A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

I Don't Wanna Leave Without You Buried By My Side

We have the day off from Study today. I'm not certain whether to be worried or grateful. At least we'll be able to conserve our strength for the escape tomorrow. But they've never given us a day off before. That's what worries me.

The one good thing that comes from this is I get to spend the whole day with Kellin.

"What do you think is going on?" Kellin asks from where he's lying next to me.

"I don't know." I prop myself up on one arm so I can look at him better. "This has never happened before."

"Do you think they have—" he stops.

"I don't think so," I say. "Otherwise, they'd be more panicked."

He nods, but he still looks worried.

"We're gonna be fine," I reach over, running my thumb along his hand.

"I know," he says. I lean over, kissing him lightly. Kellin smiles as I do so, wrapping his arms around my neck and pulling me onto him. I trail my lips down his neck, my hand sliding up his shirt, feeling his heart beating light and fast.

"Oh, don't mind me," a voice says. "Make this R rated. I don't mind." I jolt up quickly, staring wide-eyed around the room

"What the—Jack?" I call. Kellin turns red from where he's lying under me.

"Fancy meeting you here," Jack says.

"Fuck you," I mutter. "Actually, no. Alex will do that for you."

"Ouch," Jack laughs, appearing next to the bed. He's watching us with an amused expression on his face. "Someone's pissed."

"You're in our fucking room," I say as I climb off of Kellin, opting to sit on the floor instead. "How long have you been here?"

"Long enough to see your make out session," Jack says.

Kellin blushes again, and I roll my eyes. "Did you need something?" I ask. "Or just get out, please."

"Wow, you really just want to keep making out with your boyfriend," Jack laughs, ducking as I elbow him. "No, but seriously. We think they've caught wind of an escape."

"Rian wouldn't have told them," I say immediately.

"I know. It had to be Craig," Jack fumes. "Now they'll have double the resources. I knew we shouldn't have told him."

"We weren't just gonna leave him here," I argue.

"Should we wait?" Kellin asks.

"No. I'll try to get out and tell Gerard and Frank. But if I can't, they'll be coming tomorrow so we have to be ready."

"I guess the only thing we can do is just hope it works out," I shrug. "They don't know for sure, right?"

Jack shakes his head. "Alex is trying to figure out how much they know. I don't think they know much, just that an escape is being planned. If they knew it was happening tomorrow, they'd be more freaked out."

"So, we're continuing?" Kellin asks.

Jack nods, chewing on his lip. He looks nervous, and I don't blame him. I can only remember how badly it went the first time for me.

"It's gonna be fine," I tell Jack. "We're getting out of here tomorrow."

"I hope so," Jack says. "We just have to be careful."

"Save your energy. We don't know what will happen tomorrow," I call to him as he leaves. "And be careful!"

He nods. "You too, okay?"

"We are getting out of here," I say, more to comfort myself than him. "We have to."

---

There are two guards standing in front of Mr. Styles' office. The sight of it sends chills down my spine as I'm hurried down the hall toward the showers. Does that mean they found out?

"M-37." I flinch as I hear Mr. Styles' voice from down the hall, our last conversation flashing in my mind. Kellin squeezes my hand once before he's ushered away by the guard.

Mr. Styles nears me and panic thrums through my mind. Every nerve in my body is screaming for me to run. It would be too suspicious if I sprint away now, wouldn't it?

"What do you need?" I ask, keeping my eyes trained on the floor.

He seems as if he wants to say something, then thinks better of it. "Never mind. Continue with your day."

I hesitate, wondering if it will get me into more trouble if I say it. "I noticed the new guards," I say, trying to keep my voice light. Jack's warning flashes in my mind. They know about the plan. "I was wondering what that was for."

Mr. Styles narrows his eyes, but he doesn't comment. "Possible security breach," he says lightly. "Why? Are you concerned?"

I force myself to remain calm. "Yes, I was worried that someone might try to escape." I'm testing him now, seeing what his response is.

Mr. Styles nods. "We heard possible rumors of an escape," he says. "But nothing that you need to be concerned about." Is that good or bad? I wonder exactly how much he knows.

"That's good," I decide. "Who were the rumors about?"

"No one you would know," he brushes off my question. "You know we are just trying to keep you all safe."

"Thank you, sir," I force a tone of sweetness into my voice. "It means a lot to me." It really doesn't. I couldn't care less.