The next morning I woke up and felt someone breathing on the back of my neck,

Maybe it's a vampire mY DReaM Is REaL I'm GoNNa BE a VaMPirE

I thought to myself excitedly as I rolled over to look,

"Yah!!!!"

I screamed in surprise, falling off the bed and hitting my head on the floor,

"Ow."

I said flatly, rubbing the back of my head in pain. Jackson peeked over the side of the bed at me,

"Y/N, wha' you doin' down there?"

He asked cutely, sleep evident in his voice as he rubbed his eye. Before I could respond my door slammed open as the boys barged in,

"We heard a scream are you okay?!?!"

Bex asked worriedly. I nodded,

"Yeah I'm fine. I just didn't expect to wake up to Jackson in my damn bed."

I shot a glare at the blue haired boy in question,

"What the hell man? You scared the crap outta me!"

He grinned sheepishly while the other boys glared daggers at him,

"I'm sorry. I was just so worried about you after everything that I didn't want you to be alone."

I smiled softly, anger vanishing as I stood up and sat on the bed,

"It's okay, Jackson. You just spooked me is all."

I turned to the others,

"What time are we leaving for school?"

I asked curiously but Senri just shook his head,

"You're not going anywhere. You need to take this whole week to just rest."

His tone indicated that his word was final so I didn't push it,

"Fine, But will you guys at least pick up the work I'll miss?"

They nodded as they left. I turned to Jackson,

"Aren't you leaving too?"

He shook his head,

"No I wanted to stay with you, my darling."

I blushed slightly at the nickname before getting up to brush my teeth. When I was done I went back to my room, only to find Jackson gone. I shrugged and went down to the kitchen where he was getting breakfast ready,

"Hey, Jackson."

I said as I sat down at the kitchen table. He looked over his shoulder at me and smiled,

"Hey, Y/N. Sorry I left, I wanted to make breakfast for us."

He said happily. I smiled and waved off the apology,

"No worries. Hey, are March, Bex, and Senri okay? They were acting kinda weird last night."

"Oh? Weird how?"

Jackson asked curiously, placing our breakfast on the table and sitting opposite me. I bit my lip in thought,

"It's a little hard to explain. I just felt like Senri was being nicer to me than usual last night. Especially after the movie when I went to bed. He gave me a hug and everything. With March he just seemed like he was seething in anger the second we got home and I don't really get why. And then with Bex, I've never seen him get so jealous. When I was holding you during the movie he was really pissed off."

I explained to Jackson as he listened intently. Once I was done he spoke,

"March is always pissed about something. As for Senri, he was really worried about you. That's probably why he was so nice to you. He was just glad that you were home."

His tone held something in it that I can't describe, but I knew it made me uncomfortable,

"What about Bex? Why would he be jealous?"

I pressed Jackson as he ate his pancake. He shrugged,

"You'd have to ask him."

He said curtly. I took a bite out of my pancake,

"Who knows? Maybe he likes me."

I joked, laughing a little as I finished off my pancake. I heard a clank and looked over at Jackson, who had dropped his knife and fork on the table. His eyes were dull as he stared at his half empty plate,

"Don't even joke about that."

His tone was distant as he slowly lifted his head up to me,

"You're my darling, not his."

I gave him a confused look,

"What're you talking about, Jackson? Have you been drinking again?"

I asked hesitantly, getting up from my seat. He laughed and shook his head,

"Do you honestly think I'm so pathetic that I would take on my father's vice? Especially the one that made me hate him?"

He began advancing towards me. Every step backwards for me was a step forwards for him,

"I never had a drinking problem. That was Senri's idea. At first I didn't care, but after Naomi got you I just— I can't let anyone hurt you again. I can't let them put you in danger."

The closer he got the more uneasy I became. I ran from the kitchen and hurried to my room, locking the door behind me. I heard Jackson coming down the hall as I grabbed my phone from my nightstand,

Bex I need help

Y/N? What happened?

It's Jackson. He's freaking me out. Saying how he has to protect me or something. I don't feel safe can one of you come home????

"Y/N! Please open up! I want to keep you safe! I'm sorry if I scared you!"

I shivered at the strangely innocent tone in his voice. I texted Bex again,

I'm really freaking out here

I held my phone close to my chest. When I felt it buzz I glanced down and saw a response from Bex,

I'm on my way. So is Riki. We won't let him hurt you.

I saw a text from Riki,

Don't worry, Y/N. I'm on my way.

Thank you, Riki.

I replied before turning my attention to Jackson, who was now pounding on the door,

"Please open up! Don't lock me out I was only trying to help you! I just wanna keep you safe!"

His tone became more frantic as he pounded on the door,

He's lost it

I thought to myself as I texted Bex and Riki,

Hurry guys he's losing it.

Bex responded,

We're almost home. Hold on a little longer.

He replied. The door was shaking from Jackson's pounding. I thought he was going to knock it off it's hinges until the pounding suddenly stopped. I stood up when I heard yelling on the other side of the door,

"Jackson What the hell are you doing?!"

"You're scaring her!"

"I just want to keep her safe! You know how precious she is to me—"

"She's precious to all of us but that doesn't mean you need to scare her!"

"He's right Jackson. Do you have any idea what Senri and March are gonna do to you when they get home???"

I poked my head out of my room and saw Bex and Riki yelling at Jackson, who honestly didn't look like he even knew what he did wrong,

"You guys don't understand!"

Jackson shouted earnestly at them. Bex and Riki grabbed a hysterical Jackson and threw him in his room, locking Jackson in. Riki came over to me,

"Are you okay? I'm so sorry I knew leaving you with him was a terrible idea."

He hugged me and I smiled,

"I'm just glad you guys came when I texted you. Jackson was saying some really weird stuff."

"Like what?"

Bex asked me, coming over to put his hand on my shoulder. I smiled slightly at him,

"It started when I asked him about you. I mentioned that you were kinda jealous last night and made a joke about you liking me. He got this... really weird look on his face. He was saying how I'm his darling or something and that he has to protect me from 'them'. I think he meant you guys. He said he would protect me and make sure that no one would ever hurt me again."

I explained to the teen boys in front of me. I decided that I should speak to Senri directly about the drinking thing that Jackson mentioned. Once I was done explaining, Riki frowned and Bex sighed,

"I'm so sorry Y/N..."

Riki whispered sadly. I smiled comfortingly at him,

"It isn't your fault Riki. Or yours, Bex. Look maybe I should stay somewhere else for a few days until he calms down—"

"No!!!!"

They shouted in unison. I raised an eyebrow at them,

"And why's that?"

I asked. Bex responded quickly,

"What if something happens to you again? Besides if you take off he'll only fly off the rails more."

Riki put his hand on my shoulder,

"Look how about we practice for the musical? When March and Senri come home we can deal with this. Bex, text them and tell them what happened."

Bex nodded and went to his room while I followed Riki into his. I couldn't help but think about what Jackson said,

I never had a drinking problem. That was Senri's idea

But, why would Senri want Jackson to pretend he's drunk?

A/N: Oki doki that's all folks! I'll try and update as soon as I can after I heal from surgery. Buuuuuut the good news is my first year of college is officially done! So now I'll have time to update over summer! If there's anything you want to see in upcoming chapters let me know and if you have any questions so far I'll be happy to answer them. Thank you so much for supporting this book and have a lovely day!

~Niah