❝ A P O L O G I Z E ❞

"Where are you at this exact moment?" Corbyn asks through the phone, not bothering with any greetings.

"Right now, I'm on Mars," Addilyn jokes, glancing at the duckling, who's currently wearing a Gryffindor tie and sitting safely in the passenger's seat of her car.

"Can you come over?" The blond pleads. "I'm all alone."

"You live with seven other people," Addilyn chuckles. "How did you end up alone?"

"Aurora and Jonah left this morning to go to Minnesota. Callie, Jack, and Daniel are with Logan. Carmen and Zach left a few minutes ago to go on a date," Corbyn informs the girl. "And I haven't seen you in a couple of days."

Moving the phone away from her ear, Addilyn looks at Mr. Quackington. "Do you want to go visit Corbs?"

The duckling quacks, waddling in circles excitedly.

"We'll be over in ten minutes," Addilyn says, pulling out of the Party City parking lot.

"Hurry," Corbyn wails dramatically. "I might die from lack of attention."

****

Corbyn stands outside the front door, waiting impatiently for Addilyn. As soon as her Yukon pulls into the drive, he bolts off of the steps and to the driver's side, opening her door for her.

Addilyn's feet barely graze the asphalt before she's being lifted into the air by an overly excited teenager.

"I missed you too," Addilyn giggles as Corbyn twirls her around, hugging the girl tightly as he sets her back down on her feet.

Mr. Quackington quacks, making his presence known. He quacks again when no one picks him up.

"I swear he's almost as needy as you, Corbs," Addilyn teases, allowing the duckling to waddle onto the palm of her hand.

Corbyn rolls his eyes, throwing an arm around her shoulders and leading her into the house. "Do you want something to eat? The only thing off limits in this kitchen is Cheez-its."

"I don't like Cheez-its anyways," Addilyn declines his offer, sitting Mr. Quackington down on the floor to let him explore before taking a seat at the island.

"Never let Aurora or Jack hear you say that," Corbyn states, his eyes widening in genuine fear as he opens random cabinets. "The only time those two get along is when they're defending Cheez-its' honor."

"Do they not like each other?" Addilyn questions, wanting to learn more about the people she hopes to become good friends with.

"Although they're too proud to admit it, we all know they love each other. Fighting is how they express it in their messed up friendship," Corbyn tells her.

"Aurora sounds like the overprotective type," She muses, resting her hand on her chin.

"She is," Corbyn nods solemnly. "Yesterday, she tried to fight a band that insulted us on Twitter. And on her flight this morning, she tried to fight the same band because one of the guys looked at Jonah. But when the situation involves Carmen, she's borderline deadly."

It becomes quiet in the kitchen, the only sound being Mr. Quackington's occasional honks, as Addilyn becomes lost in her thoughts.

"What happened to Carmen?"

"What do you mean?" Corbyn freezes, slowly withdrawing his hand away from the food he was about to grab.

"The girl was on crutches last time I saw her," Addilyn says, furrowing her brow. "And with the rest of her injuries, that's too much damage for something accidental to have happened."

Corbyn sighs, an upset expression crossing his features. Leaning against the opposite side of the island, his voice stops to a whisper, despite them being the only two in the house. "It started a couple days after the car cra-"

The front door opens, effectively scaring both, Corbyn and Addilyn. Corbyn jumps, nearly hitting the counter as Carmen and Zach enter the kitchen.

"Hey, Addi," Carmen greets the girl, taking the bar stool next to her. "We haven't seen you in a few days."

"Sorry," Addilyn apologizes. "I've been trying to find a Halloween costume for Mr. Quackington."

"We should find costumes for Snuffles and Dobby!" Carmen gasps, looking over at Zach, who is currently looking through the cabinets.

"Corbyn," Zach sighs. "How many plates have you broken today?"

"None, yet," Corbyn smirks, reaching over the other boy's head for one of the remaining plates.

Zach shrieks as the object falls, shattering loudly. Mr. Quackington honks angrily, hurriedly waddling out of the kitchen.

"CORBYN BESSON!" Addilyn yells. "How dare you have the nerve to scare my baby duck? Go apologize!"

Carmen can't help but laugh at the incredulous look on Corbyn's face. He can't seem to figure out if Addilyn is joking or not.

"You can't be-"

"Now, Besson," Addilyn demands, crossing her arms.

"Fine," the blond mutters, leaving to find the duckling.

"From now on, we buy plastic plates," Zach states firmly.

"You do realize that if they can't break plates, Aurora and Corbyn will start breaking other dishes, right?" Carmen asks, raising an eyebrow.

Corbyn reenters with Mr. Quackington in tow. He goes to say something but is cut off by the front door once again, opening.

The group of four share a look before heading towards the entryway, Mr. Quackington following like a lost puppy. Near the front door stands Logan, Callie, Jack, Daniel, and a girl Addilyn has never seen before.

Logan aims his 'gun' at Zach, who hits the floor dramatically. Next to fall is Carmen, Zach raising up long enough to catch her before falling again. Corbyn gets 'shot' next. He falls backwards, expecting to land in Addilyn's arms. Addilyn, however, is watching her duckling instead causing Corbyn to hit the floor.

"Why didn't you catch me?" He asks, glancing up at her, offended.

Addilyn glances down at him before shrugging in response. "Mr. Quackington seemed more important."

Mr. Quackington quacks in agreement.

Callie looks around the house, confused by the silence. "Why is it so quiet in here?"

"Aurora left with Jonah to go meet his parents," Corbyn explains, getting up from his position on the floor and dusting off his jeans.

"No wonder," Jack mutters, receiving an elbow in the ribs from Callie.

The girl Addilyn has yet to be introduced to grins, spinning the vlog camera around in a circle. "It won't be quiet for long-"

She's cut off as the expensive piece of equipment flies out of her hand and onto the floor. Everyone glances at the camera laying on the floor in silence.

"You dumbass," Callie states, putting her face in the camera.

Logan dramatically falls onto his knees and puts his face in his hands. "No," he yells into his hands, his voice muffled.

The new girl sighs, retrieving the camera after receiving a stern look from Callie. She taps the tall blond on the head, waiting for him to look up.

"Sorry about your camera," she apologizes. "But in my defense, if I had anything expensive, it's bound to break soon!"

Callie giggles but her face immediately falls as she receives a stern look from the other girl.

Guys," Jack cuts in from beside Callie. "Callie has something she needs to tell you."

He turns his head, not wanting to meet her glare of betrayal and heads towards the living room. Addilyn and the others follow closely.