POV: Grace

I just sat there as he held a hand on my shoulder. What does he want from me? Can I trust him? Can I make a run for it? I did last time, but can I get away a second? I unhook my guitar strap and set my guitar back in the case. I close the lid slowly, and sit back up slowly waiting for him to move. I know I'm faster than he is, so if I have to make a dash for it, I will be able to jump up and run. Something tells me he might be different. I feel I might be able to trust him, but after the day I had, I will not trust anyone until I am all the way certain.

"Can you give me a few moments please? I just want to talk to you," he says in a calm manner. This is how it starts. They start calm, but then as soon as a signal goes off, there are always buddies behind bushes or something. I scan my surroundings once, twice, three times to make sure. Then I look back up, and nod. "First let me introduce myself," he extends a hand, "I'm Alan."

"I'm Gr..rrr.... I'm grateful that you care, but I think I must be on my way. I'm gonna be missed, and I need to get going," I ramble hoping it'll convince him to let me go.

"Will you at least come and meet my friends before you go? We were worried for you because you took off. We wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Well. um. I'm. well, sure I guess," I stammered. I picked up my guitar and my small duffel, and he picked up the big one. Then we walked down the block in silence. I looked all over the entire time, but I tried to avoid looking in Alan's eyes. If he was one of the bad guys, he'd have a good time drawing people in with one look. He's pretty good at that. Then we got down the block to a Starbucks that had the big white van parked in the middle. It was the same van I can guess they drove that I jumped from earlier. It was sort of a nice feeling I guess that they looked happier or relieved I could say when I walked up.

"Hey Al, you found her," the taller blonde one said.

"Yeaaaaah, well not that this is not any fun, I think I'll g..." I started to say but got interrupted.

"Please stay, we were just about to get something to eat. Do you wanna hang out with us and get some food?" the shorter brown haired one said. He has really blue eyes when you look at them, but even if you try to look away, you can't.

"Yes pleeeeeeeeease," the other one begged with a sad puppy dog look.

"Fiiiiiiiiiiiine," I give him the same tone back. It was kind of funny as they all laugh at us. It felt nice as I laughed and smiled too. Sometimes I wish that life wasn't so hard, but when life gives me good moments, I have to make the best of it.

We go to the big van sitting in the parking lot. I allow Alan to put my bags in the back, and we leave heading down the road. I am in the back by myself as there are two in the middle, and Alan and the short haired spiky one are in the front. Alan is driving. The car ride is soothing, and I attempt to fall asleep with my head against the window. I am jolted awake a few minutes later as I look out the blurry window. "Are you ready to eat some chicken?" I hear one of them call out. Why do I have to go? I just want to sleep.

I get out of the van sleepily, and I notice a giant cow in the restaurant.

"First I have to know who I'm dealing with around here," I give them a raised eyebrow.

"Well someone is being a little sassy," blue eyes said. "Shall we even let her know what we call each other?"

The taller blonde put him in a headlock and blue eyes didn't seem to mind. It was kinda cute in my opinion. Blonde responds,"Nah I think she should stick around to find out who we are."

Alan just smiled at me and shrugs. I roll my eyes but give in, and all of us walk in together.

The place is so weird looking, but the little play area in back is cute. The short spiked haired on tries to run off, but Alan pulls him back by his arm. "Hey hey, first food then play."

"Awww pweeeease," he gives him a puppy look. He really seems to use it a lot I'm surprised it doesn't stay that way.

"You know the rules," blonde says.

"As if you know the rules ch... Dude," he starts to say his name but quits and gives me a smile. He knows he almost blurted, but not quite. I at least know now it's something similar to that.

Chase... Chad.... Ch... Ch... What other name starts with a "Ch"? Well at least I can almost figure it out.

Alan shakes his head as if two little kids were bickering over a toy. It makes me laugh.

"There is something we haven't seen yet," spikey smiles.

"Oh what is tha... oh I see it too," blonde responded.

I look at the two of them, "What?"

They all look at me, and I smile and blush.... oh I get what they are talking about now.

"COME ON LET'S GET FOOD ALREADY!!! I'M STARVING!" blue eyes practically jumps in front of Alan.

"Okay Rowe Darling, let's go get food." Blue eyes sticks out his tongue. Blonde just laughs at the two of them. All of us walks to the front counter and order. I do not know what to get, so I ask Alan. I would ask jumpy blue eyes, but from the little nickname Alan gave him I do not know if I would trust the little jumpy bean. The food is amazing, and I do not know if it is because the last real meal I had was yesterday. It has a little spicy side to it, kinda like the guys.

When we are done eating, spiky looks at Alan with the look again. I mean I really believe one day his lip will be stuck like that. Alan gives him the jerky thumb pointing to the back and laughs. He runs past but comes back and grabs my arm.

"I refuse to go with you until a name is said from each person," I cross my arms. Blonde looked hurt. All three of them stood there as I looked back at them. I was not going to crack. Eyeing them, they looked back at me.

"FINE! I'm Caleb. Now let's go and play as the sky is still awake!" He grabs my hand, but I pull away. I was not going to not know half of the group. Who knows what that blonde one is capable of I mean he had blue eyes in a headlock for a while. 

"Chad," he points to blonde. "Joey," pointing to blue eyes. Okay Alan, Caleb, Chad, Joey. They all four have a name now. I give a slight fast nod. They look at me.

"Alright let's go already!" I jump up and run toward the place as they followed. I do not know if I want to say my name yet or not, but I have a feeling I might be able to trust these guys.

..... at least I hope I can trust again.... maybe they can teach me to trust ... or will I fall again ....