"This is bullshit." Ashton exclaimed as he walked through the front door of his house, knocking down to the ground a lamp as he passed by. We all followed behind him. Well, what was left of us..

It was 2a.m. now. After we left the bar, Ash made us go back outside and talk to the announcer about what happened back there. It took a while to find him but when we did, Ashton and the rest of the guys were more than furious. The announcer just shook his head and told them it wasn't his fault. That just made them even more furious and caused Ash to drive back home angrily and mindlessly. This brought him to get a speeding ticket and now well.. he's officially more than just pissed.

Shawn had taken Sarah right after we left the bar to go home. He was probably the only one not drinking tonight and Sarah was his main concern since she was a bit tipsy by the end of the night so he was long gone. Cameron claimed he was too dizzy to drive so he tagged along with Jack back to Ash's place where now we're observing his insane tantrum.

I managed to close and lock the door once the guys were in before Ashton started yelling again. Throwing yet another lamp across the room, he started cursing. I tried not to mind it, it was only a lamp and it wasn't hurting anybody. I understand he was angry, they all were, only I think the other guys were more upset than they were angry because neither of them threw anything at someone.

"The fuck they think they are!" He shouted, turning around to face us with his hands in the air.

No one said anything. I figured I shouldn't either. But I was worried about Ashton, I know how important this was to him and seeing him react this way worries me a little.

Without a moment to spare, Ashton turned back around, slamming a vase against the wall to have it shatter into a bunch of little pieces. I had jumped in startlement, not having to think it twice before maneuvering my way in between Jack and Cameron to walk over to my cousin. A large hand gripped mine before I had the chance to pass any further. I looked up to see no more than Jack's stern look gazed upon my cousin. A look of steadiness and warning was clear in his eyes as he kept looking forward at Ash.

"I wouldn't go there if I were you." He warned.

I glanced back at Ashton, throwing more and more objects by the second. He was taking it way too far, he could hurt someone, hurt himself.

"But--

"Just stay." I heard Cameron jump in before I could finish, looking sturdier than Jack as he did so. "Trust us, you'll get hurt."

I looked back at Ashton with worry in my eyes then back at Cameron and Jack. I was stuck between a thin line in trusting these two guys over jumping in and stopping my cousin before he gets hurt. It was hard because I wanted to help, but not get hurt and clearly it seems like that's exactly what's going to happen if I do.

"Please." I turned to Jack. This would be the first time I have spoken to him since later on in the day yesterday. "Please, Jack, do something." I begged, his hand was still gripped around my wrist. "He's going to get hurt."

He seemed to ponder over what I have kindly asked him to do. If they weren't going to let me do it myself then they better be prepared to go in themselves because I'm not going to let this happen.

Jack let out a deep sigh, not doing anything to stop Ash. I stubbornly rolled my eyes, hating on him for doing that and wriggling my wrist from his hold. He didn't try to stop me this time as I went in and grabbed Ashton by the arm, taking his hand away before he smashed it into the wall. "Stop!" I shouted at him, "Just.. Stop it already!"

Ashton looked at me with drowsy eyes. He was tired and a little drunk, not to mention very angry. "Get out of here Zoey, fuck, you don't understand!" His voice raised.

I turned back to look at the guys and already I saw Jack stepping forward. "Ashton, your cousin is worried about you. You're fucking scaring her! Stop it with this bullshit!"

I remained silent with the act Jack was playing upon us; upon me. I have to be honest now, I never saw this coming. I'm pretty sure it has set an alarm off everyone in here, even drunk-Ashton.

"Jack.." Cameron spoke behind him, aiding a hand out for him to take a down a bit.

"If this is the example you're setting out for her then you better stop and just think of what you're doing." He continued, the veins from his neck soon becoming visible to the eye as he ranged in anger. "I know you're pissed, okay? I think we all are. But you losing control like that.. That's not cool, man." Jack's eyes flickered to me then back to Ashton as he found himself relaxing a bit. He sighed and without saying another word he moved his way in between Ash and I to step into the kitchen.

There was only three now.

"I'm going to my room." Ashton almost growled under his breath. He stopped turning around before moving any further. "And don't think about following me." He pointed at me, taking a second to also look back at Cameron as if he meant it for him too.

I felt awful and most of all, rejected, by my very own cousin. This whole day was just a disaster and my life here in Nebraska wasn't getting any better.

My head swiftly turned around, noticing Cameron was just looking at me with a look that was unclear, almost like mine, with what just happened. I let a sigh of frustration fall out of my mouth before I turned around and hastily followed the steps Jack took into the kitchen. My pace slowed down as I walked in to see Jack turn around at the same time and face me. We kept eye contact for a second before he shook his head, a sigh followed. "Are you here to yell at me?"

"No." I crossed my arms below my chest. "I came here to thank you." The words seemed difficult to come out of my mouth. I never imagined me saying that to him, not so soon, but he did help and Ash is calm again.

Jack grew pretty interested in what I was continuing to say. "Thank you for stopping Ashton." I finished, not knowing what else to possibly say. "I didn't know it was this bad.." I admitted shortly after.

He just looked down, shaking his head as I finished speaking. Surprisingly, he didn't smile. I thought that since you know, he's bipolar, he would've smiled and that would be over with. But he just tensed up, jaw stiffening in sight. "Well it is, which is exactly why I told you to not go in." He said demandingly.

"You didn't think I was actually going to stay back, right?" I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to get a reaction from him but instead I got nothing.

"Why can't you just listen the first time and stop pretending to be the hero." He pinned his eyes at me, walking past me seconds later before I called out and had him stop.

"Hold on there, I wasn't trying to be the hero.. I just didn't want Ashton to get hurt." I exclaimed stating my point.

"Exactly." He pinned his eyes at me, continuing to turn around once more. I didn't let him leave, not like this. My arm stretched out to grab his, pulling him back to look at me. His expression seemed angry with my action but it wasn't as bad as how mine was. He made me get like this.

"Why is it that you have to be so stubborn? Just because you lost doesn't mean you have to take your anger out on everyone else." I retorted.

"I'm not angry." He looked down at the grasp I had on his arm and quickly pulled away before looking back up at me. "I'm always like this.."

My eyes remained looking into his, thinking of something slick to say to make him and his anger not take out on me. I've done nothing wrong to him, nothing! Yet he treats me like I'm the bad guy here.

"Then you should go get another personality." I pinned my eyes at him and immediately I saw the puffs of air blow out from his ears. He was going to lose it any second.

"Hey guys, I think I should just call a cab or--

We were interrupted by the sound of another figure approaching the front door of the kitchen behind me. It was Cameron.

By the time I had turned around it has seemed pretty clear that he was utterly speechless and yet utterly confused with what was happening. Still, he chose to believe nothing was going on before he walked in because, that was exactly what was happening.

"Uh, I think I'm going to call a cab.." Cameron continued, running a hand through his messy, blowout hair.

I ignored Jack and went to Cameron. Obviously he was still drunk because he couldn't keep balance but it still wasn't enough for me to let him go out alone and try to make it home. I don't know where he lives? If he tells me the direction, how do I know it's for real? If I was ever drunk, God forbid, at a time like this I would like someone, anyone, to look out for me. I might not know Cameron that well but I know I have to do this, it's kinda mandatory in this house. He seems like a nice guy, I'm not going to send him out on the streets alone, not at this time.

"No." I walked over to him. "It's late and we're all tired. I'm sure Ashton wouldn't mind if you crash in the couch or maybe I move to the couch and you can sleep on my bed--

"That's okay." He smiled warmly, butterflies rising in my stomach as he did so. He was an attractive guy, Cameron, there's no denying that. Just like Shawn, I think he's a good influence on the band. Maybe I was wrong before about calling Ashton's band a bunch of mindless, selfless jocks. They all seem pretty nice, of course, except for Jack..

I was so intrigued by his eyes that I had forgotten what was going on around me. When I realized I had to speak again, something else happened that caught me off guard.

Cameron tilted over, completely out of no where, and his eyes went shut. I was quick to react and wrap my arms around his body before he fell. I guess the alcohol has finally hit rock bottom and his drunken stage has now become at its worse. He was heavy, that's for sure. Compared to me, he was huge and I was miniscule. I didn't think I could hold him up much longer with all his body weight on top of mine. I was just about to give up and probably just end up falling on the ground with him until the weight was quickly lifted. Jack had carried the other side of his body, Cameron's arm wrapped around his neck as he held him up and looked at me.

"Where do you want him?" He asked in a more calm state from when he was before. It took a moment to realize he was actually doing something helpful after what I just told him but I was still relieved he did.

I looked around, I didn't exactly know where? "Uh.." I distracted as I thought of a good place.

"Here." He gestured his head out of the kitchen and towards the dark living room. I followed him with Cameron still on my grip. Jack's strength was definitely a big help in this situation.

We carefully walked him over, Jack telling me to clear the space of pillows and remotes so he could lay him down. I did exactly what he said and in less than a minute we placed him down.

Cameron grunted as we laid him down, quickly getting himself comfortable before I stood up. Thankfully there was a pillow and blanket from the night before that Ashton had stayed sleeping in the couch watching in the TV. Of course, he never put them back which in this case I was thankful for. Jack passed it over and I gently raised his head so that I can place the pillow.

"Mm.. Your hair smells pretty." Cameron smiled as the ends of my hair tickled his face. I shot a deadly look back at Jack when I heard him start cracking up to himself behind me with what drunk Cameron had to say.

He didn't stop smiling but handed me the blanket in which I then placed over his friend's still body.

"I'm tired." He yawned.

"That's alright, Cameron. You can sleep now." I smiled down at him, going along with his actions as I stood up straight.

I couldn't help but notice Jack was very much amused with what his drunk friend was saying.

"Sweet dreams, beautiful." He joked in a little girl voice which made Cameron nod in agreement before going down to sleep.

"Very mature." I pinned my eyes at him, moving past him to walk back into the room that had the lights on; the kitchen.

To my surprise, Jack followed.

"I should get going.." I turned around to see him looking down at the countertop to grab his keys.

"What?" I furrowed my eyes. "Why?"

He chuckled and put his keys in the front pocket off his leather jacket. "As much I know you love having me around," He joked. "I have stuff to do in the morning."

"Are you sure you're sober enough to drive?" I asked.

Again, he just laughed. "I'm fine." He shook his head. "Stop worrying about me, Chloe."

I have finally reached the point in which I don't think he was ever going to let that go so I decided let it slide this one time for the sake of me going insane.

"I'm not worried about you, I just don't think it's a good idea to drive after drinking. Didn't you just see what happened to Cameron?"

He smirked at me, raising an eyebrow. "That's exactly what worrying is, love."

I remained silent. I wasn't going to say anything else because I didn't want him to get any ideas. I want worried about him, I was worried for him. That's what any human being would do this case.

Jack turned around, walking out of the kitchen and towards the front door of the house. I stood alone for a second before realizing to myself I had forgotten something important.

"Jack!" I called out in almost a small whisper, painting out of the kitchen to meet him at the door before he left.

His head turned around, hand still grabbing the knob of the front door.

I watched him in silence, rethinking of what I was about to say. I hope he doesn't take this as a brownie point for the rest of my life because it's not and by all I've seen Jack act, I think he's capable of doing exactly that.

He waited impatiently.

"Thank you." I finally breathed out, looking down for a moment to find my shoes really interesting at the moment. When I looked up I saw him smile and softly shake his head. It was then I had realized how attractive he was. That jaw of his tensing by just his smile, cheekbones becoming visible.

"No problem." He chuckled, taking another second to hold eye contact with me before walking out and closing the door behind him.

I heard him lock the door with his key, later walking out towards his car.

I remained quietly smiling to myself for a quick second, admiring what just happened before quickly shaking it off. I can't like him, he hates me. And let's not forget.. He's in my cousin's band.

-

My eyes fluttered open the next morning to the empty feeling in my stomach. I hate waking up like this because it's a hunger that demands to be felt and it has succeeded.

I can't remember what time I went to sleep. After Jack left, I walked back into my room, ignoring Ashton's bedroom, and going straight to bed. Cameron didn't wake up once after he knocked out on the living room couch, thank God. And well, that's all that really happened. In the end it was a really easy going night.

I stood up from my mattress, trudging my way towards the bathroom. When I was there I took a quick shower from head to toe and brushed my teeth. I walked out with a towel wrapped around my torso and headed over to my dresser.

My room still hasn't improved since I first got here. With all the craziness going on, I haven't had the chance to go all room decor on it so I'm still not satisfied with the lack of color in this place. Oh well, that'll have to do for now.

Quickly putting on my undergarments, I grabbed a pearl white, fuzzy sweater and a pair of my dark denim skinny jeans. I moved over to the bottom of my closet and grabbed a pair of my pearl white lace flats and slipped them on. My hair was still damp from my shower and I decided to just leave it alone for now, my hunger was getting worse.

Walking out of my room, I started to hear the shower from the bathroom near the living room going on. I figured it was either Cameron or Ashton that just woke up and decided to take a shower. I wouldn't blame them, I'm sure we all reeked the smell of beer and sweat.

I headed into the kitchen, opening the fridge door and spotting a carton of half a dozen eggs. Immediately I got an idea for breakfast and started searching around in all the places possible to find some more ingredients. Luckily, there wasn't much searching to do because it was in first top cabinet I opened, a box of powdered pancake mix. This was always one of Ashton's favorite meals. I remember because whenever his mother (my aunt) had to work double or even triple shifts at night, which was a lot, she would leave little Ash with us. For breakfast, he wouldn't eat anything unless if it was out of the cheap box of pancakes from the market. Our cook, Mary, would have to make it for him sometimes even for lunch and dinner. It's no surprise he wouldn't have it in his kitchen, but it's not an even bigger surprise that he still hasn't even opened the box. Like I said before, Mary would be the one that cooked from him. He never bothered to learn for himself.

I grabbed the box and placed it besides the eggs. Taking out a few extra ingredients and supplies to make breakfast as I ran around the kitchen, I finally came to a stop and started mixing them together. In less than five minutes I was already placing them in the pan and flipping them over. I was working fast, that was how hungry I was.

The smell quickly circled the kitchen and soon enough the whole house. It worked quickly and soon enough, people started waking up.

"Mmm.." A deep voice devoured the smell as they walked over behind the counter. "What is that smell?" I turned around and saw it was Cameron. His mess of hair and dry lips made him look irresistible for someone that just woke up after a hangover.

"Breakfast." I smiled, turning back to look down at the pancakes being cooked. "You want some?" I asked.

He scoffed. "Yeah."

I heard him take a seat in one of the stool behind the counter. It was becoming hard to ask but I figured a nice conversation wouldn't be so bad.

"Not trying to be a smartass here but, shouldn't you be puking in the toilet or something right now?" I chuckled, glancing back at him for a second.

He laughed with what I asked. "That only happens the first few times. After you get used to it, you're just chill, I guess?"

I'm afraid to know how many times he's been through a hangover. Obviously it was more than three times if he's already used to it.

I laughed along with him, getting back to finishing up with the pancakes. "Do you want plain or chocolate chip?" I asked him.

"Oh, chocolate chip, please!" He sounded excited to eat. I found his enthusiasm funny and kept laughing along with him as I served his plate with whipped cream in the top.

He starred down at the plate, picking up the fork I set down besides him. I left him with that and went down to serve myself a plate.

"Oh my God!" Cameron exclaimed with a mouth full of pancake and whipped cream. I turned around and smiled with his expression. "Holy shit this is so good!"

I laughed and slowly turned back around, thanking him afterwards.

All of a sudden, another figure had stepped into the room. Ashton actually. He was in a better mood from last night that's for sure.

"Good morning." He said, the look in his eyes a bit confused with what was going on in his kitchen. Ashton sniffed, he looked like a dog for a moment. "Smells like.. Pancakes?"

I turned around with a plate of pancakes in my hands. The look on his face was priceless.

"What!" He exclaimed, taking the plate out of my hands. He took a second look before he got all cheered up again. "Wait? Who made these?" He glanced to both Cameron and I.

"I did." I smiled.

Ashton just gave me a look of sarcasm. "You didn't poison them or anything, right?"

"Why would you even think that?" I arched a brow at him.

"Well, since when do you cook?" He pinned his eyes at me.

"Since the day I decided to look in the back of the box and read." I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes in the end before swiftly starting to turn myself back around.

"Bro, you have to try it." Cameron nodded, pointing at the pancakes on his plate with his fork. "It's like an orgasm.. But with pancakes."

Okay, that wasn't the best way to put it but we all have our minds.. I guess?Cameron's just happens to be dirty.

Ashton looked back at us continuously. I'm guessing what Cam said actually changed Ash's three-year-old mind and made him try it. It shut him up for good.

"Serves us good having a girl here, eh?" Cameron joked with Ashton as he continued eating from the plate he took from me. Ashton couldn't agree more with him but I didn't.

"Don't excite yourself." I retorted. "I'm not going to be doing your chores just because you're lazy. And just because you're guys it doesn't give you an excuse to not do it. You all have to start changing a little."

Both guys remained looking at each other. I could only imagine Cameron saying he took back what he said but was too scared.

I went back to finishing the last few pancakes still to be finished. There was silence around the room, well except that one of the shower head. Wait.. If both Ashton ans Cameron are here then...?

"Uh guys?" I turned around to see them still eating their share of the meal. "Is there anyone else here?"

As I said that, the shower head turned off.

Ash and Cameron looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.

"Why would you ask that?" Ashton furrowed his eyebrows.

I couldn't say I heard the shower running because it's off now and since they can't hear it they'll think I'm crazy. Instead I stayed waiting and looking towards the bathroom. Both guys also stayed tuned, asking me multiple times what am I looking at.

The knob started turning, all to which my heartbeat heightened. I didn't know who to expect coming out of there.

The door swung open. The male was looking down and when he looked up and shut the door, he was just as confused as we were.

"Jack?" My mouth fell agape.

He smiled in amusement with my shocked look. He has a towel that fell wrapped up upon his wet skin as tiny droplets fell from his hair. He looked God-like, all shirtless and in only a pair of black skinny jeans which revealed the ban of his underwear. But what was he doing here!

"Hey guys." He smiled walking over to give Cameron and Ashton a high five that ended up in some sort of handshake. After that, they all just started talking, as if nothing happened?

"Um.. I thought you left last night?" I jumped into their conversation.

Jack was besides the stool Cameron were sitting on, Ashton besides me. He looked up with his mouth agape and the same tired looking eyes he always has on. It was both attractive and tempting but was a tempting I still didn't know was either good or bad.

"Yeah, and I came back this morning.." He acted like I was suppose to know this stuff.

"Was your shower not running today or something?" I played smart with him. Last time I recall, this is officially the second time he's here in which I think a criminal is in the house. Though I don't know why this one would want to bathe?

"Actually it wasn't." He smiled. "How did you know?"

Ashton and Cameron couldn't help but let a few laughs escape their mouths. I rolled my eyes yet again for the hundredth time today. "Lucky guess." I smiled sarcastically.

"Bro, what the fuck are you guys doing eating breakfast now?" Jack furrowed his eyebrows and held his hands out at the plate in front of Cameron.

"We just woke up, it's kinda how breakfast works?" I remained looking at him sarcastically.

"Yeah," He chuckled. "Five hours ago."

"What?" I exclaimed.

Jack nodded. "It's 3 in the afternoon?"

I quickly turned around and noticed the time on the microwave and oven. Jack was right. Holy carp, my whole day has just collapsed before I even woke up! I had so much planned out for today and now, I'm five hours behind schedule.

"Great." I groaned angrily at myself.

"What's wrong Chloe?" Jack laughed along with the other two, "Overslept your beauty sleep?"

"Not funny, Jack." I grunted, clapping my hands over my face and bringing them back to the top of my head.

"Relax, Zo." Ashton laughed. "Tell me, what's wrong?" He took another bite from his pancake.

"I had stuff to do today, Ash. Important stuff." I answered him.

"Like what?" Jack laughed crossing his arms over his bare chest.

"Like get ready for my job tomorrow." I replied smartly.

"Wait what?" Ashton furrowed his eyebrows. "You got a job?"

"Where?" Cameron smiled but they all looked at him in a way of saying don't even go there.

I felt bad for how they did that to him so I felt even more confident in saying what I was going to say. "At a music shop, actually. And for your information, I didn't even have to do anything special to get it."

"Really?" Ashton gave me a dumb look. "Are you sure you didn't sleep with him instead?"

"You're disgusting." I rolled my eyes, running a hand through my hair before letting my arms cross over my chest.

"Who is this guy anyways?" Jack asked. "For all you know he could be a rapist."

"Oh my God, is this seriously what you people think of someone who was simply just being nice enough to offer someone in need a job?" My eyes widened. They're ridiculous.

"He's right, Zo." Ashton looked back down at me, this time he was actually serious than before. "I mean, aren't you curious about this guy? Who he is, where did he come from?"

I looked at all of them one more time. I really don't want to play the little sister card. I honestly hate it so much, it drives me insane. "He told me who he was.." I paused. "I think I'm in good hands."

I actually came to a conclusion that this conversation was actually going to stop. That was.. Until Jack had to step in like always.

"You know, I think she's right. If anything, she could just pull another can of hair spray and call it a day." He joked, shrugging Cameron's shoulder and having him agree with him.

"Hey, I never run out of hair spray.. I can go back in my room and get the can if you'd prefer." I threatened, pointing a finger out towards my bedroom. That shut him up for good.

"Alright, alright." Ashton tired to calm down the tension between us. "When are you two letting that go?"

Our silence and deadly glares was all he needed for an answer. I don't think I'll ever see the day where either of us ever let that go. It was the start of or hatred relationship.

"On second note.." Cameron awkwardly laughed into the silence. "When do you start again?"

I relaxed myself out of the tension enough to talk back in my regular tone with Cameron. "Tomorrow."

"Woah, already?" He arched a brow.

"Matthew said the sooner I start the better." I replied to him.

"Hold up." Jack closed his eyes, shaking his head and holding a hand out in order for me to slow down. "What did you just say?"

"I said.. The sooner I start, the better?" I recalled what I said in a confused tone.

"No, before that." He shook his head again.

I didn't understand what was going on and by now I might've even forgotten what I previously said. Was it really that important?

"Who's the guy that offered you a job?" He spoke getting more serious.

This wasn't funny business anymore. He was serious, deadly serious. It scared me a bit that it just made me blurt it out without hesitation. "Matthew.. Matthew Espinosa."

They all looked at each other with wide eyes. Even Ashton took the chance to drop the pancake from his hand back in his plate.

I started feeling worried, maybe even a little scared.

What's going on?