*Three weeks later*
"Happy Halloween!" Devin exclaimed cheerfully as he bounced around our new living area in Philidelphia.
I sat on the couch, staring at the painted black window. It was 9 o'clock in the morning, Halloween. The guys had been going out to clubs in the local areas at night, with the exception of Devin, and meeting girls. They hadn't brought anyone back here but I knew that a few girls were going to be in trouble tonight.
Chris was having a Halloween party. Devin and I were supposed to be decorating for it while the others slept but I wasn't in the mood anymore.
"Kerstin? What's wrong?" Devin asked, putting the orange paper mache pumpkin on the table.
He sat down beside me, turning my face towards his. He searched my eyes.
"I want to go home.." I said.
"I'm sorry.." Devin said, dropping his hand.
"I don't blame you, it's not your fault." I said.
"I wish I could take you away from all this.." Devin said, looking down.
He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. They were soft and welcoming. He pulled back suddenly and jumped up, going back to the paper mached pumpkins as Chris entered the room.
"Kerstin, I need to speak with you....alone." he said, glancing at Devin.
Devin dropped what he was doing and walked out of the room. I looked up as Chris came over. He was probably going to tell me if I was allowed to go to the Halloween party or not. I assumed not, plus, I didn't want to anyways.
"I've noticed...you've been more reclusive lately." Chris said, sitting beside me.
I looked at him, not speaking.
"Is it because of what happened to you?" Chris asked.
"You know it is." I said.
"My deepest apologies, Kerstin. I did not mean for that to happen but you must learn to let go of your smartass attitude. If you would just behave and listen to me, it would be a lot easier. You're misbehaving is usually what causes you to get in trouble." Chris said.
I didn't believe a word he said. I got up and walked over to the table, picking up the fake spiders that Devin and I had made with styrafoam balls and felt. Chris followed me, placing his hands on my shoulders. I tensed up.
"I'm not going to hurt you.." he said.
"You already have." I said, slipping out of his grasp.
"Against my will. Kerstin, I would never intentionally hurt you..." he said, turning to face me.
"Liar!" I screamed. I was crying now. "You and your friends have broken me, Chris!" I screamed.
I was expecting the others to appear, or Devin to come running back in but none of them.
Chris walked over, grabbing my face in his hands. I was expecting him to hit me or to slam me against the wall but he did neither.
"I swear to you from this day forward I will never hurt you again." he said.
I looked in the eyes, searching for the signs of a false statement but I found none. All I found was the pure truth. He was telling the truth, he meant it. I felt my body crumbling and Chris caught me.
He took my hand, pulling me gently and leading me upstairs. I had my own room, it was between Chris and Ricky's. Some mornings I'd wake up in Ricky's bed with no recollection of how I had gotten there, or in Chris'...or they'd wake up in mine.
