《Always Yours》


 Chapter One

    I hated him.


    His cockiness, his attitude, those dark brown mesmerising eyes. Wait no. Shaking my head I went back to my text book.


    Francis ¡®Franko¡¯ Mendez was everything. The king pin, the bad boy, the biker badass yer. Every guy wanted to be him and every girl wanted to be with him.


    Scowling I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth. I was not one of those girls. I got good grades, I didn¡¯t skip school for parties. I didn¡¯t drink on the weekend. I didn¡¯t get into trouble.


    ¡°re any harder and your face will stay like that specs¡±.


    Ah the famous nickname.


    ¡°Fuck off Francis¡±. I ignored the sniggersing from around the ssroom. When he spoke everyone listened and when he teased everyone joined in.


    ¡°Ouch baby¡±. He smirked holding a hand over his heart.


    Like I said I hated him. Rolling my eyes I continued with the rest of my work ignoring the littlements and whispers. Something about a party near the clubhouse tonight.


    Clubhouse as in biker clubhouse. Franko¡¯s dad Blue, I know right, what a name. Anyway Blue was the president of a motorcycle club called Devils Due.


    An ouw biker club which consisted of a group of old men breaking thew and doing whatever the hell they please. Always in trouble with thew and never out the daily paper.


    They ran the town or so it seemed. Cops on their payroll, all types of authority in their pockets.


    ¡°How about it specs?¡±.


    This is what he does. Throws littlements here and there. Tries to get under my skin at any given chance. We weren¡¯t friends, we never have been. We shared pre-school, elementary and high school together. This is how it¡¯s been for years.


    He teases and I bite every time. You¡¯d think I¡¯d have learned my lesson by now.


    ¡°In your dreams¡±. I red.


    ¡°Always darling¡±. He winked causing his groupies tough.


    Gritting my teeth I closed my book just as the bell went. The chatter in the ssroom picked up as everyone packed away their stuff and headed for lunch.


    Like always I was thest to leave. I didn¡¯t have many friends but that¡¯s the way I liked it. I kept my circle small, small consisted of me and my best friend Alice.


    ¡°You¡¯re face will stay like that if you re any harder¡±. Alice sniggered. She was waiting by my locker. We always met up here before heading to lunch.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stand him¡±. I hissed.


    ¡°Who are-.. Oh let me guess¡±. She smirked. ¡°Franko?¡±.


    ¡°Why does everyone worship him, he¡¯s not a bloody god¡±. I ced my bag inside my locker mming the door shut.


    ¡°Wow¡±. She looped her arm through mine. ¡°Why do you let him get under your skin like that?¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t. He-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. She pulled me to a stop. ¡°He¡¯s been teasing you for as long as I can remember. Just try and ignore him¡±.


    I wish it was that easy. He was like an itch I couldn¡¯t scratch. ¡°You¡¯re right¡±. I sighed. ¡°If I ignore him surely he¡¯ll leave me alone right?¡±.


    ¡°Right¡±. She agreed. ¡°Nowe on I¡¯m starving¡±.


    We weren¡¯t popr but we weren¡¯t wallflowers. We were two teenagers going through high school giving it everything we had. We had each other and I trusted her with my life.


    ¡°You get a table and I¡¯ll get us lunch¡±.


    So I did. I found us a table in the far corner of the cafeteria. Of course it wasn¡¯t that far from where Franko was sat.


    Loud and causing havoc as always. Sat in his normal spot with a blond hanging off him. Remember I told you he was a yer. He had a different girl every time. It was like they took turns. Augh fell from my lips at the thought. I¡¯m surprised they didn¡¯t fight over him.


    I¡¯m still convinced it wasn¡¯t him but his dads club.


    Everyone knew who he was and where he came from. Everyone wanted to get inside the clubhouse but that was a big no no.


    Or so I¡¯ve heard anyway.


    ¡°Pizza, hot chips and a coke¡±. Alice grinned cing the tray in front of me.


    ¡°My favourite¡±. I smiled lifting the piece of pizza to my mouth. ¡°So good¡±. I groaned.


    ¡°You girls mind if we sit?¡±.


    Face full of pizza I turned towards the voice. Tommy, Franko¡¯s best friend and Brian ¡®Bear¡¯ because of his size were staring at us.


    ¡°Eh sure¡±. Alice nced at me. ¡°I mean if-¡­¡±. She trailed off as Bear took the seat next to her.


    Great because this wasn¡¯t awkward at all. We knew both boys, shared many sses with them but never actually had a conversation and now they want to sit with us.


    I smelled a rat and that rats name was Francis.


    Continuing to eat my pizza I tried my hardest not to turn my head and look for him. What was he up to and why send his friends over here?


    ¡°You girls wannae to a party tonight?¡±. Tommy asked.


    ¡°No¡±. I didn¡¯t have to think about my answer. I didn¡¯t associate with his kind.


    ¡°What about you beautiful?¡±. He smiled at Alice. ¡°You fancy it?¡±.


    Face scarlet she looked at me before looking down at her food. ¡°N-no thank you¡±. She stuttered making me want to face nt the table.


    ¡°You sure?¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°She said no¡±. I said a little to loudly.


    ¡°Wow princess¡±. He threw his arm around my shoulders. ¡°Was only double checking. She seems like she wants to go¡±.


    ¡°I suggest-¡­¡±. I didn¡¯t get to finish my sentence as a cry fell from my lips, my eyes squeezed shut as the pain took over my face.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡±. Tommy roared pushing the chair back and getting to his feet.


    ¡°Oh my god¡±. Alice cried.


    Covering my nose with my hand I tried my hardest not to burst into tears. Blood, my blood was everywhere.


    ¡°Who the fuck was that?¡±. Tommy yelled.


    The full cafeteria grew quiet. I was more embarrassed than anything. All eyes were on us or more so me and my bloody nose.


    Scraping back my chair I got out of there as fast as I could and headed for the girls toilets. Once inside I locked myself inside a cubicle and cried. I couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer.


    Was my nose broke?


    What in the hell did I get hit with?


    Grabbing some toilet paper I held it against my face trying to stop the bleeding. I muffled my tears as I heard the door to the bathroom open.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    It was Alice.


    ¡°I¡¯m-¡­ it¡¯s okay I¡¯m fine I¡¯ll be out in a minute¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek to try and take the pain away from my face.


    ¡°We need to take you to the nurses office¡±. She chapped on the cubical door. ¡°Open up¡±.


    I wanted to go home. I couldn¡¯t believe someone would do this.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. She chapped again.


    ¡°Give me a minute okay¡±. Flushing the used piece of toilet paper away I took a fresh bit and held it back against my nose.


    ¡°Someone threw a milk carton¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I felt that horrible feeling in my stomach. Why would someone do that? Was I the target? Was this Franko?


    I saw red, angry tears strolled down my cheeks as I clenched my teeth.


    ¡°Come out please¡±. She begged.


    Opening the door I avoided her stare and went straight towards the sinks. My hands and jumper were covered in blood.


    ¡°Jesus Aubrey. You may need to go to the hospital¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m going home¡±. I said washing away the blood from my hands. My jumper would have to wait until I was home.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the nurse first and then we¡¯ll get them to call your mom¡±.


    We waited until lunch was over. I didn¡¯t need for anymore embarrassment. I didn¡¯t need to have everyone staring at my face.


    ¡°You better head to ss before you get detention¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you¡±. She frowned. ¡°They can give me a detention if they want¡±.


    ¡°Do you know who threw it?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°No idea¡±. She shrugged. ¡°But Tommy was pissed¡±.


    Yeah I bet he was. Probably all part of the act because it was Franko that done this.


    ¡°Come on everyone will be in ss now¡±.


    Following her out the bathroom I red when I saw him. He was leaning against the wall across from us. Wait why was he here? Did hee to gloat? Did hee tough because I had been hurt?


    ¡°Shit babe¡±. He hissed.


    ¡°Not now Franko. She doesn¡¯t need your shit right now¡±. Alice looped her arm through mine and pulled me down the corridor. For the first time ever he didn¡¯t say anything back. No smart remark, no nothing.


    It took everything in me not to turn around and look at him.


    The nurse didn¡¯t think it was broken but suggested I get it seen to by a doctor. She gave me some ice to take the swelling down.


    I was already starting to get a ck eye.


    Alice had went back to ss and I was waiting for my mom to collect me. One thing I didn¡¯t need was for this to happen. My mom was a worrier. She panicked at everything.


    I had a good rtionship with my parents but they were strict and yes maybe a little hard on me but they were good parents. Could say I was used to it and knew they only wanted what was best for me.


    She collected me and took me straight to the hospital. Turns out it wasn¡¯t broken but I was to expect 2 ck eyes and a lot of swelling.


    ¡°Why would someone do this?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know mom¡±. Iy my head against the window. I couldn¡¯t wait to get home and go for a nap.


    ¡°Little bastards¡±. She hissed. ¡°If I ever get my hands on who done this then god help them¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips. It was always strange to hear her curse. She hardly ever did it.


    ¡°I¡¯m angry Aubrey. I¡¯m angry because someone hurt my child for no reason¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay mom. The swelling will go down and the bruises will fade. I¡¯ll be back at school before you know it¡±.


    ¡°And Alice will drop your work off to you?¡±. She asked.


    God forbid I miss anything. ¡°Yes¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to fall behind¡±.


    That could never happen. I was already getting good grades and passing every ss but I guess it wouldn¡¯t hurt to keep up to date with school work.


    ¡°I know¡±. She pulled up outside our house turning off the engine.


    ¡°You sure you¡¯re okay?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°A little sore but other than that I¡¯m fine¡±. I unclipped my seatbelt and got out.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you some soup. You head upstairs. It won¡¯t be long¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry mom. I just want to sleep¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make it anyway¡±.


    When I reached my room I didn¡¯t bother changing out of my clothes. I kicked my shoes off and got straight under my covers.


    A few days off school would be good. A few days of not having to put up with Franko was even better.


    ¡­


    The doctor was right about the ck eyes. You¡¯d think I¡¯d been beaten ck and blue. The swelling had went down massively. That¡¯s what happens when your mom straps a bag of ice to your face.


    My mom and dad had already left for work. Let¡¯s just say my face didn¡¯t go down well with my dad at all. He came, he looked and he didn¡¯t say a word. But I knew he was angry.


    Angry because I had been hurt for no reason. To be fair it looked much worse than it actually was. The pain had eased only the dark bruising left. But that was expected. If anyone gets hit hard enough on the nose they¡¯re sure to bruise under the eyes.


    Heading downstairs I rolled my eyes at the note left by my mom. Remembering me to take it easy and get my school work from Alice. Also money was behind the clock and that both her and my dad would be workingte.


    They didn¡¯t have shy jobs but they did everything to make it work and make sure we survived. I didn¡¯t go without, birthdays and Christmas were always good.


    I went about making some breakfast before getting myself showered and dressed. It felt weird to be off school. I had never even beente before never mind off. I never got sick, I never ditched.


    I was your all round good girl and that¡¯s the way I liked it. Good grades to get me through school and then off to university.


    I didn¡¯t have long to wait. 2 more years and I¡¯d graduate and be on my way. Putting my dirty dishes in the sink I made myself some tea. I couldn¡¯t do any work until Alice finished school and I didn¡¯t have any books home with me as my backpack was still in my locker.


    I literally had nothing to do but wait.


    It was around lunch time when there was a knock on my front door. You could guess the shock on my face when I pulled it open and Tommy was stood there holding my back pack.


    ¡°Damn sweetheart¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°That looks a sore one¡±. He took a step forward. ¡°How bad does it hurt?¡±.


    ¡°Not much¡±. I shrugged. ¡°Looks worse than what it is¡±.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve gone ten rounds with Mohammad Ali¡±. He chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re a tough little one princess¡±.


    Rolling my eyes I leaned against the door frame. ¡°Is there something you need?¡±. I asked.


    He dropped my backpack close to my feet. ¡°Alice asked if I could drop this off to you. Said she¡¯ll be overter with your school work¡±.


    Hold up what?


    When did Alice be friends with Tommy. He was bad news, he was best friends with Franko. We didn¡¯t be friends with people like them.


    They were trouble.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°So you and Alice are friends now?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s a cool girl¡±. He smirked. ¡°Oh and Franko sends his love¡±. He winked.


    ¡°Bite me¡±. I red.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t be acting like you don¡¯t know why he acts the way he does with you¡±.


    My stomach filled with butterflies, no nerves because as much as I hated him I wouldn¡¯t like to be on the wrong side of him.


    Franko was dangerous regardless if he was only 17. He was old before his time.


    I bent down to pick up my bag. ¡°Bye Tommy and thank you for dropping this off¡±.


    ¡°Not a problem darling. I¡¯ll see you soon, real soon¡±. He winked.


    Closing the door I fell back against it my heart hammering in my chest. Something was going on. Tommy showing up at my door with my school books? Alice and Tommy bing friends?


    I couldn¡¯t wrap my head around why all of a sudden we were suddenly being recognised by them. Not something I wanted by the way. Yes we knew each other, went through school together but we were never friends that spoke to each other or hung out.


    Like I said we didn¡¯t associate with them well until now. I wasn¡¯t even sure how Tommy knew where I lived.


    Alice of course.


    Running a hand through my hair I chewed the inside of my cheek. This wasn¡¯t happening I wouldn¡¯t allow it to. I wasn¡¯t bing one of these girls that get sucked in by them.


    Sucked in and then threw away like trash.


    ..


    I ordered pizza for Aliceing round. I knew she wouldn¡¯t be long after school finished. Good thing about Alice was she had her own car.


    I wasn¡¯t allowed one until I was at least 17. I had my permit and only ever got to drive when my dad took me out.


    Strict parents as well as protective parents. Now can you see why I couldn¡¯t wait to graduate and get the hell out of here.


    Grabbing tes from the cupboard I set them on the table and grabbed 2 bottles of coke from the fridge. There was a chap at my door before Alice was standing in front of me a massive grin on her face.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m in love¡±.


    ¡°Oh god¡±. I groaned. ¡°Please don¡¯t say who I think you¡¯re going to say¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s fucking hot Aubrey and he has a motorbike¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m off school for one day and you¡¯re already shacking up with one of the town¡¯s degenerates¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. Sheughed. ¡°He¡¯s actually not that bad and he¡¯s nice to me¡±.


    I bet he was.


    ¡°But we¡¯re not shacking up. I¡¯m not that stupid¡±. She went to get the pizza as the door went.


    Thank god for that. Thest thing I needed was to lose my best friend to a biker.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to-.. hey where¡¯s the pizza?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Not pizza. Franko is at the door¡±. She whispered.


    ¡°Why?¡±. My heartbeat quickened. Why did I suddenly have butterflies in my stomach at the mention of his name?


    She shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Go and speak to him¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to¡±. I groaned.


    ¡°Stop being a baby and go to the door¡±.


    ¡°Fine¡±. I huffed.


    There he was. Stood outside my front door a cigarette hanging from his mouth, sunsses covering his eyes and that damn cut clinging to his chest.


    ¡°Fuck baby it looks worse today¡±. As he took a step towards me I wrinkled my nose at the cigarette smoke and took a step back.


    ¡°What are you doing here Franko?¡±.


    ¡°How sore is it?¡±. He ignored my question by asking his own.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine now what do you want?¡±. I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about how good he looked right now. I hated that damn cut and what it stood for but dammit if he didn¡¯t look hot in it.


    My eyes trailed over his chest, down his legs and back up to his face. I couldn¡¯t help it, I couldn¡¯t stop the quickening of my heartbeat.


    Oh god what was happening to me?


    Was I actually attracted to him?


    ¡°Just checking in darling¡±. I didn¡¯t miss his smirk, he had caught me looking. Trying my hardest to stay cool I could already feel the heat spreading over my cheeks.


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t need you checking in on me. Is that everything?¡±.


    ¡°Look babe-¡­¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re not friends Franko I don¡¯t need you checking up on me. Bye¡±. I mmed the door in his face instantly hating how bad it made me feel.


    ¡°What did he want?¡±. Alice asked.


    ¡°He was just checking in¡±. I rolled my eyes. ¡°Weird right?¡±.


    ¡°Maybe he likes you¡±. She shrugged.


    I made a face. ¡°Yeah right. He likes to tease and make fun of me. He doesn¡¯t like me and I hate him¡±.


    ¡°Do you really though?¡±. I didn¡¯t miss the hint of her smirk. ¡°I mean how long have you two been going at it?¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going at anything¡±.


    ¡°If you say so. Do you want to go to the diner for a milkshake maybe even a burger?¡±.


    ¡°I ordered pizza and I don¡¯t really feel like going out¡±. I pointed towards my face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t really feel like pizza tonight but I could definitely go a cheese burger¡±. She grinned.


    So we ditched the pizza and she was currently driving us to the diner. I only came on the condition that she was buying, she agreed.


    As she pulled into the diner carpark my eyes fell into slits as I noticed the two motorbikes. ¡°Are you kidding me right now?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°What, he¡¯s cute and I like talking to him¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going in there to sit with them and the people they hang out with. I¡¯m still not convinced it wasn¡¯t one of them that did this to my face¡±.


    ¡°You really think Franko would let anyone hurt you?¡±. She turned off her engine as we found a space.


    ¡°Don¡¯te at me with that rubbish again Alice. We don¡¯t like each other and that¡¯s the end of it¡±.


    ¡°Wow calm down I was kidding. Do you want me to take you home?¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re here now and I¡¯m hungry so no¡±.


    ¡­


    I know you¡¯re all waiting patiently for the next chapter of where I belong and believe me it¡¯sing.


    This was just something floating around in my head so I thought I would start it and just go with it.


    Let me know what you think ??


    MissyElliottxo

 Chapter 2

    Everyone was staring but I expected it. My face wasn¡¯t exactly a pretty sight right now. My stomach twisted, the feeling of being anywhere but here creeping in.


    This was where every young person hung out, well that was when Franko wasn¡¯t throwing a party.


    ¡°Let them stare¡±. Alice whispered. ¡°You¡¯re still sexy as hell¡±.


    ¡°I think I should go home¡±. I didn¡¯t like the way I was feeling. I should have just stayed at home with my pizza. I didn¡¯t go out much, I didn¡¯t really have the friends to go out with.


    ¡°Ladies¡±. Tommy.


    ¡°Hi¡±. Alice grinned.


    ¡°Come sit with us. I saved you a seat¡±. He threw his arm around Alice¡¯s shoulders as I awkwardly followed behind them.


    Great.


    There was no seats left. Everyone was crowding around the booth. It was sad really. Sad that everyone here wanted so badly to catch his attention, to be his friend.


    I awkwardly stood with my arms crossed trying my best not to look stupid. I felt so out of ce like I didn¡¯t belong here and well that¡¯s because I didn¡¯t.


    The chatter was loud, girls squealing, their high pitched voices deafening. Everyone was pushing their way in trying to sit with the king pin himself. Huffing I rolled my eyes.


    Pathetic or even better desperate.


    ¡°Hey you¡±. A girl poked my chest. ¡°You¡¯re the girl that got hit in the face with a milk carton right?¡±. I could see the hint of her smirk and so badly wanted to throttle her.


    I wasn¡¯t a violent person but my mom always taught me to stick up for myself.


    ¡°That¡¯s me¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±. Sheughed. ¡°I mean who are you here for?¡±.


    And I was done. This is why I don¡¯t go out and this is why I don¡¯t associate with people like that. Bitches the lot of them.


    ¡°She¡¯s here with me. That a problem Cass?¡±.


    Franko!


    ¡°Oh no I-¡­ it¡¯s just¡±.


    ¡°How about you fuck off for the night yeah¡±.


    I had to get out of here and away from this. This wasn¡¯t my scene and I definitely wasn¡¯t getting the me for causing an argument.


    I liked my life, my peaceful no drama life.


    ¡°But-¡­ but we¡¯re-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Fuck off Cass. I won¡¯t tell you again¡±. He snapped.


    I made eye contact with him once and once only before dropping my gaze. He wasn¡¯t joking around, he was being deadly serious and if looks could kill that Cass girl would be dead and buried.


    No, no, no. I didn¡¯t need this. I didn¡¯t want for him to stick up for me, I wanted him to go back to teasing me and throwing snide littlements my way.


    We hated each other. I just had to remind myself of that.


    ¡°No need I was just leaving¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°See baby she was-¡­.¡±.


    I didn¡¯t stick around to hear the rest of what she was saying. I didn¡¯t need girls like that giving me a hard time over a boy. I was in no way a threat and I didn¡¯t need for her or anyone else to think I was.


    Before heading outside I stopped at the serving counter for some coffee. I had no idea how long I was going to have to wait for Alice and it was a cold one tonight.


    Paying for my coffee I about jumped a foot in the air when a hand was ced on my back. Tingles, excitement shot through my body because without looking I already knew who it was.


    He was everywhere.


    I didn¡¯t understand why I was acting this way towards him. How did he manage to slide his way into my life more than usual?


    ¡°How about I take you home?¡±. He was so close his breath tickled the side of my neck.


    Oh god I had to get away from him.


    ¡°N-no, no I¡¯m good¡±. I grabbed my coffee and quickly made my way outside. I had to stay away from Franko Mendez before I did something I would regret.


    ¡­


    I was starving, freezing and starting to be a little pissed off. I had been sat on the hood of her car for over an hour and she still hadn¡¯te out.


    Did she even know I hade outside?


    Was she too wrapped up in Tommy to notice her best friend had left?


    Hearing theughter I turned my head towards the entrance to the diner. Loads of people poured out Alice being one of them. She was wrapped around Tommy like a vine.


    ¡°Finally¡±. I sighed.


    I just wanted to go home, get in my pjs and watch tv in bed. No, why was Tommy following her? He didn¡¯t need to walk her to her car.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. He smirked as he approached me.


    ¡°Hey¡±.


    ¡°Here¡±. Alice smiled as she handed me a bag. ¡°Cheeseburger andrge fries¡±.


    ¡°I love you¡±. I was so hungry I couldn¡¯t wait to dig in. Pulling the burger from the bag I unwrapped it and took a massive bite.


    A moan slipped past my lips as my eyes shut, savouring the taste on my tongue as the vours exploded.


    ¡°So that¡¯s what it¡¯ll sound like¡±. He growled.


    My eyes flew open, cheeks scarlet when I realised what he was talking about. I froze, burger forgotten about as I went to wrap it back up and put it away.


    ¡°Eat your fucking burger Aubrey and you¡±. He turned towards Alice. ¡°The fuck would you leave your best friend out here on her own for?¡±.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t, I mean¡±. She looked terrified.


    ¡°Hey don¡¯t-¡­¡±.


    ¡°You eat¡±. He snapped. ¡°And you fuck off¡±.


    What in the world was going on?


    ¡°She¡¯s my ride so please don¡¯t fuck off¡±. I slid off the hood of her car. ¡°Can we go please?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m not done with you yet¡±. Eye zing he pulled a cigarette from his cut pocket and lit it up.


    Okay seriously what the hell was going on? And who did he think he was talking to like that? I was so confused. ncing at Tommy he was whispering something in Alice¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Franko we gotta go¡±.


    He didn¡¯t say anything. He stood smoking his cigarette while ring at the ground. I always knew he wasn¡¯t someone to mess with but to actually see his hot and cold attitude was frightening.


    He flicked his cigarette to the ground and stormed off.


    ¡°What in the-¡­.¡±.


    ¡°Best advice I could give you princess is don¡¯t poke the bear¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±. I made a face. I didn¡¯t do anything, I was simply eating my burger waiting to go home.


    ¡°He wants you Aubrey and what Franko wants he gets. You fucking with him ain¡¯t doing anyone any favours¡±.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±. I literally didn¡¯t do anything to make him think I was ¡®fucking¡¯ with him.


    My head felt like it was going to explode.


    ¡°One day you¡¯ll get it¡±. He turned his attention towards Alice. ¡°See you tomorrow yeah?¡±.


    I had zoned out. What did I possibly do to make him think that? I hated him from the first day I met him and I¡¯m pretty sure he knew that.


    My heartbeat quickened as the panic set in. Like I said before I never wanted to be on the wrong side of him.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°What the hell just happened?¡±.


    ¡°Franko being Franko as always. I wouldn¡¯t worry about it. He was sucking face with some blond like ten minutes ago¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about all of that. What makes Tommy think I¡¯m fucking with him?¡±. I closed the passenger side door and put on my seatbelt. ¡°I mean why would he even say that. You know how much I can¡¯t stand him¡±.


    ¡°Because maybe he does actually like you?¡±. She started her engine and pulled out of the car park.


    ¡°Yeah well the feeling isn¡¯t mutual¡±.


    ¡°You sure about that?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been more sure about anything in my life¡±. Franko Mendez was bad news and I had to figure out a way to avoid him at all costs.


    The rest of the car ride home was quiet. My head hurt with how much I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about tonight. Every scenario running through my mind.


    I kept ying Tommys words over in my head. ¡®Franko wants you and what Franko wants he gets¡¯. Surely not right? I mean I¡¯ve never hinted that I like him or even hinted that I wanted to be friends.


    And one things for sure. I do not like Franko Mendez.


    ..


    ¡°You not hungry?¡±. My mom asked the next morning at breakfast.


    I took a spoonful of my cereal. I was in fact hungry but my stomach was in knots. I still couldn¡¯t stop thinking aboutst night.


    ¡°Did Alice drop your work off?¡±.


    ¡°She did and I finished itst night. I don¡¯t have to hand it back in until I¡¯m back¡±.


    ¡°Your face still looks pretty bad¡±. She ced a ss of orange juice beside me. ¡°Is it still sore?¡±.


    ¡°A little bit¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey are you okay?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine mom¡±. I couldn¡¯t exactly talk to her about what had happened. She wasn¡¯t the type of mom I could tell about these things. And if she found out I¡¯d even been around Franko she¡¯d have my head.


    ¡°I could take you back to see the doctor before I have to go into work?¡±.


    ¡°No it¡¯s okay. It¡¯s not as bad as it was¡±. I finished off my breakfast and put my bowl in the sink. ¡°Are you workingte tonight?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be toote honey but I think your dad will be home early so you can just grab dinner with him¡±.


    ¡°Okay and knowing dad it¡¯ll probably be a takeaway¡±. I grinned.


    Rolling her eyes she started to tidy up the kitchen. ¡°Well I didn¡¯t marry him for his cooking skills that¡¯s for sure¡±.


    ¡°Right¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°What are you going to get up to today?¡±. She asked.


    Absolutely nothing because I had nothing to do. Like I said before it¡¯s not as if I had a car where I could take myself to the mall and hang out.


    ¡°Probably study and maybe watch some tv¡±.


    ¡°Not to much tv though and maybe tidy your room a little¡±.


    ¡°Mom¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°Can we bring up the car situation with dad again?¡±.


    ¡°You know what he¡¯ll say Aubrey¡±. She stopped what she was doing. ¡°I¡¯m not against it honey, I understand you need to get yourself from A to B but you know what he¡¯s like he just worries¡±.


    ¡°But can you still mention it please?¡±.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best. Now I have to get to work. You sure you¡¯re okay?¡±.


    ¡°Yes I¡¯m okay. I¡¯ll see you when you¡¯re back¡±. She kissed my cheek before grabbing her bag and leaving.


    Another full day of being stuck in the house with nothing to do. I could always walk to the mall. It was only about a 20 minute walk and it would give me something to do.


    But going by myself?


    What if I ran into him?


    Shaking my head I squeezed my eyes shut before opening them again. I was being ridiculous now and even if I did run into him. What could he possibly do?


    After showering and getting myself changed I made sure to grab my woolly hat from my closet. Winter wasing and I hated being cold.


    Although Winter was my favourite season. The smell in the air, the dark nights. I couldn¡¯t wait until autumn was finally over.


    You never know we might even get snow this year.


    Heading downstairs I grabbed my big jacket slipping my arms through the sleeves. I wrapped my scarf around my neck and pulled on my hat.


    Touching my sses I pulled them off to give them a quick clean.


    ¡®Specs¡¯


    The famous nickname all because I wore sses. Sighing I put them back on my face and took the money from under the clock. I didn¡¯t n on buying anything but I did always like to have money on me just in case.


    ..


    It was the sound of motorbikes that startled me. My stomach tightened, my heartbeat beating faster. I came to a stop mesmerised by the amount of bikes that were passing.


    Franko¡¯s dad up front and centre.


    There must have been at least 30 bikes. All in sync, all riding together through the town like they owned the ce. Not one car in sight.


    Maybe something was happening?


    Not hanging around to find out I picked up my pace and continued on my walk to the mall. If only I had realised that one of the bikes up front had circled and wasing back.


    It wasn¡¯t until he cut me off almost knocking me over that I realised he was there. He was riding with them.


    ¡°You could have ran me over¡±. I yelled as he cut the engine.


    ¡°Rx babe I know what I¡¯m doing¡±. He pulled his helmet off and dug around in his cut until he produced a cigarette.


    That god damn smirk. I wanted to wipe it off his face.


    ¡°You still could have hit me¡±. I red.


    ¡°Never princess. You want a smoke?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I made a face. I couldn¡¯t think of anything more disgusting to put inside my body. Well I could and he was standing in front of me. On that thought I bit back my smile.


    ¡°What you smiling at?¡±.


    ¡°Nothing. What do you want?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°You¡±. He winked.


    ¡°In your dreams Franko¡±.


    ¡°Every damn night baby¡±. He chuckled.


    Rolling my eyes I went to walk past him only for his hand to shoot out grabbing a hold of my wrist. Tingles instantly shot through my body.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±.


    ¡°Why you always gotta be a bitch to me Aubrey?¡±.


    I was a little taken aback by that. I wasn¡¯t a bitch I just needed for him to understand that this, whatever this was wasn¡¯t happening.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m not¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°You are specs. Let me take you out¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips. ¡°No now can you please move?¡±.


    He slipped his helmet back on and started his engine. ¡°One day darling, one day and your ass will be firmly nted on the back of my bike¡±.


    ¡°Only in your dreams Franko¡±. I yelled as he took off down the street.


    For some reason I couldn¡¯t stop smiling.

 Chapter 3

    I didn¡¯t like him, I hated him so why couldn¡¯t I stop thinking about him? Franko Mendez had somehow wormed his way into my head.


    Why was he suddenly so interested in me?


    ¡°Aubrey can youe down here for a sec?¡±. My dad yelled from the bottom of the stairs.


    Pushing my books to the side I got off my bed and headed downstairs. I found my dad sat at the kitchen table with a beer in his hand.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Pizza for dinner?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah sure¡±.


    ¡°Your mom called me¡±.


    ¡°Okay?¡±.


    ¡°So you think you¡¯re responsible enough for a car?¡±. He took a sip of his beer his eyesnding on mine.


    ¡°Yes¡±. I wasn¡¯t stupid, I got good grades, I didn¡¯t cause any trouble.


    ¡°I¡¯m not against getting you a car Aubrey but what you need to do first is get a job so I know you can pay for it¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t against that.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I grinned. ¡°And if I get a job you¡¯ll really buy me a car?¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying. It won¡¯t be anything new or shy but no one¡¯s first car ever is¡±. Heughed.


    ¡°Thank you, thank you¡±. I hugged him cing a kiss on his cheek. ¡°Could we go this Saturday and have a look?¡±.


    ¡°Job first car second. Do we have a deal?¡±.


    ¡°Yes we have a deal¡±. Finding a job shouldn¡¯t be that hard right? I could work at the diner or even scope out some shops in the mall. I would do anything to secure getting my own car.


    Just then there was a knock at the door.


    ¡°You expectingpany?¡±. He asked as he got to his feet.


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned. Unless it was Alice but I wasn¡¯t expecting her.


    ¡°Some boy at the door for you¡±. I could see the disapproving look he was sporting.


    My dad didn¡¯t like boys, especially hanging around his daughter. Surely to god it wasn¡¯t Franko? That¡¯s thest person I needed showing up on my doorstep when my dad was home.


    ¡°You in some sort of trouble?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°What, no. Why would you ask that?¡±.


    ¡°Because his face looks worse than yours¡±.


    He had lost me.


    I didn¡¯t know the boy standing outside my front door. I recognised him from school but that was it. My dad was right though. His face was a mess and I¡¯m pretty sure his nose was broken.


    ¡°A-Aubrey right?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Look I¡¯m sorry for the other day¡±. He scratched the back of his head. ¡°The milk carton¡±.


    ¡°Oh¡±. This was the guy that did this to my face.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry I hurt you. If there¡¯s anything I can do to make it better or maybe even take you out just-¡­¡±.


    ¡°I told you to apologise dickhead not ask my girl on a fucking date¡±.


    Franko was here?


    ¡°R-right sorry Franko¡±.


    ¡°Now fuck off¡±.


    And he did he scrambled off my door step almost tripping over his own feet.


    As he walked closer my heart took off in my chest. The butterflies erupting in my stomach.


    ¡°Specs¡±. He winked.


    Looking behind me to make sure my dad wasn¡¯t there I stepped outside closing the door. ¡°Did you do that to his face?¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°Maybe¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°Franko¡±¡­.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky that¡¯s all I did¡±.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to do that¡±. I didn¡¯t need people talking about me. Franko was popr and well, I wasn¡¯t .


    ¡°The fuck I did¡±. He red. ¡°Look what he did to you¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you sticking up for-¡­.¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡± My dad.


    ¡°You need to go¡±. I whispered. ¡°My dad won¡¯t like you being here¡±.


    ¡°Let me take you out¡±.


    Not this again.


    ¡°No now please get out of here before-¡­.¡±. The door opened behind me. Great exactly what I needed right now.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on out here?¡±. My dad asked.


    ¡°Nothing dad, Franko was just leaving¡±. It was then I realised I should have used Francis.


    ¡°Franko as in Blues boy?¡±.


    Oh god here we go. I¡¯ll be grounded for life by the time he leaves my front door.


    ¡°Yes¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°I see and what business do you have with my daughter?¡±. He made his way outside making sure to block my view.


    Yeah I was definitely going to be grounded for life after this. My dad didn¡¯t like any boys sniffing around me never mind a bikers son.


    ¡°I was just checking Aubrey was alright sir¡±.


    Sir?


    ¡°And why wouldn¡¯t she be?¡±. He questioned.


    I wanted the ground to swallow me up.


    ¡°After the other day at school. I witnessed what happened¡±.


    ¡°Who was the boy from before?¡±. My dad turned to me. ¡°Where did he go?¡±.


    ¡°He was the one that caused this¡±. I pointed to my face. ¡°He came over to apologise¡±.


    ¡°Right well you¡¯ve got school work to finish so say goodnight to Franko¡±. The look he gave me before stepping inside told me a chat wasing.


    A sigh fell from my lips.


    ¡°I get the feeling he doesn¡¯t like me¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°I have to go¡±.


    ¡°Let me take you out tomorrow¡±.


    ¡°No¡±.


    ¡°Come on specs. Scared you might like it?¡±.


    Yes that¡¯s exactly what I was afraid of.


    ¡°No¡±. I red. ¡°Goodnight Franko¡±. And I closed the door in his face.


    Foot on the bottom of the stairs I made a face when my dad called my name. Walking back into the kitchen I dreaded what wasing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you hanging around that boy¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°He¡¯s bad news. Stay clear of him¡±.


    ¡°I know that dad¡±.


    ¡°I mean it Aubrey. His family are trouble and that boy will be no different. I don¡¯t need you getting caught up in it all¡±.


    ¡°Okay, can I go to my room?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m being serious Aubrey. That boy-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Dad I get it. I won¡¯t go near him. Now can I go to my room?¡±.


    ¡°Yes go, I¡¯ll shout when dinner is here¡±.


    My dad was right, I knew he was but I couldn¡¯t get him out of my head. All the littlements he had made over thest few days. The showing up at my house, making that guy apologise.


    And let¡¯s not forget asking me out.


    Why now?


    Was he trying to make a joke out of me?


    Shaking my head I squeezed my eyes shut tight. I had to stop thinking about him before I drove myself crazy. Franko Mendez was bad news and I couldn¡¯t allow myself to fall for him.


    ¡­..


    ¡°I thought you were taking a few days off?¡±. My mom asked as she entered the kitchen.


    I had decided I was going back to school. I couldn¡¯t stand being off anymore. I was stuck in the house all day by myself.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already been off for two days. I think it¡¯s time I go back¡±. My face wasn¡¯t any better than before colour wise, but the swelling was almost gone and the pain I could handle.


    ¡°You sure you¡¯re ready?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Can you drop me off on your way to work?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Have you eaten?¡±.


    ¡°Mom¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Okay, okay. Go wait in the car I won¡¯t be long¡±.


    I grabbed some snacks pushing them in my bag before heading outside.


    ¡°So dad tells me you had a visitorst night¡±.


    Of course he did.


    ¡°It¡¯s not what you think¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you associating with that boy Aubrey¡±.


    And here ites.


    ¡°We¡¯re not friends mom¡±.


    ¡°So, why was he outside the housest night?¡±.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask him toe, if that¡¯s what you mean¡±.


    ¡°Boys like that are nothing but trouble. You stay clear of him¡±.


    ¡°Like I said, we¡¯re not friends¡±.


    ¡°Good¡±.


    As she pulled up outside the school my stomach tightened. Alice wasn¡¯t waiting by our usual spot. Instead she was standing with Tommy and his friends.


    Or groupies.


    The cool kids.


    ¡°Your dad and I will be workingte. Will you be okay to sort yourself some dinner?¡±.


    Franko.


    My eyesnded on his for a brief moment but I was quick to divert my gaze.


    ¡°Aubrey, are you even listening?¡±.


    ¡°Yes mom, I can sort myself some dinner¡±. I unclipped my seatbelt and opened the door.


    ¡°Straight home after school¡±.


    Her tone had changed, that¡¯s when I knew she had spotted Alice amongst Franko and his friends.


    ¡°I know¡±.


    ¡°And remember¡±.


    ¡°Mom I have to go¡±.


    ¡°Stay away from that boy¡±.


    I got out closing the door behind me. I didn¡¯t move until I could no longer see her car.


    ¡°Your face doesn¡¯t look any better¡±.


    I turned to face her. ¡°Thanks¡±.


    ¡°So, I think I like Tommy¡±.


    I saw thating. I wanted to know why he was suddenly showing interest in her. Don¡¯t get me wrong, Alice was a beautiful girl but something felt off about the whole thing.


    Of course I didn¡¯t say any of this. I would be the supporting best friend and also the shoulder to cry on when he breaks her heart.


    Because that¡¯s what boys like Tommy and Franko do. I¡¯ve never seen any of them with the same girl twice.


    ¡°Please be careful¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m just having some fun. He¡¯s nice to me and I really like being around him¡±.


    We¡¯d never had boyfriends so a boy showing interest in her was exciting. Who was I to ruin that.


    ¡°Yo, specs¡±.


    I didn¡¯t have the energy to deal with him today. I had it drilled into my brain to stay away from him, and that¡¯s exactly what I nned on doing.


    ¡°Franko wants you to go over¡±. Alice whispered.


    Ignoring the butterflies in my stomach I kept my head low and my gaze on the ground. I wasn¡¯t doing that. I didn¡¯t want the attention from his friends and everyone else in the school.


    I was a straight A student, a good girl. Franko wasn¡¯t going to jeopardise that. I wouldn¡¯t let him.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. Alice grabbed my arm. ¡°Let¡¯s go over. Tommy is there too¡±.


    ¡°No¡±.


    ¡°Please Aubrey¡±.


    I didn¡¯t want to. I already felt ufortable just thinking about it. ¡°I¡¯m going to ss¡±.


    ¡°Ohe on, please¡±. She begged.


    ¡°Why would I want to go over there and made to feel ufortable? We don¡¯t belong over there, we don¡¯t fit in with people like that¡±.


    ¡°Harsh specs¡±.


    If being harsh was going to make him leave me alone then so be it. I couldn¡¯t get caught up with him, or be around him, because the more I was around him the more I was beginning to like it.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ss¡±. Alice was on her own for this one.


    ¡°Yo, Aubrey, wait up¡±. He chased after me.


    ¡°What is it?¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Just checking we¡¯re still on for tonight?¡±.


    What?


    ¡°Tonight?¡±.


    ¡°Our date¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°W-we¡¯re not going out¡±. I stuttered.


    ¡°We are babe. I¡¯ll pick you up at 7¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. If my parents got wind of this I¡¯d be grounded for life. ¡°I never agreed to go out with you¡±.


    ¡°Never said you did darling but I¡¯m still taking you out¡±.


    ¡°I-.. we can¡¯t¡±. I hated how flustered I was bing. I hate him, I¡¯m not attracted to him, so why was my heart racing?


    ¡°7 o¡¯clock babe. Be ready¡±.


    ¡°Franko we can¡¯t, I can¡¯t, don¡¯t you-¡­¡±.


    ¡°7 o¡¯clock Aubrey¡±.


    ¡­

 Chapter 4

    I felt sick.


    I hadn¡¯t been able to concentrate at all. I got in trouble twice and ended up with a detention after school. My first ever detention. My mom was going to freak out.


    I was freaking out.


    I had never been in trouble before.


    This was all Franko¡¯s fault.


    I grit my teeth as I snapped the pencil I was holding. I let him get inside my head and now I was getting myself into trouble. And yet I still couldn¡¯t stop thinking about him.


    His smile.


    The way he smelled.


    His big brown eyes.


    A groan fell from my lips.


    I was doomed.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. Alice whispered from her seat behind me.


    I ignored her. I didn¡¯t need to get myself another detention. A sigh fell from my lips as the bell went signalling it was lunch.


    I needed fresh air.


    ¡°Miss Taylor¡±.


    I snapped my head up, my eyesnding on Mr Laird.


    ¡°Yes sir?¡±.


    ¡°I would like a moment before you leave my ss¡±.


    My mouth became dry. I was wracking my brain for anything I may have done wrong but came up with nothing. Mr Laird was a hard ass but I never had any issues with him.


    I packed my bag quickly and made my way to the front of the ss. I couldn¡¯t afford to get into any more trouble. My parents would kill me, literally. All they asked is that I get good grades and I stay out of trouble.


    This wasn¡¯t staying out of trouble.


    ¡°Is-¡­ have I done something wrong?¡±. Even my voice was shaky.


    ¡°Calm down Miss Stone. I want to praise you on yourtest paper¡±.


    My shoulders rxed as I let out a deep breath. ¡°Thank you I¡¯m d you enjoyed it¡±.


    ¡°Keep doing work like that and you¡¯ll go far¡±.


    I grinned. It was always nice being praised for my work. Especially when I worked so hard at keeping my grades good.


    ¡°Thanks sir¡±. I left the ssroom; Alice was waiting by the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m starving¡±. She looped her arm through mine. ¡°What was that all about?¡±.


    ¡°Just my work¡±. We entered the cafeteria; I tried my hardest not to look for him. I shouldn¡¯t even be thinking about him. ¡°I¡¯ll get us lunch; you find a seat¡±.


    I should have known.


    She found us a seat alight.


    A seat with the person I was trying to avoid.


    The table was packed full of people like always. There was no room for me to sit anywhere. A sigh fell from my lips as I stood awkwardly in the middle of the cafeteria staring like a weirdo.


    ¡°You can sit with me if you like?¡±.


    I turned my head my eyesnding on Ben. He was in my maths ss and quarterback for the football team. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever spoken two words to him. Our paths never really crossed and I wasn¡¯t much of a football fan.


    I smiled. ¡°Thank you but I have to take this¡±. I lifted the lunch tray. ¡°To Alice¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s cool. The offers always open if you change your mind¡±.


    He seemed nice enough. He was probably someone my parents would approve of. Someone I could probably take home and he not be chucked out of my house.


    A good guy.


    Walking the short distance to where Alice was, I ced the tray on the table in front of her. Still no avable seats and I was starting to feel a little ufortable.


    Franko wasn¡¯t here.


    ¡°Thanks Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey, you sit there¡±. Tommy pulled Alice from her chair and ced her on hisp. Her eyes widened, her face turning red. I wasn¡¯t sure if I should say anything. I wasn¡¯t even sure if she was breathing.


    She had be totally besotted by him within a matter of days.


    I kept my mouth shut and sat down. I was hungry and had already wasted some of my lunch break. I zoned out. The minute they started talking about parting and sex I grabbed my book from my bag and focused on that.


    This wasn¡¯t my scene. These people were nothing like me. I didn¡¯t party, didn¡¯t drink or smoke and sex, I hadn¡¯t even thought about having sex. I had just turned sixteen a month ago. Sex had never crossed my mind.


    ¡°So, Aubrey¡±.


    I lifted my head my eyesnding on the girl from the other night, the one from the diner. Cass, I think her name was but I wasn¡¯t sure. I knew one thing though; she didn¡¯t like me and she didn¡¯t like that Franko was talking to me that night.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±.


    ¡°I guess¡±. What could she possibly want to know? I was irrelevant to her and if this was about Franko, I would shoot her down. She was wee to him.


    ¡°Have you fucked Franko yet?¡±.


    The full table grew quiet and I grew extremely ufortable. What sort of question is that to ask someone you don¡¯t know? What exactly was she up to? She liked Franko and had probably been with him but I was no threat to her.


    I would never be with Franko in anyway.


    ¡°Of course, you haven¡¯t¡±. Sheughed. ¡°You¡¯re not his type¡±.


    I was confused and had no idea where she was going with this. Was she expecting me to be annoyed with what she just said?


    ¡°Okay¡±. I made a face before diverting my attention back to my book.


    I wasn¡¯t sure what that was all about.


    ¡°We¡¯re together just so you know¡±.


    I shrugged. ¡°Good for you¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s mine¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips as I closed my book and put it away. She wasn¡¯t getting that I wasn¡¯t interested. I got to my feet lifting my book bag. Maybe next time I will sit with Ben and his friends.


    I¡¯ll sit by myself if it means I don¡¯t have to listen to this again.


    ¡°Stay away from him¡±.


    ¡°Oh, for god¡¯s sake I¡¯m not interested in him¡±. She was obsessed.


    ¡°Good¡±. She smirked. ¡°Bye¡±.


    I needed some air and to get away from that crazy girl.


    I found myself sitting on the bleachers for the rest of lunch. Alice didn¡¯t bother to follow, still too wrapped up in Tommy. I had a feeling I wasn¡¯t going to see much of her anymore.


    She had a boyfriend now. She didn¡¯t care much for anything else. I guess your first boyfriend was a big thing. Not that I would know, not that I cared right enough. I wasn¡¯t really interested in boys right now.


    My main focus was finishing school and getting the hell out of here. I wanted to see the world and do big things. I wanted to make something of myself.


    ¡°Hey¡±.


    Ben, again.


    ¡°Hi¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t seen you here before¡±. He took a seat on the bench above me.


    I shrugged. ¡°Needed some air¡±.


    ¡°Do you want toe to the game on Friday?¡±. He asked.


    Football didn¡¯t interest me in the slightest but I guess it was better than sitting in the house by myself. Wait, was he asking me out on a date? I had never been on a date before.


    Maybe it wasn¡¯t a date.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Like a date?¡±. I wanted the ground to swallow me up as soon as the words fell from my lips. That was meant to be an inside thought.


    A chuckle fell from his lips. ¡°Yes, a date¡±.


    I chewed the inside of my cheek. There was nothing stopping me from saying yes and yet my head was screaming no.


    ¡°I¡¯d like that¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up around 6 on Friday?¡±.


    ¡°You know where I live?¡±. I frowned.


    He scratched the back of his head, looking anywhere but my face. ¡°We live on the same street¡±.


    We did?


    ¡°We do?¡±. I felt so embarrassed. How did I not know that?


    ¡°Have done for thest 4 years¡±.


    Well shit.


    ¡°I have to go; I¡¯ll see you Friday¡±.


    ¡°See you Friday¡±.


    I still couldn¡¯t believe we lived on the same street. How had I never noticed him before?


    ..


    The rest of the day dragged. Biology was myst ss; I love biology it was one of my favourite sses but today I couldn¡¯t seem to concentrate. I had other things on my mind.


    My first ever date and of course Franko.


    He still popped around in there.


    I hadn¡¯t seen him since lunch and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder where he was. Why did he skip the rest of school?


    The bell signalled and I jumped. Too wrapped up in my head to notice it was home time. I had been zooned out most of the day.


    ¡°I believe you have to report to Mr Tennant?¡±. Mrs Kerr asked as I began to pack away my things.


    Oh yeah. Detention. I forgot about that.


    ¡°You¡¯re a straight A student Aubrey. How did you manage detention?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t listening¡±.


    ¡°And he gave you detention?¡±. She frowned.


    ¡°I may not have been listening for the majority of his ss¡±. I chewed my bottom lip.


    ¡°That¡¯s not like you at all. Are you okay?¡±.


    ¡°Just having an off day¡±. I shrugged.


    Mr Tennant made me write an essay on how important it is to listen. A freaking essay. I wrote the biggest load of crap I could think off and I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if it got me another detention tomorrow.


    I had fifteen minutes left before I finally got to go home. It would probably take me longer to get home considering I had to take the bus.


    ¡°Times up¡±.


    He was letting me leave early?


    ¡°You¡¯re one of my top students Aubrey. I don¡¯t want to see you in here again¡±.


    He wasn¡¯t going to. I fell of my game this morning and that wasn¡¯t going to happen again.


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen again sir¡±. I ced the essay on his desk only for him to take it and rip it up.


    Seriously?


    He grinned. ¡°I hope not¡±.


    I had never been in the school after hours before. It was weird to see the halls empty and everywhere so quiet. I pushed the double doors open and headed for the bus stop.


    I never really thought this through.


    I had never had to get the public bus before so I wasn¡¯t sure what one to get on or what time it came at. I waited for over half an hour and no bus turned up. It was almost 5 o¡¯clock and I had no idea how long it was going to take for me to walk home.


    I needed a car and fast.


    I crossed the road and began my journey home.


    ..


    My shoes were killing my feet. I had been walking for what felt like hours. I had never had to walk home before either, it was taking me longer because I was distracted by everything around me.


    The st of a horn caught my attention.


    It was a ck truck I didn¡¯t recognise. Maybe it wasn¡¯t honking at me. As I started walking the truck turned around and was now on the same side as me.


    My heartbeat quickened and just as I was about to run the horn went again.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. The truck slowed downing to a stop.


    I had no idea who this man was.


    Shades covered his eyes, heavily tattooed arms.


    Big arms.


    ¡°You¡¯re Aubrey, right?¡±.


    I swallowed the lump that appeared in my throat. I couldn¡¯t form any words. I¡¯m pretty sure I had started shaking and I may or may not have just pee¡¯d myself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared sweetheart. I¡¯m Blue, you needing a ride?¡±.


    Franko¡¯s dad.


    How did he know who I was?


    ¡°N-no I¡¯m okay¡±.


    ¡°This ain¡¯t really a neighbourhood you should be walking around in sweetheart. Let me take you home¡±.


    It was then that I really looked around myself and noticed how run-down the area really was. Houses boarded up, rubbish everywhere. Graffiti covered walls. Maybe it was better if I let him take me home.


    ¡°Okay¡±.


    I felt on edge and the silence was killing me but I was too scared to speak. I also didn¡¯t know what to say.


    ¡°How the fuck did you end up out this way?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°I-¡­ I had detention¡±.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be walking these streets darling. It¡¯s not safe¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±. That was noted.


    ¡°You mind if I stop by the clubhouse first before I drop you off?¡±.


    The famous clubhouse.


    ¡°Okay¡±. It¡¯s not like I could say no.


    ¡°Is that all you say?¡±. He chuckled.


    ¡°N-no¡±. I stuttered.


    Another chuckle. ¡°What¡¯s going on between you and my boy?¡±.


    ¡°Nothing¡±.


    My heart was racing. Why would he think something was going on with Franko and I? How did he even know who I was?


    Did Franko talk about me with his family?


    ¡°We don¡¯t even like each other¡±. I winced, those words weren¡¯t meant to leave my mouth. ¡°I mean-¡­¡±.


    Heughed as the truck came to a stop. ¡°Come inside darling, I won¡¯t be long¡±.


    Again it¡¯s not as if I could say no.


    Nobody was around except a few women. They all looked around my moms age, a few younger. I couldn¡¯t help but take in everything around me.


    They had a bar.


    Pictures covered the walls, a juke box sat in the corner. Surprisingly it was really clean. I didn¡¯t expect it to be clean inside.


    ¡°Damn they¡¯re starting them young¡±.


    Was she talking to me?


    ¡°How old are you sweetheart?¡±.


    ¡°Leave her be Ange she¡¯s not a club girl¡±. Anotherdy stepped in front of me. Right away I knew she was Franko¡¯s mom. They had the same eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m Maria sweetheart, you¡¯re Aubrey?¡±. She pulled me in for a hug.


    I froze.


    I wasn¡¯t expecting that.


    She pulled back but didn¡¯t let go, instead she ced her hands on my shoulders and just stared at me.


    It was like her eyes were staring into my soul.


    ¡°I¡¯m Franko¡¯s mom¡±.


    ¡°Oh, is this Franko¡¯s girl?¡±. Ange grinned. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to finally meet you sweetheart. You can call me big Ange¡±.


    What in the hell was going on?


    How did I get myself into this mess?


    I had to get home.


    I was starting to feel overwhelmed. My aim was to avoid Franko, not meet his mom. Who by the way seemed lovely. But still I couldn¡¯t be here, I couldn¡¯t be around this.


    I was definitely going to be grounded for life.


    ¡°I-¡­ I have to get home¡±.


    ..


    True to his word Blue dropped me home safe and sound. I couldn¡¯t wait to shower and go to bed. I was exhausted. Today had been an interesting day to say the least.


    I was d my parents decided to workte tonight. I could only imagine what would have happened if they didn¡¯t. I showered and changed quickly before copsing onto my bed. Food could wait, I wanted to nap.


    I napped alright. When I woke it was dark outside. Rubbing at my eyes a groan fell from my lips when I nced at my rm clock. It was eleven o¡¯clock. I was going to regret that nap tomorrow.


    Tap


    Tap


    I frowned. What was that?


    Tap


    I pushed my covers off and got out of bed. Pushing back my curtain I peeked out my blind, my face fell. He couldn¡¯t be here. Not now, not ever and especially not at this time of night.


    Another tap.


    Was he throwing stones at my window?


    Being as quiet as I could so as not to wake my parents, I made my way downstairs. I unlocked the door and stepped outside. If I got caught, I was done for.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°The fuck happened to our date?¡±.


    ¡°Shhh¡±. I hissed. ¡°Go home¡±. I wasn¡¯t in the mood for him right now and I certainly wasn¡¯t going to stand on my doorstep arguing with him.


    ¡°You¡¯re a real bitch, you know that¡±.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    My face fell. Why did his words hurt me? Why did I even care? This was the perfect opportunity for him to leave me alone. That¡¯s what I wanted, for him to leave me alone.


    ¡°I fell asleep¡±.


    ¡°Yeah right¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s the truth. I got detention so I missed my ride home. Waited for the bus but it didn¡¯t show¡±. I don¡¯t know why I was telling him this or why I felt the need to exin myself.


    ¡°You got detention?¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°Yes because of fucking you¡±. I red.


    ¡°Oh, she swears. What else does little Aubrey do?¡±.


    I hated his snugness and I wanted to wipe it from his face. Why was I entertaining this? I wonder if he knows I met his mom and his dad gave me a ride home or that I had been in the clubhouse?


    ¡°You need to leave¡±.


    ¡°Not till you let me take you out¡±.


    ¡°Franko¡± ¡­


    ¡°One date specs¡±.


    ¡°No now goodnight¡±.


    I wouldn¡¯t give in. Not now, not ever.

 Chapter 5

    I didn¡¯t get to sleep until three am.


    I was sitting at the breakfast table trying my hardest to keep my eyes open. I was never napping after school again, it wasn¡¯t worth it. I finished off my toast and got my book bag ready. My mom had to be at work early which meant I would have to go to school early.


    ¡°Your face looks better¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s not sore anymore¡±. The bruising was almost gone. ¡°Are you workingte tonight?¡±.


    ¡°Not tonight honey but dad is. It¡¯ll just be us for dinner. Are you ready?¡±. She nced at her watch. ¡°We have to go¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready¡±.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    There wasn¡¯t much chat this morning which I was d off. I was too tired to talk and by the looks of it so was she. My mom always worked but recently she had been there constantly. Always workingte and always starting early.


    I wanted to know why but I didn¡¯t dare question it. Both my parents worked hard for the life we have. We livedfortably or I thought we did anyway.


    ¡°How was your day yesterday?¡±. She asked.


    If she knew any of what happened I wouldn¡¯t see the light of day for a while. They were strict but fair, that¡¯s how it had always been.


    They had rules and I followed them.


    Did they exaggerate? Absolutely but I was their only child and I knew they worried about me constantly.


    ¡°It was fine¡±.


    ¡°I know dad and I have been working lots recently so how about on Saturday you and I have a little shopping day?¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±.


    ¡°Great and maybe we can have a family game night. How does that sound?¡±.


    Family game night used to happen every Saturday until it didn¡¯t. My parents got busy and I kind of grew out of it. I got to the age where tv was better than bored games.


    ¡°Sounds good mom¡±.


    She pulled up outside the school. ¡°I love you Aubrey, have a good day¡±.


    I quickly made my way inside. It was raining and I had decided to wear my hair down today. Luckily the school opened early doors or I would have had to take the bus. We all know how that would have turned out.


    I made my way to the library.


    ..


    I didn¡¯t want to be here. I was exhausted, I felt sick and my head was throbbing. Putting my books away I went in search for Alice. She should be here by now.


    Hopefully.


    She was standing by our lockers with Tommy.


    ¡°Hey¡±. She smiled but it soon fell. ¡°You don¡¯t look so good Aubrey¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t feeling good at all.


    ¡°I¡¯m not feeling great¡±. I was never sick, I didn¡¯t get sick. I took my vitamins, I ate good most of the time. I was always healthy.


    ¡°Shit princess, you look grey¡±. Tommy added.


    ¡°Gee thanks¡±.


    He smirked. ¡°Think you need to go home¡±.


    ¡°I agree¡±. Alice ced her hand against my forehead. ¡°You¡¯re hot¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be okay¡±. I didn¡¯t have anyone to take me home and I wasn¡¯t dragging my mom or dad out of work just for that reason.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to die if you miss a few days of school¡±. She sighed. ¡°You¡¯re a straight A student, go fucking home¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a ride¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Franko¡±. Tommy smirked. ¡°He¡¯d love to take you home¡±.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t¡±. I begged.


    I couldn¡¯t deal with him today. Not when I felt like this. I wasn¡¯t in the mood for his games.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you¡±. Alice detached herself from Tommy and took my bag from me.


    ¡­


    ¡°Everyone gets sick Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°I know¡±. My eyes were closed, my head resting against the window. I didn¡¯t have the energy to be worried about school. All I wanted to do was sleep.


    ¡°I¡¯ll grab your work and drop it offter¡±.


    ¡°I met Franko¡¯s dad¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±. She yelled causing me to wince. ¡°Sorry. How, what, tell me everything¡±.


    ¡°And his mom and big Ange.  I also have a date on Friday with Ben¡±.


    She pulled the car to a stop switching on her hazards. ¡°Tell me everything, did you-¡­ wait. Who¡¯s Ben?¡±. She frowned.


    ¡°From school. He¡¯s the quarterback and he live¡¯s on my street. I didn¡¯t know that¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re going on a date?¡±.


    I peeled my eyes open. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t say no and he seems nice¡±.


    She screamed. ¡°I¡¯m so excited for you¡±.


    ¡°Stop screaming¡±. I groaned. ¡°And please get me home¡±. My head felt like it was going to explode and her screaming didn¡¯t help.


    ¡°Who¡¯s big Ange?¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips as I shrugged. ¡°A woman that was at the clubhouse¡±.


    She gasped. ¡°You were inside the clubhouse?¡±.


    Was it really that big of a deal?


    I nodded.


    ¡°What was it like?¡±.


    ¡°A run-down bar¡±. Okay that was a bit harsh. Franko¡¯s parents seemed nice and they were nice to me. ¡°It has a jukebox and it was really clean¡±.


    ¡°Was it full of big scary bikers?¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t see any¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re so lucky¡±.


    Lucky wasn¡¯t a word I would use. I couldn¡¯t get Franko off my back no matter how much I tried. He wasn¡¯t giving up but I wasn¡¯t giving in.


    ¡°He came to my housest night¡±.


    ¡°Did you let him in?¡±.


    ¡°He called me a bitch¡±. His choice of words still didn¡¯t sit right with me. I was a bitch because I wouldn¡¯t let him take me out? I wasn¡¯t putting myself in a position where he could hurt me.


    I wasn¡¯t being that girl.


    I wouldn¡¯t date someone that I didn¡¯t trust and I certainly didn¡¯t trust him. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to be just another girl to him.


    ¡°He likes you¡±. She pulled up outside my house and turned the engine off. ¡°And I¡¯m sure he has for a while¡±.


    My stomach filled with butterflies.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like him¡±.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like he¡¯s giving up anytime soon¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips. ¡°Then it looks like I¡¯m going to have to be a bigger bitch for him to take the hint¡±. I unclipped my seatbelt and picked up my bag. ¡°Thanks for bringing me home¡±. I opened the door about to step out.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°Please be careful when ites to Franko. I¡¯ve heard stuff¡±.


    ¡°I will¡±.


    ..


    I didn¡¯t sleep. Iy in bed for hours wracking my brain. How did I end up in this mess? Did I do something for him to take notice? We bickered most days but like I said it had been that way for years.


    Nothing like this ever came from it.


    What was his sudden interest in me now?


    I was going to drive myself mad if I didn¡¯t stop.


    I ran a hand down my face. My head no longer sore, I pushed myself out of bed and went downstairs. I couldn¡¯t wait to see the look on my mom¡¯s face when she gets home and I¡¯m not in school.


    I wasn¡¯t allowed to get sick.


    Missing school was a big no in our house.


    The reason I worked so hard and kept my grades up was to keep them off my back. Again, they weren¡¯t bad parents but some days were tough. I poured myself some water and jumped about a foot in the air when there was a knock on the front door.


    I wasn¡¯t expecting anyone but then again, I wasn¡¯t supposed to be home. Maybe Alice skipped the rest of school to check up on me.


    I took my ss with me and just as I reached the door I froze. What if it was Franko? He knew my parents would be at work which meant he knew I would be alone.


    Alice¡¯s words yed over in my head. I wonder what she had heard. Surely, he wouldn¡¯t hurt me just because I didn¡¯t want to go out with him. I didn¡¯t peg him as that kind of guy.


    Yes, he was scary at times and very intimidating but I don¡¯t think he was the type to hit a girl.


    Another knock.


    ¡°Whose there?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Franko¡±.


    Shit. I should have ignored it and went back to bed.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±.


    I hated the way my heart was racing. How the excitement cursed through my body because he was standing outside my door.


    ¡°I wanna see you¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m sick¡±.


    ¡°Open the door Aubrey¡±.


    I don¡¯t know why but I did.


    Just like always. A smoke hanging from his lips, shades covering his eyes. Bear in mind it was raining heavily. I didn¡¯t let him in, but a tiny part of me felt bad because he was soaked through to his skin.


    ¡°I really am sick¡±.


    ¡°Aye darling I heard¡±.


    Thunder crashed through the sky causing me to jump. The weather was getting bad and the area we lived in didn¡¯t do well when it rained. Most ces shut down; roads got blocked off. You couldn¡¯t get in or out.


    ¡°Stormsing¡±. He smirked.


    My parents worked out of town.


    What if they couldn¡¯t get home?


    More thunder.


    I couldn¡¯t leave him standing on the door step much longer. He was drenched and now I felt really bad.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±.


    ¡°Checking in darling¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to do that¡±. I gave him a small smile.


    ¡°Who else is gonna check on my girl?¡±.


    I shook my head. He really wasn¡¯t giving in. How many times was I going to need to tell him I wasn¡¯t interested. We could never be, we would never work. We wereplete opposites.


    But opposites attract.


    Another crash through the sky only this time it was thunder and lightning.


    ¡°Come inside¡±. The words were out before I could stop them.


    ¡°Can¡¯t darling I need to get back¡±.


    I frowned. I wasn¡¯t expecting him to decline but I guess that was a good thing.


    ¡°You¡¯re soaked and you shouldn¡¯t be on your bike in this weather¡±. What the hell was I saying? I couldn¡¯t stop talking, the words kept oning. ¡°Come inside¡±.


    No, why was I saying that?


    Oh god.


    He smirked. ¡°I¡¯ve rode in much worse darling. Feel better and I¡¯ll see you real soon¡±. He ced the bag he was holding by my feet.


    I didn¡¯t say anything else just watched as he went back to his bike and took off down the street.


    ..


    He brought me soup and water.


    He was slowly pulling at my heart stings with that gesture. It was sweet and Franko wasn¡¯t sweet.


    I couldn¡¯t like him, could I?


    I couldn¡¯t do this.


    I couldn¡¯t be involved with him. I had to keep reminding myself that I hated him and that we weren¡¯t friends.


    It waste but I couldn¡¯t go to bed. My parents weren¡¯ting home. They called the house phone earlier. Both staying at a hotel in town, the roads were shut and they couldn¡¯t get through.


    I was here alone for the night and maybe longer.


    The storm was well and truly here.


    Thunder and lightning, torrential rain, high winds.


    I didn¡¯t like the sound of the high winds. I don¡¯t know how many times I checked to make sure the doors were secure. I had never stayed home overnight on my own before.


    My parents workedte hours but they always made it home.


    There was a loud bang before my house fell into darkness.


    No power.


    Now I was freaking out.


    My mind was working overtime. Different scenarios flying around in my head. The what ifs, I had to stop. I was safe, my house was secure. No one knew I was home alone.


    I didn¡¯t hear the knock over the loudness of the wind. It was the sound of her voice that I heard.


    Alice was here.


    I frowned.


    What in the hell was she doing out in this weather?


    I ran to the front door, unlocked it and pulled it open.


    She wasn¡¯t alone. Tommy was with her.


    I moved to the side letting them in.


    ¡°Why are you outside in that its dangerous¡±.


    ¡°I had to know you were safe. I knew once it got bad, they would shut the road and I know your parents workte¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay¡±. I was okay now that they were here. They didn¡¯t need to know how much I was freaking out.


    ¡°Nice house princess¡±.


    ¡°Thanks¡±.


    ¡°Do you want us to stay the night?¡±. Alice asked.


    Us?


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll be okay¡±.


    Tommy couldn¡¯t stay here. Him being here right now was pushing it.


    ¡°Could alwayse with us princess¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t leaving my house. The weather was horrible and it was dangerous to be outside in it. I wouldn¡¯t put myself in a bad situation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine here¡±.


    I was a little curious as to where they were going. Where could they possibly go when the weather was like this?


    ¡°Come with us¡±. Alice begged.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±.


    ¡°The clubhouse¡±. She grinned.


    No.


    Absolutely not.


    ¡°I¡¯m going for a smoke. Decide what you¡¯re doing. I gotta get back¡±.


    As Tommy disappeared out front, I crossed my arms over my chest my eyesnding on hers. What had she done for him to take her to the clubhouse? No one was allowed to go there.


    Especially not daft teenagers like us.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that¡±.


    I held my hands up. ¡°It¡¯s none of my business¡±. I was her friend but whatever was going on between her and Tommy was her business. I wanted nothing to do with it.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t slept with him¡±.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask¡±. Again, it was none of my business. I was just here to pick up the pieces if it all went wrong.


    ¡°Pleasee with me¡±.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡±.


    ¡°You mean you don¡¯t want to¡±.


    ¡°Right¡±. I didn¡¯t want anything to do with the clubhouse or Franko. I couldn¡¯t exactly avoid him if I turned up outside his dad¡¯s motorcycle club.


    ¡°They¡¯re not all bad Aubrey¡±.


    I didn¡¯t have any issue with her dating Tommy. It was her life and she could do as she pleased but me, I wasn¡¯t going down that path. I couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be okay here¡±.


    ¡°Suit yourself. I¡¯ll maybe see you tomorrow¡±.


    I locked the door as soon as she left.


    The power was still out so I grabbed a nket and gotfortable on the couch. Hopefully tomorrow it would be clear blue sky¡¯s and sunshine.

 Chapter 6

    It was the roar of a motorcycle that woke me. I jumped from the couch, tripping over my nket and face nting the floor.


    Nobody rode a motorcycle on this street.


    Picking myself up I darted toward the window. The weather hadn¡¯t changed. Rain still battering down, the roar of thunder and lightning still ripping through the sky.


    I moved the curtain and twitched the blind.


    Darkness.


    The street still didn¡¯t have power.


    My stomach tightened.


    I saw the light, the bike at a standstill at the bottom of my driveway.


    It had to be Franko.


    Right?


    But why was he here at this time of night? Surely Tommy would have told him I was safe? Shaking my head I chewed the inside of my cheek.


    My safety didn¡¯t concern him. Nothing about me concerned him. I jumped at the slight knock on my door.


    My heart was beating so fast.


    I tiptoed across the living room and moved closer to the front door.


    ¡°Specs I can hear you. Open the door¡±.


    My full body rxed but I wanted to throttle him. Who shows up at someone¡¯s house in the middle of the night?


    During a storm and when there¡¯s a power cut.


    Franko that¡¯s who.


    I opened the door and let hime inside. I didn¡¯t need him to make a scene at this time of night. I also didn¡¯t need my neighbours to see. I¡¯m sure they¡¯d love to tell my parents all about that.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Get changed, I¡¯m taking you home with me¡±.


    Indeed he was not.


    ¡°Franko¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re not staying here on your own so go get fucking changed¡±.


    I red. He couldn¡¯t tell me what to do and I certainly wasn¡¯t leaving my house in the middle of the night. Especially not with him.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s the middle of the night¡±. I hissed. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere with you now leave my fucking house¡±.


    ¡°Wrong answer darling¡±.


    I took a step back, Alice¡¯s words ying in my head. He was dangerous, ruthless. ¡°Please just go¡±.


    ¡°Babe¡±.


    ¡°When is this going to stop?¡±. I whispered.


    I was done. I couldn¡¯t keep ying this game with him. I wanted to go back to my life when he would tease me and nothing more. I could handle that. This I couldn¡¯t. The sudden interest in me, the asking me out. I wasn¡¯t interested, I couldn¡¯t date him.


    I wouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°I just want to know you¡¯re safe¡±.


    ¡°So, youe to my house at this time?¡±.


    ¡°Been busy¡±.


    Yeah, probably busy shacking up with some girl.


    ¡°I¡¯m safe so you can leave¡±.


    ¡°When you gonna let me take you out?¡±.


    Not this again.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to take me out. You like the idea of it, the chase because I keep saying no but deep down you don¡¯t want me¡±. That was the truth, it had to be. There was no other reason for his sudden interest.


    ¡°The fuck-¡­¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯d like you to leave now please¡±.


    ¡°Fine. Your fucking loss princess¡±.


    ..


    The stormsted a few days.


    Today it was back to normality and back to school. I hadn¡¯t heard from Alice since she stopped by my house. Probably too wrapped up in Tommy. Which was fine. I didn¡¯t mind that she was ditching me for her boyfriend.


    Was he, her boyfriend?


    ¡°Aubrey are you even listening to me?¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t. I was too busy thinking about what today was going to bring. I also hadn¡¯t heard or seen Franko since the night of the storm. I was nervous as hell in case he did something. I basically rejected him in my living room.


    What if he was going to hurt me?


    ¡°Aubrey Stone¡±.


    I made a face. I hated when she used my full name in that tone of voice.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to reschedule shopping on Saturday. I need to go into work, and I don¡¯t know what time I¡¯ll get finished¡±.


    Shock.


    ¡°Could I maybe get some money and I can go with Alice?¡±. Even if Alice was busy, I would go by myself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why not¡±.


    ¡°Thanks mom¡±.


    ¡°Do you need me to drop you off on my way to work?¡±.


    ¡°If I had my own car you wouldn¡¯t need to drop me off¡±. I ced my empty bowl in the sink. ¡°But yes please¡±.


    ¡°I thought you spoke with your dad about a car?¡±.


    ¡°I have to get a job first¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s fair. Are you ready?¡±.


    ¡°Ready¡±.


    .


    Alice was waiting by our lockers.


    Alone.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I smiled. ¡°Where¡¯s Tommy?¡±.


    She shrugged.


    Oh no.


    This is what I was afraid of.


    ¡°Do you want to skip?¡±. She asked.


    I didn¡¯t want to face today either, but I couldn¡¯t skip school.


    ¡°Of course, you don¡¯t¡±. A sigh fell from her lips as she closed the door to her locker. ¡°I¡¯m going home. I¡¯ll see you in a few days¡±.


    I couldn¡¯t exactly leave her on her own when she was feeling like this. But skipping school?


    Dammit.


    ¡°Fine, but I want to know what happened between you and Tommy¡±.


    She slipped her arm through mine as when headed for the exit. I was going to be so dead when I got home today. I had never skipped ss never mind a full day.


    ¡°You¡¯re freaking out, aren¡¯t you?¡±.


    ¡°You do know she¡¯ll ground me for life. You¡¯ll never see me until I¡¯m thirty¡±. My mom was ruthless when it came to discipline.


    Augh fell from her lips as we reached her car. ¡°Your parents are too hard on you. Live a little and suffer the consequencester¡±.


    I must admit I liked the sound of that. I never had the courage to do anything bad. I was your all-American good girl. Never got into trouble, never touched alcohol or drugs. My parents never had to worry about any of that. I was a well-behaved child.


    But I liked it. It set me on the right path for when it was time to venture out on my own. To make my own choices, to live my own life.


    ¡°I like who I am¡±. I got in and put my seatbelt on.


    ¡°Skipping school isn¡¯t going to change who you are¡±. She started the car and pulled out of the school parking lot. ¡°You always follow the rules, Aubrey. But we¡¯re teenagers and some rules are meant to be broken¡±.


    Not in my house. But I guess in some way she was right. I had to make mistakes to learn right?


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired of always being the good girl?¡±.


    ¡°Not really¡±. I shrugged.


    I didn¡¯t know how else to be or act. I was raised this way. It wasn¡¯t a bad thing that my parents wanted what was best for me. Why did she have tobel it? Just because I didn¡¯t brake rules or get into trouble didn¡¯t make me a good girl.


    I was just me and I liked who I was.


    I didn¡¯t want to talk about this anymore.


    ¡°What happened with Tommy?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°He won¡¯t make me his girlfriend¡±.


    This is where my shoulder to cry ones in. I knew from day one this would happen. Boys like Tommy don¡¯t do girlfriends. She was just another notch on his bedpost.


    ¡°Did you sleep with him?¡±.


    She didn¡¯t go home instead she pulled up outside the diner.


    Her silence told me she did.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say. I didn¡¯t want to make her feel worse. She fell for his act, and he dumped her straight after.


    ¡°I should have listened to you¡±. She whispered. ¡°I¡¯m so stupid¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re not stupid he¡¯s just a pig and you deserve so much better¡±. We headed inside and found an empty booth.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I fell for his act. I really thought he cared about me¡±.


    It might have only been for a few days, but she fell for him hard. She believed everything he told her, and he used her for a quicky.


    ¡°I really liked him¡±.


    ¡°I know¡±. I wouldn¡¯t judge, or say I told you so. I would be the supportive best friend that I always am. ¡°Do you want to share some cheesy fries?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°And a chocte milk shake?¡±. She grinned.


    ¡°Sure¡±.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you girls be in school?¡±.


    I looked up my eyes meeting Franko¡¯s mom.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Oh shit.


    My heart was racing.


    ¡°Study break¡±. Alice smiled.


    ¡°Hm if you say so. It was nice seeing you again Aubrey. Stop by the clubhouse soon. I want to talk to you¡±.


    ¡°Clubhouse?¡±. Her eyes widened. ¡°Was that-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Yup. Franko¡¯s mom¡±.


    What could she possibly want to talk to me about?


    ¡°Are you going to go?¡±.


    ¡°What, no¡±. I frowned. ¡°I¡¯m not getting mixed up with whatever that was. I told himst night and we agreed that he would leave me alone¡±.


    ¡°Told him what?¡±.


    ¡°Can we not?¡±. I asked.


    I didn¡¯t want to talk about Franko. He wasn¡¯t doing to me what Tommy did to Alice. I would not let him try and worm his way into my life so he could try and bed me.


    ¡°Take my advice and stay away from him. They¡¯re all nothing but trouble¡±.


    Exactly what I had been trying to tell her. We don¡¯t fit in with people like Franko. Wee from different worlds.


    We ced our order with the waitress and were in the middle of talking about Saturday when we heard the roar of bikes.


    ¡°We¡¯re not leaving¡±. I spoke.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to face him¡±.


    ¡°It might not be him¡±. I took a sip of my coke. ¡°But if it is we¡¯re still not leaving¡±. They weren¡¯t getting to chase us out. ¡°Besides I¡¯m starving¡±.


    The door chimed.


    It was him alright, with his arm thrown over a girl¡¯s shoulder. Franko followed and a few of their friends from school.


    ¡°What a dog¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°I can¡¯t-¡­¡±.


    The waitress ced our food on the table. ¡°You girls want anything else?¡±.


    ¡°A job¡±. Oh, shit that was an inside thought but I did need one if I wanted a car.


    She smiled. ¡°Speak to Bob, he¡¯s the manager but won¡¯t be in until tonight¡±.


    ¡°Thank you¡±.


    ¡°You want to work here?¡±. Alice asked.


    ¡°I need a job¡±. I lifted my fork. ¡°I need my own car and the only way I can get one is if I get a job¡±.


    ¡°But here?¡±.


    I shrugged.


    ¡°Franko is here all the time¡±. She whispered.


    I didn¡¯t care. He was irrelevant.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if-¡­¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯sing over¡±. She scrambled to her feet and hightailed it to the restroom.


    Great.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Tommy¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°Skipping school?¡±.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to hurt her¡±.


    The smile disappeared from his face.


    ¡°Could have just told her it was sex and nothing else¡±. I continued to eat my fries. ¡°Pretending to care about her is low even for you¡±.


    ¡°Well shit¡±. Heughed.


    ¡°Is there something you need?¡±.


    ¡°Franko wants a word¡±.


    I made a face. ¡°And he sent you over here to tell me that?¡±. I don¡¯t know where the confidence came from, but I was loving it. ying it cool really worked. I wasn¡¯t afraid of him; I wasn¡¯t afraid of any of them.


    ¡°He¡¯s in back. Best you don¡¯t keep him waiting¡±.


    ¡°Bye Tommy¡±.


    I didn¡¯t move from my seat until I finished eating. I headed for the restroom; Alice was hiding in one of the stalls.


    ¡°Are you going toe out?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Is he gone?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±.


    ¡°What did he say to you?¡±.


    ¡°Come out of there I¡¯m not talking through a toilet door¡±.


    She unlocked the door and stepped out. She had been crying, her eyes red and puffy.


    ¡°Did he say anything about me?¡±.


    I hated that she was so upset because of him. He wasn¡¯t worth her time or her tears.


    I shook my head. I felt bad for her, but I couldn¡¯t lie just to make her feel better. ¡°He¡¯s not worth it Alice¡±.


    ¡°What did he want?¡±.


    ¡°To tell me Franko wants a word¡±.


    ¡°Did you speak to him?¡±.


    I made a face. ¡°No and I¡¯m not going to¡±. I don¡¯t know who he thought he was trying to summon me. Did he think that would work? He says jump and I say how high?


    I don¡¯t think so.


    ¡°You should see what he wants¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what he wants now are you okay?¡±.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I really thought he liked me. I bet this was all a game to him so Franko could get to you¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous¡±. I crossed my arms over my chest.


    ¡°But what if it¡¯s not?¡±.


    ¡°You sound crazy and if it was then it didn¡¯t work nowe on let¡¯s go home¡±. Surely, if Franko wanted to talk to me, he would have just done so. Not send Tommy in to hurt my best friend.


    That didn¡¯t make any sense. And what did he think he would achieve by doing that?


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking about it aren¡¯t you¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips. ¡°Tommy is an ass. He hurt you and I hate him for doing that. He¡¯s not worth it and he doesn¡¯t deserve you¡±.


    ¡°He took my virginity Aubrey. He sweet talked me into bed, and I fell for it. I thought I was giving it to someone that cared about me. I can never get it back¡±. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks as a lump appeared in the back of my throat.


    He hurt her bad.


    ¡°Come on¡±. I grabbed a hold of her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go home¡±.


    ¡°Let me fix my face first. I won¡¯t give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right outside¡±.


    I let out a big breath. I don¡¯t like seeing her cry. Especially over some shitty guy. They were still here. Laughing and joking. Making a scene just like always. I took some money from my backpack and ced it on the table.


    ¡°Your bills already been paid for sweetie¡±.


    Of course, it had.


    ¡°Then you keep it¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°My tips already been taken care of. Oh, and the manager is here if you want to grab a quick word¡±.


    Oh, that would save me having toe back here tonight. But I didn¡¯t want Alice to think I had left her.


    ¡°Just head through the back. I¡¯ll let your friend know you¡¯re still here¡±.


    I nced at her name tag.


    ¡°Thanks Jen¡±.


    I made my way through the back area stopping when I came to an office door. I knocked twice before entering.


    I should have known.


    I should have smelled the rat.


    ¡°When I tell you I want a word don¡¯t keep me fucking waiting¡±.

 Chapter 7

    I was fizzing with anger.


    How could I have been so stupid not to realise this was a set up?


    ¡°Sit¡±.


    I grit my teeth, my hands balling into fists. He infuriated me. I thought we hade to an understanding. I thought he was going to leave me alone. Obviously, I was wrong.


    ¡°Specs¡±.


    ¡°Who do you think you are?¡±. I red. ¡°You can¡¯t just summon me and expect me toe running¡±.


    ¡°I can¡±. He smirked. ¡°And it worked¡±.


    I wanted to scream.  This was never going to end. And then the unthinkable happened. A tear slid down my cheek. I was crying in front of Franko.


    Out of anger or frustration I wasn¡¯t sure.


    His eyes softened as he got to his feet.


    ¡°Aubrey I-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Can I go please?¡±. My voice barely a whisper my eyes never left his. I didn¡¯t want to be here; I didn¡¯t want to be around him when it was forced. His actions weren¡¯t going to win me over.


    Acting like a jackass was only going to make me hate him more.


    But I didn¡¯t hate him.


    I was trying to hate him. Truth was the more I saw him the more I liked him. He had always teased me, but he was never nasty to me. I took a step back as he circled the desk.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be afraid of me specs¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t afraid of him. I was afraid of what I might do if he got any closer. The butterflies in my stomach were making me feel sick.


    ¡°Can I please go?¡±. I didn¡¯t want to keep Alice waiting any longer. It wasn¡¯t fair on her having to watch Tommy with someone new.


    ¡°You want the job?¡±.


    I furrowed my eyebrows. I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to work here anymore but I had to. I needed a car. Wait, how did he know about that?


    ¡°I-¡­ Do you know the owner?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Do you want the job or not Aubrey?¡±.


    I chewed my bottom lip. I wasn¡¯t sure if I was making a deal with the devil here or he was feeling bad because he made me cry. I was going to go with the first one. But I had to take it, I had to put on my big girl panties and take the damn job.


    I nodded.


    He smirked.


    I had definitely just signed a deal with the devil.


    ¡°See you soon princess¡±.


    I left the back area making my way back into the diner. Jen was stood behind the counter.


    ¡°You sold me out Jen¡±.


    ¡°That boy likes you honey, and he paid me a hundred bucks¡±. She shrugged.


    Alice was outside waiting by her car. She didn¡¯t look any better, in fact she looked like she had been crying again. I didn¡¯t see Tommy when I left, I just hope he didn¡¯t say anything to her.


    ¡°Hey¡±.


    ¡°Took you long enough. What did he want?¡±.


    ¡°Just Franko being Franko¡±. I got in the passenger side and put on my seatbelt. ¡°Do you want toe back to mine?¡±. I didn¡¯t want her to be on her own.


    ¡°But what did he say?¡±.


    ¡°He asked me if I wanted the job¡±.


    ¡°And?¡±.


    Why was she so interested in Franko? Was he her next target?


    I can¡¯t believe I just thought that. I also didn¡¯t like the jealousy I felt with the thought of them together.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t say anything else¡±.


    ¡°Yeah right, I bet he did¡±.


    I was a little taken aback by her tone of voice. It wasn¡¯t my fault things didn¡¯t work out between her and Tommy. I did warn her about him but of course it fell on deaf ears.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t I would tell you¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m going straight home. Could you get a lift from someone else?¡±.


    I felt the lump appear in my throat. Was she serious right now? She knew I had no other way of getting home. I chewed the inside of my cheek as I unclipped the seatbelt.


    She was being a bitch.


    ¡°Sure¡±. I grabbed my bag and got out.


    She took no time in speeding off down the street. I lived on the other side of town, and I had no way of getting home. I spent thest of my money in the diner.


    She left me stranded.


    I wasn¡¯t sure whether tough or cry. I had no idea how I was going to get home. I couldn¡¯t contact my parents because I was supposed to be in school. I was screwed.


    Heading back into the diner I sat at the counter.


    ¡°You want some coffee sweetie?¡±. Jen asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any money¡±.


    She winked as she poured me a cup. ¡°Where¡¯s your friend?¡±.


    ¡°She left me¡±. Augh fell from my lips. ¡°I have no way of getting home, I have no money. My best friend left me on the other side of town¡±. I took a sip of my coffee to mask the tears in my eyes.


    I guess we were crying today.


    ¡°She left you?¡±.


    ¡°Long story¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s none of my business sweetheart but that is not a friend¡±.


    I shrugged. ¡°Thanks for the coffee. I¡¯m just going to sit over here¡±. I moved into a booth in the back. I had to figure out how I was going to get home. I could always walk but look what happened thest time I did that.


    I was pissed at Alice. Her attitude and the way she spoke to me. We had been best friends for years and for her to just leave me here was a low blow.


    She knew I had no other way of getting home. I sat for a few hours, Jen would refill my coffee and bring me the odd snack. I didn¡¯t have a n on how I was going to get home.


    I did some revision andpleted all my homework.


    ¡°Still here specs¡±.


    For some reason I felt relief that he was still here. He could take me home. He would hold it over me but at this point I didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°Can you take me home?¡±.


    He smirked. ¡°You wannae home with me instead?¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips as I got to my feet. It was always a game for him, he was always trying to gain something.  ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, I¡¯ll walk¡±.


    ¡°Like hell you will. I¡¯ll meet you out front¡±.


    I prayed he had his truck. I wasn¡¯t getting on the back of his bike. Not for all the money in the world. My stomach dropped when I saw he was carrying a spare helmet.


    ¡°Told you I¡¯d get you on the back of my bike¡±.


    Screw it.


    I had never felt anything like it.


    The wind in my hair, the fresh air against my face. It was liberating, I felt free. I tightened my grip around his waist andy my head against his back.


    I felt safe and I didn¡¯t mean on the bike. I felt safe around him. The butterflies erupted in my stomach as I took in the scenery around me. Who knew riding on the back of a motorcycle could feel this good.


    I couldn¡¯t hide my smile. Never in my life did I ever think I¡¯d do anything like this. As he pulled up outside my house I waited until he turned the engine off before I got off.


    He may be a lot of things, but he was nice to me. He always had been. I gave him back the helmet and stood awkwardly on the foot path. I wanted to invite him in but couldn¡¯t form the words.


    ¡°Thank you¡±.


    ¡°Where did Alice go?¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±.


    ¡°You were at the diner with Alice. Where did she go?¡±. He followed me as I began to walk up the driveway.


    ¡°Tommy really hurt her¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°She left¡±.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    ¡°Left you by yourself?¡±.


    I nodded.


    ¡°Let me get this straight. She left you at the diner with no way of getting home?¡±.


    Again, I nodded.


    ¡°You need better friends darling cause that one ain¡¯t nothing but a bitch¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Call it like a see it¡±. He shrugged.


    ¡°She isn¡¯t she just had a bad day¡±.


    ¡°Whatever you say princess. I¡¯ll see you soon¡±.


    I didn¡¯t want to be here on my own. I was still meant to be in school and if my parents came home and found me it wouldn¡¯t end well. I watched his back as he walked away, my eyes moving down his body stopping on his ass.


    I grinned.


    I can¡¯t believe I was checking him out.


    ¡°Franko¡±. I ran after him.


    What was I doing?


    I swallowed the lump in my throat, I couldn¡¯t seem to look at him. I chewed my bottom lip as I stared at the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯m a busy man specs¡±.


    ¡°Can Ie with you?¡±.

 Chapter 8

    Did I really just ask to go with him?


    My n for staying away from him was going great.


    Not.


    ¡°Sorry darling but where I¡¯m going ain¡¯t a ce for you¡±.


    My stomach dropped at the sheer rejection. I should be relieved, but I wasn¡¯t. I was going to get myself in trouble if I didn¡¯t stop. I had to remember he was bad news.


    I had to remember that I hated him.


    I swallowed the lump in my throat and gave him a small smile. ¡°Thanks again for bringing me home¡±. I about turned and started making my way back up the driveway.


    He didn¡¯t leave until I was inside.


    Did he feel this shitty every time I turned him down?


    No, I wasn¡¯t doing that. I wasn¡¯t going to overthink; in fact, I wasn¡¯t going to think about him at all. I changed into my sweats and got some snacks from the pantry. I prayed my parents would be workingte tonight.


    Who am I kidding. They always workte.


    I sat myself in front of the tv and didn¡¯t move until there was knock on my front door. School was out so I was safe. Alice was stood on my front porch holding a pizza box.


    ¡°I¡¯m the worst best friend¡±.


    I crossed my arms over my chest. She was going to have to do better than that. She left me stranded. ¡°And?¡±.


    ¡°And I¡¯m sorry for leaving you at the diner¡±.


    I moved to the side letting her past. ¡°I had to ask Franko to bring me home¡±. I closed the door and walked back into the living room. ¡°You do know he¡¯s going to hold that over my head¡±.


    ¡°I really am sorry Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡±. I took a slice of pizza before sitting on the couch. ¡°Did you sleep off your bitchy mood?¡±.


    ¡°I did and I¡¯m feeling much better¡±. She grinned.


    ¡°And Tommy?¡±.


    ¡°Who?¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips. ¡°You do know you deserve better right?¡±.


    ¡°Yes, I know but there was something about him. He made me feel safe and he was nice to me¡±.


    Yeah, he was nice until he got what he wanted.


    ¡°Have you decided what you¡¯re wearing on your date?¡±. She asked.


    My date?


    Oh, I forgot about that.


    ¡°That¡¯s tomorrow¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°Does he have any single friends; we could double date?¡±.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Ben since he asked me out. I¡¯m not even sure it¡¯s still happening¡±. I wasn¡¯t sure I still wanted to go. He seemed like a nice guy, but I wasn¡¯t attracted to him in that way.


    I wanted to feel the spark and sadly with Ben I didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Could always ask him tomorrow at school?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±.


    A sigh fell from her lips. ¡°You don¡¯t want to go now do you¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that it¡¯s just-¡­¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s not Franko¡±. She cut me off.


    I chewed my bottom lip. She hit the nail on the head, but of course I wasn¡¯t going to admit that. ¡°I¡¯m not attracted to him¡±.


    ¡°Oh, please¡±. She rolled her eyes. ¡°Anyone with eyes can see he is gorgeous. You won¡¯t know if you like him unless you go¡±.


    She was right. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to go out with him, and it would take my mind off you know who.


    ¡°He wants to take me to the game¡±.


    ¡°You hate football¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate it I just don¡¯t hold any interest for it¡±.


    ¡°Wait, is he ying tomorrow because if he is it isn¡¯t much of a date. I shoulde so you¡¯re not standing alone¡±.


    I never thought of that, and he was the quarterback so of course he would be ying. ¡°I¡¯ll speak to him tomorrow¡±.


    ¡°Does your mom know you have a date?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t but I do now¡±.


    Crap. How did I not hear her pull into the drive?


    ¡°It better not be with that boy Aubrey. I¡¯ve told you countless times to stay away from him. He¡¯s trouble and I don¡¯t want you associating with people like him¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips. ¡°It¡¯s with a boy from school, Ben. He¡¯s in my maths ss. He stays on our street¡±. Maybe she would know his mom or something.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t ring a bell. Where is he taking you? Remember your curfew is 11 and noter. I want to meet him before you go out and I¡¯m sure your dad will as well¡±.


    She was already overreacting, and I hadn¡¯t even gone on the date yet. This is why I don¡¯t date or have a life. My parents were suffocating. They didn¡¯t allow me to do anything unless it was on their ground.


    ¡°You won¡¯t need to meet him because I¡¯m not going¡±. It wasn¡¯t worth the hassle and my mom would probably scare him off anyway.


    ..


    Alice went home not long after my mom got in. She was asked to stay for dinner but refused. I don¡¯t me her; I wish I could have gone home with her. I finished the washing up and went straight to my room.


    My mom was working from home, nursing a ss of wine and my dad wasn¡¯t home yet. I showered and changed into my pyjamas before getting into bed. I had nothing else to upy myself with.


    I did all my homework in the diner today and I was all caught up with my revision. My life sucked. I had nothing to do and even if I did, I probably wouldn¡¯t be allowed to do it.


    I wonder how she would feel with me working at the diner.


    It was a job and that meant I could get a car soon.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. My mom knocked beforeing in and sitting on the edge of my bed. I wonder what she was going to grill me about now.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired mom¡±. I wasn¡¯t I just didn¡¯t want to talk to her right now. I couldn¡¯t be bothered listening to her tell me what I should do with my life.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to cancel your date. Dad and I just worry about you. We want to make sure you¡¯re safe¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m safe¡±.


    ¡°There¡¯s bad people in this world Aubrey and I wouldn¡¯t be able to handle it if something were to happen to you¡±.


    Always thinking the worst. I couldn¡¯t do anything without their approval, and I was starting to get sick of it. When was I going to be able to live my life the way I wanted.


    Maybe I should just be honest with her and tell her how I feel. It felt like I couldn¡¯t breathe at times.


    ¡°You¡¯re suffocating me¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey we-¡­¡±.


    ¡°You worry and I get that, but I¡¯m literally not allowed to do anything. How am I supposed to learn if you won¡¯t let me?¡±.


    This was probably going to end with an argument and me grounded. But I had to say what was on my mind. She had to know how I felt. For once I was going to stand up for myself.


    ¡°You¡¯re sixteen¡±.


    ¡°Yes, but I¡¯m not stupid¡±.


    ¡°What is it you want to do?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°I want to be a teenager. I need to make mistakes so I can learn from them¡±.


    ¡°You want to be one of them hussy girls that get pregnant at sixteen? Go out and drink alcohol oh and maybe do drugs? That¡¯s not how I raised you Aubrey¡±.


    Completely pointless even bringing it up. I wasn¡¯t going to be free of this until I turned eighteen and moved out.


    They were going to end up making me hate them.


    ¡°You¡¯re right mom¡±. So much for standing up for myself. Maybe I could run away?


    ¡°I always am honey. Now you get to sleep, and I¡¯ll see you in the morning¡±.


    ..


    I was in the worse mood ever today. I didn¡¯t speak to my mom the whole drive to school. I was pissed that she dismissed what I was trying to say. She didn¡¯t care. It was one of those if you live under my roof you go by my rules.


    ¡°Bye¡±. I closed the door before she could say anything.


    I kept my head down and made my way inside. Alice wasn¡¯t by the lockers like normal. I guess she was sick today. That or I was early. I got my books from my locker putting them in my backpack.


    ¡°Hey¡±.


    Turning around I made a face when I saw Tommy, his arm around her shoulder.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±.


    ¡°We made up¡±. She smiled.


    I rolled my eyes but said nothing. I wasn¡¯t getting involved. It was her life and if she wanted to continue getting hurt then so be it.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ss. I¡¯ll see you at lunch¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey, wait up¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips as I turned to face her. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot¡±. The words were out before I could stop them. ¡°Why are you wasting your time with him when you deserve better¡±. I wasn¡¯t saying Tommy wasn¡¯t a nice guy, but I wouldn¡¯t date him.


    Like I said before, boys like him don¡¯t do serious rtionships. He proved that yesterday. And he made her cry.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°I really like him Aubrey and he did apologise¡±.


    ¡°Apologise for banging someone else?¡±. I had to stop while I was ahead. I was going to say something I couldn¡¯t take back. I wasn¡¯t in the right frame of mind today.


    My mom had pissed me off and I was taking it out on the wrong people. Although I still stand by what I said. She deserves better. But I had to remember it was none of my business.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ss¡±. Like always I would be the shoulder to cry on when he does it to her again.


    Maths was my first ss of the day. I would see Ben. I had decided I was going on the date; I just wasn¡¯t going to tell my mom. What she doesn¡¯t know won¡¯t kill her. And who knows, maybe I could end up liking him.


    I took my seat and got my textbooks out.


    Mr Brooks wasn¡¯t in yet, so the ss was full of chatter andughter. I really enjoyed maths. I loved numbers and solving problems.


    Looking around the room my eyesnded on Ben. He wasughing about something and then his eyes found mine. His smile bright I couldn¡¯t help but return it.


    He got to his feet and slipped into the empty chair in front of me.


    ¡°Hey¡±.


    ¡°Hi¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°How crazy was the weather. I wasn¡¯t sure if the storm was going to pass¡±.


    ¡°I like the rain¡±. I loved the sound of the rain. Listening to it at night before bed. It was therapeutic. ¡°But I prefer the sun¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m just going toe right out and say it¡±. He scratched the back of his head and diverted his gaze. ¡°Are we still on for tomorrow?¡±.


    He was nervous but so was I. I had never been on a date before. I hadnt really had any experience with a boy. But Ben gave off good vibes and he seemed like a nice guy.


    ¡°Yes, but is it okay if I meet you here instead of you picking me up?¡±. Do I tell him about my mom, or do I just leave it?


    He smiled and nodded. ¡°I was thinking after we could maybe grab something to eat?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯d like that¡±.


    ¡°Okay ss settle down and open your textbooks to page 56¡±.


    ..


    Today had been a quick day. Alice was stood by our lockers like always waiting to go for lunch. This time she was on her own.


    ¡°I hope they have pizza today¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t hungry and I wasn¡¯t in the mood to sit at a table surrounded with people I didn¡¯t know. More to the point I wasn¡¯t in the mood to be questioned by idiots. I was going to find a quiet spot and read my book.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to head to the library¡±. I closed the door to my locker. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry¡±. My mood was slightly better, but I was afraid someone might say something causing me to snap.


    Like that girl Cass.


    ¡°Are you feeling, okay?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°Just not hungry¡±. I did wonder where Tommy was. Come to think of it I hadn¡¯t seen Franko today. Not that I was thinking about him.


    ¡°You never skip on lunch Aubrey, and you never pass up on food¡±.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Tommy?¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s keeping us a seat. Pleasee and eat something¡±.


    ¡°Fine¡±. As soon as we walked into the cafeteria my stomach rumbled with the smell. I nced over at the table. Franko wasn¡¯t there.


    ¡°He¡¯s sick¡±. Aubrey whispered.


    ¡°Who¡¯s sick?¡±.


    She sighed. ¡°Go sit down, I¡¯ll get the lunch¡±.


    I chose the seat beside Tommy. As soon as I sat down, I knew it was a bad idea. The table grew quiet and just as I dreaded her voice reached my ears.


    ¡°Did I say you could sit?¡±. Cass, of course.


    This girl didn¡¯t like me at all.


    ¡°Oi¡±. Tommy mmed his hand on the table causing me to jump. ¡°Leave her be. She¡¯s off limits and you fucking know it¡±.


    She didn¡¯t like that. Her face like thunder she red at him. ¡°She can¡¯t sit here because I don¡¯t like her¡±.


    This is why I didn¡¯t want to sit here. There was always some sort of drama and I always seemed to get caught up in it. I scraped my chair back and got to my feet.


    She smirked.


    ¡°Sit down Aubrey¡±. Tommy¡¯s eyes never left Cass.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay I have somewhere I need to be anyway¡±.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±. Alice asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to get some fresh air¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re a real bitch Cass. He ain¡¯t gonna be happy about this¡±.


    I didn¡¯t expect it, but Alice followed me out.


    ¡°What happened?¡±.


    We sat and had our lunch on the bleachers. For the first time in my life, I wanted to skip the rest of the day. I just wasn¡¯t in the mood to be here.


    ¡°That girl doesn¡¯t like me¡±.


    ¡°She¡¯s a bitch¡±. She shrugged. ¡°But she would never do anything to you¡±.


    Yeah, because that made it better.


    ¡°She¡¯s jealous¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips. ¡°Jealous of what?¡±.


    ¡°You now did you speak to Ben?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m going on the date¡±.


    ¡°Good¡±. She grinned.

 Chapter 9

    School was almost over for the weekend. A few more minutes left. I was itching to get home. My mom believed that I was staying with Alice. That we were going to have a girl¡¯s night, watch movies, eat junk food. She even gave me money for snacks.


    She knew nothing about the date. Still thought I cancelled. Don¡¯t get me wrong the guilt was eating me up inside for lying but I was going through with it. My mom was too focused on work to notice.


    The bell rang and I was straight out the door. Alice was waiting by our lockers with Tommy. She was giving me a lift home to get my things and then it was straight back to hers.


    ¡°Princess¡±. Tommy smirked.


    I rolled my eyes. I hated him for what he did to Alice but in his own way he was alright, and he was always nice to me.


    ¡°So, have you decided what you¡¯re wearing tonight?¡±. She slipped her arm through mine as we headed outside.


    ¡°Casual, probably jeans¡±. It was a football game and I wanted to befy.


    ¡°What about a dress? You could wear one of mine?¡±.


    ¡°To a football game?¡±. I frowned. ¡°And it¡¯s going to be coldter¡±. We were still getting over the storm. The rain had stopped but it wasn¡¯t any warmer.


    ¡°You want to look hot right?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I wanted to be warm andfortable.


    Tommyughed. ¡°Aye he¡¯s sure picked the right girl¡±.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    I ignored hisment, and the re Alice was giving him. ¡°I¡¯ll give you two a minute¡±. I went and stood by her car.


    ¡°You do know he was referring to Franko, don¡¯t you?¡±.


    ¡°I thought as much¡±. I clipped my seatbelt into ce as she started the car. ¡°But I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m going on a date with Ben not Franko¡±.


    ¡°Can I bring Tommy tonight?¡±.


    I shrugged. She was onlying so I wasn¡¯t standing by myself. She could bring whoever she wanted. ¡°Does Tommy even like football?¡±.


    ¡°Probably not but you need me, and he¡¯s got some grovelling to do to get back on my good side¡±.


    ¡°Please tell me you know what you¡¯re doing¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me Aubrey. We like each other but we¡¯ve decided to keep things casual¡±.


    Casual?


    So, Tommy still wasn¡¯t making her his girlfriend. That was only going to end in one way. Alice had been my best friend for years. The way she used to talk about love and finding the one. She didn¡¯t do casual but for once I was keeping my mouth shut.


    ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy¡±.


    ¡°I am and the sex is great¡±. She grinned.


    Of course, because that was the most important part. I rolled my eyes as she pulled up outside my house.


    ¡°I thought your mom was workingte?¡±.


    ¡°So, did I. I won¡¯t be long¡±.


    I made my way inside. My mom was in the kitchen cooking dinner. This has got to be the first time in forever that she has been home before me.


    ¡°Hey sweetheart¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I wasn¡¯t sure if I should question why she was home. I decided against it. I didn¡¯t need another lecture. ¡°Is it still okay for me to stay with Alice?¡±.


    ¡°Of course, you girls have fun and I¡¯ll see you when I¡¯m home from work tomorrow¡±.


    I noticed the wine ss and the empty bottle of wine by the sink.  ¡°Mom is everything okay?¡±.


    ¡°Everything is fine Aubrey. Go, have fun. I love you¡±.


    ¡°I love you too¡±.


    Something was wrong but I didn¡¯t push to find out. I knew better than that. I collected the bag I had packedst night and left. The feeling in my stomach told me something had happened.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡±. Alice asked.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I smiled.


    ..


    I should be nervous, but I wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°I love the leather jacket¡±. Alice grinned. ¡°And the boots¡±.


    She may think I couldn¡¯t dress myself, but I could. My fashion sense may not be great, but I knew how to put together an outfit.


    ¡°Has the rain stopped?¡±.


    ¡°No but we need to head downstairs. Tommy should be here any second¡±. The sound of a horn sted outside; Tommy was here.


    As we made our way downstairs, I grabbed a hold of her elbow and stopped her from opening the front door. ¡°it¡¯s just Tommy, right?¡±. I was afraid the devil himself would be with him.


    ¡°Franko is sick so stop worrying. He isn¡¯t going to ruin your date¡±.


    ¡°Would he do that?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. She sighed. ¡°Stop thinking about Franko and think about Ben. Are you nervous?¡±. The horn sted again.


    Someone was a little impatient.


    ¡°Surprisingly no¡±. Maybe that was a sign that this date was pointless. Or maybe she was right. I had to get Franko out of my head. We made our way outside and walked to where he was parked.


    Franko wasn¡¯t with him, but Brian was. I smiled at him as I got in the back seat. Yeah, because this wasn¡¯t awkward. Why was Brian here?


    ¡°You don¡¯t mind if bear tags along do you Aubrey?¡±. Tommy asked.


    ¡°No¡±.


    ¡°Good¡±.


    I couldn¡¯t hear myself think. The loudness of the music sting in the car was giving me a headache. Thankfully the ride didn¡¯t take long. As he pulled into the school parking lot, I pulled off my seatbelt.


    ¡°You girls go ahead. We¡¯ll catch up¡±.


    Alice slipped her arm through mine as we made our way round the back of the school. It was loud and filled with loads of people. The buzz surrounding us was amazing.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡±. Alice asked.


    I was too busy searching the field looking for Ben. I wanted him to know that I was here. Once I spotted him, I smiled and waved. Alice was right, he was handsome.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Sorry, what?¡±.


    ¡°Do you want something to eat?¡±.


    ¡°No but could you get me a drink?¡±. I didn¡¯t want to leave, and the game was about to start. I wasn¡¯t a fan of it, but I didn¡¯t want to miss it.


    ¡°Diet coke?¡±.


    ¡°Yes please¡±.


    I had no idea what was going on. Truth be told I was bored. I tried to follow what was happening, but I didn¡¯t understand how it worked. As much as I wanted to get riled up and be excited I couldn¡¯t.


    A diet coke was waved in front of my face. ¡°Thank god I thought-¡­¡± The words caught in my throat when I released it wasn¡¯t Alice.


    I thought he was sick?


    ¡°Where¡¯s Alice?¡±.


    ¡°Fuck if I know¡±.


    I turned my head focusing back on the game. He wasn¡¯t happy and when he wasn¡¯t happy, he could be a right dick. I felt on edge, uneasy and maybe even a little ufortable.


    ¡°So, you won¡¯t go on a date with me, but you¡¯ll go on a date with him?¡±.


    I swallowed the lump that appeared in the back of my throat.


    ¡°Tell me darling, how fucking bored are you right now?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m not¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°You¡¯re a real bad liar Aubrey. Leave with me, I¡¯ll show you what a first date is supposed to be like¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I could feel his eyes bore into the side of my head. I refused to look at him. He had some nerve showing up here in the first ce. In that moment I was d Ben was on the field.


    ¡°You¡¯re never gonna give me a chance, are you?¡±.


    ¡°I told you before you don¡¯t want to date me Franko and I won¡¯t be one of those girls¡±. His reputation with girls itself was off-putting. I wouldn¡¯t be fooled into thinking he cared about me.


    I wouldn¡¯t let his charm win me over.


    ¡°I like you Aubrey but fuck if I¡¯m gonna keep wasting my time on ye¡±.


    My stomach tightened as I turned to look at him. Maybe he was being genuine, but I was afraid to take the chance in case it was all a joke. ¡°Franko I-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Forget it princess. You enjoy your date¡±.


    I got the spark; he caused the butterflies in my stomach and yet I continuously turned him down. I chewed the inside of my cheek as I felt myself bing upset.


    Cards on the table I like being around him. I like how safe he makes me feel when I¡¯m with him. I could potentially be turning down the love of my life and for what?


    My parents?


    ¡°So, Tommy wants-¡­ Hey what¡¯s wrong?¡±. Alice grabbed my hand making me look at her. ¡°You¡¯re crying¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡±. I wiped my eyes. ¡°But is it okay if we leave?¡±.


    ¡°What about Ben?¡±.


    Oh, right.


    ¡°Head out front I¡¯ll tell Ben you weren¡¯t feeling good¡±.


    ¡°I like him Alice, but I¡¯m scared¡±.


    ¡°Scared of Ben?¡±. She frowned.


    ¡°Franko, I like Franko¡±.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s about time you admitted it. If you¡¯re quick, you¡¯ll be able to catch him before he leaves¡±.


    Yeah, I managed to catch him alright.


    He was sucking face with some red head.

 Chapter 10

    ¡°Wow he moves fast¡±. Alice crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Pig¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips. ¡°And to think I was going to say yes to going out with him¡±. I knew in my gut I couldn¡¯t trust him, and this was why. Franko didn¡¯t do girlfriends.


    He fucked them and chucked them. But the girls here loved him, they loved the bike, the attention they got whilst being in his presence. Foolish if you ask me but, I swore I would never be one of those girls.


    He proved me right.


    Regardless of the feelings I had for him I wasn¡¯t going there. It wasn¡¯t worth the heartbreak because I knew if I fell for him, I would fall hard.


    ¡°Still want to get out of here?¡±.


    I couldn¡¯t go home because then my mom would hit me with a million questions, and I knew Alice would want to hang out with Tommy for a bit. There was also Ben.


    ¡°I should go back inside¡±. It was the right thing to do. I felt horrible for even thinking of ditching him and for what, Franko? He wasn¡¯t worth it.


    ¡°I already told him you went home¡±. She made a face. ¡°We could go back to mine and hang out?¡±.


    ¡°What about Tommy?¡±.


    ¡°He cane. My mom¡¯s working nightshift¡±. She smirked.


    I shrugged. I felt a little deted. I don¡¯t know why I expected him to be any different. I knew what he was like, had witnessed firsthand how much of a yer he was and yet I had a flicker of hope.


    That maybe he liked me enough to change.


    I made a face at my own thoughts. What the hell was wrong with me?


    ¡°Come on I know where my mom hides the good vodka¡±.


    ..


    Remember when I said Brian doesn¡¯t talk much but likes to give the death stare well that¡¯s what was happening right now. We were sat in the living room whilst Tommy and Alice were making drinks.


    I had never wanted to go home as bad as I do now. It was awkward and I was extremely ufortable. I didn¡¯t even know how to start a conversation with him. Didn¡¯t know what to say.


    A sigh fell from my lips as my eyesnded on his. ¡°So-¡­¡±. I paused. ¡°Do you-¡­¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to make small talk with me Aubrey¡±.


    That was me told. I diverted my gaze to the floor but could still feel his eyes on me. Did he like making people feel ufortable? And why the hell was it taking Alice so long to make a few drinks?


    I pushed myself off the chair and went into the kitchen. I didn¡¯t care that they were making out. I couldn¡¯t stay in there with Brian any longer. Not that it stopped them, they didn¡¯t even notice I was here.


    I coughed.


    Face scarlet she pulled herself away from him. ¡°I-¡­ Are you okay?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°Sorry to break up your little party but I¡¯m not sitting in there with the silent assassin any longer¡±.


    Tommy smirked. ¡°He ain¡¯t all that bad. Talk to him¡±.


    ¡°I tried¡±.


    ¡°He ain¡¯t all that good with girls. I¡¯ll go talk to him¡±.


    I leaned against the cupboard crossing my arms over my chest. ¡°If I knew you were going to be sucking face with Tommy all night I¡¯d have went home¡±.


    ¡°I can¡¯t help it¡±. She grinned. ¡°He¡¯s so hot¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Can you at least get him to take me home before the clothese off?¡±. I could always tell my mom I wasn¡¯t feeling great.


    ¡°You¡¯re not mad at me, are you?¡±.


    ¡°No, of course not but we¡¯re still going shopping tomorrow, right?¡±.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll pick you up at 12. Tommy, can you drop Aubrey off home?¡±.


    ¡°Aye darling I need to take Brian back anyway¡±.


    ¡°But you¡¯reing back?¡±. She asked.


    I didn¡¯t wait to hear what his reply was. I headed straight outside. The rain had finally stopped but it was freezing. I pulled my jacket tighter as the cool air nipped at my skin.


    ¡°Aubrey, you sit up front¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I got in and clipped my seatbelt into ce.


    Tommy wasn¡¯t all that bad and at least I could get a conversation out of him. Plus, he didn¡¯t make me feel ufortable by staring at me.


    I stared out the window as the only sound in the car was the radio. I wasn¡¯t going to attempt small talk. I was happy with the quiet and if I¡¯m honest I would rather not answer questions.


    ¡°You mind if I drop Bear at the club?¡±.


    Did he mean clubhouse?


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind¡±.


    Yes, he meant clubhouse. It looked wild.


    Music ring, people everywhere, bikes all perfectly lined up together. You couldn¡¯t see anything but cuts. Cuts everywhere. Big scary bikers everywhere.


    ¡°Stay in the car Aubrey¡±.


    He didn¡¯t need to tell me twice.


    I couldn¡¯t stop staring, looking around myself. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen this many people in the one ce. A party or maybe a gathering. Whatever it was everyone seemed to be having a good time.


    And then there was a knock on the window.


    ¡°Hey sweetie¡±. She pulled open the door. ¡°Come inside Maria will love that you¡¯re here¡±.


    Big Ange. Big personality, big hair and I¡¯m guessing a big mouth.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m-¡­¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s a party honey and she won¡¯t like that you¡¯re out here by yourself. These assholes will eat you alive¡±.


    Yep, I was going with big Ange.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Once again it was the stares.


    And then I felt it. A hand on my ass. My mouth became dry as the lump appeared in the back of my throat. I didn¡¯t like that. I didn¡¯t like that someone thought they could touch me without my permission.


    ¡°Hey¡±. Ange yelled. ¡°She ain¡¯t club ass dumbass. Best you keep your hands to yourself.¡±.


    How in the hell did I end up here again?


    She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and took me inside. Inside was worse than outside. I couldn¡¯t hear myself think with how loud the music was. I couldn¡¯t stop looking about myself.


    It was just bodies everywhere.


    Big Ange nudged her way through the swarm of people and took me right to the back of the club. First person I noticed was Blue, his eyesnding on mine. Eyebrows furrowed as he stood from his seat.


    That look told me I shouldn¡¯t be here. I didn¡¯t want to be here, and I didn¡¯t want toe inside but Ange didn¡¯t really give me a choice.


    He pointed through the back, and I watched as Ange nodded.


    ¡°Come with me sweetheart¡±.


    It was quieter through here. The buzzing in my ears stopped. I was amazed at the space. You wouldn¡¯t think it was this big from the outside. She led me through to the kitchen area and told me to take a seat and then she left.


    My stomach knotted.


    I was sat in a biker¡¯s clubhouse, me, good girl Aubrey. I chewed the inside of my cheek. Alice was not going to believe this.


    Blue appeared, standing in the doorframe. A smoke in one hand and a beer in the other.


    ¡°You here for my boy?¡±. He asked.


    I shook my head.


    ¡°Why you here Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Tommy was giving me a lift home. He was dropping Brian off. I swear I wasn¡¯t going toe inside but Ange didn¡¯t-¡­¡±. I paused. ¡°I just want to go home¡±.


    ¡°Twice you¡¯ve been in my club now darling. A third time and people will start talking¡±.


    What did he mean by that?


    ¡°You ain¡¯t imed sweetheart, anyone of those guys could have grabbed you tonight. I believe one tried¡±.


    imed?


    I felt sick.


    ¡°Nobody in here will ever touch you, I give you my word on that, but you can¡¯t juste in here whenever you want¡±.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡±. I frowned. ¡°And I wouldn¡¯t¡±. I was sixteen, this ce wasn¡¯t exactly where I wanted to hang out. ¡°And if I remember correctly the first time, I was here was because of you¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°You got spunk kid I¡¯ll give you that. You hungry? Need a drink or anything?¡±.


    I felt a little at ease now knowing I was safe here.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m okay¡±. My stomach rumbled.


    I was starving. I hadn¡¯t eaten much all day.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you a burger and then you¡¯re going home. Stay here¡±.


    I was anxious as hell, my eyes fixed on the door in case anyone came through it. And then it opened. Tommy was ring at me, his hands balled into fists by his side.


    I chewed my bottom lip.


    ¡°I just got my ass handed to me because of you. You were told to stay in the fucking car¡±.


    ¡°Have you met big Ange?¡±. I asked ring back.


    ¡°Fucking move I¡¯m taking you home¡±.


    Was it bad I wanted to stay until I got my burger? My stomach rumbled again.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want toe inside Tommy¡±. I scraped back the chair and got to my feet.


    ¡°Yo Tommy who you got hiding up in-¡­ Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±.


    ¡°The fuck are you doing in here? You trying to steal my girl?¡±. He barged his way past Tommy and stood directly in front of me. ¡°Right under my fucking nose?¡±.


    ¡°You really think I¡¯d do that?¡±. Tommy red.


    ¡°Why the fuck is she here then?¡±. He snapped.


    He was pissed. I could feel the anger radiating from his body. Surely, they weren¡¯t going to fight?


    ¡°Care to exin princess?¡±. Tommy sighed.


    And then all hell broke loose.


    Franko went for him.


    A scream fell from my lips as they were rolling about the kitchen knocking lumps out of each other. Punches here and there, kicking and I¡¯m pretty sure Franko sunk his teeth in at one point.


    Blood, blood everywhere.


    I couldn¡¯t move. I was standing with my back against the wall crying.


    They were fighting over nothing.


    And then they weren¡¯t.


    Blue pulled them apart holding the two of them by the scruff of the neck.


    ¡°Fighting in front of a fucking girl¡±. He roared. ¡°Acting like big men, fucking terrifying the life out of her. You¡±. He red at Tommy. ¡°Get the fuck out of here and clean yourself up. And you¡±. His grip tightened as he pulled him closer. ¡°Do something about it or leave her fucking be¡±.


    I was shaking. I had never witnessed a fight before. Only when I heard the door m did I realise Blue was gone.


    Leaving me alone with Franko.

 Chapter 11

    I kept my head lowered and my gaze on the floor. He was pissed off and bloody and I knew now wasn¡¯t the time to run my mouth about how stupid he is for fighting with Tommy.


    How could he even think that we were together? He knew I wouldn¡¯t do that, and I wasn¡¯t that type of girl.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you home¡±. He muttered.


    I couldn¡¯t go home. It waste, my parents would be in bed. I couldn¡¯t wake them just to let me in. And if I¡¯m honest I couldn¡¯t be bothered with the million questions my mom would ask.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Could you drop me back at Alice¡¯?¡±. I lifted my head my eyesnding on his. I could already see the bruising forming under his left eye and over his cheek.


    ¡°Thought Tommy was taking you home?¡±. His eyes narrowed.


    ¡°He was hours ago. I can¡¯t go home it¡¯s toote and I don¡¯t have my keys¡±. My stomach growled Blue never dide back with my burger.


    ¡°Trucks out back¡±.


    ..


    He didn¡¯t take me to Alice¡¯ instead he pulled into a parking space outside the diner. ¡°Franko I-¡­¡±.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re obviously hungry so I¡¯m going to feed you¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to feed me?¡±. I made a face.


    ¡°Are you hungry or not Aubrey?¡±.


    I nodded. He wasn¡¯t in the mood for my smart mouth tonight. No wittyebacks, nothing. His mood was foul all because of the fight. I unclipped my seatbelt and followed him inside.


    It was dead but I expected as much at 2am.


    ¡°Pick anything you want it¡¯s on me¡±.


    I sat at one of the tables by the window and watched as he disappeared through the back. Did his family own it or have something to do with it? It was a question I would ask when he decided to join me.


    ¡°Hey honey what can I get for you?¡±. Jen smiled.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I nced over the menu even though I already knew what I wanted. ¡°Can I have a double cheeseburger, fries and arge coffee¡±.


    ¡°Pickle?¡±.


    ¡°Extra pickle¡±. I grinned.


    ¡°Coming right up sweetie¡±.


    I sat gazing out the window. Not that there was much to look at. For a Friday night the streets were quiet. But what do I know. I had never been out thiste before.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your coffee sweetie. I hear you areing to work here¡±. She ced the mug down on the table and sat opposite me. ¡°You Frankos olddy?¡±.


    Olddy?


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Out thiste on a Friday night and you¡¯re not his olddy. I don¡¯t believe you¡±. She smiled.


    I wanted to know what an olddy was.


    ¡°What¡¯s an olddy?¡±.


    ¡°Are you, his girlfriend?¡±.


    I choked on my coffee. ¡°No¡±. I coughed. ¡°I¡¯m definitely not that¡±.


    ¡°He seems smitten with you. Maybe give the boy a chance. You never know you might like him back¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, smitten. He likes me so much I caught him sucking face with another girl¡±. I rolled my eyes. ¡°He¡¯s giving me a ride home but decided to stop here first¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s a biker for you sweetheart¡±. She winked before getting to her feet. ¡°I¡¯ll go check if your food is ready¡±.


    I would never date a guy I couldn¡¯t trust, and she just hit the nail on the head for me. Why would anyone want to be with someone who cheats on them? How would you create any trust between you?


    He ced my te of food in front of me before taking a seat. ¡°You still want me to take you to Alice¡¯?¡±.


    ¡°I have nowhere else to go so yes please¡±. I wasn¡¯t even sure if she would still be up and if she wasn¡¯t would she hear me knock?


    ¡°Could alwayse back with me¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°Back to the clubhouse?¡±.


    ¡°Nah darling back to my mom¡¯s¡±.


    I wonder if he knew I had met his mom and that tonight wasn¡¯t the first time meeting his dad. His mom was lovely and let¡¯s face it I didn¡¯t have another option.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I began to eat my food while he sat staring at me.


    ¡°Mind if I smoke?¡±. He reached his hand over stealing a few fries from my te.


    ¡°Mind if I stab you in the hand with my fork?¡±. I didn¡¯t care that he smoked but not when I was eating.


    A chuckle fell from his lips. ¡°How did the rest of your date go?¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it¡±. I still felt guilty for bailing.


    ¡°He do something to you?¡±. His eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯ll break his fucking legs¡±.


    ¡°What, no. Ben isn¡¯t like that¡±.


    ¡°You bailed didn¡¯t you¡±.


    It was his smirk. I wanted to wipe it off his face.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t feeling great, so I left¡±.


    ¡°Bullshit princess. You left because you were bored admit it¡±.


    ¡°Fine I was bored. I¡¯m not into football. I don¡¯t see what all the hype is about guys running up and down a field¡±.


    He smirked. ¡°Did you tell him you were bored?¡±.


    Ben seemed like a nice guy and yeah maybe I should have told him the truth, but I didn¡¯t want to hurt his feelings. ¡°Alice told him I was sick¡±. I made a face at how bad that sounded. I sent Alice to tell him when I should have done it myself.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even tell him yourself. That¡¯s a low blow princess¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡±. I sighed. ¡°I feel terrible about it¡±. The guilt was eating away at me.


    ¡°You¡¯re too good for him anyway¡±. He winked.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Will you and Tommy be, okay?¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re fine princess. It ain¡¯t the first time we¡¯ve had a fight and it probably won¡¯t be thest¡±.


    ¡°You fight over girls?¡±. I frowned.


    He chuckled. ¡°Not girls darling, one girl, you¡±.


    I blushed. I could feel the heat spreading over my cheeks. That had never happened before. I wasn¡¯t the blushing type until now.


    I took a bite of my burger. What do I even say back to that? Fighting over girls was stupid even if it was over me.


    ¡°Will you mom mind if Ie back with you?¡±. I already knew she wouldn¡¯t, but I had to change the subject.


    ¡°Nah darling she¡¯ll be cool with it¡±.


    ¡°I bet she¡¯s used to you bringing girls home¡±. I grinned.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never took a girl home. Only girl that meets my mom is my olddy¡±.


    I didn¡¯t say anything back. I continued to eat my food as he pulled out a cigarette and got to his feet. ¡°I¡¯ll be back¡±.


    I wanted to give him a chance, but I didn¡¯t trust that he wouldn¡¯t break my heart. Franko couldn¡¯t keep it in his pants. He proved that tonight with that red head. But if I didn¡¯t give him a chance I will never know.


    Was he worth the heartbreak?


    I was scared. My feelings for him were growing everyday but every time I thought about us together something else would happen and it would put me off. I pushed my te to the side my attention drawn to the door as it chimed.


    Bikers.


    Older bikers.


    Wait, did they just nod at me?


    I smiled before diverting my gaze.


    ¡°Your Franko¡¯s olddy¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t sure if he was asking me or telling me. I looked between the two of them my eyes scanning over their cuts.


    ¡°Cat got your tongue sweetheart?¡±.


    I swallowed the lump in my throat. ¡°N-no¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey, right?¡±.


    I nodded.


    ¡°You can call me Rusty, and this here is Taz¡±.


    ¡°Hi¡±.


    How did they even know who I was?


    ¡°Franko about darling?¡±.


    ¡°H-he went for a smoke¡±.


    I didn¡¯t stutter and yet here I was. Then again, I¡¯d never been approached by two burly bikers before.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to fear us darling. You¡¯re looked after now remember that¡±.


    Okay what in the hell did that mean?


    ¡°See you around sweetheart¡±.


    I waited for what felt like ages before Franko returned. I was sat with my head on the table and my eyes closed. I was exhausted. My body desperate for sleep.


    ¡°Tired baby?¡±.


    Baby?


    Maybe staying with him was a bad idea. I didn¡¯t want to lead him on or for him to think something was happening between us. Was there something happening between us?


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    I opened my eyes. ¡°Can we go?¡±.


    ¡°Aye darling¡±.


    ..


    He was carrying me.


    Franko was fucking carrying me.


    And I liked it. I fucking liked it. This wasn¡¯t good and yet I didn¡¯t want it to stop. He was looking after me. My eyes opened as my head hit something soft. I was in bed, his bed?


    I shot my hand out grabbing his.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry princess. I¡¯m going to sleep in another room¡±.


    ¡°Stay¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Please¡±. I whispered struggling to keep my eyes open.


    ¡°Fuck¡±. He hissed.


    But I felt the bed dip beside me. His hand touching mine. I couldn¡¯t help myself; Iced our fingers together and he let me.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be the fucking death of me¡±. It was thest thing I heard him say before I fell asleep.

 Chapter 12

    I did the one thing I promised myself I wouldn¡¯t do. I dropped my guard, I let him in. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to open my eyes. I was in Franko¡¯s bed; I spent the night at his house.


    His house.


    Why did I let him bring me here?


    Chewing the inside of my cheek I squeezed my eyes tight. I had to get home, I had to get up and leave. I didn¡¯t want the embarrassment of having to see his parents. I was going to have to sneak out.


    How was I supposed to do that?


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. He whispered.


    Maybe I could pretend I was still asleep? Wait why was he whispering?


    ¡°I have to get home¡±. I opened my eyes and sat up.


    ¡°It¡¯s real early babe. Still dark outside¡±.


    ¡°Why are you awake?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°You talk in your sleep¡±. He smirked. ¡°Could hear you from next door¡±.


    Next door?


    Wait. He didn¡¯t sleep in here with me?


    ¡°I do not¡±. I huffed. ¡°What time is it?¡±.


    ¡°Early¡±.


    I rolled my eyes a sigh falling from my lips. It was never simple with Franko, never a straight answer. ¡°Will you drop me off at Alice¡¯?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Thought you had to get home?¡±.


    See, never simple.


    ¡°I do but I don¡¯t have my keys¡±. I¡¯m pretty sure I already told him thisst night.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drop you offter¡±.


    Not the answer I was wanting but what could I do about it. He stayed miles away from me and I wasn¡¯t walking home when it was still dark outside.


    ¡°Okay fine¡±. I rolled over onto my side. May as well sleep for another few hours. I felt sick and groggy.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°Can I get in?¡±.


    ¡°Y-yeah¡±. I stuttered.


    It felt right. Us being here together felt right. Like it was meant to be. I felt stupid for even thinking that. But why did I feel sofortable around him? He made me feel things I¡¯d never experienced before.


    My heart fluttered as his hand brushed against mine.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. He whispered.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°Y¡¯know I¡¯d never hurt you right?¡±.


    ¡°I know¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°And even if you ain¡¯t gonna date me I¡¯m still gonna be there for you¡±.


    I still didn¡¯t understand his sudden fascination with me. I was nothing special. If anything, I was in and boring. We wereplete opposites in every way. They say opposites attract but I wasn¡¯t sure I believed that.


    I was sick of having the same argument with myself over him. Give him a chance or don¡¯t give him a chance. I didn¡¯t know what he wanted. Was I to be his girlfriend? A one-night stand? Was his fascination with me because I kept turning him down? Because I wouldn¡¯t sleep with him? Or I wouldn¡¯t give into his charms like everyone else?


    Was that it?


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°I can¡¯t okay¡±. I turned onto my side away from him. I couldn¡¯t have this conversation. I wanted to give him a chance but the bad outweighed the good and I wouldn¡¯t put myself through getting hurt.


    Besides he wasn¡¯t short on female attention. Everyone wanted a chance to be with him.


    ¡°One date is all I want¡±.


    ¡°Why, why me?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re like a breath of fucking fresh air. You ain¡¯t like other girls and I like that. I like you. Fuck princess I can¡¯t stop thinking about you¡±.


    I chewed my bottom lip.


    ¡°You could have anyone¡±. I spoke. ¡°Every girl wants to be with you¡±.


    ¡°But not you right¡±. His tone changed; he sounded bitter.


    He was wrong I did I was just afraid of the consequences. Afraid of getting my heart broken. I had no experience with boys. I had never dated before, had never even kissed a boy.


    ¡°I¡¯m scared¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°Of me?¡±.


    ¡°Of giving you a chance, of having my heart broken. I don¡¯t want to get hurt¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey I-¡­¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t date Franko and I¡¯m not okay with being used. I won¡¯t sleep with you just so you can add me to your list¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°My list?¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯tugh at me¡±. I huffed.


    ¡°Babe I wouldn¡¯t-¡­¡±.


    ¡°I want to leave; I want to go home now¡±. I sat up pushing the covers off my body. If anything, I was embarrassed. He wasughing at me, and I wasn¡¯t sure if I was going to start crying.


    I could feel the lump in my throat.


    Thank god the room was dark.


    ¡°Will Alice be awake?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I didn¡¯t care if she wasn¡¯t I would wake her up.


    I followed him throughout his house and bit my lip when the entry light came on.


    ¡°You know sneaking girls around in my house is not on Francis¡±.


    Shit.


    I felt the need to say something but instead lowered my head and prayed she didn¡¯t see it was me. For some reason his parents liked me.


    ¡°I know mom but Aubrey-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. She interrupted.


    Double shit.


    ¡°Hi Mrs Mendez¡±. I lifted my head my eyes meeting hers. She was smiling from ear to ear her eyes shifting between me and her son.


    ¡°Mom, I have to get Aubrey home¡±.


    ¡°Is everything okay at home Aubrey?¡±. She asked.


    I was confused by her question and wasn¡¯t quite sure why she was asking. Everything at home was fine, normal just like always. I frowned and of course she noticed.


    ¡°My sons never brought a girl home because he knows my rules and yet here you are. Has something happened?¡±.


    Oh, so he was telling the truth.


    ¡°Mom¡±. He groaned.


    ¡°Everything is fine Mrs Mendez. I forgot my key and didn¡¯t want to wake up my parents. Franko-¡­ Francis said it would be okay to stay here¡±.


    ¡°Are you being safe?¡±.


    ¡°Fuck mom¡±. He grabbed a hold of my arm and dragged me out through the front door.


    It was the first time I had ever seen him with a red face.


    We didn¡¯t speak for the remainder of the time we were together. I¡¯m pretty sure I knew what his mom meant but didn¡¯t dare ask. Day light had peeked and by the time we reached Alice¡¯ the sun was up.


    Makes a change from rain.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t leaving till you¡¯re inside¡±.


    I had the urge to roll my eyes but didn¡¯t. He helped me outst night when he didn¡¯t need to. I¡¯d probably be grounded if I had gone home. Last night is something I would always remember.


    I guess he wasn¡¯t leaving then.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Alice wasn¡¯t answering. I had knocked three times, and every knock was louder than thest. I just needed my bag so I could go home.


    ¡°Should have stayed at mine. Could be eating pancakes right now¡±. He winked.


    ¡°I need my bag so I can go home¡±. I didn¡¯t want to have to chap my parents up to let me in. I didn¡¯t need them questioning me at this time in the morning. I also didn¡¯t want to be standing here when her mom came home from work.


    ¡°Come back to mine and I¡¯ll bring you backter¡±. He spoke.


    It¡¯s not as if I had a choice but I felt like I was using him, and it was making me feel really shitty. He had been nothing but respectful and nice to me. He was nothing like I ever thought.


    ¡°Princess?¡±.


    I also didn¡¯t want him to think this was more than what it was.


    My head hurt and I was overthinking everything.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡±.


    ¡°Fuck sake Aubrey it¡¯s just breakfast. You made it clear this morning you won¡¯t date me, and I respect that but I ain¡¯t leaving you here¡±.


    I guess that was me told.


    Both his parents were up when we got back. I was expecting it to be dreadful, awkward even, but it wasn¡¯t. We were all sat round the breakfast table eating waffles and bacon.


    I would have to chin him about the pancakester.


    ¡°Help yourself too more food Aubrey¡±. His mom smiled.


    Eating breakfast with his parents felt more normal than it did with my own. I feltfortable, they made me feel weed. I ced another slice of bacon on my te.


    ¡°Howe you ain¡¯t brought Aubrey round here before?¡±. His dad asked.


    ¡°Never had the chance¡±. Franko shrugged.


    His mood had changed slightly, and I wasn¡¯t sure if he was feeling a little embarrassed. Trust me he had nothing to be embarrassed about. His parents were lovely.


    ¡°You sort your shit out with Tommy yet?¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re cool¡±.


    ¡°Gotta job for the both of you if you¡¯re interested?¡±.


    A job?


    ¡°Blue¡±. His mom red. ¡°I don¡¯t want him wrapped up in this. It¡¯s too early and you know it¡±.


    Now I was beginning to feel a little ufortable. I didn¡¯t want to know the job or what they were going to be up to. Something told me it wasn¡¯t going to be legal.


    ¡°Aubrey sweetheart, would you like some more coffee?¡±. She asked.


    My mug was full, but I took the hint. I smiled and nodded as I got out of my seat and followed her into the kitchen area which of course was out of earshot.


    ¡°He¡¯s not a bad boy my son¡±. She spoke. ¡°He¡¯s got a good heart¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re just friends¡±. I smiled.


    She gave me that look, the look that said it all.


    ¡°Never once has he brought a girl home Aubrey. No matter the situation he knows I don¡¯t allow it and yet he brought you here¡±.


    Dammit.


    ¡°What would your parents say if they knew you were here?¡±. She asked.


    That question alone made me feel a little queasy. They already warned me to stay away from him. That he was bad news and yet I still came with him. I could already feel my frown.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t like it¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°I thought as much¡±. She gave me a soft smile. ¡°We aren¡¯t bad people so don¡¯t believe everything you hear¡±.


    I didn¡¯t.


    ¡°I think we can go back through now¡±.


    I didn¡¯t finish my breakfast and I had been sat nursing the same coffee for a good while. I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the look on his mom¡¯s face when talking about my parents.


    She looked sad.


    They didn¡¯t approve, they didn¡¯t see the good. They only went with what they read in the paper. And Franko¡¯ dad and his motorcycle club were in it a lot.


    ¡°I think you should take Aubrey home now¡±. His mom began to clear away the table. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll see you again soon¡±.


    ..


    I was in my room had been sat by my window for what felt like hours. I was bored. Our shopping trip didn¡¯t happen because Alice was hungover. Something about a fight with Tommy and alcohol took the pain away.


    So here I was at home on my own because my parents were at work. Sometimes I wish I had more than one friend. I could always go on my own, but I wasn¡¯t street smart, and I¡¯d end up getting lost.


    Also, the weather had turned and that lovely sunshine this morning was now rain. Every excuse there was I was using it. I guess I would get my mom to take me tomorrow.


    I went downstairs and fixed myself some lunch. I had nothing to do except waste time. I was all caught up on homework and I couldn¡¯t study anymore. There was only so long I could keep my head in a book.


    I was a little sceptical when there was a knock on my front door. It could only be Alice or Franko and I wasn¡¯t holding out much hope that it was Alice. She¡¯s probably still fighting her hangover and possible Tommy.


    Another knock.


    Franko and he brought food.


    I was getting good at this guessing game.


    ¡°Not gonna invite me in princess?¡±.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°I owe you pancakes so¡±. He held up the bag he was carrying. ¡°I also want to talk to you about the job at the diner¡±.


    That caught my attention. A sigh fell from my lips as I moved letting him inside. Knowing my luck, it was to tell me the job was no longer avable. I made sure to lock the door and made my way into the living room.


    ¡°Let me guess you¡¯ve got someone else for the job?¡±. I don¡¯t know why but my heart was racing. I wanted my own car so bad, and this was the only way I was going to get it. I didn¡¯t want to have to spend more time looking for another job.


    ¡°What, no¡±. He made a face. ¡°Eat¡±. He handed me a Tupperware tub. ¡°Best you¡¯ll ever taste¡±.


    He wasn¡¯t wrong. They were so soft and fluffy and light to touch. They were delicious and I wish he had brought me more than two. I would save the other one forter.


    ¡°Did your mom make these?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°I did¡±. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and sat them beside him.


    ¡°You did?¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t sound so surprised princess it¡¯s just a pancake¡±.


    Right.


    ¡°So, what about the job then?¡±.


    ¡°You wanna do a shift tonight?¡±.


    ¡°All night?¡±. I frowned.


    I¡¯m quite sure that was illegal for a sixteen-year-old and there¡¯s no way in hell my mom would let me stay out all night.


    He shook his head. ¡°Just a few hours so you can learn the ropes¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I grinned. ¡°Yes¡±.

 Chapter 13

    I owed him. I owed him forst night and I owed him for getting me this job. I couldn¡¯t shake this feeling I had in the pit of my stomach. I so desperately wanted to say, ¡®fuck it¡¯ and let him take me out on a date.


    But I couldn¡¯t form the words, it¡¯s like my brain wouldn¡¯t let theme out my mouth. A sigh fell from my lips as I continued to stare out the window. The n was for me to work a few hours tonight and thene back tomorrow afternoon.


    Apparently, Sundays were busy, and he wanted me to see what it was like. I didn¡¯t ask how he was so involved in the diner; I didn¡¯t ask if it had anything to do with his family. I didn¡¯t care. I was starting to make money; I was one step closer to getting a car.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. He spoke.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    He made me nervous; he gave me butterflies. I had never felt this way before, and I still wasn¡¯t sure if I had feelings for him or was genuinely just nervous being around him.


    Franko was intimidating, built for his age and very mature. If I didn¡¯t know him, I would say he was older than seventeen.


    ¡°You wanna grab a burger when you finish your shift?¡±.


    I chewed the inside of my cheek as I gave him a nod. It was just a burger at my workce. That didn¡¯t count as a date, right?


    The rest of the journey was spent in silence. Me overthinking our burger at the end of my shift and him sat with his eyebrows furrowed. I wish I knew what he was thinking.


    As he pulled into the parking lot of the diner my heart sank. All his friends were outside. Parked up, music ring and probably drinking.  My eyes fell onto Tommy and low and behold he had his arm around a girl that wasn¡¯t Alice.


    My mouth became dry. Was this a joke? Was he doing this to pull one over on me so they could all get a right goodugh? As he pulled up next to the truck, I swallowed the lump in my throat.


    I wouldn¡¯t say I didn¡¯t like the people he surrounded himself with it¡¯s just not people I would want as friends. The girls were mean and god forbid if one of them thought I was trying to steal Franko.


    I rolled my eyes at the thought. Gearing myself up for the worst I jumped when he ced his hand on top of mine.


    I pulled it away instantly.


    ¡°Why are they here?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Probably just hanging out¡±.


    Oh.


    I felt myself rx a little. I always thought the worst in people until they proved me wrong. Probably wasn¡¯t the best way to go about life but it¡¯s the way my brain worked.


    My guard was up always.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°Yeah fine¡±. I unclipped my seatbelt and as soon as we stepped out of the car he was surrounded. Me on the other hand I was being pushed to the side and out of the way.


    It was just noise. Everyone talking at the once, all trying to talk to him. He wasn¡¯t a fucking god, and I could have sworn some idiot pulled on my hair. So, I did what I always do. I took myself out of the situation and made my way into the diner.


    That wasn¡¯t normal. Why were they all so obsessed with him? What was so special about Franko Mendez?


    ¡°Hey sweetie¡±. Jen grinned at me as I took a seat at the lunch counter. ¡°You here to learn the ropes?¡±.


    ¡°Could I get some coffee first if that¡¯s okay?¡±.


    ¡°Sure thing¡±. She winked. ¡°Anything for Frankos¡¯ olddy¡±.


    I ignored herment. I was not his olddy, and I would never be. What just happened outside threw me outside of myfort zone. I couldn¡¯t deal with that every day.


    I turned my head around when the door chimed. Still not Franko.


    ¡°Oh honey¡±. Jen gasped.


    ¡°What?¡±. I turned so fast I almost fell from my seat.


    ¡°There¡¯s gum in your hair¡±.


    I closed my eyes gritting my teeth. I knew someone was at my hair. Maybe looking for somewhere else to work was for the best. Or maybe I needed to stay away from Franko.


    I didn¡¯t fancy getting gum put in my hair every time I came to work.


    I wanted to cry; I felt embarrassed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you an icepack¡±. Jen spoke.


    Girls were bitches and I couldn¡¯t believe someone would do such a thing. I didn¡¯t want to touch it or pull on it in case I made it worse.


    I heard them before I saw them. I wish I had nevere here with him in the first ce. I noticed when he was with his friends, he didn¡¯t always act the same. He thrived off attention. He liked getting his ego stroked and I had no time for him when he tried to act like he was better than everyone.


    ¡°Wrap the icepack around it as best you can. Hopefully, we can freeze the gum and it¡¯lle right out. I¡¯ll deal with the crowd¡±.


    I did what she said but wasn¡¯t sure if I was doing it correctly. I had never had gum put in my hair before. I held it in ce as I lifted my coffee with my other hand.


    ¡°Where¡¯d you go?¡±. He leaned against the counter next to me. Smirking as always. I wanted to punch him in the face. See what I mean when I say he acts differently.


    ¡°Inside obviously¡±.


    ¡°What happened?¡±. He went to lift a piece of my hair, but I moved my head away.


    ¡°Nothing okay¡±. I ced my cup down and got to my feet. ¡°I don¡¯t think this is going to work out¡±. I was so excited before we left my house and now, I felt deted.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t even tried princess. I thought you wanted a job so you could get a car¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, well I¡¯ll find another one¡±. I put some money on the counter for my coffee and headed for the restroom. At least in there I could cry if I wanted.


    ¡°Aubrey wait a minute¡±. He grabbed a hold of my arm and I let him. ¡°The fuck happened?¡±.


    ¡°Nothing happened. This job just isn¡¯t me¡±.


    ¡°Bullshit princess¡±.


    ¡°Can you let me go please?¡±.


    Our lives werepletely different, and I didn¡¯t fit in his world. And that was okay. We would go back to how it used to be.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t go¡±. He frowned.


    ¡°Franko get your friends under control, or I¡¯ll get big john to throw them out¡±. Jen huffed. ¡°Did it work sweetheart is the gum gone?¡±.


    ¡°Gum?¡±. He made a face.


    ¡°One of those girls put gum in Aubrey¡¯s hair. Little bitches¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±. His demeaner changed, his re hard.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine I¡¯ll get it out¡±. I spoke.


    ¡°That why you don¡¯t want to work here?¡±.


    It wasn¡¯t just that. They clearly didn¡¯t like me because of him. They didn¡¯t like that he talked to me. So, they weren¡¯t going to like that he brought me here.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. He hissed.


    I flinched at his tone. I had never seen him so angry. His nostrils red; his teeth clenched.


    ¡°Stay fucking put. I¡¯ll sort this¡±.


    I didn¡¯t, I went to the restrooms and tried to remove the gum from my hair. Luckily, I managed to pull it out only losing a few stands. Rummaging through my purse I found a hair tie and pulled my hair up into a messy bun on the top of my head.


    I stared at myself in the mirror. I wasn¡¯t a bad person. Didn¡¯t have a bad bone in my body and yet bad things still happened to me. I couldn¡¯t believe someone could be so nasty and mean to do such a thing.


    A sigh fell from my lips as I headed back into the diner.


    They were gone and Franko had left with them. I didn¡¯t like the feeling that rose in my stomach because he had left. I hated that I was in two minds about him. I wanted him but I didn¡¯t want him.


    ¡°Did you get it out?¡±. Jen asked.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I smiled.


    Maybe it was better that Franko had left. It meant I could concentrate on the job and not be distracted by him and his asshole friends.


    ¡°Good honey¡±. She grinned. ¡°Come round the counter and we¡¯ll start with the easy stuff¡±.


    ¡­


    I was starving.


    Jen was fun to work with and a really big help in showing me the ropes. I had worked a total of 4 hours and nned to do another two. I had already called my mom and asked if she would pick me up at 8.


    For once she was excited for me. She wasn¡¯t a bad mom; she gave me everything I ever needed but the one thing I hated was how much time and effort she put into work instead of her family.


    My dad wasn¡¯t much better. They loved me dearly I knew that, but they didn¡¯t show it very much.


    I felt terrible for even thinking it and it never used to be that way. We always made time for family, spend days together whether it be shopping or movie nights and then suddenly it all stopped.


    Work became the priority. My parents were workaholics. We weren¡¯t struggling to my knowledge, but they always liked to be prepared for the worst. I guess that part rubbed off on me a little.


    ¡°So, Amber and Emily work the day shift, I work the mid shift with Lily normally but she¡¯s off sick just now and Ca and Ray work through the night¡±.


    I was not going to remember all those names.


    ¡°What will I do?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ll work with me, but you¡¯ll finish at 8 instead of 10. You¡¯lle here after school for 3 days a week¡±.


    I was happy with that. I liked Jen and she was nice to me.


    ¡°Sound good?¡±.


    I grinned before giving her a nod. I had only been here 4 hours, but I had a feeling I was going to like it. It wasn¡¯t hard to do the job, taking orders and sending them to the kitchen was fairly simple. I would say I was doing okay just now but still needed to learn a lot until I was up to waitress standards.


    ¡°Seeing as it¡¯s quiet go grab something to eat and chill out for a little while¡±.


    Big John who I found out was the cook made me a bacon cheeseburger with loaded fries and topped it off with a strawberry milkshake.


    Yeah, I was going to like it here.


    I picked a booth way in the back. Out of sight of everyoneing through the door. So, when Franko appeared at my table, I was a little surprised. I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d havee back.


    ¡°Treating you good in here already¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°I guess¡±. I took a bite of my burger as he slid into the booth at the other end. What he did next, I didn¡¯t expect. He ced arge amount of cash next to me.


    ¡°That¡¯s for tonight¡±.


    I knew already it was too much and I wouldn¡¯t take money I never earned.


    I shook my head as I slid the money back to him. ¡°That¡¯s too much and you know it is¡±.


    ¡°Take the money Aubrey¡±. He slid it back to me.


    I couldn¡¯t. I chewed the inside of my cheek as once again I slid it back to him. I was happy to take the money I was due, but I could see $100 bills and that alone was too much.


    ¡°Fuck sake princess I¡¯m trying to help you¡±.


    ¡°You did help you got me this job and that¡¯s enough. I won¡¯t take your money Franko so put it away¡±.


    He muttered something under his breath, but I couldn¡¯t quite make out what. As I continued to eat my food, he sat staring at me. Talk about making someone feel ufortable.


    ¡°What?¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you got the gum out¡±. He nodded towards my head.


    ¡°Yeah, tell your friends thanks for that¡±.


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen again¡±.


    It wouldn¡¯t have happened in the first ce if I wasn¡¯t with him. I guess it was my own fault. Those girls had never bothered me before but because he¡¯s taken a sudden interest in me, they think it¡¯s eptable to put gum in my hair.


    ¡°I have to get back¡±.


    ¡°Eat your food Aubrey¡±.


    I made a face my eyesnding on his. How did we get here? We weren¡¯t friends, we didn¡¯t socialise and all a sudden we were hanging out? How did that happen?


    I pushed my te to the side making sure never to break eye contact with him. I don¡¯t know who he thought he was trying to tell me what to do. I wasn¡¯t one of his fangirls.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°No¡±. I took another sip of my milkshake before getting to my feet. ¡°And my mom¡¯s picking me up tonight¡±. Hopefully, he understood that that meant we couldn¡¯t grab a burger when I finished.


    ¡°And what?¡±. He red. ¡°Embarrassed to be seen with me? Can¡¯t let mommy know you like hanging around with a Mendez¡±.


    No that wasn¡¯t the reason at all. Yes, my mom would probably skin me alive if she saw us together, but I wasn¡¯t embarrassed to be seen with him. I was getting to the point where I didn¡¯t care what my parents thought anymore.


    And yeah, maybe I did like hanging around with him, but I would never tell him that.


    My re matched his. ¡°You¡¯re a fucking asshole¡±. I walked away from him and went straight through the back.


    He frustrated the life out of me.

 Chapter 14

    I was still fizzing over what happened with Franko.


    ¡°Aubrey are you okay?¡±. My mom asked.


    ¡°Fine¡±.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    I didn¡¯t see him the rest of my shift. By the time I came out from hiding in the back he had left. I was angry and pissed off that he thought I was embarrassed to be seen with him. But what bothered me more was why he cared so much.


    He was Franko fucking Mendez. He had lots of friends was always surrounded by people so why care what I thought?


    We weren¡¯t friends. We weren¡¯t involved in each other¡¯s lives. It was time I put an end to whatever the hell was going on between us.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine mom just tired¡±.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s great that you have a job, but I don¡¯t want it bing your priority. School is what you need to be focusing on¡±.


    Of course, she would say something like that. God forbid if I ever fail a test or get anything other than an A. She wasn¡¯t helping my mood and I had to bite my tongue to stop me saying something that would get me into trouble.


    They had always been strict. Firm but fair. They weren¡¯t bad parents I just wish sometimes it could be different.


    ¡°I am focused I¡¯m always focused. My grades are good I¡¯m not failing any sses. If anything, I¡¯m doing better than I should be this early in the year¡±.


    ¡°I know that, Aubrey. I just want what¡¯s best for you. I want you to have a bright future. Did you go shopping today?¡±.


    I think it was wise that she changed the subject. I had never talked back or argued with her but with the way I was feeling tonight it could have been a first.


    ¡°No, Alice wasn¡¯t feeling good¡±.


    ¡°I can take you tomorrow if you like¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, sure¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t getting my hopes up at the chance of spending some time together. We¡¯ve tried this before and every time she¡¯d get called into work.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get you a full new wardrobe and a new jacket. That one¡¯s looking a bit worse for wear¡±.


    There was nothing wrong with my jacket but who was I to tell her I didn¡¯t need one. As we pulled up to the house, I was a little surprised to see my dad¡¯s car in the drive. I was always in bed by the time he got home.


    ¡°Chinese for dinner or did you eat at the diner?¡±.


    ¡°Why is dad home early?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s not home early honey he¡¯s home when he¡¯s supposed to be for once¡±.


    Something felt off. I wasn¡¯t convinced that this was normal, and I had a feeling something had happened. I mean to get to eat dinner with them as a family, that rarely happened.


    But I said nothing and headed inside.


    Once I cleaned up and got into my pjs I headed back downstairs. I didn¡¯t get to finish my burger, so I was hungry enough to have dinner. It was nice, all sitting round the table enjoying each other¡¯spany and talking about our day.


    ¡°We¡¯re really proud of you Aubrey¡±. My dad spoke. ¡°You went out and got yourself a job. I think you¡¯re ready for the responsibility of having your own car¡±.


    ¡°Really?¡±. I grinned.


    ¡°Yeah, sweetheart really¡±. My mom ced her hand on top of mine. ¡°We also think you¡¯re ready for a little more responsibility with other things¡±.


    ¡°Like what?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Staying home alone for the weekend but only if you feel okay with it¡±.


    Wow. I never saw thating. Being home alone for a full weekend without supervision. No parents, no one watching me. Having free reign to do as I please.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll be okay¡±. I could survive one weekend on my own. ¡°Can I ask why?¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯ll always be our little girl Aubrey but you¡¯re growing up and it¡¯s time we let you¡±. My dad spoke.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I smiled.


    For the first time in forever it felt like I had my parents back.


    ¡­


    True to her word my mom took me shopping. She knew I was working at 2 so we left the house before 9 and had been walking around the mall for thest hour. I had a spring in my step, I was genuinely happy.


    My rtionship with my mom was never bad but I always felt I couldn¡¯t really talk to her about much. Talking boys was a no go and god forbid if I ever brought up sex.


    ¡°What else do you need Aubrey?¡±.


    I think I got everything. She really wasn¡¯t kidding when she said she was buying me a new wardrobe. I would have to throughout most of my old clothes for my new ones to fit.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ve got everything¡±.


    ¡°Shoes, we didn¡¯t get you any shoes¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need shoes mom¡±.


    ¡°Then how about we stop for breakfast at the diner?¡±.


    ¡°Or we could just go home for breakfast?¡±. I didn¡¯t see the point in going there now to then have to drive backter for my shift.


    ¡°We have nothing in. I haven¡¯t done the food shop yet¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±.


    The full drive to the diner I couldn¡¯t settle. My stomach was in knots I felt sick and I¡¯m quite sure if I tapped my fingers off the dashboard one more time my mom would cut them off.


    I prayed he wasn¡¯t there. I prayed that his friends weren¡¯t there. I didn¡¯t want to face him. He said all he needed to and just as I thought he was breaking down my walls they shot back up.


    He could be an asshole when he wanted to be. But maybe that¡¯s the Franko I needed to see. Maybe that was the real Franko and not the bullshit he puts on when he¡¯s around me.


    The anger I feltst night rose within me.


    I hated how much he got under my skin.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°You would tell me if something was bothering you, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine mom¡±.


    I couldn¡¯t tell her even if I wanted to. She wouldn¡¯t understand. The minute I told her she¡¯d shut me down and tell me I was too young for boys. Throw Franko¡¯s name into the mix and she¡¯d ground me for life.


    As she pulled into the carpark, I chewed the inside of my cheek until it hurt. He was here and no doubt with his asshole friends. I felt sick, my stomach churning at the thought of seeing him.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Hm?¡±.


    ¡°Please tell me you¡¯re not having sex¡±.


    ¡°What, no¡±. I made a face.


    Why would she think that? I hadn¡¯t even kissed a boy never mind having sex with one. I hadn¡¯t even been on a real date, and she thought I was having sex? I didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry. I ran a hand down my face.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been yourselftely and dad and I were getting worried¡±.


    ¡°So, you thought I was out having sex?¡±. Iughed. ¡°Geez mom why not p a chastity belt on me right now and we¡¯ll call it a day¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s not funny Aubrey. We worry about you; we notice the changes¡±.


    Could have fooled me. That¡¯s what I wanted to say but of course I didn¡¯t. I may say a lot of things about them, but I would never intentionally disrespect them. They were my parents and I loved them.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine mom and I¡¯m not having sex¡±.


    ¡°Thank god. I had all these thoughts running through my mind. I thought you were involved with that Franko boy. Boys like that are no good Aubrey. When the time is right, you¡¯ll meet a nice boy and settle down¡±.


    Yeah right.


    I followed her inside keeping my head down.


    ¡°Where¡¯s best to sit honey?¡±. My mom asked.


    I shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m going to use the restroom¡±.


    Once inside I locked myself in a stall and waited. I didn¡¯t need to pee, but I was hoping by the time I went back out he would be gone. I heard the restroom door open and then there was a knock on the stall door which caused me to jump.


    ¡°Someone¡¯s in here¡±.


    I was in no mood to put up with those girls today. If they could put gum in my hair, then they were capable of doing just about anything.


    ¡°Open up princess we need to talk¡±.


    Wait that wasn¡¯t Franko. Opening the stall door, I frowned. ¡°You do know this is the girl¡¯s bathroom, right?¡±.


    ¡°You heard from Alice?¡±. Tommy spoke.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t and if I did, I wouldn¡¯t tell you¡±. I side stepped him so I could wash my hands. He had some nerve asking that anyway. Wasn¡¯t he the one with another girl on his arm just yesterday?


    ¡°Right, I forgot you girls stick together¡±. He smirked.


    Was he smirking right now? Didn¡¯t he know how much he had hurt her already? She had fell for him hard and he clearly didn¡¯t give two shits about her.


    ¡°You¡¯re a bastard¡±. I red.


    ¡°Wow chill¡±. His smirk faded; his eyebrows furrowed. ¡°I¡¯m joking Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Whatever¡±. I dried my hands on some paper towel and popped it in the bin. I had to get back to my mom before she came looking. ¡°Can you please move?¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Can you tell her I wanna talk if you see her?¡±. He moved to the side letting me past.


    ¡°No¡±. I walked back into the dining area and clocked my mom sitting by the window.


    If Alice wanted to be involved with Tommy, then that was on her. I wasn¡¯t getting involved in any more of their shit. I could tell her to stay away from him until I was blue in the face, but it didn¡¯t mean she¡¯d listen.


    ¡°Apparently our meals been paid for¡±. She spoke as I sat across from her.


    ¡°What?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°I went up to order our breakfast and pay but was told it had already been taken care of. Do you think it¡¯s because you work here?¡±. She asked.


    No, it had Franko¡¯s name all over it.


    ¡°Yeah, mom that¡¯s what it¡¯ll be¡±.

 Chapter 15

    I could feel him staring. I wanted to look up, but I wouldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction. I was still annoyed with him.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°Are you going to eat your breakfast or continue to move it around on your te?¡±.


    ¡°Sorry¡±. I blinked.


    I felt on edge. I was afraid in case he came over. My mom had no shame and would drag me from the diner if she thought I so much as held a conversation with him.


    Boys like Franko were no good for her little girl.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, fine¡±. I continued to eat my breakfast and try my hardest not to look for him.


    ¡°I¡¯m d we got to spend some time together. We need to do it more often¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, we do¡±. I smiled.


    We used to spend so much time together as a family but as I got older that all disappeared. They worked round the clock with not much time for anything else. I hated how distant we had really be.


    She was my mom; we were meant to be closer than what we are right? I was meant to be able to tell her anything and yet I felt I couldn¡¯t. It wasn¡¯t easy opening up to her.


    I didn¡¯t finish my breakfast; I had lost my appetite. Pushing my te to the side I picked up my mug of coffee. It didn¡¯t help that I could hear Franko talking with Tommy and Brian.


    His stupidugh.


    His dirty mouth.


    Something about a blonde girl he was withst night.


    I clenched my hand around the mug as I grit my teeth. I don¡¯t know why I was surprised. This was Franko, this was how he was. I had to stop letting everything that concerned him get under my skin.


    We weren¡¯t together.


    ¡°Ready to go sweetie?¡±. My mom asked as she ced some tip money on the table.


    ¡°I¡¯ll meet you by the car. I have to pee¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±.


    I don¡¯t know why the thought of him with another girl bothered me. This is what he does. Picks a different girl every day. Why did I think I was any different? I guess I had a slither of hope that maybe just maybe I was seeing the real Franko.


    The caring, sweet guy that was hidden beneath the leather.


    I was wrong. Opening the stall door my heart jumped in my chest. Franko was blocking the exit. What was it with guysing into the girl¡¯s bathroom?


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be in here¡±. I spoke.


    ¡°You working today?¡±. He asked.


    Drying off my hands I nodded. ¡°Can you please move my mom¡¯s waiting¡±.


    ¡°Can we talk?¡±.


    We had nothing to talk about and it was probably best we didn¡¯t. We couldn¡¯t be involved whether that be in friendship or a rtionship. I was crazy to even think that we could. That little what if in my head gone, my walls back up where they belong.


    I straightened my shoulders my decision final.


    Franko Mendez was nothing more than a what if in the back of my mind. I just had to be sure I kept him there.


    ¡°No now please move¡±.


    ¡°You really still pissed overst night?¡±.


    ¡°Please move so I can leave¡±.


    ¡°Babe-¡­¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re not friends Franko, we will never be friends now please move out the way so I can leave¡±.


    I hated the look in his eyes. The hurt that shed before me, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.


    ¡°You really are a fucking bitch¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I grit my teeth. ¡°Well maybe now you¡¯ll leave me the fuck alone¡±.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    He left before I did and as soon as he was gone the tears welled in my eyes. I didn¡¯t want it to be this way. I liked him, I liked being around him. He let me see the real Franko.


    But we could never be because my parents would never allow it.


    I hated him and yet I seemed to be falling pretty hard for him.


    ..


    I spent the rest of the morning in my room. Tidying away my clothes and making room for my new ones. My mom kept checking in with me because she had convinced herself that something was wrong.


    Yet she didn¡¯t push for me to tell her. Not that I could tell her why I was feeling so shitty anyway. Closing the doors to my closet I sat on my bed staring out the window.


    I would have to leave for work soon and I was not looking forward to it. No doubt he would turn up tonight and bring the whole cavalry with him. We all know how much I dislike his friends.


    Sighing I ran a hand through my hair. I had to keep my focus on my own car. It was the only thing keeping me from quitting and looking for something else.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. My mom knocked beforeing in. ¡°Made you some hot coco¡±.


    I would have preferred coffee, but I took it anyway.


    ¡°Thank you¡±.


    ¡°What time do you finish tonight?¡±.


    ¡°Eight why?¡±.


    ¡°Dad will pick you up on his way home from work, but it might be a littleter than eight. Is that okay?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, fine. I¡¯m going to shower and get changed¡±.


    ¡°You would tell me if something was bothering you, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine mom just a little tired now can I go shower?¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re not in any trouble, are you?¡±.


    ¡°Mom¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Okay, okay¡±. She held up her hands. ¡°You go shower and I¡¯ll fix you some lunch¡±.


    I took longer than expected in the shower and didn¡¯t have much time to spare before I had to leave. I was drying out my hair when my bedroom door swung open.


    Alice threw herself onto my bed. ¡°Your mom let me in¡±.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been better¡±. She sighed. ¡°Are you going somewhere?¡±.


    ¡°I have a shift at the diner. Do I look okay?¡±. I opted for my ck dress pants and a navy blouse. I was still waiting to be issued with a uniform. Although I wasn¡¯t sure how I felt about wearing short shorts.


    ¡°You¡¯re still working there?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ve only done one shift, but I like it. What¡¯s been going on with you?¡±.


    ¡°Tommy and I broke up¡±.


    ¡°I know¡±.


    ¡°You do?¡±. She sat up. ¡°Has he been talking about me? Did Franko tell you he has?¡±.


    I made a face. ¡°I saw him with another girl, so I put two and two together. You deserve better anyway¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone else¡±. She groaned. ¡°I can¡¯t stop thinking about him¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. They would never work because Tommy didn¡¯t want anything serious, and she knew this. But who was I to rain on her parade. She was going to see him regardless of what I said.


    ¡°I have to go soon¡±.


    ¡°Are you seeing Franko tonight?¡±.


    ¡°Shh¡±. I frowned rushing to close my door. ¡°And no, I won¡¯t be seeing Franko again¡±.


    ¡°Why?¡±.


    ¡°Because we¡¯re not friends Alice and it¡¯s best I stay away from him¡±. I grabbed my jacket putting it on. ¡°Now I really have to go¡±.


    ¡°Did you guys have a fight or something?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah something¡±.


    ¡°I can give you a lift to save your mom dropping you off?¡±. She offered.


    ¡°Hoping to see Tommy at the diner?¡±.


    She grinned giving me a wink. ¡°I¡¯m addicted I can¡¯t help it¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. My mom called from the bottom of the stairs. ¡°You¡¯re going to bete¡±.


    ¡°Come on¡±. I said to Alice.


    My mom packed the lunch she made to take with me. I told her I would get something there, but she insisted I take it. Shoving it in my backpack I followed Alice outside to her car.


    ¡°So, what happened with you and Franko?¡±.


    ¡°Nothing¡±.


    ¡°So, why aren¡¯t you seeing him tonight then?¡±.


    ¡°Because we¡¯re not together¡±.


    ¡°But I thought-¡­¡±.


    ¡°I think we had a fight¡±.


    ¡°You think?¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s an asshole and it¡¯s best I stay away from him¡±.


    ¡°You like him¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±.


    ¡°You like him¡±. She grinned.


    ¡°I do not¡±. I huffed.


    ¡°You do¡±.


    I did but I wasn¡¯t ready to share that with anyone else. I liked him but could do nothing about it.


    As she pulled into the carpark of the diner, she cut the engine.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be backter for a burger. If he drops by, can you ask him to wait for me?¡±.


    I was in two minds on whether to tell her about seeing Tommy earlier, but I couldn¡¯t keep it from her anymore. I was looking out for her, trying to save her from getting her but he obviously made her happy.


    ¡°I saw him earlier he wants to talk¡±.


    ¡°He does?¡±. She grinned.


    ¡°Yeah, and I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t tell you sooner¡±.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you?¡±.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re my best friend and I hate seeing you get hurt¡±.


    ¡°Makes sense but I like him, Aubrey. I can¡¯t stop thinking about him¡±.


    She needed a knock to the head because Tommy wasn¡¯t the guy that was going to give her the happy ending. He was a bit like Franko when it came to girls maybe even worse, but I would be here when it all crumbled or when she finally came to her senses and dumped his ass for good.


    I had fifteen minutes to spare before my shift started so I poured myself some coffee and sat at the breakfast counter. It wasnt busy yet but I expected it to pick up.


    ¡°Hey honey¡±. Jen grinned as she stepped behind the counter. ¡°Your uniform is through the back remember and take it before you leave tonight¡±.


    ¡°I will¡±. I smiled. ¡°How¡¯s it been today?¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯ve just missed the lunch time rush. It¡¯ll probably pick up again in the next hour. You nervous?¡±.


    I shook my head. I wasn¡¯t nervous about the ce being busy. Busy meant the shift would go in faster. I was slightly on edge in case Franko appeared and knowing my luck he probably would.


    ¡°Finish your coffee and then I¡¯ll show you what section you¡¯ll be taken care of. Sound good?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±.


    ¡°So, how are you and Franko getting on?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°We¡¯re not because we¡¯re not a thing¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Did you have a fight?¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re not a thing¡±. I was starting to get annoyed with people assuming we were together. We were nothing and we will never be anything. Franko was no good for me.


    My feelings didn¡¯t matter. I had to get him out of my head and out of my life.


    ¡°Can you show me my section please?¡±.


    ¡°Tables 6 through 12 and I didn¡¯t mean to upset you. Franko seems to have taken a liken to you that¡¯s all¡±.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry¡±. I sighed. ¡°It¡¯s just¡±. I don¡¯t know why but I felt I could open up to Jen, I felt I could trust her. ¡°I like him, and I think I¡¯m falling for him but my parents¡±. I paused. ¡°You know what never mind¡±.


    I went to my section to clean some tables.


    I had to keep reminding myself that no matter what I could never be with someone like Franko Mendez.

 Chapter 16

    My feet were killing me. Jen wasn¡¯t wrong when she said it would pick up. I had been nonstop, but I was really getting the hang of it. Thankfully, Franko had yet to show his face.


    I was praying he didn¡¯t show up at all. I didn¡¯t need the stress of him and his friends. I didn¡¯t need them showing up and sitting in my section.


    ¡°My feet are killing me¡±. I groaned leaning against the counter.


    Augh fell from Jen¡¯s lips. ¡°Comfy shoes honey, worn out sneakers are the best¡±. She winked.


    ¡°Noted¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°A cutie has just sat in your section¡±. She nodded.


    Ben.


    I hadn¡¯t seen him since our date if you could even call it that. Another thing I felt shitty about. He was a nice guy, and I didn¡¯t give him a chance.


    ¡°You know him?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°Yeah¡±.


    ¡°Then are you going to take his order?¡±.


    ¡°Yup¡±. I made my way towards his table smiling when his eyesnded on mine. ¡°Hey, are you ready to order?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting on someone, but I¡¯ll take a cherry coke¡±.


    ¡°Coming right up¡±. I made a face as I walked away.


    Yeah, because that wasn¡¯t awkward. As I was preparing his drink theughter and chatter caught my attention. I didn¡¯t need to turn round to see who it was. A sigh fell from my lips.


    Great just what I needed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got them sweetie you just deal with your cute friend¡±. Jen winked.


    So, I did. I took Ben¡¯s drink to him and went back to taking care of my section until he was ready to order. I noticed Tommy wasn¡¯t with Franko but when he walked inter with Alice tucked under his arm, I wasn¡¯t surprised.


    But I was saying nothing and keeping my opinion to myself.


    ¡°I¡¯m beat¡±. I sighed. ¡°Can I have some coffee?¡±.


    ¡°Help yourself sweetheart and maybe take your break?¡±.


    Picking a table in the corner away from everyone I slipped off my shoes and tucked my feet under my bum before tucking into my burger. I was tired tonight and the thought of school in the morning made me want to cry.


    I was halfway through my burger when Alice decided to grace me with her presence.


    ¡°Hey¡±. She grinned. ¡°Do you want toe to a party tonight?¡±.


    ¡°Where?¡±. I had no intention of going but I was curious.


    ¡°The lot of the clubhouse. I¡¯m hoping we can sneak inside¡±.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll pass¡±.


    ¡°Your boring¡±. She sighed. ¡°Come for a little while please?¡±.


    ¡°I can¡¯t and my mom would freak¡±.


    ¡°Then sneak out¡±.


    The fact that she called me boring annoyed me. Just because I didn¡¯t want to hang out and drink beer didn¡¯t mean I was boring.


    ¡°I don¡¯t-¡­¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll swing by around 10 and park down the street. I¡¯ll wait for five and if you don¡¯t appear I¡¯ll know you¡¯re noting¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m noting¡±.


    ¡°Fine Aubrey but don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t ask¡±.


    ¡°Why would I want to go to a party with people I don¡¯t like?¡±.


    ¡°They¡¯re not so bad once you get to know them¡±.


    ¡°They put gum in my hair¡±. I frowned. ¡°So, I think I¡¯ll pass. I have to get back to work¡±.


    ¡°They what?¡±.


    ¡°Those girls that you im aren¡¯t so bad put gum in my hair. I¡¯m not hanging around with people like that¡±.


    ¡°Bitches¡±. She huffed. ¡°Why would they do something like that?¡±.


    I shrugged before getting to my feet and lifting my half-eaten burger. ¡°I¡¯ll see you at school tomorrow if you make it¡±. I grinned.


    ¡°Does Franko know?¡±.


    ¡°Bye Alice¡±.


    Franko was sat at the breakfast counter on his own no doubt with a ck coffee in front of him. Why wasn¡¯t he sitting with his friends? A sigh fell from my lips. Franko wasn¡¯t my concern, but this was my job, and he was a customer.


    I discarded of my te before grabbing the coffee pot and topping him up. The diner had quietened down the only noiseing from where his friends sat.


    He didn¡¯t say anything didn¡¯t acknowledge me in anyway, but I was okay with that. It had to be this way and I had to suck it up and move on.


    ¡°Keep staring princess and people will start talking¡±. His eyes met mine and instantly my cheeks reddened.


    So, he was paying attention.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t¡±. I cleared my throat and grabbed a dishcloth.


    ¡°Still pissed at me?¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re an idiot¡±. I couldn¡¯t help myself. It was easy with him. I could be myself around him because for whatever reason he liked me the way I was.


    He smirked. ¡°Missed you darling¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Howe you¡¯re over here and not over there?¡±.


    ¡°Cause they¡¯re bursting my balls about going to the clubhouse¡±.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, the party. I can just imagine your dad¡¯s face when they all rock up¡±. I grinned.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no fucking party princess¡±.


    I left him to it and went to clean some tables. I only had one couple in my section, and they were almost done. It had slowed right down but I had one hour left and then I was finished, and I couldn¡¯t wait to go home for a shower and jump straight into bed.


    I had earned my money tonight that¡¯s for sure.


    I cleared away myst table smiling when I noticed the $20 tip. I must be doing something right. Franko was still sat at the counter his friends as noisy as ever.


    Big John needed to up his game and throw them out.


    ¡°What you smiling at princess?¡±.


    ¡°Myst table tipped me $20¡±. I grinned.


    He smirked, shoved his hand into his cut pocket and pulled out a bundle of bills. ¡°Keep smiling like that and all that¡¯s yours¡±. He ced it in front of him before pushing it towards me.


    ¡°Stop being ridiculous and put your money away¡±.


    ¡°Your money¡±. He corrected.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Franko, baby, are we leaving soon?¡±. Cass ced her hand on his arm. ¡°It¡¯s boring in here¡±.


    I hated that she looked at me when she said boring, but I said nothing and went and poured myself a cup of coffee. I didn¡¯t care what Cass thought or any of those other girls. I wasn¡¯t boring.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. Jen called nodding her head towards the back area.


    I frowned but went to see what she wanted.


    ¡°Your moms on the phone¡±.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What?¡±. I made a face as I took the phone from her. ¡°Hello?¡±.


    ¡°Hey sweetheart dads having to workter than expected and I¡¯ve had a couple of sses of wine. Do you think Alice would give you a lift home?¡±.


    ¡°Howte is he working?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Toote for you to be waiting especially when you¡¯ve got school in the morning. Will Alice give you a lift?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, mom it¡¯s fine. I have to get back to work¡±.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡±. Jen asked.


    I nodded while handing her the phone. I didn¡¯t want to ask Alice but what other choice did I have?


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±.


    ¡°My dad¡¯s workingte and my mom¡¯s had a drink. My dad was my ride home¡±.


    ¡°What about asking Franko?¡±. She suggested.


    ¡°No, he¡¯s with his friends and I don¡¯t want to be a burden¡±.


    ¡°They aren¡¯t his friends¡¯ sweetheart and I¡¯m sure he¡¯d love to give you a ride home¡±.


    ¡°Maybe¡±. I shrugged. ¡°I better get back to work¡±.


    Franko was gone and so were his friends. Alice was nowhere to be seen either. I guess I was here until my dad finished work. I went about the rest of my shift serving the few customers that I had.


    It didn¡¯t really get any busier than a few people here and there. I was ringing up myst order when the door to the diner opened.


    He came back.


    ¡°Franko will you drop Aubrey off home. She¡¯s almost done¡±. Jen asked.


    ¡°What, no, it¡¯s okay¡±. I made a face at Jen. What the hell was she doing? Granted I needed a lift, but I would have figured something out.


    ¡°Trucks out back meet me there when you¡¯re done¡±.


    I guess he was taking me home then.


    ¡°You are aware that boy would do anything you ask right?¡±.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you did¡±.


    Augh fell from her lips. ¡°Remember your uniform and I¡¯ll see you tomorrow¡±.


    ¡°Thanks Jen¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°You like him, don¡¯t you?¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯splicated¡±.


    ¡°For you or your parents?¡±. She frowned.


    Wow.


    ¡°Franko is a nice boy, and he would treat you with nothing but respect. Sometimes we have to take a leap of faith and grab that chance because before you know it it¡¯s gone¡±.


    ¡°I can¡¯t¡±. I didn¡¯t like how small I sounded, my voice barely a whisper.


    ¡°That boy out there might just be the best thing that could happen to you. Take the chance sweetheart before it¡¯s toote¡±.


    My head was fried. I didn¡¯t utter a word to him the whole ride home.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±. A yawn escaped my mouth as I turned my head to look at him.


    ¡°If there was a party tonight, would you havee?¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t go to parties¡±.


    ¡°Right¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s not easy for me to go and do as I please. My parents-¡­¡±. I paused. He didn¡¯t need to know any of this. Maybe I was boring. Come to think of it all I did was go to school, study and hang out with Alice on the asion she wasn¡¯t hanging off Tommy.


    ¡°They hard on you?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°They just want what¡¯s best for me¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, well I didn¡¯t ask you to ask anything¡±.


    ¡°You confuse the fucking life out of me. One minute I think we¡¯re getting on and the next you turn into aplete bitch¡±.


    Ouch.


    He was right. I turn into a bitch to avoid talking about it. But talking to Franko wasn¡¯t like talking to Alice. He listened he didn¡¯t judge, and he didn¡¯t try and turn the conversation into talking about himself.


    ¡°Yes¡±. I whispered. ¡°Do you know how exhausting it is trying to live up to their standards, their expectations. Straight As are a must, no parties, no boys, no social life. I literally live my life to please my mom¡±.


    I felt the lump appear in the back of my throat. But what was the point in shedding tears? I was used to it all by now.


    ¡°Fuck babe¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a bad life Franko and I don¡¯t go without. Do I wish they were different, sometimes, but I can¡¯t change who they are. I know it alles from a good ce¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit darling, and you know it¡±.


    I shrugged. ¡°Guess I¡¯m just used to it¡±.


    ¡°Nah babe it shouldn¡¯t be like that.


    ¡°They just worry about me. Could say they¡¯re overprotective¡±.


    ¡°Stop trying to defend them. Your meant to make mistakes, you¡¯re meant to go out with your friends, you¡¯re meant to have boyfriends. It¡¯s all part of the process of growing up. Fuck you¡¯re meant to be a fucking teenager¡±.


    ¡°Like you¡±. I gave him a small smile.


    ¡°They should be supporting you, loving you. You¡¯re their fucking kid¡±.


    He seemed angry, his grip on the steering wheel tightened as he pulled into a side street and cut the engine.


    ¡°I care about you Aubrey in fact I can¡¯t stop fucking thinking about you. Every damn day you pop into my head. I want you darling, I want you on the back of my bike, I want you in my bed. I just want you¡±.


    I was shaking on the inside. My stomach filled with nerves or butterflies I wasn¡¯t sure, but I believed every word.


    ¡°Franko I-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Aye darling I already fucking know¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I reached over grabbing a hold of his hand. ¡°I like you to¡±.

 Chapter 17

    ¡°You do?¡±.


    I nodded but it didn¡¯t matter nothing could ever happen between us. I may have told him I like him, but I still had to think about the consequences I would suffer if I did pursue how I felt.


    ¡°Fuck darling you¡¯ve got a funny way of showing it¡±. He chuckled.


    Being with him was different. Being around him made me feel all sorts of things. I liked it, I liked spending time with him and hanging out. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I faced forward and dropped my gaze.


    I didn¡¯t want to do this, but I had to.


    ¡°I like you Franko, but nothing can ever happen between us¡±. He had to understand that we could never be together.


    ¡°Your parents?¡±.


    I expected him to go off on one so when he didn¡¯t, I was a little taken aback. What Franko wants Franko gets I learned that a long time ago. So, when he brought my hand to his mouth and ced a kiss on my knuckles, I blinked away the tears that threatened to fall.


    I don¡¯t know why I was getting so upset. This is the way it had to be. I knew that from the start of whatever this was or bing.


    I nodded.


    ¡°Fuck babe you really like me?¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips as I wiped my cheeks. ¡°I tell you we can¡¯t be together, and you ask that¡±. I shook my head. ¡°You really aren¡¯t as bad as I thought you were¡±.


    ¡°Nah darling I probably am but just not to you¡±.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say to that. I heard all the rumours about how ruthless he was and how much of a bad reputation he had built up already, but I had never seen him doing anything to back it up.


    Although there was the fight with Tommy, but they were friends.


    I frowned.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±. I whispered.


    Thest thing I want is for him to think I was leading him on. It was easy being me when I was around him. I didn¡¯t have to hide myself or be someone else. I wasfortable around him more than I was with anyone else and that included friends.


    Or in my case friend.


    It was easy to forget my world when I was hanging around in his.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t gonna stop darling. Might not be right now or even in the next few years but you will be my olddy¡±.


    The thing was I wanted to be with him now. I couldn¡¯t control the feelings that were growing for him. The nicer he was the harder it was getting to say no and I had said no every single time.


    If there was ever a time I wanted to say ¡®fuck it¡¯ it was now. I never in a million years thought I would have feelings for Franko Mendez and yet here I was sitting in his truck waiting for him to drop me off home.


    ¡°I like being around you¡±. My cheeks reddened, embarrassment settling in. I had no idea why I was telling him this. I don¡¯t know where I got the courage from and yet I couldn¡¯t seem to stop. ¡°You¡¯re easy to talk to and I feelfortable with you¡±.


    ¡°Who is making you feel ufortable?¡±. He brushed his thumb over my knuckles as he squeezed gently. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the fucker¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°No one but if you haven¡¯t already noticed I don¡¯t have many friends, I barely have a social life and I get ufortable real fast but with you¡±. I paused. ¡°It¡¯s different¡±.


    ¡°Fuck babe¡±.


    ¡°Lame right¡±. I took my hand out of his andy it in myp. I should have kept my mouth shut. He didn¡¯t need to know how sad my life really was.


    ¡°You deserve the world princess. Fuck, I¡¯d give you the stars in the sky if I could¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s sweet¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°Let me take you out¡±.


    ¡°Franko¡±.


    ¡°If you ain¡¯t gonna be with me then at least let me take you on one fucking date. You like me, right?¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I sighed. ¡°One date¡±.


    ..


    I couldn¡¯t stop smiling. Butterflies erupted in my stomach as I walked up the path leading to my house. I took the ¡®fuck it¡¯ step and agreed to go out with him. It was one date and then we¡¯d go our separate ways.


    The smile fell from my face when I found my mom passed out on the couch an empty bottle of wine beside her. Was she drunk? Or had she just fallen asleep? A sigh fell from my lips as I grabbed the nket and ced it over her.


    She didn¡¯t move.


    I got myself a drink before heading upstairs. I wasn¡¯t sure whether to be concerned or not. Drinking had never been a problem for her before but recently there was a lot more empty bottles around the house and in the trash.


    I showered got into clean pjs and went to bed.


    Who knows what tomorrow would bring.


    .


    I overslept and my mom wasn¡¯t in the best of moods because she was going to bete for work. I think she was a little worse for wear this morning.


    ¡°I can¡¯t be doing this every morning Aubrey. I can¡¯t afford to bete for work¡±.


    ¡°Then tell dad to get me a car¡±. I shrugged.


    She made a face furrowed her eyebrows but said nothing. As she put her cup in the sink, I grabbed my bag and jacket and made my way outside. I was guessing she had drunk a little too muchst night.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to speak to dad about getting your car sooner¡±.


    ¡°It would make things so much easier¡±.


    ¡°Maybe set an rm and you wouldn¡¯t sleep in¡±.


    ¡°I did¡±.


    Clipping my seatbelt into ce I rolled my eyes. It¡¯s not as if she was going to get sacked for beingte once. She spent most of her time there than she did at home. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll let it slide.


    ¡°Well set two¡±.


    ¡°Do you want me to walk?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly Aubrey and enough with the backchat¡±.


    That was me told. We didn¡¯t speak the rest of the drive. As she pulled up outside the school, I was a little surprised to see Alice. I guess there wasn¡¯t a party after all.


    I couldn¡¯t see Franko though. Not that I was looking.


    ¡°Will you be able to get home on your own?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°Yeah¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure dad leaves money for pizza¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±.


    ¡°Have a good day¡±.


    I closed the car door and walked through the gates. Alice started walking towards me as soon as she saw me. A massive grin on her face and a spring in her step. Someone must have got luckyst night.


    ¡°Hey¡±. She smiled slipping her arm through mine.


    ¡°Hi¡±.


    ¡°What ss have you got first?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°History why?¡±.


    ¡°Want to skip?¡±.


    ¡°We just got here. School hasn¡¯t even started yet¡±.


    We reached our lockers, and I pulled out my books for first ss. History with Mr Ellis. It wasn¡¯t a bad ss although half the time he let us do what we wanted.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ¡°I can¡¯t be bothered today. If we skip, I¡¯ll treat you to breakfast¡±.


    ¡°Can¡¯t I have a test second period¡±. I didn¡¯t but she didn¡¯t need to know that.


    ¡°Boring¡±. She sang.


    ¡°Whatever¡±. I closed the door to my locker and finished putting my books in my bag. I was getting a little pissed off with people calling me boring and I wasn¡¯t going to skip ss just to show I wasn¡¯t.


    I wanted to learn; I wanted good grades so I could get the hell out of here as soon as I graduated.


    ¡°Fine¡±. She sighed. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll see you at lunch¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I turned to walk away.


    ¡°Hey¡±. She grabbed a hold of my arm. ¡°Are you okay?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine I have to get to ss¡±.


    ¡°You do know I¡¯m only joking when I call you boring right?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, well I don¡¯t find it funny. Just because I don¡¯t want to skip school or because I don¡¯t want to drink beer and sleep with boys doesn¡¯t make me boring¡±.


    ¡°I never said that, Aubrey. I ask you because I don¡¯t want to leave you out. I ask because I want to experience being a teenager with my best friend. It¡¯s not a crime to have fun once in a while¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips. She was right. It wasn¡¯t a crime to have fun. I was a teenager. I was meant to be going out and getting up to mischief. It was all about making mistakes and learning from them.


    I was only going to be young once.


    ¡°Let¡¯s skip¡±.


    ¡°Huh?¡±. She frowned.


    ¡°I mean it let¡¯s go let¡¯s skip¡±.

 Chapter 18

    I was never a fan of skipping school. The guilt always ate away at me. Chewing the inside of my cheek I ignored the retching feeling in the pit of my stomach. I didn¡¯t want to get caught and end up in trouble.


    Detention was thest thing I needed.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to skip¡±. Alice spoke as she slipped her arm through mine.


    ¡°I want to¡±. I didn¡¯t but I was trying new things. Apparently skipping school was my first new thing to try. I had only ever done it once or twice.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t¡±. She sighed. ¡°Skipping school is not you Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Skipping school princess?¡±.


    I jumped when I felt his hand on the lower of my back. I didn¡¯t think he was in school today. I guess I was wrong.


    ¡°Franko¡±. Alice smiled before her eyesnded on mine. ¡°I¡¯ll see you at lunch¡±.


    ¡°I have to get to ss¡±. I turned to face him, so he was no longer touching me. I didn¡¯t like how my body reached to his touch. The goose bumps appeared on my skin the hairs on the back of my neck standing.


    ¡°Were you really gonna skip?¡±. He asked.


    I shook my head. ¡°Alice called me boring. Guess I wanted to prove her wrong¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re anything but boring darling. You need a lift home today?¡±.


    I did but I nned to ask Alice. I couldn¡¯t get into the habit of relying on Franko. Not that I relied on him, but we now had an understanding afterst night.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a ride home Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I smiled just as the second warning bell went off. ¡°Now I really have to go before I¡¯mte¡±.


    ¡°Come find me at lunch princess¡±.


    ..


    History was a breeze and I acedst week¡¯s math test. I had to stop by my locker and change my books over but if I was quick, I could stop by the cafeteria and grab a soda.


    I always wondered how people got away with skipping ss while still being in the school. Franko was sat at one of the tables, Cass sitting in hisp. I wanted tough because I expected it.


    Only Franko would skip ss to make out with some girl.


    He wouldn¡¯t change his ways for me. But I had no right to be jealous. He could do whatever he wanted. I got my soda and stopped by my locker to change my books.


    I already knew I wasn¡¯t going to be able to concentrate. I couldn¡¯t stop fizzing over seeing Franko and Cass together. How could he say he likes me but still let other girls hang all over him?


    Why was I letting him get inside my head?


    ¡°We should have skipped this morning¡±. Alice sighed. ¡°I got detention for not paying attention¡±.


    ¡°I told Franko I liked him¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek.


    ¡°I fucking knew it¡±. She grinned. ¡°What did he say?¡±.


    ¡°I agreed to go on a date with him¡±.


    She squealed a high-pitched squeal before she looped her arm through mine. ¡°We can finally double date¡±.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have said yes¡±. I sighed.


    I couldn¡¯t go on a date with him while he was still seeing other girls. I wasn¡¯t okay with that, and I would never ask him not to see other people especially when I told him we couldn¡¯t be together.


    I was screwed.


    ¡°Aubrey the boys been crazy about you forever. Let him take you on the fucking date¡±.


    I had put myself in a sticky situation and I wasn¡¯t sure how I was going to get out of it. I let my feelings cloud my judgement that was my first mistake. If I go on this date, it was only going to make it worse.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. She waved her hand in front of my face. ¡°You in there?¡±.


    ¡°I have to get to ss¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ming over after school. We¡¯re definitely talking about this¡±. She yelled after me.


    It was lunch time before I knew it. I packed up my books and headed for my locker. Tommy had Alice pushed up against them his head buried in her neck.


    I rolled my eyes but stood awkwardly waiting for them to move.


    ¡°Can you-.¡±. I paused. ¡°Alice, I need-.¡±. And then I felt the presence behind me his hand reaching up and taking my backpack off my shoulder.


    ¡°Fuck princess what you got in here¡±. He dropped my bag on the floor which caught Tommy¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Shit my bad¡±. He smirked before moving Alice along.


    ¡°Gee thanks¡±. I picked up my bag and emptied my books into my locker. I had a free period after lunch and then musicst.


    ¡°I saw you sneak into the cafeteria earlier¡±. He spoke.


    What was he getting at?


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I ced my bag over my shoulder and started walking to get some lunch. He followed. Alice was still upied with Tommy.


    ¡°Cass means nothing to me Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I don¡¯t know why he felt the need to exin himself. He was allowed to see whoever he wanted. It didn¡¯t matter how much I disliked it.


    I went to stand in line but with his hand on the lower of my back he pushed me to the front of the queue.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Getting you lunch¡±. He furrowed his eyebrows. ¡°You ain¡¯t waiting in that queue¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips. ¡°I don¡¯t mind waiting in the queue and I don¡¯t like skipping people¡±.


    He shrugged. ¡°They don¡¯t mind¡±.


    That wasn¡¯t the point. I picked my lunch and went to find a table to sit at.


    ¡°This way princess¡±.


    No.


    ¡°I¡¯m good here¡±. I sat at the first table I came to. Just my luck Ben was sat there.


    ¡°Suit yourself¡±. He pulled out the seat next to me and sat down.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Having lunch with my girl¡±. He smirked.


    What happened next made me ufortable. His friends took over the table. Cass included and a few other girls. I still hadn¡¯t forgotten what they did to me.


    I nced around the table my eyesnding on Ben. I gave him a small smile, but he didn¡¯t return it. Instead, he lifted his tray got to his feet and left with the rest of his friends.


    I didn¡¯t want to sit here. I wanted to eat my lunch and read my book in peace. I couldn¡¯t deal with the loudness of their voices and the cackle of their fakeughs.


    ¡°Hey Aubrey¡±.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Cass.


    I looked up from my book waiting for her to continue.


    ¡°We should go shopping sometime¡±.


    My face must have said it all because there was no way in hell, I was hanging out with her ever.


    ¡°No thanks¡±. I spoke putting my book away and getting to my feet. I lifted my tray and ignored Franko as I went to another table. I didn¡¯t feelfortable around them therefore I would never be friends with them.


    Although I trusted Franko his friends not so much.


    Thankfully, the table I picked was full once I took thest seat.


    Of course, that didn¡¯t stop him.


    Franko¡¯s presence alone was enough to scare people away. The boy next to me scrammed and Franko took his seat.


    ¡°Starting to think you don¡¯t want to be seen with me¡±. He spoke.


    I just wanted some peace and quiet to read my book and eat my lunch. Was that too much to ask?


    ¡°I just want to eat my lunch¡±.


    ¡°And you can¡¯t do that over there?¡±. He nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like your friends¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°Point taken darling. You mind if I sit here?¡±.


    I shrugged. ¡°And stop stealing my fries¡±. I swatted his hand away and turned my attention back to my book.


    I got to finish my lunch and read my book in silence.


    Once the bell went signalling lunch was over, I packed away my things and got to my feet. He didn¡¯t leave. He let me eat my lunch and enjoy the quiet. He didn¡¯t speak but every so often I could feel him staring.


    ¡°I¡¯ll walk you to ss¡±. He spoke.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a free period¡±.


    ¡°Wanna get out of here. Go for a milkshake?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±.


    I didn¡¯t think about my answer. Didn¡¯t try and talk myself out of it. I followed him out the school doors and straight to his truck.

 Chapter 19

    I chewed the inside of my cheek as I clipped my seatbelt into ce. I already knew I wasn¡¯t making myst ss. As he started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot butterflies erupted in my stomach.


    He always made me nervous or was I nervous because I was skipping school?


    ¡°Where do you wanna go princess?¡±.


    I shrugged. I had to be careful not to get caught. If my mom found out, she¡¯d have a fit and I¡¯d be grounded until I was thirty.


    ¡°You wannae back to mine?¡±.


    Oh.


    ¡°Will you not get in trouble for skipping school?¡±. I asked.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°You worried about me darling?¡±.


    I scowled. He never took anything serious. Everything was always a joke and augh with him. Plus, his mom didn¡¯t seem the type to let him away with much.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need school Aubrey. I¡¯ll be running my old man¡¯s club¡±.


    ¡°And that¡¯s what you want to do?¡±.


    ¡°Fuck yeah¡±. He smirked. ¡°It¡¯s in my blood¡±.


    What sort of future was that for anyone? No career, a life of crime. But it wasn¡¯t my ce to judge. I already knew whaty ahead for me. The minute I turned eighteen I was out of here.


    ¡°What about you specs. What you gonna do after high school?¡±.


    ¡°Leave¡±.


    ¡°Eh?¡±. He made a face. ¡°And go where?¡±.


    ¡°Hopefully, I get into a good school. I want to see the world and leave this ce behind me¡±.


    Once I turned eighteen, I could do whatever I wanted. My parents would no longer have any hold over me. I would finally be able to make my own decisions and choices.


    Maybe then I could start to enjoy my life.


    ¡°You really wanna leave?¡±. He frowned.


    ¡°I have no reason to stay¡±. I spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be stuck here forever living with my parents¡±.


    ¡°Fuck, they seem like proper assholes darling¡±.


    I shrugged. ¡°They aren¡¯t that bad but if I don¡¯t leave, I¡¯ll never get to live my life the way I want to¡±.


    ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±.


    ¡°How do you wanna live your life?¡±.


    ¡°By making my own choices my own mistakes. I¡¯m sixteen and never once have I snuck out. I¡¯ve never been to parties I¡¯ve never drank beer. Heck I¡¯ve never even kissed a boy¡±.


    I couldnt stop the wordsing out my mouth.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do normal teenage things because I¡¯m afraid of the consequences and what my mom would think¡±.


    ¡°Wait you¡¯ve never kissed a boy?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°I have to lie to get through life because god forbid, I ever do something my mother wouldn¡¯t approve of¡±.


    ¡°Shit babe¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I huffed. ¡°Now are we going for a milkshake or not?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m taking you somewhere better princess. Somewhere you can just be yourself and not give two fucks about anything¡±.


    ..


    The clubhouse?


    I frowned remembering Blues words fromst time. I chewed the inside of my cheek as the truck came to a stop. My heart hammering in my chest as I looked around.


    Big burly men sat around a table outside drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. Others working on cars and bikes. Heavy metal music ying from somewhere.


    I had no idea how to act.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°You do know your safe here, right?¡±.


    Was I because thest time I was here someone grabbed my ass without my permission.


    The tap on the window caused me to jump. It was one of the bikers I had met in the diner one night. Big fe, I think his name was Rusty.


    ¡°Youing in or you just gonna sit there?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°My mom here?¡±.


    Rusty smirked. ¡°Aye kid she¡¯s inside¡±.


    ¡°Give me a minute yeah¡±.


    Why was he asking if his mom was here?


    ¡°My mom doesn¡¯t like when I skip school¡±. He ran a hand over the back of his head. A light shade of pink tinted his cheeks.


    He was embarrassed but why? My mom would have my head if she found out I skipped.


    ¡°Come on¡±. He opened the car door, and I followed suit. ¡°She¡¯ll be cool because you¡¯re here¡±.


    Me being here didn¡¯t stop her from ripping him a new one. I kept my head low and my gaze on the floor. It was awkward and I was ufortable. I had never seen anyone talk to him that way and for him to stand and take it.


    But she was his mom after all.


    ¡°That goes for you as well Aubrey¡±.


    I snapped my head up my eyesnding on hers. I had no idea what she just said because I wasn¡¯t paying attention.


    ¡°Mom¡±. Franko spoke.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t take you for a girl that skips school and yet here we are. Does your mom know?¡±.


    I felt the lump appear in the back of my throat. My stomach knotted with nerves. Was she going to tell my mom?


    ¡°No Mrs Mendez¡±. I once again lowered my gaze. ¡°Are you going to call my parents?¡±.


    ¡°Oh, sweetheart. Franko go and sort you and Aubrey a drink. Aubrey, youe with me¡±.


    She took me into the kitchen and offered me a chair. She sat opposite me. I wasn¡¯t quite sure what was going on.


    ¡°He may act like he gets to do what he wants but he doesn¡¯t. I want him too at least graduate high school¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t skip school ever¡±.


    Technically I wasn¡¯t skipping. I had a free period. But I wasn¡¯t nning to go back for myst ss.


    ¡°You¡¯re a smart girl, but can I ask why you¡¯re hanging around with my son all of a sudden¡±.


    The million-dor question that I couldn¡¯t answer. She didn¡¯t want to hear about how much I like him and like being around him. I didn¡¯t want to get into that.


    I was good at spilling my guts. But this was Franko her son. She didn¡¯t need to know how my parents felt about him and why they were the reason I couldn¡¯t pursue my feelings.


    I shrugged. It was rude and I should have answered her, but I didn¡¯t know what to say. Maybeing here wasn¡¯t such a good idea.


    ¡°All I ask is that you don¡¯t hurt him¡±.


    Me hurt him? I was more scared of getting my heartbroken.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have many friends¡±. I whispered. ¡°Francis is nice to me, he¡¯s different. I-¡­¡±. I paused. ¡°I like spending time with him¡±.


    ¡°You seem like a sweet girl Aubrey, and I have no issues with you and Francis being friends but please be careful¡±. She reached over cing her hand on top of mine. ¡°This lifestyle isn¡¯t for everyone¡±.


    Just then Franko appeared with two sodas. One for him and one for me.


    ¡°No more skipping school after today¡±. His mom got to her feet. ¡°I want you to at least graduate high school Francis¡±.


    He rolled his eyes and smirked before cing a kiss on her cheek.


    ¡°I really like your mom¡±. I smiled.


    It made me sad; it made me think of my own rtionship with my mom and how I wish ours was simr.


    ¡°Aye she¡¯s alright¡±. He grinned. ¡°You wannae out front?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, sure¡±.


    ..


    I always knew never to believe everything you hear. I had never been made to feel more wee in my life. The clubhouse was a safe ce. I felt morefortable here than I did my own home.


    But it had to end at some point. It was gettingte, and I had to get home.


    ¡°Aubrey, I want you toe for dinner tomorrow¡±. Maria smiled.


    How could I say no to that when they have all been so nice to me. I felt like I belonged here. I didn¡¯t need to be someone I wasn¡¯t. People here didn¡¯t care. They were all family and ording to Blue I was now part of their family and wee anytime.


    ¡°You ready to go?¡±. Franko asked.


    ¡°Yeah¡±.


    Opening the door to his truck I froze when I felt him behind me. I turned around instantly my eyesnding on his.


    ¡°I had a really good time today princess¡±.


    ¡°Me too¡±. I whispered.


    Was he going to kiss me?


    I swallowed the lump in my throat, but I couldn¡¯t look away. His eyes were mesmerising.


    ¡°You wanna stay the night?¡±. He asked his breath fanning over my face.


    Heart hammering in my chest I chewed the inside of my cheek. ¡°You know I can¡¯t¡±. Without thinking I grabbed a hold of his handcing our fingers together. ¡°But I would really like toe for dinner tomorrow¡±.


    ¡°The fuck are you doing to me¡±. He hissed as he gripped a hold of my chin. ¡°I can¡¯t stop fucking thinking about you¡±.


    ¡°Franko I-¡­¡±.


    He kissed me. He crashed his lips to mine, and everything disappeared. The softness of his lips, his hand caressing my face. My eyes closed and just as I was about to kiss him back, he pulled away.


    ¡°Fuck¡±. He spat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay¡±.


    ¡°Nah princess¡±. He ran a hand through his hair as he began to pace up and down. ¡°You¡¯re different, I wanted this to be different. You ain¡¯t like them other girls¡±.


    I jumped as he thumped his hand off the bumper of his truck.


    ¡°I¡¯m a fucking idiot¡±.


    ¡°Will you stop¡±. I yelled. ¡°Why are you making this a big deal?¡±.


    It was only a kiss. A fucking good kiss but still a simple kiss.


    ¡°I took your first kiss darling, and I didn¡¯t even fucking ask¡±.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    He was kicking off because he took my first kiss?


    ¡°I¡¯m d it was with you¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I shouldn¡¯t-¡­ wait what?¡±. He frowned.


    Augh fell from my lips. ¡°I¡¯m d my first kiss was with you now can you drop me off home?¡±.


    ¡°Aye darling but not the truck. Let¡¯s get you on the back of my bike¡±.

 Chapter 20

    ¡°You¡¯re joking right?¡±.


    I chewed the inside of my cheek. He had to be joking because I was not getting on the back of a motorcycle. Not now, not ever. I valued my life too much.


    ¡°Come on¡±. He smirked. ¡°Live a little¡±.


    He passed me a helmet, but I was hesitant to take it.


    ¡°I think you should drive me home in your truck¡±. I didn¡¯t take the helmet instead I crossed my arms over my chest.


    ¡°One day baby. One fucking day and I¡¯ll get you on it¡±. Heughed.


    Yeah, well that day wasn¡¯t today.


    He pulled up a few houses away from mine and cut the engine. I couldn¡¯t deny that I enjoyed spending time with him. The more time I spent with him the more I was getting to know him and the more I was getting to know him the more I was falling for him.


    Was I getting to know the real him?


    ¡°You still wannae for dinner tomorrow?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°Should be okay¡±. I still had my parents to worry about. They worked yes but knowing my luck tomorrow would be a day they would finish early or have a day off.


    ¡°Your mom?¡±. He asked.


    I shrugged. It wasplicated he knew that. I only had a few more years and then I could leave and never return.


    ¡°Thanks for today¡±. I unclipped my seatbelt. ¡°It was fun¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±. I turned to look at him.


    ¡°The fuck are we doing?¡±. He asked.


    Oh.


    ¡°We¡¯re doing what friends do. We¡¯re hanging out¡±.


    ¡°Just friends?¡±.


    My stomach tightened. I was already breaking my own rules by hanging out with him so much. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to drop my guardpletely and just do what I wanted.


    A little bit of me was still hesitant about whatever this was. I was waiting for him to tell me this was all a joke andugh in my face and yet he hadn¡¯t. Was I being a fool? Was I missing my chance at true love?


    Now I wanted tough in my own face. This was ridiculous. I was sixteen and I was thinking about true love. Knowing my luck, I would grow old alone with several cats.


    ¡°You¡¯re never gonna give me a chance, are you?¡±.


    ¡°Franko I-¡­¡±.


    ¡°You better go¡±. He started the engine to his truck. ¡°Probably best you don¡¯te to dinner tomorrow. Best we stop hanging around as much¡±.


    He was right. I was giving him false hope and that wasn¡¯t my intention. I didn¡¯t want to lead him on, but I still hoped we could at least be friends.


    I guess not.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°Fuck no Aubrey but¡±. A sigh fell from his lips. ¡°You¡¯re driving me crazy babe¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±.


    ¡°I like hanging around with you darling, but you make me feel things I ain¡¯t never felt before¡±.


    ¡°Same¡±. I felt the lump appear in the back of my throat. I had feelings for him, and I wasn¡¯t sure how much longer I could go without acting on them.


    ¡°Then why the fuck ain¡¯t we together?¡±.


    ¡°You know why¡±.


    ¡°Fuck your parents Aubrey¡±.


    I wish it was that simple, but I couldn¡¯t risk it no matter how much I wanted to. They would kick me out, disown me. I would have nowhere to go. I would have nothing.


    ¡°Can I be honest with you?¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°Always darling¡±.


    ¡°I like you Franko, I like you a lot and if things were different then yes, I would want to be with you but unfortunately, I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t take that chance. I think you were right we should stop hanging out as much. In fact, it¡¯s probably better if we don¡¯t see each other anymore¡±.


    ¡°Shit princess¡±. He pulled his smokes from his glovepartment and lit one up. ¡°That really what you want?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek.


    ¡°Never even gotta take you on that date¡±.


    I smiled before leaning over and cing a kiss on his cheek. ¡°Maybe one day¡±. I whispered before getting out and walking the short distance to my house.


    He didn¡¯t drive off until I was inside.


    ..


    Turns out my parents were in fact workingte. There was a voicemail left on the answering machine from my mom. Money was left under the clock for me to order pizza and she apologised for not being home to make dinner.


    It¡¯s not like I wasn¡¯t used to it by now.


    I kicked my shoes off at the door and dumped my backpack at the side of the couch. I made the right decision even if I didn¡¯t agree with it. It was better for the both of us if we just stay away from each other. In time the feelings I had for him would fade and I¡¯d go back to pretending I hate him.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Alice was barging through my front door eager to know what was going on between Franko and me.


    ¡°I want every detail¡±. She grinned.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to tell. We¡¯ve decided it¡¯s better if we don¡¯t see each other anymore¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±. She frowned. ¡°Why would you do that? I thought you liked him?¡±.


    ¡°I do¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek. ¡°It¡¯splicated¡±.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t have to be¡±.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Yeah right¡±.


    ¡°Let me guess your parents?¡±.


    I nodded. ¡°But it¡¯s better this way and he understands that nothing else can happen between us¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure Franko going back to whoring around is what everyone wants¡±. She rolled her eyes.  ¡°He¡¯s a mean bastard at times¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure he didn¡¯t stop whoring around¡±.


    ¡°Wait¡±. She frowned. ¡°You said nothing else can happen between you. Did something happen?¡±.


    ¡°We kissed¡±.


    A squeal fell from her lips as she bounced to her feet. ¡°Is he a good kisser? What does his lips feel like? God, I¡¯m jealous¡±.


    ¡°Jealous?¡±. I pursed my lips.


    ¡°Eh yes. Franko¡¯s fucking hot¡±.


    I rolled my eyes, but I didn¡¯t like the feeling that appeared in the pit of my stomach at hearing her say he was hot. I mean he was; he was beautiful but her saying it left a bad taste in my mouth.


    ¡°Are you staying for dinner?¡±.


    ¡°Can¡¯t I¡¯m meeting Tommy at the diner, and I still have to go home and change. Do you want toe, and we can grab dinner there?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±. She grinned. ¡°Seriously you want toe?¡±.


    ¡°Sure, why not¡±. I had nothing better to do and it would save me eating dinner alone.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon get ready¡±.


    She was back and honking her horn in less than half an hour. I grabbed my jacket and the money under the clock before heading outside.


    ¡°There¡¯s a party tonight¡±.


    ¡°I thought we were going to the diner?¡±. I clipped my seatbelt into ce as she pulled away from my house.


    ¡°We are I mean after¡±.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the party?¡±.


    ¡°That big empty space across from the clubhouse¡±.


    Of course it was I don¡¯t know why I bothered to ask. They were all obsessed with seeing inside it. I don¡¯t know why it wasn¡¯t anything special.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll pass¡±.


    ¡°Suit yourself. The offers there if you change your mind¡±.


    ¡°I won¡¯t¡±.


    ¡°You need to lighten up Aubrey. Before you know it, you¡¯ll be old and thinking back about all the times you missed out¡±.


    She wasn¡¯t wrong. I was sick and tired of constantly worrying about getting into trouble or what my mom would do if she found out. I wanted to go to the party. I wanted to drink beer with my friends or in my case friend.


    I wanted to have one night where I didn¡¯t need to worry about anything. I wanted one night just not to care.


    As we pulled into the diner the butterflies erupted in my stomach at the sight of Franko. He was leaning against his truck a cigarette hanging from his mouth engrossed in whatever Tommy was saying to him.


    It wasn¡¯t until the car stopped that I put two and two together.


    ¡°Alice?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°Are we having dinner with Tommy and Franko?¡±.


    ¡°Oh, did I forget to mention that Franko was joining us?¡±.


    Yes, yes, she did.

 Chapter 21

    She set me up. Franko and I had agreed it was better if we didn¡¯t see each other anymore and here we were about to have dinner together.


    I wonder if he was in on it?


    Surely not, right?


    ¡°It¡¯s just dinner,e on¡±. She looped her arm through mine and dragged me to where they were standing.


    I hated the smell of cigarette smoke, hated smoking and yet with Franko it didn¡¯t bother me.


    ¡°Princess¡±. He nodded.


    ¡°Hey¡±.


    ¡°We eating cause I¡¯m starving¡±. Tommy threw his arm around Alice¡¯s shoulders as we headed inside.


    Of course, she tried to pick a booth by the window, but Franko suggested we sit way in the back, out of sight and out of view of the door.


    I was grateful for that, and I knew I was the reason he did it. When my eyesnded on his I mouthed a thank you. He smirked, nodded then motioned that I sit on the inside.


    ¡°Babe, do you want to share?¡±. Alice asked Tommy.


    I for one wasn¡¯t sharing my food. Scanning over the menu I was stuck on what to get. Nachos or a burger. Suppose I could get both.


    ¡°Do you want to share?¡±. Franko whispered causing me to jump.


    Why was he so close?


    A chuckle fell from his lips. ¡°Looks like I got my date after all¡±.


    ¡°Not really¡±. I frowned keeping my eyes on the menu.


    ¡°How so?¡±.


    I chewed the inside of my cheek nodding towards Alice and Tommy. If this was a date they wouldn¡¯t be here. But I also thought we weren¡¯t going to see each other anymore?


    ¡°I can change that darling¡±.


    I bit back my smile. See, it was so easy with Franko. Everything felt right when I was with him. I felt like me when he was here.


    ¡°I thought we weren¡¯t going to hang out as much?¡±.


    ¡°Seems your little friend set this up darling. I just assumed you wanted to see me¡±.


    ¡°Who could say no to a free burger¡±. I grinned.


    ¡°Free?¡±. He raised his eyebrows.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be back¡±. Alice spoke as she and Tommy slid out of the booth and headed for the back entrance.


    ¡°Are they allowed through there?¡±. I had a feeling I wasn¡¯t going to see Alice again for the rest of the night.


    ¡°Who cares¡±. He shrugged. ¡°Means I get you all to myself¡±.


    A shiver rocked through my body as I felt his breath against my neck. He was too close, and this wasn¡¯t helping me control the situation.


    I cleared my throat before my eyes scanned over the menu once again. I couldn¡¯t concentrate on anything with him this close. His smell, his touch, he was killing me.


    Doing things to me that I didn¡¯t fully understand.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Huh?¡±. I squeezed my eyes shut before opening them again. I had to stop that. I had to stop falling into my own little world when I wasn¡¯t alone.


    A chuckle fell from his lips. ¡°Do you wanna get out of here?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. Yes, yes, I did. I could spend all day every day with him and that was the problem. I was in too deep, and I wasn¡¯t sure I was able to stay away from him now.


    ¡°Fuck¡±. He ran a hand through his hair. ¡°You mind if I go for a smoke?¡±.


    Why did it suddenly feel weird? I moved so he could get past and instead of going out front he headed through the back.


    He must have smoked about 10 cigarettes because by the time he came back I was ready to go home. I was done with this, and I was never going to dinner with Alice again.


    I didn¡¯t even get to eat. I don¡¯t understand why they thought leaving me to sit by myself was okay. If I wanted to do that I¡¯d have stayed at home.


    ¡°Can you take me home?¡±.


    ¡°You wanna go home?¡±. He frowned.


    ¡°Thats what I said¡±. I got up from the booth. ¡°But if you don¡¯t want to, I can walk¡±.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t fucking walking Aubrey. We¡¯re miles from your house¡±.


    I shrugged. I shouldn¡¯t even be here with him and I¡¯m a little annoyed with Alice for leaving me. Don¡¯t invite someone to dinner and then do a disappearing act with your boyfriend.


    That¡¯s not cool and for her to set me up like that wasn¡¯t cool either.


    ¡°Stay and eat something please¡±.


    I nced at the clock on the wall. I knew my parents wouldn¡¯t be home for another few hours, but I didn¡¯t want to be here anymore. I had wasted enough time sitting about.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I just want to go home¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek. ¡°I¡¯m not really hungry anymore¡±.


    ¡°Whatever you want princess¡±. A sigh fell from his lips as he passed me his keys. ¡°I gotta sort something but I won¡¯t be long¡±.


    ¡°So, I¡¯ve to drive myself home?¡±. I was confused as to why he gave me his keys.


    ¡°Nobody drives my truck but me sweetheart. I gave you my keys so you could wait outside¡±.


    ¡°Right¡±. I felt the heat creep up my neck, but he didn¡¯t say anything else, so I took me and my embarrassment outside.


    I waited and waited some more. The fact that he made me wait again only worsened my mood. Gritting my teeth I got out of his truck and mmed the door shut behind me.


    I was done with waiting, and I was done with waiting about. I ced his keys on the hood of his truck and started on my walk home. The sun was setting so there was still daylight and hopefully I would make it home before darkness fell.


    I was freezing. I couldn¡¯t feel my toes, nor my fingertips and I was the idiot that didn¡¯t wear a warm jacket. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d need one but then again, I never thought I¡¯d be walking home.


    I made it about 10 blocks away from the diner before he caught up with me. sting his horn like an idiot and almost running me over as he pulled up onto the sidewalk.


    ¡°I fucking told you not to walk home¡±. He yelled, jumping from his truck.


    The loudness of his voice made me flinch. My mouth became dry as I wrapped my arms around my body.


    ¡°Get in the fucking truck Aubrey¡±.


    I didn¡¯t move.


    ¡°It¡¯s not safe out here¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡±.


    ¡°Get in the truck. Don¡¯t make me ask again¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips, but I did as he asked. I didn¡¯t like it when he acted this way. I wasn¡¯t afraid of him but when he lost his temper it wasn¡¯t a pretty sight and he usually said things that hurt.


    I clipped my seatbelt into ce and waited for him to start the engine. I could feel his eyes boring into the side of my face, but I kept my head forward and my eyes locked on the parked car in front of us.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be doing shit like that Aubrey. It¡¯s not fucking safe out here¡±.


    I made a face. I wasn¡¯t doing anything. I did nothing wrong. I wanted to go home, and I was sick of waiting about.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just wait?¡±. He started the engine and pulled out onto the road.


    ¡°I did you were taking too long, so I left¡±.


    ¡°Then youe inside and get me. You don¡¯t fucking walk home on your own¡±.


    ¡°Stop yelling at me. I¡¯ve been waiting all night I wasn¡¯t waiting any longer. I went to dinner and didn¡¯t even get to eat¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for yelling but baby I can¡¯t have you walking about these streets on your own¡±.


    I frowned when I noticed he didn¡¯t take the right exit. This wasn¡¯t the way to my house. ¡°Where are we going?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m taking you to the clubhouse for dinner¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a good idea. Please just take me home¡±.


    And he did. He drove me home without another word spoken between us. He parked down the street from my house turning off the engine.


    ¡°We agreed not to see each other as much¡±. I spoke.


    ¡°Your friend set this up darling not me. I¡¯m just making sure you got home safely. She obviously doesn¡¯t give a fuck about you¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Call it how I see it¡±.


    ¡°Okay whatever¡±. I unclipped my seatbelt and opened the passenger door. ¡°See you around¡±.


    Like always he didn¡¯t leave until I was inside. What I didn¡¯t expect was to find my mom sitting at the kitchen table.


    Her car wasn¡¯t in the drive.


    ¡°Sit down Aubrey. We need to have a chat¡±.

 Chapter 22

    My stomach was in knots. Did she know about Franko?


    ¡°Where have you been?¡±. She asked as I sat in the chair opposite her.


    Oh god she knew. Was there any point in lying about it?


    ¡°At the diner with Alice. Are you okay mom?¡±.


    ¡°Are you seeing that boy?¡±.


    I felt sick, my legs shaking under the table. If I tell her the truth, I¡¯ll never be allowed out again. She will literally ground me until I¡¯m thirty.


    ¡°Who?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°That boy, Franko, is it?¡±.


    My mouth became dry but how did she know? Had she seen us together or did someone tell her? I had to lie, and I had to lie good. Good enough for her to believe me anyway.


    ¡°I¡¯m not seeing any boy mom¡±.


    ¡°Boys like that are no good Aubrey. You¡¯ll never have a good life with someone like that¡±.


    It was the same speal every time but this time it was ignored. I wasn¡¯t listening so when she snapped her fingers in my face I jumped.


    ¡°I want you to tell me the truth Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°I am now can I please be excused?¡±.


    ¡°I only want what¡¯s best for you Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Can I go to my room?¡±. I didn¡¯t want to talk about this anymore. Yes, I lied but I lied for good reason.


    ¡°Yes¡±. She sighed.


    I didn¡¯t ask why her car wasn¡¯t in the driveway. I didn¡¯t ask why she was home early. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and went straight upstairs. I had some maths homework to do and then I nned to take a shower and going straight to sleep.


    I did wonder how I was going to get to school tomorrow with her car not being there.


    ¡­


    It was almost midnight, everyone in my house was in bed for the night. I heard my dade home and when he came to check on me, I pretended to be asleep. I didn¡¯t need an earful from him as well because no doubt my mom would have shared her thoughts with him.


    A frustrated sigh fell from my lips as I sat up. I couldn¡¯t seem to settle. I was tired and yet I couldn¡¯t seem to fall asleep. My mind wouldn¡¯t shut off. Pushing my covers off I frowned when I heard the light tap.


    Shaking my head I ran a hand down my face. And then I heard it again. A tap against my window. Weird. Grabbing my water from my bedside table I took a sip but again another tap.


    Getting out of bed I went to my window and pulled the curtain back slightly. You have got to be kidding me. He couldn¡¯t be here. Not now, not ever and especially not at this time of night.


    ¡°Yo princess let me in¡±.


    This could not be happening right now.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. He sang.


    Wait was he drunk?


    I was so dead if he woke up my parents.


    I quickly made my way downstairs being as quiet as I could be. Unlocking the front door, I ran outside.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be here¡±. I hissed.


    ¡°Hey baby¡±. He smirked slipping his arms around my waist. ¡°You gonna let mee inside¡±.


    ¡°Are you drunk?¡±. I wrinkled my nose at the strong smell of alcoholing from his breath.


    ¡°Maybe¡±. He grinned. ¡°Let mee inside¡±.


    ¡°You need to go home¡±. I pulled myself from his embrace so I could go back inside until I noticed his truck park half on the sidewalk and half on the road.


    He was killing me right now. He had no idea how much trouble I would be in if my parents caught him here.


    ¡°You¡¯re an idiot¡±. I hissed. ¡°Get in the truck Franko I¡¯ll drive you home¡±.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t no way you¡¯re driving my truck darling¡±.


    ¡°Oh yeah?¡±. I crossed my arms over my chest. ¡°Then how about I call your mom?¡±.


    ¡°Bitch¡±. He muttered but did as I asked and made his way to his truck.


    ¡°You can¡¯t keep showing up at my house¡±. I started the engine and pulled the truck onto the road taking off down the street. ¡°Do you want to never see me again?¡±. I asked. ¡°My mom will kill me Franko¡±.


    ¡°Fuck her darling. Come stay with me¡±. I swatted his hand away as he tried to ce it on my knee causing augh to fall from his lips.


    ¡°Am I taking you home or dropping you at the clubhouse?¡±. I was not in the mood to deal with him like this.


    ¡°Clubhouse¡±.


    We didn¡¯t speak the rest of the journey and by the time we got to the clubhouse he was asleep.


    Great just what I need. Turning off the engine I unclipped my seatbelt but hesitated with my hand on the door handle. There were bikes everywhere the music loud.


    I didn¡¯t want to go inside. Not to mention I was dressed in my pjs, and it was full of men in there. But how else was I going to get him inside better yet how was I going to get home?


    ¡°Franko¡±. I shoved his shoulder in the hopes he would wake up. He groaned and turned his head the opposite way.


    Having a quick look in the backseats I spotted a hooded jumper crumpled up in the corner. Grabbing it I pulled it over my head and slipped my arms in the sleeves.


    ¡°Franko¡±. I shoved his shoulder again but this time I didn¡¯t even get a response.


    Fuck my life.


    Opening the door, I headed inside. I couldn¡¯t hear myself think, couldn¡¯t see 2 feet in front of me with how much cigarette smoke was in the air. Wrinkling my nose, I jumped when I felt a hand slip around my waist.


    ¡°You lost sweetheart?¡±.


    This is what I was afraid of. I couldn¡¯t breathe. Before I could speak, he was ripped away from me, Blue had him by the scruff of the neck.


    ¡°She¡¯s off-limits brother best you fucking remember that¡±. I watched as Blue dragged him outside.


    I couldn¡¯t speak, the words stuck in my throat. I couldn¡¯t move my feet glued to the floor. Everything around me was loud. Laughter, chatter, the music.


    When a handtched onto my arm the fear settled in, but I rxed instantly when my eyesnded on Blues. He led me through the back and took me outside where it was quiet.


    ¡°It¡¯s a littlete for you to be here Aubrey. Everything all right?¡±. He frowned when he noticed I wasn¡¯t dressed.


    ¡°Long story short Franko is asleep in the truck. I had to drive him home¡±.


    His features changed, worry shed in his eyes. ¡°Has something happened to him?¡±. He headed for the truck, and I followed closely behind him.


    ¡°He showed up at my house drunk. I wouldn¡¯t let him drive home¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek. ¡°I really shouldn¡¯t be here and if my mom-¡­¡±. I paused.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get someone to drive you home¡±.


    ¡°Can you drive me?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Aye sweetheart just let me deal with this idiot first¡±. He gave me the keys to his truck. ¡°Sit tight¡±.


    ¡°You won¡¯t hurt him, will you?¡±.


    ¡°You care about my boy Aubrey?¡±.


    I nodded.


    ¡°I see¡±. He pulled open the passenger side door causing Franko to fall out hitting the ground with a thump.


    ¡°The fuck¡±. Franko groaned. ¡°What¡¯s-¡­¡±. He paused pulling himself to a sitting position. ¡°Dad?¡±.


    ¡°Best you sober yourself up before your mom finds out. Drink driving, you trying to get arrested?¡±.


    His eyes darted to mine before he turned his attention back to his dad. ¡°Gotta get Aubrey home¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Aubrey now get inside and sleep it off¡±.


    He did as he was told. Blue led me to his truck and took me home.


    The drive wasn¡¯t so much awkward, but I felt he wanted to say something to me.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Do you know what you¡¯re getting yourself into?¡±. He asked.


    And there it was.


    ¡°I¡¯m not getting myself into anything¡±.


    ¡°You are sweetheart, and you don¡¯t even realise it¡±.


    I didn¡¯t want to have this conversation with anyone let alone his dad.


    ¡°Our lifestyle isn¡¯t for everyone Aubrey, but my boy seems to be smitten with you. All I ask is that you don¡¯t lead him on or break his heart. Thest thing I need is Franko out of control¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re just friends¡±.


    ¡°If you say so sweetheart¡±.


    It must be a Mendez thing because Blue didn¡¯t drive off until I was safely inside. I locked the door and quietly made my way back to bed.


    As if tonight never happened I buried my head in my pillows and drifted off to sleep.

 Chapter 23

    I was exhausted. My head was throbbing, and I could barely keep my eyes open. I hadn¡¯t seen Alice,e to think of it I hadn¡¯t seen Franko or Tommy either.


    Probably all hungover fromst night.


    A sigh fell from my lips as I began to pack my books away. It was only the end of first period, and I couldn¡¯t see the rest of the day far enough. But even if I wanted to skip, I would have to walk home and that would take too much effort right now.


    Opening my locker, I dumped my books inside and grabbed the ones I needed for maths. It wasn¡¯t until I closed it shut that I realised he was stood there.


    Was he waiting for me?


    ¡°Hey¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Can we start over?¡±. He asked awkwardly scratching the back of his head.


    Ben seemed like a nice guy, and I had no issues being friends with him. I guess I kind of owed him an apology and an exnation for our date that I skipped out on halfway through.


    ¡°Sure¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±. He grinned.


    I nodded.


    ¡°So, could we maybe try the dating thing again?¡±.


    The thing was I wasn¡¯t attracted to him which was a shame because he was beautiful. Tall, handsome, a gentleman but he did nothing for me. I chewed the inside of my cheek.


    Truth was he wasn¡¯t Franko.


    ¡°I-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Just want to be friends?¡±.


    I nodded. I felt bad but I wouldn¡¯t lead him on into thinking we could be anything more.


    ¡°Are you doing anything tonight?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡±.


    ¡°Can I at least buy you dinner to make up forst time? As friends of course¡±.


    ¡°Sure¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°Pick you up at 8?¡±.


    I nodded.


    ¡°Great see you tonight¡±.


    What was I doing? I shouldn¡¯t have agreed to dinner, but friends go out to dinner, right?  I lifted my bag and headed for my next ss.


    I couldn¡¯t concentrate but I kept my head buried in my book and my pencil in hand, so it looked like I was paying attention. I never realised how boring school was when I had no one to talk to.


    Lunch was going to be fun.


    Surprisingly, the morning went by fast and before I knew it lunch time rolled around. I didn¡¯t rush to pack my books aware so I could rush to the cafeteria. Honestly, I didn¡¯t want to have to go in there and sit by myself.


    But I couldn¡¯tst all day without eating something.


    A sigh fell from my lips as I headed for my locker to put my books away. I suppose I could get lunch and eat it outside by the bleachers. Butterflies erupted in my stomach when I clocked Franko leaning against my locker.


    ¡°Specs¡±. He winked.


    He owed me more than a wink. If anything, an exnation aboutst night would be nice.


    ¡°Can you move please?¡±.


    He moved to the side but not by much. He gave me enough room to put my bag inside. He always did like to be awkward.


    ¡°You wanna get out of here?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°No¡±. I headed for the cafeteria, and he followed suit.


    ¡°You working at the diner tonight?¡±.


    ¡°Tomorrow night¡±. I joined the queue to wait for my food but of course Franko had other ideas.


    ¡°Franko¡±. I frowned as he walked me to the front of the queue.


    ¡°We don¡¯t wait in queues darling¡±.


    I didn¡¯t say anything. I picked my food and went to find a table to sit at. I was waiting to see how long it took before he mentionedst night. I couldn¡¯t have him showing up at my house like that.


    I picked an empty table, but it didn¡¯t take long before it was filled with his friends. Anywhere he went they followed. I was too tired to listen to them, the noise giving me a sore head.


    I got my book from my bag and tried my hardest to block them out.


    ¡°You wannae for dinner tonight. My mom¡¯s been asking since you missedst time¡±.


    I was aware of the girls around the table and how quiet it had be. He was giving them ammunition to give me grief that I didn¡¯t need. They didn¡¯t need to know that I had been inside the clubhouse.


    I felt ufortable talking to him with them around especially when they were listening to every word. Lifting my eyes from my book I caught the scowl on Cass¡¯s face.


    Oh yes, she was listening all right.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at them¡±. He ced his hand on top of mine my eyes connecting with his. ¡°We had funst time yeah?¡±.


    ¡°We did¡±. I smiled.


    I wasn¡¯t getting out of saying no but I had already agreed to let Ben take me to dinner. I could cancel right? I mean friends cancel on each other all the time.


    I chewed the inside of my cheek. I wanted to say yes. I liked being around him and spending time with him. I liked the way he made me feel. A feeling I had never experienced before until Franko.


    ¡°Just so you know Aubrey he was with mest night¡±. Cass scraped her chair back and got to her feet. ¡°And the night before¡±. As she stormed away from the table a few other girls followed her.


    ¡°Is that true?¡±.


    I one hundred percent believed it was, but I had to hear him say it.


    ¡°It¡¯s just sex Aubrey. It doesn¡¯t mean anything¡±.


    Yup just as I expected.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I started gathering up my things before I got to my feet. I wasn¡¯t angry, I couldn¡¯t be. He was sleeping with other girls and if I¡¯m honest I expected nothing less.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°I need to go¡±.


    ¡°Just wait up¡±. As he went to grab my arm I flinched back.


    ¡°No¡±. I held the straps of my bag tight. I didn¡¯t want him to touch me, and I didn¡¯t want to cause a scene. I didn¡¯t need my name thrown into the rumours that circted about him.


    ¡°Shit princess¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that in fact don¡¯t call me anything. Stay away from me Franko. I¡¯m done¡±.


    Okay so maybe I was a little angry, but I said what needed to be said. We were done, whatever this was, was finished for good.


    I didn¡¯t see him the rest of the school day, but my mood had been sour since lunch. I dumped my books into my locker and set myself up for the bus ride home. Afterst time I was already dreading it.


    mming the door to my locker shut a sigh fell from my lips as I headed outside. Franko and his little friends were all gathered around his truck. Cass sitting on the boughing with the rest of them.


    That only made my mood worse.


    Why did I care so much?


    Heading out the school gates I bypassed the bus stop and decided just to walk home.


    ..


    By the time I got home I had blisters upon blisters. Not to mention it had started to rain and I was soaked to the skin.


    Could this day get any worse?


    Unlocking my front door, I mmed it shut behind me. Kicking off my shoes I marched straight upstairs and into my room. I felt like crying, I felt the need to let everything out through my tears.


    But why was I crying over a boy?Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    I hated that. I swore I would never be one of those girls, but he had got to me. I promised myself I wouldn¡¯t let him in, and I did.  I had no one to me but myself. I knew from the start what he was like and yet I still let him break down my walls.


    I set myself up, I couldn¡¯t control the need to be around him. I fell for the one person I could never be with.


    Squeezing my eyes shut tight I ran both hands down my face. This wasn¡¯t me. I didn¡¯t do this sort of thing. I had never been in a situation where I cry over a boy.


    I angrily wiped the tears from my cheeks. I didn¡¯t want to cry but I couldn¡¯t seem to control it. Pulling clean pjs from my drawers I began to strip out of my wet clothes.


    It was then I heard the loud knock on my front door. If I ignored it then surely, they¡¯d go away. I was in no mood to deal with whoever it was.


    Dumping my clothes into the hamper I headed downstairs again ignoring the door. I didn¡¯t care who it was I wasn¡¯t interested. Pouring myself some water I groaned when I heard another knock.


    Whoever it was wasn¡¯t going away.


    Gritting my teeth I stormed towards the door and pulled it open.


    ¡°Jen?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Hey sweetie I need a favour. Can you work a few hours tonight?¡±.


    I had already made ns, but I was in no mood to hang out with anyone. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to take my drama out on Ben. And working meant extra money.


    ¡°What time?¡±.


    ¡°7?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see if I can sort a lift. It might be a littleter than 7¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about a lift. I¡¯ll get someone toe pick you up. I need get back, but I¡¯ll see you soon and thank you¡±.


    ¡°Bye¡±. I muttered as the door closed.

 Chapter 24

    I chewed the inside of my cheek as I stared at myself in the mirror. I wasn¡¯t keen on the uniform. Not to mention the shorts were a little tight, basically showing off my ass cheeks.


    The crop top I could deal with. But my mom. A sigh fell from my lips. She wasn¡¯t going to like the uniform. Pulling on my jacket I slipped my feet into my sneakers and headed downstairs.


    It was almost 7 and my stomach was doing summersaults in case it was Franko giving me a lift. After today I made it clear I didn¡¯t want to associate with him anymore and yet I couldn¡¯t get him out of my head.


    As much as I wanted to hate him I couldn¡¯t. He had wormed his way into my heart, and I didn¡¯t know how to handle it. I knew deep down he was bad news and no good for me, but I couldn¡¯t shake him.


    I liked how I felt when I was around him. I had never felt the way I do with him with anyone else. I was doomed from the start, and I had no one to me but myself.


    Hearing the toot of a horn I quickly wrote a note for my parents and headed outside. I don¡¯t know if I was relieved or disappointed when I clocked Tommy.


    ¡°Expecting someone else?¡±. He smirked as I opened the passenger door.


    ¡°No¡±. I made a face and put my seatbelt on. Although I was curious as to why Tommy was the one giving me a lift.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t look so disappointed¡±.


    Rolling my eyes I crossed my arms over my chest and stared out the window. It wasn¡¯t until we stopped at a red light that he decided to strike up a conversation.


    ¡°What are you doing Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Going to work¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Nah with Franko. I told you once before not to poke the bear and shit sweetheart your fucking stomping on it¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips as the lights turned green. ¡°He¡¯ll never give up y¡¯know. Surely to fuck you know how much he likes you?¡±.


    I could feel his eyes burning into the side of my head. ¡°Yeah, he likes me so much he¡¯s still sleeping with other girls¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s just sex princess. Doesn¡¯t mean anything¡±.


    How can sex not mean anything? If it doesn¡¯t mean anything then why do it? Wasn¡¯t sex meant to be special?


    ¡°Yeah, well he can sleep with whoever he wants because I¡¯m not interested¡±.


    ¡°Sure, about that?¡±.


    ¡°Positive¡±.


    ¡°Okay princess whatever you say¡±.


    Nothing else was said between us. Tommy dropped me off at the diner and went on his way. Heading inside I put my things through the back and went to get started.


    Jen was behind the counter going through some tickets.


    ¡°You¡¯re a life saver¡±. She grinned. ¡°I really appreciate youing in. Did Tommy drop you off?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s that all about?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Wondering why it wasn¡¯t Franko?¡±. She smirked.


    ¡°No¡±.


    Augh fell from her lips. ¡°Haven¡¯t seen him all day just in case you¡¯re wondering¡±.


    I rolled my eyes before going over to check my section.


    ..


    I couldn¡¯t keep up. This was the busiest I had ever seen it. I had already mixed up two orders, been shouted at for being too slow and dropped a strawberry milkshake all over the floor.


    I was ready to give up and go home.


    ¡°Aubrey you, okay?¡±. Jen asked.


    I took the drinks tray and ced it on the counter. I just needed a minute or two topose myself.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I need two cokes and a ck tea¡±.


    ¡°Coming right up sweetheart¡±.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe how busy it¡¯s been. My feet are on fire¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s about to get a whole lot busier¡±. She nodded towards the windows as motorcycles pulled into the parking lot. A flutter of excitement balled in the pit of my stomach until I noticed Cass on the back of his bike.


    ¡°Great¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Go take 5 minutes and I¡¯ll deal with this lot¡±.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure¡±. She smiled.


    ¡°Thanks Jen¡±.


    I grabbed myself some coffee and headed through the back and straight outside. Sitting on the step I slipped off my sneakers and weed the cool air. I was beat, I couldn¡¯t wait to go home and take a shower. I was sweating in ces I shouldn¡¯t sweat.


    Running a hand down my face a yawn escaped my mouth as the door opened behind me. ¡°I¡¯ming I¡¯m just-¡­¡±. Another yawn. ¡°Sorry I-¡­¡±. The words caught in my throat as I turned to look.


    Franko.


    ¡°You cking?¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Thought you weren¡¯t working tonight?¡±.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t but Jen¡±. I stopped myself. ¡°I need to get back in¡±.


    ¡°Hold up¡±. He grabbed a hold of my hand. ¡°Can we talk?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°What do you want Franko?¡±.


    ¡°You¡±.


    ¡°Franko¡±.


    ¡°Is it so fucking bad that I want us to be together?¡±.


    ¡°You want us to be together but you¡¯re still sleeping with Cass?¡±. I made a face as I got to my feet.


    ¡°You don¡¯t give me a fucking chance¡±. He yelled.


    ¡°So, you fuck other girls?¡±. I shoved his chest.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°No, okay, I¡¯m not doing this anymore. I can¡¯t-¡­¡±. He crashed his lips to mine and everything disappeared. My eyes closed as I grabbed hold of his cut and pulled him towards me.


    My body hummed, the butterflies erupting in my stomach just by his touch. A groan fell from my lips as he pulled me closer, his arms circling my waist.


    I couldn¡¯t stop, couldn¡¯t push him away. I didn¡¯t want to. And then the door opened, and I came back down from cloud nine. Pushing on his chest my eyesnded on Jen.


    She was smirking.


    ¡°So, this is what¡¯s keeping you?¡±.


    ¡°Sorry Jen¡±. He grinned.


    What was I doing? I let him kiss me, I should have pped him, pushed him off. I should have done something instead of kissing him back.


    I rushed my way back inside and went straight to the restroom. Locking myself in a stall, I touched my lips as I fell against the door. How did everything feel so right with him?


    His touch, his kiss.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Just a sec¡±.


    ¡°Sweetie, are you okay?¡±.


    No, I wasn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t keep doing this to myself. I had to stick to my guns and stay away from him. No matter how much I wanted him or how good I felt when I was around him, I had to steer clear.


    ¡°No¡±. I felt the lump appear in the back of my throat. I had no idea why I was getting upset. Franko was no good for me. He would never be the man I needed him to be.


    ¡°Aubrey open the door please¡±.


    I did.


    ¡°Oh, sweetheart¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can work here anymore¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re quitting?¡±. She frowned.


    I shrugged.


    ¡°Do you like Franko?¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±. I made a face.


    ¡°You¡¯re making this way bigger than it needs to be. He likes you and you like him so do something about it¡±.


    Why does everyone think it¡¯s as easy as that?


    ¡°If I do something about it then I lose everything¡±.


    ¡°But you want to do something about it don¡¯t you?¡±.


    ¡°Yes¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Lifes too short sweetheart. Fix your face and let¡¯s get back to it¡±.


    I worked the rest of my shift from behind the counter. Franko and his friends were still here so Jen thought it was better if she waited on them. It wasn¡¯t as busy as before and for that I was grateful. My feet were on fire.


    As Franko made his way to the counter, I made myself look busy.


    ¡°ck coffee princess¡±.


    I grabbed a mug and poured his coffee in front of him.


    ¡°We gonna talk about what just happened?¡±. He asked.


    I shook my head. ¡°We don¡¯t need to talk about it¡±. The door chimed and my eyesnded on Ben. He smiled at me before taking a seat in my section.


    Augh fell from his lips as he got to his feet. ¡°Fine princess you win. I give up¡±. I watched as he stopped by Ben¡¯s table said whatever he said and then left.


    I turned my back, my heart racing.


    What could he have possibly said to Ben?


    ¡°Aubrey, you got a sec?¡±.


    I chewed the inside of my cheek as I turned to face him. I was met by his smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I cancelled and didn¡¯t tell you. Jen asked if I could help out. She didn¡¯t have anyone else¡±.


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±.


    ¡°Sure¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°Why did Franko just tell me he¡¯d break my legs if I hurt you?¡±.


    Of course, he did.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°I like you Aubrey but not enough to have Franko breathing down my neck. I¡¯m sorry but I don¡¯t think we can be friends¡±.


    ¡°Fine whatever¡±. I turned away from him and fixed myself a cup of coffee.


    I just wanted this shift to be done with already.

 Chapter 25

    ¡°Aubrey you¡¯re going to bete¡±. My mom called from the bottom of the stairs.


    Grabbing my backpack, I slung it over my shoulder and headed downstairs. ¡°Can you pick me up today?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Dad can he¡¯ll be home before me. Grab some toast and let¡¯s go¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t hungry but did as I was told. Following her out to the car, I dumped my bag in the back seat before getting in. I wasn¡¯t looking forward to school this morning. I didn¡¯t want to face Franko afterst night.


    ¡°Aubrey are you listening?¡±.


    ¡°Sorry mom what did you say?¡±.


    ¡°I asked if you were working tonight?¡±.


    I nodded.


    ¡°But you workedst night¡±.


    ¡°Last night was an extra shift tonight being my normal shift¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you working too much and forgetting about school. I don¡¯t want you distracted¡±.


    ¡°I know¡±. I sighed.


    I didn¡¯t need her on my back again about working and school. Fat chance I would fail anyway. I was up to date and in front with most of my sses.


    ¡°Has dad still not mentioned a car?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned. ¡°Has he bought one?¡±.


    She shrugged before making a face, but I could see the hint of a smile on her lips.


    ¡°Has dad bought me a car?¡±. I grinned.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯ll have to wait and see when youe hometer¡±. She pulled up in front of the school. ¡°Remember your backpack¡±.


    I was excited because her saying that meant he had bought me a car. Maybe this day wasn¡¯t going to be as bad as I thought.


    ¡°I love you mom¡±.


    ¡°I love you too sweetheart. I¡¯ll see you tonight¡±.


    I couldn¡¯t stop smiling. Walking into the school grounds and through the front doors I headed for my locker. A sigh fell from my lips when I clocked Alice and Tommy.


    It wasn¡¯t even 9 o¡¯clock and they were sucking face. I mean there was a time and a ce and school wasn¡¯t it. I cleared my throat as I approached hoping they¡¯d move but of course that didn¡¯t happen.


    ¡°Yo Tommy¡±.


    The hairs on the back of my neck stood but I didn¡¯t dare turn around. It was best I try and avoid him at all costs. Locker forgotten about I hurried off down the corridor and headed to math¡¯s.


    Probably not the best way to go about it but if I avoided him then I wouldn¡¯t have to see or speak to him and then hopefully all the feelings I have would disappear.


    I must have been halfway through math¡¯s when I was called to the office. I had to take my things because I wouldn¡¯t be back for the rest of the lesson apparently. My stomach was in knots, I was racking my brain trying to think if I had done something wrong.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    You only ever get called to the office when you¡¯re in trouble. Feeling the lump appear in the back of my throat, I slipped my backpack over my shoulder and left the ss.


    I felt sick, anxious, I was shaking on the inside. Being called to the office was a big deal, especially for me. I didn¡¯t get into trouble ever.


    Chewing the inside of my cheek I took a deep breath, stopping outside the cafeteria before taking the dreaded walk down the corridor to where the officey.


    I had never been down there before.


    ¡°Skipping ss princess?¡±.


    Spinning around on my heels Franko was standing under one of the alcoves grinning at me.


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned.


    I had bigger problems to think about other than him right now. Why would the principal want me in his office?


    ¡°You look terrified Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you in ss?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Free period¡±. He shrugged.


    Yeah, I¡¯m sure. Rolling my eyes I clutched the strap of my bag tighter. I didn¡¯t want to go in here.


    ¡°Has someone done something?¡±. As he took a step towards me, I took one back.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine I have to go¡±.


    Avoiding him wasn¡¯t working out too well for me.


    ¡­


    How could they get it so wrong?


    I wasn¡¯t the one the principal wanted to see. It was Ashley Scott, a girl in the grade above me.


    Aubrey Stone, Ashley Scott. They didn¡¯t even sound the same.


    Since I wasn¡¯t expected to go back to ss, I ducked my head into the cafeteria to get some water. Once again Franko was there, only this time he was sitting with Tommy and Brian.


    They were whispering, their voices hushed.


    Do they ever go to ss?


    Not fazed by them I grabbed a bottle of water and just as I was leaving Tommy caught up with me.


    ¡°Specs I need a favour¡±.


    ¡°One don¡¯t call me that and two no¡±.


    Franko called me that and I hated it.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°Oh,e on Aubrey. One little favour please¡±.


    ¡°What could I possibly do for you?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Sweetheart if I told you that I¡¯d be as good as dead¡±. He winked.


    I made a face. ¡°You¡¯re disgusting¡±. As I turned to leave, he stopped me for a second time.


    ¡°Hey, look I¡¯m sorry I was joking but please I really need your help¡±.


    ¡°What is it?¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°There¡¯s a party tonight¡±.


    ¡°No¡±.


    ¡°Let me finish. There¡¯s a party tonight and I¡¯m going to ask Alice to be my girlfriend¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t sure why he needed me to do that.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t need me for that¡±.


    ¡°I was hoping you¡¯d be there because you¡¯re her best friend¡±.


    What bullshit was this?


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding right?¡±. I tried to bite back myugh.


    He was kidding right?


    ¡°I wanna make it special Aubrey¡±.


    Oh, he wasn¡¯t kidding.


    ¡°And you think taking her to a party is special?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Well,¡±. He scratched the back of his head. ¡°I ain¡¯t good at this sort of thing¡±.


    ¡°And you think I am?¡±.


    He shrugged. ¡°Forget it I¡¯ll figure something out¡±.


    ¡°If you want to make it special then take her somewhere special. Make it mean something. Don¡¯t take her to a party¡±. With that said I left the cafeteria and headed to my next ss.


    I felt drained. I couldn¡¯t seem to concentrate on anything Mr. Laird was saying. I prayed he bypassed me for the answers to the questions he was asking.


    I was tired, hungry and wished I was anywhere but here.


    Before I knew it the bell was ringing, and it was lunchtime. I had made the decision to grab some food and then eat it at the Bleachers. That way I could avoid Franko all together.


    But of course, that didn¡¯t happen.


    Alice stood by our lockers waiting for me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get lunch and you get the table?¡±. She asked, slipping her arm through mine.


    ¡°I was going to sit outside and eat¡±.


    ¡°In the rain?¡±. She frowned.


    Wait, it was raining?


    ¡°Are you trying to avoid Franko?¡±.


    ¡°Yes, and all thates with him¡±. I didn¡¯t need everyone staring down my neck or making rudements at me. I wanted to have a peaceful lunch and enjoy it without any drama.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll find another table to sit at. Come on¡±.


    After dumping my books in my locker, we made our way to the cafeteria.


    ¡°Pizza and some hot chips?¡±.


    ¡°And a coke¡±. I grinned.


    I found us an empty table, but it wasn¡¯t empty for long when Alice came back with the food. Tommy and Brian joined us. I kept my head in my book and continued to eat my lunch.


    ¡°I¡¯ve read that¡±. Brian spoke. ¡°Actually, quite enjoyed it¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s one of my favourites¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°To Kill a Mockingbird¡±. Tommy spoke. ¡°You¡¯ve read that?¡±. He looked at Brian.


    ¡°Had to write a paper on itst year. Couldn¡¯t put it down¡±.


    I think this is the most I¡¯ve heard Brian talk. He was always the observer. Spoke when spoken to but not today.


    Augh fell from Tommys lips. ¡°Well shit¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. There was nothing wrong with reading a book and enjoying it. I¡¯d choose a book over TV any day.


    ¡°Are you working tonight?¡±. Alice asked.


    Putting my book in my bag I gave her a nod. I couldn¡¯t see this shift far enough not afterst night. And I don¡¯t mean Franko, I mean with how busy it was.


    ¡°Think they¡¯d hire me?¡±.


    I shrugged. I had no idea if they were looking for anyone else.


    ¡°Babe, could you talk to Franko?¡±. She asked Tommy. ¡°I mean he was the one that got Aubrey the job¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask but no guarantee he¡¯ll say yes¡±.


    She nced my way; I already knew what wasing. No, I wasn¡¯t doing it. I wasn¡¯t talking to him just so she could get a job. I had managed to keep out of his way most of the day apart from the slip up in the morning.


    ¡°Please¡±. She begged.


    ¡°Do I have to?¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Think about it we¡¯ll get to work together. It¡¯ll be the best¡±. She grinned.


    Talking to him wasn¡¯t the issue. It¡¯s what he¡¯ll want in return for giving Alice a job.


    ¡°Can you not just ask him yourself?¡±.


    ¡°Eh no¡±. She made a face. ¡°He won¡¯t give me the time of day. Please Aubrey, please just do this for me¡±.


    ¡°Fine¡±. I sighed. ¡°But you owe me¡±.

 Chapter 26

    My dad waste. I had been standing outside the school grounds for almost half an hour. Alice left after lunch with Tommy so it¡¯s not as if I could ask her. Her skipping school was bing a bit of a habit, but it was none of my business.


    Sighing, I chewed the inside of my cheek as I looked down the street. I didn¡¯t want to walk home again but it didn¡¯t look like I was going to have much of a choice.


    Did I mention it was raining?


    Hearing the honk of a horn I frowned when a car I didn¡¯t recognise pulled up on the opposite side of the road. I prayed it wasn¡¯t Franko.


    ¡°Aubreye on¡±.


    I sighed with relief when I saw it was my dad.


    Quickly crossing the road, I jumped in the passenger side and threw my backpack in the back. ¡°You¡¯rete dad¡±. It wouldn¡¯t have been that bad if it wasn¡¯t raining but I was soaked.


    ¡°Sorry sweetheart I lost track of time. What do you fancy for dinner?¡±. He asked, pulling back onto the road.


    ¡°I have a shift at the diner so I can eat there. Are you still able to drop me off?¡±.


    ¡°Of course, what time do you start?¡±.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°Soon. I only have time to change and then we need to leave again¡±.


    ¡°Did you not workst night?¡±.


    ¡°I did but extra shifts mean extra cash and I need all the money I can get right now¡±.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t wear yourself out okay¡±.


    ¡°I know dad I won¡¯t¡±. At least I didn¡¯t get the school spiel like I did with mom. School was the most important thing to them. I couldn¡¯t fail, I wasn¡¯t allowed to fail.


    ¡°Schooles first Aubrey the dineres second¡±.


    And there it was.


    ¡°I know¡±. I sighed.


    The rest of the journey home was quiet after that. I don¡¯t see why school was always a big deal to them. Getting good grades and graduating high school wasn¡¯t going to set me up for life.


    I was going to do that, me, not school. I was going to work hard and get myself out of here as soon as I could.


    ¡°Do you want me to make you a sandwich to take with you?¡±. He asked, pulling into the driveway.


    ¡°No thanks¡±. I headed inside and went straight to my room to change.


    I still wasn¡¯t loving the uniform, grabbing my stripped shirt I tied it around my waist. At least tonight I would feel a little better that my ass wasn¡¯t hanging out. Pulling on my sneakers I grabbed my purse and my raincoat and made my way downstairs.


    My dad was standing at the front door holding a set of keys in his hand.


    ¡°How about you drive yourself to work?¡±. He smiled.


    ¡°Really?¡±. I grinned, taking the keys from him. ¡°That car is mine?¡±.


    ¡°Yes, sweetheart really. She has a full tank of gas and she¡¯s ready to go¡±.


    ¡°Thank you, thank you¡±. I ran out the front door excited to finally have my own car.


    My own freedom. I wouldn¡¯t have to rely on anyone ever again.


    ¡°Be safe and drive carefully. This is your responsibility now Aubrey¡±. He followed me outside.


    My face hurt from smiling.


    ¡°Thank you, dad I really appreciate it,¡±.


    ¡°Be safe¡±.


    ¡°I will¡±.


    It wasn¡¯t anything fancy, but I didn¡¯t care. If it got me to school and work, then that¡¯s all that mattered. I clipped my seatbelt into ce and reversed out the driveway.


    Yeah, I was going to like this, I was going to like this a lot.


    ¡­


    The parking lot for the diner was empty, which was strange. I know not everyone eats out all the time but there was always someone hanging around. Switching off my engine I got out and made my way inside.


    Only the door was locked.


    Rattling the door with my hand I waited. Surely, someone was here? If not, why wasn¡¯t I informed the diner would be shut today? I¡¯ve now wasted gas to get here.


    Sighing, I turned about to make my way back to my car.


    ¡°Aubrey, hey¡±. Jen ran outside, grabbing my hand in hers, she hurried us both back inside making sure to lock the door behind us.


    What was going on? Had I missed something?


    ¡°There¡¯s been an ident¡±. She spoke.


    ¡°An ident?¡±.


    ¡°With the club¡±.


    I made a face. I wasn¡¯t sure why she was telling me this or what it had to do with the diner being closed.


    ¡°Franko¡¯s been hurt¡±.


    There it was. My insides tightened, the lump appearing in my throat. I shouldn¡¯t have cared but I did.


    ¡°Hurt?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Shot¡±.


    Why was I getting upset? Franko meant nothing to me, only that wasn¡¯t true, he meant everything to me. Trying to shut down my feelings for him wasn¡¯t working no matter what I did.


    He had managed to steal my heart.


    ¡°I-¡­ I have to go¡±.


    ¡°No, sweetheart you can¡¯t¡±. She grabbed hold of my hand. ¡°You have to stay here so you¡¯ll be safe¡±.


    Safe? Why wouldn¡¯t I be safe?


    ¡°Everyone involved with the club has to stay low. When something like this happens Blue calls a lockdown. I was waiting for you to get here so we can go to the clubhouse together¡±.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not involved with the club¡±. I frowned. ¡°I can¡¯t go there¡±.


    ¡°You are Aubrey, and you know you are. I see you now have a car. That¡¯s good because mine is being used by the club. Let¡¯s go¡±.


    I had no idea what was going on. I didn¡¯t understand, but I didn¡¯t argue with her. I handed her my keys and we left the diner.


    I still wasn¡¯t sure why I had to go with her. Should I be worried for my safety?


    ¡°Franko and I aren¡¯t together¡±. I felt I had to voice my thoughts. I felt I had to make sure she knew that everyone knew. I had nothing to do with this, I wasn¡¯t involved.


    ¡°Not yet sweetheart but until the danger is gone, we need to make sure you¡¯re safe¡±.


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be safe?¡±. I frowned. ¡°And what danger, what¡¯s going on?¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re important to Franko which makes you a target. Just trust me, okay. You¡¯re better being here than anywhere else right now¡±. She pulled into the lot of the clubhouse and cut the engine.


    ¡°Target?¡±. I made a face. ¡°A target for who? Why would anyone want to hurt me? Jen I can¡¯t stay here¡±.


    ¡°Look it¡¯ll only be for a couple of hours at most. Come inside and get something to eat¡±.


    I didn¡¯t move, made no attempt to remove my seatbelt. I knew I would be safe here, but I didn¡¯t want to be involved in any of this, whatever this was. I wasn¡¯t clued up on what being part of this club meant.


    I heard stuff and read newspapers, but I didn¡¯t know exactly what went on around here.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. She spoke.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Franko?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s safe nowe on we better get inside¡±.


    I didn¡¯t know what to make of it. I stood awkwardly by the bar area, my hands clutching a can of coke. No one spoke to me, or even looked my way but I was aware of my surroundings.


    Woman and children and a few men scattered about.


    I hadn¡¯t seen Jen since we got here. She had disappeared somewhere through the back. I kept my gaze to the floor; I didn¡¯t want to get caught staring at someone and for them to get the wrong idea. I didn¡¯t know these people, so I had no idea what they were capable of.


    But every so often the door would open, and I would lift my head to see who it was.


    It just so happens that this time it was Tommy but just like the rest of them he didn¡¯t stop to talk, the most I got was a nce and a nod of the head.


    I wanted to go home.


    ¡°Aubrey, right?¡±.


    I lifted my gaze, my eyesnding on a girl, maybe a little older than me, great. Another girl here to throw threats my way no doubt.


    I nodded.


    ¡°Franko¡¯s girl?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°No¡±. I shook my head.


    ¡°Oh¡±. She frowned. ¡°Anyway, are you hungry?¡±.


    ¡°Do you know when I can leave?¡±.


    ¡°Ray give us a minute¡±. Tommy spoke.


    ¡°Aubrey if you want something to eate find me¡±. She smiled.


    ¡°You alright?¡±. Tommy asked.


    I shrugged. ¡°Why am I here Tommy?¡±.


    ¡°You know why¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡±. I sighed. ¡°And I¡¯d really like to go home¡±. I was okay for now because my parents thought I was working but if I¡¯m not home when I¡¯m supposed to be they¡¯de looking.


    They worried.


    ¡°Look just chill out and get something to eat. I need to go but I¡¯ll be backter¡±.


    ¡°Tommy is he-¡­¡±. I paused sinking my teeth into my bottom lip. I was afraid to ask.


    ¡°He ain¡¯t dead princess¡±. With that said he turned around and left the clubhouse.

 Chapter 27

    Turns out being at the clubhouse wasn¡¯t so bad. Ray was cool, she had been keeping mepany most of the night. I had still to find out who she was though and why she was hanging around here.


    Maybe a cousin?


    ¡°So, you¡¯re not Franko¡¯s girl?¡±. She asked.


    We were currently sat at the bar eating burgers. Tommy hadn¡¯t returned and the bar was still full of woman and children.


    ¡°We¡¯re just friends¡±. I still wasn¡¯t sure if we were even that.


    ¡°Franko doesn¡¯t have girls that are friends¡±. She grinned.


    ¡°Then I guess I¡¯m special¡±. I smiled.


    I wasn¡¯t going to make a big deal out of it because it wasn¡¯t important. If people wanted to think we were together, then so be it.


    Augh fell from her lips. ¡°I like you. You need toe around here more often¡±.


    Did I just make a new friend?


    ¡°I¡¯d like that¡±.


    ¡°But seriously you¡¯re not secretly dating?¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°No, so feel free to shoot your shot¡±.


    ¡°Ew¡±. She made a face. ¡°Franko is like my brother; we practically grew up together. Did I forget to mention that my dad is Taz? One of Blues lifers¡±.


    Ah so she was part of this lifestyle. Probably grew up in the thick of it just like Franko.


    ¡°Noted¡±. I smiled. ¡°But if you grew up together howe I¡¯ve never seen you at school?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m two years older¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯ll be why then¡±. I smiled.


    The chatter in the room picked up, which caused me to turn my focus. Was something happening? And then I heard the roar of several motorcycles.


    They were back.


    ¡°Looks like they¡¯re back¡±. Ray spoke. ¡°We¡¯re free¡±.


    Thank god.


    ¡°So, I can go home?¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to wait and see how Franko is doing?¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s not dead right?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m really going to like you¡±. She grinned. ¡°But seriously maybe show you care just a little bit¡±.


    I did care. Pretending I didn¡¯t was how I dealt with how we¡¯ll never be together. It was all an act to save myself from facing the truth about how I really felt about him.


    ¡°I do care¡±. Truth was I wasn¡¯t sure I could handle hearing about Franko being hurt. He could have been killed and that thought alone made my insides hurt. ¡°But I really do have to get home¡±.


    ¡°Howe?¡±.


    ¡°My parents worry¡±. I shrugged. ¡°And my shift was over twenty minutes ago¡±.


    ¡°Ah gotcha. My mom¡¯s the exact same¡±.


    ¡°Aubrey, sweetheart, you can go home now¡±. Jen smiled as she approached us.


    ¡°See you around Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Bye Ray¡±.


    ¡°I see you made a friend¡±. Jen spoke as we headed outside.


    ¡°She seems cool, nice¡±.


    ¡°She¡¯s a sweet girl just like you¡±. She smiled. ¡°Now get home safe and I¡¯ll see you next week¡±.


    ..


    I wasn¡¯t imagining it. I knew I wasn¡¯t. I was being followed. Every road I took, every turn a motorcycle would appear.


    I wasn¡¯t panicked I put two and two together and figured it was someone from the club especially after what happened. It made me feel safe knowing that if by chance anything did happen, I would be safe.


    As I turned into my street the motorcycle stopped at the bottom of the road. Just as I expected it didn¡¯t drive off until I was safely inside.


    My mom and dad were on the couch watching tv. The first thing I noticed was that they were both drinking. Mom had a ss of wine and dad had a bottle of beer on the table next to him.


    ¡°There you are¡±. My mom lifted her legs from my dad¡¯sp and got to her feet. ¡°I thought your shift finished at eight?¡±.


    ¡°It was super busy mom I couldn¡¯t get away but I¡¯m home now¡±.


    ¡°Dinner is on the table I¡¯ll heat it up for you¡±.


    ¡°Okay thank you¡±. Not that I was hungry, but I would try and eat it.


    ¡°Come sit down for a minute sweetheart¡±. My dad turned the volume on tv down as he nodded towards the chair.


    ¡°Okay¡±. I frowned.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°How¡¯s the car?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°Good¡±. I wasn¡¯t sure where this was going. I mean I had literally only had the car a few hours. Wait, was he trying to make conversation to work another conversation into it?


    ¡°That¡¯s good Aubrey. Your mom and I want to talk to you about this weekend¡±.


    ¡°What about it?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Remember when we talked about dad and I going away for the weekend?¡±. My mom spoke as she handed me my dinner.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±.


    ¡°How would you feel about it being this weekend? Leaving on Friday anding home Monday morning¡±.


    It¡¯s not as if I couldn¡¯t take care of myself and I was used to being left on my own anyway with the amount of time they spent at work.


    I shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be okay¡±.


    ¡°Are you really sure Aubrey because we don¡¯t have to go if you don¡¯t want us to¡±. My mom said.


    ¡°Mom I¡¯ll be fine¡±.


    ¡°Okay sweetheart but if you change your mind let us know¡±.


    I wouldn¡¯t. A full weekend without any supervision, without any curfew. I had a weekend to do whatever I wanted.


    ¡°Can I take this upstairs?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be up tote Aubrey. You still have school in the morning¡±.


    ¡°I won¡¯t mom¡±. I took my dinner te and headed upstairs to my room.


    I was hungrier than I thought. I ate everything on my te. Sitting the empty te on my nightstand I went about my room for clean pjs so I could get ready for bed.


    Things were starting to look up. I finally had my car; my parents were giving me that little bit of independence and freedom that I needed.


    I no longer felt suffocated. All I¡¯ve ever wanted was to be able to do things without them breathing down my neck. I wanted the trust that I would be perfectly fine on my own.


    That I could do things for myself. That I wasn¡¯t stupid and irresponsible. I wanted to show them I had a good head on my shoulders, and they didn¡¯t have to worry about me all the time.


    I put my dirty clothes in the hamper before climbing into bed. I wasn¡¯t as tired as I was earlier, and it was still early but I wanted a good sleep for school. I buried my head in my pillows and pulled my duvet up and around my neck.


    Closing my eyes my mind went to Franko.


    I wanted to see him. I wanted to see for myself that he was okay. No one had told me anything other than he had been shot and that he wasn¡¯t dead. I didn¡¯t know if he was in a hospital or if he was being treated at home.


    I knew nothing.


    But thinking about Franko right now wasn¡¯t going to do me any favours when I was trying to sleep. Thinking about him was only going to keep my mind awake and my thoughts running wild.


    I didn¡¯t need the what if¡¯s floating around in there.


    He would be safe, he was safe. I knew that much.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. My mom knocked before entering. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re in bed already¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not taking too much on with work and school?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine mom you don¡¯t need to worry, and I really like working at the diner¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m really proud of you Aubrey, we both are. I know I don¡¯t say it enough, but we really are. You¡¯re turning into a beautiful independent young woman, and we love you very much sweetheart¡±.


    ¡°Thanks mom I love you too¡±.


    It may not seem important, but those words meant the world to me. It finally felt like they were seeing me for the first time. As stupid as that sounds because I¡¯m their daughter and they see me every day, but I mean really see me.


    I liked the way our rtionship was going. Giving me the freedom and space to live a little.  To realise I was growing up and I wasn¡¯t their little girl anymore.


    ¡°Okay sweetie get a good sleep and I¡¯ll see you tomorrow¡±.


    ¡°Night mom¡±.

 Chapter 28

    I never made it to school. My intentions all along were to skip today. I had to see for myself that Franko was okay. I had barely any sleep at all, couldn¡¯t seem to switch off and when I did finally fall asleep, I woke in a panic and in a pool of my own sweat.


    I had a dream that Franko died and it¡¯s all I¡¯ve thought about all morning.


    I was currently parked outside the diner. I didn¡¯t know what I was doing here but I didn¡¯t want to drop by the clubhouse unexpectedly. That would be weird right? It¡¯s not as if I was family and I didn¡¯t need people questioning why I was there.


    I know I should take nothing to do with this and I should have gone to school, but I was set on seeing him. I was digging a bigger hole for myself, but I couldn¡¯t seem to stop. I at least had to see for myself that he was okay.


    I cared for him and in the past few weeks he had be a constant in my life. I wasn¡¯t paying attention again I was too focused on Franko so when Jen tapped on my window, I jumped a scream falling from my lips.


    ¡°Come inside for coffee¡±. She spoke.


    She didn¡¯t wait for me she just about turned and headed back inside. I didn¡¯t think she worked at this time and if I¡¯m being honest, I was hoping I¡¯d be able to avoid her untilter.


    And I mean that in the nicest way possible. I loved Jen, we got on well, but I wasn¡¯t sure I could handle the constant reminders of how much of an idiot I was for not giving Franko a chance.


    Everyone was team Franko.


    Heading inside I instantly regretted my decision when I spotted Franko¡¯s mum Maria. Lovely woman but what was I going to say to her if she spoke to me? She had already warned me about their lifestyle.


    It wasn¡¯t for everyone and by that I actually think she meant it wasn¡¯t for me and she was probably right. But no matter what I did I couldn¡¯t shake him. I knew the path I was heading down wasn¡¯t the right one and yet here I was. Skipping school because I was worried sick about a boy that I apparently hated.


    I couldn¡¯t do this. As I about turned, I bit my bottom lip when I heard my name being called.


    Dammit.


    ¡°Oh, it is you¡±. She smiled. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be in school?¡±.


    I nodded. It¡¯s not that she scared me, but she held a presence, a strong one. I knew she was someone not to be messed with.


    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you?¡±.


    I chewed the inside of my cheek. Do I tell her the real reason, or do I lie and make something up? I felt put on the spot, that she¡¯d be angry if I tell her why I¡¯m here. She didn¡¯t seem like the angry type, but her son had just been shot so who knows what she¡¯s capable of.


    ¡°I-¡­ is-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Come and sit-down Aubrey. Do you want some coffee?¡±.


    ¡°Yes please¡±.


    She knew. I didn¡¯t need to say anything because she already knew why I was here. The knowing look on her face gave her away. Yes, I was here for her son because deep down I cared.


    ¡°School¡¯s important sweetheart¡±. She ced a cup of coffee in front of me before sitting in the seat across from me.


    ¡°I know I just-¡­¡±. I paused. ¡°I can¡¯t stop thinking about him¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re a good girl Aubrey with a big heart. I would want nothing more than for my Francis to be with beautiful girl like you but¡±. She sighed. ¡°I¡¯m afraid all he¡¯ll do is break your heart¡±.


    ¡°Oh¡±. My stomach dropped as the lump appeared in the back of my throat. I wasn¡¯t expecting her to say that, and I wasn¡¯t sure why I felt offended by it. I thought she liked me?


    ¡°I love my son very much Aubrey and I¡¯m sorry if you feel I¡¯m speaking out of context, but I don¡¯t believe you will be good for each other. Don¡¯t get me wrong I¡¯ve noticed the change in him when he¡¯s around you, but I¡¯ve also noticed the shift in his mood when something has happened between you¡±.


    I didn¡¯t want to hear anymore. She was right. We were no good for each other and I knew this from the start and still pursued this thing between us. But the more I tried to stay away something always brought us back together.


    It was impossible to avoid him but now that his mom had shared her views, I didn¡¯t have a choice but to stay away from him.


    I felt deted.


    ¡°I know you care deeply for my son Aubrey, but I don¡¯t fully believe you know what you would be getting yourself into if you were to pursue a rtionship with him¡±.


    ¡°Did you know what you were getting yourself into with Blue?¡±. I asked.


    Augh fell from her lips as she ced her hand on top of mine. ¡°He stole my heart when I was sixteen and has yet to give me it back¡±.


    Her smile was infectious. I also noticed the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about Blue. It was clear she was very much in love with her husband.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean for any of this to happen but the more I got to see the more I wanted to see. He¡¯s managed to break down my walls and bury his way into my heart¡±.


    I don¡¯t know why I was telling his mom this, but I couldn¡¯t seem to stop. ¡°I always thought I hated him that we hated each other. He would tease the living daylights out of me every day and then one day everything changed. I¡¯m not even sure how it happened but we ended up hanging out¡±.


    ¡°You really do care for him don¡¯t you?¡±.


    I nodded. ¡°I do but-¡­¡±.


    ¡°There¡¯s no buts sweetheart all I ask is that you be careful and please don¡¯t hurt each other¡±.


    ¡°But we can never be together¡±. I spoke.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I said about me and Blue¡±. She squeezed my hand before getting to her feet. ¡°Are you hanging around?¡±.


    I had nowhere to go other than school and showing up now was only going to raise suspicion as to why I waste in the first ce. I had to follow through on skipping for the day and maybe if I hang around long enough, I will get to see Franko.


    I made a face at that ridiculous thought. Of course I wasn¡¯t going to get to see him. He had been shot; he was injured. It¡¯s not as if he was going to walk into the diner.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. She spoke.


    ¡°Sorry¡±. I blinked. ¡°I¡¯ll finish this and then head out¡±.


    ¡°Okay sweetheart well it was nice seeing you¡±.


    ¡°Miss Mendez¡±. I paused. I wasn¡¯t exactly sure how to say it but if I didn¡¯t ask, I would never know.  ¡°Would I be able to see him?¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Unfortunately, he doesn¡¯t want to see anyone, but I¡¯ll tell him you were asking for him¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±.


    ¡­


    ¡°Refill sweetheart?¡±.


    ¡°Yes please¡±. I didn¡¯t n to stay at the diner, but I had nowhere else to go. I had been sat for the better part of an hour nursing the same cup of coffee.


    Maria had left not long after our conversation. Another conversation that made me question everything. Did she want me to be with her son or not because I was getting mixed signals.


    Wait, did I even want to be with him?


    If I did this there was no turning back. If I pursued my feelings and it went wrong, I would lose him forever. Wasn¡¯t it better to have him in my life as a friend than not at all?


    ¡°Franko is okay, he¡¯s on the mend¡±. She spoke.


    I was thinking way too much about this or should I say overthinking. He may not even want to be with me.


    ¡°That¡¯s good¡±. I gave her a small smile.


    ¡°It¡¯ll take more than a bullet to wipe that kid out¡±. Sheughed. ¡°He¡¯s a strong one¡±.


    No, what he is, is lucky.


    ¡°Shout on me if you need anything sweetheart¡±.


    ¡°I will¡±. I smiled.


    I was minding my own business. Jen had refilled my cup countless times but this time she brought me a burger with fries and a strawberry milk shake.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been here for hours and I¡¯ve yet to see you eat something¡±.


    ¡°Thank you¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t imagining it. I knew he was watching me, could feel him staring. The shades covering his eyes didn¡¯t fool me. But I was safe here I knew that much.


    My breath caught in my throat as I watched him leave the booth he was sitting at and walk in my direction.


    Oh, no.


    I diverted my gaze, lowering my head.


    ¡°He sure knows how to pick em¡±. He smirked. ¡°Mind if I sit beautiful?¡±.


    Who the hell was this guy?

 Chapter 29

    He sat down stealing one of my fries as he did.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I swatted his hand away and moved my te slightly.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°How¡¯d he get so lucky tond a girl like you?¡±.


    ¡°Who?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Franko. The names Marko by the way¡±.


    ¡°Ah your Franko¡¯s friend¡±.


    ¡°Brother sweetheart¡±.


    ¡°Brother?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Not by blood but we¡¯re brothers¡±.


    So, this was Marco¡¯s lifestyle also. I wonder if he was here because of Franko¡¯s ident. I had never seen or heard of him before.


    ¡°You been to see him?¡±. He asked.


    I wasn¡¯t sure what was going on. I had never met this guy before and yet talking to him felt like I had known him for years. It was easy and it was like I was talking to Franko.


    They were so alike.


    I shook my head. ¡°He doesn¡¯t want to see anyone¡±.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t but you¡¯re his girl¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m not¡±.


    ¡°Eh?¡±. He made a face. ¡°You ain¡¯t his olddy?¡±.


    Everyone just assumed we were together.


    ¡°We¡¯re just friends¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°That fucker made me think you were together. Fucking knew he couldn¡¯tnd a girl like you¡±.


    ¡°How so?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°What?¡±.


    ¡°How couldn¡¯t hend a girl like me?¡±.


    ¡°Cause girls like you don¡¯t fall for guys like us princess¡±.


    Well, that wasn¡¯t true because I had fell for Franko and I had fell for him hard, but no one needed to know that.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that¡±.


    ¡°Marko¡±. Jen yelled. ¡°You better not be doing what I think you¡¯re doing¡±.


    ¡°Just introducing myself Jen¡±. He winked.


    ¡°Ah huh, well let that be all you¡¯re doing¡±.


    ¡°I gotta go sweetheart. Maybe see you around¡±.


    ¡°Bye¡±.


    ¡°Marco¡¯s a charmer Aubrey¡±. Jen sat opposite me cing her coffee on the table. ¡°Nice boy though¡±.


    ¡°Howe I¡¯ve never seen him before?¡±.


    ¡°They only really visit when they need to and after what happened they need to be here¡±.


    ¡°They?¡±.  I asked.


    ¡°Everyone falls under Blue, but Marko is from a different charter, a different clubhouse. But we¡¯re one big family and we alle together when we need to¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t sure what Jen was to the club, but I don¡¯t think our rtionship was at the stage where I could ask.


    ¡°Is Franko really going to be, okay?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. You should go see him¡±.


    ¡°His mom said he doesn¡¯t want to see anyone¡±.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t but I¡¯m sure he¡¯d love to see you¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡±. I frowned. ¡°I think it¡¯s better if I leave it¡±. I didn¡¯t want to go if he didn¡¯t want to see anyone. I didn¡¯t know what state of mind he was in, and I didn¡¯t need to put myself in a sticky situation.


    ¡°He¡¯s staying at the clubhouse¡±. She smiled. ¡°Just in case you change your mind¡±.


    ¡°The clubhouse?¡±. I frowned. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t he be in the hospital?¡±.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t work that way, Aubrey. When something like this happens nowhere is safe¡±.


    ¡°Oh¡±.


    ¡°I have to get back to work but I¡¯ll see soon¡±.


    I drove around the city wasting gas. I wasn¡¯t sure how many times I passed the clubhouse, but it was a few. Finally finding the courage I pulled up outside and parked across the street.


    I don¡¯t know why I was here. It¡¯s not as if I had the courage to go inside. I hadn¡¯t been invited; I wasn¡¯t part of the club therefore I had no reason to be here.


    A sigh fell from my lips I had to get out of here and stop being stupid. He didn¡¯t want to see anyone and that included me. I switched on my engine and took off down the street.


    And I ended up right back outside the clubhouse. I had to see him for myself. This time I parked in the parking lot and switched off my engine. It was strange not to see anyone about.


    It was strange for it to be so quiet.


    Unclipping my seatbelt, I got out and made my way inside. It was dead. No one was around that I could see. Walking a little further inside I made my way over to the bar.


    ¡°You lost sweetheart?¡±.


    Turning round I swallowed the lump in my throat.


    ¡°Blue¡±. I nodded.


    ¡°You here to see my boy?¡±. He asked.


    I nodded.


    ¡°He¡¯s through backst door on the left¡±. He nodded to the door that led to the kitchen. ¡°Go through there and you¡¯ll find the double doors. They lead to the bedrooms¡±.


    My stomach knotted. The nerves started to creep in, and suddenly I forgot how to walk. What if he tells me to leave or worse yells at me for being here? I mean he didn¡¯t want to see anyone, and I still showed up.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. Blue spoke.


    ¡°I don¡¯t thinking here was a good idea¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek.


    ¡°A bitte for that darling¡±. Heughed. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be happy to see you¡±.


    ¡°Will he though?¡±. I made a face.


    ¡°Talks about you all the time¡±.


    He did?


    ¡°He does?¡±. I frowned.


    He nodded. ¡°My boys smitten with you darling¡±.


    ¡°I like him to¡±. I whispered.


    ¡°Then why you still standing here talking to me? Go through and see him and if he gives you smack sort him out yeah?¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips as I gave him a nod. I felt safe here. I felt safe around his family. I felt like I belonged.


    All of that disappeared when I reached the room he was in. The giggle reached my ears and I wanted to be sick. Smitten with me? Fat chance when he was in there with another girl.


    I knewing here was a bad idea.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Feeling deted I made my way back through the bar and headed straight out the door and to my car. Getting the hell out of here I took off down the street and headed home.


    This time I made it.


    Parking in the driveway I switched off my engine but stayed seated. What was I thinking? Franko wasn¡¯t going to change his ways for me. But then again this was what I wanted right?


    I told him many times we couldn¡¯t be together. I couldn¡¯t expect him to wait about until I changed my mind. Truth was I didn¡¯t know what I wanted. I was sick of debating the pros and cons about it.


    But if I was to give him a chance, would it be different?


    A frustrated sigh fell from my lips. I couldn¡¯t keep doing this to myself. The best thing for me to do was to forget all about Franko Mendez and get on with my life.


    ..


    I was putting away my dishes from lunch when there was a knock on my front door. Because it was still school hours, I wasn¡¯t sure who it could be. My parents were at work like always. But my car being in the driveway was a big tell that someone was home.


    Another knock.


    Drying my hands I walked through the kitchen into the living room and towards the front door. Pulling it open I smiled as she pushed a milkshake in my face.


    ¡°Skipping school without me?¡±. Alice grinned.


    I shrugged. ¡°Thanks for this¡±. I took the milkshake and moved to let her inside.


    ¡°You don¡¯t skip school Aubrey¡±. She spoke taking a seat on the couch.


    ¡°And I won¡¯t be skipping again. It¡¯s boring¡±. I made a face as I sat next to her. ¡°I take it you left at lunch?¡±.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you skip?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°Just wasn¡¯t feeling it today so I headed to the diner instead¡±. I was embarrassed to tell her I went to see Franko. I mean I went to see him only to find him with another girl.


    That¡¯s embarrassing right?


    ¡°How¡¯s Franko?¡±.


    ¡°No idea¡±. I shrugged. ¡°But I did meet Marko¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine right¡±. She giggled. ¡°I mean I¡¯m totally into Tommy but Marko¡±. She fanned her face with her hand. ¡°I definitely would¡±.


    I rolled my eyes, but my grin matched hers. He was fine. ¡°I met him this morning. He sure knew who I was¡±.


    ¡°Of course he does. He knows your Franko¡¯s girl¡±.


    ¡°Why does everyone assume we¡¯re together?¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°They don¡¯t¡±. She shrugged. ¡°They just know you¡¯re his¡±.


    That didn¡¯t make any sense and it sounded a little caveman like. I wasn¡¯t his, I didn¡¯t belong to anyone. I was sixteen, had never had a boyfriend. This was crazy.


    ¡°That¡¯s crazy and anyone who believes that kind of behavior is okay is also crazy. I don¡¯t belong to him I¡¯m not something that can be owned¡±.


    ¡°Oh, calm down¡±. She sighed. ¡°It¡¯s just how their lifestyle works. It¡¯s how they see it. Like right now I¡¯m Tommy¡¯s, he owns me¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±. I made a face. ¡°Don¡¯t talk rubbish¡±.


    ¡°Fine¡±. She huffed. ¡°Are you working tonight, or can we go out?¡±.


    ¡°Go out?¡±.


    ¡°We could try and sneak into a club?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, because we look 21¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to find us something to do. Feel free to shoot some ideas about¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m working tonighte by and I¡¯ll give you a free burger¡±. I got to my feet as there was a knock on the door.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait until I¡¯m 21¡±. She huffed.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t wish your life away¡±. I grinned pulling open the door.


    I did not expect to see Franko standing there.

 Chapter 30

    ¡°Franko?¡±. I frowned. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±. I stepped outside closing the door behind me.


    ¡°Hey¡±. Alice yelled.


    Rolling my eyes I crossed my arms over my chest waiting for him to respond. He should still be recovering not here on my front doorstep.


    ¡°You drop by the clubhouse?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°No¡±.


    ¡°Bullshit princess you talked to my dad¡±.


    ¡°Then why¡¯d you ask?¡±.


    ¡°Youe to see me?¡±. He smirked.


    ¡°Marco actually¡±. My eyesnded on his, a lump forming in my throat at the re he was sporting.


    ¡°How the fuck do you know him?¡±.


    ¡°Well, you didn¡¯t introduce us that¡¯s for sure. Why are you here?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°You stay the fuck away from him Aubrey, I mean it¡±.


    ¡°He seems nice¡±. I shrugged. ¡°Friendly¡±.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°I know what you¡¯re doing darling¡±. My mouth became dry as he took another step towards me. ¡°You wanna fuck around with Marco then-¡­¡±.


    I pushed his shoulder and instantly regretted it when a hiss fell from his lips. ¡°Oh, god I¡¯m sorry¡±. Taking a step back I chewed the inside of my cheek.


    I watched as he pulled his cut off his shoulder and his hoodie over his head. The blood was seeping through the bandage.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Franko I-¡­¡±. I paused.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡±. Like nothing happened he pulled his hoodie back over his head and fixed his cut. ¡°Just tell me you¡¯ll stay away from Marco¡±.


    ¡°Why do you care?¡±.


    ¡°You know why I care¡±. He red.


    ¡°Do I?¡±. I matched his re. ¡°It can¡¯t be because you care about me because if you did you wouldn¡¯t be fucking around with other girls¡±.


    ¡°Say the word darling fucking say it cause the minute you do it ends¡±.


    ¡°You know-¡­¡±.


    Hisugh cut me off. ¡°You don¡¯t want me Aubrey but can¡¯t stand the thought of me being with anyone else¡±.


    He hit the nail on the head well partly did. I wanted him, I wanted him more than I¡¯ve wanted anything before, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to face the situation and take that jump.


    I had feelings for him, strong feelings and I had no idea what to do with them. I had never been in this situation before. I had no experience with boyfriends and rtionships.


    A sigh fell from my lips as I took a seat on the front porch. I was the issue here not Franko. I was jealous, angry even at the thought of him with someone else and I had no right to be. I was the one stopping whatever this was from happening.


    ¡°I have to get back inside Alice is here¡±.


    ¡°Fuck Alice¡±. He sat down next to me. ¡°What are we doing here Aubrey?¡±.


    I shrugged. ¡°I only mentioned Marco to make you jealous¡±.


    ¡°Aye well it fucking worked¡±.


    I stifled myughter, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip. Why couldn¡¯t this be easier? Why did my parents have to be so narrow minded? Franko¡¯s family weren¡¯t bad people regardless of what everyone seemed to say about them.


    I felt more at home with his family than I did my own.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°This will never work¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°I can¡¯t be bothered with the bullshit princess, but I can¡¯t stop fucking thinking about you¡±. He flicked his cigarette to the ground before getting to his feet. ¡°You know what I want and when you finally figure your shit out youe find me¡±.


    I didn¡¯t say anything, I sat on my front porch and watched him get on his bike and drive out of my street. I wasn¡¯t sure if I wanted tough or cry.


    We just kept going round in circles. Avoiding him was out of the question. Everywhere I went he seemed to turn up, we always bumped into each other no matter what.


    My front door opened; Alice took the spot where he was sitting.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I spoke.


    ¡°Did you really go see him and he was with someone else?¡±.


    ¡°Were you glued to the door or something?¡±. A sigh fell from my lips as I got to my feet. I had to discard of his cigarette butt before my parents got home.


    ¡°I was making sure he didn¡¯t do anything¡±.


    ¡°By sticking your ears to the door and staying inside?¡±. I picked up the butt and threw it out onto the street.


    ¡°Hey¡±. She frowned. ¡°What¡¯s going on with you?¡±.


    ¡°Him okay he¡¯s what¡¯s going on with me. This whole thing is driving me insane. How did he get inside my head so fast¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s what he does¡±. She shrugged. ¡°But you already knew that¡±.


    ¡°How did I get myself into this situation?¡±. I groaned.


    ¡°Because you let him in. Franko wants you and you want him¡±.


    I couldn¡¯t argue with her or disagree because she was right. I wanted him and I hated it. A few months ago, we didn¡¯t even speak other than a few curse words back and forth and now, now I couldn¡¯t get rid of him.


    ¡°You were doomed from the start¡±. Sheughed. ¡°But you¡¯re doing well. Most girls would have crumbled by now¡±.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±.


    ¡°Oh, for fucks sake Aubrey do you have eyes. He¡¯s hot, no, he¡¯s fucking sexy. He¡¯d have had my panties the first night¡±.


    I rolled my eyes and shoved her shoulder. I didn¡¯t like when she talked like that. I wasn¡¯t a crude person; I was a prude. I got embarrassed at the mention on sex. Probably because I was a virgin who knew nothing about it.


    ¡°What?¡±. She smirked. ¡°I bet he fucks like an animal¡±.


    ¡°Alice¡±. I warned.


    ¡°Okay, okay, I¡¯ll stop. Do you wanna go grab a milkshake?¡±.


    ¡°Another one?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m paying¡±. She winked.


    ¡­..


    Alice wasn¡¯t helping the situation. Of course she had motive to go to the diner. Tommy along with Franko, Brian and Marco were here. It took everything in my power not to turn around and walk back out.


    Not that Alice¡¯ death grip on my arm would allow me to do so.


    ¡°If you wanted to hang with your boyfriend, you could have said¡±.


    ¡°He¡¯s being weird¡±. She made a face.


    She had us sit so I was the one facing them. See, not helping my situation in the slightest. I also didn¡¯t want to get involved in the drama with her and Tommy. She already knew what my thoughts on that were.


    Franko was a yer, but Tommy was worse or that¡¯s what the rumors were anyway.


    ¡°Weird how?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t had sex in 3 days¡±.


    I rolled my eyes.


    ¡°No, Aubrey this is serious. We have sex all the time sometimes 2, 3 times a day and it¡¯s went from that to nothing¡±.


    ¡°Have you talked to him about it?¡±.


    She shook her head. ¡°I think he¡¯s going to dump me¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that. Maybe he¡¯s got a lot on his mind¡±. I didn¡¯t know what else to say to her. ¡°But I would talk to him before jumping to conclusions¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want him to dump me¡±.


    She had fell head over heels for him and if he did dump her, he would destroy her. But I would be there to pick up the pieces and put her back together.


    ¡°I know¡±.


    ¡°Could you ask-¡­¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I cut her off before she could finish her sentence. ¡°I love you Alice but I¡¯m trying to avoid him for my own sanity. Please don¡¯t put me in the middle of this¡±.


    ¡°If anyone knows he¡¯s going to dump me it¡¯ll be him. Please Aubrey I¡¯d rather know before it happens so I can get ahead of it¡±.


    ¡°Or you could ask Franko¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, right¡±. She made a face. ¡°I heard your conversation remember. Fuck Alice¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s just Franko being Franko¡±.


    ¡°No, he doesn¡¯t like me, and he doesn¡¯t like me because of the way I treated you when I left you at the diner that night¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous¡±.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s true Tommy told me¡±.


    He did?


    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to talk to him Alice¡±.


    ¡°Please Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Fine but I¡¯m not doing it when they¡¯re with him¡±.


    ¡°But it has to be now they¡¯ll be with him all night. What if he ns to dump me tonight I can¡¯t oh god¡±.


    ¡°For gods sake¡±. I scraped back my chair and got to my feet. I never normally got pissed off, but Alice was testing my patience tonight.  My eyes connected with Frankos; he knew something was up. As he gave me a nod I nodded towards the front door.


    He got to his feet but that caught the attention of everyone he was sitting with. I swear if she wasn¡¯t my best friend I¡¯d have knocked her on her ass already.


    ¡°Aubrey where are you going?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°To do as you asked¡±. I sighed.

 Chapter 31

    I was annoyed. I was trying to keep my distance from Franko and yet here I was needing to talk to him because Alice didn¡¯t have the balls to do it herself. I couldn¡¯t say no because then she¡¯d just make me feel bad about it.


    ¡°You alright?¡±. He asked taking his smokes from his cut pocket.


    ¡°Fine¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°You sure?¡±. Lighting one up I watched as he took a long drag.


    I wonder what smoking a cigarette would be like. I wonder what it would taste like because it smells disgusting.


    ¡°Is Tommy going to dump Alice?¡±. I asked.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°The fuck are you talking about?¡±.


    I felt stupid and maybe even a little embarrassed that I was even standing here asking him this. It was none of my business and I wanted to keep it that way. I didn¡¯t want to be going back and forth with Franko about a rtionship that wasn¡¯t even mine.


    A groan fell from my lips. ¡°Can I have some of that?¡±.


    ¡°Some of what?¡±.


    ¡°That¡±. I nodded towards the hand that held the cigarette. ¡°Your smoke¡±.


    ¡°Fuck no. You don¡¯t want to start smoking darling¡±.


    I shrugged. ¡°So, is he going to dump her or not?¡±.


    ¡°How the fuck would I know that, Aubrey?¡±.


    ¡°Because he¡¯s your best friend¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°And you think we talk bout that shit?¡±. He smirked.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re right¡±. I shook my head. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have bothered you I¡¯m sorry¡±. As I went to go back inside, he reached out taking a hold of my arm.


    ¡°Fuck if I know what¡¯s going on with Tommy but it ain¡¯t my business sweetheart and it ain¡¯t yours¡±.


    ¡°Oh, I know¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°So, why the fuck are you asking?¡±. He frowned.


    I really wanted to try his cigarette and I have no idea why. The smell alone made me want to gag.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m a good friend¡±. I shrugged.


    ¡°You need better friends cause that in there ain¡¯t nothing but a club whore¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I pushed his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t call her that¡±. I knew he wasn¡¯t fond of her, but I wouldn¡¯t stand here and let him call her names.


    Augh fell from his lips, and he was quick to grab my handcing our fingers together. ¡°How bout youe for a ride?¡±.


    ¡°Okay¡±.


    ¡°Aye?¡±. He grinned.


    ¡°No¡±. I rolled my eyes. ¡°Because I¡¯m a good friend and I¡¯m not going to leave Alice here with no way of getting home¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get Tommy to take her home¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea¡±.


    ¡°But you want to don¡¯t you¡±. He pulled me closer his arm wrapping around my waist trapping me against him. ¡°Fuck princess I can¡¯t seem to stay away from you¡±. He whispered.


    ¡°Franko¡±. His touch alone made my body tingle. I felt alive and I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around his neck and crash his lips to mine. ¡°I want to kiss you¡±.


    A gasp fell from my lips. Did I just say that aloud?


    Oh, shit.


    His grip tightened as he pulled me closer. ¡°Then fucking kiss, me¡±.


    So, I did. I ced my lips gently against his, my eyes closing as I did. I shouldn¡¯t be doing this, but I couldn¡¯t stop. As I felt his tongue sweep my bottom lip I pulled back.


    ¡°I-¡­ I have to get back inside¡±.


    ¡°Meet me tonight¡±.


    Again, I was making this situation worse. I had no restraint, no will power. I was digging a bigger hole for myself and yet all I wanted to do was be with him.


    I wanted to meet him, I wanted to hang out with him.


    I jumped when the door to the diner opened. ¡°Aubrey, are youing back inside?¡±. Alice asked.


    ¡°Coming¡±. Chewing the inside of my cheek I looked up at him. ¡°You have to let me go¡±.


    His arm slipped from my waist his grip on my hand loosened. ¡°Boys don¡¯t talk rtionships darling. Tell your friend she¡¯ll need to talk to Tommy herself¡±.


    ¡°Funny that because apparently you talk about me all the time¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s cause I can¡¯t get your cute fucking face out my head¡±.


    ¡°Then why are you still sleeping with other girls?¡±. I whispered


    ¡°You gonna be my olddy?¡±.


    ¡°Franko¡±.


    ¡°Say the word darling and it all stops¡±.


    ¡°I have to go¡±.


    I was annoyed before but now, now I was in a funk. I should have told Alice no because now all I could think about was Franko and wanting to be with him. I was sick of going over the pros and cons in my head.


    ¡°I ordered you a burger. I wasn¡¯t sure if you wanted something or not¡±. Alice shrugged.


    ¡°Thanks, but can we just get out of here?¡±. I had had enough of Franko for one day.


    ¡°Did something happen out there?¡±. She whispered.


    ¡°I kissed him¡±.


    ¡°You kissed him¡±. She yelled.


    ¡°Shhh¡±. I red.


    He had yet toe back in, but his friends were still here, and it wasn¡¯t hard to put two and two together.


    ¡°I thought you were trying to stay away from him?¡±.


    ¡°I was until you asked me to talk to him¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±. She winced. ¡°Did he say anything?¡±.


    ¡°Apparently boys don¡¯t talk about that shit¡±. I rolled my eyes. ¡°He doesn¡¯t know anything sorry¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been in here for almost an hour and he¡¯s not came near me. Something is definitely up with him, but do you know what fuck it. You ready to get out of here?¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t expecting that reaction from her, but I liked it.


    ¡°Yes¡±. I smiled.


    It wasn¡¯t until we were almost at my car those things changed. Tommy came running out the diner calling her name. She looked at me I shrugged. It was her choice if she wanted to speak to him.


    For the millionth time I wasn¡¯t getting involved.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be in the car¡±.


    They disappeared. To where I have no idea. I was waiting another ten minutes and if she wasn¡¯t back, I was leaving her.


    The roar of a bike engine caught my attention and when I noticed it was Alice and Tommy speeding out of the parking lot a few curse words left my mouth.


    She couldn¡¯t have given me a heads up?


    Sighing I turned on my engine and was about to leave when Franko appeared out of nowhere and tapped on my window.


    ¡°I see she bailed on you again¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t in the mood to listen to him bad mouth Alice again. So, she left with her boyfriend. It wasn¡¯t a big deal, right?


    A sigh fell from my lips as I shrugged. ¡°He¡¯s her boyfriend¡±.


    ¡°Always got an excuse for her, haven¡¯t you¡±.


    ¡°Do you need something?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°You need better friends darling¡±.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve said now I have to get home¡±.


    ¡°Meet me tonight¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Come on princess. Sneak out and spend the night with me¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re crazy¡±. Butterflies erupted in my stomach at the thought of spending more time with him.


    ¡°Maybe darling¡±. Heughed. ¡°Parking lot across from the clubhouse. Meet me there at midnight¡±.


    ¡°No Franko¡±. I couldn¡¯t make this situation worse than what it already was. I was sucked in enough and spending time with him was only going to make me fall for him more.


    I was trying to keep my distance and was doing a lousy job.


    ¡°Midnight princess and if you don¡¯t show we¡¯re done for good¡±.


    Done for good?


    Oh.

 Chapter 32

    I hadn¡¯t settled since I got home. My stomach was in knots. Filled with nerves or butterflies I wasn¡¯t quite sure, but I couldn¡¯t seem to calm myself. If I didn¡¯t show tonight that, was it between Franko and me.


    Did I want that?


    It shouldn¡¯t be this hard. I knew it was better if I didn¡¯t show and yet I wanted to. I wanted to show up and show him I cared. The knock on my bedroom door diverted my attention.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. My mom popped her head around the door. ¡°Are you working tonight?¡±.


    ¡°Not tonight¡±. I answered.


    ¡°Then wash up dinner will be ready soon¡±.


    As she closed my door, I fell back against my headboard a sigh falling from my lips. When did my life be soplicated? Oh, that¡¯s right the minute Franko Mendez took an interest in me.


    Why me?


    He could have anyone he wanted and yet I was at the top of his list. Pushing myself from my bed I went to wash up and change my clothes. It was early but pjs were a safe choice and my parents would just think I was having an early night.


    Wait, was I really thinking about doing this?


    I had never snuck out before and yet here I was thinking it was a clever idea.


    All just to spend time alone with Franko.


    No, I couldn¡¯t do this.


    Grabbing my pillow, I held it against my face and screamed into it.


    ¡­


    ¡°You¡¯re quiet¡±. My mom spoke. ¡°Is everything okay? How was school?¡±.


    School that I didn¡¯t attend.


    ¡°Passed my maths test and found out I have to write a book report for history¡±. I lied.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Oh, and what¡¯s the topic for your report?¡±.


    Shit.


    I shrugged. ¡°It hasn¡¯t been decided yet¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s strange¡±. She frowned. ¡°Why would the teacher tell you to write a book report but not give you a topic?¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know mom maybe so we can prepare for what¡¯s toe¡±.


    She made a face. ¡°And how are you doing in your other sses?¡±.


    ¡°How¡¯s the car?¡±. Dad asked.


    ¡°Great¡±. I grinned. ¡°And fine mom you know I put in the work I need to¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s all we ask¡±. She smiled. ¡°Good grades lead to good futures¡±.


    Good grades weren¡¯t worth anything if you didn¡¯t know what you wanted to do with your life. I had no idea what I wanted to do after school. I wasn¡¯t even sure I still wanted to go to university.


    No idea what career path I wanted to take.


    A sigh fell from my lips. I had plenty of time to decide. Freaking out about something that was years down the line wasn¡¯t worth it. Finishing thest of my dinner I put my te in the sink and poured myself some water.


    ¡°Are you both still going away this weekend?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Yes, is that still, okay? We can cancel if you want?¡±.


    ¡°She¡¯s old enough to look after herself Lorraine¡±. My dad sighed. ¡°We both agreed on that, and the independence will do her the world of good¡±.


    ¡°She¡¯s still my baby¡±. My mom frowned. ¡°And if she¡¯s notfortable being here on her own then we¡¯re not going¡±.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t cancel your trip I¡¯ll be fine I promise¡±.


    ¡°See she¡¯ll be fine¡±. My dad winked a smile on his lips. ¡°We have nothing to worry about¡±.


    ¡°As long as you¡¯re sure Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure mom¡±.


    They deserved some alone time together where they didn¡¯t need to worry about me or their job. And my dad was right I could look after myself.


    ..


    We were all sat in the living room watching tv together. Some old western film but I wasn¡¯t really paying attention. Every so often my dad wouldugh, and it would knock me out of my thoughts.


    Of course, all I could think about was tonight and Franko.


    ¡°Go to bed if you¡¯re tired sweetheart¡±. My mom spoke.


    I nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll see you both in the morning¡±.


    I couldn¡¯t sleep even if I wanted to. I tossed and turned, tried to read a book but couldn¡¯t concentrate. He had really messed me up by saying what he did.


    Was he bluffing?


    I heard my mome to bed and not long after I heard my dad lock up and follow. Time was pushing on and I was still indecisive on what to do. If I snuck out and got caught, I¡¯d be grounded for life, and they¡¯d probably take away my car.


    But if I didn¡¯t and Franko was true to his word, we would no longer see each other. I wanted to sneak out. For once I wanted to do things I wasn¡¯t supposed to do.


    I had never been in trouble with my parents. I lived my life the way they wanted me to and that was the problem. They shielded me from the big bad world.


    Pushing my covers off I got out of bed and tried to be as quiet as possible. I grabbed my jacket from the closet and gently pulled open my door. I could hear the snoresing from my parents¡¯ bedroom.


    It was now or never.


    Making my way downstairs I grabbed my cars keys before pulling on my sneakers. Was I really doing this? I paused at the front door. My stomach was in knots I wasn¡¯t sure if I was going to throw up with nerves.


    Holding my breath, I unlocked the front door making a face when it squeaked as I opened it. It had never squeaked before. I was dead if they caught me. I could already hear the disappointment in my head and let¡¯s not forget the looks of disapproval.


    The questions that would follow.


    Why are you sneaking out of the house?


    Where could you possibly be going at this time of night?


    I started to fill with dread. They would never trust me again and they had only just started to give me a little bit of freedom. But I wanted to do this. For some reason I had to.


    Before I could talk myself out of it, I closed the door behind me and made a beeline for my car.


    ..


    I felt like an idiot. I was an idiot.


    I waited for 30 minutes, and he didn¡¯t show.


    I swallowed the lump in my throat as I felt the tears well in my eyes. I wanted to be angry but if anything, I was embarrassed. Why would he stand me up like that?


    Why would he put so much pressure on me to show and then not show himself. Wiping my cheeks I started my engine and took off down the road.


    Franko Mendez wasn¡¯t worth my tears.


    He wasn¡¯t worth anything and it was time I realised that before it was toote.


    I had bigger problems than Franko. When I returned home the porch light was on and my dad was sitting on the steps a mug in his hand.


    Shit, shit, shit.


    I had been caught red handed and it was all for nothing. But on the bright side I was d it was my dad and not my mom. Switching off my engine I got out and made my way up the driveway.


    ¡°It¡¯ste Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Is mom awake?¡±.


    ¡°Where have you been?¡±.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep¡±.


    ¡°So, you decided to sneak out of the house and go for a drive? It¡¯s almost 1am¡±.


    ¡°I know I¡¯m sorry. Are you going to tell mom?¡±. I sat beside him on the step.


    ¡°Are you in any trouble?¡±. He asked.


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°And you¡¯re doing, okay?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±.


    ¡°Then your mom doesn¡¯t need to know a thing¡±. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders cing a kiss on the side of my head.


    ¡°Thanks dad¡±.

 Chapter 33

    I overslept.


    My parents had already left for work when I woke. I was rushing around the house trying to get ready. I had tried my hardest to forgetst night. The embarrassment I felt, the hurt that he didn¡¯t show up.


    He made me look stupid and I was pissed.


    Pulling on my boots I slipped my arms into my jacket grabbed my bag and keys before rushing out the front door. This is why I was grateful my parents bought me a car.


    I would have been superte if I had to get the bus. The bus that I had no idea how to get or where to get on. Shaking my head I frowned. I was getting distracted by my own thoughts.


    Unlocking my car, I got inside cing my bag on the passenger seat. Reversing out the driveway I took off down the street my only focus being getting to school before my first ss started.


    But because it¡¯s me and I have no luck I waste. Stopped at every red light, traffic on every road. By the time I got to school I was sweating. Rushing inside I ran to my locker collecting my books for English.


    The hallways were empty. The only noise being my heavy breathing. I was so unfit. Reaching my ss my stomach tightened with the thought of getting detention.


    ¡°Miss Stone nice of you to join us¡±.


    A sigh fell from my lips as my eyesnded on Alice as I walked to my desk. cing my backpack on the floor I kicked it under my desk before taking my seat.


    ¡°I overslept I¡¯m sorry¡±. Opening my books I grabbed my workbook and a pencil. I had no idea what was going on.


    ¡°It happens Aubrey but don¡¯t make beingte to my ss a habit. Read chapters 1 to 5¡±.


    Romeo and Juliet.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Great another dreadful love story.


    ¡°I want everyone taking notes as you read. This book may be a big deal if I decide to use it for your book report¡±.


    Alice sat behind me so when she tapped me on the back, I wasn¡¯t surprised. I was still pissed off with her for leaving me yesterday at the diner. No one else mattered when Tommy was around.


    Well, I was sick of it. Sick of feeling like she only wanted to hang out when things weren¡¯t going well with him. Or she needed something from me or needed me to do something for her.


    Yeah, I was going to lose my head at someone today. I could feel it.


    ¡°Hey¡±. She whispered. ¡°Are you okay?¡±.


    I wasn¡¯t going to give Mr. Laird a reason to give me detention, so I ignored her. I read my way through the chapters taking as many notes as I could.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. She whispered.


    I shook my head hoping she¡¯d take the hint. I wasn¡¯t in the mood to get into trouble, and I didn¡¯t want to have stay after school.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop at chapter 5. This ss can be spent reading and taking notes¡±. Mr. Laird spoke.


    In other words, he couldn¡¯t be bothered teaching today.


    Before I knew it ss was ending, and we were packing away our things. I needed coffee, I was hungry, and I think I was getting sick. My head had been thumping since I got here.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±. Alice asked.


    Mr. Laird didn¡¯t mind the chatter, but he only allowed it when ss was ending, and the work was done.


    ¡°Fine¡±. I pulled on my jacket and put my books in my bag.


    ¡°Did you really oversleep?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I made a face.


    The bell went and I headed for math¡¯s but first I stopped by the cafeteria for some snacks.


    ¡°Aubrey wait up¡±. She called after me, but I just kept walking.


    I wanted her to know I was annoyed. She wasn¡¯t the cause of my pissed of mood, but she was part of it. Today just wasn¡¯t my day and I felt sorry for the person that was going to feel my wrath.


    I rummaged around for some change and pushed for a packet of hot chips. They would tide me over till lunch.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to put this out there and say you¡¯re pissed off?¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine I have to get to ss¡±.


    She didn¡¯t follow and I was d she didn¡¯t. She would push for me to tell her what was wrong, and I was afraid I would explode and cry and be a hot mess.


    I cry when I¡¯m angry.


    Not to mention I had yet to face Franko. I was hoping he was out today, and I could avoid the embarrassment of bumping into him because if I did bump into him, I wasn¡¯t going to hold back.


    He was going to know I was done. I was finished with him and whatever this friendship was bing. I could already feel myself bing angry at the mere thought of him.


    He thought he could make a fool out of me well he was wrong.


    Neither of them was in my math¡¯s ss so I was safe for the next hour or so. Ben on the other hand was grinning at me as soon as I walked in the door.


    ¡°Bowling¡±.


    ¡°What?¡±. I frowned taking my seat.


    ¡°Do you like to bowl?¡±. He asked.


    I shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s okay I guess¡±.


    ¡°A bunch of us are going tonight. Do you want toe?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, that would-¡­ Oh I can¡¯t I have a shift at the diner¡±. It would have been nice to get out and socialise with other people. Maybe it was time I put myself out there and made other friends.


    ¡°Bummer. Maybe another time¡±.


    ¡°Sure¡±.


    ..


    Lunch time rolled around, and I couldn¡¯t wait to stuff my face. I felt sick I was that hungry. I had yet to run into Franko but since he wasn¡¯t sat in his usual spot in the cafeteria, I figured he wasn¡¯t here.


    I waited in line hoping there was still pizza when I got to the front. Thankfully, there was. I picked 2 slices of pepperoni and a side of fries with a diet coke. I picked an empty table trying my best not to look over at Alice.


    Like always she was sat on Tommy¡¯spughing at whatever they were talking about. Seeing that only made my mood worse. I wasn¡¯t agreeing with Franko but maybe I did need to find other friends. She was too wrapped up in Tommy and only really needed me when something was wrong.


    Taking a seat a sigh fell from my lips. As we all know I hated skipping school but right now I wish I was anywhere but here. Recently I just didn¡¯t want to be here. School was the furthest thing from my mind right now.


    I was halfway through my lunch and about to start a new chapter of my book when the chair next to me was pulled out. I wasn¡¯t in the mood forpany and I sure as hell didn¡¯t want to talk to anyone.


    ¡°Princess¡±.


    Looking up from my book I rolled my eyes. What could Tommy possibly want to talk to me about?


    ¡°What?¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Howe you ain¡¯t sitting over there?¡±. He nodded towards the table he just came from.


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to¡±. I made a face. Did he really just ask that? He knows I don¡¯t like his friends.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°You busy after school?¡±.


    ¡°Yes¡±.


    ¡°Working at the diner?¡±.


    I nodded. ¡°Is there something you want?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Just to give you this and to tell you he¡¯s sorry¡±.


    My eyesnded on his before he got up from his seat and walked back to his table. There was a piece of paper folded in half with my name on it.


    I already knew it was from Franko, but I didn¡¯t care. I was done with him and done with this situation for good. Crumpling the piece of paper in my hand I lifted my tray and headed out.


    I had suddenly lost my appetite.


    Along with my unfinished lunch I threw the note away and didn¡¯t think about it again for the rest of the day.


    ¡­.


    By the end of the school day, I was mentally exhausted. Lots of work and homework my brain was fried. I was putting my books in my locker when Alice approached me.


    ¡°You dropped this¡±.


    It was the note I had threw away.


    ¡°I threw it away¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Okay Aubrey what¡¯s going on with you?¡±. She asked. ¡°You¡¯ve been weird with me all day¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you noticed¡±. I shouldn¡¯t have said it, but I couldn¡¯t stop myself. ¡°I seem to only see you when you need something from me¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s not true¡±. She frowned. ¡°I know I¡¯ve been spending time with Tommy but what am I supposed to do he¡¯s my boyfriend¡±.


    ¡°And I¡¯m your best friend. Just because you have a boyfriend doesn¡¯t mean you get to drop me and pick me back up when you feel like it¡±.


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair Aubrey¡±.


    I shrugged. ¡°Life isn¡¯t fair, but we get over it. I have to go¡±. I mmed the door to my locker shut and headed for the parking lot.


    I was more than ready to go home and be done with today.

 Chapter 34

    This was weird.


    The parking lot to the diner was empty. It had only ever been like this one time before and that was when Franko was hurt.


    I wasn¡¯t even sure the diner was open.


    Had something happened again? Is that the reason he didn¡¯t showst night? No it couldn¡¯t be because if something had happened then Tommy wouldn¡¯t have been at school.


    Sighing I got out and made my way across the lot. The door wasn¡¯t locked, and the open sign was still showing. Walking inside I shook my head. Of course he was up to something.


    Franko was sat at the counter his back to me.


    ¡°You get my note?¡±.


    ¡°I did¡±.


    ¡°You read it?¡±.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. Is the diner open or closed?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Wait¡±. He spun around in his seat. ¡°You didn¡¯t read it?¡±.


    ¡°Why would I you stood me up¡±. My heart racing, I walked around the counter so I could put my things away. ¡°Where is everyone?¡±.


    ¡°You ain¡¯t working tonight darling. I¡¯m taking you out¡±.


    ¡°Why so you can tell me to meet you and then not show up?¡±. I poured myself some coffee and watched as the side of his mouth twitched.


    Was he smirking?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t stand you up I just didn¡¯t show face¡±.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±.


    ¡°I was there, and I got all I needed to¡±.


    ¡°So, what you were there watching and waiting to see if I showed?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. He nodded.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s stupid. You made me leave my house at that time of night for nothing and not to mention I got caught for sneaking out¡±.


    ¡°Grounded for life then¡±. Heughed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not funny. Why would you do that to me?¡±.


    ¡°Because I needed to know you feel it to. I needed to know that you want me just as much as I want you and you showed up princess. You showed me exactly what I needed to see¡±.


    My breath caught in my throat.


    ¡°Yeah, and you left me sitting out there like an idiot. I waited for half an hour Franko¡±.


    ¡°So, let me make it up to you tonight¡±.


    I pursed my lips. I wanted to but if I said yes, I was going against everything. I was set on finishing this for good and here I was wanting to be whisked away by him.


    ¡°I¡¯m meant to be working¡±. Yes, I was making excuses, but I also wasn¡¯t up for hanging out.


    ¡°And I said you weren¡¯t working tonight¡±.


    ¡°Not tonight Franko if I¡¯m not working then all I want is to go home and go to bed. I haven¡¯t had the best day¡±. I didn¡¯t want to get into it, but he was here, and I felt I had to vent.


    ¡°Something happen?¡±.


    ¡°You could say that¡±. I filled his cup before taking the seat beside him. ¡°I don¡¯t think Alice and I are speaking¡±.


    ¡°Bout time. I can¡¯t stand the bitch¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t call her that¡±.


    He shrugged. ¡°She do something to you?¡±.


    I shook my head. ¡°I¡¯m sick of feeling used. I feel she only wants to hang out when something goes wrong with Tommy or if she needs something from me¡±.


    ¡°Aye darling saw it a mile away. You don¡¯t need the bitch you got me¡±. He winked.


    Rolling my eyes I pushed his shoulder. ¡°Ever since she got a boyfriend it¡¯s like I don¡¯t exist anymore¡±.


    ¡°Cut ties princess cause it won¡¯t ever stop. Want me to say something?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned. ¡°God no just don¡¯t get involved¡±. He would only make the situation worse, and I didn¡¯t need that.


    ¡°Whatever you say. Now you gonna let me take you out tonight or not?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I nodded. ¡°Yeah, I am but I have to go home and change first¡±.


    ¡°Fine by me darling I¡¯ll pick you up at 7¡±.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll head back here so my parents think I¡¯m at work¡±.


    ¡­.


    I had no idea where he was taking me, so I had no idea what to wear. Surely jeans and a t-shirt would be, okay? I was thinking about this too much. This was Franko I didn¡¯t need to impress him and I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t care anyway.


    I grabbed my jacket and hat and shoved my feet into my ck boots. If I was warm andfortable I didn¡¯t care where he took me. As long as it wasn¡¯t a party with his friends right enough.


    Surprisingly, I wasn¡¯t nervous. I think we were past the nervous stage. Although I still had no idea why I was doing this. I was letting him take me on a date. My first real date.


    My stomach knotted. Maybe I was a little nervous, but I didn¡¯t know what to expect. Where did the famous Franko take girls on dates? I wonder just how many dates he had been on.


    No, I didn¡¯t want to know that. What if he had never been on a date. I know he had been with a lot of girls but that didn¡¯t necessary mean he had been on a date.


    What the hell was I thinking? I swear my head was the worst ce at times.


    I grabbed my purse and made my way out. With my parents thinking I was at work meant I could chill out and maybe even enjoy myself. This date gave me the chance to really get to know him.


    The real him.


    Starting up my engine I reversed out the driveway and took off down the street. It didn¡¯t take me long to get to the diner but when I got there a groan fell from my lips.


    The parking lot was full which meant the diner was busy and because I was meant to be working tonight the guilt started to seep in. What if Jen was swamped?Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Heading inside I took a quick look around to see if Franko was here yet. I didn¡¯t spot his bike outside, but I was hoping he was bringing his truck. I wasn¡¯t up for a bike ride in the dark.


    ¡°Hey sweetie¡±. Jen smiled. ¡°Looking for Franko?¡±.


    ¡°Is he here yet?¡±. I took a seat at the counter. The diner was busy, but she had it under control.


    ¡°He¡¯s through the back. I hope he¡¯s taking you somewhere nice¡±. She grinned.


    I wasn¡¯t surprised that she knew. She seemed to know everything that went on around here. ¡°I have no idea but-¡­¡±.


    ¡°Hey Aubrey, can we talk?¡±. Alice asked.


    I didn¡¯t even notice that she was here. This fight between us was stupid. I was angry and pissed off and it wasn¡¯t her fault. She got caught in the crossfire of my horrible mood.


    But the things I said I meant and if we were going to air things out then she needed to understand I stood by what I said. I just hoped our friendship meant something to her.


    ¡°Sure¡±. I nodded and followed her outside.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been a bad friend to you. I got with Tommy and suddenly nothing else mattered. I took our friendship for granted and I¡¯m sorry Aubrey. I made a mistake, and I don¡¯t want to lose you. You¡¯re my best friend my only friend and I don¡¯t think I could handle it if you weren¡¯t in my life¡±.


    Well, she wasn¡¯t wrong. She had been a shitty friend, but I let her be when I should have called her out on her bullshit. That¡¯s what friends do right?


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere¡±. I sighed. ¡°But we have to do better. I don¡¯t just want to be your friend when you don¡¯t have Tommy or he¡¯s not around. We were inseparable before Tommy came along and now; I hardly see you unless you need something¡±.


    ¡°Ouch that one hurt. Have I really been that bad?¡±.


    ¡°Eh yes. Blinded by damn love you forgot all about me¡±.


    ¡°I don¡¯t love him¡±. She huffed. ¡°But now that you mention it, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ve been the worst and I¡¯m sorry. Can we still be friends?¡±.


    ¡°I kinda need you seeing as I don¡¯t have any other friends¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. She frowned pushing my shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding¡±. I grinned. ¡°Of course, we¡¯re friends but right now I have to go. I have a date¡±.


    ¡°A date? A date with-¡­¡±. She gasped. ¡°Franko? It¡¯s Franko, isn¡¯t it?¡±.


    I chewed the inside of my cheek as I nodded.


    A high-pitched scream fell from her lips as she grabbed hold of my hands. ¡°This is big, Franko Mendez is taking you on a date. Oh my god we can double date¡±.


    Yeah, I don¡¯t think Franko was the double date kind of guy.


    ¡°The fucks all the screaming about?¡±. He grunted.


    Speaking of Franko. Delightful as ever.


    ¡°You better look after my friend¡±. Alice spoke.


    Oh, god.


    ¡°Alice don¡¯t-¡­.¡±.


    ¡°You ready to go princess?¡±.


    He full on ignored her, nked her. Acted as if she wasn¡¯t standing there.


    I nodded as I nced past him and looked at Alice. I gave her a small smile before he led me to his truck.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to be rude¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°You¡¯re too nice darling¡±.


    ¡°She¡¯s still my friend Franko¡±.


    ¡°She ain¡¯t always gonna be your friend¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I red.


    ¡°Trust me¡±. He smirked.


    Rolling my eyes I clipped my seatbelt into ce and waited for him to start the engine.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a surprise¡±. He winked.

 Chapter 35

    It was freezing in his truck, and I was too proud to ask him to turn the heating on. We had been driving for about an hour and it didn¡¯t seem like we were stopping anytime soon.


    I was wrecking my brain trying to find something to talk about. Was it a little awkward? Yes, did I still feel nervous? A little. Sighing I rubbed my hands together.


    ¡°Cold?¡±. He asked.


    I nodded. ¡°Are we nearly there?¡±.


    ¡°Nearly but you might want to move closer cause the heating¡¯s busted¡±.


    Augh fell from my lips. ¡°Is that a line you use on all the girls?¡±.


    ¡°Maybe¡±. He smirked.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    Oh, I didn¡¯t like the feeling that appeared in my stomach. Was I jealous? Chewing the inside of my cheek I turned my focus to the window. We were way out of town, and I wasn¡¯t sure how I felt being this far from home.


    My stomach growled and I felt the heat spread over my cheeks and right to the tips of my ears.


    ¡°Hungry?¡±. Heughed.


    ¡°A little¡±. I was starving. I hadn¡¯t eaten for hours.


    ¡°We¡¯ll eat soon I promise¡±. He reached over taking my hand in his andced our fingers together. ¡°Man, you¡¯re freeing¡±. And just like that he ced a kiss upon my knuckles.


    I felt everything he was talking about. I had crazy feelings for him. He made my body tingle all over and butterflies dance in my stomach. Most importantly he made me feel safe.


    Like he was bing my safe ce.


    Maybe it was time not to care what anyone else thought and just go for what I wanted. Swallowing the lump in my throat my body rxed. He was just holding my hand it wasn¡¯t a big deal.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you dressed warm¡±. He spoke.


    ¡°Why?¡±. I frowned as the car started to slow down.


    ¡°Cause the dates outside princess¡±.


    ¡°Outside?¡±. I nced out the window at our surroundings as the car came to a stop.


    ¡°There¡¯s a reason I brought my truck tonight¡±.  He exited the vehicle and walked behind it.


    What was he up to?


    Following suit, a shiver rocked through my body as the cool air hit my face. It sure was a cold one tonight. The temperature had definitely dropped, and I was d I wore my thick coat.


    ¡°Fire, stars and a fucking 5-star pic¡±. He grinned.


    I couldn¡¯t hide my smile. Don¡¯t get me wrong I was a little taken aback because I didn¡¯t know what to expect for a first date with Franko. But this, this was perfect, and, in my eyes, he nailed it.


    ¡°Better than a stupid football game huh?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah¡±. I grinned. ¡°Did you bring a nket?¡±.


    ¡°Course¡±. He winked.


    ¡°Do you even know how to start a fire?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Is the sky fucking blue princess. Course I do¡±.


    We didn¡¯t move far from the truck, but he picked a nice spot for us to eat some food and light a fire. Iy the nket on the ground before taking a seat and taking my shoes off.


    I loved that the pic was burgers and fries. It was exactly what I expected. I pulled the food from the basket while he attempted to light a fire.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ve done this before?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Aye darling give, it a minute¡±.


    I watched closely while taking the food from the basket.


    ¡°See¡±. He smirked while lightly blowing on the now small mes that were there.


    ¡°Perfect¡±. I grinned.


    ¡°Eat up I know you¡¯re hungry. I¡¯m going to get another nket¡±.


    So, I did. I unwrapped my burger and emptied my fries onto the wrapper. This is not what I was expecting as a first date. I thought it would have been a party somewhere or a visit to the clubhouse but no.


    He brought me to a secluded area to gaze at the stars. He had thought of everything, and I wasn¡¯t sure how I felt about it all. Was he trying to get lucky by bringing me here? Had he brought anyone else out here?


    ¡°Deep in thought princess?¡±. He draped the nket over my shoulders before sitting down beside me.


    ¡°A little¡±. I smiled. ¡°You should eat something¡±.


    ¡°What you thinking about?¡±.


    ¡°Why you brought me out here¡±. I didn¡¯t want to ruin the mood, but he said so himself he doesn¡¯t date, doesn¡¯t go on dates and yet he put all the effort into this one.


    ¡°Cause it¡¯s a date¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, but out here?¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡±. He frowned.


    ¡°I do but-¡­¡±. I paused.


    I didn¡¯t want what I wanted to say toe out the wrong way. This date was perfect I just wanted to know why he chose this spot. A pic under the stars. It just didn¡¯t feel like him.


    ¡°You were expecting something different?¡±.


    I nodded.


    Augh fell from his lips. ¡°Did you want me to take you to a party? Maybe drink some liquor, hang out with my friends?¡±.


    ¡°No, god no. Why would you think that?¡±. I would never want to hang out with the people he surrounds himself with.


    ¡°Then what seems to be the problem?¡±.


    ¡°Nothing it doesn¡¯t matter¡±. I should have kept my mouth shut and said nothing. We were having a good night; I was having fun and me, and my big mouth just deted the mood.


    ¡°You¡¯re different Aubrey and I wanted to do something you¡¯d like. Show you I ain¡¯t messing around when ites to you¡±. A sigh fell from his lips. ¡°Come on I¡¯ll drive you back to the diner¡±.


    Well now I felt like the biggest jackass going.


    ¡°I like you way more than I should. I can¡¯t stop thinking about you, I want to see you every day but I¡¯m terrified¡±. It was time he knew the truth and just how much I was falling for him.


    ¡°Terrified?¡±.


    I nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯d never hurt you¡±. He took my hand in his. ¡°And the reason I brought you out here is because this ce is special to me, special to my family¡±.


    Now I felt really bad.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t got the best reputation when ites to girls but you¡¯re not just some girl. I really like you Aubrey and if you just give me a chance, you¡¯ll see that¡±.


    ¡°I want to Franko, but you have to understand it¡¯s not as easy for me to say yes. If my parents found out I was even here they¡¯d throw me out¡±.


    ¡°You gonna let them control you for the rest of your life?¡±.


    ¡°No¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°And you came here tonight without them knowing right?¡±.


    Chewing the inside of my cheek I nodded.


    ¡°Then fuck it babe. Why can¡¯t we just hang out some more and see what happens?¡±.


    ¡°Like another date?¡±.


    ¡°Aye darling that¡¯s if I don¡¯t fuck it up again¡±.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t you haven¡¯t. If anyone has ruined the date, it¡¯s me. I just don¡¯t want you thinking I¡¯m leading you on. I have to be careful Franko because I don¡¯t have anyone other than my parents¡±.


    ¡°Nah princess you¡¯re part of my family now¡±. Kissing the top of my head he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. ¡°Got loads a people looking out for you¡±.


    As much as I wanted to believe him, I still had this little voice in the back of my head telling me to keep my guard up. But I ignored it and just enjoyed the moment of us being together.

 Chapter 36

    It was nice sitting under the stars feeling the warmth of the fire, but it all ended too soon when the light drops of rain began to fall from the sky.


    ¡°Well shit¡±. Heughed. ¡°How bout we get out of here and I take you for a milkshake?¡±.


    ¡°Sounds good¡±. I smiled as he helped me to my feet. I slipped my shoes on grabbed the nket and made my way into the truck.


    It was colder than before.


    ¡°You need to get the heating fixed. It¡¯s freezing in here¡±. I wrapped the nket around my shoulders and moved closer to him. Body heat was the best way to stay warm right?


    ¡°Aye darling I¡¯m on it¡±.


    ¡°Good¡±. I slipped my arm through his andy my head against his shoulder. It would take us an hour or so to get back which was enough time to get a nap in.


    Closing my eyes I smiled when he kissed the top of my head.


    Yeah, I liked this way more than I should.


    ..


    I woke just as he was pulling into the diner. Stretching out my arms a yawn fell from my lips. As the car came to a stop my stomach dropped when I noticed the crowd hanging around outside.


    As if he could feel my difort, he reached over taking my hand in his.


    ¡°How bout we get a milkshake and then go somewhere else?¡±.


    It was gettingte and my shift at the diner was over soon. I didn¡¯t want our date to end but if I waste home that would lead to questions. Questions I didn¡¯t want to answer.


    I didn¡¯t need my parents bing suspicious of my whereabouts.


    ¡°My shift at the diner will be over soon¡±. I chewed the inside of my cheek. ¡°I really can¡¯t bete home¡±.


    ¡°Still got half an hour to go though right?¡±. He asked.


    I nodded.


    ¡°Stay here I¡¯ll be right back¡±.


    He locked me in. Whether he meant it or not he made sure I wasn¡¯t going anywhere. No one approached the truck and that was weird because usually the minute they saw Franko they swarmed like bee¡¯s.


    But not tonight.


    I jumped when there was a knock on my window. I spoke too soon. But it was Alice standing with her hood up trying her best to avoid the rain.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°Yeah, are you?¡±.


    ¡°Could you give me a lift home tonight?¡±.


    I had a feeling something had happened, or she genuinely needed a lift home. Either way I wasn¡¯t going to ask. I would give her a lift home because I wasn¡¯t a shitty friend.


    I would never leave her stranded.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. She spoke.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry. I¡¯ll meet you inside?¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, thanks¡±. She about turned and made her way across the parking lot and into the diner.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Franko was back carrying two strawberry milkshakes.


    ¡°Is something going on with Alice and Tommy?¡±. I asked taking my milkshake from him.


    ¡°Back to this shit again princess?¡±.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°She asked me for a lift home, so I just assumed something had happened¡±. I shrugged.


    ¡°Fuck if I know¡±.


    ¡°Right¡±. I took a sip of my milkshake as we fell into afortable silence.


    ¡°You really care if somethings going on between them?¡±. He asked.


    I shrugged. ¡°She¡¯s my friend and I don¡¯t like when she¡¯s upset¡±.


    ¡°Did she seem upset?¡±.


    ¡°Maybe, I don¡¯t really know¡±.


    A sigh fell from his lips. ¡°Go take your friend home darling. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow at some point¡±.


    He didn¡¯t like Alice, so I wasn¡¯t expecting him to say that. Was he pissed I was cutting the date short? To be fair I would be going home soon anyway.


    ¡°Are you annoyed?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Never babe I just don¡¯t like her¡±.


    ¡°She¡¯s not that bad¡±.


    ¡°Whatever you say darling. Now get out my truck before I change my mind and take you home with me¡±.


    Grinning I leaned over cing a kiss on his cheek. I had no idea where this newfound confidence wasing from around him, but I liked it. I liked who I was when I was around him.


    ¡°Thank you for tonight¡±. With my hand on the door handle I paused when he grabbed hold of my other hand andced our fingers together.


    ¡°We doing this darling?¡±.


    My heart was racing. The voice in my head was screaming yes and yet there was still a slither of doubt in their somewhere. But it was now or never. We couldn¡¯t keep going round in circles and carrying on with the back and forth.


    ¡°Yeah¡±. I smiled. ¡°Yeah, we are¡±.


    ¡°Aye?¡±. He grinned.


    ¡°Yes¡±. Iughed. ¡°Now let me go so I can go home¡±.


    ¡°See you soon princess. Real soon¡±.


    I hopped out the car and made my way across the parking lot and into the diner. Alice was sat in the first booth nursing a cup of coffee.


    ¡°Howe you¡¯re in here and not out there?¡±. I asked sitting opposite her.


    ¡°Aubrey, sweetheart, do you want some coffee?¡±. Jen asked stopping by the booth.


    ¡°Yes, please¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯ll never be treated the way you¡¯re treated¡±. Alice muttered. ¡°Everyone already respects you¡±.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been epted, and you¡¯ve not even been his girlfriend 5 minutes. I¡¯ve been going out with Tommy for months and still haven¡¯t been inside the clubhouse. It¡¯s not fair. They don¡¯t treat me the same as they treat you¡±.


    ¡°Alice what the hell are you talking about?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Nothing it doesn¡¯t matter¡±.


    ¡°No don¡¯t do that. You can¡¯t just say all of that and then not exin what you mean¡±.


    ¡°I¡¯m his girlfriend but not really. I¡¯ve never been in the clubhouse, never met his parents. I¡¯m basically someone that keeps his bed warm¡±.


    ¡°Wait, this is all because you¡¯ve never been inside the clubhouse? Trust me it¡¯s nothing special¡±.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it. I want to be seen like you. Nobody knows that I¡¯m Tommy¡¯s girl. I just want what you¡¯ve got¡±.


    I thanked Jen as she brought me my coffee.


    ¡°So¡±. She grinned. ¡°Did he do good?¡±.


    ¡°Thanks for your input. I had a really nice night¡±.


    ¡°Anytime sweetheart. It¡¯s nice to see you smile¡±. She squeezed my shoulder before walking off.


    ¡°See¡±. Alice huffed. ¡°I wish Tommy cared like Franko does¡±.


    ¡°Why are you even with him if you feel like this?¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°To feel important¡±. She shrugged.


    I rolled my eyes. She was in too deep already if this is the way she was acting. She wanted to be with Tommy to feel important? Important to who? What was she gaining out of it?


    ¡°Important to who?¡±. I asked.


    She shrugged. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. Can you take me home?¡±.


    ¡°Sure¡±. I was done talking about this nonsense. She was being silly and hopefully she¡¯ll realise that soon. If she wasn¡¯t happy with Tommy, then why not just pull the plug on it?


    Being important wasn¡¯t worth the way she was feeling. She obviously wasn¡¯t happy.


    The full journey to her house was quiet, her only words being bye when I dropped her off. Once I saw her go inside, I took off down the street. By the time I got home only my dad¡¯s car was parked in the driveway. My mom was obviously workingte.


    Turning off my engine I made my way inside. My dad was on the couch with a beer watching the football.


    ¡°Mom workingte?¡±. I asked taking my jacket and shoes off.


    He nodded. ¡°How was work?¡±.


    ¡°Busy¡±. I made my way to the kitchen for a ss of water. ¡°Did you make dinner?¡±. I asked. My dad wasn¡¯t big on cooking and when my mom workedte we usually had takeout.


    ¡°There¡¯s pizza in the oven if you¡¯re hungry¡±. He spoke.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m good¡±. I emptied out my ss, said goodnight to my dad and made my way upstairs.


    ..


    By the time I got out the shower my mom was home. I was making my way to my room when I heard her on the stairs.


    ¡°Hey sweetheart¡±.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I smiled.


    ¡°Going to bed?¡±. She asked.


    ¡°In a little bit¡±. I wanted to read a few chapters of my book before I settled for the night.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be up tote Aubrey. You still have school in the morning¡±.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be¡±. I closed the door to my room and fell onto my bed. I had a good night a little weird with Alice at the end but hopefully she¡¯s in a better mood tomorrow.


    Alice could be mean when she was in one of her moods and frankly, I couldn¡¯t be bothered dealing with her. I still didn¡¯t fully understand what she meant tonight with the whole being epted.


    Being epted by who?


    What was the big fascination with wanting to be and feel important?


    It wasn¡¯t a big deal that Franko and I were dating. It was two people that liked each other enough to try something. But whatever tomorrow brought I was ready for it.


    I changed into my pyjamas, got my book from my backpack and got into bed.

 Chapter 37

    I hadn¡¯t seen Alice all morning, wasn¡¯t sure if she was even at school. I saw Franko this morning when I got here. He was waiting by my locker so he could walk me to ss.


    Not what I was expecting and not sure I wasfortable with it. I was all for giving us a chance but not putting it out there for everyone to see. The whispers were already circting the school.


    I didn¡¯t want to keep us a secret, but I didn¡¯t need the bacsh that was about toe when more people found out. Girls were nasty pieces of work and I for one didn¡¯t need the drama.


    Besides he hadn¡¯t asked me to be his girlfriend. We were seeing each other and hanging out and who knows maybe we¡¯d end up hating each other. I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts I didn¡¯t hear the door open, I didn¡¯t notice the student giving the note to Mr. Brooks.


    I was in a world of my own I also didn¡¯t notice the little scrunched up note that was sitting on my desk.


    Who put that there?


    ¡°Miss Stone¡±. Mr. Brooks called.


    ¡°Yeah, yes sir¡±. I answered.


    ¡°You¡¯re wanted in the principal¡¯s office¡±.


    ¡°Why?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know Miss Stone¡±. A sigh fell from his lips. ¡°Pack your stuff away and head there now¡±.


    He had zero interest in the slightest, but I always enjoyed his ss. His teaching methods were one of a kind and by that, I mean it was pretty much a free-for-all if you did the work, he asked you to do.


    I had no idea what was going on. Maybe they had gotten me mixed up again likest time. I packed away my books but not forgetting about the scrunched-up note, I put that in the pocket of my jacket.


    Lifting my backpack, I made my way out of his ss and began to head for the principal¡¯s office. Just likest time my stomach was in knots. What if this time it really was for me?


    ¡°Skipping ss princess?¡±. Franko was at the bottom of the corridor leaning against the wall.


    Did he ever go to ss?


    Wait¡­.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me this is your doing?¡±. I groaned.


    ¡°And if it is?¡±. He reached over and took my bag from my shoulder.


    ¡°I can¡¯t just skip ss Franko, and you don¡¯t need to do that¡±. I nodded to my backpack that he was now carrying.


    ¡°Wanted to see you¡±. He shrugged.


    ¡°So, I¡¯m not really wanted in the principal¡¯s office?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Nah darling¡±. He smirked. ¡°But since you¡¯re here you wanna grab a coffee?¡±.


    How did he get away with this? I saw him at least once a day sitting in the cafeteria skipping ss. I wasn¡¯t falling into the same trap; I couldn¡¯t afford to skip ss which makes me wonder how he could.


    ¡°I¡¯m going back to math¡¯s¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°ss is over in fifteen minutes babe. Wouldn¡¯t really be worth it nowe one for a coffee with me¡±. He slipped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head; I felt the lump appear in the back of my throat.


    What if someone saw that?


    Like he knew what I was thinking his arm slipped from my shoulders. ¡°You not cool with that?¡±. He asked.


    I was but I was afraid of what people were going to say. I could hear it now. Why is he dating her? What¡¯s so special about her?


    ¡°I am it¡¯s just-..¡±. I paused.


    ¡°You embarrassed to be seen with me specs?¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding right?¡±. I made a face. ¡°You¡¯re the popr one Franko not me. If anything, it¡¯s me they¡¯re going to be talking about¡±.


    ¡°Fuck um¡±. He shrugged. ¡°Got nothing to do with anyone darling and if someone says something you fucking tell me¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. He didn¡¯t get it; it was my name that was going to be dragged through the mud not his.


    But why did I care so much about what other people said?


    They were going to talk about us regardless.


    ¡°Let them talk darling¡±. Once again, he threw his arm around my shoulders and walked us to the cafeteria.


    First thing I did was look around; I couldn¡¯t help myself. I was stressing over nothing. I really liked him, and I enjoyed being around him but this wasn¡¯t going to work if I kept freaking out about someone seeing us together.


    I shouldn¡¯t care. We were just hanging out and I wasn¡¯t going to let other people ruin something that had just started. I wasn¡¯t going to let them ruin the one thing that made me happy.


    I was experiencing something I had never, and I was happier than I had been in a long time. And that was because of Franko.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±. I sighed.


    ¡°Bout what darling?¡±.


    ¡°About being an idiot with an overactive imagination and someone that overthinks everything. I don¡¯t want you to ever think I¡¯m embarrassed to be seen with you because I¡¯m not¡±.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool darling I get it but I ain¡¯t backing off. Like I said let them talk cause ain¡¯t nobody fucking this up¡±.


    I was afraid I was the one that was going to fuck this up. Franko wasn¡¯t just a normal seventeen-year-old boy. He had built himself a reputation and I get that he had to because of where hees from and who his family are. In our school, our town he, they, were a big deal and not always in a good way.


    Everyone knew who he was. Me on the other hand I was a nobody, and I liked it that way.


    ¡°Aubrey¡±. He reached over taking my hand in his. ¡°I really like you, I ain¡¯t gonna hurt you but baby you can¡¯t let those fuckers ruin it before it¡¯s even started¡±.


    ¡°I know¡±. I gave him a small smile. ¡°Now are you going to get me coffee before my next ss starts?¡±.


    The door to the cafeteria opening caught my attention my head snapping in that direction.


    Tommy. He was grinning from ear to ear.


    ¡°My man¡±. He winked. ¡°Aubrey¡±. He nodded.


    ¡°Hey¡±. I spoke.


    It was then I realised Franko still had a hold of my hand.


    ¡°About time you gave in¡±. He smirked. ¡°Thought my boy here was losing his touch¡±.


    Eh?


    ¡°What?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°The fuck do you want Tommy?¡±. Franko red.


    What did Tommy mean by losing his touch? My stomach dropped. Was this all a game? I couldn¡¯t deal with the constant what ifs. It was going to end up driving me crazy.


    It all came down to trust. I wanted to trust him, part of me already did but I still had a little bit that didn¡¯t, and that part was screaming that this was all a joke. But he swore he would never hurt me, and I believed him.


    ¡°Just reminding you about the runter¡±. Tommy spoke. ¡°Blue wants us at the clubhouse right away¡±.


    And that was my queue to leave. I didn¡¯t want to know what they were getting up to after school. It was none of my business and I wanted to keep it that way.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to head to ss¡±. I pushed back my seat and got to my feet. I had English next, and I didn¡¯t want to bete.


    ¡°Nah¡±. Franko frowned. ¡°Still got time for a coffee darling. Tommy was just leaving¡±.


    ¡°Oh, right¡±. Tommy smirked. ¡°Catch youter Aubrey¡±.


    ¡°Tommy is Alice¡±. I paused. ¡°Is she here today?¡±.


    ¡°Ain¡¯t seen her since yesterday. Doesn¡¯t want to talk to me¡±. He shrugged.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t?¡±. I frowned.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t let me inst night. Told me to leave her alone so that¡¯s what I¡¯m doing. Fuck knows what¡¯s wrong with her¡±.


    He was what¡¯s wrong with her. She wanted more and he wasn¡¯t willing to give her it. But she knew what she was getting into the minute she started dating him and this is why I was so afraid of making the same mistake.


    I didn¡¯t want to fall for someone who only thought I was there to warm his bed.


    ¡°Aubrey?¡±. Franko reached over cing his hand on top of mine.


    ¡°Sorry¡±. I smiled. ¡°Now are you getting me coffee or not? ss is going to start soon¡±.


    ¡°How about I get you coffee on the way?¡±.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°To where?¡±. I frowned.


    I couldn¡¯t skip school again. Not that I was failing any sses, but I didn¡¯t want to put myself in the situation of falling behind. I couldn¡¯t afford for that to happen.


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna make sure your friends alright darling. I¡¯ll get you one of them fancy coffees¡±. He grinned.


    I loved that he wanted to do that for me, to make sure Alice was okay but right now afterst night I wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to see me either.


    ¡°Could you go and check on her for me please?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°What?¡±. He frowned. ¡°Fuck no I don¡¯t like the bitch babe¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°But you were willing to take me?¡±.


    ¡°She¡¯s your friend darling not mine. You wanna make sure she¡¯s okay then I¡¯ll take you. Me on the other hand, I couldn¡¯t give a fuck¡±.


    Wow.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter¡±. I got to my feet. ¡°I have to get to ss I¡¯ll see youter¡±. As I turned to walk away his voice stopped me.


    ¡°Wait¡±.


    I tried my best to hide my smile.


    ¡°She still stays in the same ce, right?¡±. He asked.


    I nodded.


    ¡°Fine princess I¡¯ll go check on her but you gotta do something for me¡±.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±.


    ¡°You gottae spend the full day with me on Saturday¡±. He grinned.


    ¡°This Saturday?¡±. I asked.


    ¡°Aye darling¡±. He nodded.


    ¡°My parents are away this weekend¡±. I spoke.


    ¡°That an invitation princess?¡±.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°It means I can hang out on Saturday¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, it does¡±. He smirked. ¡°Get to ss and I¡¯ll see you at lunch¡±. He closed the short distance between us and ced a soft kiss on my cheek. ¡°Fuck princess how¡¯d I get so lucky¡±.


    Every time he was close my heart felt like it was going to jump out my chest. Every fiber of my being wanted him. I wanted to go with him, skip school and spend most of the day with him.


    I just wanted him.


    A sigh fell from my lips as I watched him walk away.


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