Lyla's P.O.V:


I got back to Vic's house, parked my car in the driveway, and walked into the house clutching the box to my chest. "Vic?" I hollered. No answer. After walking around for a while I discovered I was alone; Vic had said something about having a meeting with their management team this afternoon. I figured they were probably still there. I tossed my car keys onto the counter in the kitchen and set my box down as I rummaged through the fridge in search of something to snack on. I was met with beer, beer, and more beer, but what did I expect? This was a house full of boys who loved their alcohol more than life itself. I managed to snag a Monster and drank half of it as I stared at their bare cabinets hoping something would miraculously appear before my eyes, but of course that didn't happen. I groaned and finished off the energy drink with one more big chug, tossing it in the trash as I grabbed my box and stomped up to Vic's room. I sat the box of stuff down on Vic's dresser and proceeded to change my clothes. I changed into a pair of yoga pants and a San Diego Chargers shirt that I found in Vic's closet. I put on a pair of tennis shoes and threw my hair up in a bun on top of my head before I headed back downstairs, grabbed my car keys, and sauntered out to my car to head to Whole Foods.


If I was going to be here for a few more weeks there HAD to be food in the house or I would not be happy. And if mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy!


I had remembered seeing the Whole Foods just a few blocks from their house and I got there in no time; luckily it wasn't very busy considering it was the middle of the afternoon. I walked in and grabbed a cart, pushing it up and down every singe aisle, filling the cart with anything that caught my eye. This was sure to cost a fortune but I didn't care; when I say they had no food at their house I meant it. Not a damn thing. While there I decided I would cook dinner for them; it wouldn't be nearly as good as Mama Fuentes' cooking, but not much could compare to that. Mine would be edible at least. I grabbed fresh veggies to make a salad, tossing extra vegetables in for Tony. I picked out some fruit: a bunch of bananas, an array of oranges, apples, peaches, and grapes, sitting them gently in the cart next to the veggies. I didn't really know what they all liked, except for Vic that is, so I just took my best guess. I knew Tony was a vegetarian, Mike was kind of picky so he was always difficult to shop for, and as far as I could tell Jaime would eat anything, edible or not.


I grabbed the usual stuff I knew would be needed: eggs, bread, milk, cereal, chips, bagels, juice, soda, butter, peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and cheese, hot pockets, stuff like that. I finished gathering what I would need for dinner and grabbed a few things that I wanted before making my way up to the checkout. I passed a magazine stand and grabbed a few, tossing them in with the rest of the stuff. Might as well add to it; what's a few more dollars when you've already spent a few hundred, right?!


I began loading the things onto the belt, receiving a half-hearted hello from the woman behind the cash register. After everything was unloaded I walked down a ways, waiting in front of the register for my total, cringing as I watched it climb higher and higher on the screen. I dug through my purse and grabbed my sunglasses, setting them on top of my head before I pulled my wallet out. "Okay, ma'am that'll be-" the woman looked up at me and paused. "Oh my gosh Lyla? Lyla James?" she shrieked and I looked up from the floor meeting her gaze. It took me a minute to place her, it had been a really long time after all, but eventually it hit me.


"Amanda Cain, how are you?" I asked nicely, giving her a warm smile.


"I'm doing great. Wow, Lyla, it's been a long time! You look so different I almost didn't recognize you!" she replied excitedly and I nodded my head. We spoke for a few minutes, reminiscing about the good old days at Mission Bay High School. Our conversation was cut short when a line began to form behind me; I handed her my credit card to pay for the almost $300 grocery bill. We exchanged phone numbers before I left; we hadn't been extremely close in high school, but we were friends to say the least. It wouldn't hurt to reconnect with a few people while I was here. The bagger loaded my bags into my cart and I said goodbye to Amanda before heading out of the store, dropping my sunglasses down onto my face as the midday sun beat down on me. I loaded everything into the trunk and took off back towards the house.


When I got back home there was still no sign of Los Pierce the Veils. After four trips in and out of the house I finally got all of the bags inside, the kitchen counters and table littered with grocery bags. I spent a good chunk of time putting everything away, my slight OCD coming in handy when it came to getting everything organized. By the time I was done you would never guess this was a bachelor pad that was home to four mexicans, well by looking at the kitchen anyway. The fridge was packed to the brim; there almost wasn't any room left in there at all. It was no longer just beer that occupied the fridge, but actual food, food that wasn't expired and old, food that could be used to make actual meals.


The cabinets were stocked as well. Now the next person who was just looking for a snack wouldn't be left hungry and disappointed! I put in my headphones and decided to clean the kitchen while I was at it. Lord knows it needed it, and I was looking to pass a little time before I started cooking. I hoped the guys would be home in time or I would be eating all alone. Oh well, if that's the case more for me then!


I did the dishes, scrubbed the counters, swept and mopped the floor before calling it good and deciding to start on dinner. I danced around the kitchen as I listened to Fall Out Boy, mouthing silently along with the words as I searched for cooking utensils. Thankfully, and surprisingly, I found everything I needed. I had decided to make chicken fettucini with asparagus, a salad on the side, homemade garlic bread, and german chocolate cake for dessert.


I had always loved to cook ever since I could remember. Before my mom died I always begged to help her in the kitchen, and after she passed, when it was just my dad and I, I taught myself all I could. My dad was a great cook don't get me wrong, but I always wanted to help. After I moved to LA I didn't cook much mainly because I lived alone and it was a lot of effort to cook an extravagent meal for one.


I put the chicken breasts in the oven; they would take the longest to cook after all. I put a skillet on the stove and began to make my homemade alfredo sauce, an old recipe of my moms that was always a big hit. Just as I began to add the egg noodles to the pan I saw the front door open from where I was standing as the boys practically fell through the door. I pulled my headphones out and continued with what I was doing. "I smell food!" Jaime shouted loudly as he took off in a dead sprint towards the kitchen, skidding to a stop when he saw me. I turned around and smiled at him.


"I didn't know we had any food in this house to make a meal out of," Mike said as he made his way into the kitchen a little more calmly than Jaime had.


"It's called a grocery store, Michael. It's quite a concept," I retorted sarcastically. He smirked at me, silently mocking me as he always did. Jaime pulled open the fridge and I thought he was going to have a heart attack.


"We have food! Oh my god so much food!!" He hollered as he gazed in the fridge, moving to the cabinets and shrieking with excitement once again. He tried to grab a box of cookies but I yanked it out of his hands and smacked his arm.


"Seriously? I'm cooking dinner, it'll be ready in like 20 minutes. I think you can wait," I said as I put the cookies back in the cabinet. He pouted at me, but perked up as he eyed the food I was cooking.


"What are we having, Lyla?" Jaime asked as he peered over my shoulder as I mixed the noodles together with the sauce.


"Chicken Alfredo with asparagus, with the chicken on the side so Turtle can have some," I replied, Tony shooting me a thankful smile. Mike, Tony, and Jaime each grabbed a beer from the fridge and took off excitedly towards the living room, chattering about Call of Duty the entire way. Vic hung behind, leaning against the counter as he eyed me. "What?" I asked, directing my attention momentarily towards him.


"You didn't have to do all this, Ly," he said finally. I turned around and pulled the chicken out of the oven.


"Oh yes I did. I was starving and there was not a single thing to eat in this entire house," I responed with a smirk. As the chicken cooled I began to cut up the asparagus, adding it to the skillet with the noodles and sauce, tossing it all together.


"Lyla. This had to have cost a fortune!" I turned around and raised my eyebrows at him.


"So?"


"Lyla," he stated as he glared at me.


"Victor," I responded, causing him to give me a small smile. "It's fine, Vic, I wanted to. Besides, it's the least I can do for letting me stay here for a few weeks." He walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.


"I love having you here. I don't ever want you to leave," he whispered sweetly in my ear before kissing my neck softly. "Do you need any help?"


"You can put the salad together if you don't mind," I replied and he nodded, pulling the veggies out of the fridge and getting them cut up and put into a bowl. I put the bread in the oven as I cut up the chicken. After a few more minutes everything was ready; I called the boys to the table as I finished bringing everything out. I poured myself a glass of wine and took a seat next to Vic, admiring my handiwork as everyone dished food onto their plates.


We talked and laughed as we ate, the guys constantly complimenting me for my cooking skills. Jaime ate so much I was sure he was going to explode; I have no idea where he puts it. We finished eating and Mike and Vic offered to clean the kitchen; for that I was extremely grateful. I made my way upstairs to Vic's bathroom to take a shower, the hot water beating down on my skin was so relaxing. I washed my hair before stepping out and wrapping a towel around my body.


I gazed at myself in the mirror for a minute, my eyes fixated on the now faded scars that lined my thighs. Looking at them brought back feelings that I no longer wanted to feel. They reminded me of the old me, the person I was just a few short weeks ago. It was hard to believe that only a short time ago I would be somewhere getting high right now, trying desperately to numb the pain and the heartache. The urge was no longer there; frankly it disgusted me just thinking about it. I peeled my eyes away and allowed my thoughts to wander elsewhere as I made my way back into Vic's bedroom. I put on a t-shirt and a pair of pajama shorts and brushed out my long hair, the natural waves reappearing. I couldn't help but smile as I listened to the guys yelling at each other downstairs, about what I had no idea, but it was still funny. I started to open the door to go back downstairs to join them when I noticed the box still sitting on the dresser.


I grabbed it and walked over to Vic's bed, laying down on my stomach and pulling the lid off of the box. I smiled as I eyed its contents. That simple box contained the story of Vic and I's relationship. I had saved everything, keeping it stored away, and even after we broke up I couldn't make myself get rid of any of it, so I left the box behind hoping one day I would be able to open it once again.


I pulled out a stack of pictures, smiling as I flipped through them. There were a few of just Mike and I; we looked so young and naive.....not to mention dorky. There were several pictures of the three of us, Mike Vic, and I, our faces aging as the years went by. The majority of the photos were of Vic and I; prom pictures, school pictures, photo booth pictures, and a bunch of random pictures that we had taken of each other over the years.


I heard a soft knock at the door and I looked up to see Vic enter the room, closing the door silently behind him. "What're you doin, babe?" he asked as he walked over to me. I handed him a picture, biting my lip to contain my laughter. He took it from me and rolled his eyes, both of us erupting in laughter. "I need to burn all of these pictures where my hair looks like this," he responded through a smile. I snatched it from him.


"No way. I love it," I said. He laid down on his stomach next to me, resting his chin atop my shoulder as we looked at the pictures together. "I found all of this stuff at my dad's house today and I couldn't resist."


"Speaking of, how did that go?" He questioned as he kissed my shoulder.


"It was great, actually. We talked about a lot, and I think everything's gonna be okay." Vic pulled the box over towards him and began to peer through the remaining things.


"Thanks for cooking dinner, babe. It was delicious," he said and I smiled.


"You're welcome." We silently looked through all of the old stuff. Vic made a confused face as he pulled something out of the box. He looked at me questioningly and I couldn't help but laugh as we both gazed at the foil condom wrapper he was holding. "What? Girls keep that kind of stuff," I replied to his glare defensively as I grabbed it away from him and dropped it back in the box.


"Why, so you can remember what a disaster that first time was," he said with a laugh. I turned over to face him.


"It was not a disaster-" he raised an eyebrow at me and I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Okay, well it might have been a little bit of a disaster, but still. It was still special to me." He smiled at me and leaned in to kiss me before something else caught his eye.


"Hey! I wondered what ever happened this this!" He squealed as he pulled out his old Taking Back Sunday shirt that I had kept. I chuckled and he looked at me. "You stole it?' He questioned and I nodded my head, biting down on my bottom lip as I put the rest of the things back in the box, setting it on the floor next to the bed. When I leaned back up Vic tossed the shirt across the room and tackled me down on the bed and began to tickle me. "That was my favorite shirt and you had it all this time!" He said with a laugh as I squealed trying to catch my breath.


"I'm sorry!" I managed to get out. He stopped tickling me and looked at me.


"Thank you," he said before he leaned down and kissed me quickly. He pulled his lips away from mine and we looked at each other, our eyes roming each other's features. Our eyes locked and I reached up, pulling his head down until our lips collided once again. I tangled my fingers in his soft hair, his hands immediately moving to either side of my face as our lips moved with one another's. I pulled his hair gently, a moan escaping from his mouth, and I slipped my tongue into his mouth.


As things began to escalate I reached down and swiftly pulled his t-shirt over his head, tossing it to the floor. My hands roamed over his chest and he moved his lips down my jaw to my neck, kissing and biting softly at my skin. My breathing began to pick up pace, and I moaned when he moved his lips to that one spot. I reached down and pulled my own shirt over my head, leaving my upper half completely bare. He brought his lips back to mine as his hands found my breasts, another moan making its way out. I wrapped my arms around him and flipped us over so I was straddling his waist. I leaned over and kissed at his neck, moving my lips down his chest as I pulled his shorts off in one swift motion, laughing a little when I noticed he wasn't wearing any underwear, though that didn't surprise me; he never did like underwear very much.


I took his hard member in my hand and pumped up and down, my thumb grazing the tip every now and then as Vic growled loudly beneath me. I worked my hands and mouth on him for a little while longer until he suddenly flipped us over so he was once again on top. He kissed me hard as he yanked my shorts and underwear down at the same time. I bit my lip in anticipation and a little out of nervousness. This had been the first time we had had sex since........the rape, and I couldn't help but be a little apprehensive.


Vic positioned himself between my legs, but paused, his hand moving to my cheek, stroking it gently. "Are you sure, babe? We don't have to if you're not ready. I don't want you to rush into it if you're not comfortable with it." I looked him in the eyes and any apprehension I had seemed to melt away. I nodded my head, signaling for him to continue, and he leaned down and kissed me as he slid into me. I gasped as the pleasure coursed through my body. He started off slow and gentle, our lips never leaving each others. He began to pick up pace, his rhythm becoming fast and steady, our lips now only brushing against each others as our breathing picked up.


I was close, I could feel it. I flipped us over again so I was on top. Vic moved his hands to my hips, helping me as I bounced up and down on top of him, our moans becoming louder and louder the closer we got. I leaned down and kissed him, my tongue meeting his as I swiveled my hips around in circles. I leaned my head in the crook of his neck as my orgasm hit. "Oh god, Vic!" I hollered out, my screams muffled by his skin. He flipped us over and with a few more sloppy thrusts he finally came, his head falling to my chest as he hollered out my name. I stroked his hair as he remained on top of me as we both fought to catch our breaths.


He rolled away, bringing me with him as he wrapped his arms around me and I rested my head on his tanned chest. He pulled the blankets up over us and kissed the top of my head.


"Are you okay?" He asked compassionately.


I nuzzled my head into his chest. "I'm perfect," I responded quietly.


"I love you, baby," he said, a smile appearing on my lips.


"I love you too, Vic." We laid in silence for a while. "It's nice to have all of those pictures to remember the way it was back then, but all that matters is that I have you now," I said.


He pulled me even closer and I looked up and kissed him. "And you'll have me forever. I'm not going anywhere."


I smiled and laid my head down once again. I closed my eyes and quickly fell asleep, that smile permanently plastered on my face.

Notes

I hope you guys are still liking this story!! Only three chapters left before it's over!! I'll post the next chapter in an hour or so, but before I do I want to say something important about it.

The next chapter is one of my favorite's I've ever written. As I've mentioned before this story is all prewritten and was published on Wattpad more than a year ago. I recently read a story on here with a chapter almost exactly the same as the next one in my story. Did it upset me? A little. Maybe it was just a coincidence. But I wanted to say before I post it that I did not copy anyone else's work as this chapter was written a year ago.

Now that that is cleared up, I will post it in a little while. i'm hoping to have the remaining two chapters posted tomorrow or Wednesday. Thanks for all the love <3