MADISON

"I will take off the handcuffs now. You have to stay still, or it might cut into your flesh," the police officer explained.

Up until now, since the arrest, the mugshots, and the paperwork, or was it booking they called it, I remained in shock at the circumstances I found myself in.

I couldn't even make any move. I wish I were brave enough to handle it, but obviously, I'm only some failed rebellious stepsister. So the guards should be glad I have no escape plan like the notorious criminals meant to be here.

"Don't talk to her like that," Caden thundered a warning to the officer with great fortitude. There was nothing in this world that could make Caden cringe.

"Get in," the officer ordered when he freed my shaky hands, ignoring my stepbrother's attitude.

The jail Caden and I were thrown into was exactly the kind you see in pictures. The cell was situated underground in the department. The sullied walls were thick and covered in creepy graffiti. Strictly barred openings with metallic bars were solely designed for oxygen and mostly for keeping an eye on the criminals, including me.

I was suffocating in the windowless and unpleasant space.

Scared to the utmost degree, I took shelter behind Caden's tall frame from the two tough-looking inmates straddling the cemented bench.

Oh, I'm about to pee my pants.

It's just been less than a minute since I got into this place, but I already had tears in my eyes.

"I can't stay here any longer; it's so unhygienic. I am positive I will die before the trial," I mumbled my complaint, barely breathing.

I can't believe what my life has become in just a sliver of time. Earlier today, I woke up to breakfast and a civil and adorable stepbrother who had been nothing but cruel to me for a very long time. Since then, the day had been generous to me, and I felt like I was existing on cloud nine.

And just when I thought everything was successfully where they were meant to be; I, Madison Thaddeus, a straight-A student, is arrested and thrown into jail. A place I've never been, a place not meant for someone like me.

So despite the fear, I worried about my future, what the school would think about this. What my parents would think about me. What I will tell my future children when they find out I've been imprisoned for such a reason, that's if the court agrees to set the bail, or else I'd be going to a real prison. And that is what got my stomach churning.

Caden spun, facing me, and inclined, bringing his big palms to cup my cheeks, and his thumbs tenderly traced my lips. I instantly leaned into the intimate touch.

"There is no trial, and you are not dying here," he assured, his voice was soft and promising, and his intense hazel eyes held nothing but genuine hope.

"There is nowhere to stand, every area is unhealthy. My first time in Santa Cruz turned out to be my funeral. I am so cold, and my legs can't survive anymore," my voice trailed off at the last two words, and I began to sob.

I felt his hands pulling me into his sturdy physique, and his arms wrapped around me, and surprisingly, I was warming up. It made me wonder if he was inured to the cold. He didn't seem to fear any of this.

"Are you okay?" Shivering, I whimpered the question in his arms.

"Shhh... Come here."

He gradually stooped and sat down on the insanitary concrete bench, pulling me onto his lap. My arms looped around his neck, and I sank into his chest, drifting in the thought of how we got here.

***

TEN HOURS AGO

After I showered and dressed up in a pair of vintage-style overalls over a white crewneck and paired with my Nike shoes, I grabbed my tiny backpack and triple-checked myself in the mirror, easily discovering tons of deformities, and with the scratches and a bandage on my neck, I looked even more of poor quality.

I had to swallow unnecessarily before earning very slim courage to step out of my room.

Caden was waiting in the living area. He was outfitted in two simple fabrics; fitted camouflaged pants pulled a couple of inches above his ankles and a fitted plain long-sleeve t-shirt that punctuated every muscle of his trunk.

Damn, he was sexy! And yes, he had accessories today, jet sunglasses that suited him well and a leather wristwatch.

We appeared to be wearing the same brand of shoe, and from his stance, he held an outstanding body posture. Hair so fine, it could get an innocent girl drooling.

He lowered the sunglasses a little, and our eyes met.

Nervously, I studied how his lips spread into a delightful grin, it gave me goosebumps I had no control over.

"You look wonderful this morning," his voice was sharp, and I felt it every angle of me.

"Thank you. You look very..." I think I froze for three seconds, almost got caught in that amusing hazel eyes staring at me above the killer sunglasses. "Good..." I struggled to make a logical conclusion to what I started.

He didn't say anything, he just stood there, he seemed to be observing me while I fidgeted in my stand.

"Let's go." He offered his hand out for me after a while.

And with a melting heart, I dashed for the chance to feel his skin against mine and let him lead me out of the building to his luxurious vehicle.

I watched in awe as he stood straight, holding a stout upright body position when he strolled around the front of the car to the driver's side.

Excited and eager to know where he was taking me, I asked immediately as we settled into the car, "Where are we going?"

Caden pressed his lips and turned to me with a small smile, briefly taking off the shades. His eyes were warm as he began: "Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, I remember you wouldn't shut up about it."

My mouth promptly fell open, and I stared at him, amazed at his utterance. Was he being serious right now?

Caden's response had stimulated the admiration I had for that specific amusement park since I was a child. The typical boardwalk with a beach and ocean views, a bizarre amusement park all wrapped into one. Insane roller coasters, food and drinks, arcade machines, haunted castles, surf shops, and a lot more.

With zest and anticipation, I exclaimed, "Oh my God, Caden, you don't have to."

He chuckled at my reaction as he'd do these days.

Putting back his shades with a serious expression on his face, he said to me, "Let me be your first time."

I didn't have anything to say. I was highly speechless that I burst into exciting laughter and reached forward, throwing my arms around him.