"Darby," I looked away, my eyes avoiding his. Those eyes drew me in. I can't bear to see them again.

"What are you doing out here espesically at 11 o'  clock?" He went to sit next to me. I snapped my head to him, just looking over his shoulder. I ignored the fact I did this exact action to many people at school that tried asking me for answers.

"Oh, so now your interested in what I'm doing?" I snorted. "That's rich." I stood from the bench, crossing my arms. He paused in his sitting then stood back up to face me.

Puzzlement crossed his features toward my attitude.

"Why are you acting like th-." He stopped himself and blinked. Realization must've clicked like a light switch. "Oh, Primus, Melissa I'm so sorry." He ran a hand through his hair then let it grip onto the back of his neck. "Really I am! I've been so caught up wi-."

"Cut the crap. I know what you've been doing." I took a step closer to him. His eyes went wide. His hand dropped and he took a step back.

"Uh...y-you do? What...what do you k-know exactly?"

"Enough." I shoved my hands back into my hoodie pockets, turning away from him. I knew I could've told him exactly what but somehow, him not knowing made him squirm nervously some more.

He's hiding something.

Something I've been trying to firgue out what.

I knew his behavior when he was nervous. Being with someone long enough really teaches you something about your other. This was something different. Something I wanted to know more about.

"O-oh." He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "But uh...you didn't answer my question. Why are you out here?"

"My Mom." I told him simply, feeling the wind pick up. He shivered which I rose an eyebrow at. He didn't complain about the sudden chill.

"Did something happen?"

"It doesn't concern you." I snapped, watching the empty road. For once I was hoping my brother would show up when he said he would.

We stood in silence for a moment. He was shifting, debating whether or not to return back into the lit restaurant.

"Well...uh...wanna come inside? You don't look like you want to go home right now." He offered finally. I hummed, pondering over his proposal.

"Just for a little bit. I'm getting picked up."

"Oh," he said, still full of confusion of what was going on. I grabbed my bike and let it lean against the glass window (so I could keep an eye on it-you can't trust people at 11 at night) before I went inside the restaurant, not even bothering to hold the door open for him as he followed. "So uh, Melissa, how's your classes going? Midterms are close."

"How touching, your actually asking me a question. I'm surprise you haven't returned back behind the window."

"I'm closing up," he mumbled, passing me as I sat on a booth. He went up to the counter and grabbed the bin and went back to grabbing old, used baskets of food. "We closed half an hour ago."

"Oh," I slumped against the leather seating.  I crossed my arms and watched him pick up after the previous people. He murmured under his breath as he threw them in the bin. "Where's your motorbike?" I asked looking out the window, noticing his bicycle was there instead.

"Oh uh," he jumped, almost dropping his bin at the unexpected question. "At the shop," he shrugged. "It's at the shop." He repeated.

"Why?" I questioned simply. He almost jumped again. I looked at him suspiciously.

"B-because I uh, wore out the breaks and uh, uh, yeah. So that's what happened. That's why it's in the shop," he rubbed the back of his head. I scoffed, wondering if he wanted me to believe that.

But I let it slide.

"That sucks. Why don't you just come to us about it? My uncle is a mechanic. He could've helped you with your motorcycle."

"No!" He exclaimed, making me freeze. "N-no. Thanks but uh, no I couldn't bother your family like that." He gulped. I narrowed my eyes. He realized his choice of words.

"Is that why you haven't been talking to me? You don't want to bother me?"

"N-no!"

"Then what is it, Jackson!?" I slammed my hand on the table.

"I can't tell you!" I set down his bin, his face desperate for me to understand. But I was stubborn like my father. He  was the one that needed to understand!

"Why not!? I'm a your freaking girlfriend, Jack!" I snarled, getting out of the booth. His eyes widened like I struck a nerve. Like he didn't know. Like he seriously forgot about me. My eyes began to burn and tears began forming in my eyes. "I can't believe this," I whispered, looking away from him.

"Melissa..."

"Don't!" I threw my hand out, refusing it. Refusing him.

"Can't...can't we talk?"

"We're through, Darby!" I began heading for the door, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Melissa, please!"

"Don't 'Melissa' me." I hissed through my teeth. My fists were clenched as I looked back over my shoulder.

"At least stay until your ride comes," he pleaded.

"Goodnight, Jack." I opened the door and did my best to slam it after me. I stopped once I closed the door, my eyes squeezing shut as I fought hot tears. My face was throbbing from my anger and inner pain. "I can't believe I went back into that restaurant with him," I whispered as I walked to my bike, glaring at my feet as I went.

Why did we fall for him? I inquired to my heart.

His eyes and caring nature. My heart replied.

Yet he's acts like this...who would've known...?

No one.

So, why do we keep searching for him after all that he's done to you?

My heart said nothing.

Bright headlights turned and entered my peripheral vision. I put my hand up to block the light. The sound of a window rolling made me try to blink away the heavy illumination.

"Toss your bike in the bed and let's get home."

"Okay," I whispered, I picked up my bike and heading to my brothers truck.

I resisted to look back inside the restaurant, knowing Jack was watching. He couldn't know I still cared enough to turn around.

I threw the bike in the bed and headed to the passenger seat.

It was an odd feeling to being watched this time.

I heaved myself inside the truck and flopped down on the seat, shutting the door as he drove off. My eyes drifted to the rear view mirror, observing Jack return back to the counter with the bin.

"I saw you leave from inside. Who was that?" My brother asked. I looked to the dark road ahead of us.

"I don't want to talk about it." I slumped against the door of his truck. The humming of the engine taking me off into a light slumber.