Please don't be in, please don't be in, please don't be in – fuck.

I swear my heart literally stops beating for a second or two as the brown wooden door of the Coleman residence swings in to reveal Lucas standing on the other side. For once he doesn't look confused to see me at his house, although he doesn't look entirely happy either. More... resigned? I don't know. He doesn't smile and neither do I, still creeped out from the bowling alley earlier. The way this guy lurks is just so unnerving.

Why were you staring at me?

I want to ask him but have nowhere near enough courage so, instead, I wait for him to talk first.

He sighs eventually, opening the door further for me. "Living room," is all he says before walking off. He heads for the kitchen and I awkwardly step into the house, closing the door behind me.

"Okay, then," I mutter to myself, glancing at the surrounding closed doors and playing the fun game of guess-the-right-one. I opt for the one with the most noise coming from behind it, hearing the muffled sound of a TV. I hesitate for a second or two before taking a deep breath and pushing the door open.

As it turns out, it's the right choice.

I briefly glance around at the cream walls and fairly modern décor before reining my focus in on the five people in the room. Bailey and Alex lie sprawled out on the brown carpet, a pillow under each of their heads as they stare up at Freddy Krueger's burnt face on screen. From the looks of it they're on Dream Child, so they've only managed five out of the nine films. Still, binging five films in a day is pretty hard-core.

The last bit of worry eases in my chest when I see Bailey, happy and healthy as she digs into a bowl of popcorn between her and Alex. She hasn't even noticed me yet.

Bradley and Andrew occupy one of the two grey sofas, also watching the film, and Finn takes the second all for himself, propped on his side as he too watches the screen.

"Hey," Finn grins when he notices me first. The others all look at me as well, Bailey frowning when she sees me stood in the doorway. She pulls her phone out of her pocket to check the time.

"Damn," she mutters when she sees it's getting late, only an hour away from dusk. I've only just finished my date with Dylan, not realising how long we'd been out for. We headed to the park after leaving the bowling alley, just sat chatting like old times until I realised the time. He offered to walk me home but I made my excuses and left, knowing I had to come here and pick Bailey up first.

"Hey," I reply to Finn before looking back at Bailey. "You almost ready?"

"There's only, like, ten minutes left to this film," she replies and I roll my eyes a little.

Having seen the film myself, I'm aware that those ten minutes are actually closer to half an hour. I figure it can't hurt, though, seeing as they are genuinely just having an Elm Street marathon. A part of me has been secretly wondering all day.

Finn scoots slightly to make some room for me to sit and I plonk my ass down on the sofa. His knee knocks mine lightly as he stands up.

"I'm getting a coke," he announces to no one in particular. "You want anything, Jade?"

In all honesty, I am kind of thirsty, and since he's offered...

"A glass of water, please."

"Sure. Bailey?"

"I'm good," she waves his offer off and reaches for more popcorn.

"I'll have a coke," Bradley says and Finn smacks the back of his head as he walks past.

"You can get your own, dumbass," Finn says. "I ain't your damn servant."

"Eat ass," Bradley mutters in response.

Finn is gone for a few minutes before returning with two glasses, one filled with coke and the other with water.

"Well, lookie here, the server has become the served," he says as he hands me my drink. I snort a laugh and he sits down again.

Krueger slashes someone on screen and Bailey and Alex both burst out laughing.

"Oh, man, that blood," Bailey giggles – yes – giggles.

"Gets me every time," Alex says, wiping away a pretend tear.

They laugh again and, I have to admit, I really can't blame them. The fake blood in these films looks just like paint.

I smile slightly as I watch Bailey. I haven't heard her laugh in years. Well, not unless it's at the expense of me, of course. It's good to see her having a bit of fun.

I take a sip of water and sit back into the sofa slightly.

The door to the room opens again and, much to my surprise, Lucas enters. I force my eyes back to the TV as he makes himself comfortable on the floor, leaning back against the sofa in between Andrew and Bradley's legs.

"Where did you go earlier?" Andrew asks, nudging his older brother with his foot.

"Out," Lucas mutters vaguely. I notice the fresh set of bruises across his knuckles and dread to think what the poor receiver of those punches looks like now.

"Where?"

Bowling alley.

"I'll fill you in later," he replies, and I know without a doubt that his silence has everything to do with Bailey and I being present. Not a problem, I'm all too happy for them to wait for us to leave before discussing – er – business.

I move my eyes from his hands to his face, instantly looking away when I see he's already watching me.

Damn it.

His eyes are as closed off – icy, even – as ever. Without realising, I sink down into the sofa ever so slightly, not wanting his attention on me. Thankfully, when I look back (my curiosity getting the better of me) his eyes have turned to dear old Mr Fred Krueger.

It's weird, I admit, just sitting in the Coleman's living room and watching a film as if this is normal. I force myself not to keep glancing at my phone to check the time. It would be too obvious, too many eyes about to notice my discomfort.

Bailey doesn't seem bothered at all, calling Alex an "asswipe" when he throws an uncooked popcorn cornel at her from the bottom of the bowl, eyes glued to the screen until the credits roll.

My phone has a text pinged through as Bradley and Alex begin to argue over which film was better.

'Are you coming home for dinner?'

Stella.

I type out a reply.

'Yes, on my way. Bumped into Bailey so she's coming back with me.'

'Good.'

"Stella?" Bailey guesses, raising a questioning brow at me from where she still lies on the floor.

"Yeah. We've got to go."

She sighs but doesn't argue, clambering to her feet and throwing her pillow at Alex's face. He places it with the other one behind his head, not seeming the least bit phased by the attack.

"See you Monday?" he says, glancing at her.

"Sure," she smiles. We say our goodbyes to the others and leave.

The walk home is silent, Bailey reverting back to her usual sunshiny self the further away from the Coleman's we get. I'm honestly not sure how to feel about that. On one hand it's great to see her actually acting like a normal human being for once, on the other I can't help but worry that she's going to get herself into trouble. A lot of trouble.

"There were no after school detentions, were there?" I eventually ask.

"Well done," she says sarcastically, and I don't even need to look at her to know she's rolling her eyes.

"Was there even an English project?"

"Yes." She snaps it as if offended by me even asking, as if she didn't admit to lying about school stuff just five seconds ago. I hold my hands up in surrender and sigh.

"Okay, then."

"You can't tell anyone." It's an order, not a request, and she still sounds irritated. "About me hanging out with Alex. Stella and George can't find out."

"You know, generally people ask nicer when they're after a favour," I say drily, stalling for time as I think it all over.

The choice ultimately comes down to this: Bailey's happiness or Bailey's safety. It's a shitty choice.

"Whatever. I mean it, Jade, if you tell anyone-"

"You'll what?" I challenge. "Seriously, Bailey, you need to stop threatening me. It doesn't always have to be a fight with us, you know?"

She frowns and falls silent.

"If I say no, go tell Stella and George so they stop you from seeing him, what are you going to do?" I ask.

"Hang out with him anyway." She shrugs, scowling.

Thought so.

"Well, then, you don't really leave me with much choice," I sigh. Her eyes instantly glare at me like two angry accusations.

"You're such a bitch, you can't just control my life! You don't own-"

"I'm not going to tell them," I interrupt her, rolling my eyes.

"What?" She looks confused. I shrug.

"Like you said, you're just going to sneak out anyway. It would just be a waste of everyone's time."

"Oh," she says, her defiance deflating. "Well, good." Then a thought seems to hit her and she tags on the end. "This doesn't make us friends."

I roll my eyes.

"Bailey?"

"What?"

"You're welcome."

"Whatever," the usual snarkasm (a word I created long ago purely to describe Bailey's attitude) isn't emphasised behind the word, though. It's not quite gratitude but I'll take what I can get.

"I'm trusting you," I tell her. "I'm trusting you to know if and when you need to break ties with him – them – all of them."

"Yeah, yeah," she mutters noncommittally, but that's not good enough for me.

"I mean it, Bailey," I grab her arm and pull her to a stop, she swings around to face me. "You want to have movie days with Alex Coleman? Fine. Go ahead and binge every Chucky, Friday the thirteenth and Scream film out there. But if you ever, and I mean ever, see something even slightly less than legal going on, you split. You get the hell out of there."

"Whatever." Ah, and the snarkasm returns.

"Bailey, I'm serious," I say as she rolls her eyes. "I don't want to see either of us being dragged back into that world. Char got out but we haven't yet, not completely."

"I don't want that either." She means it, I can tell. "I'm not going to go to them and start shooting up, okay? Alex is my friend, not my dealer."

I wince at her words slightly and nod. We start walking again.

"And seeing as I'm doing you a favour, you're going to do me one. That's how this is going to work," I tell her. "You're going to keep up with your school work," she rolls her eyes, "and help out around the house more."

"Fine," she sighs. I don't miss the face she pulls.

"And if you stay at their place late, I go and walk you home."

"What? No way!"

"Yes way," I argue. "Or no deal. I don't want you walking in that neighbourhood alone, not at night. It's not safe."

"You'll be walking on your own," she argues.

"I'm the oldest," I argue back. "I'm the one who gets to make the sacrifices."

"Char's the oldest."

"Yeah, well, Char's not here."

"Don't I know it," she mutters under her breath but I still catch the words. I roll my eyes and decide to let the comment drop, continuing on with my list of demands.

"And you text me when you get there. Every time."

"Jesus," she groans, shaking her head.

"Nope. Still me. You let me know when you get there safe."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever."

"And if there are any problems at all-"

"I call you and run for cover. Yeah, I know," she interrupts.

"No," I correct. "You run for cover and then you call me. Watch your back-"

"Until you can watch it for me," she finishes the sentence, the words ingrained into her from when we were kids. "I remember."

So do I but I force the memories back down. That was then and this is now. There's no point in dwelling on what was. The only thing that matters now is Bailey being sensible and not letting history repeat itself.

"Jade?" Bailey says after a few minutes of silence.

"Yeah?"

"We're still not friends."

***

"Incoming," Ellie announces under her breath as I plate up a vanilla slice for the waiting customer. She's a regular here, although I don't know her name, usually coming in on Friday and Saturday mornings to read a book for a few hours and drink some tea. Today's a Friday and she looks to be in the middle of reading 'The Book Thief', the novel tucked under her arm as she picks up the plate.

I'm working a double shift today, morning and evening with a couple of hours gap in the middle that I plan on spending with my boyfriend. Paul seems grateful for the extra help and Ellie never turns down the chance to hang out with me at work, so I figure it's a win-win all round.

I glance up as the café door opens, seeing what – or more specifically who – Ellie's talking about.

Generally, the Coleman's come in much later in the day, so I'm surprised to see Finn and Lucas strolling in. There are only two of them today, which is another rarity, and Finn gives me a cheery wave when he sees me at the far end of the café.

I awkwardly return it, not liking the way a few of our other customers turn to look at me.

I swear I don't really know them that well.

The group of three women sitting in the Coleman's booth quickly move to a different table when they see them arrive. I shake my head a little, realising that news of the brothers' odd addiction to this place must be spreading if our other customers are aware of exactly where they sit.

Not good.

I turn to share a look with Ellie, curious to see if she's noticed too, only to find her retreating into the kitchen. I refrain from rolling my eyes as Finn steps up to the counter, Lucas taking a seat at the booth.

"Hey, stranger," Finn greets. Up close I can see the cut over his right eyebrow, scabbed over but obviously recent. He didn't have it the last time I saw him.

"Hey," I reply, already typing the order into the till as I ask, "the usual?"

"Yes, please," he confirms, handing over the correct change. "How's your summer going?"

"Not as sunny as I'd hoped," I admit, looking out the front window to see the drizzly day. I haven't seen the sun since Saturday. Stupid British weather.

"Brad's finished his exams now. Idiot's just slothing around the house all day. He's doing my head in already," Finn rolls his eyes. I laugh a little, instantly reminded of Owen. He generally spends his summers sat in front of the TV.

"Sounds like someone I know," I reply.

I offer to bring the drinks over when they're ready and he accepts gratefully, returning to his brother over by the window. I watch them as the coffee brews, leaning against the counter. They talk to each other in hushed voices, both looking a little irritated about something. I have no idea what they're talking about. In all honestly, I'm nowhere near skilled enough at lip reading to even attempt a guess. Finn appears to get a phone call and quickly answers, standing up and walking outside. Lucas watches him go, still frowning, before moving his attention away to something else – me. I quickly look away.

Finn's phone call doesn't take long. By the time the coffees are ready he's already taking a seat back with his brother. I catch the tail end of their conversation as I approach.

"Chill out," Finn mutters. "Nothing's going to go wrong."

They fall silent when they notice me and I pretend I didn't hear anything, really not wanting to be even remotely involved in whatever these two are planning.

"Thanks," Finn grins when I hand the drinks over. "Hey, Jade, I don't suppose you know where the nearest cash machine is?"

Lucas sighs and runs a hand through his hair. I'm surprised to see his usually detached façade failing slightly.

"Um, sure. There's one at the end of the road," I motion in the general direction. "Near the music shop. It's tucked away a bit."

"Great, thanks," he beams. The pair of them share a look that I can't read before I get distracted by Ellie calling out my name. I glance over to find her back behind the counter. She motions out the window, an exasperated look on her face and I turn to see what she's spotted.

A young teenager dressed in school uniform and a dark grey hoodie, carrying around a battered blue backpack that I instantly recognise. Even with his hood up I can spot a tuft of his dark blonde hair.

Owen.

"You've got to be kidding me," I mutter to no one in particular.

He walks along the pavement opposite the café, hands shoved into his pockets and his head down. He briefly glances up, spotting the café, and his step falters. Then he sees me and I can see the wince that scrunches his face even from this distance. In a last ditch attempt to save his ass he spins on his heel and starts walking back the way he came. I hold up two fingers at Ellie, telling her I'll be back in two minutes tops, already pushing open the door and stepping outside.

"Don't even try it," I call after him.

He spins back around, his face forming into a sheepish grin as he removes his hands from his pockets. "Jade," he exclaims, feigning surprise, "fancy seeing you here!"

I roll my eyes and motion behind me. "Inside, now."

He lets out a huff of resignation, placing his hands back in his pockets as he crosses the road and heads in my direction.

"You're such an idiot," I tell him, pushing the door back open and holding it for him. "If you're going to ditch at least do it somewhere you won't get caught."

"Wow. Thanks for the advise, wise owl," he says sarcastically as we walk towards the counter. "Can I go now?"

"Um. You can go back to school," I reply, turning to look at him.

"Polite pass," he says with a shrug.

"Cute," I say. "That wasn't a suggestion."

"I could help out here, if you need it." He glances around a little, speaking as if he didn't hear me. "Free of charge," he adds, like that's some big act of kindness.

"Please," I roll my eyes. "I wouldn't pay you anyway. But as it turns out, I don't need to. You're not sticking around."

"Excellent idea. So I'll just be on my way-"

"Owen," I stress. "Go back to school."

"Counter offer," he says. "You acquire short-term amnesia, let me walk out of here a free man, and I'll do your dish duty for a week."

"No deal."

"Two weeks?"

"Nope."

"Okay," he sighs dramatically. "Three weeks. Damn, Jade, you're really twisting my arm here."

"You don't even do your own dishes," I remind him.

"True," he nods. "I can understand your hesitation."

I roll my eyes and snort.

This Kid.

"Ellie, help me out here," he turns to my friend for backup, but she just holds her hands up in surrender and shakes her head.

"Uninvolved third party spectator," she declares herself. Then she glances at me. "But I'll cover for you if you need me to."

"Well, that's just rude," Owen mutters. She shrugs.

"Not my fault you got caught. Upgrade your stealth game next time."

"Challenge accepted."

I shake my head at the pair of them and nudge Owen in the direction of the door, handing Ellie my apron.

"I'll be as quick as I can," I promise her.

"Tell them to lock the gates this time," she calls after us.

"Oh, you're a funny one," Owen calls back before we step outside.

He doesn't seem angry as we start back for the school, more soberly accepting, as if he realises he messed up (by getting caught, not by skipping in the first place) and is vowing to do better next time. I'm not stupid enough to assume there won't be a next time.

"Are you gonna tell Stella and George?" he asks, kicking a stone out of our path and into the road.

"No," I reply truthfully.

"You know, you don't have to walk me all the way-"

"Yes I do," I interrupt. "Turning a blind eye to your occasional truancy would be a lot easier if you didn't stroll right into my line of sight."

"I thought Wilson's was the next road over," he explains, rolling his eyes.

"Well, you thought wrong."

We walk in silence for a few minutes.

"So," he speaks back up. "The Coleman's, huh?"

I close my eyes and sigh. "Don't you start."

"Hey, hey," he holds his hands up in defence. "I'm not starting – I don't even know what you mean by that – who's already started? Started what?"

I give him a sideways glance of stink eye and he responds with an impish grin.

"They just come in and order coffee sometimes," I tell him, ignoring his questions. "It's nothing, really."

He seems to accept my words, or at least he doesn't say any more about it. Instead, he stuffs his hands into the pocket of his hoodie and changes the subject.

"So, Ellie's still hot," he says, the word completely throwing me for a loop. I glance over at him, pulling a face at the look on his.

Please no.

I groan, shoving his elbow with my hand. "Please tell me you don't have a thing for my friend."

"What?" he says, shrugging. "Oh, come on, Jade, I'm only human. I mean, she's..." he trails off, trying to think of the right word. The look on his face says it all.

Gross, gross, gross.

"Don't finish that," I tell him, shaking my head and pulling a face. "Whatever gross thoughts you're having right now – bury them. Bury them deep, deep down. She's so far out of your league, it's laughable."

"I don't know," he shrugs, smirking. "I reckon I've got a chance."

"Even if you did – which you don't," I emphasize, just in case I'm not making myself perfectly clear. "You're jailbait. Leave her be."

"Two years until I'm legal," he announces proudly, his mouth morphing into a shit-eating grin. "I'm sure she's counting."

"Okay, ew," I say, my feet coming to a halt. He laughs as I cover my ears. "See, that's just not the kind of crap an older sister needs to hear, Owen."

"So walk away," he shrugs. "Go back to the café."

"I know exactly what you're doing," I tell him. "It won't work."

I'm not walking away until I watch him march his ass back into that school.

"What am I doing?" he challenges, looking far too proud of himself for someone just caught skipping school. I should probably knock him down a peg or two.

"Not Ellie," I say, watching as his grin morphs into a frown. "Idiot," I then say, nudging him to start walking again.

When we reach the school, Owen reluctantly walks back through the gates. It'll be lunch soon, so hopefully he can migrate back into the sea of students without getting into too much trouble. I wait until he's actually entered the main building before setting back for work.

I'm about halfway there when I receive a text from Owen.

'Don't worry, I'll be smarter next time.'

I roll my eyes and type out a reply, my eyes glancing at the top of the screen to see what battery percentage I'm on. The answer is twelve percent. I must've forgotten to put the thing on charge last night.

'Wanna get smart? Stay in school and actually learn something.'

'Sounds like a lot of effort."

I shake my head and slide my phone into my back pocket. The boy really is a moron.

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(Early update because... new cover! Whoop whoop! What do you guys think? Of the book cover, the chapter... or just of my newfound regular updates? Haha! Would love to hear your thoughts!)

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