Highschool ends and so will this.

Sleeping beauty

Phoenix POV

I finally am able to calm myself enough to stop throwing up, staggering to a bench on the other side of the yard, I hold my head in my hands, as my body trembles violently against my will, those memories I'd shoved down so deep down, long ago, began to bubble back to the surface.

I press my eyelids shut against the emotions, I can hear him clear as day.

"My little firebird...where are you?" like a bad dream.

I hear the door to the yard open as chatter and music filters though breaking me from my cage of bad memories.

"I'll be in soon." I mumble, thinking its Mel or Merle.

But as I hear feet come to a stop beside me, I open my eyes as the bench beside me creaks, I lift my head finding Caspian sitting quietly beside me, his expression emotionless but his gaze flints between concern and confusion.

Suddenly the urge to start crying again bubbles up, as fear swells inside at the thought of Wyatt's return, a sniffle escapes me.

Caspian opens his arms, I nod, he lifts me into his lap, as I begin sobbing into his chest, he wraps his arms around me holding me close as I fall apart.

After what felt like forever, I've run out of tears, my body and mind is exhausted, I fight to stay awake.

When I feel warm breath on my cheek.

"Shhh Nixy just sleep ok? I'll get you home safe promise." A familar voice comforts me.

I nod into the warmth, snuggling closer as the feeling on begin carried settles in as I drift into sleep.

Caspian POV

I'd walk through that door unprepared for what I'd face.

The fiesty woman that always kept me at arms length, sat head in her hands shaking violently, ready to crumble to pieces at any moment.

"I'll be in soon." Came a soft trembling voice, unrecognisable to the sharp tone I was used too.

I walked over to her sitting down on the bench, she finally looked up from her hands, her eyes swollen and watering.

I opened my arms without a thought and like a child she nodded, I scooped her up and onto my lap.

Her trembling form huddled against my chest, I wrapped my arms around her sitting my chin a top of her head, neither of us speaking as she began to sobbed violently.

I held her until the sobs turned to chokes, then sniffles, raspy gasps and finally the even breathing of exhaustion and sleep.

What felt like forever had only just ticked over an hour when the door had swung open and a large man I recongnised as the owner and Ethan strode into the yard.

I lifted a finger to my lips.

As they quietly approached, They looked between me and Phoenix nestled in my arms.

"What happened?" Whispered Merle with a protective note, looking between Ethan and Me for explaination.

Ethan face looked strained, as he ran a hand through his hair before turning to Big Merle.

"It's Wyatt." he said with a hollow tone.

Big Merle tensed then after a long moment nodded himself.

He met my eyes for a moment, then looked to Phoenix before turning around and heading inside without a word.

"f**k!" Snarled Ethan in frustration, I'm about to ask when Phoenix stirs drawing our attention.

She wriggles in my arms.

"Shhh Nixy just sleep ok? I'll get you home safe promise." I whisper to her, she seems to relax a little, then snuggle against me before her breathing turns even again.

"So?" I ask, looking up at Ethan as he watches his sister.

"I have a favour to ask." He answer with a grimace, I merely nod, dropping my gaze back to the woman in my arms.

"I thought you might." I acknowledge.

Phoenix POV

I turnover, my eyes fluttering open as I wake.

It's a smell first that stirs me.

It smells like laundry, musk and body spray I can't place.

I sit up sharply, rubbing my eyes, I look around the room, I'm in a bed.

Not my bed, not my room, in a large guys shirt that is also not mine.

"Where the f**k am I?" I whisper, my head hurts, my eyes feel sore and sandy.

I think back, I remember Ethan telling me Wyatt was back and then going out the back of the bar...throwing up and then nothing...wait Caspain from school was there too.

He held me as I cried and I fell asleep.

I look down the shirt, still got my undies and bra on, I wipe my mouth, no make on?

I super confused now.

I get to my feet still feeling groggy, I see a door ajar, its an ensuit.

I go in shutting the door, I go the toliet then find a small overnight bag and a note on the counter top beside the sink.

"Hey Phoenix, Inside the bags a set new of clothes in your size (Ethan helped), a tooth brush, some make up and some essetials.

When you're feeling better, I'll be in the lounge room to explain everything. Cheers Caspian."

"Ethan helped?" I hear myself ask, but after meeting my reflection in the mirror.

I flinch, regardless, I didn't want to know until I done something about the mess looking back at me.

After showering washing my hair, scrubbing myself within a inch and brushing my teeth twice.

I braided my wet hair and skipped the make up for a cold facewasher.

Finally once my eyes had lost there redness, I chucked the washing in the basket by the bedroom door and exited the room.

Finding myself in a long hallway I followed the sound of chatter.

I walked into a large lounge room, at least 10 guys were spotted around the room, and I suddenly felt exposed standing in just a pair of black jeans, and oversize knitted jumper and socks.

I shouldn't have skipped the make up, I grumble to myself.

"Alright guys.." Came a familiar voice, cold and sharp.

Every single guy stood and shuffled out of the room through a doorway and down some stairs, the last one shutting the door behind him.

Then it was just Caspian and I.

"How you feeling?" He asked as he sauntered towards me slowly from where he'd stood behind a bar.

"Um fine I suppose." I replied, biting my lip, he reached me.

He lifted a hand, he brushed my cheek with his knuckles.

"Don't do that, it'll bleed." He said, blinking I let go of my lip, he was right it was starting to bleed.

I licked it nervously.

"I'm sorry about?" I wracked my brain. "Earlier?" I asked.

"Last night." He corrected, nodding to the clocked. 7am?!

"I'm going to be late to school!" I gasp.

"School got cancelled." Caspain cut in, I meet his gaze as he motions to the couch, I nodded.

"Why?" I asked.

"Teacher report day?" he answered.

"That's right! I forgot!" I agreed, with no other excuses. "So last night? And where are we now?"

Caspain sighed.

"Well a few things happened last night.. first of all you, bursting into tears and me umm..comforting you." He added with a shrug, leaning back an arm across the back of the couch. "Then big Merle and Ethan came out and found you with me, no dramas there though. " he reassured me when I looked nervous.

"Then your brother asked if you could stay with me a bit because some bloke named Wyatt is looking for you."

I instantly tensed but Caspian raised a hand. "You can tell me when your ready." I relaxed a little again, as he continued.

"Then that Dane kicked up a big fuss when I carried you through the bar asleep and some old guy Frank knocked him out, when he tried to grab you out of my arms." He chuckles.

"It was pretty funny, then your brother explained to this Frank what was going on and he offered us a ride, with Ethan last night." He sighs.

"Then just as we got in the car, apparently Wyatt had been caught breaking into your house with some mates of his, so your brother took off with his mates." He shrugs.

"So I brought you here to our clubhouse, helped change you into one of my shirts and take your make-up off and let you sleep in my room." He pauses and then adds.

"Also told the boys you're off limits..unless you, um ask one of them and that you'll be staying a while." He finished.

"Thanks Caspian." Was all I could manage in the knowledge that Wyatt was already hunting me at home, he was back for what he'd left behind.

I was 18 and his, as far as he was concerned.