Light Me Up *Sequel- ON HOLD*

I'll see you hurting

Hunter's POV:

3rd grade:

"Shh, Lexi, it's ok," I say, frowning down at where she lays on the moist grass, sniffling back tears. We were playing tag when she suddenly tripped & scrapped her knee.

"Nu uh," she says stubbornly, shaking her head at me. "It really hurts." I quietly brush some of her dark blonde hair behind her ear as her green eyes watch my every movement. I bend down, pressing my lips to her knee really quickly.

"Does it feel better?"

"A little," she says shyly, her cheeks a light shade of pink. I grin.

"Let's get you inside so my mom can help." I take her hand in mine & help her get to her feet again, despite her almost falling back down.

Present Time:

I remain silent as I continue putting the bandage around Lexi's hand, careful not to use too much pressure. Kissing her hand once more, I continue forward. I know there's something she isn't telling me, but what I'm not sure. When she came out of the bathroom after I knocked on it & asked if she was ok, I was in complete shock to see the mess behind her. Even more shocked to see that her hand was the cause of it.

She just told me that she was stressed, that's all. That everything being on the news got to her. But, it feels like there's more to it than that. It feels like when I look into her normally energetic happy green eyes, they're sad & lifeless now.

What can you guess I feel, seeing the love of my life start to lose herself? All of what makes her; her; disappearing like it was never there. All I can do is watch.

"We got all the glass cleaned up," Matt says as he, Steve, & Sam walk out of the bathroom with a plastic bag of all the glass. Devin opens up the trashcan & they put it in.

"Thanks guys," Lexi smiles at them, but I'm the only one not buying it.

"Does it feel better?" I ask as I let her now bandaged hand go.

"A little. Thanks Hunt, you're the best," she says gratefully, & when she smiles, I know it's real. I smile back, a glimmer of hope in me. She's still there.

"I want you to know that if there's anything, I mean anything, you ever need to talk about, I'm always here."

"I know, thanks," her smile doesn't waver, but something flicks through her eyes. Sadness? Pain?

If she doesn't want to talk to me, then fine. I just wish she knew that when she hurts, I hurt as well. Maybe if she told me what's happening then I could help somehow?

Her sadness just makes me want to throw a table across the room, not caring about the results or consequences. Although now that I think about it, today is an emotional day for her. I mean, her father who she recently discovered was a cheater died on this date. It's more than understandable for her to be upset over it.

Dillon's POV:

"We're going to get married!" Dad says, his arm around Hilary's waist as they both grin widely at the three of us.

"Really?" Josh & I both ask in union, our lips in o shapes. I knew they have been seeing each other for a while, but I didn't expect this to come.

"Yup! Popped the question just an hour ago, & she said yes!"

"Are you going to be my new mommy?" Willis asks, looking up at Hilary with his big brown eyes. I stiffen at the mention of the m word, deciding to let Dad get this one. Our mom ditched us years ago, so Willis never got to really know her. Unfortunately, I did.

"Well Willis," Dad begins, bending down so he's eye level with him. "She won't replace your mom, but she'll be like a mother, if that makes sense. I love Hilary very much. Do you like her?"

"Yeah she's cool!" He beams, smiling up at her. She returns the gesture, her smile double his size.

"I'm really glad to hear that, little man." I look up to see Josh's expression, not surprized to see his arms simply crossed over his chest as his face remains neutral. He has gotten used to all of us, but I'm not sure if he's ready to be moving in with everybody. I don't even know the real story with his dad, to be honest.

"Congrats guys," I finally say, allowing myself to give them a small smile. I'm not completely approving, if my mom would run away, who says Hilary won't do the same? But I guess if she makes my Dad happy, & if he's willing to risk it, I'll be ok.

"Thanks," they say together, chuckling afterwards. I roll my eyes, but still feel a smile tug at my lips.

"So, when do we have to move in?" Josh asks, breaking the momentary silence that came.

"Well, seeing as your house is the bigger of the two, we were thinking we would move there," my dad answers happily. Josh's eyes widen for a split second before he smiles.

"Ok." Yeah, I don't think he had wanted to move.

"It'll probably be a few months, at least," Hilary says. We all nod, it sounding like a fair plan. I live in my own apartment so I don't have to move, but I'll still help out. I know Willis has hidden toys around the whole house so it would probably be a good idea to help before he starts to cry about it.

"Any idea on the date?" I ask, curiously. The two share a look, before shrugging innocently.

"We havn't talked about it yet," Dad explains.

"How about some day in May?" She asks, looking at him.

"Why May?"

"I don't know... it's just a beautiful time of the year."

"It sounds like a good month to me," he smiles, before pecking her on the lips. When it turns into more than a simple peck, I grab Willis & head to the kitchen, Josh trailing right behind. None of us wanna see that.

"So I guess we'll be brothers," I say once we're there, turning my attention to Josh.

"Guess we will. Say, how's that Lexi girl anyway? I saw the news earlier."

"She's holding up," I nod, just knowing that she's in good hands with Hunter. He's a good guy, unlike Jason. Almost hissing aloud, I try to push thoughts of that asshole out of my mind. He's in jail now, he can't even touch Kristy. Beautiful, broken hearted, Kristy. "She told me yesterday that she's loving the tour life."

"& her sister?" I raise an eyebrow. So he remembers Bella, eh?

"I don't really talk to her sister, but if something was wrong I'm sure Lexi would have said something by now." He nods his head, my words settling in.

"True." I put my hands in my pockets, letting everything sink in.

I'm going to have a stepmom & stepbrother soon, how freaking crazy.