McKenna POV.
It was the thunder that woke me up this time, not the nightmares. Although the thunder itself was as bad as a nightmare to me. My mom died in a car crash during a thunderstorm when I was barely five years old. Then my Gran had a heart attack during a thunderstorm seven years later while she was trying to calm a stallion. I’ve hated thunder ever since. I flinched as lightning lit up the whole room and thunder crashed again. All I could think of was my Gran’s tear-streaked face as she told me my mom had died. Then how I found her in the stables, collapsed, dead. Unable to stand my own thoughts and memories any more, I stumbled out of the bed and towards the door. Without really thinking I made my way to Zacky’s room, pushing open the door. As another round of thunder and lightning lit up the room, I smiled. Syn and Zacky were on opposite sides of the same bed. I quick glance towards the sofa bed revealed that it was sagging to one side. Obviously they had somehow managed to break the bed. Another thunder clap sent me diving onto the bed between them. They both stirred as I burrowed under the sheets.
“Mac?” Slurred Syn, frowning at me in confusion. I began to nod, but yelped as another thunderclap clashed and dived under the covers.
“Scared of thunder?” Commented Zacky, raising one eyebrow. I glared at him.
“So?” He laughed and moved over to give me more room. Syn smiled and pulled me in close to him, wrapping his arms firmly around my waist. I couldn’t resist teasing him. “Wouldn’t you rather have your lover over there?” I nodded at Zacky, who poked me.
“Of course he would, but your fat ass is in the way.” I laughed and mock glared at him.
“Watch your tongue bitch, that’s my girl’s ass you’re insulting.” Warned Syn, his voice rumbling under my ear. Zacky chuckled.
“You’re just saying that to keep her happy. We all know that it’s me you love.”

~*~

When I woke the next morning, I was squidged between Zacky and Syn. Zacky had one arm lightly resting on my waist, while I was using Syn as a pillow. One of Syn’s arms was around my shoulders and the other rested on my hip. For once in my life, I felt safe, comfortable, happy. I was starting to get to know the guys around me. I was letting them in. Albeit slowly, but I was getting there. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sensation of just being with people. People who actually bothered to care about me. I lost track of how long I stayed like that. The door banged open.
“What?! You guys had a threesome last night and didn’t invite me??” Yelled Jimmy. My moment of calm was evidently over.

~*~

“You!” I looked up from my coffee to find Val stood in the doorway to the kitchen, pointing at me.
“Yes?”
“We’re going shopping.” She announced, crossing her arms, daring me to argue. I raised my eyebrow and took a sip of my coffee.
“Sounds awesome.” She frowned.
“I sense a but coming here.”
“But, I don’t have much spare money until various Australian banks sort themselves out.” She just smiled knowingly as Syn walked past her and over to me.
“Here.” He held out a bank card, which I refused to take. He shook his head and tucked it into my pocket instead. “Don’t you dare.” He warned, as I went to take it back out. “I’m not arguing over this Mac. Take it. There’s no limit and I don’t care what you spend. Just have fun.” I glared at him. I hated being given charity. He smiled at me and took my coffee out of my hands. Usually a death offence but Val grabbed me by the arm and dragged me out of the house, pausing only to grab both of our bags. I didn’t bother complain. I was actually looking forward to going shopping with her. We’d rapidly become good friends since I’d moved here. Jimmy was just pulling into the driveway in his Chevy convertible as we left the house. Val stopped, dropping my arm and smiling at me. I grinned back. We thought too alike sometimes.
“Hey Ladies.” Greeted a smiling Jimmy, walking towards us.
“I don’t know about you, but I feel like being chauffeured.” Commented Val. Jimmy paused, eyeing the pair of us. We moved as one, each grabbing an arm and dragging a protesting Jimmy backwards to Val’s SUV.
“Shut up and drive, bitch.” I ordered as Val chucked her keys at him.

~*~

I laughed, smiling as Val and Jimmy posed for a photo with a couple of fans. i was surprised. A few fans had come up to us, but not many, and they were all really nice. I’d been expecting screaming, hysterical teenagers. Val and Jimmy re-joined me and waved goodbye to their fans. Skipping, Jimmy linked arms with both of us and dragged us to the nearest Starbucks.
“Jimmy is this a good idea? Are you sure that you need more coffee?” Asked Val as we squeezed through the door.
“Valerie, babes, coffee is always a good idea.” I reminded her, skipping into the queue behind Jimmy. She sighed and joined us.
“Hi! My name is Mindy. How may I help you today?” I winced at the high pitched voice of the freakily perky girl behind the counter.
“Hi!” Replied Jimmy, waving at her. I struggled not to laugh as the girl struggled to figure out how to respond to the insane drummer. Val just shook her head and smiled.
“One grande caramel cappuccino, one grande hazelnut Americano and one grande peppermint latte, all to go please.” The girl began to hurry about writing on cups.
“Is there anything else?”
“Two triple chocolate muffins and a cinnamon swirl.” I added. Val paid for our drinks and food, while Jimmy waited for the drinks to be made. An excited squeal from Jimmy told us that our drinks were ready. Val groaned as he drew strange looks. I laughed and took my latte from Jimmy.
“So where to next?” Asked Jimmy, blocking the door into Starbucks. Val and I exchanged a glance.
“HOT TOPIC!”

~*~

Jimmy POV.
“Are you done yet?” I grumbled. Waiting around for two girls to finish trying on a ton of clothes for the seventh time really wasn’t my idea of fun. It wasn’t even like I could sneak into the changing rooms with them. Matt and Syn would kill me. That was, if Mac and Val didn’t beat them to it.
“Just a minute.” Replied Val. I grunted. I was starting to regret letting them kidnap me. The curtain to Val’s dressing room flew open. “ Ta-da!” She was wearing a knee-length pink, black and grey striped dress that looked like it had been made for her. I nodded, getting up. “Not bad, not bad. “ She glared at me as I walked around her. “Ok, I lie, it’s gorgeous. Matt will love it.” She grinned and spun in a circle. Behind us, a curtain pulled quietly open. Val grinned. I turned to see Mac stood behind us. I felt my breath catch in my throat. She was dressed in a black halter-neck dress with tiny red hearts printed all over it. It fell to slightly above her knees and fitted her perfectly. She looked beautiful.
“I told you that you would look amazing!” Squealed Val, her grin almost stretching from ear to ear. Mac pulled a face.
“It’s a dress. I don’t do dresses.” I laughed, trying not to focus on how good she looked.
“She’s right though Mac, you look incredible.” She blushed and looked at herself in the mirror, fiddling with the dress.
“You are totally getting this dress.” Ordered Val.
“When would I wear a dress though?”
“You never know when you’re going to need a good dress.” Mac shook her head.
“God forbid that I should argue with you, Val.” Val laughed and punched the air.
“Alright! Now go change! We need to get you some killer shoes to go with it.” I groaned.
“For fuck’s sake! Anything but shoe shopping!”