Off Limits

Chapter 25

Katie's POV

I was so relieved to be home. Everyone was in their own rooms unpacking, and the house was nice and quiet. Christmas was in just a few days, and I still had a few things I needed to get.

Daniel said we would put up a tree tonight and decorate it. He was excited that I was going to be spending the holidays with them.

I wondered if it would look weird if I got Corbyn something. It would be really awkward if he got me something, and I didn't have anything for him.

Jonah's POV

I finished unpacking, and I decided to go see how Katie was doing.

I just walked through the bathroom and stood quietly at her bedroom door.  She was humming one of our Christmas songs and wrapping a few presents.

She looked up and threw something under her bed when she saw me.

"Hey!" She threw a blanket over the rest of the gifts. "What happened to you knocking?"

"Sorry," I said. I definitely had to get her a present now. I hadn't even wrapped my gifts for the boys yet. 

"It's ok. I just hope you didn't see anything."  She smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. 

"I didn't see a thing," I smirked.  She just laughed and shoved me out of her room.

"Katie," I said. "I don't know if this is too soon, or whatever. I just..."

Corbyn knocked me off my feet before I could finish my sentence.

Katie's POV

I tried to push the boys off each other, but they were both stronger than me.  I finally managed to wedge myself between the two when I heard Zach scream.

"Hey, watch out!"

That was the last thing I heard before Corbyn's fist connected with the right side of my face, knocking me unconscious.

Zach's POV

Oh my god. Katie just laid there like she was dead. Her nose was bleeding, and her right eye was starting to bruise and puff up.

Corbyn and Jonah just stood there.  I ran to go get Daniel. 

"Hey, you guys!" I ran downstairs where Daniel and Jack were setting up the Christmas tree. 

"Corbyn and Jonah were fighting, and Katie was trying to get them to stop. When she stepped in between them, Corbyn went to hit Jonah and hit Katie instead."

Daniel ran up the stairs, and Jack followed him.  I tried catching my breath before running after them. 

Daniel knelt beside his little sister.  Jack was trying to talk to Corbyn, and Jonah was still frozen.  "So, who started the fight?"

Corbyn glared at Jonah. "Well, I guess I did, but he was asking for it. He was trying to make a move on Katie, and we literally just broke up a few days ago."

"You were supposed to hit me! Not her." Jonah yelled in frustration.

"Well, I was trying to hit you!"

Jack yanked them apart again. "Can you guys just go to your rooms and try to calm down? This isn't helping anybody."

They both stormed off to their rooms, and Jack leaned down next to Daniel. 

Daniel then stood up and picked Katie up. He took her to her room and laid her down on her bed. Jack left to get ice for her face, and I sat down on the end of her bed.

Katie's POV

I woke up and saw Zach and Daniel staring at me with worry painted all over their faces.

"What happened?" I tried sitting up, but Daniel gently pushed me back down.

"Corbyn and Jonah were fighting, and you happened to get between them. A mistake I don't think you'll make twice."

Jack came back with a bag of ice and a towel in his hand. "Oh good, she's awake"

He handed Daniel the ice and towel. 

"Thanks, Jack," I said. "How bad do I look?"

Zach winced and shook his head.

"Thanks a lot, Zach," I rolled my eyes. "I'm ok now, Daniel. Why don't you guys give me a little time alone.  Actually, I want to talk to Jonah."

Daniel raised an eyebrow at me, but he managed to yank Zach and Jack out of my room.