Dakota's pov

I don't know for how long we sat there like that. Sitting, hugging each other. Him, consoling me and telling me everything is gonna be all right. And true, I felt a lot better. His hug was so warm and comforting that I had the urge to sit there within his arms forever.
But unfortunately I had to pull away. I fumbled with the chain of his jacket while he went to pick up my bag.

I stood up with shaky limbs and let out a breath.

"You okay? " he asked.

I looked at him. " Yeah. I'm fine. And it's all because of you. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't.. "

My words stuck in my mouth as I imagined the worst scenarios.

" Hey its over. And you were so brave back there. " he cupped my cheeks with his rough yet warm hands, " You're strong Dakota. So stop thinking what could've happened. Think about what has happened and what's going to happen ahead. "

I smiled and nodded.

" Wait. How'd you know my name? " I asked him curiously.

He smirked. " Just the way you know mine. "

I rolled my eyes.

The arrogant side of him is back everyone!.

" Anyway so where do you live? " he asked me.

" A few blocks from here. "

" Let's go. " he said.

I just stood there with my mouth open. Did Chris just offer to go with me to my house?

I must be dreaming.

I closed my eyes and pinched myself.

I hissed hard due to the pain.

Nope. Definitely not a dream.

" What are you doing? " he asked me with a look that stated 'I'm crazy'

" Did you just offer to accompany me to my house? " I asked in a mere whisper.

He just rolled his eyes.

" Listen. I may be a jerk at times but that doesn't mean I don't have the decency to help a girl. Moreover I don't want to leave you alone right now. " he said staring at me.

I felt my cheeks heating up hearing the last part. He didn't want to leave me alone. I don't know why but I felt so fuzzy hearing that.

I nodded and started walking.

The whole walk, we both were silent. The images of before were constantly coming in my mind and I sniffed occasionally. He would only put his arms around me in a comforting way and I would feel better.

Soon enough I reached the house and saw mom pacing in front of the porch with phone in her hands and she looked damn worried.

Seeing me her eyes widened which were full of unshed tears as she cane rushing to me.

"Oh my god I was so worried! " she said hugging me.

She pulled back and bombarded me with questions.

" What happened? Why are you so late? What - ".

Before she could question any further Chris stopped her.

" Some boys tried to harass her. She was trapped and I saved her. If I would've been any late, I don't know what could've happened. " he said softly.

My mom looked like she got a shock. She looked at me and my appearance.

Tears steamed down her face as she hugged me again. I hugged her back. No words were needed. My mom's hug was enough to make me forget everything.

She pulled back and out of the blue hugged Chris. He seemed to get a shock too by the way his eyes widened..

"Thank you so much. For saving my daughter. I owe you son. You saved my most precious thing today. " she said.

Chris's eyes softened as he hugged her back lightly.

" She's my friend. It's my duty to protect her. "

Hearing his words made this situation even more emotional. I hated crying so I faked a gasp and gave him an astonished look.
" Friends? From when did we become friends? You call me stiff all the time and annoy the crap out of me you meany! "

Chris rolled his eyes whereas mom looked between us with an amused look.

He handed me the bag. " Take care. "

He was about to go when my mom stopped him. " Come in son. Atleast have dinner with us. It's the least I can do for saving my daughter. "

He smiled but denied politely. " Some other day maybe. I need to go home. "

He eyed me and smirked. " Bye stiff. Hope to see your stiff movements tomorrow at school. "

I gasped and glared at him as I saw him going away.

I so hate him!

'No you don't! ' my subconscious reminded.

I saw mum calling someone and talking about me .
' yeah she's back ' ' she's fine ' ' come home '.

" Who was it? "

" Adrian. He's been out with Rosalie searching for you. " she sighed.

I nodded and went inside the house with mom.

" So.. Chris huh? " she asked me.

" What? " I asked her oblivious.

She just smiled and muttered a' nothing '.

I went upstairs and sat on my bed. I let out a sigh as the events of today replayed in my mind. O really didn't know what would've happened if Chris didn't come. I heard footsteps running towards my room. My bedroom door burst open and entered a very horrible looking Adrian and an equally panicked Rosalie.

Adrian eyed me up before attacking me with a hug. I hugged him back and let myself calm down.

"Oh god I was so worried! " he said, his voice cracking.

I touched his cheek to see it was stained with tears. I gasped and pulled back.

I could see the worry and love he had for me.

" Hey.. I'm okay.. " I said softly.

He shook his head and clenched his fists. " It's my fault! I'm your brother! I should've kept you safe! It's my responsibility. But I couldn't fulfil it.. "

He paused.

" But I swear to God sis. I would kill each and every one of the guy who dared to touch you. I would find them and I - "

I shut him off and rolled my eyes.
" I'm fine you idiot. And if you think you can't protect me then you're absolutely wrong. You've always protected me Ady! I love you and please just shut up and go to your bedroom and take your medicine! " I snapped.

He just sighed. He wrapped his arms around me once again.

" I promise you. I won't let anything or anyone harm you ever again sis. "

I smiled. I knew his words were genuine and he would protect me.

Always.

Dinner was normal. Nobody brought up today's topic and I was glad for it. Rosalie, I and mom chatted for a while as Adrian ate his food silently.

After that we just went to our rooms as we were too tired for anything. Mom was already snoring when I went to check on her.

I chuckled. She's still a teenager. It's like time stopped for her. She wasn't like those boring moms who would just tell you to do this and that. She wasn't the one who would tell us to sit straight and have manners. She was a girl, yes a girl who would use curse words along with us. She was the one who would just quit cooking and order a pizza. She was the only mom who would dress up like a clown in the middle of the night to just surprise us on our birthday.

She was the best mom ever.

I sighed and went to Adrian's room. I quietly opened the door and saw him lying underneath the sheets. He was sleeping peacefully.

Not to create a disturbance I closed the door and went to my room where Rosalie was sleeping like she was dead.

I got inside the covers and switched off the bed lamp. I closed my eyes and let sleep take over me..

As if that was even possible.

My phone beeped signalling a text message and I literally groaned.

Why can't anyone leave me alone!

I snatched my mobile from the bed side table and opened the text to see it was from an unknown number.

The message said :

Hope you're okay. So I expect you to see at school tomorrow.

But I guess you're too much off a crybaby to even show up.

Night stiff.

I glared at the screen. That jerk!

He called me a crybaby? Well I'll show him tomorrow what a crybaby really is!
But another part of me smiled a little as he hoped I was okay.

I kept my phone and grumbled. Pulling the sheets up I closed my eyes.

He's Nice But Still A Jerk.

A/n: sorry for the wait! Here's the chapter.

Amy!