I zoned out, staring into the mirror as I put the finishing touches on my make-up. Jonathon had been so sweet the past few weeks. Spending time with him was simple and easy. He seemed a little shy, never stepping out of line. Maybe he was a little scared. It was clear he hadn't talked to many girls.

He didn't have the confidence that Jake did, he would never be as forward as him. That made me happy because even though I was trying hard to like him, it just wasn't the same as it was with Jake. He was a sweet guy and all, but there wasn't any passion, no intensity. At least he distracted me from the thoughts that constantly invaded my mind. I missed having Jake's arm around me and feeling his kiss on my neck. "Don't go down that road again," I told myself, "he doesn't want you like that." I kept reminding myself that no matter how badly I wanted him, if we couldn't be all the way, then we couldn't be anything.

I wished that Jonathon could have gone to the party with us that night. Jenny and Trip would be on top of each other all night and I would just be a third wheel. I heard a horn sound, signaling that Jenny had arrived. Grabbing my bag and a jean jacket, I headed out the door. Jenny and Trip were in the front seat together, so I jumped in the back. Two seconds in and I already felt like the odd man out.

As we drove away, my phone buzzed. I figured it was Jonathon telling me he wished he could have come. Nope, it was Jake, "Hey Baby, what are you doing tonight?" Why did I still get butterflies every time I saw a text from him? I had to stay strong.

"Nothing, off to a party."

He took a moment to respond, I could tell he wasn't happy about that information.

"With Jonathon?"

"No, Jake, he's not going, it's just me, Jenny and Trip" I shot back. Why didn't this boy know what he was doing to me?

"Let me come pick you up," he insisted. "Be strong, Sky," I told myself. I wished he could pick me up and we could go to a quiet spot. Fighting with myself, I decided that I had to stick to my guns.

"Jake, you know that's not good for either of us," I replied.

Another pause, I wasn't sure how he would respond.

"You cannot tell me he makes you feel like I do. There isn't a chance in hell that he kisses you the way I do." He was right, one thousand percent right, no one could kiss me the way he did.

"Your right Jake, but he can sit in a restaurant with me in the light of day," I bit back. He didn't reply, and I knew why. I decided it was better to just leave the conversation there. If I kept texting him like that, I would have given in and I just couldn't allow myself to do that.

When we arrived, the party was in full force. It looked like the entire school was there. The Jock's were playing a game of corn hole by the fire, sticking to themselves as usual. Everyone else was just mulling around and mingling with a red solo cup in their hand. Sooner than even I expected Jenny approached me.

"Sky, we're taking a quick drive, will you be okay for a few minutes?"

I knew that would happen. They would find one of the secluded spots around the river, make out for an eternity and I would be all alone.

"Jenny, are you kidding me? What am I supposed to do while you're gone?" I said, trying to give her a well-deserved guilt trip. She shot me a sympathetic glance.

"Sky, you'll be fine, we will only be a few minutes. Besides, Tripp knows this guy Asher, and he said he will keep you company so you won't have to wait by yourself."

It wasn't like I had a choice. Besides, who was I to deny Jenny a few minutes of alone time with her man?

"Fine Jenny, go suck face," I finally relented. With a look of elation on her face, she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you Sky, I'll be back soon."

I took a seat on a random tailgate, trying to be invisible. I hoped no one would see me sitting there all alone like an absolute dork. Luckily it only took a second for my phone to buzz, at least I could look like I was busy.

"Miss me yet?" Jake was persistent if nothing else. Why would he ask such a stupid question? Yes, I missed him, there was not a second of the day that I didn't miss him.

"Stop it, Jake," I responded, trying to protect my heart. I meant that literally because his constant contact was agony for me.

It was then that I saw a tall, blond-haired guy heading my way and sat my phone down on the tailgate. He was looking right at me as if he was on a mission. I presumed him to be the one and only Asher.

"Sky?" he called out with a questioning look on his face.

"Yeah," I shouted back so he could hear me over the music. He took a seat next to me, making himself right at home.

"Sorry Jenny and Tripp bailed on you, young love, what are you going to do?" he joked. Well, he was right, there's no stopping teenage hormones.

"No worries, they will only be a few minutes, thanks for keeping me company."

He smiled back, "I just can't resist a damsel in distress, it's my curse in life."

Okay, so at least the guy was sweet and witty. It could have been worse. He could have been a sarcastic jerk.

"Hey, would you like a drink?" He asked.

"I am not drinking tonight but thank you," I replied graciously.

"They have some Coke over there, are you sure I can't get you anything?" he insisted. A coke sounded good, so I agreed, and he left to get it. I couldn't help but smile to myself thinking what a sweet guy he was. He was back before I knew it and reclaimed his spot next to me.

"Thank you, Asher, that was very nice of you."

"No problem at all," he replied with a sweet smile.

He quickly started up a conversation, "So, I hear you're talking to Jonathon."

"Yeah, we have been talking for a few weeks now."

"Who were you dating before him?" That question stung a little, instantly forcing me to think of Jake.

"No one special," I replied, lying through my teeth.

He asked me another question, but suddenly, I started feeling a little weird. The room started spinning, and I felt dizzy and nauseous all at once. It was strange because only seconds before; I felt perfectly fine.

"Sky, you ok?" I heard him shouting at me but I didn't respond.

The next thing I noticed was my body felt weak all over, it felt like I was losing control of my muscles. The vomit began making its way up my throat. I tried to hold it in, but it spewed out of my mouth despite my protests. When I tried to step off the tailgate, my legs wouldn't work. I stumbled and started hurdling toward the ground.

"Sky, let me help you." I heard him say as his arm reached around my waist. He pulled me from the ground, slinging my arm over his shoulder so he could support me. "Come on, let's get you out of here, I'll take care of you baby," he said as he carried me to his truck.

"What? Where are we going?" I could tell that my words were slurring.

"You're not feeling well, don't worry, I will take care of you," he replied as he lifted me into the seat of his truck. I leaned against the cold window because it was all I had the strength to do. He started the truck up, and I wondered, through my fuzzy thoughts, where we were going.

The truck didn't go far. He pulled into one of the private spots around the lake. I was desperately trying to gain my composure, but I couldn't. I was so sleepy and everything was spinning and hazy. He pulled me out of the passenger seat, slinging me over his shoulder, and sat me on the tailgate. As soon as my butt hit the tailgate, I threw up again and almost fell when I felt him steady me.

"You're ok, you just need to lie down, just relax," I heard him say but his voice wasn't clear. It sounded muffled like he was a good distance away, but I could feel him touching me. He grabbed me by my shoulder and pushed me back until I could feel the cold metal of the truck bed against my back. "Just relax," he said again.

Even in the state I was in, I knew something wasn't right. I felt uncomfortable. That uncomfortable feeling quickly turned to all-out panic as I felt a heaviness on my chest. I could feel the cool air on my bare skin. He was unbuttoning my shirt. "No, no, no," I tried to scream.

I attempted to pick my hand up, but it felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. His hand moved down to my stomach and I could feel him fidgeting with the button of my pants. I was screaming inside, but my body would not do what I told it to. It would not let me fight back no matter how hard I tried. The feeling was one of complete and utter helplessness. I heard my zipper come undone and tried to scream, but it only came out as a slurred mess.

"Don't worry baby, you won't even remember this in the morning," he whispered in my ear, sending chills of fear down my spine. His hot breath sickened me.

Everything felt like it was in slow motion and as much as I wanted to fight, my body wanted to sleep. It felt like I was in another world, one where I had no control. I braced myself for what was coming next, crying inside when suddenly I felt his weight lift off of my chest.

"You son of a bitch!" someone shouted. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn't, I was too tired. Those words were the last thing I heard before I drifted into unconsciousness.

I woke to the sun beaming down on me. My head was aching, and my muscles were stiff. I looked around, but I recognized nothing. I was completely and utterly confused.

My phone alarm buzzed, startling me. When I picked it up, I saw message after message from Jenny. "Where are you?" "Are you ok?" There must have been twenty messages from her.

Looking around the room, I began panicking, unsure of where I was. Trying to stand up, I stumbled a little, heading for the door. Just before I reached it, the door slung open and I let out a blood-curdling scream. Jake's eyes grew wide as he reached out to steady me.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's ok. You shouldn't be up, let's get you back to bed," he said, confusing me even further.

"What is going on Jake, what happened to me?" I pleaded. He put his arm around my waist and lead me back to the bed.

"First things first," he said as he gently placed me on the bed. As he did, I couldn't help but notice that his hand was black and blue, covered in bruises.

"Last night," he said as he grabbed my face, tracing my cheek with his thumb. He paused for a moment, and I could see the heaviness in his expression. I could tell he didn't want to say whatever he is about to tell me.

"Asher tried to rape you last night. I stopped him and don't worry, that son of a bitch will have to drink through a straw for a few months."

*****

A/N

So what do you guys think? Is Jake a jerk or a hero? Thanks so much for reading and I would love to hear your thoughts and comments.