My name is Claire Peirceson and I'm about to tell you the story of my first love. It may seem crazy and unbelievable, sometimes I don't even believe it and I lived it, but it's true none the less. It takes place in the year 2003 in a small town called Perrisville. My family and I had just moved to the new town and I was none too happy. I was 17 with long, dirty blond hair, hazel eyes, and a pasty complexion. Standing at 5'4, I looked every bit a jaded teen dressed in my grunge get up of a flannel shirt and ripped acid washed jeans.

The first three days in the new house, I refused to come out of my room. Then I recalled the many joints I'd brought with me from my old home. Not wanting to get caught getting high, I finally gave up hiding in my room and ventured outside. Glancing around to make sure no one would notice, I slipped into the vast area of woods behind my house. I walked a couple of yards before finally pulling out a joint and lighting up.

Taking a couple hits, I decided to keep walking. The more I inhaled, the more I lost myself. Soon I was walking unseeingly and singing an old Nirvana song to myself. "I'm so happy cause today I found my friends. They're in my head."

The higher I got, the louder I sang, until finally I trailed off and began to take in my surroundings. I was surrounded by trees. "Oh shit." I mumbled, realizing I was lost and that the sun that I could see through the trees was quickly disappearing.

"You should know better that to get high in the woods by yourself." A voice spoke just as the rest of my pot decided to burn me. Letting out a small scream, I dropped the weed and spun around to face the hottest guy I've ever seen. He had medium length black hair with red tips that framed his face, cerulean blue eyes, and a pale complexion. He was two inches taller than me and wore tight black jeans and a tight black t-shirt along with black nail polish on his chewed fingernails.

"Who the fuck are you?" I asked, frightened out of my mind at the fact that this person suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Torin Addler at your service. And, you would be?" The guy spoke, a hint of surprise on his face.

Glancing around briefly, I turned back to Torin and asked, "Where the hell did you come from? You...you weren't here before."

"Sure I was. You just didn't notice me over your singing. I was actually waiting for you to realize how lost you were becoming." He replied with a small smile.

"You heard me singing?" I squeaked.

"Yeah, you're pretty good, you know. Not a lot of people can sing Cobain's songs as beautifully as he did."

I could feel myself blushing under his intense gaze.

"Look, I didn't mean to freak you out. I just figured I'd keep an eye on you so when you sobered up I could show you the way out of the woods. So, that being said, do you want me to help you get out of here now?" Torin asked.

"Not really, but whatever." I spoke, still feeling dazed.

He took my hand and we began to walk back to civilization. Feeling awkward walking in silence, I attempted to make conversation.

"So, how old are you?" I asked.

"I'm seventeen. You?" Torin replied.

"Same as you. Oh, I totally ignored your question earlier. I'm Claire Peirceson. I just moved into the house on the edge of these woods." I spoke.

"I know." He responded.

Startled by his statement, I began to pull away from his cold hand.

He tightened his grip and quickly explained, "I hang out here a lot and a couple of days ago I saw you stomping into your house looking positively pissed.. I was actually hoping I'd get to meet you. I'm not some kind of pervert or killer if that's what you're thinking. You can trust me."

"How do I know that?" I asked, warily.

Torin sighed and answered, " You'll just have to take my word for it until you get to know me, I guess."

I looked at him for awhile. He didn't look like he would hurt me. And he was helping me get home after all. I relaxed and my hand went limp in his as we neared the clearing.

"Well, um, thanks for helping me get home." I spoke.

"No problem. See you around, huh?" Torin replied, turning to go back into the woods.

"Yeah, see you around. Hey, wait, you're going back into the woods? Don't you have to go home? I mean, it's really dark, so it must be late." I called out.

"I am going home. Goodnight , Claire." He softly spoke.

Puzzled, I glanced at the ground only to find myself completely along a second later when I looked back up.

"Torin? Torin?" I shivered, calling his name.

'Did I imagine him?' I asked myself.

Taking a deep breath, I walked the rest of the distance to my house, straight past my parents who were ranting about the time and how worried they were, and into my bedroom - locking my door. I didn't even bother changing into night clothes. I just fell into bed and the sweet abyss of sleep.