a bit.

Axel hides his face in his hands immediately regretting his decision to tell us. We all laugh at his embarrassment and continue to play.

"Alright Pipes, time to spill. First kiss?" Brent asks me.

I immediately tense up knowing my response to this question, "I haven't had one."

"Not even a peck?" Brent asks, shocked.

"Really?" Axel asks

My cheeks turn red from embarrassment, "No"

"C'mon leave her alone guys, so what if she hasn't had her first kiss?" Preston says, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.

"Ok Brent it's your turn," Mina speaks up, "How many relationships have you been in? Oh, and full details please."

Brent takes a minute to think using his hands to count. From where I'm sitting he's up to 6.

"Serious or non-serious?" He asks.

"Whatever," Mina says laughing at his response. "You choose."

"Alright, I'm ready. Rosetta in 2nd grade for two days, Stephanie in 4th grade for like, a week, Olivia like twenty minutes later for a day, Charlotte in 6th grade for three weeks, Layla in 7th for a month I think... or was that Lily? Doesn't matter. Audrey and Ruby for a couple weeks in 9th grade, Elijah in 10th grade for a month, Logan in 11th for an hour, I think you can guess why." He says winking. "Vivian in 11th for a couple months, and Blake for 6 months until like two weeks ago." He says casually.

Everyone's jaws dropped open.

"What the hell Brent?! That was like 12 people!" Axel exclaimed.

"Wait, your bi?" Mina asked surprised.

"I know, and yeah", Brent says as a matter of factly.

Seeing my chance I directed my question towards Mina, "Since we're on the topic of relationships, got any crushes?", I asked slyly.

Mina threw daggers at me with her eyes, "Crushes? Well, I guess I like....Winston." She said, blushing.

The car was thick with tension and I swear you could hear a pin drop.

I look over at Axel whos face is red as a tomato and I could see a smile forming on his face.

Brent whistles before asking his question, "So Piper, do you like anyone?"

Preston clears his throat taken aback by the question, shuffling uncomfortably in his seat.

Why is he acting so weird today?

"No, I'm not into the whole dating scene." I respond.

"Really? Why?" Brent asks.

"It's too weird, how am I supposed to date someone and get to know them if I don't even know me? Like, 'What's your favorite childhood memory?' what am I suppose to say, 'I don't remember'?"

"I guess that makes sense." Brent says understandingly.

"Ok Preston, it's your turn. You're the only one who hasn't answered anything yet."

"Shoot." He says looking at Mina in the rearview mirror.

Mina thinks for a while before asking her question, "What made you move here?"

"Back." He says

Mina and I look at each other confused, she shrugs her shoulders not knowing what he means.

"I grew up here, I got shipped off to boarding school freshman year by my father. I moved back to take care of my grandmother after my father died." Preston says, his expressionless. I guess it's still a sore subject.

"And your mom?" Mina asks.

I kicked her shin and gave her a death glare.

"Uhh, I mean, nevermind. You don't have to answer that." Mina said, awkwardly.

I facepalmed myself but Preston just laughed. "It's okay. My mom died of lung cancer a couple months before I moved."

"I'm sorry", I said, not knowing what else to say.

We all stay silent for a couple minutes when out of nowhere Brent shouts.

"School bus!"

"What?" I ask.

Before he gets a chance to answer Axel cuts in, answering for him. "It's a stupid game he plays. Every time he sees a school bus he shouts schoolbus. I think it's pretty stupid but it keeps him entertained." He gives Brent a glare, "It seems harmless now but wait until he wakes you up from a nap just to yell school bus." 

I chuckle a bit, you can tell Axel's still a bit grumpy from he last time Brent woke him up.

This is going to be an interesting twelve hours.

-:-

6th chapter is finally up! Don't forget to vote/comment on this chapter!

QOTD: Cats or dogs?

J: Dogs

M: Both