Rin: And what could you possibly have done behind a monitor?

Rion: Roux and Ravi were my boots on the ground.

Roux: You could’ve prevented this if you just followed what I said.

Being so close to throwing my phone across the room just to make myself feel better, another chime came in.

Ravi: STOP

Ravi: Please, stop making this worse!

Ravi: I have typed several messages already, but you guys keep ruining it!

Ravi: Rin, do you have any plans for the rest of the night or tomorrow?

I took a deep breath, reminding myself that they weren’t all lunatics. Well, I thought Ravi was too, but at least he was trying to hear my side.

Rin: I can meet Ravi for coffee tomorrow.

Rin: You others can watch on a stupid screen.

I knew that last part was just to be an ass, but it made me feel better.

Ravi: I think that's wise.

Rion: I will be watching.

Roux: Fine.

Ravi: Does 8am in front of the Bean Machine work?

I nodded before I realized that they weren’t in front of me.

Rin: Yes. That works.

Throwing my phone on my bed, I reminded myself that I felt deeply for these guys. This was all just coming from a place of concern and fear. My phone beeped, and I snatched it up.

Ravi: Nite, my love.

Rion: Good night, Rin.

Roux: Go to sleep.

Clenching my teeth, I laughed. I swore he did that shit just to piss me off, and it fucking worked. I calmed down, letting everything go as I thought about all the time I had spent with them. I had to admit, they were amazing. Glancing down at the screen, I sighed.

Rin: Good night, guys. I missed you.

Ravi: That was evil, Rin. Now, I’m going to sit here debating going to your dorm and kidnapping you.

Rion: Second

Roux’s text bubble was up for a good thirty seconds before his message came in, and it made me smile so wide it hurt.

Roux: Third

I told them they couldn’t because of Cin, but I would see them tomorrow. They seemed mildly okay with that.

When Cin came out, asking me why I was smiling, I told her I had to convince Ambros not to show up because he was worried. She laughed, saying he was ridiculous because I was with her, which meant I was safe. It wasn’t until a minute later, when she thought I had looked away, that her fists clenched and her face scrunched up in a silent snarl. Even from the corner of my eyes, I could see the venomous anger in hers. This had to be more than a simple family rivalry, but what was it?