the first post is long... i just thought to post haha

"Jamie, can you open that door?" My mom, Jen asked me.

"Can Blade or Del do it? I’m getting my own crap." I said, lifting a box of my stuff.

"Del, can you open the door?"

"Sure." My older sister Delilah said as she caught the keys to our new home.

We moved from my home, warm sunny Florida, to Connecticut. Who’s bright idea was it to do that? My mom’s. All because, my father’s death. He died last year in a car accident. He was driving home from work and a drunk hit him. My mom hasn’t been quite herself since then. She got mean. She used to be all, carefree, but now, she’s not. Like, this one time, I asked her if I could use her laptop for my homework, and she completely flipped out on me. She told me I was a no good lazy excuse of a daughter. I broke out in tears. Del had to relax me, and that took the whole weekend.

I walked into the house, and it gave me a weird vibe. I don’t know why, but it did. I walked into the room I called last month, when we were house shopping. Yes, my mother dragged us from Florida to Connecticut God knows how many miles away that is, just to go friggen house shopping.

I hated the idea of moving from the start. I miss my friends already. Especially Erik Steward. He has been my best friend since preschool. I’m sixteen now, and not so loving it. We had to be separated because we just had to move.

I put my boxes down and sat on the bed. I have to put the sheets on. That, I’ll do later. I laid back and stared at the white ceiling. I started thinking of what I could do to this room. Maybe painting it a light green. It’s funny how my last name is Greene and my favorite color is green.

I got up and started to unpack the boxes. My dresser was already here so I put my clothes away and folded the box and threw it in the corner. I found my bed stuff, put it on, and relax again. I heard a huge crash in the basement. I got up, went to find my mom.

"Mom?" I called.

"Kitchen." she said exhausted.

"Did you hear that? That crash?"

"What crash?"

"I heard something in the basement."

"You’re just trying to make me believe something’s in this house so we can go back to Florida." She spat.

"That’s not it at all! Why do you always jump to conclusions?" I spat right back at her.

"Because I know you Jamie! You hate it here already!"

"I do hate it already! This is supposed to be home? This isn’t home at all! This is hell!"

"Jamie Greene, don’t talk to me like that!" She raised her left arm and hit me, hard. She hit my arm, with so much force, I fell to the ground. My eyes burned with tears. I got up, and went to Del’s new room.

"Del?" I pled as I opened the door. She was talking on her cell phone. "Del, I need to talk to you." I said, sobbing now.

"Ash, I have to go. I’ll call you later." Then she hung up. "Kid, what’s wrong?"

"Mom, she- she-"

"She what?"

"She hit me!" I broke out into more and more sobs. "Del, she hit me." I whispered now.

"Why?" She said, as she came over and hugged me.

"She got mad and hit me. Delilah why am I the only one she hates."

"James, she doesn’t hate you."

"Then why am I the only one she hits?" I asked a little louder.

"When did she hit you before?"

"It was a while ago. Remember when I went over Erik’s house that one time and I came back with a bruise on my arm?"

"Yeah."

"That was her." I whispered.

"Okay, I was thinking that I could move out and leave you three, but I guess I can’t. Not like this."

"No, Del, that’s brilliant!"

"What?"

"I can move in with you!"

"And what about Blade?"

"Mom is nicer to him than us."

"True. I was thinking of finding an apartment nearby."

"That would work."

"So, don’t throw away the boxes. Put them in your closet."

"Okay."

"I’ll talk to mom about it later. You relax a bit." I nodded and went back to my room. I sat on the window seat and looked around. Definitely not home, we didn’t live in a neighborhood. It was just a simple street with houses scattered around it. Our house was big, a two story spacious thing. Now, it’s a one story small house. But if Del and I move, it would be smaller, but I’d be away from my mom. Anything would be fine. A single knock on the door snapped me back into reality.

"Yeah?" I called.

"Can I come in?" It was my little brother Blade.

"I guess." I breathed. Blade came in and sat next to me.

"I heard you and Del might move out. Again."

"I can’t deal with Mom."

"Well, James, whatever you want to do, I’m backing you up. You and Del are really close. And I’m stuck here."

"Sorry Blade. But Del and I think its best of we move out. You’ll see me around." I said with a laugh.

"I know." He said the same.

"Do you need help unpacking?" I asked.

"Yeah. That would be good." Blade said and we got up. I helped him unpack and that took a while. Few hours. Only because I randomly started singing "Shake It" by my favorite band of all time. Metro Station. When I did, I ran to my room, found my iPod, and put it in Blade’s dock after he set it up. We blasted Metro Station for hours. We were dancing and singing and having a really good time. When we were done, we lay on his bed. Now I put my iPod on shuffle and was listening to it.

"Well Blade, it was fun. I’m tired and I’m going to take a nap." I said as I got up.

"Alright, thanks Jamie."

"No problem. I’m taking my iPod."

"Okay, I’ll put mine in." I took mine, and went back to my room. I put my iPod on my dresser and dropped back on the bed. I fell asleep.

I woke up and it was still light. I slept for about an hour. I went out to the kitchen and tried to find something to eat. Mom said something about bringing food here, I thought. I went through the cabinets, and found nothing. In the refrigerator was fresh Florida oranges. I smiled to myself thinking about home. I got one and peeled it. The taste was so familiar it felt like home.

It might sound crazy but I could just imagine my old life, my dad in his office, my mom reading, Del at work, and Blade and I at school. And at school Erik would have his arm around me as we walked down the hall. We were never a couple though. We were always best friends. But he did ask me to that dance we had. It was called "A Night Under The Stars". Cheesy I know. I of course said yes to him, and then we kissed. It was weird, kissing my best friend but in a weird way, I liked it. I didn’t tell him that though. I just smiled and continued to slow dance with him.

After that dance he was supposed to take me home, but he took me back to his house, his parents were on a business trip, and took me to his room. We started kissing really hard, and p*censored*ionately. After a while, he tried to take off my dress. I made him get off me and I walked home. After that, it went back to normal. It was like, it never happened.

"Jamie, can you come here?" My mother called from the living room. My breath caught in my chest.

"Y-yeah." I stuttered. I walked in the living room with the orange still in my hand.

"I talked to Del. She said that you two were going to move out?"

"That’s what we planned on."

"I’m going to let you go and live with Del. You’re close to her and it would be okay I guess."

"Really?" I squeaked.

"Yeah. You and Del have to go apartment shopping then soon. But you’re going to start school tomorrow."

"Oh, I knew that."

"Listen, bad grades means you’re coming back to live here."

"Okay, sounds reasonable." She nodded and I went to find Del. She was in her room, staring at the ceiling.

"DEL!" I screamed. "Thank you so much!" I went and sat next to her on her bed.

"No problem kid." she said with a smile. I hugged her.

"When are we going apartment shopping?" I asked.

"Maybe a few weeks."

"As soon as possible?" I asked.

"Yes kid, as soon as possible." she laughed.

"Not to change the subject, but can you help me pick out me pick out my first day of school outfit? And who’s bright idea was it to move right in the middle of the year? There’s three months left of school."

"Mom wanted to get out of Florida, and fast."

"True. Now can you? I want to look cute for any cute guys." I said with a laugh.

"Trying to take after your sister eh? I was always the guy magnet." I laughed.

"Oh yes Del. I want to take after you." I said sarcastically. We laughed and went to my room. Del sat on my bed and I went through my dresser, to find something to wear tomorrow. I found my favorite black ripped skintight jeans. Only Del and I love them. Mom said I looked like a hooker. I can’t wait until Del and I move out. Life will be so much better I know it.

"So what shirt should I wear? My white long sleeve with my blue tank top, or my white tank top with my purple hoodie?"

"Purple hoodie. You look really good in it. And I can do your make up too if you want."

"That would help. I really want to meet a guy. You’re lucky, Del. You’re pretty. I’m not."

"Kid, you’re pretty. I think we should get your highlights redone." I looked in the mirror. My very curly dark, highlights grown out, hair, and my mint green eyes. "You know what I want like you?"

"What?"

"Your eyes. I have Mom’s grey ones. So does Blade. You’re the only one with Dad’s." Del looked like she was about to cry. I sat next to her and took her hand.

"Let it out Del." I whispered.

"No, I’m fine." she wiped her eyes and told me to try on my outfit for tomorrow. I put it on and Del smiled.

"You look great."

"I’ll be right back." I smiled too. I went to get Blade’s opinion. I knocked at his door and he opened it.

"Do you like this?" I asked him.

"Shirt, yes. Skintight pants, they’re okay." he said.

"But do I look good?"

"Yeah. Gorgeous, Jamie." he smiled.

"Thanks." Then I walked away. I went back to my room, took off my clothes for tomorrow, and put on an old tank top and pajama pants. It was getting late so I decided to crash.

I woke up at five thirty and took a shower. I take long showers so it only makes sense. I blow-dried my hair and went to Del’s room. Del gets up at five every morning.

"Hey kid, you nervous?" She asked.

"Oh yeah. I’m shaking. I’ve never been this nervous."

"I remember at Dad’s funeral, we both were a mess."

"But that’s different." I took a breath. "After I change, want to do my make-up?"

"Do you want to eat first? I’ll make you your favorite." Del smiled.

"You’ll really make me blueberry pancakes?"

"I’ll have to run to the store. But I have to anyway because I need cigarettes. No one knows that I smoke so don’t open your big mouth kid."

"I wont Del. Where do you smoke?" I asked, trying to think of something.

"I walk around the block. I started when Mom told us we’re moving. I hate it but it’s an addiction. What can you do?"

"True."

"Now I’ll be right back. You get dressed." I nodded and went to my room. I got dressed and did my hair. It went from a curly mess, to curly cuteness. I stared at myself in the mirror.

If I were in Florida, I would be calling Erik making him drive me to school. Erik has his license because he was held back in I don’t even know what grade. He’s seventeen. I miss him more and more every hour. Sometimes, I wish I thought of him in a romantic way. He was always there for me and I for him. People thought we were the perfect couple. I thought that over for so long, wondering if we were a couple, would it screw up our friendship? Or would it be the best thing to happen to us?

I kept staring at myself in the mirror. Sometimes this kills me. I never wanted to move. I want to go back to Florida. I haven’t even been here a day and I hate it already. Maybe it’ll be better once I have friends. I hope I make friends.

"James, come out here." I heard Del say. I walked out my room and into the kitchen. "Ooh, your lair looks cute." I smiled.

"Thanks Del. Is it weird how I miss Erik? I regret us not being a couple. God, I wish I wasn’t so stupid and opened my eyes."

"Are you saying that now that you’re thinking back, you realize that you like Erik?" I nodded, almost in tears.

"I want to go home." I whispered.

"We all do kid." Del whispered back. "We’re here to open a new chapter in our lives. Start over."

"My three goals. First, make friends. Second, get a boyfriend. Third, good grades."

"Listen, the friends and boyfriend won’t be so hard. You’re pretty. And with those tight jeans? You’ll attract like flowers attract bees." Del laughed. She finished making my pancakes and gave me two. I ate and Del did my make-up. I brushed my teeth, checked my hair, and it was time for me to get to school.

"Good luck kid." Del said as I headed out the door. I walked down the drive and on my way to school.

I walked through the double doors and into the office. There was a lady behind the desk.

"Can I help you miss?" she asked.

"Yes, I’m Jamie Greene, I just moved here."

"Oh, Miss Greene, we’ve been excited to see you. Here I’ll give you your schedule." She looked through a bunch of file cabinets. I stood there, playing with my curls. "Here you are. Your locker number is A195. And your first cl*censored* is, room two oh three. We have a student in the welcoming committee going to show you around. I believe she’s in all your cl*censored*es too."

"What’s her name?" I asked.

"Kellie Martin."

"Okay. So am I going to go to my locker now, or after my first cl*censored*?"

"After. They just started so I’ll write you a p*censored*. You’ll be maybe, ten minutes late. Mr. Watson won’t really mind. He’s a really good teacher. Now if you have any questions ask me or Miss Martin."

"Thank you." I smiled, took the p*censored*, and walked out. I looked at the schedule and saw nothing interesting. But one thing did catch my eye. Photography. I smiled and continued walking down the hall. I went to my first period cl*censored*, English. I knocked at the door. A tall man was in the front of the room. He opened the door.

"Can I help you?" he said.

"Um, I’m Jamie Greene. I’m new and I’m supposed to be here." I said awkwardly, noticing the whole cl*censored* staring at me.

"Oh, yes. We’ve been excited to have you. Please come in Jamie." We walked through the door. "Cl*censored* this is Jamie Greene. She’s the new student. Jamie can you tell us about yourself?"

"I’d rather not." I said looking around.

"Come one, cutie." A cute guy from the front row said. "Tell us, where’d you come from?" He leaned forward, trying to get a good look at me. He was cute, had very short dark hair and beautiful warm brown eyes.

"I came from Florida. My sister, brother, and I didn’t want to move, but our mom made us."

"Why’d you move?" the same kid asked.

"My, my father died in a crash and my mom wanted to get out of Florida as soon as possible. That took us a year and a half."

"Cutie, if you need a shoulder to cry on, I’m here."

"It might help if I knew your name."

"Mitchell Garcia." He smirked. He scribbled something down, ripped a piece of paper, and got up to give it to me. I blushed.

"Jamie, sit by Kellie." A girl with strawberry blonde, pin straight hair raised her hand with a smile. I gave my p*censored* to Mr. Watson and sat next to Kellie. I set my purse down and listened to Mr. Watson blab about nothing at all. After cl*censored*, Mitchell obnoxiously kissed my cheek and walked away. Kellie was telling me about the school.

"Ignore him. He’s annoying." Kellie said, rolling her eyes.

"He’s cute." I smirked.

"Are you seriously interested in a fool like that?"

"Kinda." I blushed. We laughed.

"What’s your locker number?"

"Um, A195."

"Mine’s A194!"

"This is going to be fun." I laughed.

"Let me see your schedule." I handed it to her and she smiled. "We have all the same cl*censored*es."

"Thank God. At least I’ll know someone."

"Mitch’s in all our cl*censored*es too."

"Really?" I squeaked. I didn’t mean to.

"Yeah. Next, in Photography, he’ll probably be taking pictures of your *censored* the whole time."

"What? Do I have a nice *censored*?" we laughed.

"In a non-creepy way, yeah." we laughed again. I head a whistle behind us. I looked behind me. It wasn’t Mitchell.

"Kellie, who is that?" I asked looking back at her. Kellie turned around.

"My boyfriend." She smiled. "Hey Joe." She said as she hugged and kissed this "Joe" person. "Joe this is Jamie. She’s new."

"I’m Joe Williams." He said as he nodded. I smiled and Kellie kissed Joe again and he walked away.

"Let’s get to Photography." She smiled. Kellie and I went to our next cl*censored*.

"Mrs. Porter, this is Jamie Greene." Kellie said to this young woman. She looked at least twenty-five.

"Miss Greene, nice to have you." Mrs. Porter said. I heard Mitchell whispering to someone.

"That’s the girl. She’s beautiful I know." I blushed when I heard that.

"Now cl*censored*, continue working on your projects. Jamie, have someone explain what we’re doing."

"Jamie, come here, I’ll explain." Mitchell said.

"Should I?" I asked Kellie.

"Go for it. I’m over here." She said and walked across the room. I walked to Mitchell.

"So what are we doing?" I asked as I sat on a table.

"We’re making self portraits. I’ll show you mine. We’re just taking a picture of ourselves and adding stuff to it like effects and text." Mitchell opened his laptop and opened the photo. It was black and white, and had his name across the top in dark blue. He had aviator sungl*censored*es on.

"I want your gl*censored*es." I said with a laugh.

"Want to use them for the picture?"

"I need a camera."

"I’ll get you one." Mitchell got up and went into the back room. "It’s yours now."

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Yep. Now here are my gl*censored*es." He said as he went through his backpack and got out the dark gl*censored*es. I smiled and took them and put them on.

"There a mirror in here?" I asked, having an idea. "Like, a full body mirror?"

"Yeah, in the back room. Come here, I’ll show you." I got off the table and followed Mitchell to the back room.

"Now, stand to the side so you’re not in this." I said with a laugh. I took a picture with the flash still on. I looked at it and I was satisfied with it. I showed it to Mitchell, he smiled too.

"You look really good." he smiled. I blushed.

"Thanks. I smiled back.

"Here, let me print out mine and hand it in. Then I’ll help out with yours."

"Thanks Mitchell."

"Jamie, call me Mitch, please."

"You don’t look like a Mitch to me. You look like a Mitchell to me." I smiled and he smiled back. Mitchell did what he was going to do, and he helped me with mine. I was a sketch with my name going down the left side. I looked amazing as a sketch. Mitchell added a lightning bolt on my other side. It looked great. Mitchell printed it out and handed it in for me. Then we had the rest of the period to ourselves. Which was about forty-five minutes.

We talked about my life in Florida. I was almost in tears when he brought up my dad. When he saw me, he changed the subject right away. We changed it to music. He asked me what my favorite band was. I said Metro Station right away.

"You’re a Metro Station girl? My sister is obsessed with that dude with all the tats and the piercings all over his body."

"Trace? Eh, he’s okay. I’m a Mason fan." I laughed. "My sister is obsessed with Trace too."

"Why because of that tats?"

"God knows. You know, when I’m older, I want a tat."

"Of what?"

"My Dad’s name in a banner either on my shoulder or my arm."

"Go with your shoulder."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I like tattoos there. I don’t know why. I have one. My brother is a tat artist so I got it for free."

"What is it?"

"You’ll laugh." Mitchell said with a laugh.

"What is it?" I said the same.

"A dragon."

"Why?" I laughed.

"Why not? Dragons are cool!"

"I have to agree." I laughed again. I could definitely feel something between Mitchell and I. "I want to see it."

"Its along the left side of my back." Mitchell said before turning around. He lifted his shirt and revealed a dragon on his left side. It was really good.

"Your brother is amazing." I laughed.

"I can get him to do one for you." he offered and turned around.

"My mom would kill me. But I’m moving again, so that’s going to be good." Mitchell saddened a bit then I said, "I’m still going to this school, I’m going to live with my sister after we find an apartment."

"That’s good. If you weren’t here, I swear, this school wouldn’t have any cute girls like you." I blushed.

"Thanks."

"I know this is a little sudden, but you want to hang out tonight? Go to the movies? Or the boardwalk? Maybe tonight? Since it’s a Friday and all."

"I’d really like that, Mitchell." I smiled. "I’d rather go to the beach. The beach is my home away from home."

"Sounds good. Want me to get my brother to drive us?"

"No, I can get my sister to give me a ride."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I’m good. We both want an excuse for getting away from my mother."

"What’s wrong with your mother?"

"I barely know you, Mitchell. I don’t want to give all my information out."

"I’ll keep my mouth shut." He smiled.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"My mom, she, she hits me sometimes. Since my dad p*censored*ed, she hasn’t been the same. I have a bruise on my arm because of her. God, I hate her sometimes." I whispered.

"Jamie, it’s alright. You’ll be with your sister soon." He sat next to me on the table. He took my hand. I instantly felt better when he did.

"You have no idea how terrible I feel at home." I whispered. The period ended and Mitchell and I went to our next cl*censored*. He was still holding my hand.

"You don’t mind that I’m holding your hand right?" Mitchell asked.

"No, I like it." I slightly smiled. We walked down the hall and some idiot senior bumped into me, almost knocking me off balance. Mitchell caught me. The senior stopped. I looked at him, he had very short black hair and gorgeous blue eyes. And I could tell he had an amazing body.

"Watch where you’re going freshmen!" he spat at me.

"I’m a sophomore idiot." I spat right back.

"Whatever. Just watch out." he spat again and walked away.

"Who the hell was that?" I asked Mitchell.

"Kale Knapp. He’s on the football team, baseball team, track team, soccer team’s *censored*istant coach, and the bowling team’s *censored*istant coach. He’s a jerk but an amazing athlete."

"He’s kinda hot too." I smirked.

"He has a girlfriend. Stacey Craft. I really don’t like her. She’s in our Math cl*censored* next. She’s a know it all. Oh, and just want until you see Kale and her playing tonsil hockey in the halls."

"Oh that’s attractive."

"Do you know how many girls are after him?"

"Should I ask?"

"Most of the girls in school."

"That’s kinda sad. What’s so good about him?"

"His body and looks. He gets amazing grades too. Oh, he’s on the swim team too."

"Damn, does that kid do enough?"

"There’s some rumors too."

"Which are…?"

"One’s like, he takes steroids. Another is that he’s just an *censored*hole that kills animals. And there’s one that I don’t know if its true or not."

"What is it?"

"It bothers me. I really want to know if it’s true. Some say he gets abused. He has scars and bruises all over him."

"Oh, God, that’s horrible. Who would make something up like that?"

"An idiot, that’s who."

"I want to know too."

"I’m on the baseball team and I keep trying to figure it out. He just talks to his friends and doesn’t pay attention to the lower cl*censored*men."

"Jerk."

"Oh yeah." Mitchell and I walked into Math. A girl was talking to the teacher. She was tall and blonde. She had a skirt that was way to short if you ask me. And she had on a yellow shirt. I loved the shirt. She turned around and gave me a look. *censored* much. The teacher left.

"Stupid freshmen!" she yelled at me. "I saw you flirting with my boyfriend!" I’m going to guess that’s Stacey Craft.

"Um, excuse me, but I don’t know who you’re talking about." I spat. "And I’m a sophomore!"

"I don’t care! Listen here, *censored*, you don’t look at him, you don’t talk to him, and you most certainly not think about him!" I was about to punch her in the face. She wasn’t even that pretty. I raised my arm, but Mitchell stopped me before I could.

"Jamie, its not worth it." he said to me.

"Come on, sophomore hit me." Stacey taunted.

"Mitchell, you’re right. Its not worth it." I walked away. "I’m guessing that blonde bimbo was Stacey Craft?" I whispered to Mitchell.

"Oh yes." He whispered back.

"I hate her already."

"I wonder how Knapp handles it."

"He’s probably just like the blonde bimbo." I looked around the room. The tables could fit two people. Kellie walked in and saw Mitchell and I holding hands and how furious I was.

"Jamie, what’s wrong?" Kellie asked me.

"The *censored*y Blonde Bimbo is what’s wrong." I spat.

"Mitch, care to explain?" she asked him. Mitchell explained.

"Jamie, don’t even pay attention to her. Personally I’d just piss her off and look at Kale when I could. And have you seen him? He’s so hot!"

"Yes I’ve seen him, and," Blonde Bimbo was walking past me, "Kale Knapp is very attractive." I said looking directly at her. She slapped me across the face. I stood up and pulled her hair. It was all extensions.

"Seriously?" I said. Blonde Bimbo punched me in the face now. And it hurt like hell. But I didn’t show it. Then we got into a full on fight. Somehow Kale walked past the room and saw Bimbo and I fighting. He walked in and broke it up. Then looked at me.

"What the hell did you start?!" He yelled at me.

"Okay first of all, she started it." I spat. I felt something trickle down the corner of my lip. I licked it and it stung. It was cut from her friggen ring.

"I didn’t start it!" Bimbo said.

"Shut up you stupid Blonde Bimbo! You started it and you know it! All because I said something!"

"What did you say?" Kale asked me. I realized that his voice was deep. It fit his body well.

"Nothing you should be concerned about."

"What the hell did you say to her?" he yelled at me.

"She told me you were attractive. You know how much I hate that, babe." Bimbo told him in a sweet voice, to candy coat things.

"I know. Now stop being jealous." He was acting sweet to her back. I would love to punch them both right now. But Kale looks so muscular and big it would be hard. I’d break my own hand.

Our teacher came back in and saw what was happening.

"What’s going on here? And Knapp, what are you doing here?"

"I was breaking up a fight."

"With Miss Greene and Miss Craft? Why were you fighting in the first place?" he asked us.

"Because she was just getting so annoying. My instincts told me to punch her back after she slapped me first." I said bitterly.

"I’m calling the principal." *censored*. Just what I need.

"Yes, this is Davis. There’s been a fight in my cl*censored*room. Its been broken up." he paused. "Kale Knapp." I heard Kale swear under his breath.

"Thank you for getting me into this freshmen." Kale whispered to me.

"Bite me." I spat back. "It’s sophomore."

"Wouldn’t want to. And I don’t care what you are." I rolled my eyes.

"The principal will be here soon. Stay where you are."

"Jamie." I heard Mitchell whisper behind me. I turned around.

"What?" I spat. I really wasn’t in the mood to talk.

"Oh God, you have a black eye." He whispered.

"Notice how much I care? Yeah not much." I turned around and folded my arms across my chest.

The principal came in a minute later.

"Principal Johnson, please come in." Johnson told the three of us to go to his office. We walked there in silence. When we got there, Johnson came in behind us. He yelled at the three of us.

"Mr. Johnson, I just broke it up, I had nothing to do with it!" Kale raised his voice a bit.

"Bull! You were yelling at me!" I raised my voice back.

"Shut up freshmen!"

"Sophomore!"

"Enough! The three of you have detention today! Call your parents!" Johnson walked out angrily. I called Del.

"Del I have detention today." I said aggravated.

"What happened?"

"I got into a fight with a stupid Blonde Bimbo." I mumbled. "I’ll explain later. Just please don’t tell mom. If she finds out, she won’t let me live with you! Make something up, please." I begged.

"Say that you need to catch up on crap?"

"Yes that’s perfect! Oh and I have to tell you something later too. Okay?"

"Alright kid. I’ll talk to you later."

"Bye Del." I hug up and looked up. Kale was the only one there.

"Can I help you?" I spat.

"Who did you call?" he was actually being nice to me.

"Why?" I still spat.

"Who did you call?"

"My sister why?"

"Why don’t you want your mom to know?"

"What is this? Twenty Questions?"

"Jamie, just tell me why." did he just call me Jamie?

"I don’t like to say it."

"I’m sure it’s not as bad as my life. My father abuses me. You should see my leg. He pushed me into gl*censored* last year. It’s all scared up." my mouth dropped open.

"My father died last year." I whispered. "My mom sometimes hits me. But I can see that’s nothing compared to your life."

"I’m sorry Stacey started that. I know she did. She had that look in her eye."

"Well I have the rest of the year with her. Woo."

"I’m sure she won’t even notice you."

"I hope."

"And if she starts that again, call me. Give me your phone." I handed Kale my AT&T LG Shine II. He put his number in. He gave me his Verizon Envy Touch. I put mine in his. "Now get to cl*censored*. I’ll see you in detention." His face was serious. I nodded and walked out and went back to Math.

After Math, I had lunch. Mitchell and Kellie were asking so many questions at once.

"I have detention today with Kale and the Blonde Bimbo. When Bimbo left, Kale was being nice to me. What the hell does that even mean?"

"Maybe he likes you." Kellie smirked. Mitchell rolled his eyes and looked away.

"Impossible." I said simply. "He has the Blonde Bimbo remember?"

"So?"

"Whatever! Next subject please!" Mitchell said.

"Mitchell, I think we should go to the boardwalk tonight. Well after detention that is." I said.

"Boardwalk sounds good." he smiled at me.

"You two are going out?"

"We’re not boyfriend girlfriend status." I said.

"It’s just a date." Mitchell smiled at me.

"Mitchell, come here, I have to tell you something." He leaned in and let me whisper in his ear. "It was true. Kale does get abused." He looked in my eyes.

"Are you serious?" I nodded.

"Dead serious. Walk with me." We got up, and Kellie went to her Drama friends. I recently learned she was in Drama.

Mitchell and I were walking through the halls.

"Okay so tell me what happened when you were in there. All you can."

"When Bimbo left, Kale asked me why I called my sister and why I really don’t like my mom. I told him and then he told me that his father abuses him. I felt bad."

"Jamie, you’re really concerned about him?" Mitchell was serious. He wasn’t being a jerk.

"Yeah. He gets full on abused. I get hit. There’s a huge difference."

"Well, Jamie, I don’t know what to do."

"I want to tell someone. But then he’ll know I opened my mouth."

"Just relax for now. If there’s more, just tell me. I won’t open my mouth."

"I know that." I slightly smiled at Mitchell. I heard someone walked behind us. I looked over my shoulder. I saw Kale. I felt awkward instantly. Mitchell saw how I felt. Mitchell and I walked back to the cafeteria. I never looked at Mitchell once when we got back.

"Jamie, are you okay?"

"No, not really." I still didn’t look up. We didn’t say a word to each other. Kellie met up with us and showed me to our next cl*censored*. Science. After that, Social Studies. Then gym. Then we go home. But I can’t go home. I have detention. This is going to be awkward.

I went to the cl*censored*room for detention and saw that Blonde Bimbo wasn’t there. The room was empty except for Kale. He was in the desk directly in the middle. I sat semi close to him. I turned so I was facing him.

"Where’s the Bim- um, Stacey?" I asked quietly.

"She got out of detention. She faked a whole bunch of *censored*. She has to ‘keep a good reputation’. God, she makes me sick sometimes." Kale said a bit bitterly.

"Then break up with her."

"I can’t."

"Why?"

"It’s complicated."

"I can keep up."

"Stacey and I have been really good friends since, well forever. She knows everything about me and I about her. Recently she told me she liked me. And secretly, I really liked her. But ever since we’ve gone out, she’s changed. She never wore the stuff she does now. Never wore that much make-up. She changed dramatically."

"So why can’t you break up with her?"

"Because, she threatened to tell the whole school I’m abused. But I can wait a few more months until I’m eighteen. Then I’m moving the hell out of my house and going incredibly far away from Connecticut. Like California. But I don’t want to leave my little sister with my mom and *censored*hole of a father. My father hits everyone. She tried to get divorced. His reaction? He put the three of us in the hospital."

"Oh my God. Do you have other family members in the area that you can go to?"

"I do, but I wouldn’t be able to move in with them. Then my father would kill me. Legit kill me." I couldn’t process what I just heard.

"Hold on, let me process this."

"Take your time." for the first time, I saw Kale have a tiny crooked smile on his lips. It was cute.

"I can’t process this." I said with a somewhat laugh.

"It’s a lot, I know. You’re the lucky one."

"How?"

"You don’t get abused. You hit get occasionally. I get abused everyday. Its hell. You hear how many sports I do?"

"Yeah. Its a lot."

"Yeah. Its a lot."

"I do it to keep away from home."

"Well, it keeps you busy right?"

"Not for long. Friday’s my day off. After here, I’m going to hell."

"Not unless we hang out for a bit." I can’t believe I just said that out loud. I looked down. I looked up at Kale. He had on a smile.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I’ll drive you home. Call your sister."

"I kinda want to cancel my date tonight."

"With who?"

"Mitchell Garcia."

"He only wants to sleep with you."

"How do you know?"

"He stares at your *censored* the whole time."

"You can tell from that?"

"Jamie, I’m a guy. He’s a guy. Its not that hard to figure out."

"So, Mr. Guy Expert, what should I do to see for myself?"

"Reschedule the date, first of all. We have a little date of our own."

"Wait, so you’re saying it’s a date?"

"I just asked out a sophomore." Kale said more to himself than me. I slightly smiled. "Call your sister." I called Del and told her what was going on. Afterwards, detention was over and Kale and I walked out to his Ford Mustang. It was jet black with a silver pinstripe on the hood, top, and back.

"Nice car." I smiled.

"I know right?" he smiled back. We got in and Kale told me to put my stuff in the back.

"Where do you want to go?" Kale asked me.

"Show me around. I just moved here."

"There’s not much here."

"There a mall around here?"

"Not a good one. I work there."

"What store?"

"Hot Topic."

"So, if I wanted a band shirt, you could hook me up?" I asked with a laugh.

"If I wanted to." I saw a smile pull at his lips. "I need money to pay this off. My parents won’t give me any."

"Why?"

"My father."

"Oh." I said quietly. I just realized that I didn’t call Mitchell yet. "Kale, would you mind if I called Mitchell?"

"No, go ahead." I reached into my purse to get my phone and Mitchell’s number. I dialed it. After three rings he answered.

"Hello?"

"Mitchell, its Jamie. I have to cancel our date tonight."

"Why?" I didn’t want to say that I’m hanging out with Kale.

"My mom found out that I had detention and forbid me to go out tonight."

"That sucks. What about tomorrow?"

"Maybe. I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later." Then I hung up.

"Why did you tell him that your mom found out?"

"Because I didn’t want to tell him I was with you."

"Why?"

"Because I didn’t want him knowing."

"Oh?"

"You still don’t understand do you?"

"Not really. Why don’t you want him knowing?"

"He doesn’t really think much of you."

"Well that’s fine. I really don’t care." I slightly laughed. From Kale’s and my first meeting, I thought he would be a jerk. But he’s actually kinda sweet. I laughed to myself again.

"What?" Kale said with a laugh himself.

"Nothing." I laughed again.

"Alright. We’re almost at the mall. This is the last light." We pulled up to a light and Kale looked at me. I looked at him. He glanced over at the light, it turned green and he tore his eyes from me and continued to drive. We pulled into the mall parking lot and got out. I got my purse and walked beside Kale. I was looking in my purse for money. All I found was a five.

"Damn." I whispered to myself.

"What?" Kale said.

"I only have a five."

"I’ll pay for what you want. Minimum is twenty bucks."

"Deal. I’ll pay you back tomorrow."

"No, you don’t have to."

"Yes I do. I feel like I have to."

"Fine." Kale smiled down at me. He smiled down because he’s like, a foot taller. Maybe I’m exaggerating but still, he’s really tall. "I really hope Stacey’s not here. She comes here every Friday. She’ll think I’m cheating."

"Well this is a date." I said with a laugh.

"So I’m cheating?" Kale laughed. "Alright, I can live with that." I laughed.

"I have a question."

"Which is…?"

"What’ll happen if Stacey’s here?"

"We’ll run like hell."

"Heh, seriously?"

"Oh yes. I’d rather not have the whole school, plus teachers know how hard my life is."

"Personally, I think you should tell someone."

"I did tell someone. I told you."

"Not meaning me, I mean like, tell a guidance counselor or something. Even though we just met, I feel terrible."

"Thank you Jamie. I don’t get that a lot. But I don’t want your whole world to revolve around my sucky life."

"I’ll just have to get used to that."

"Well, do what I do. Don’t think about it."

"I’ll try not to." Kale and I walked through the doors and into the mall.

"Where are we going first?" Kale asked.

"I want a new band shirt." I laughed.

"I’m guessing Hot Topic?" I nodded and we walked to the other side of the mall. When we walked into the store, some guy from behind the counter smiled, nodded, and went back to work. We went to the wall of shirt designs and looked for one I liked. I found a black and white My Chemical Romance one. Thank God it was on sale. That’s all I wanted. Kale paid for me and we left.

"You want to eat something?" Kale asked.

"Do you?"

"I’m starving."

"I’m feeling a pretzel."

"That’s fine." We got what we wanted and sat down at the food court.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"I don’t know. Got a date?" Kale smiled at me.

"Well I’m on one right now as a matter of fact." I smiled back.

"Oh, with who?" Okay, I can play along.

"This really cute, fun, athletic, sweetheart."

"Oh, really? I’m on a date with a beautiful, fun, tiny girl."

"Am I really that tiny?" I asked with a laugh.

"To me you are." Kale smirked at me. I looked down and took a sip of my water.

We sat there for about an hour just talking and having a good time. Then Blonde Bimbo appeared.

"Oh God." I said then looked at Kale. "Blonde Bimbo is here."

"*censored*. Lets go." I got my stuff, we threw out our crap, and went back to Kale’s Mustang. We were almost out the mall doors when Bimbo stopped us.

"Kale! What the hell are you doing with this little *censored*y freshmen?!" she yelled at him.

"Stacey, Jamie’s a sophomore and she’s not *censored*y at all." Kale stood up for me. "Can we just break up and pretend we never went out?" Bimbo stood silent for a second.

"No. If we break up, I told you what I’m going to spread."

"If you were a good friend, you wouldn’t do that." I said now.

"Shut up freshmen!" she spat.

"Okay, now you’re just doing that!" I was about to punch her in the face again. I raised my arm, but Kale held me back.

"Jamie, relax." He whispered to me. "You already have a black eye. You don’t need another." I looked up at him and nodded. He stepped in front of me. "We’re done." He said to her and we got in the Mustang. He started it and we went out of the parking lot.

"I can’t believe I just did that." he said quietly. "I’m finally away from her."

"But what if she spreads that you get abused?"

"We’ll have to cross that bridge when we get to it."

"We’ll?"

"Yes, we’ll." Kale was smiling. He took one hand off the wheel and took mine.

"Whoa, Kale, I’ve known you for a few hours. I take things slow."

"I take things quickly. Sorry, if you don’t want to yet, no rush."

"There’s only one thing that got in my way." I laughed.

"What’s that?" he laughed too.

"You."

"What do you mean me?"

"You’re so cute. I can’t say no!" We laughed.

"You want to go home now?"

"Yeah, my mom is probably freaking out."

"I personally don’t want to drop you off yet."

"Why?"

"I don’t want to go to hell."

"Well call me when you get home. We’ll hang out tomorrow."

"Sounds good." I looked at our hands joined together. I had the best feeling going though me. I noticed a scar going across Kale’s hand. I gently ran my other hand over it.

"What happened here?" I asked quietly.

"You want to know the story?"

"Yeah."

"I came home one day from school and I was late by an hour at the most. My father was drinking again. He started freaking out on me and went into the kitchen got a butcher’s knife and sliced my hand open. I went to the E.R. and got it stitched up."

"Oh God." I whispered. I rested my hand on the scar.

"I’m fine though."

"I know, but still." We pulled at a stoplight and he looked at me.

"I’m okay. Hey, do you have an AIM?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I’ll give you my name, we’ll video chat tonight."

"Okay. That’ll be good." Kale continued to drive and I directed him to my house. When we got there, I got all my crap together and Kale walked me to my door.

"I had fun today." I laughed.

"Me too. I’m sorry I was a jerk before at school. I’m happy we had detention together." Kale smiled. "And I’m so happy I broke up with, in your words, ‘Blonde Bimbo’. She was a Blonde Bimbo."

"Call me when you get home. I want your AIM." We stood there staring at each other. We started to lean in. Our lips touched and someone opened the door. We broke away and looked over. Del opened the door.

"Sorry kid, I came out to smoke." She said.

"Yeah, you can leave now." I spat. The door closed and I looked back at Kale.

"Well you can be a little *censored*y to your sister." Kale said. I smiled again.

"Let’s pretend that didn’t happen."

"I can do that." we smiled and kissed. It felt great. We broke away. "You have everything?" he smiled.

"Yeah I think so." I smiled.

"I’ll call you later." Kale left with a quick peck on my lips. I went in and fell back on the couch.

"God, he’s amazing." I said out loud.

"Who was that?" Del asked.

"Kale Knapp." I smiled.

"Well I guess you can check boyfriend off your list." Del laughed.

"And friends."

"That’s good. Now back to Kale, he in your grade?"

"He’s a senior."

"Don’t tell mother."

"Oh, I’m not. This’ll be between us."

"Sounds good."

"Where’s Mom? I need the laptop because Kale and I are going to go on AIM later."

"Her room probably." I took a breath and went to her room. I knocked on the door and she told me to come in.

"Hey Mom, can I have the laptop?"

"Sure." She said tiredly.

"I can have it all night? A friend and I are going to AIM tonight."

"Sure. Just don’t get loud." I took the laptop and went to my room. I turned it on and waited for AIM to load. When it finally did, I saw that no one was on. Kale finally called.

"Hey." I said.

"Hey. I’m finally home. Damn traffic." I laughed and heard that he did too.

"What’s your AIM? Mine’s JamieBaby19."

"Mine’s Kale0Knapp98. I made mine when I was eleven so don’t judge me."

"I’m not relax." I said as I added Kale’s screen name. "We video chatting?"

"That was the original plan right?" I laughed.

"Alright see you in a second." I hung up and accepted Kale’s request.

"Hello beautiful." Kale smiled.

"Hello Kale." I smiled back. I shifted to lie on my stomach. "So how was the drive home?"

"I hate traffic with a burning p*censored*ion."

"That good huh?"

"Oh yes." My hoodie was starting to get on my nerves.

"Hold on. I’m taking off my hoodie. It’s starting to bother me." I stood up and took it off and went back to lying on my stomach on my bed.

"Ooh, someone’s lookin’ sexy tonight." Kale joked.

"Perv." I smiled.

"So what should we do tomorrow?" he asked me.

"I should pay you back for my shirt and pretzel." I laughed.

"No you’re not."

"Yes I am."

"No."

"Yes. I’m paying for it."

"Jamie Greene, you’re not paying for it."

"Kale Knapp, I am paying for it."

"Are we going to argue about this all night?"

"Probably." I smiled.

"Kale!" I heard in the background.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"My twelve year old sister Marie." He told me. "Marie, I’m in my room." he called. A little girl came in and stood next to him. "Can I help you?" he asked sweetly.

"Can I stay in here? Dad’s drinking again."

"Oh God no. Please not now." I could tell this wouldn’t end well. "Jamie, if I sign out, I’m sorry. My father might go ballistic. Marie lock the door and windows."

"Wait, what’s going on?" I asked.

"When our father drinks, its never, ever good. Marie and I stay away from him."

"Keep her safe."

"I try. I always do right?" he smiled at her.

"Yep." Marie said. "Wait, who are you talking to?"

"My new girlfriend Jamie."

"She’s really pretty."

"I know she is."

"Wait, what happened with Stacey?"

"She got annoying." Kale and I laughed at the same time. "Jamie just moved here what, yesterday?" I nodded. "I met her in school and was a total jerk to her. Detention actually brought us together."

"Why’d you have detention?"

"I’ll tell you later."

"Marie, what grade are you in?" I asked.

"Seventh."

"You and my brother Blade could hang out tomorrow if you wanted. I’ll go and get him if you want."

"Jamie are you trying to get our siblings together?" Kale asked me.

"Here’s what I was thinking. My mom makes me entertain Blade on the weekends so if you pick me up tomorrow, our siblings can hang out while we hang out. Wait, that might not be a good idea." I laughed.

"Why is that?"

"We wouldn’t watch them." Kale let out a really sexy moan. He knew exactly what I was talking about.

"Should we get a motel room?" Kale smirked. I laughed.

"Oh yes baby. That’s all I want." I moaned. I love how we can joke around like this.

"You two are weird. Talking about sex in front of a twelve-year-old. Yes really nice."

"Marie, relax. We’re not going to do it." Kale said to her.

"But you probably have before."

"That’s for me to know and you to not." he smirked.

"What about me? I deserve to know!" I laughed.

"Fine. I have done it before. Have you?"

"Nope, I’m innocent." I smiled.

"Maybe I can change that."

"Maybe you can."

"Oh God, shut up!" Marie said.

"Relax we’re just joking around!" Kale smiled at her.

"Yeah, I think we should shut up. Think how awkward this could feel for Marie." I laughed.

"Yeah true that. Hey Marie, how are you doing in math?"

"Better. Not great, but better." she said.

"I could tutor you." I said.

"Really?"

"Yeah, in Florida, I tutored everyone. Even my sister."

"Then that’ll work. Now I can see you even more." Kale and I smiled at each other. "I really wish I was over there. You’re the only one who I want to be with twenty-four-seven."

"Well, come back."

"I can’t just leave Marie."

"Bring her. We’ll walk around my neighborhood."

"I wish I could. But if we leave, we’ll get hit." Kale took Marie’s hand. "Marie and I try to stay away as much as possible. When our father started drinking, it was terrible."

"When did he start?"

"The year before Marie was born. I’m still debating if I want to move out. Maybe you could live with me." Kale was looking at Marie. I really hope she can. It’s completely unsafe for her there. I’m not saying its safe for Kale either, its not. I feel terrible for the both of them.

"Marie, if Kale moves, you should go with him. Its so much safer with him." I told her.

"And I don’t want to live alone." I laughed at Kale. "I’d love to have you living with me." he started to play with her pin-straight hair. Her hair was darker than his, almost black. She had a few highlights but they were grown out. It still looked good. "Hey, what’s mark right here?" Kale touched the side of her forehead.

"Ow! I burned myself with my straightener this morning."

"Sorry honey." He kissed her forehead. "To me, Marie’s like a daughter. She asks me to drive her places and take her to the doctor when she’s sick. Our parents don’t do that."

"Why?" I asked.

"Its obvious." Then it clicked. Their father.

"Oh. Well, if you’re a father one day, you’ll be amazing." We smiled at each other.

Kale and I talked until three in the morning. Marie p*censored*ed out around eleven. I p*censored*ed out first I think.

I woke up with the laptop by me. Kale and I were still on video chat. He was still asleep. I smiled. I kept it on and put on my away message. I went to take a quick shower. After, I went to the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal. When I got back to my room, Kale wasn’t on screen. I read his away message. Shower. Eat. Jamie. I smiled at it. Ten minutes later, I finished my cereal and put the bowl in the sink. I went back and saw Kale.

"Morning." I smiled.

"Morning." He smiled back. "You look tired."

"I’m tired as hell."

"Does that mean you don’t want to hang out?"

"I want to hang out still."

"Am I picking you up?"

"Probably." I laughed. "You bringing Marie?"

"No, when I come to pick you up, I’m dropping her off at a friend’s house."

"Okay sounds good. What are we doing?"

"I told you last night, we’re getting a motel room to have a little fun." Kale joked.

"If I could, I would so slap you." I smiled.

"Hey, not to change the subject, but your eye looks fine. Like, healed."

"Good. Then my mom won’t question."

"Good. Now when do you want me to pick you up?"

"I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing today."

"Ask your sister or mom."

"I will. And I should really give the laptop back. It’s probably going to overheat."

"Call me when you can." I smiled then signed off. I shut down the laptop and put it in my mom’s room. She was in the kitchen.

"Hey Mom, are we doing anything today?" I asked as I sat at the table.

"Not that I know of. Why?"

"I wanted to hang out with a friend."

"Who?"

"Um, Kale Knapp. I met him yesterday."

"Fine. I’m going to get more coffee." Then she was out the door. Okay then. I really hate how she’s been. Yes I understand that she’s upset. But it’s been a year ago. My father was everything to her. And it was tragic to see him die like that. But we need to put the past behind us and move forward. That’s how I live everyday. She’s living in the past. It bothers me. Sometimes, I just want to tell her to shut up and move on. But if I did, she’d hit me. And that won’t be so pleasant.

I shook that off and went back to my room. I did my eye make-up and put on something better than I had on which were old sweatpants and an old T-shirt. I put on another pair of skintight jeans and a red long sleeve shirt with a black tank top underneath and a white hoodie. I decided to straighten my hair so I borrowed Del’s straightener. When it heated up, I did my hair and that took forever. My hair is hard to straighten and I don’t know why I just randomly decided to do it. It’s probably because I wanted to look good for Kale. Speaking of that, I should call him. He answered on third ring.

"Hey." He said.

"Hey. Come now."

"Alright. I have to see if Marie’s ready. This is the plan; Marie and I are picking you up. I have a place to take you. On the way, I’m dropping off Marie and taking you to the place."

"What’s this place you speak of." I smiled.

"It’s a surprise." I could tell his smiling.

"If it’s a motel room, I’m going to slap you." I laughed.

"Its not. Relax." We laughed. Then I heard him asking Marie if she was ready. "Alright, we’ll be there in ten minutes maybe. I’ll call you when we are."

"Alright. See you then." I slid my phone shut and went to find Del. I checked her room.

"Del, you in here?"

"Yeah." she said. I opened the door and she smiled.

"You look really good. Got a date?"

"I do. Kale’s picking me up soon."

"I love your hair, not to change the subject."

"Thank you." I smiled.

"Can I give you a suggestion?"

"Sure."

"Clip your bangs on both sides back. It’ll look cute. Here, I’ll do it." Del got up and did what she said. It looked really good. It took a hundred tries to get it right. Then my phone rang.

"Hey, we’re here." Kale said.

"Alright. Be there in a sec." I smiled at Del. "Well, I gotta go."

"Don’t do anything stupid!"

"I won’t relax." I called behind me. I walked out the front door and walked to Kale’s Mustang.

"Hey." I said through the window.

"Hey. Marie, get in the back." He said to his sister. She got out and I got in. Kale kissed me and I got situated in the seat.

"I don’t appreciate the PDA." Marie said in the back.

"Marie, shut your mouth." Kale said and I laughed. "Just wait until you start dating." He took one hand off the wheel and took mine. I turned away to look out the window and yawned.

"Sorry, did I keep you up all night?" he asked me.

"Yes." I laughed.

"Well I guess video chatting is off the list tonight."

"Oh yes. When I get home again, I’m sleeping."

"Me too." We pulled up to a stoplight. He kissed my cheek.

"PDA!" Marie said in the back. Kale kissed my lips, just to aggravate his sister.

"I wish we weren’t at a stoplight. Then we could have a full make out session." He whispered to me. "Just to aggravate Marie." I laughed at that. "But she won’t be here for long."

"Ooh good." I smirked. Kale continued driving and after another mile or so, he dropped Marie off and drove to wherever he was taking me.

"So where are we going?" I asked.

"That’s for me to know and you to find out." Kale smirked at me.

"Are you usually the romantic type?"

"Eh, depends on the day."

"Its that day huh?"

"Oh yes." It was silent. "Jamie?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you about?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what are your interests? Dislikes? Stuff like that."

"Well, when I was in Florida, I lived at the beach. I would go everyday with my best friends Heather and Erik. I hate cold weather and snow. I love rain. I love electropop music. Metro Station is my favorite band. I hate Justin Beiber with a burning p*censored*ion. I wish he would die in a hole." Kale laughed at die in a hole.

"Marie loves him. I tell her that he needs to come out of the closet. She rolls her eyes and walks away."

"You and Marie look a lot alike."

"You think so?"

"Yeah." I smiled.

"Well we’re here." Kale said and parked. I realized we were at the beach.

"How’d you know? I mean before I told you?"

"That was the plan. Asking you what you liked then take you to the closest." He smiled at me and we got out. He put his arm around me and we walked out to the ocean.

"I wish it was summer. Then it’d feel like home." He pulled me in and kissed the top of my head.

"Well, anywhere is fine when I’m with you." he whispered. I put my hand on his stomach, feeling his six pack. I slightly smiled.

"Damn." I whispered.

"You like that?"

"Hell yeah." I laughed.

"If it wasn’t forty degrees I’d take off my shirt." We laughed.

We walked along the ocean for a bit. Then we sat on a bench by the boardwalk. Kale and I were about to kiss then, his phone rang.

"Hey baby. What’s up?" he said. "Can you wait a bit longer?" he paused. "About an hour or so. Jamie and I are having a good time." another pause. "Thanks baby. See you later."

"Marie?" I asked.

"Yeah, she was done with the project she had to do. She asked me to take her somewhere and I did. Now I’m here." We leaned in again. Finally we kissed. We sat there in silence, watching and listening to the waves crashing.

"If I could, I’d be here everyday." I said quietly.

"You probably would." I felt his lips on my head.

We were there for another hour or so then we went to pick up Marie. Kale had my hand and turned on the radio. My favorite song of the week came on. It was "Vanilla Twilight" by Owl City. When it came on I was whispering the lyrics to myself. I looked over to Kale. He was lip-syncing. I smiled when I saw him. He looked over to me for a second.

"What?"

"I didn’t think you would know this." I laughed.

"It’s on all the time, so it only makes sense." Then it was silent until we picked up Marie. She and Kale were talking while I was silent.

"Jamie you okay?" Kale asked me.

"Yeah I’m fine. Just tired."

"What time is it?"

"One."

"Want to come to my place? Our parents come back at seven."

"Where are they?"

"Honestly, I don’t know and don’t care." I smiled slightly.

"Sure I’ll go over."

"We’ll watch a movie or something."

"Sounds good."

It was silent in the Mustang as we drove to Kale’s house. It was a nice neighborhood. We pulled up to a medium sized house and got out. The three of us walked to the door. Kale unlocked the door and we walked in. Marie disappeared, probably in her room. Kale led me to his room. He opened a door and threw his keys onto a table by a huge bed. The walls were a creamy white, the bed was dark navy blue and a desk was a dark brown in the corner with a laptop and a bunch of books. I sat on the bed and Kale sat next to me.

"What movie you want to watch?" he asked me.

"Twilight!" I joked.

"Seriously?" he said in disbelief.

"No, I don’t care. You pick."

"Hellboy II?"

"Yeah why not?"

"I’ll be right back." Kale was gone and back in five minutes. He put the disk in and got the remote. He pressed play and went to the menu. Then he hit play movie. We cuddled up and got comfortable. My head was on his chest and he had his arm around me. The first half-hour, we fell asleep.

We woke to a huge bang on the door. Kale quickly looked at the clock.

"*censored*, it’s eight. We have to get you home." I nodded and we got up. I got my purse, Kale took my hand, and we walked to the door. Someone was standing in front of it.

"Dad, move please." I’m guessing it was his dad.

"Who’s this?" his father said.

"My girlfriend."

"What happened to Stacey?"

"I broke up with her."

"Why? She wasn’t good enough in bed?"

"Dad!"

"Whatever. Did you *censored* this little one yet?"

"Why the hell would you say something like that?"

"I want to know." There was darkness in Kale’s father’s eyes.

"Why?" Kale was in front of me, protecting me.

"Because she looks fragile. Easy to convince. Easy to rape." He stepped closer to me, around his son. My heart was beating faster and faster by the second. His father touched me, stroked my face with the back of his hand. I could smell the alcohol in his breath.

"Kale." I whispered. "Is he gonna, gonna rape me?" I whispered again.

"No, not now." He pushed his father away from me and we ran like a bat out of hell. Kale was jerked back by his shoulder, then hit with a gl*censored* bottle. His arm was bleeding uncontrollably, and he was still trying to protect me. His father backed off, laughed and walked away. We ran to the Mustang.

"We have to get you to the hospital." I said, taking off my hoodie, then my long sleeve. "Pull over. I’m going to wrap up your arm." I put my hoodie back on and we got out. "You have a flashlight?"

"Glove box." I went and got it.

"Hold it." he did and I ripped up my shirt. I never really liked it that much anyway. I carefully placed it where the cuts were bad. I tied a little knot to keep it all in place. "You’re going to the hospital." I said, looking in his eyes. "You need to get it stitched up."

"Where’d you learn to do that?"

"My dad."

"You look cold. Get in." We got in. "Give me your phone. I need to call Marie." I got my phone and gave it to him.

"Marie, are you okay?" he asked then paused. "Oh God, I’m coming back to pick you up. You know what to do. See you in a few."

"What happened?" I asked.

"He hit her too." We turned around and back to the house. Marie was on the curb, holding her arm. I’ll wrap her arm up too.

"Hurry up and get a distance away. I need to wrap up Marie’s arm too." Kale sped away, getting as far as he could, so I could wrap up his sister’s arm. After five minutes, he pulled over. I got my ripped shirt and Kale held the flashlight. Marie was almost in tears.

"It’s alright honey. We’re away from him." Kale hugged her when I was done.

"Kale and I are taking you to the hospital to get it stitched up. Kale’s getting stitched too." I said. Kale took my hand.

"We’re taking you home first." He looked at me.

"No we’re not. I’m going with you. It’s a Saturday night. I have no curfew on the weekends."

"Fine." We got back in the Mustang and drove to the hospital. It felt like hours. But it was only about two. When Kale was out, he walked over to me, wrapped his arms around me, and pressed me against his chest.

"You okay?" I whispered.

"As okay as I’ll get."

"Marie in there now?"

"Yeah. I don’t know why they took me first."

"Maybe because yours was worse."

"Maybe." Kale put his hand on my head and played with my hair. "Now we have to wait for Marie. Sit."

"I have my iPod. Want to listen with me?"

"Sure." We sat down and I sat on Kale’s right side because that was his good one. I got my iPod and gave him an ear bud. I put on Metro Station because it relaxes me when I’m stressed. I don’t know if Kale liked it but I did. I took his hand and he squeezed mine.

"It’ll be okay." I whispered. He leaned in and kissed my cheek then rested his head against mine.

"I hope." I rubbed his hand with my other one.

"Here, put what you want on." I handed him my iPod. He scrolled through until I heard AC/DC. I smiled slightly when I heard, "Shook Me All Night Long". I lip-synced.

"My dad loved this song." I whispered.

"If it’s too much for you, I can change it."

"No, don’t. I love this song." I felt him kiss my cheek again. Another hour and Marie walked out. Kale instantly got up and hugged her.

"Oh my God, are you okay?" he asked her. He put both hands on her face and kissed her forehead.

"Not really."

"Listen, we’re going to stay away from that house tonight. We’ll get a motel room or something. I’m not putting you in danger." He hugged her again.

"And I’ll be there too." I said, putting my hand on Kale’s shoulder.

"You sure?" he asked. I nodded.

"Thank God I have money." He whispered to me.

"I do too. So if you need any tell me." he nodded, paid for both of them, and then we left.

"Good thing we keep clothes in the back huh Marie?" he said to her as we got into the car.

"Yeah." she said quietly.

"Jamie, you want to run home and get stuff?"

"I don’t know. My sister won’t care as long as I keep my innocents. If my mom sees me, I won’t be able to."

"Here’s a thought, don’t let your mom see." I slightly laughed.

"I’ll call Del now. She’s gonna want to know why."

"Tell her the real reason. I trust you. I want you to know that." I slightly squeezed his hand. I got my phone and dialed Del.

"Hey kid. When you coming home?" she said.

"Um, I have a question."

"Yeah?"

"It’ll be okay if I stay the night with Kale right?"

"Yeah. As long as you keep your innocents."

"Thank you Del. And when Kale drops me off, I have to tell you something. Only keep it to you. Okay?"

"Alright. You close?"

"Kale, we close?" I asked him.

"Yeah. Five minutes away, not even." He said.

"Not even five minutes."

"Alright. See you then." Then I hung up and looked at Kale.

"You okay?" I asked quietly.

"Just pissed off. He shouldn’t have hit her." he whispered back. "I hate living there."

"I know you do. Tonight, you’re not there. You can try to relax."

"I doubt I’m going to sleep at all."

"I’ll stay up with you."

"If you’re tired, you sleep."

"I’m not though. We slept all day."

"True."

"I have a question."

"Yeah?"

"Do you want me to tell Del? Or do you want to do it yourself?"

"Whatever you want." I thought about it. Would it be easier if I did it? Maybe it would, because then I could be in and out. But Del asks a lot of questions.

"I could send her out to talk to you." I suggested.

"That would work too. Just get your *censored* and get out." I nodded. He looked in the rear view mirror at his sister.

"You okay back there?" Kale asked her.

"Not really." She was very quiet. I barely heard her.

"What’s wrong baby?"

"Everything." I heard faint little sobs from her. Kale pulled over immediately and went to his sister. I turned around to face them. He was trying to comfort her.

"Listen to me. The second I turn eighteen, we’re moving out. I promise." He whispered to her over and over again. Kale wiped the tears off her face. They lived a really hard life. I feel terrible for them. I feel worse for Marie though. She’s only a twelve-year-old girl and she’s getting hit. That’s sick, if you ask me.

Kale sat with his sister for a bit. He kept kissing her head, hugging her, anything to comfort her. It was slowly working. When she calmed down some, we went to my house. I went in and told Delilah to talk to Kale while I got my stuff. I found a tiny suitcase that I used for my hair crap during the move. I put clothes in it for two days and was out the door.

Del was still talking to Kale, he was out of the Mustang. I walked over.

"If you two need anything, anything at all, call. We’ll do anything for you." She said to him.

"All I need right now is to be away from the house and Jamie." Kale wrapped his arm around me and kissed the side of my head.

"Alright. Now be good." Del smirked at me.

"Goodbye Delilah." I smirked back. We got in the car and went to find a motel at eleven o’clock at night. We finally found one and got a room. Marie went into the room first and sat on a bed. Kale and I went to the car and got their clothes.

"Why do you keep these in here?" I asked.

"Because it’s not the first time our father has done that. The first time, it was only me. The second time he hit Marie first. When the second time happened, I picked her up and set her in my Mustang, and took her to the hospital. I wonder what they think of us there."

"They probably don’t even notice." Kale stopped me and picked me up and set me down on the back of the car.

"I feel so bad for her." he whispered.

"I know you do." He rested his head against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt him snake his arms around my waist and reach up to my upper back. I felt his lips brush against mine. Kale picked me up again and set me down. His arm snaked around my waist and we went in the room. Marie was p*censored*ed out on a bed. Kale put a blanket over her. I sat on the other bed and put my head in my hands. I felt the bed sink in beside me, then Kale put his hand on my back and rubbed it.

"You okay?" he whispered.

"Yeah. You?" I whispered back.

"Not really." I got up, went behind him, and started to m*censored*age his shoulders. "Thank you."

"For what?" I asked.

"Staying by my side through this *censored*. My life is hell and I’m so glad to have you. You’re actually brightening up some situations. Like at the hospital, I was freaking out inside, but the touch of your hand relaxed me." I wrapped my arms around his neck from behind. He put a hand on my arm. We sat there like that for a bit.

"Come over here." He whispered. I sat beside Kale and he dragged me onto his lap. He started to kiss me, very romantically and p*censored*ionately. I don’t know where it came from. After a while, I felt an arm under my shirt. I immediately broke away.

"I’m sorry." Kale whispered.

"It’s okay. Just not yet, Kale, I’m only sixteen. I’d love to loose my innocents with you." A small smile pulled at his lips.

"I just wish I didn’t loose my innocents yet. Then we could’ve lost it together."

"But was it worth it when you did?"

"No, because it wasn’t with you." he kissed me gently.

"Seriously, what was it like?"

"You really want to know about my sex life?" I blushed. "Should I take that as a yes?" I nodded. "What do you want to know?"

"Who’d you loose it with? And when?"

"I lost it with a girl named Bethany sophomore year. It was her birthday and I wanted to get her something special. I never told her it was my first time. She has my virginity and she doesn’t even know it."

"How could you do it so young?" I whispered.

"I don’t think about age."

"My mom and sister always say, ‘wait until you’re married. It’ll be more special.’ It’s my life and I can do what I want. But I think I’ll wait until I’m seventeen."

"When’s your birthday?"

"June ninth."

"That’s right after mine. Mine’s the seventh." We smiled at each other.

"That’s a little weird." I said with a laugh. I know exactly what I’m getting him. Wink, wink. I rested my head on Kale’s neck and sighed.

"Tired?"

"A little bit." Kale put his hand on my head and stroked my hair.

"You look very pretty with your hair like that." I smiled.

"Thanks. How’s your arm?"

"Hurts like hell."

"Lean back and rest your arm."

"I’m fine here."

"No you’re not. Lay back."

"I’m starting to get tired." Kale said, changing the subject. "I’m getting changed."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, ladies first my friend."

"Fine." he smirked at me. I got my bag and went to the bathroom. I put on old sweatpants that went to my knees and a clean tank top. I took out the clips in my hair and tied it back. I walked out and I saw Kale shirtless.

"Holy crap." I whispered. Kale smirked at me. He went into the bathroom and took not even two minutes. He changed into sweatpants and threw his clothes by my bag.

"Where am I sleeping?" I asked.

"On the bed." Kale answered.

"Where are you sleeping?"

"On the bed."

"Alright then." I got in the bed and closed my eyes. The bed sunk in beside me and I opened them. Kale was lying beside me and we locked eyes.

"Are you a snuggly, cuddly person or ‘I like my space’ kind of person?" I asked quietly with a small smile.

"Depends who I’m with." Kale replied the same. "Come over here." I smiled and scooted over to rest my head on his chest. His arm was around me.

I fell asleep quickly.

"Jamie wake up." Kale whispered in my ear then kissed it. "Its eleven in the morning and we’re starving."

"Go find something to eat without me." I whispered back, not opening my eyes.

"Come on, I don’t want to go without you." his lips pressed against mine. When he pulled away I opened my eyes.

"Let me change and do my hair." I said and rubbed my eyes. Kale kissed my forehead and I got up. I got my bag, and went to the bathroom. I changed into clean clothes and brushed out my hair. I tied it back into a messy bun thing. Delilah taught me how do it when it was a mess. I brushed my teeth and went back to the bedroom. Kale was the only one there.

"Marie’s in the car." He said, as he knew what I was thinking. "I wanted to wait."

"Why? So you could kiss me and not be *censored*ed at?"

"Part of it." Kale came up to me and kissed my lips. He put his hand on my face and leaned in more and more. I accidentally let out a small moan. I knew he liked it because I felt him smile against my lips. It got a little deeper and he playfully pushed me against the closest wall. He broke away and kissed down my neck then my jaw line then back to my lips. Then he did it again. I moaned a little louder this time, on purpose. I finally broke away.

"Marie’s waiting." I said breathlessly with a smile.

"Lets go." Kale said breathlessly too. He stepped back and allowed me before him. He put his arm around me and locked the door.

"I’m not gonna lie, that was the best kiss of my life." I said with a laugh. Kale kissed me gently. We got in the Mustang.

"What took you so long?" Marie asked us.

"Truth?" Kale said.

"Yes."

"We were kissing." I said with a smirk.

"Well that’s wonderful." She mumbled. Kale and I smiled at each other.

"So where do you want to eat?" he asked us.

"Don’t ask me, I still don’t know anything about this place."

"IHOP?" Marie suggested. We nodded and Kale drove to the closest restaurant. We got there and got a table.

"Jamie, don’t even look at prices." Kale smiled at me across the table.

"I can’t not look at them. I have this habit."

"Well you can have anything you want." We stared at each other for a minute, smiling, locking eyes. It was a perfect moment. I restrained myself from jumping over the table and kissing him. I didn’t want to look away from his electric blue eyes, but I had to see what I was having. I scanned over the menu a dozen times. I finally decided to get pancakes. I put my menu at the side of the table.

"What did you decide on?" Kale asked me with a perfect smile.

"Short-stack. You?" I smiled back.

"Same thing actually." We laughed. "What about you baby?" He asked Marie.

"Waffles with strawberries on them. You know that’s what I get every time I come here." She smiled at him.

"Yeah true that." Our waitress came by to get us drinks. She was all smiley and flirty it was terrible. We all got water and she was back in five minutes. We ordered then played "Hang Man" on the back of my place mat.

Twenty minutes later our food came. While we ate, it wasn’t silent. We were having an amazing time. Then drama came in. I saw Mitchell with two guys coming into the restaurant. I lost my breath for a second. Kale saw me.

"What?" he mouthed. I nodded to Mitchell. Then he saw us.

"Jamie?" Mitchell walked closer to our table.

"Hey Mitchell." I forced a smile.

"Can I talk to you outside?"

"Sure." I said to him. "Kale you don’t mind, do you?"

"No, go ahead." Kale half smiled at me and I got up. I walked outside with Mitchell.

"Care to explain?" he said in a, What the hell? tone. "I’d really like to know what’s going on."

"Kale Knapp and I are dating." I said calmly. "Detention brought us together."

"You’re dating? What the hell!?"

"Mitchell relax. I don’t understand what’s so bad about me dating Kale."

"Jamie, you could get hurt." Mitchell’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"How?" my voice? definitely not. He didn’t answer right away.

"He’s so big and you’re so tiny. He could easily rape you." he whispered to me. "Think about it."

"Mitchell, he won’t do that. He knows better. He knows not to. He’s not a jerk like you think it is."

"What about me?"

"What about you?" I spat.

"I thought you liked me."

"I did. But Kale changed things."

"Didn’t you say he gets abused? He could always to that to you if he’s mad."

"He would never, ever do that to me. How could you even say that?" I whispered forcefully.

"Because I care about you!"

"I met you like three days ago!"

"So?"

"Just leave me alone Mitchell." I started to walk away but he caught my arm, forced me to face him, and kissed me. He wouldn’t let me break away. I kicked his shin then he let me break away. I went in to Kale, trying to make as if nothing happened. When I got there, I scooted my chair closer to his. He saw the look in my eye.

"What happened?" Kale asked me.

"

"Mitchell forced me to kiss him." I whispered, not looking at Kale.

"What?" I was silent. "We’ll talk about it later. Right now, eat." I slid my plate over to me and finished up. When I was done, Marie was done. Kale was already done. He paid and we left. I was silent the whole drive back to the motel. I was drowning in my thoughts.

Why the hell would Mitchell kiss me? Yes I admit that I liked him the first day. But Kale and I click. Mitchell and I don’t really. Why would he accuse Kale of all that crap? Well, that one’s easy. He’s jealous and wants to get in my head.

"Marie, here’s the key. We’ll be in soon." Kale said, interrupting my thoughts.

"Alright." Marie took the key and went into the room.

"Now what’s going on?"

"Mitchell’s an *censored*hole." I said suddenly. "He doesn’t like me dating you. He thinks you’ll hurt me. That’s bull. I know you won’t hurt me."

"What does he mean by ‘hurt you’?"

"Physically hurt me. I know you could never, ever do that."

"I know what it’s like to be hit. Why the hell would I put you through my pain?"

"Ask Mitchell." I mumbled. Kale kissed my cheek.

"Listen to me, I’ll never hurt you." he whispered in my ear. I started to get emotional out of nowhere. I think it was the thought of actually being hit. A tear made its way down my face. Kale wiped it away.

"Its okay, Jamie. Ignore him." Kale said, as he looked me in the eyes.

"Its not that, Kale. How do you do it?" I whispered.

"Do what?"

"In school, how do you act like you’re not hit? Especially with the scars."

"I try to forget about it."

"How? You’ve been through so much."

"I think about school. I need straight A’s."

"Your dad?"

"Oh yes."

"That’s..." I paused, struggling to pick the right word. But there wasn't one, so I said, "Weird."

"Why?" Kale asked.

"He hits you, and yet he wants you to do well in school. That's just not normal."

Kale was silent but I could practically feel his thoughts swimming through his head. He sighed and had a serious look on his face. I rested my head on his shoulder.

"I know its not. A few more months, I’m eighteen, Marie and I are out. I don’t care what he says. We’re out."

"You’re not going to tell him where you’ll live right?"

"Right."

"But, you’ll tell me?" Kale cracked a smile.

"Of course I’ll tell you." he kissed me gently. "And you’ll get a key." I smiled and kissed him again.

"You never know what’ll happen in the future." I smiled.

"With you, the future is bright." I rested my head on his shoulder again. "You ready to go in yet?"

"Yeah I guess." I breathed.

"You sure?"

"Yeah." we got out and went to the room. Marie was flipping through the channels on her bed. Kale and I lay on ours. After a half-hour, I decided to take a quick shower. I took one and went back to the room. Marie and Kale were talking quietly.

"Baby, if you didn’t sleep well, why didn’t you tell me?" he said to her.

"You and Jamie were sound asleep together. I didn’t want to bother you."

"You could’ve. I hope you know that."

"I know that." she whispered. I sat next to Kale and took his hand.

"How’s your arm?" I asked Marie.

"Okay. Hurts a little. Kale, you have any Tylenol?"

"In the car. The trunk I think." He tossed her his keys and she went to the car.

"How’s yours?" I asked Kale.

"Still hurts like hell."

"When Marie comes back, take Tylenol."

"I will." He kissed my cheek. "Crap, we have school tomorrow."

"Then I have to get home later."

"Marie and I have to get our books and stuff like that."

"Before you take me home, go back to your house."

"I’ll sneak in the window and leave you two in the Mustang while I get our stuff."

"You’ll be safe right?"

"I can’t promise that, Jamie. But I’ll do my best." Kale wrapped his arms around me. I rested my head against his shoulder.

"Promise me that you’ll be okay." I whispered.

"I promise."