3: Never Let Go (John & Lenny Pearce/Justice Crew Fanfic)

Chapter 16

* Lenny’s POV *

The minute John had told me the news at the mansion, I had only one thing in mind – that is to visit Serenity, and hopefully, this time she wouldn’t push me away. I knew this was a huge change in her life and I knew what I have done wrong. Apologies wouldn’t be enough unless I act on it, show her I’m not only relying on words, but also on actions.

Waiting in the lounge room, I made up some words in my head on how to greet her. But the moment she came out of her new bedroom, all I could say was “Hey Serenity.”

She didn’t show happy or surprise reactions; instead she looked at me like meeting me the first time. “Hey Lenny.” She uttered. “Does your girlfriend know you’re visiting me? I mean, I don’t want to come off as the bad one again.” She said, raising her hands in the air, like pushing me away from her.

John was right when he mentioned last night that Serenity changed. She wasn’t the nice girl I used to hang out with. She turned into someone I least expected her to, but I couldn’t complain because I had molded this girl into a monster. I knew shouldn’t have kept it from her the secrets I thought wasn’t necessary for her to know, but I was all wrong.

These secrets I kept only made her lose that trust she gave me that night I met her. She was right – it was only me that presented myself and befriended her. She didn’t need me, but I had this guilt eating me alive, knowing that if I didn’t act upon it, my head would explode.

“Yes, she knows.” I confirmed, only because I didn’t want her to worry and blame herself for my wrongdoings. It wasn’t right, and I’m actually here to get back on her good side and not further dig my own grave.

“So, what can I do for you?” Serenity asked. With just her tone, I can imagine her cleaning her nails like how those mean girls talk when they have a conversation with someone they’re not interested in.

Shaking my head, I didn’t know what to tell her. All those scripted lines I had thought of earlier disappeared in an instant, making me speechless.

“If you’re here to apologise again, I don’t want to hear about it.” She scoffed as my head bowed down, ashamed. “I don’t need your pity. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m already full of it.”

“Serenity.” Slade called her in an authoritative tone – one you know you shouldn’t mess with.

“Why am I not surprise that I wouldn’t have someone siding up with me in this house?” She commented, rolling her eyes, and turning away, leaving us in the lounge room. On her way out, she bumped into Bailey. “Oh yeah, it’s all because of you.”

“Serenity, seriously stop it.” Slade yelled, but Serenity ignored him.

“You’re not the boss of me, and may I remind you, I’m older than you are.” Serenity glared. “May I also remind you that our lives wouldn’t be in danger if it wasn’t for your mum and this girl.”

“Bailey has nothing to do with this and it’s not my fault my mum’s turned psycho.” Slade retorted.

“But it was your fault you actually helped her.” Serenity answered back.

“Which is why I’m trying to fix things…” Slade uttered.

“Really? Because it looks like you’re just bossing everyone around like an attention seeker.”

“Actually, you’re the one acting like a bitch.” Love joined in the conversation. “Can everyone just chill? If we’re all going to join forces, maybe we should act like a family. And if you can’t do that, at least be civil about it. Just like what Slade said before, you can leave after all of these are done. They’re not stopping you.”