chapter fifteen

~ T H E N ~

God he was so clueless sometimes, I couldn't help but laugh to myself as I watched some girl press up against Storm, flirting and trying to get his attention even though his eyes and mind weren't on her.

"Maybe you should go save him," Tom suggested from his spot beside me, the boys and I all watching Storm's predicament with total amusement considering he still smiled and nodded his head to be polite, despite how much he so obviously didn’t want to be there.

"Probably," I grinned before turning away. "But I won't."

Jacks laughed and shook his head at me, "aren't you jealous, though?"

"No," I scoffed shifting slightly to lean my shoulder against the wall we were crowded against, "why would I be jealous?"

Oli raised an eyebrow, eyes flickering over to the couple we had been watching on and off for the past ten minutes. "Ghee, I don't know, Mia..." he trailed off meeting my gaze again with a smirk, "maybe because her hands are getting a little bit touchy-feely?"

Confused I turned around again only to find that he was indeed right, what with the girls' hands quite literally groping for him – one behind his neck and the other sliding down his abdomen. I almost choked on air, though not in jealousy, but rather because of how uncomfortable Storm really looked; the fact that the girl had instead resorted to pulling him roughly toward her rather than her failed flirting, causing his discomfort to visually show now.

"Dear God..." I muttered rolling my eyes at Storm's weak attempts of trying to pry her hands off – of course with pure politeness and gentleness.

The boys roared with laughter, obviously not planning on rescuing him either.

I sighed and handed Tom my drink before stalking off towards one of the most clueless, polite, and hottest guys I knew. The kid who couldn't be mean to a girl even if he tried.

Before I reached Storm, I inhaled a huge breath before all but jumping onto him, practically knocking the girl away as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Oh, Storm! There you are I've been looking everywhere for you, babe!" I exclaimed over the thumping music before kissing him, long enough so the girl got the idea but short enough so we wouldn't get carried away – the boys undoubtedly watching.

When I pulled away I glanced over to the girl whose cheeks were now tinted red with anger and embarrassment.

"Who are you?" She snapped, glaring harshly at my hand which was now intertwined with Storm's big warm ones.

I plastered on a surprised look. "Oh, sorry, hun!" I faked politeness, "I'm his girlfriend, and you are?"

Glowering, she went to take a step toward me but before she got too close someone suddenly wrapped their arm around my waist and pulled me toward them.

"No one, babe; let's go," Storm said, loud enough for the girl to hear before he turned and walked off, dragging a me along with him as I was too busy giggling.

So maybe I was a little bit drunk, I thought stupidly as I wriggled out of Storm's secure hold and instead led him toward the boys.

When we got there, I was suddenly attacked by testosterone filled, alcoholic, stupid guys who, out of nowhere, grabbed me around the waist and lifted me up so my top half was high above everyone else.

"Yeah, Miaaaaaa!" They cheered as they set me down, only to have me suddenly dragged backwards into someone's arms in a half-hearted headlock against their body, my chin on top of their shoulder as he knuckled my head in the stupid way that guys did to each other.

"Who knew you had it in ya, you sexy little minx!" One of them shouted with amazement – God knew who – as Ian finally let me out of his hold.

I smacked him on the chest and sent him a mock glare as I straight away tried to fix up my hair which was no doubt messy.

"You guys are so annoying," I whined straightening up my shirt which had ridden right up my stomach, "you're so lucky that Sarah isn't here or you'd never hear the rest of it." I grumbled like a child only to have Ryan wrap an arm around my shoulder and pull me toward him.

"Aw, Mia, you love us," he grinned innocently as the boys laughed and Tom handed me my drink back, eyes shining with amusement.

"Whatever," I mumbled with a pout, trying, but failing, to stay mad at the idiots before drinking the rest of my mix in one go and then looking up – Storm's gaze being the first thing I saw.

He smirked.

"So... my girlfriend, huh?" He winked as the boys fell into conversation about some girl who had walked past, staring at me in a way that made me nervous; a way that made my body tingle and for my stomach to suddenly explode with butterflies.

"Oh, shut up; I saved your ass, you should be thanking me."

He laughed, "Hey, I totally had it handled."

I smiled and rolled my eyes at him before blurting the first thing that came to mind so as to ignore the sudden feelings that arose, "please, we both know you couldn't save your own ass from a girl even if you tried."

And then I realised what I said – what he had told me the last time I saw him.

"Wait, no. I mean-"

"It's fine, Mia," he chuckled but I could tell that what I said had bothered him to some degree.

"I didn't mean it like that-"

"Mia, it's okay; don't worry about it."

"But-" he was already ignoring it... and me.

Boy, am I stupid sometimes.

x x x "Alright, I'm gonna go get a drink, anyone want one?" I asked already stepping away from the group as I held up my cup, which was still half full, but tasted too disgusting to consider drinking, even for my drunken state.

There was a round of ‘yeah’ and ‘no thanks’ before I rolled my eyes and went to leave with a laugh after something Ryan had said, only to be knocked back so hard I dropped my drink all over my shoes and almost shoved Storm over in the process as he was the closest to me.

“What the-”

I turned around at the same time everyone else did, my eyes landing on a face I could never forget; on the asshole who made the past few years of Storm's life hell. The asshole who had drugged me just so he could get to Storm.

I should've thought about what I was doing; should've thought twice about what I was going to do. But the second I saw him standing there, laughing with a group of people with a bottle held casually in his hand, I couldn't help but walk right up to him – even if it was just a few steps.

The laughter died slightly as people eyed me off and when Matt finally realised that I meant business, he arrogantly raised an eyebrow and smirked at me.

So, I punched him.

Hard.

"What the hell you crazy b*tch!" He spat angrily, covering his bloody nose as the rest of his friends stared on with confusion, too shocked to do anything.

I stood there calmly and shook out my throbbing hand.

Man does punching someone hurt, how do people do this all the time?

"Do you want to die?" He yelled as he suddenly advanced towards me.

Uh oh.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

I probably shouldn't have giggled at the blood, because hey, I did that. But I did and before I knew it, I was suddenly shoved backwards into a wall, all air leaving my lungs at once and causing me to gasp and cough in pain.

"You're going to fucking pay for that you little-"

"Get your goddamn hands off her, Matthew," a familiar voice sneered causing Matt's eyes to flash. "Right now," Tom demanded.

Matt stared me down, smirked, and then let me go after shoving me one last time. He turned to look at Tom who instantly stepped forward along with the other boys, not seeming to be slightly intimidated or worried by just how outnumbered he was.

"You touch her again and I won't think twice about putting you six feet under," Tom threatened, voice so serious and so cold I could’ve cheered had I not been too busy trying get my breath and wits back, fear still in my bones and drunkenly slow brain. "You may think you have some kind of hold on Storm because of your slut of a sister, but you've got nothing that'll stop him anymore – or me," he said calmly, the anger that simmered under his calm tone enough to send any sane person fleeing.

Matt only continued to smirk before his eyes met mine again and he dropped his hand from his bloody nose to point at me. "You better watch yourself," he growled, "your friends may be here for you now, but they won't be forever."

Before he could leave, Storm suddenly stood in his path, eyes almost black with rage and his knuckles clenched so tightly they were a pale white as opposed to his usually tanned skin. "Apologise," he said, voice almost as calm as Tom's despite the obvious signs of hatred and fury.

Matt's eyebrows rose and he looked genuinely amused and confused by what Storm just demanded.

"Excuse me?"

"Apologise," he reiterated, "to Mia."

Instead, Matt only grinned and muttered something too low for me to hear and for a second I thought Storm would hit him but instead he did something better; he shoved past him, took my hand in his, and walked away.

"Let's go before I hit the scumbag," he growled under his breath, body still shaking in barely contained rage and his hold on my hand tightening the further away we walked.

I couldn't help but stare at him in wonder, the fact that he still continued to surprise me causing me to smile as my stomach erupted in butterflies once again – something that never used to happen up until I met him.

"What?" he muttered, still pulling me with him as we fought against the current of bodies that were walking into the house, whilst we were heading out. “Why are you smiling?”

"Nothing-it's just... you..." I trailed off as the music suddenly got louder as we walked past the lounge room where a dance floor was set up. I try again once we finally, finally, got through the front door and away from all the sweaty, drunken people. "You walked away instead of hitting him," I said with a small smile, proud and glad that he did so.

He turned to me, shoulders still tensed and his jaw still clenching and unclenching, his hold on my hand so tight it should've hurt but, for some reason, did not. "I know," he said before grabbing hold of my other hand and pulling me away from the front door so we were now near the side of the house where a light shone, allowing me to see him clearly again. "I knew you hated it when I – when anyone fought. I never wanted you to see that side of me – not then and not ever again if I can help it."

He wasn't looking at me anymore, but he hadn't let me go just yet either; his gaze drifting to the ground halfway through his sentence as if he were ashamed, hands still holding tightly onto mine as if he was waiting for me to just let him go and leave him – but didn't want me to.

I slipped one hand out of his hold and brushed it against his cheek bone before stepping closer to him until he held my gaze again, his eyes back to the normal honey brown that I quite loved to look at and his shoulders slowly, but finally, relaxing the longer I held his gaze and caressed his cheek.

“Thanks,” I murmured lowering my hand so it hooked at the place between his neck and shoulder, “I mean it.”

He went to say something, eyes drifting down again, but instead he suddenly pulled back, yanked his hand away from mine and stepped away a few times. "Shit, your hand; I was squeezing it and hurting you, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have grabbed it when I was so angry I'm so stupid. I'm sorry," he said, stepping away some more before pushing his palms into his eyes. "Ugh, God, I'm sorry, I keep screwing up. We should – I shouldn't-"

"Storm," I said, instinctively moving towards him to pull his hands away from his eyes, "Storm, stop it. Look at me." I demanded, finally managing to wrench his palms away from his eyelids and waiting for him to open them so he could see me, really see me.

He shook his head.

I sighed.

"Storm," I murmured. "Please, just look at me," I pleaded softly, sad that he thought so badly of himself and that he honestly thought that everything was his fault.

He opened his eyes and finally met my gaze, such a scared look in them that it almost broke my heart. "I'm fine, okay? Honestly. I didn't even mind it and if I had – I would've said so."

"But-"

"Seriously, I'm fine." I said in a tone of finality. "You were just holding my hand tighter than usual, it's not like you hit me or anything."

He flinched slightly and shifted toward me, hand moving up as if to touch me before suddenly dropping back down to his thigh. "I would never do that to you, you know that right?" he told me not for the first time.

"Of course I know that, you stupid idiot," I couldn't help but say as I smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "I mean, disregarding the fights, you're probably one of the kindest and most gentle people I know."

"You're just saying that," he muttered, brow furrowed and a light frown still on his face.

"Now why would I lie to my Bedmate? To get into your pants?" I asked jokingly, grinning the second he finally cracked a small smile.

He shook his head and stared at the ground and not a moment later he chuckled and met my gaze again, head shaking as if in disbelief of something before he finally allowed himself to shift closer to me. He brushed hair behind my ear and smiled softly. “You're the best person to have ever stumbled into my life, Mia, I hope you know that," he muttered, gaze holding onto mine intently and his voice so sincere and so honest it made my heart quicken for the third time tonight, my palms suddenly going clammy. "Honestly," he continued, shifting even closer as he used his other hand to hold onto mine lightly, gaze becoming more intense and his tone going serious, "I think I'm starting to fa-"

"FOUND THEM!" A voice suddenly shouts, a body suddenly slamming into the side of mine and Storm's as they slung an arm around both our necks and efficiently split us a part.

"Tom just got into a fight!" Another voice shouts as Ryan came up to us, lip split.

"We all did!" Jacks added, bending over slightly and looking winded as if he'd been running around too much.

"What?" I exclaimed feeling the panic start to rise even though all I could think of was what was Storm about to say?

"It's okay now, though, don't worry!" Oli assured coming out of nowhere with a bloody nose, eyes bright with adrenaline.

"But someone called the cops and they'll be here soon, so we gotta scram!" Ian exclaimed – the one who rammed into Storm and I – all four boys sounding hyped up like crazy.

"Wait, where the hell is Tom then?" I had to shout over their sudden chatter, pulling myself away from Ian's hold and getting ready to run back inside to find the idiot.

"He was the sober one tonight, so he went to get the car," Jacks filled in noticing my sudden panic at the same time as everyone else did.

"It's fine, Little M, no one got hurt too badly," Oli tried to assure me, only to make me even more panicky at the fact that I was here but not there when it happened.

"Not hurt? You're all freaking bleeding!" I exclaimed just as a familiar Jeep suddenly honked at us and cut me short.

Stupidly, we all walked over to it and as I was about to get in everyone called shots and practically shoved me aside, leaving me as the last one standing and feeling even more pissed off.

Jacks clicked in his seat belt and looked at me, "Sorry, Mia, but you're the smallest-"

"And the only girl," Oli added.

"So you have to sit on Storm," Ryan pitched in with a grin who was sat in the back of the car next to a big box where I would've sat had it not been full of crap.

7 seats and 7 of us. You'd think they'd be smart enough to have left the box of stuff at this dude's house.

My head started hurting and I had no choice but to climb in, muttering profanities as I did so, before planting my bum onto Storm's lap considering he was the closest.

The second he wrapped his arms around my waist, Tom sped off and the boys were laughing like maniacs, telling the story of what the heck just happened and how it all started.

But I couldn't focus on them because my head was hurting too much and my stomach was fluttering like crazy for every gentle movement Storm made to hold me securely.

I think the boys said something about how the college guys got involved after Matt did, this and that happened, a heap of people got involved, and then it escalated from there.

Honestly, I just couldn't pay attention, because all I could think about was how damn lovely it felt to have Storm's arms around me in such a way; so nice and innocently even if, technically, he didn't really get a choice.

"You okay?" he asked quietly, the warmth of his breath brushing against the back of my neck and ear and causing it to start tingling in a way that caused a shiver to slide down my spine.

"I..." I swallowed and turned slightly, eyes going over all the boys who were still hyped up on adrenaline and testosterone and still chattering about who got hit the most and who hit the hardest. I shook my head instead of answering, disappointed and angry and still slightly drunk to the point where I was now having a splitting headache but had no alcohol on me to make it subside.

Storm went to say something but the feel of the car suddenly stopping stole both of our attention, the sight of a cosy small house I'd never seen before making my brow furrow in confusion.

"Why are we at my house?" Storm asked before I could open my mouth and ask where the heck we were.

We're at his house? I couldn't help but freak out a little as everyone started getting out and left me no choice but to do the same.

"Yours was the closest," Tom said with a grin, slapping him on the back in a friendly way, "And, if I'm honest, I don't think the muffin someone offered me on the way to the car was a normal one."

I groaned and punched him as hard as I could in the shoulder which caused him to stumble hard into the car as whatever stupid muffin he had accepted started to go into effect.

"You're a twat, you know that?" I exclaimed before I turned to the rest of the boys and said; "you all are. You know how much I hate fights and then you all just had to get into one – with me there!" Turning around and no longer caring about where or whose house we were at, I crossed my arms over my chest and stood patiently at the door, feeling stupid and mad and embarrassed at myself for exploding over something that probably had a good reason.

Storm was the first to reach me and open the door, the feel of his eyes on the side of my face making my cheeks heat up and for the negative feelings to heighten even more.

I didn't even thank him as I stepped through the door and walked in, went down a hall I assumed the bedrooms to be and opened the last door on the end. I closed it behind me and switched on the light, ignoring the voices as all 6 boys walked into the house not long after, still as loud as ever.

I could feel my heart rate picking up in a worrying way so I did the only thing I could think of.

I called Sarah.

"Hello?" She answered groggily, "Mia, is everything okay? It's bloody 2 in the morning."

"I know, I'm sorry, it's just – I – the boys got into a fight," I finally managed to blurt, "and I'm not drunk enough to handle this but at the same time I'm too drunk. My head is killing me, I'm at some random house because Tom was too hopped up on a brownie to drop anyone home, and I yelled at everyone and I'm so mad and embarrassed and annoyed because the boys cut Storm off and I really wanted to know what he was going to say to me."

"Who the hell is Storm?" She asked but when I didn't answer right away she continues, "It doesn't matter. Just, Mia, you need to breathe, alright? Everything is fine, you just did that thing where you overreacted a little because you're irritable and tipsy and I'm not there, but it's okay because everything will be fine in the morning, yeah?" She reminded in the most soothing tone ever which only made my eyes prick with tears as I sat down on the random bed and nodded even though she couldn't see me.

"I feel so stupid," I sniffled trying to calm my heart and breathing down considering how close to hyperventilating I was, "I never yell at the boys like that."

Sarah sighed and I could imagine her moving to hug me had she been here "They'll forgive you, Mia, they're big boys who can take care of themselves. It's you who you should be worried about, okay? Seriously, babe, just relax and breathe," she murmured.

I breathed in.

Breathed out.

My hands continued shaking.

"Thanks Sarah, I'll call you tomorrow," I said keeling over so my head hung between my bent knees.

"Are you okay?"

I thought about it, closed my eyes and did some breathing exercise I once learnt a while ago. "I'm getting there."

"Alright, take care of yourself, hun, I love you."

"Love you too," I murmured before hanging up and dropping my phone to the floor.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe-

"Mia?" A voice ventured as knocking met my ears and snapped me out of my daze, my heart rate spiking up all over again.

I fisted my hands and sat up straight, rubbed away the tears from my cheeks that I hadn't even noticed before I called out what? hoping like crazy that my voice came out normal.

"Can I come in?" They asked, voice muffled due to the closed door.

No, I would've said if my throat hadn't suddenly closed up in panic, please don't.

The door opened but I jumped up and turned around so my back was to whoever it was.

"Please go away," I finally managed to say, back still facing them as I rubbed away as much tears as I could manage, only to find new ones replace them not long after.

I closed my eyes and heard the door shut, but when I turned to check if they were gone I instead find Storm sitting on the bed, a cup in his hand and his eyes gazing over the room that, now that I noticed it, must be his.

"So, you found my room," he said as I watched him look at the pictures and posters on one wall.

I didn't answer, I couldn't.

"It's not really much, this house, but it's all I've had and known for as long as I can remember." He stands and runs his fingers through his hair, I feel his gaze on my back considering I'd looked away and turned my back on him again, eyes closed and my breathing quickening once again.

Hold it together, Mia–goddamnit.

"I brought you some water," Storm said, his voice much closer than it was before as he set the cup onto the dresser beside me, his arm brushing against my shoulder.

Thanks, I tried to say, but all I could do was swallow.

"You know, I'm surprised you didn't walk into the first room and slam the door; usually that's what people do when they're mad." He chuckled a little, the feel of his eyes on the back of my head now as I reached over for the water, my cheeks to heating up in the process.

"I guess it's a good thing my parents are out for the weekend, or else we all would have copped it," he said with a soft, breathy laugh and in such a way where you knew how much he loved his parents.

I put the cup down slowly, hands still shaking slightly, but not as much.

I feel his fingers brush against my shoulder; let him pull the hair away from my face and the front of my body to bring it to the back. He started brushing it lightly with his fingers, slow and carefully.

"I have two sisters," he said randomly as he continued to brush my hair in a way that made my eyes close and for my breathing to slow along with my heart rate. "One is 25 and soon to be married – her name is November, or Nova for short. And the other is 8 and loves horses even though she's only ever seen one twice in real life – her name is Priya." He paused and started to braid my hair, the feel of his gentle fingers making my heart rate quicken once again, but this time in a different way – a good way.

"I suppose my parents have a knack for naming their children after things. Nova, after the month she was born in; Priya, after my dad's grandma, which means “beloved one”. And me... named after the weather that arose the day I was born."

Somehow, halfway through his sentence I'd turned around to face him, just so I could see his expression as he talked about the people he adored and loved the most. "Rumour has it, that my mum was too hopped up on pain killers to figure out a proper name for me, and because my dad was – and still is – such a love-struck old fool, he let her name me." He smiled amusedly at the memory and brushed away a stray tear before pulling me into a tight embrace, one that I gladly accepted.

"It's nice," I murmured after a long while, my body finally in control and my panic and fear finally subsiding, chest no longer hurting so much.

"What is?" He asked as I pulled away slightly, enough so I could hold his gaze but not enough that he'd let go of my waist.

"Your house," I said softly, shifting my eyes over to take in his small room, "it's cosy and homey – a place where you know people love each other."

"Yeah," he smiled, golden eyes sparkling, "I suppose it is."

We went quiet for a long moment again as this time Storm watched me while I took in his typical boy room that, surprisingly, wasn't as messy as I thought it'd be – wasn't as messy as the other boys' anyway.

"You okay?" He asked, not for the first time tonight, but this time sounding so much more sincere and caring and worried.

I nodded and forced a smile, leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "I am now," I said, finally pulling away to go drink more water from the cup he brought, "thank you, and... I'm sorry."

His brow furrowed in confusion, "for what?"

"For me. For being such a mess. For being rude before even though nothing was your fault. I don't know; I'm just sorry for tonight."

He chuckled and shook his head at me, "Mia, there's nothing to be sorry about. You keep on apologising like that and you're gonna start sounding like me. And believe me – one of me is enough," he teased causing me to smile once again as I sat down on the bed with a yawn.

"I'm sorry I freaked out; you shouldn't have had to see me in such a state," I couldn't help but apologise anyway. My eyes strayed down to my fingers and hands that still trembled slightly, before I laid them down and rubbed my thighs subconsciously.

"Mia," Storm said softly, suddenly in my line of sight again as he bent down in front of my knees and took my hands in his, "it's okay – it's fine, seriously. I'm just glad that I was there to help... I think... and that you're okay now," he kissed the top of my knuckles and squeezed my hands slightly in a comforting way.

"You did help," I muttered, "a lot, actually."

"Good," he nodded, "I'm glad. God knows how many times you've helped me."

We smiled then, despite how much I knew he didn’t want to right then.

“I’m fine,” I insisted without him needing to ask again.

“I know you are,” Storm chuckled as he brushed my hair behind my ear with his free hand and shifted a little closer until we were almost nose to nose. “You’re a tough little cookie.”

I couldn’t help but grin at that.

“I know; I try,” I joked sending him a teasing wink.

“You are,” he muttered turning serious all of a sudden, “you’re the most understanding, level-headed girl that I know and I honestly have no idea what I’d do or where I’d be without you.”

I opened my mouth, closed it.

“Jesus, why does that sound like something you’re meant to tell your girlfriend after a year of dating?” I asked smirking, teasing and playful and doing my best not to let his words affect me more than it already did.

“Maybe because it’s true?” he retorted, raising an eyebrow and turning slightly playful as a smirk played with his lips. He leaned in closer until our mouths almost brushed, “And maybe because I want you to-”

"FOUND THEMMMMM!" a voice suddenly screamed as the door slammed open and in came five boys who were a little less hyped up than beforehand.

Key word: a little.

"Mia, we're sorry-"

"We're so, so sorry we made you mad-"

"It wasn't meant to happen we swear-"

"-The asshole was saying really mean stuff and-"

"Then we all kind of snapped and all these other guys just jumped in-"

"And this huge ass freaking brawl started and-"

"And we're just really, really sorry, okay?"

They all talked over each other as first Oli jumped on top of me to hug me and then the other four followed, leaving me on the bottom barely able to breathe and a giggling mess because someone’s elbow was digging into my ribs slightly and their mumbled words just sounded hilarious all of a sudden.

"Okay! Okay, get off me I can't breathe!" I squeaked jabbing my fingers into Oli's side so he'd jerk and get off me, forcing the rest to do the same One by one they scrambled off me and sat on the ground, all sprawled out in different sections of the room but reminding me of pre-schoolers who sat around their teacher.

"I started it," Tom finally admitted as he stared down at his bruised knuckles.

"But only because Matt hit you first," Ryan scoffed in defence causing everyone else to nod.

I bit my lip and crossed my legs from where I still sat on the bed.

I sighed.

"You guys shouldn't even be sorry. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have yelled at you all when I didn't even know the full story. I was just... scared because I wasn't there when I should've been. Thank you all for caring so much, but I just didn't want anything to happen because of something irrational that I did."

"It wasn't just you, Mia, the things he said..." Ian trailed off and suddenly the boys got all tense, jaws tightened and fists clenched but otherwise revealing nothing aside from the looks they shared.

"Whether you hit him or not," Jacks started it up again after a moment of awkward and tense silence, "something would have happened – the asshole did and said those things on purpose."

"So we're glad Storm left and took you with him when he did," Tom added, suddenly looking over to the said boy with acknowledgement as they shared a boyish nod.

"We're sorry," Ryan said, speaking for them all as they nodded simultaneously and, once again, looked like pre-schoolers.

"So am I," I smiled sincerely.

"And we love you," Tom added, rubbing his hands against the carpet in the weird way that he did when he was on something, but his eyes solely locked onto mine.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I love you guys too," I grinned.

Once again, I was at the bottom of the hug pit, the lot of us laughing like idiots considering Tom was crazy high and was now saying the stupidest and most random stuff.

Idiots, the lot of them, I thought to myself with complete content and amusement as we all left the room to go watch a movie, Storm being the first to leave as he led the way before giving me a tour of his cute little house.