Temporary

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^*Matt’s POV*^
I had that damn kiss in my head. I had sided to the fact that I can’t love Parker, no matter what happens, I can’t. Not just for myself, but for Parker and Jimmy’s relationship. I just couldn’t put Jimmy through that. Zacky, yea, Jimmy, no. Besides, Jimmy and Parker have a kid to look after, I’d be an insensitive jackass to come between the family they have. Once I got home, I let my mouth drop at the graffiti all over my once beautiful white walls. Johnny and Brian. No doubt about it.

“What the fuck?!” I screamed, and spotted Brian over by the TV. I looked over at him, and his head snapped to me.

“Oh shit.” He said, and ran. I took off after him, but he slipped by me, and ran out of my house. Zacky and Harper had apparently left a while ago, because I didn’t see them anywhere. I walked upstairs, knowing Johnny would be somewhere. Once I didn’t find him upstairs I walked back down and into the kitchen. The back door slammed shut, but once I looked over to it, he was gone. This is what I get for leaving my house in their hands. I shouldn’t have left. Now I have pink and red walls, and a lime green dining room table. Not to mention the multicolor spots on my once white carpet that I noticed as I stepped back into the living room. Well, the blackened blood stain from months ago hadn’t been touched at least. I sighed as I did a three sixty of the mess. I sat down on the couch, but once I did I felt the couch make a disgusting squish. I closed my eyes and let out an annoyed sigh as I put my hand down on the cushion and then brought it to my face to see it was white with white paint. I stood up, and reached my other hand around to my back. It was white. My clean black clothes were white. I tried not to get angry as I walked up my now green stairs to my bedroom, and kicked an empty paint bucket out of the way. I genuinely wanted to kill them both. I didn’t even look at the destruction of my furniture, I just went to my closet. Everything was the opposite of its original color, and dripping wet with paint.

“GOD DAMN IT YOU FUCKING ASSHOLES!” I screamed at the air. My whole fucking house now had to be repainted, and refurnished. I reached into my pocket for my cell phone, and dialed up Harper and Zacky. I wasn’t staying with Johnny or Brian, because they are going to repaint everything, I sure as hell can’t risk stay with Parker and Jimmy, so why not use this time to try and fix things with Zacky, and spend some much needed time with Harper?

“Hello?” Zacky answered.

“Hey Zack, uh, Johnny and Brian have destroyed my house, and I can’t stay here.”

“Everything’s soaked with paint, isn’t it?” He asked and I sighed.

“Couch soaked thoroughly, clothes ruined, bed,” I slapped a hand down on the mattress, and paint splattered up. “Soaked, kitchen just came back from a trip to a multicolor hell, everything’s pretty much fucked.”

“I take it you need a place to stay?” He asked, and I got a little hopeful.

“Yea, I do. I’m going to make Johnny and Brian repaint and pay for everything.”

“Alright.” I couldn’t help but smile. “But, I swear, if you get too close to Harper I will not hesitate to shoot you. I have a gun cabinet in the basement, and every gun in there is loaded.” I suddenly got scared of him. “You can stay for as long as you need, but one wrong move and I’ll personally put a bullet in your skull.”

“Zack, I swear on my heart that I won’t do anything.” I lied.

“I don’t know how much I can trust you anymore.” Those were the words that hurt, when a best friend tells you that they can’t trust you. “After everything that’s happened, it’s become even hard to call you a friend.”

“You don’t have to trust me if you don’t want to, but I swear to you that I won’t do anything to Harper. She’s yours, Zack, and I’d never hurt you, or Harper.” I said, and he sighed. “I don’t care if you don’t think of me as a friend anymore, you’re still my best friend, and I care about you and your relationship with Harper. I wouldn’t do anything to come between you two.”

“God you make it really hard to stay mad.” He sighed once more. “Alright, I believe you.” I hate lying to him, but I don’t have a choice if I want to keep Harper; and I do want to keep her. Possibly more than my own life. Because during the two days we were trapped underground, with nearly no hope that we’d ever be found, I realized that she was totally worth everything that I had. Even some of my closest friends. Because I could lose her again just as fast as I got her.

“Thanks Zacky. I’ll be over in a minute, just let me see if I have any salvageable clothes.”

“Alright, I’ll see you then.”

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^*Harper’s POV*^
“Well,” Zacky clicked the end button. “Matt’s going to be staying with us for a couple of days.” I wanted to grin like a lunatic and start bouncing off the walls like some kind of kid jacked up on sugar and caffeine. But I didn’t.

“We should’ve seen that coming when we left Brian and Johnny unsupervised in his house with spray cans, and buckets of paint.” I said, and he sighed.

“I guess so.”

“You still mad at him?” I asked, and he shook his head.

“No, no, I’m just…a little worried about him coming over here for a few days.” He said, and gently took my hand. “I don’t want him to hurt you or…” He trailed off.

“Or what?”

“Or take you away from me.” He whispered, looking up at me. I really wished he would believe that there was nothing going on between Matt and I and just stop worrying. But I could see that Matt and I being around each other was beginning to really get to him. I could see that it was tearing him apart, and I hated that so much. I love Zacky, and I don’t like seeing him like this. I took a grip on his hand, holding it tight.

“Zacky, nothing’s going to take me away from you.” I said, resting my free hand on his shoulder. “I love you, and only you.” I’m so fucking sorry that I lie to you Zacky, it rips me apart, but it’s so I don’t hurt you; it’s for the best. I don’t like the lies I have to ingrain in your head, and I wish I didn’t have to. I want to love you, and only you, but sometimes we don’t get what we want, we get what we’re supposed to have. But I don’t think I’m necessarily supposed to have Matt, things just fell in place like that. It was like a life-size game of Tetris, once blocks are set in place, you can’t move them, you just have to work around them the best you can.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” He cracked a slight smile. “Who else would put up with your shit the way I do?” He asked playfully and I couldn’t help but laugh lightly.

“Only you.” I smiled and kissed him, his snakebites weren’t as cold as usual, and after a second he leaned into me, pushing me back on the couch as I let my tongue roam through his mouth. I smiled into the kiss, my hands venturing down to his belt, and his hands to my shirt. Just as I was getting his belt undone-

“Uh, I can leave, and come back later or…” Matt’s voice made us both jump, and we both screamed, falling off of the couch and into the floor. I got off of Zacky and threw my head back into the hardwood floor, my heart definitely fracturing ribs as it beat against the bones.

“My god Matt, were you trying to kill us?!” I asked, and Zacky sighed.

“There goes the evening.” Zacky muttered, and sat up.

“Don’t let me interrupt you, I’ll just be upstairs taking a shower.” Matt said, and Zacky nodded as Matt walked up the stairs, and disappeared.

“Well, Incredible Hulk’s here.” I said, and Zacky smiled.

“This should be an interesting week.” He said, and I nodded. He stood up, and helped me up, and I looked up at the closed bathroom door for a second, smirking as the shower turned on. I turned back to Zacky and grabbed his hand, dragging him towards the stairs, and soon he caught on, and almost literally drug me into our bedroom, locking the door behind us.

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^*Matt’s POV*^
I had gotten here two hours ago, and I was trying to get to sleep, but the noises coming from the bedroom down the hall were scarring my mind. What made it even worse were my feelings for Harper. Tomorrow I have to break the news to her that she had a therapy session with Parker at ten AM. I could only hope they didn’t stay up too late tonight. God that was a disturbed thought. I rolled over, pulling the comforter up to my neck. My clothes were in the dryer down in the laundry room, and I was only able to find a pair of boxers and a pair of shorts that were unscathed by the paint massacre. The fact that this house was like a meat locker was not helping.

“Oh god Harper…” Someone kill me. Please. Or at least bring me enough beer so I can decently blackout.

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^*Harper’s POV*^
“Fuck you.” Parker growled at me as we waited for the therapist. I vowed to kill Matt as soon as I got home. Parker said she was trying to change, but I didn’t believe her for a second. I was going to face my fears today though, my one fear being the bitch sitting beside me. I was going to tell her off for all she was just as soon as I got the chance.

“No thanks. I don’t need your hand outs.” I said, and then looked at her. “Actually, I’m surprised Jimmy has stooped that low.” I said, and she crossed her arms, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists.

“Don’t bring Jimmy into this.” She said, and I glared. “Besides, you’re the reason he didn’t come today. The last thing he wanted to do was put up with your childish remarks. Actually,” She mocked me, looking over at me. “No one likes putting up with your childish remarks.”

“No one likes putting up with you period. Have you been so self-absorbed this past week that you haven’t noticed everyone avoiding you?” I snapped, my voice rising slightly.

“Have you not noticed everyone drowning you out?!” She stood up, and I stood up too.

“At least everyone’s not afraid of me!” I screamed back at her.

“No, no one’s afraid of you, you’re as harmless as a fly, and just as annoying!” She yelled, getting in my face.

“I hate you!” I screamed, ignoring the therapist as he walked in.

“I WISH YOU HAD HAVE DIED!” Parker screamed and went to push her aside to walk out of the room, but she took it as obviously something else, because the next thing I knew, she was on top of me, clenching my shoulders.

“WHAT THE FUCK HAS HAPPENED TO YOU?!” I yelled at her, fighting tears at the fact that I used to call this monster my sister.

“You’re what’s happened to me!” She yelled, her voice dropping some as security guards rushed in trying to pry her off of me, but she wasn’t about to let go. “I’m trying to fucking change, Harper, but you won’t fucking let me!” She screamed, and I tried to push her away.

“Because you’ve gotten to where you just don’t give a shit about me anymore! You’ve gotten to the point where you don’t care about anyone or anything but yourself!” I yelled, and she knocked one of the security guards off. “I’m sick of you!” I yelled.

“You know what?” She looked me in the eyes. “I don’t know how anyone could love a soulless person like you. Zacky deserves better.” Her voice dropped by many octaves, and I finally had enough. I brought my fist back and let it swing forward, full force as it collided with her cheek, knocking her into a daze just long enough for me to get up, and pull her to her feet. I pushed her back against the wall.

“Don’t bring my boyfriend into something that’s between me and you!” I screamed, not paying attention to the therapist demanding the clerk to call the police, and to get more security guards. I felt a guard grab my shoulders but I threw my elbow back, catching him in the ribs and he stumbled back.

“This isn’t just between me and you!” She pushed me, and I pushed back, sending her into the wall again. “This is between all of us!” She grabbed my shirt, slamming me against the wall.

“There is no all of us!” I yelled back through gritted teeth as I tried to ignore the pain in my spine. I threw a punch at her, sending her off of me, and into the floor. She grabbed my leg, and pulled me down, immediately beginning with the punches, one of which I felt my nose crack, she finally got off of me, seeming happy as the blood poured from my nose, but I wasn’t going to let her go that easily. Just as the guards were trying to escort her out, I got up and went to punch her, but she turned at the same time, quickly getting out of the way as my fist collided with the drywall, breaking through the matter and cracking bones, immediately becoming stiff, and hurtful to move, but that didn’t stop me.

“Just give up already, Harper!” Parker screamed at me, but I shook my head, I pulled my hand from the wall and just as she went to hit me again I pushed her, my foot stepping on her ankle in the process, and a pop faintly met my ear.

“No! Not until you go back to the old Parker!” I screamed at her, and she hit me, my vision going black for a second, and when I got my senses back she was on top of me. Police rushed in, pulling her off of me, and I was picked up by another officer. I tried to get in another hit to her, but the officer kept his arms around me.

“Get her out of here!” Someone screamed to the officer holding Parker, and I brought my foot back, catching the officer in the knee, and I lunged at Parker as he let go of me, just to be tackled mid-air by another officer.

“FUCK YOU PARKER!” I yelled from the ground, struggling under the officer’s body.

“NO FUCK YOU!” She replied as the officer carried her out of the room kicking and screaming. It was then that I realized what we’ve become.

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^*Zacky’s POV*^
I had gotten on better terms with Matt, and I think it was safe to say him and Harper could be around each other without me worrying that he was going to attack her. But I was worried about one thing; Parker and Harper’s therapy session today. I wasn’t so much afraid of what would be said as much as I was that Parker might hurt Harper. But Harper’s a strong girl, she can fight back. Hopefully enough to knock this new Parker off track.

“I hope everything’s okay down there.” I said to Matt as I sat down on the couch next to him.

“I know.” He sighed. “Harper said she wanted to be buried in Huntington, so-”

“Matt!” I said, looking at him with startled eyes. “They’re going to be fine! No one’s getting killed Parker’s just going through some kind of phase.” I said, and he sighed again.

“I’m sorry it’s just…she’s not Parker anymore, Zacky, she’s…something, just not Parker. And Harper just…I’m...I’m scared for her.” Matt confessed and I nodded.

“Me too, but they have security guards in that place, so if anything does happen, it shouldn’t get too bad.” I said, and the phone rang, and Matt answered it quickly.

“Hello?” He asked, slight worry seeping into his voice. “What?!” He stood up. “Taken out by the police?! What the fuck happened?!” I stood up with him.

“What is it?!” I asked worriedly.

“Harper and Parker got into it, and they had to get the police.” He hung up. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but the therapist just said they were both on the way to the hospital with some kind of pending charges that could land them in jail.” He said, and I was already at the door.

“Matt-” He cut me off.

“I’ll call everyone else, just get to the hospital and make sure Harper’s okay.” He pleaded, and I nodded, not thinking twice before I ran out of the house and got in my car, driving ninety to nothing down the road.

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^*Harper’s POV*^
I was strapped to a bed in the emergency room next to Parker, with cracked knuckles and a broken nose, screaming and yelling at Parker as she screamed and yelled back. I kept fighting off officers, but they kept coming in.

“I HATE YOU!” Parker yelled.

“I HATE YOU MORE!” I yelled back.

“YOU’RE LUCKY I’M STRAPPED TO THIS BED!” It’s like she never stopped. I finally gave up fighting against the officers, and leaned back on the bed.

“Harper! Oh my god, what happened!?” I heard Zacky’s worried voice as he ran up, but an officer held him back. “I’m her boyfriend, let me through!” The officer eyed him suspiciously before letting him through. He came up beside me, pushing another officer out of the way.

“I’m fine, just a few broken bones.” I said, and he gave me a look that told me I looked horrible. I probably did. Blood smeared all over my face and shirt from my nose, knuckles still bleeding, thick straps over my wrists, abdomen, and two over my legs. I could only imagine…

“OH LOOK WHO’S HERE NOW! YOU’RE FUCKING KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR! LEAVE HER ZACKY! LEAVE HER! SHE’S NOTHING BUT A BITCH!” Parker’s screams were drowned out as I started screaming back.

“YOU’RE JUST JEALOUS THAT YOUR OWN FUCKING FIANCE IS SCARED TO DEATH OF YOU! THAT’S EXACTLY WHY HE’S NOT HERE! HE’S PROBABLY HOPING YOU’RE-” I felt something jab into my arm. “He’s probably hoping you’re…dead.” I couldn’t scream anymore as Parker’s screams died down too. No matter how much I tried to fight the morphine, I couldn’t, and I felt Zacky squeeze my hand as I finally went under.