It was around ten at night when I pulled up in my driveway, the porch light was on like usual, but dads car wasn't in the driveway. Which was odd due to it being around ten on a Monday night. Before I could get out of my truck, my phone started to light up. It was Camdyn, I knitted my eyebrows together before answering the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey! Um, have you heard from Penny?"

Raising my eyebrows, I answered, "No...Why?"

"Well, usually she sends us a group text about making plans on Wednesday like always. Today is different! No one has seen her all day and I called multiple times, but no answer. Greyson, I'm just worried because after lunch no one has seen her. She missed her last class." I could tell his voice was concerning and began to grow shaky.

I pondered in thought, then it hit me. "Cam, I think I know where she is. I'll text you when I find her."

He agreed to my statement before hanging up. I backed up my truck driving to the park on 83rd where I creeped back into the woods seeing the old treehouse. It surprised me that it was still standing after all these years. There were poles attached to ropes to help people climb to the very top of the magnificent structure that was made. A small swing set was hung at the bottom. The swings still rocked with the blowing, whistling wind. At the very tippy top, it was almost like a miniature home, with the windows that didn't have a single smudge or crack. It really warmed me up when I saw the light flickering up in the window. I pulled myself up the rope, peeking over seeing Penny lying next to the battery-operated candle glancing up through the sky light we made to gaze at the stars. Plopping myself on the red and black checkered quilt next to her, "Ya know, you're a tough one to find Davidson."

"Maybe that was the point." She turned her head towards me, giving me a slight smile.

A small sigh escaped my lips before pushing myself up on my forearms, "Why are you hiding out?" Penny then followed slowly behind me, "Come on, Pen. What's wrong?"

"It's everything, Greyson. My dad, my mother and even my relationship. Dustin was in the parking lot with his buddies, smoking their weed like they do every day before practice. I confronted him."

My eyes stretched open wide, "You did what?"

"I confronted him, told him that what he was doing today was unacceptable. That threatening to hurt you won't ix anything that he has already broken." Penny then took her glance away from me, "He didn't like what I had to say..."

Something was off about Penny, she didn't sit close to me or look at me long enough, "Penelope? What did he do to you?" She stayed silent, "Tell me. Now!" She brought her glance back to me where she pushed a strain of hair behind her ear seeing very faintly bruise on her cheek bone. My blood began to boil, "He hit you!"

"Greyson! It's okay, it was handled."

"Yeah, clearly." As I gestured the bruise on her face, yet she pulled away. I knew that comment was uncalled for, but seeing what he did. It just didn't sit right. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew you would act like this." Her eyes shifted up and down my body, then she brought them back up to mine. When her blue hazel eyes met mine, I felt my heart sink. Then Penny spoke, "You might not know it, but you have an anger problem, Greyson. You've always been that way." My eyes fell to the floor, "I should go..."

"Pen- "

She placed her hand on my arm gently, "It's okay." That's when she got up and climbed down the rope leaving me alone. I shook my head rubbing my face, mouthing out fuck.

***

          I sat in my truck in front of my house trying to process what the hell just happened at the treehouse. I knew that I had anger problem, but only for the people that I cared for, deeply. Then once my eyes glanced up from the steering wheel, I took notice of the other truck parked next to me. My father. He was finally home for once in his life. When I entered the front door, he was sitting in the study drinking some coffee and going over paperwork. Which meant to me that he didn't want to be bothered. As I moved passed his office door, he said, "You're late."

Hearing his voice felt weird almost like a figment of my own imagination, but he wasn't. I paused turning to him in the doorway, "Yeah, but I have a good excuse."

Ryder leaned back in his chair arms crossed over his chest, "Okay, let's hear it."

I really felt like I didn't need to explain myself due to him being gone all the time, "Uh, I was with Penny." His eyebrows raised up, then I made a face, "First, Ew! Second, we just talked. Things for her have been crazy."

Giving he slight nod he moved onto another conversation, "Someone told me you made varsity this year, Mr. Co-captain."

"Who told you?"

"Coach called me right after practice. I'm so proud of you, Greyson."

Was he? Is what I wanted to ask him, but I didn't. I didn't want to start an argument that couldn't be finished. Wanting to argue that if he was so proud he would have worked with me on my skills or be home to help. It was a pointless conversation, "Umm, I'm bet so..." pointing up the staircase my dad got the hint and let me walk up and into my room. Once I stepped into my room I shut the door gently then let out a deep sigh, leaning my forehead up against the door. It's been a long and miserable day. My phone buzzing once more caught my attention. I reached in my pocket taking out my phone seeing an odd number on the screen. Let's be honest I don't have a lot of friends, especially ones that call me this late at night. Maybe it was Penny... Clearing my voice before placing the phone to my ear, "H-hello?"

A very feminine voice was on the other line, but it was nothing like Penny's, "Hi! This is Greyson Saint, right? Or do I have the wrong number?"

"Uh, no this is him. Sorry, but who is this?"

The girl let out a small laugh, "Oops, guess I should have started with that. It's Massie."

My heart dropped to my stomach making the butterflies fly around, "O-oh, Hi!" How did she get my number? Why was she calling? All the questions I wanted to ask, but didn't come out.

"I hope you don't mind me calling. I got your number from one of the hockey players, think his name was Cameron?"

"You mean Camdyn?"

Just by her tone of voice that smile she had on her face shined through the phone, "Yes. Sorry, not the best with names."

"No worries." Oh, how I was going to thank and kill him at the same time tomorrow. "So, if you don't mind me asking. Why did you call?"

"Well, when I bumped into you today. I just had to know you, asked around and they brought me to Camdyn. So, here I am."

Questions filled my mind, why was the prettiest girl even interested in talking to someone like me? Was Dustin up to this? It was just completely out of character, well for Massie. We talked for a solid hour then she asked, "Are you busy Friday night?"

"No, not at all. Why?" I started to sound to desperate. Which was not a good look for me, so I took a deep breath.

She let out a small giggle that made my heart flutter, "Jessie is throwing a huge party Friday night. Usually, due to hockey season starting back up. Anyways would you like to go with me?"

Without thinking I blurted out, "Yes! I mean-" I cleared my throat, "Yeah, that'll be cool."

"Great! Pick me up around 9?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Okay, well, you have a nice night. I'll see you tomorrow."

I couldn't help but smirk to myself, "Night." Once I hung up I had to contain myself from doing a happy dance. Man, that's a way to end the night. I mean what could possibly go wrong, right?