Strange | 5SOS

۵ I

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I had been with the group for about a month, slowly warming up to them. Slowly earning their trust. The only one who was still hesitant of me was Luke, their boss, but I understood. He had every right to be. And he was right about me. I'd never tell them that though. Only when they were behind bars.

Surprisingly enough, this group of criminals were some of the most fun people I'd ever met. They weren't constantly telling me I couldn't do things because I was too pretty, they let me pitch in as much as possible, actually. They laughed and joked around until it was time to get serious. They treated each other like family.

Speaking of family, I hadn't seen mine in an entire month. Just thinking of them made my stomach turn. Did they miss me? Did the station call and tell them I'm on a mission? Probably not. They always said it was best to leave our families in the dark, which made absolutely no sense to me. Were they looking for me? Is my roommate safe? I left the door unlocked when I left. I'd hoped she didn't get robbed, kidnapped, or murdered.

In the month that I had been there, they'd talked about superpowers. In a month, I figured out why they were like they were. I still didn't know how it happened to any of them or why they chose to use their powers for evil. I still hadn't discovered any of their weaknesses or a way to stop them either.

Luke looked at me from across the room, whispering with Ashton. Those two seemed to be the smartest of the group. Michael and Calum seemed to be the strongest. Luke and Ashton were very cautious, meanwhile Michael and Calum welcomed me with open arms. Although I still teased Michael about being so rough when we met and calling me too pretty for this.

Luke and Ashton stopped talking. Luke walked towards Michael and Calum who were deep in an argument about who was stronger, meanwhile Ashton made his way over towards me.

"Hey," he spoke softly, timidly. Sitting down next to me, he rubbed his eyes, showing clear signs of exhaustion. They didn't sleep much.

Looking up at him, I nodded. "Hey Ashton. What are you guys doing today?"

He shrugged softly, leaning back on the wall, resting his eyes. "Nothing. We finally have a day off."

"In the whole month I've been here I don't think I've ever seen you guys just sit around for an entire day," I laughed softly. "Doesn't it get boring?"

He shook his head, eyes still closed. "No," he whispered, parting his lips hardly. "We've known each other since high school, we know each other well enough to keep it exciting all day. Whether that's with fights, arguments, or conversations. We do it."

I nodded, closing my lips. I parted them before immediately closing them, not wanting to sound stupid. Ashton opened an eye to see me struggling. Tapping my shoulder, he gestured for me just to spit it out.

"Why don't you and Luke like me?" I asked abruptly.

He shrugged, closing his eye again. "We like you," he giggled, something I noticed he did a lot, "Luke way more than I do. Way more than he should. We just don't know you."

"Then get to know me," I answered cockily.

His lips sealed. I sighed, standing up. "Have a nice nap," I mumbled.

He whispered something along a 'thank you' or maybe I just imagined it. Soon after I stood up, Luke clapped his hands, grabbing everyone's attention. Ashton groaned softly, standing up and walking beside me.

Luke began to speak to the group, "I think today we should get to know our newest member. Some of us are more trusting than others," he shot a glance Michael and Calum's way. They treated me like family, and I loved it. It was going to make this so hard. "so some of us know Cece more than others."

Michael ran over to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. He squeezed my nose softly, pretending to grab it. I rolled my eyes, adverting my attention back to Luke, who looked insanely annoyed.

Rolling his eyes, he continued to talk. "And-"

He was immediately cut off by the man wrapped around me. "What's wrong, Boss? Jealous?" he sneered, laughing.

"Why would I be jealous, Michael?" he asked coldly.

Michael laughed some more, pretending to reattach my nose. "It's obvious you want to be closer to her than you are, Boss. And it's obvious why. Maybe let loose, live a little like me and Calum."

Luke simply rolled his eyes, continuing. "And we need to- God, I lost it. I don't remember what I was talking about." Luke's eyes met mine as my cheeks burned a bright red. His eyes quickly flickered to the floor.

"Something about wanting to get to know Cece," Calum spoke up from the other side of the room. "We get it, Boss. Just talk to her. Not everything has to be so calculated and planned." He put emphasis on calculated and planned, attempting to mock his boss. It made me laugh.

Luke's eyes shot to me. "Got it, Cal, thanks."

I'd never heard him say so little words. It took me aback. Michael too. "Yikes, Boss," Michael held a hand over his chest, "Be a bit nicer."

Pushing me towards Luke, Michael smirked. I stumbled forward, running into him. "I'm sorry," I whispered, adjusting myself.

Luke rested his hands on my shoulders, leaning down to look at me. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softening. I simply nodded. I'm a cop after all. I'd been through worse.

Grabbing at my wrist, the tall man left me up the stairs that were barely holding up. I'd never walked up there unless instructed, it gave me the creeps. I always felt like someone was watching me when I went up there.

We weaved around corners and broken walls upstairs. He led me to an area I'd never seen, decorated with things that describe him perfectly. A beanbag sat in the corner and he gestured for me to take a seat.

Nodding, I sat, "Where will you sit?" I asked.

He answered my question by sitting on the ground. "I've tried so hard to understand you," he began, completely serious and formal, "but I just can't. You're confusing. You're like no one I've ever met. You're mysterious yet open. I need to get to know you, and that's new to me."

I raised my eyebrows, shocked. Licking my lips, I nodded. "What do you want to know?"

"Anything."