I woke up and Aden was still there in the same position. I took his hand and he picked some grass from my hair. I blushed due to embarrassement. How long was I asleep? I opened my mouth to speak, but he placed his fingers on my mouth. I looked at him confused.

"Don't speak," he said. "Let me do the talking."

I nodded still confused.

"You were asleep for maybe thirty minutes, but watching you sleep... It's one of my favorite things to do. And, Rose... You talk in your sleep."

I hit my forehead and buried my face into the grass.

"It's okay," he laughed rubbing my back. "It's cute."

"What did I say?" I mumbled.

"What?" he asked not hearing me.

I lifted my head up, eyes still closed and said, "What did I say?"

"Various things. Most were mumbled, so I couldn't understand some of it. When you talked the first time, I thought you woke up, but you kept talking. That's why I'm giving you a break from talking right now."

"Grr, I feel so stupid!" I said putting my face in the grass again.

"Come here," he said pulling me close to him and I faced him.

We didn't say anything for a while.

"Rose," he said finally.

I looked at him.

"Look," he said pointing behind me.

I looked behind me and was confused. I didn't realize what he wanted me to look at.

Then I finally got it.

The sun was setting.

I smiled. Wait.

THE SUN WAS SETTING!!

"Holy shit, what time is it?!" I looked at him.

"Around fiveish, why?" he shrugged.

"I have to get to work!" I stood up and ran. "Shit, shit, shit!"

I heard Aden's footsteps behind me and I got in his car. He sped and got me to The Shack. I ran in, put on my smock, and started waiting on tables.

"Rosemary," my boss called.

Oh no.

I walked up to him. "Yes?"

"Why were you late?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, I lost track of time," I said.

"Rosemary, I know you're a hard worker. And this is the first time you've ever been late. Is something going on?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I just lost track of time. I'm sorry and I won't let it happen again."

"Okay," he said not really convinced and I served more tables.

My shift ended and I stopped. Aden was still in the car in the parkinglot.

"What are you doing?" I laughed.

"I'm not about to let a beautiful girl such as you walk home," he laughed.

"You're a lifesaver," I laughed getting in the passenger side.

He drove me home and I unbuckled my seatbelt. I put my hand on the handle and Aden's hand covered mine. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"I'd walk you to your front door, but I gotta get home. But I just wanted to tell you goodnight before you left," he smiled.

I blushed. "Goodnight."

"See you tomorrow, angel," he said as I shut the door.

I looked in the window and stuck my tounge out to be funny. He laughed and walked in the house. Mom and Garrett were standing there--as if waiting on me.

"Hi, guys," I waved.

"Where were you?" Mom asked.

"Work," I said.

"No, I mean, all day," she said.

"Oh. School called?" I let my eyes drop.

"Answer my question," she snapped.

"I was in a meadow," I said.

"Don't lie," Garrett stepped in.

"I'm not! Aden and I--"

"You were with Aden?" Garrett interrupted.

I bit my lip. Uh-oh.

"Um... Dad, an old friend of yours showed up at school and scared me," I changed the subject.

Garrett rolled his eyes. "What friend?"

"Jake, I think his name was?"

Mom and Garrett looked like a ghost had just passed through.

"Jake?" Garrett asked.

I nodded. "Valery called him in."

"How does Valery know him?" Mom asked.

I shrugged.

"Did he hurt you?" Garrett asked.

"Tried to," I said.

"What do you mean?" Mom asked.

"Aden stopped him. He got him away from me," I looked at them.

There eyes were wide as if I were telling a tale.

"I'm not lying," I clarified.

"N-no... I believe you," Mom said. She held her head in her hands and walked to the couch. Garrett shot me a look and sat next to her. Mom began to cry.

I'd done this to her.

I showered and went in my room. I knew I'd start crying if I said anything so I texted Grace.

Grace can u come get me?

Why? U ok?

Please just come get me. Ill explain later.

Kk. On my way.

Thanks.

I packed a duffle bag and snuck out. I wrote a note:

Guys, I'm sorry that I made Mom cry. So I won't be a burden anymore, I'm gonna leave for a while. I'm not going to Aden's, I'm staying with a friend. I'll come home soon. Don't think of this as me running away because you're bad parents, because you're the best parents anyone could ask for. I just feel bad about making Mom cry and I know Dad doesn't like me too much now. So I'll be back. Love y'all.

I stuck it on the door and stood in my driveway and waited for Grace. She pulled up and I jumped in her passenger side.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Rough night," I said.

"Okay. You can stay at my house as long as you need to," she said.

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem. Want some music?" she asked.

"Sure," I nodded and she turned on the radio.

"Hey, we should go hit a club!" she squealed.

"But it's a school night and eight."

"We'll get home at ten," she shrugged.

"We're not old enough," I pointed out.

"Just use big words and act like you belong--that's how I get in," she said.

I rolled my eyes and laid my head back. Before I knew it, we were in front of a club and Grace drug me out of the car. We walked in and Grace immediately hit the dance floor. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked and saw a really cute guy standing there.

"I'm Peter," he said taking a swig of his beer. "Wanna drink?"

"No thanks. Not old enough."

"Wanna dance?"

"Not really. Thanks though."

"C'mon," he smiled. "One dance."

I sighed. What would one dance hurt?

"I have a boyfriend," I said,

"I don't see him," Peter smirked.

"Look, don't try me. I'm only here because my friend made me."

"Might as well have fun then, right?" he asked.

I sighed knowing I'd regret this. I let Peter buy me every drink there was. The buzz hurt my head, but when I got really drunk, I forgot all about my problems. I let lose. I wished Aden was here. Almost as if my wish came true, I saw him walk through the door. I walked over to him and clung onto him.

"What are you doing here?" I slurred.

"Are you drunk?" he asked.

"Mhmm. Th-that guy...er... Petray bought me a lot of drinks," I giggled.

"How'd you get here?" he asked.

"Grace brought me," I said.

Aden took my hand and we looked for Grace. I smiled seeing she was okay. A good song came on.

"Let's dance!" I squealed.

"We need to leave," Aden said.

"One dance!" I pleaded.

Without a response, I started dancing uncontrollably. I heard hoots, hollers, and whistles. I threw my shirt randomly in the crowd. I spun around slowly, moving my hips as I did so. I kicked off my socks and shoes. I went for my zipper, but Aden stopped me.

"You need to stop this," he looked in my eyes. "Come on."

He lead me in the girls' bathroom and handed me my clothes. "Get dressed."

"Yes sir," I saluted.

I threw my shirt on again put on my socks my shoes. He took my hand saying that we were going to get Grace. He had to drag both of us out and he put us in the back of the car. He drove us to Grace's and she went inside. I nearly got out, but Aden stopped me.

"Rose, what's gotten into you?" he asked.

I shrugged.

"Are things okay at home?" he asked.

Tears spilled over and I sobbed and sobbed. Aden hugged me and rubbed my back.

"Shh, Rose, it's okay. It's okay," he said.

"Thank you, Aden," I sobbed.

"For what?" he asked.

"Saving me. Being with me. Everything."

"It's what happens when people are in love," he laughed.

I looked up at him, confused. "Did you just--?"

His lips crashed on mine and lust swirled throughout me. I was now sitting on him and he laughed under the kiss and set me in my seat. I felt his tounge trace my lips and I opened my mouth so he could do what he wanted. I didn't want this to end. Aden made all my problems fade. He made me feel special. He let me go and our lips parted. I looked dead in his eyes. We were both catching our breath.

"You should go inside," he told me.

I went to kiss him bye, but he stopped me. "Go inside."

I nodded and walked in Grace's house. What was all that? Why did he reject me like that? I was pretty sobered up now--kind of. But I knew I wasn't going to remember this tomorrow. All I knew, I was so going to remember that kiss.