Your boys check up on me every day. They really are great lads. I can see why you love them so much. Are you mad that I don't reply? I hope they aren't. They still message me. Yeah, you're right. I really should acknowledge them.

            You remember Kat? I'm sure you do. She's just being so difficult lately treating me like a baby and all. I wouldn't even let you do that! Haha But her brother! I am so glad he is gone to school now. He's such a douche. He's the one that got us in that pickle that one time and almost got us killed!.....

             I was so scared. No offence, but you didn't offer much reassurance at the time. At fifteen your muscles were still so puny! Wow. And you looked scared as a cat when he grabbed us, though you did try and hide it for me. That helped a little.

            Her brother, Daniel, told us to meet him at this place down in the sketchy part of town for some party. We definitely got stares, and I even got a few wolf whistles - which I don't understand seeing as I looked like a potato-. We still weren't quite on speaking terms, but when we passed by that crowd smoking something that deffinately wasn't bought in a store, you grabbed my hand and held it tight.

            "I shouldn't have lied," I blurted.

            "You lied?" Those were the first words you actually spoke to me in almost a year. So touching. It's like something from a romance novel, huh?

            "Maybe. Mom and Dad would never have let me come down here at night."

            "Well that was stupid."

            "And your parents just let you come here?"

            "Well, they're out of town."

            "And that's better than lying, how?"

            "He knows some good musicians, okay? Maybe I could meet some guys I could play with. What's your reason to go?"

            "He has some pretty hot friends."

            "This is not how I imagined our first conversation," you said, staring ahead.

            "Same here, turd monkey." I crossed my arms, removing my hand from yours, and pursed my lips into a straight line.

            After a moment, that laugh I had secretly missed so much began softly next to me. Soon it was ringing out into the dark alleys, and I couldn't help but laugh as well, joining it. Now we got stares for a totally different reason, as if our childish laughter was ruining the vibe they all had going. I'm pretty sure your pony shirt had already achieved that, though.

            It's weird that just like that we were back to normal. I guess it's not that odd considering your laugh could literally cure me of cancer. You were holding my hand again, this time your grip gentler yet more possessive. Though you didn't say anything, I could tell you noticed the inappropriate looks and gestures following us, and you didn't like it.

            "Hey, sexy," a girl cooed as we passed by a doorway she stood under. "I could do so much better than her," she pouted, brushing your shoulder.

            Your muscles tightened, and you ducked your head, trying to hide the blush creeping up your neck as you pressed farther down the sidewalk. When I still stared agape at the girl, your handhold jeked me along as you continued on dragging me with you.

            "She couldn't have been more than sixteen," I whispered, more to myself than anyone.

            Suddenly, you stopped, grabbing my shoulders. "Sierra?"

            "Yeah?"

            "Promise me, that no matter what, no matter how desperate you feel, you will never ever reach that far."

            I nodded.

            "It's not even an option. I'll make sure of that," you muttered, starting forward with a new charge.

            My hand was ripped from yours, though, when someone else grabbed me from behind, pulling me into a nearby ally. Sprinting, my heart was about to break right out of me. Tears immediately sprang to my eyes, and I just knew this was it. His hot breath spread across my face with a mixture of sweet smoke, a sharp comparison to the cold brick pressed against the thin fabric of the back of my shirt.

            "Well, what is an innocent sweetie like you doing here alone?"

            "I, um." I coughed on the smoke as he leaned closer, clouds of the sweet drug swirling from his nose as it brushed against mine. My nerves itched to run, but I couldn't even move. He had his heated body pressed against mine, a hand on the wall to each side of my head.

            "I can show you fun you never could have dreamed of," he whispered in my ear, his lips trailing down my jaw line. I shivered, and, against my will, my chin lifted.

            Just as his lips attached to my neck, your voiced squeaked through the darkness I had been plunged into. Yes, squeaked. I'm sure you would tell this completely different, maybe even put yourself in a spandex suit and a cape, but no; you squeaked. I think you were trying ot say stop, but I'm not sure.

            It was actually quite affective, because it caused the boy to pull away slightly, chuckling. "Go away, punk," he mocked, leaning back in. His hands slid to my hips, and I clenched my eyes through the tears. He paused, stopping. "Aw don't cry, princess. Your eyes are too beautiful to shed a tear." He rested his forehead to mine, and his dark hair ticked my skin. "I'm only doing this for you."

            I wanted to cry bull, but I was too busy biting the inside of my lip.

            He inched closer and kissed my cheek lightly over the track of my tears, his hands wrapping around my neck.

            "Don't touch her!" you yelled, your voice cracking.

            "And what's it to you, punk?" the boy asked, not backing away.

            "I, she..."

            "Don't tell me she's your girlfriend." He laughed, his light eyes squinting and sparkling in merriment.

            "Well, no, but."

            "Yes," I cut in. "He's my boyfriend."

            I tried to see you, but I couldn't as the boy was in my way. I still don't know how you reacted to that. The boy turned back to me, an amused smirk playing on his lips. He actually was extremely attractive. Don't get mad at me for saying so! I mean. I can't lie. And for all I know he may have been a really sweet guy. He was obvious drunk and stoned, which I know isn't an excuse.. yeah what am I saying? Please don't come back here to slap me! Actually, I would take a slap for you to come back, but... shall we get back to the story?

            The boy looked between us, and you crossed your arms. "Okay, fine, bro code," he said, holding his hands up and backing away slowly, still smiling my way. I sent him a discusted glare, and he laughed as you scampered toward me. "Don't know how you ever landed her, punk," he congradualeted, patting you on the shoulder before walking away, his thick boots scraping on the concrete.

            "Are you okay?" you whispered, holding my head between both of your hands. I shoved you away, and hurt immediately radiated in your features.

            "Sorry, I just need some space now."

            "Okay, well, um, we'll get you home."

            I shook my head desperately. "No! Not, not now."

            "Then we'll just go somewhere nice and safe."

            "But tonight is your chance to meet some other musicians?" I looked up at you, and your eyes softened.

            "So?"

            I looked back down at the dark pavement.

            "What can I do?"

            "Could you, just, um smile?" I asked sheepishly. You gave me a cheesy grin, and I slapped your chest. "Not like that, you turd monkey."

            "Hey! How dare you call a punk such a name!"

            I laughed gently, and we started back for the main road. You insisted we stand under the light while we called and waited for a taxi.

            You ended up just taking me for milkshakes. We haven't talked about it since. That's when I knew how well you understood me. You knew how to make me foreget. You were how I forgot. Maybe that's why I'm having so much trouble now, because for the first time I don't want to forget, and I couldn't even if I wanted to.

            The bell for the end of last period just rang! I've been writing pieces when I can. It's weird now, because I have to take the bus home. Maybe I'll just go sit in the library and walk home at five like normal. I can do my own homework there. Yeah, that sounds good. Well the teacher is giving me that look.

            I never properly said thank you, so thanks, Ashton. Even without a cape, you're my hero.

            I'm so in love with you,

            ~Sierra

I packed up and strolled to the library, sitting at the familiar desk. I pulled up an extra seat on the opposite side and just stared at it for a moment. Resting my chin on the table, I closed my eyes and didn't even bother to stop myself from falling asleep.

A/N

Eyyyy another update! This is so much easier with it all already written Whew....

If you guys could tell other people about this story I would love you forever! ^-^