Some people don't understand what it means to love. But you should still love those who know no love but need it.
-Marissa Poole

•••

"Okay I give up." I can't focus on my math work I started in the library so I stuff it in my bag and head to the cafeteria for lunch, praying I won't run in to anyone I know.

"Well well well, lookie who we have here." I hear a voice behind me and know exactly who it is. I stop in my tracks.

"What do you want Scott?" Yep that's right. It's Scott. The jerk who broke up with me on my first day back to school, 6 weeks ago.

"Alot of things." I feel his touch and cringe but make no move when he turns me around. He looks different. Better. He no longer has those dark circles under his eyes and his skin isn't pale. He looks good.

"Like what?" I spit at him.

"You, a life, a Mercedes, money. Ya know. Normal stuff ."

"And why would you want me? You were the one that dumped me after all." I glare at him, looking around the hall but finding no one to save me.

"Because I miss you and realize I made a mistake." He takes a step toward me and I feel his bubble gum smelling breath on my face. I tried to take a step back but realize I'm pinned against the wall with no where to go.

"You made me happy, and I'm sorry I did what I did. I just want you back, baby." He leans in and kisses my neck and I can't help the shiver that runs down my spine.

"Scott, no." I say weakly and try to push him away but he holds my hands captive and fiercely kisses me.

"No, Scott, back off." I raise my voice alittle bit but he slams me against the wall.

"Don't say no to me. I know you want it." He kisses me again and I try to push him off but nothing works. That is until I am falling forward because someone has ahold of Scott.

"Don't you ever touch her again like that! Do you here me, creep?!" I look up to see my hero standing over Scott screaming in his face, his back toward me. Scott nods then scrambles away, literally running from him.

I feel a strong pair of arms help me up and look into a pair of bright blue eyes.

I didn't notice I was crying till he wiped then away.

"You ok?" He ask, worry reflected in his eyes and voice.

I nod.

"Thank God." He sighs in relief. "I'm Astor by the way. Astor Campbell." He holds out a hand.

"Rebecca. Rebecca Summers." I don't break away from the blue eyes staring at me until I hear someone cough a few minutes later and we both jump away, scared.

I turn to see Chris coming up, glare at Astor. Why is he so mad?

"Back off my girl, Campbell." Chris threatens.

"Excuse me? I am NOT your girl Chris I am your best friend. You do NOT get to dictate who I do and do not talk to, thank you very much." Chris's eyes widen at my outburst.

"Sorry..." He says.

"I was just looking for you to give you a ride home this afternoon..." He scratches his neck, seeming uncomfortable.

"We will talk about it later." I sigh. I massage my temple, not looking at Astor.

"Ok.." he walks away without another word and I don't turn toward Astor till he's out of sight.

It took be by surprise. He's really attractive. Like REALLY. He looks better than half the popular guys in the school.

"I'm sorry..." he mutters and I pick up a slight English accent.

"No, you're fine... Thanks though. Really. I... I don't know what would have happened if you wouldn't have walk up... So thanks..." I smile at him and he gives me the smallest one back.

"I guess I'll see you around.." I say awkwardly, and start to walk away.

"Hey!" He says stopping me do I turn around. "Can... Can I, like, hang around with you? I'm... I'm kinda new here. And don't have any friends and you seem really nice..." He scratches the back of his neck.

"Yeah, of course. Have you gotten your schedule yet?" He nods and pulls it out. "It looks like we have most of our classes together and the ones we don't are close to mine so I can show you around the school if you want? Since we have lunch together right now I can give you a small tour."

"Sure." He says nervously. As I walk ahead of him, I feel his gaze on me the entire time.

"Oh my God, did you see that guy?" I hear people whispering as we walk to the cafeteria.

"Just ignore all the people. It happened to me this year, but... For a different reason..." I give him a small smile.

"What happened?" He looks at me with obvious wonder and confusion.

"Just... Stuff... I'm not really ready to talk about it right now.. I'm sorry." I look down and fidget with the end of my hoodie as we enter the cafeteria, and I look up to see over half the students watching us, Chris included.

"Um... I normally sit over there..." I point to the table that my friends are at, most of them looking at me weird.
"But I understand if you want to sit somewhere else. It's looks like you're already popular in this school." I start walking toward my table and Asher follows until his way is blocked by Anna, the schools queen bee.

"Hey, I see you're new here. You're welcome to come sit over here with us. You don't want to be stuck with those freaks." She gives me a pointed look at the word freaks and turns back toward Astor but he sidesteps her and stands by me.

"Yeah well that freak happens to be my friend. So I'd watch what you say to me, girly." He stands strong against her. Wait why is he defending me?

"No, Astor, you can go. I don't mind. I will just see you in class..." I say awkwardly.

"No. I won't have my friends talked down to like that." He looks back at Anna. "Sorry but I decline. Next time, don't insult my friends." He goes to turn and walks past me and I move to follow but she grabs my wrist.

"Listen, freak. He's mine. So back off. Stop talking to him and back off or I will make your life a living hell." She snarls.

"Haven't you already made it hell, Anna. I don't know what I EVER did to you but you need to back the fuck up. You call me a freak yet look in the mirror. You're this cruel person who thinks that she can get everything with looks. It doesn't work that way. If you want respect then you need to give it in return. It's not a one way street. So next time, think about what you say before you say it. Because one day your words will come up and bite your ass. And I'll be there to watch it." Her eyes widen at my outburst and so I take the chance to pull away and walk over to my friends. I'm not that type of person. I never stand up for my self. And I guess that is what everyone is thinking.

Because everyone is staring at me as I walk across the room to join my friends. And for once, I feel like they aren't looking at me in a bad way.