A/N: I just felt like giving you an update. Please comment and vote- it only takes a second to vote :).

Enjoy♡

"Oh wow that's a long time." I gush and cautiously eye her. I don't know why, but if she and Lee are not together I am definitely playing matchmaker.

"Yeah." She sighs and smiles at me. I notice how her eyes linger on the fading bruise on my neck. I also realize how she's the only person who has yet to question me about it.

"How about you? How long have you known everyone?" She questions and I feel a lump grow in my throat.

"A month." I squeak and bite my lip. She laughs at my nervousness and leans over to pat my knee.

"Don't worry about time honey. Time is overrated. It doesn't matter how long you know the person or people." She shrugs and eyes James who is wandering into the living room with cups of hot liquid.

A small smile plays at my lips at how understanding Stacy is. I'm really glad she didn't say something about the time I've known Harry. It's crazy how in such a short while we've come this far. I hope we're not moving too quick. I glance at Harry who is laughing at something Lee mentioned. I feel my stomach flutter at the sound of his laughter. I really am in too deep. I thank James for the cup of cocoa and slowly sip on the drink. I feel my body warm up as I drink. Suddenly I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I quickly dig out the phone and put down my cup. I excuse myself from the conversation and walk into the hallway of James' house.

"Hello?" I answer, not knowing who is phoning.

"Miss Malin?" A rough voice booms with authority at the other end of the line.

"Y-Yeah?" I stutter and furrow my brows.

"This is Lieutenant Burrow. I'm calling you with regards to the case you opened against your brother." My ears heat up at the mention of my brother and I feel my stomach start to tighten.

"Mhm?' I hum, not trusting my voice one bit. I slowly start to pace down the hallway as I eagerly wait for his response.

"We did some research on him and found three cases filed against his name for different accounts of abuse. Do you know of any of this Miss Malin?" The Lieutenant interrogates me.

I feel my throat tighten as I process his words- Three cases? There's no way- I would definitely know about this as we lived under the same roof for so many years. How is this possible?

"N-no. Are y-you sure?" I stammer and start picking at my nails.

"Yes miss. Apparently your brother's cases were bought off before anything could be processed at the county." I shake my head in disbelief. Could my parents have anything to do with this? Of course they could, who else would help my brother. He's only 21 for pete's sake!

"Miss Malin, we did a background check on you as well. We spoke to the doctor who helped you in the hospital and it seems that we have enough to hold your brother for at least ten years by which he can apply for parole at year seven." I nod and realize the Lieutenant cannot see me.

"Okay?" I say, not sure how to reply.

"Do you wish to proceed with the charges ma'am?" He questions.

"Yes!" I exclaim and lift my hand to grip my neck instinctively.

"Alright. There will be no need for you to come into the station as we have all the evidence we need. All we do require, however, is that you testify for his actions in court. The court date will be communicated with you. Stephen will be held in a temporary cell until the court date."

"Yeah, alright, thanks." I say and close my eyes.

"Good. Keep well Miss Malin." I don't even reply and end the call.

"Everything okay?" Tom's voice from behind me startles me. I have the urge to tell him off but instead I decide to just be nice.

"Y-yeah." I turn and look at him. He looks at me with a small smile on his lips.

"My brother is going to prison." I shrug and feel myself frown. Somehow being the reason for this upsets me a lot.

"Why do you look so upset about it?" He questions and furrows his brows. An emotionless laugh leaves my lips.

"I guess knowing that I'm the reason for all of this just upsets me." I whisper and feel my eyes slowly start to well up with tears. Tom notices' this and pulls me into his arms. For some reason I don't feel the urge to pull away or to scold him for hugging me.

"It's not Ashley. You're brother deserves what he's getting. He hurt you and almost killed you, your brother, your flesh and blood. That's not right." He comforts me. I nod into his chest and wipe away the stray tears that fell from my eyes.

"Thanks." I pull away slightly and give him a halfhearted smile.

"No problem, now let's get back to the party?" He suggests and steps back slightly and gestures to the living room.

I giggle and nod. Maybe I should just give Tom a chance to explain himself to me sometime. There has to be a good reason for the constant warnings I get from him about Harry.

"There you are." Harry exclaims and pats the seat next to him, funny how he wasn't the one to come looking for me.

"Yeah." I whisper and sit down next to him. At least now I can tell him to take me home.

I sit quietly and listen to them converse about random things while they watch soccer. I notice how Tom's gaze would linger on me every now and then. He knows I'm upset yet Harry can't be bothered to notice. I glance at Harry who is very intrigued by the explanation James is giving him about the soccer match. I furrow my brows in confusion. Why is it upsetting me so much that Harry doesn't notice I am upset? I frown and take a deep breath before standing up and excusing myself once more.

"Where are you going, love?" Harry grabs my hand before I can leave the room.

"I just need to phone someone quickly." I lie. Harry nods and I quickly leave the room making my way out of the house.

Once I'm outside I walk onto the grass and take a seat. The wind sweeps my hair up and I shiver. Tonight will be really cold. I sigh and pick at the grass. What is bothering me so much? Is it Harry? Is it this whole situation with my brother? Is it Tom? I feel my lip quiver slightly at the overwhelming feeling I have inside of me. Maybe Harry and I are moving to fast. I shake my head and quickly wipe the tears falling from my eyes.

"Ash?" Tom whispers and takes a seat next to me.

"Are you following me?" I croak and bite my lip, not daring to look at him.

"No, I just want to make sure you're alright. Is Harry treating you good?" Tom changes the subject suddenly.

"God Tom!" I yell and jump up, balling my fists.

"What the hell is your problem with Harry?" I grit my teeth and angrily wipe my face.

"N-Nothing I jus-" He widens his eyes and stutters, clearly not expecting my outburst.

"You've had a damn problem with him and I since I met him. If there's something going on you better tell me now or just leave it alone!" I yell and notice the front door opening. Obviously everyone inside can hear my screaming.

"Ashley?" Harry questions and makes his way toward me. I roll my eyes and unclench my fist.

"Sorry for just wanting to make sure you're ok." Tom spits and makes his way back into the house, purposely bumping into Harry's shoulder. I narrow my eyes at him and shake my head. Obviously he knows something I don't.

"What the hell?" Harry gestures to Tom and gives me a confused stare. I shrug and bite my lip.

"I don't know what the hell's eating at him, but he better leave me the hell alone." I growl and spin around, making my way to Harry's car.

"I want to leave." I exclaim and stand in front of the car door, waiting for it to open." Harry sighs and unlocks the car before hurrying back inside. Seconds later he's out again and making his way toward the car looking stressed.

"Everyone says goodbye." Harry whispers and starts the car as soon as he gets inside. I huff and rest my head in my hands.

"My brother is definitely getting locked up, ten years or seven if he gets parole." I mumble into my hands and clench my jaw.

"That upsets you?" Harry questions- clearly confused.

"Yes, no, I don't even know." I grown and lift my head to look out the window.

"I just feel guilty for putting him in jail. Everything that happened, happened because of me." I whisper and feel Harry's hand on my thigh.

"Hey, look at me." Harry murmurs. I drag my gaze from the window to look at him.

"Nothing happened because of you. This was your brothers choice. He wanted to kill you Ashley. Its impossible that anyone can blame you, the victim, for his actions." Harry explains and I nod.

"I guess, but he's family." My voice cracks and I feel my heart ache. I can't believe my brother, my actual best friend, has turned into this.

"Was family Ash. If he's willing to kill you for money, he's not worth being called family." I nod at Harry's words. He was making sense. My brother did try to kill me and family is supposed to stick together.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." I breathe and lay my head back, closing my eyes.

"I'd like to go home." I say and keep my eyes closed.

"I understand." Harry squeezes my leg and removes it to shift gears.

"It's safe though, right?" Harry questions.

"Yeah, they're keeping Stephen in a temporary cell until the court date." I explain and shrug.

Harry sighs and turns on the radio. The sound of the music quickly calms me and just as I feel myself slowly start to drift off the car comes to a stop. I open my eyes and wait for Harry to open my side of the door.

"I'll just quickly get my things and then you can take me home if you don't mind?" I suggest and Harry nods with a frown.

"I'll miss you." He says and takes a hold of my hand.

"I'm not disappearing from your life Harry, I'm just going home." I chuckle and place a kiss on his lips before making my way into his house.

I hear Harry mumble something along the lines 'for now' which makes me wonder what he means, but I choose to ignore it. It's been nice spending some time with Harry, but I'm glad I can go home and get back into my routine. My car is supposed to be coming this week so that would make my life a whole lot easier. I hurry toward the room and quickly gather my things. I feel a rush of adrenaline at the thought of returning home. I know my brother won't be able to reach me but the idea of being caught off guard like that again freaks me out.

"You sure you want to go home?" Harry leans against the door frame. I smile and bite my lip.

"Yeah, I'm thinking about selling my house and buying something else." Harry's face lights up at the mention of selling my house. If he thinks I'm moving in with him, he's crazy.

"Really?" Harry smiles. I chuckle and shake my head.

"I'm just getting something smaller for now." I shrug and pick up my bags. Harry hurries over and takes my bags from me. I thank him and start walking out of his house.

The drive home is quick and before I know it I'm standing in my apartment with my heart hammering against my chest. This place is definitely going to give me anxiety. I quickly text Harry, thanking him for taking care of me and also procrastinating so that I don't have to walk any further into the apartment. With a scowl on my face and hammering heart in my chest, I slowly walk to my room and set my bags on my bed. I walk toward the living room and cringe at the mess. I sigh and slowly but surely start cleaning the mess Stephen made. Luckily I won't have to worry about him for a while.