When we arrived at Kenickie's place, it wasn't much of a house at all. It was more like four walls and a roof.

"I usually shack up in the RV," Kenickie said sheepishly. I smiled and gave his arm a squeeze to reassure him that I didn't mind. We walked up to the mobile home and he opened the door for me. I carried my duffle bag in and looked around. It was a little bigger than a normal RV, but there was a TV and a bathroom.

"Heat, power and water all work," Kenickie said. He opened up the fridge to show me the foods that were there.

"Make yourself at home, I'm gonna take a shower," Kenickie said, walking down the RV to the bathroom. I grabbed his arm quickly.

"Kenickie," I said. He turned around to meet my eyes. "Thanks."

"No problem." With that, he walked into the bathroom and the shower turned on. I looked around and found it to be actually on the clean side. This surprised me; I wouldn't think Kenickie would be so clean.

I saw a bed on top of the driver's seat where a curtain could be pulled. There was also a master bedroom a little past the bathroom.

"Hey Kenickie?" I knocked on the door of the bathroom.

"Yeah?" He shouted.

"Um, where should I put my stuff?" I asked.

"Just put them in the master. I usually sleep on the pull out anyways." Kenickie said. I wanted to argue about it but he was in the shower, so I'd have to wait until he got out.

I went to the master bedroom and started to unpack in the closet there. I figured Kenickie would let me since there's no place else for them. I pulled out my pjs which consisted of  a two-piece, pink, silk ensemble with the words 'sweet' with a heart and arrow and then 'sour' with a cherry.

I quickly changed into it, not remembering my scar on my wrist that was visible, and laid down on the bed, playing with my hair as I wondered why Kenickie was being so nice to me. Couldn't be feelings, he was with Rizzo. Maybe he's trying to be friendly?

Kenickie? Friendly? I really gotta do something else other than lie here. In that moment, the water turned off in the bathroom and soon, a shirtless and towel-clad Kenickie walked into the room. His hair was all frizzy and messy, meaning he used his towel to dry it quickly. It actually looked good on him.

He gave me a tight smile as he held onto his towel with a clenched fist. His eyes fell onto my pjs that I was wearing. His eyes went from honey to dark chocolate in seconds.

"What is that?" he asked. I looked down at my pjs.

"My pjs," I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Those are not pjs, those are something you would wear when you're trying to be a one-woman USO." Kenickie's words sounded just like what Marty said to me at the sleepover; the words that she hated so much.

So, I got up and stretched right in front of him. "So what? At least I'd get some."

Kenickie was about to say something before his eyes rested on my arm. His faced changed into worry as he pulled my hand down and brought his face close to my wrist. As soon as I realized what he was doing, it was too late.

"What the hell was that?" Kenickie asked when I pulled away.

"It's nothing," I said, rubbing my wrist.

"That ain't nothin'," Kenickie said, pointing at me. I rolled my eyes and fell back down onto the bed.

"Listen, I really don't wanna talk about it," I mumbled.

"Well I want to. Was it one of the Scorpions?" Kenickie asked, pulling on some boxers under his towel. He took it off once he was covered. He put on some jeans and the white tee he let me borrow and sat down next to me.

"No, it wasn't anyone you know," I said.

"Was it your Pop?" He asked quietly. I didn't bother to look at him since I knew he already knew the answer. "Oh god, Charlie-"

"Charlotte," I said quickly. I don't know why I told him my full name, but I wanted him to say it. Figured it would help me feel better.

"Charlotte?" he asked. I shrugged and started playing with the sheets.

"It's my full name. Remember how I said that Charlie was derived from a girls' name?" I looked at him finally and he nodded, remembering our first encounter.

"Nice name," he said quietly. He just looked at the sheet I was playing with. We were silent for a long time.

"Hey," he said. I looked up at him. "I was treated bad too."

"Hit ya?" I asked.

"And locked the doors of the houses so I couldn't come home sometimes. Mom saved enough for a trailer," Kenickie said. "That was before she left."

"Oh Kenickie," I whispered. I never knew this side of him. I've never had my mother leave me and leave me with the man who beat me. "That's horrible."

"Yeah, well, she got a good reason." Kenickie mumbled. I decided to hug him and it took a second, but he hugged me back. I smiled into his neck.

This was definitely good progress.

***

The morning after, it was a Saturday. I had to meet Leo at the theatre by Frosty Palace at three since he didn't specify what time so I figured same time as yesterday. I turned to the old clock that was beside the bed and it read 12:30. I widened my eyes and jumped out of bed. How could I sleep in so late?

I got up and wobbled to my bag that had my makeup. I got it out along with a compact mirror and started on my look for today. I finished it off with a red lipstick.

Popping back up, I grabbed a pair of yellow shorts and a red and yellow striped shirt that I tied up high in the front. I slipped on some ruby red heels and sprayed my hair for poofy volume. I topped it with a red rose.

I slipped the scorpion badge that was in my leather jacket into my bra and walked out into the kitchen area of the RV. Kenickie was passed out on the sofa next to the table. I looked at him sleeping and decided to write a note instead of waking him up.

Kenickie,

I'm just out in the town, no need to worry :)

~ C

I slipped out of the RV and started walking down to Frosty Palace. It wasn't that bad of a walk, considering that Kenickie liked to take the long way just to drive his precious car around longer. I popped in a piece of gum to occupy myself.

Once the old cinema was in view, my palms became a little sweaty. I wiped them on my shorts and leaned against a mailbox to see if one of the Scorpions would show; I don't want to be walking into a trap.

Finally, baseball bat guy walked out and stood near the side door of the cinema. I popped my bubble of gum and walked across the street to the theater. When the guy saw me, anger overtook his features.

"Calm down Babe Ruth, I ain't gonna take it again," I raised my hands up in defense, looking at the bat that was thrown over his shoulder.

He still wouldn't let me through. I sighed and grabbed the scorpion patch from my bra and held it up to him. He rolled his eyes as he let me through as I stuffed the patch back into my bra.

To say the place was creepy was an understatement. It was abandoned and dark. There was the dusty old screen and the movie chairs that were falling apart. Sunlight shone through from a hole in the wall of the screen. The only thing different was the plastic chairs surrounding a big, oval table. Leo sat at the table along with other guys I didn't recognize. The place was crawling with gangs and slutty girls.

"Charlie," Leo's voice snapped my mind out of my thoughts. I faced him and gave him a smile. I don't know why, but I felt good.

"Hey Levi," I joked. He just rolled his eyes. I looked around some more and noticed that keys to cars were on the center of the oval table. I knit my eyebrows together as I took in the cards that were placed on the table.

"Are you gambling?" I asked. Leo just chuckled and snaked his arm around my waist. I tried shimming out, but Leo kept a firm grasp on me.

"It's an annual thing," Leo shrugged. Just then, an idea popped in my head.

"Here, I got a proposal," I said, smirking as I turned to face him. I wrapped my arms around his waist just fo the hell of it. "How about if you lose, I get to go free."

"And if I win?" Leo smirked.

"Then our agreement still stands..." I said, a load of confidence surged over me.

"How about, I lose and you get to walk away, scratch-free. If I win, then you'd take over Cha Cha's place... permanently." His eyes bore into mine as I took in his words. I shook my head, not believing this absurd deal.

"You're really sour about Cha Cha, aren't you?" I raised a brow at him and he shrugged.

"You seem like a better option," Leo said, not looking at me. I narrowed my eyes at his comment, the gears in my head turning.

"Oh no," I whispered, jokingly. "Don't you do it Leo. Don't you go falling in love with me."

Leo's eyes snapped back to me. His serious expression turned into one of feigned humor. "Don't make me laugh Charles."

Leo continued to laugh anyways and I rolled my eyes. This boy was obviously developing feelings even though I would never, ever reciprocate them. Not after that night.

"Leo! It's starting," one of Leo's henchmen called after him and he looked at him, yelling that he'd be there soon.

"Imma win this one for you," Leo said, winking at me.

"You mean you're gonna win this to control my life, huh?" I gave him a glare and he he only chuckled and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I rubbed my cheek on my arm, to show him that I didn't want his affection. Though in secret, I thought that maybe I should let this pan out. Kenickie isn't returning my feelings, so maybe I have a better chance with Leo. I have a 100% with Leo, but I don't think I can ever get over that night. What am I even thinking?

I followed after Leo, standing behind him as he took his seat at the table.

"Alright boys," the dealer shuffled the cards expertly in front of us.

"We're gambling for cars. I know it ain't Thunder Road, not even close..." the dealer smirked. The boys all gave a little laugh at this and he continued. "But play fair and we'll all go home with what we want."

Leo turned around to see if I was right behind him. I was busy checking my pockets for my smokes, but couldn't find them. I tapped Leo's shoulder and he looked at me again, eyebrow raised.

"Got a smoke?" I asked. He nodded and took out a cigarette and a lighter and handed them to me. I thanked him and lit it.

"Uh, miss," the dealer looked at me. "No smoking."

I gave him a look. "Really? You're in a room full of gang leaders gambling and you wanna tell me there's no smoking?"

The dealer looked at me with his mouth gaped.

"It's alright, she's fine to do what she wants," Leo waved off the dealer. I looked at him in appreciation but made sure to mask it with annoyance. I rolled my eyes when he winked at me once more and mumbled a "Thanks."

Soon, the game started. I didn't pay attention to it, so I was lost as to what they were playing. But after a few minutes, I recognized the game as poker.

"I had ace-king, and George had 2-3," one of the players said loudly. "There was an ace on the board. The turn was a 4, and then - Can you believe it? - the river was a 5!"

"Yeah, yeah we can all listen to your bad beat story all day long, but let's get to it, eh?" Leo grumbled, annoyed at that kid.

I looked over Leo's hand to see what he had, unknowing to the dealer. He had four tens and needed the ten of spades to get a royal flush. I only knew that much of poker. If I help Leo win this game, I can build a trust to get him to let me be free. But, if he wins that means that I'm stuck with him forever. And in Cha Cha's place. That's just great. Decisions, decisions.

I decided to help him. I have the odds of him winning against me anyways. Besides, when did a little trust ever hurt anyone? So, I sneakily made my way around the table to look at all the cards to see if anyone had the card. No one had the ten of spades so I went behind the dealer. My back was to the screen as I looked at the cards. Sure enough, the ten of spades was about to be passed out.

My eyes snapped up to Leo. He didn't notice me so I blew a cloud of smoke at the dealer.

"Wha-? Hey! You can't be walking behind me!" The dealer looked at me with anger and I shrugged, making my way slowly around him. Leo looked at me with an unreadable expression. I pointed at the cards that the dealer had with my eyes, raising my eyebrows. He didn't get it, so I walked over to him and sneakily emptied my ashes onto his cards, having it successfully fall onto his card of ten of hearts.

He seemed to get it as he tapped his finger impatiently on his leg under the table. I pulled up a plastic chair and sat down, waiting for anything to happen.

"All in," Leo said, pushing some bottle caps they had in place of chips. I inhaled some smoke and blew out, waiting to see what would happen next. All of a sudden, the whole group groaned and some leaders even yelled as Leo sat back with a huge grin. I assumed he won by the look on his face and I smirked.

"We did it Charlie," Leo grinned. I raised my brows at how loud he said that.

"You mean you did that..." I said just as loud as he did. He laughed and then kissed me. As soon as his lips were on mine, the feeling on insecurity from that night came rushing back. I pushed him away as I wiped my lips with my hand.

"What's the matter?" Leo smirked.

"You don't remember that night? Two nights ago or somethin'?" I asked.

"No," he laughed. "I was probably drunk."

I chuckled dryly as I shook my head. "You forced yourself on top of me. You took away my choice."

Leo's eyes widened. "Did I bang ya?"

"Almost. If Danny and the boys didn't save me. My belt was off and you left me on that ground." Tears started build up and one by one, they slipped down my cheeks.

"Charlie," Leo whispered, grabbing my shoulders. "I'm so sorry. I mean it, ya hear?"

I wiggled out of his hold and turned my back on him. "Please, don't touch me."

"I'll do anything to make it up to you," he whispered. I shook my head. Nothing can make up for the fact that he tried to rape me. Drunk or not.

"No," I croaked. "You can't. Unless you have a time machine."

"What you said though, about me falling for you. It's happening," Leo looked at me as I turned around.

"Could've happened," I said. I looked down as I tried to say anything else. Though, I couldn't say anything without sounding weak.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. What was I sorry for? Why do I keep on saying it? I don't think I'm really sorry, but I said it anyways. I turned and walked out of the cinema, not seeing the huge crowd that was looking at me.

"Whatcha lookin' at, huh? Hey! Someone get my car, ha ha!" I heard Leo recover. Tears slipped down my face as I thought about what could've happened with us if that night hadn't happened. Sure, him threatening me outside of Frosty Palace was not pleasant, but I wouldn't be spending time with him. Why is my bar set so low?

[EDITED]