❝ S T A Y  T H E  N I G H T ❞

Addilyn sits down on the loveseat, picking Mr. Quackington up as Corbyn takes the seat next to her.

"What's wrong?" Carmen asks from her seat in between Zach and Daniel.

Mr. Quackington honks, asking the same thing from his spot snuggled between Addilyn and Corbyn.

"Why did you name him Mr. Quackington, Addi?" Callie asks, trying to avoid the subject. "Can I call you Addi? I'm going to call you Addi-"

"Callie," the unknown girl - whom Addilyn assumes is a friend of Callie's - huffs. "I know you're nervous but they need to know."

"I agree," Carmen nods, worried. "I would like to know."

Callie sighs loudly as Jack and her friend each take one of her hands in theirs.

"It started a few weeks ago," Callie begins. "Back when Carmen was kidnapped. You all know about my rough past with my father-"

I don't," Addilyn states, raising her hand halfway.

Callie opens her mouth to explain but Corbyn sends her a look before leaning in and whispering the details to Addilyn.

"Callie's father, before he was finally arrested, constantly beat her and her brother," Corbyn explains  quietly, keeping it short and simple.

"That's awful," Addilyn gasps, bringing her hand to her mouth.

Mr. Quackington quacks softly, rubbing his fuzzy head against her leg in an attempt to comfort her.

"Anyways, as I was saying, I had just gotten a call about Carmen so I got in my car to leave. My phone started ringing and I didn't recognize the caller ID so I ignored. After a few more calls, I answered it, getting curious as to who would be calling me." Callie takes a shuddering breath before continuing.

"It was my dad. He told me he had gotten out of prison and was going to fight for custody over me. I'm still sixteen," she fought back tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. "I didn't think much of it, even though I was a little freaked out. I thought it was nothing until just yesterday."

"What happened yesterday?" Zach asks.

"I was moving in with you all when I went back outside to get another box. Alex dropped a picture accidentally so I bent down and picked it up. When I stood back up, I noticed a familiar car cruising down the street. It was my father's car," she tells them quietly, finally looking up. "He knows where I live. He knows where I am. He's out of jail. He knows where you all are." Her lower lip quivers as the tears start to fall faster.

"I didn't want to tell you guys because Carmen was more important at the moment. I thought it was just a silly thing, nothing was wrong, but it is! My dad is back and he might get me back into custody. I can't go back! I don't know if I can go through those punches again, through that pain! It's hard enough to cover up what I feel on the inside, but bruises are way harder." She puts her face in her hands as the tears continue to fall.

"I don't want to go back."

****

"Corbs," Addilyn sighs, not meeting his pleading eyes as she focuses on petting the sleeping duckling in her lap. "I don't want to intrude while all this is going on. I really should head back home."

"You're not intruding. Everyone wants you to stay," the blond reassures her, his lower lip jutting out as he continues to pout. "Besides, it's dangerous to drive at night. So, please stay the night?"

"I don't have any clothes here," Addilyn says, smiling as she finally gave in.

"You can borrow Aurora's," Corbyn interjects quickly, a hopeful smile crossing his face. "She practically lives in Jonah's shirts anyways."

"I guess I'll stay-"

"SHE SAID YES!" Daniel yells, prancing into the living room.

Mr. Quackington's head snaps up at the loud noise and he honks indignantly, snapping his beak in annoyance towards the boy. Daniel pauses, noticing the puzzled expressions on the couple's faces.

"What?" He asks. "Someone has to fill in for Aurora while she's gone."

Corbyn rolls his eyes, standing up and gently pulling Addilyn to her feet as well. "Watch Mr. Quackington while we try to find pyjamas for Addi."

Daniel snaps into a mock salute before dropping onto the floor next to the duckling, who refuses to look at him. Addilyn can't help but giggle, trailing after Corbyn as he leads the way upstairs.

"Now, Besson," she states, stopping him from opening the door she assumes leads to Jonah's and Aurora's bedroom. "Do you honestly expect me to go snooping through someone's personal belongings?"

"Would you prefer I do it?" Corbyn questions, sauntering into the room.

"No," Addilyn smiles, pushing past him. "I can hide the evidence of us being in here."

"I admire your faith in me," Corbyn chuckles, dropping onto the duvet. "Aurora keeps her pyjamas in either the left or right bottom dresser drawer."

"How do you know this?" Addilyn asks, sitting on the floor and scooting closer to the chestnut colored dresser. "You know what, don't answer that. I don't want to know."

Addilyn opens a drawer, cyphering through the piles of clothing. Pulling out a large pair of gray sweatpants, she quickly realizes that this drawer is not Aurora's. Refolding the pants, Addilyn moves to put them back but pauses as something falls out of the pocket.

She glances down, the clothes forgotten as she reaches for the tiny box. Opening it slowly, the girl gasps.

"Have you found pyja-" Corbyn cuts himself off as he rolls off of the bed and onto the floor beside his girlfriend. "What's that?"

"It's an engagement ring, Corbs," Addilyn smiles softly. "Jonah is planning on proposing."