I laid on my warm bed the morning after staring at the plain ceiling and thinking about last night.

Outside the sound of early morning rain padded against my window, the sky was gloomy with grey clouds covering the sky and it was clear it was cold. I snuggled more into my blankets not wanting to be bothered by reality and let my thoughts flow.

To say it my first date perfect was an understatement.

Being a romantic and realist is never easy because you wish for the best but know you'll get the worst. I had my realist side to blame for thinking that every first date was a movie and dinner. It was just the most typical thing guys do and it was cheap. Not that a dinner and movie is bad, it's just too cliché.

But last night...

Was the best night of my life. No matter how cliché it sounds it's true.

It wasn't like anything I had seen and had such beautiful thought into it. Like a mini fairy tail scene come to life. Blue nights surrounding us, sparklers and food, the gentle sound from the waterfall near us. Having fun being our selves, talking, laughing. The small token he had given to me made it even more special.

Now it sat in a small blue vase on my nightstand, still in full bloom and bright as day. Looking over to it I smiled thinking of the words he spoke to me as he offered it gently in his hand. It must of came from a book he had read because I'd never heard that quote and that only added to the sweetness of it. It's petals looked soft even from far away and I wondered how long it would last, it's beauty and life until it withered away and crumpled till it was dead.

Not wanting to spend the whole day in bed I threw the bed sheets, shivering from the sudden loss in heat before heading to the bathroom. Quickly turning the shower on I mentally picked out what outfit I would wear for the day.

Taking a glance at the mirror I notice my eyes are brighter and my skin seems to glow. Even with the messy bed hair and crumpled clothes I seem to shine with a certain essence of happiness that makes me grin.

Stepping into the shower I let the warm water sooth me and I take my time just standing under it enjoying the heat on my skin. I quickly wash myself, turn off the shower and grab a towel wrapping it around my body for warmth before I step out.

Quickly going to my room and picking out the clothes I change not wanting to freeze to death and head back to the bathroom. Brushing my teeth and blow drying my hair, I don't bother with makeup as I gather my things and head out.

***********

The streets are buzzing with cars filled of people who are racing to get to work on time or appointments to get to. As I walk on the sidewalk I look around and take in everything.

Small shops are on either side of the small street, all selling different items from food to small knickknacks. Windows showcasing special items or decorations were displayed with discount prices hoping to get the attention of customers. Most were filled with summer items on sale with 50% stickers everywhere.

A drizzle of rain was still pouring down from the gloomy clouds, making me walk underneath the little covers the shops provided.

Coming to a four-way intersection I stop to look around, trying to find an interesting shop to go to.

But then I freeze when I see him.

Danny is walking as if coming from the park which is diagonal from the shops where I'm standing near but he isn't alone.

A girl with dark brown hair, tan skin and dark brown eyes is with him. She's tall standing 5'8, wearing simple clothes, jeans and a white muscle tank top but it makes her look beautiful. For some reason it shows off her curves but I don't understand how she's not cold. My eyes travel to her face which is flawless, no acne marks at all and her lips which are in a grin right now look pink. Her pearly white teeth are on display and I feel my heart hurt when I see he's smiling with her as well.

Together they actually look like a couple with the smiles on their faces.

Walking to the same intersection as me they talk and laugh. The sight makes my stomach churn with disgust and I feel like I'm about to throw up. An unsettling feeling sets in my chest, it's heavy, weighing me down. I frown at the weight of hurt.

I want nothing than to go up to her and punch her in the face but I'm glued to the floor just staring at them. I'm sad and jealous of how they're acting together, making me wish it was me with him.

It's like he knows I'm there because he stops with a puzzled expression and then looks around. I'm not sure if he sees me because when he's about to look in my direction the light turns green and a giant log truck blocks my view of him along with other trucks and cars.

I sigh sadly before turning around heading in the direction of home. I take a step only to bump into to someone.

"Sorry." We both say at the same time and I look up to see the stranger.

But it's not a stranger. Ryan Henderson, a boy from my school is standing there. Blonde hair, green eyes, and football star body he stands in all his glory. He's as shocked as I am before he smiles brightly showing his perfect teeth.

"Sophie! Hey, it's so good to see you." He greets me, slowly looking me over with his eyes. I feel uncomfortable but my eyes widen at how he knows my name. I had never once talked to him.

"Hey Ryan. It's good to see you too." I said wearily with a small smile. I didn't enjoy talking with people outside of school and this encounter made it even worse.

"We should hang out today." He states a little too forward wrapping an arm around my shoulder as he leads us down the street connected to the one I had just been walking on. I had noticed a small gleam in his eye that made me nervous. Or maybe it was the fact his grip was like iron around me.

"Um no I'm good. I'm actually very busy right now." Lying was the best option right now as I noticed we were heading down where an alleyway was where girls were raped. I'm on alert as the arm tightens around me making me more nervous. My heart begins to pound hard but I keep calm not wanting to give away anything.

Getting out of his grip I take a step and distancing myself away from him. "Sorry I gotta go." I say with a hard voice masking my unease, quickly stepping to leave he stops me by blocking my way.

"What's the rush? We're on vacation." His voice is smooth and is trying to convince me but his eyes tell a different story. They're filled with danger and raw savagery it's unnerving. They chill me to the bones and make my muscles tense.

"I'm busy." I spat out. My rudeness infuriates him because quickly he's heading towards me with an unpleasant look on his face.

My heart is pumping is my chest and the adrenaline starts to kick in as soon as I confirm he's plans for me.

He was going to rape me.

I'm quick not wanting to be defenseless like most girls and I wait for the right moment before I hit him hard with the umbrella I had in my hand. It hits the side of his head and he shouts groaning, clutching his head. I take the opportunity and kick him in his private area which causes him to collapse to the ground in agony.

I don't waste another second sprinting to the intersection hopping to see Danny anywhere in sight, I don't look back.

Reaching the edge of where the shops faced the intersection I'm about to search for Danny when I'm bumped into.

Their chest is hard and warm and I breathe in to smell a familiar scent. I don't have to pull away to see who it is because just their presence gives me a feeling of safety. The Sparks prickle my skin everywhere we touch and I realize he's pulled me into his chest to stop me from falling.

Pulling away I look to his face and I note that he's worried, panicked and then furious when he sees the traumatized look in my eyes. He places his hands firmly on my shoulders and looks into my eyes.

"What happened?" His voice is demanding, hard and cold. His eyes are blazing with raw anger and his muscles are tense.

I then notice that I have tears streaming down my face like rivers and my breath is ragged as if I ran a marathon. The pounding in my chest is uncomfortable. The lump is my throat won't go away no matter how ever many times I swallow and I only shake my head at his question. I can't answer it.

I was almost raped.

_____________________