Description: Dawn's best friend is dragged back to Charming when Dawn goes to try and get money from her father. Little does her best friend expect her weekend in Charming to become a permanent move when she becomes enamored with a certain blonde Son.

"Dawn, why the hell are we at a garage?" I asked.

"It's where my asshole dad hangs out," she said. I nodded as I paid the taxi driver. I knew my best friend well enough to know she didn't have any money.

Dawn ran off to greet the woman working the office as I grabbed our bags so the taxi driver could leave.

"Who's this?" The woman asked.

"My best friend, (Y/N)," Dawn said. I'd met her dad a couple times when we were really young before her parents split but I don't remember him well.

"Dawnie," a dark haired man yelled as he ran over and hugged her. She walked off with him and I nodded a little. She was only here to try and get money from him. Money even I knew he didn't have.

"So, what brings you here?" The woman asked.

"Just keeping Dawn outta trouble," I said. I kept my eyes trained on my best friend. She had her fair share of troubles and she usually pissed off at least one person everywhere we went.

"I'm Gemma," the woman said. "This is Juice. He'll take your bags to Tig's dorm. You two can crash there tonight."

"Thanks ma'am," I said. She grabbed my wrist and placed my hand on her chest. I was stunned as I glanced at her.

"Your hand has been on my tit, no more of that ma'am bullshit," she said. I nodded and laughed a little.

"I barely know you, Gemma seemed too casual," I said. "Dawn's only ever referred to you as Mama Gem."

"That works too baby," she said. I glanced around the lot looking for Dawn. My eyes landed on a blonde mechanic who was watching me from the front of the garage.

"Well Mama Gem," I said, earning a smile. "Who's the blonde?"

"Kozik, you wanna stay close with Tig, don't get involved with him."

I nodded as she led me to the office and got me some coffee. I was thankful for that.

A while later Dawn came into the office to tell me we were staying for the party that night.

"Dawn," I dragged the name out a little. "I don't mix well with parties."

"What's that mean baby?" Gemma asked.

"Someone swings first and asks later," Dawn said.

"To protect someone else's dumb ass," I shot back. We haven't been as close since her and her sister got into drugs. She's kept me around as more of a body guard.

She was glaring at me as I searched my pockets for a cigarette. I was working on quitting until Dawn and I started fighting even more. She's been my best friend for as long as I can remember, but recently things have been rough. Stress like that will kill you.

"Where's the closest store?" I asked. "Need some smokes."

"I can take ya doll," the blonde said as he was punching out. "Just around the corner. Bout a five minute walk."

"Thanks," I said, standing up and making sure I had a twenty left. I did so we headed out. I stopped Juice as we walked by him.

"Hey, Dawn's got sticky fingers and I've got cash in my bag. Don't let her take it," I said. He nodded and the blonde and I headed off the lot.

"My name's Kozik," he said as we walked.

"(Y/N)," I said.

"What brings you to Charming?"

"Dawn's trying to get money from her dad," I said. "Not like he has it."

"You seem pretty tense about her," he said. I nodded a little.

"Why do you think I still smoke?"

He chuckled at that. "What's going on? I'm a great listener and I'll keep your secrets."

"She's been stealing money from me and I've called her out a couple times. Her and her sister have a drug problem and can't fund it on their own."

He nodded. "Know what that's like."

I shook my head a little as we reached the store. We went inside and I bought a pack of cigarettes and a vape. Kozik just watched me until it was time to pay and he paid before I could object.

"Take the damn money," I said with a laugh as he refused to let me pay him back.

"No," he said. "You staying for the party tonight?"

I nodded as I lit a cigarette and offered him one. He shook his head and I closed the pack, sticking it back in my pocket.

"Not much of a choice," I said, looking towards the setting sun.

"What's that mean?"

"I made a promise a long time ago, to Connie," I said. "I'd keep Dawn out of trouble as long as I could. It's why I've stuck around so long."

He nodded as TM came back into view.

"Wanna walk for a while longer? Take the edge off some more?"

"I'd love to," I said. "But I've gotta talk to Tig before he's drunk."

He nodded and I headed further into the lot to find Tig. I walked up to where he was sitting at the bar.

"Can I have a minute?" I asked. He nodded and we walked outside for some privacy.

"What'd Dawn say she wanted?"

"Money for Fawn to go to rehab," he said.

"She, well, both of them actually," I started. "They have a drug problem. Dawn's been stealing money and jewelry from anyone she can to get a fix."

"Seriously?" He asked. He was fuming. I only nodded. "You're not-."

"I'm not just accusing her. I'm her best friend and she's been swiping shit from me too. Okay? She takes twenties here and there because she doesn't think I'll notice but when you live paycheck to paycheck you fucking notice."

He just shook his head. He looked like he didn't want to believe me but also knew it was true.

"Just figured you should know," I said before I turned to walk away.

"Thanks," he said. "I'll, uh, I'll talk to her."

I nodded and headed inside where the party was getting under way. There was some loud rock music playing and everyone was drinking. There were some girls here dressed in next to nothing and I was happy to be wearing jeans and a long sleeve.

"Hey baby," some guy said trying to gain my attention. I glanced around the room as I ignored him. Kozik was watching from the pool table. He was really the only person I knew.

"Leave me alone," I said. He grabbed my face and I swung without thinking.

The guy swung back and I tackled him.

"Take it to the ring," someone yelled and I was being dragged outside.

"Can you handled this?" Kozik asked. I nodded as he started wrapping my hands. I took my long sleeve shirt off to reveal a sport bra.

"I've got this in the bag," I said. "Shouldn't have fucking laid his hands on me."

"Agreed," Kozik said. "He's big and slow. Slower since he's drunk. Wear him out and strike hard and quick."

I nodded and walked to the center of the ring. I held my fists out but he ignored them and swung. So he wants to play dirty.

I tried to wear him out as much as possible but he landed a couple of quick hits to my face. I saw red and attacked him, instantly hitting him as hard and as fast as I could.

Someone jumped in the ring and pulled me off of him.

"Let's go get you cleaned up," Kozik said and led me inside to a dorm.

"Need anything brother?" Juice asked from the doorway.

"My bag," I said. He nodded and went to grab it. Kozik cleaned my face up and checked out the damage.

"You look like you'll heal up," he said. I sniffed a little and I nodded.

"Nothing's broke," I said.

"You look tired," he said. I nodded a little.

"Why don't you sleep in here," he suggested. "I'll take the floor."

I shook my head. "I can't."

"You can and I will."

"Fine but we're adults. We can share the bed."

He nodded as Juice walked in with my bag.

"Thanks babe," I said, kissing his cheek before he returned to the party.

I started searching for a clean shirt and before I knew it I was screaming.

"That fucking bitch," I snapped.

"What?" Kozik asked.

"Dawn took all my fucking money," I said. I was pissed I stormed out of the dorm to find her. I found Tig instead.

"Where the hell is she?" I snapped.

"Dawn left before the party. Said she had to get home to Fawn," he said.

"She cleaned me out," I said before turning. I collided with a chest and arms instantly wrapped around me.

"Let's go," Kozik said. He led me back to his dorm.

"Why don't you stay in Charming a while?" He asked.

"Why?"

"Look, I barely know you but I like you, a lot," he said. "Stick around and maybe I can take you out."

"You barely know me Koz," I said.

"I still like you."

"There's nothing about me to like."

He glared at me before he pulled me into a kiss. "There's a million things about you to like. Please stay. If at the end of the week you wanna go, I'll let you."

I nodded and pulled him into another kiss. Needless to say, that one week turned into a month, which turned into a whole life here in Charming as Kozik's old lady.