Ashley Ridgell I was a simple girl with a simple life; father in the government, mother as a lawyer. My life was pretty good, almost perfect if you could call it that. I refused to leave, to move to another city, but I had to. It couldn't be that bad after all; new school, new friends, new life. It was a star over, at least I thought I had one before one specific boy changed everything. Austin Mahone Annoying, dangerous, but highly attractive; the boy I hated the most, or at least I thought I did. He wasn't the popular guy in school, he was pretty much the opposite; everyone knew him but no one dared to look him in the eye. He was the feared one, and he loved the feeling; power over others, exactly what he wanted. Since the first time I saw him I knew something was off. The people he hung out with, The Crew, weren't very friendly either. Everyone knew about them, about the dark business they dealt with; everyone knew it was better to stay away, but I was stupid enough not to listen. They say things happen for a reason; but what happened to me? That had no reason at all. Just one night, five boys, and one leader. That's all it took to change my life forever.

"Why do you like the rain so much?" "It reminds me that I'm still alive." (Luke Hemmings Fanfiction) Copyright to Ashley Royer. All things written by Ashley Royer unless otherwise stated. Not affiliated with 5 Seconds of Summer or any other characters mentioned. THIS IS NOT THE FULL BOOK. The full book is published with changed names and can be bought wherever books are sold. AVAILABLE NOW WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD. The published version has added chapters and everything has been edited.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written in late 2012. I wrote Strings Attached as an adolescent with no idea how a healthy, adult relationship should function. This story is dark and twisted in a way that my teen mind couldn't comprehend at the time. There are more than a few scenes in this book with sensitive content. I--in no way--support rape culture and I do not condone my character's actions. However, as I said, this story was written in an ignorant state of mind. I will not remove this story from Wattpad. It is part of my past and though I am disappointed with the content, it shows how far I've come not just as an author but as a free-thinking adult. Thank you for reading. **Excerpt** "Say... it," She gasped, throwing her head back, cupping my face in her hands so that I was forced to meet her gaze. "You're mine." She held my gaze for a second more, before crushing her lips against my own, arms wrapping tight around my neck, pulling me down to her level. Arms sliding easily around her, she wrapped her legs around me as I lifted her up, lips traveling over her chest and collarbone. She moaned as my hands dug into her tender flesh, pulling on it, their violence a stark contrast to the gentle kisses teasing their way up her neck. Bright lines marked the paths that my nails had etched into her skin, marking her, beautiful red tattoos, spreading out over her entire body. Her small hands knotted in my hair, pulling harder and harder as she fought the urge to cry out...