Hey everyone I'm back! Sorry for my long absence, I didn't mean to be gone so long. Several things happened over the summer that prevented me from updating, but even though my second year of college had started I'll try my best to update. I've also gone back through this book and fixed grammatical/spelling errors, along with plot inconsistencies. Again thank you to everyone who has supported this book and given positive feedback. It really makes me happy to know that people are enjoying this :) anyhoo on with the story!

I was sitting on the couch in the living room with Bex and Riki, the silence and tension weighed heavy on us before I finally spoke,

"Should we call Senri and tell him what happened? He's gonna find out eventually."

I asked the two teens in the room with me. Riki was sitting with his legs slightly apart, his elbows rested on his knees while his clasped hands hung slightly in front of him. He looked like he was staring off into space but I knew he was thinking about what to do. I turned to Bex on the other end of the couch and saw he had his left arm propped up on the armrest, his head resting in his palm. He turned slightly to face me when he responded,

"He's definitely gonna want to know about this. You said he started acting weird when you mentioned me acting jealous?"

I nodded in affirmation,

"Yeah. He started off just being curt with me. I was asking him why you, March, and Senri seemed weird last night. Senri was extra nice, March seemed more pissed off than usual, and you looked pretty jealous that I was holding Jackson. He said that Senri was worried about me and that March is always pissed about something, but when it came to you that's when he first started acting weird. I joked about you liking me and that's what made him snap, I guess. That was when I ran to my room and texted you."

He nodded in thought,

"Did Jackson say anything else?"

I shook my head. I didn't want to lie to Bex, but I knew the conversation about the drinking wasn't one I should have with him,

"No, just that he wouldn't let anyone put me in danger. I think he felt that you guys put me in danger somehow. He didn't say that directly, but he implied it. Why do you think he acted that way?"

Bex shrugged, running a hand through his ebony locks,

"Well, he's got some issues. As you know, he had a rough life growing up. Naomi was awful to him, which is why he avoided going home at all costs. He struggled with depression for a time just like most of us here, but he was able to pull himself out of it once he started running with the underground dancers. He was the one who'd mix a lot of the music and compose for the dancers. That's how he met March, who was an underground dancer and was also running from his home life. They really helped each other cope with their pain and move forward, which is why they're such good friends. You wouldn't guess it from watching them, but Jackson knows March better than anyone and vice versa. When March told me he wanted to invite Jackson I was a bit surprised, but once I saw them together I understood."

Bex shifted so that he was facing me more directly before he began speaking again,

"Don't get me wrong, Jackson and I are close too, but in a different way. We're more of partners in crime. Jackson and March were both trying to escape from something in their lives and used music and dancing to do it. That's probably why they understand each other in the way they do, even though it seems like they aren't close. they confide in each other about a lot of things. That might explain why March was so angry last night and why Jackson feels a need to protect you from us."

I tilted my head in confusion,

"What do you mean? Do you know why March was angry? Jackson brushed it off."

I felt the couch shift and saw that Riki had moved to sit closer to me as he listened to Bex, who nodded at my question,

"I have a good idea. As I said, Jackson and I are thick as thieves, meaning that telling one of us something is as good as telling the other. Remember when Kenji and his friends got you in the parking lot?"

I nodded,

"Yeah, why?"

Bex pulled his legs up and moved to sit cross-legged on the couch, still facing Riki and I as he spoke,

"Well Jackson confided in me that March told him it was his fault. He had threatened Kenji and he felt responsible for what happened."

"Really?"

Riki asked in surprise. I nodded,

"March told me that. I tried telling him it wasn't his fault."

Bex nodded,

"I think that was when Jackson first began to feel that we were putting you in danger. Then the whole thing with Naomi came out of nowhere. When we found out that you'd been taken, we couldn't agree on what to do. That's when March and Jackson really got into it."

Riki scoffed at Bex,

"That's putting it lightly. They damn near went to war over what to do. March wanted to go in guns blazing and get you out. Jackson, on the other hand, thought a direct approach like that would only put you in danger. March didn't even want a plan, he just wanted to get in the car right then and there and go get you (A/N: I revised this in the plot, so if you want to reread Rescued it'll be there and this will make sense). Senri did too, but at least he acknowledged that going in without a plan was suicide."

Bex nodded in agreement to Riki's statements,

"Jackson and March were furious with each other. Jackson thought March wasn't taking your safety seriously, and March felt that Jackson was wasting time. Well, actually he felt we all were, but he specifically went after Jackson since he's the one who really pushed him to come up with a plan and not to be so brash. March wasn't trying to be an idiot about it, he was just so upset about Naomi taking you and the thought of you being hurt really set him off. That's why all he could focus on was getting you back as soon as possible. He really wasn't thinking clearly and that's probably why he was so angry and quiet. He's never really been good in stressful situations, especially when it comes to the people he cares about."

I ran my hand through my hair and sighed,

"It sounds like this rift in their friendship is because of me. I feel horrible now."

I said dejectedly. Bex and Riki immediately tried to comfort me,

"That isn't true! You can't control what people do. They were just worried about you and their emotions were running high. We were all worried."

Bex said as he scooted closer to me. Riki put his left arm around my shoulder and spoke,

"They'll be alright. Please don't blame yourself. None of this is on you."

I shrugged,

"I guess. I just feel bad. I don't want them to end up hating each other over this. When March finds out you know he's gonna flip. Speaking of which, we never agreed on if we should let him and Senri know or wait until they get home. I mean, we might as well tell them, right?"

I asked, not really wanting to wait until they got home. Riki nodded hesitantly,

"It'd be best if we got this over with. I know Senri, he doesn't like surprises so when he gets home, he'll just be angry at us for not telling him. As for March, I don't know what he'll do. He's gonna be mad, that's to be expected, but I don't think he'd actually go so far as to hurt Jackson. What do you think, Bex? You've known him longest."

Bex thought for a moment,

"I think he'll be pissed at him, but no he won't go and beat the shit out of him if that's what you're worried about. He has anger issues but this wouldn't make him angry enough to actually hurt Jackson. He might grab him and shake him, maybe shove him, but in the end Jackson's gonna be fine."

Riki and I nodded in understanding,

"Sounds like we should tell them then. It's 11:30, so they'd be in lunch by now. This is a good time to call."

Bex nodded and pulled out his phone,

"I'll call Senri."

He dialed Senri's number and held his phone up to his ear, waiting for Senri to pick up,

"Hey Senri it's Bex.......Yeah everything's alright. (Y/N) texted me and asked me to come home. Jackson really scared her. She was hiding in her room and Jackson was banging on the door when we got home.....No Riki and I locked him in his room so he couldn't get to her......She's alright, just a little freaked out. We thought that we should let you know.....Alright, I'll let them know.....Okay. Bye."

Once Bex hung up he turned to us,

"Well, Senri said to keep Jackson in his room for now. Senri wants to talk with him alone when he gets home. He definitely wasn't happy, but since you weren't hurt I think this'll go better for all of us. Senri said he'd tell March when he came back from the bathroom."

I nodded in understanding as Riki turned to me,

"It'll be alright. Don't worry."

His soft tone and sweet smile reassured me and I felt my anxiety about the situation slip away,

"Thank you for coming home, guys. By the way, why'd you come home, Riki? I texted Bex."

I asked curiously. Riki responded easily,

"I was with Bex when you texted him. Since I was the one who drove him it was easiest for me to take him back here. Once he explained what was going on I knew time was of the essence, so I didn't question him when he wanted me to drive him home. I also figured that he'd need help with Jackson, and I wanted to make sure you were okay. Jackson can be unstable at times and I didn't know how serious this was."

I smiled at both of them,

"Well I'm glad you guys came. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared."

The boys smiled at me, but something about their smiles made me uncomfortable,

"We'd never let anything happen to you, (Y/N)."

Bex said in an attempt to comfort me. I smiled through my unease,

"That means a lot. Thanks, guys."

I replied as I tilted my head towards the staircase,

"Don't you think it's a little quiet?"

I asked, noticing the absence of Jackson's yelling and rambling. Riki and Bex exchanged glances before they got up to check on him. I followed behind as we ascended the stair sand approached his door. Bex knocked slightly,

"Are you alright in there, Jackson?"

He called out to his friend. Jackson didn't respond, so Riki tried,

"Jackson? It's Riki. We're worried about you. Are you okay?"

Again they were met with silence. I gently nudged them aside and approached the door, ignoring the wary glances they sent me,

"Jackson? It's (Y/N). Are you okay? I'm worried about you. You've been quiet for a while."

I heard something shuffling from the other side,

"(Y/N)?"

A soft voice came from the other side. I smiled,

"Hey, Jackson. Are you alright?"

I asked through the door. He replied slightly louder this time,

"No. Not really. I'm sorry I scared you. I didn't mean to. I'm okay now. I promise."

I looked to Riki and Bex, who didn't seem to believe him, his tone was off. Bex pointed to the bottom of the door where it hovered over the floor. I looked down and saw two shadows in the light and understood what Bex meant, Jackson was right in front of the door,

"I understand that you didn't mean to, Jackson."

"Really?"

He asked. His tone sounded more normal this time,

"Yes."

"Can you let me out then? I really have to use the bathroom."

I turned to Riki and Bex,

"What do you guys want to do?"

I whispered to them. Riki shook his head,

"We definitely shouldn't let him out. He's clearly lying."

I looked to Bex, who was clearly conflicted about treating his friend this way,

"We could always keep (Y/N) away from him."

He commented softly. Riki looked at Bex incredulously,

"Are you insane?! That is a very bad idea. Like, extremely very not good."

I stepped towards Bex,

"Do you think he's lying?"

Bex shook his head,

"It's hard to say. I mean, if he tries anything we can always lock him back in. I have the key."

I looked towards the door,

"Then it's settled. Let's let him out."

Riki still looked hesitant, but said nothing as he moved me behind himself while Bex spoke to Jackson,

"I'm gonna let you out, okay?"

"Alright."

Came Jackson's reply through the door. Bex turned the key in the lock and opened the door as Jackson stepped out. When our eye met he smiled at me before turning to Bex and hugging him,

"Thank you for trusting me, Bex."

He said softly, happiness in his voice. The hug lasted for a few moments before Jackson pulled back and went into the bathroom. I turned to Bex and Riki,

"Maybe he really did just have to use the bathroom."

Riki shrugged,

"It appears so. He definitely seems calmer than he was when we came home."

Bex nodded in agreement as we stood in silence. When the door opened Jackson looked over at me, his eyes held a hint of mischief as he approached the door,

"I'll go back inside now."

He said moving into his room, not even turning to Bex as he spoke. Bex began fishing around in his pocket for the key, momentarily distracted. Jackson turned to me,

"I'm sorry about what happened. Will you forgive me?"

He extended his hand to me. I smiled and took it,

"Of course Jackson."

He smiled mischievously,

"I hope you'll forgive me for this, as well."

Before I could ask what he meant, he pulled me into his room with a forceful tug and slammed the door behind me. I turned around and saw him lock the door with Bex's key he had moments ago,

"(Y/N)!"

I heard the boys exclaim from the other side of the door. my eyes widened as I turned to Jackson,

"What're you doing?!"

I asked in confusion, regarding him warily as he smiled at me, ignoring Bex and Riki yelling at each other to find the key,

"I'm protecting you, of course."

He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I turned to the door,

"Jackson has the key!"

I shouted to the boys outside. They stopped arguing and began banging on the door,

"Let her out, Jackson!"

"Senri is gonna kill you when he gets home!"

Riki threatened, to which Jackson laughed eerily,

"He has to be able to get in, first."

I heard Riki and Bex talking in frantic tones, but couldn't make out what they were saying completely. I heard Bex call Senri, probably telling him what happened. Jackson pulled me away from the door and sat on the bed, motioning for me to sit next to him. Realizing I didn't exactly have options, I decided to play along and sat next to him,

"You know, I've been doing a lot of thinking in here. I know this is all very sudden and I might've frightened you. I'm sorry for that. I'm also sorry I had to deceive you like this. I didn't know how else to get you in here with me."

My eyes flicked between Jackson and the door. I knew I couldn't get out without the key, and I also knew Jackson wouldn't give it up. I sighed softly and turned back to the blue haired teen, listening silently to him ramble while waiting for Senri to come home.