Crystal's POV

"Chris," I looked up from the thick book I was reading, "you need to put that away and eat something." My best friend was sitting next to me pushing a lunch tray piled with food towards me.

"But I just got to my favorite part."

"Eat something Chris. You're too skinny anyway."

"It's not my fault I have a fast metabolism. Thanks though." I said gesturing to the food.

"No problem Babe. You know I have to fatten you up." She winked at me. "I don't see why you're not a model with your body and looks."

I couldn't help but turn red at the compliment. "You know I hate attention Ally." Allison had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. She had stuck with me through everything. When my mother had died and my father had gone into a depression she was always there for me. She had even tried talking her parents into letting me move in with them when she found out about my dad, his alcoholic problems, and his fits of rage. But seeing as how she had six brothers and sisters and I wouldn't allow her to tell them why she wanted me out of my house they had refused with many apologies.

When I finally came out of my daydream I realized Ally was talking to me.

"Did you see the new guy yet?"

I looked at Ally confused. "There's a new guy?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "You really don't keep up with the gossip around here, do you?"

"You know half of that stuff is never true."

"Well supposedly he was kicked out of his old school. People are saying that he tried to kill a kid."

"Don't fall for the rumors Ally. What's he look like anyway?"

"He's right over there." She tilted her head towards a table not far from ours. A boy with black hair was sitting by himself staring at his food with an unfathomable expression.

"He doesn't have anyone to sit with?"

"Chris, the guy may have tried to kill someone and you're worried that he might be lonely?" She looked at me incredulously. "You really are too good hearted."

I stood up from my seat. "Come on Ally. Let's see if he wants some company."

She shook her head vehemently. "No thank you. I'd rather live for another day." I opened my mouth to talk but she continued speaking. "I know you don't like rumors, but seriously, look at the guy."

I didn't think he looked all that scary. He was dressed like half the other guys in the school, in dark faded jeans and a navy blue polo shirt. He had a light tan. The only thing remotely odd about him was the scowl that had yet to disappear from his face.

"I'm going to talk to him." I said, leaving Ally behind. She would be fine on her own. She would probably go to sit with another group of girls, anyway.

I absolutely hated attention and making myself known but I hated seeing people upset and usually ended up trying my best to make them happy again. In the school yearbook every year I was always labeled as the nice girl.

I had finally reached his table. "Excuse me." He looked up at me and I watched as his eyes traveled over my face. "My name's Chris. I thought I'd welcome you to Rockdale High." He continued staring at me, his facial expression unchanging. "Do you mind if I sit down?" I had my hand on the chair ready to pull it out.

"Yes." His answer sounded more like a growl.

"I'm sorry." I could feel the warmth seeping up into my cheeks. I took a step back. "If you change your mind. and want some company you're welcome to sit with us." I took off when I saw nothing else was going to be said.

Ally was sitting with a group of girls, a knowing look on her face.

Another girl, Violet, started talking to me. "Oh Chris, I don't know how you were brave enough to talk to him. I mean, I know he's hot but...." It always surprised me that Allison could be friends with people like Violet. She could be nice, but slow at times.

The bell rang preventing me from saying anything. I stood up and said goodbye to Ally before walking to my history class.

We were starting a new project and I was silently hoping to myself that no partners would be involved. But my hopes were diminished when Mrs. Rothrock started calling out two names at a time.

"Crystal Livingston and Damien Ledger."

Damien Ledger? I looked around at all the people joining together at their desks.

I made my way over to Mrs. Rothrock's desk. "Yes Chris? What can I do for you?"

"I don't know who my partner is."

She looked at the list in front of her. "Oh I can see why you wouldn't know him. Damien Ledger. He's a new student." She motioned towards the back of the room where the black haired boy was sitting with his fingers drumming across his desk, head phones in his ear.

"Thanks Mrs. Rothrock."

I made my way to the back of the classroom and stopped in front of the occupied desk. He looked up lazily at me.

"I'm your partner?" It came out more like a question even though I already knew the answer. I sat in the empty desk next to him and pulled out the sheet of paper we had been given, starting to answer the questions.

"I can help you know." A smooth voice spoke up. I looked into bright blue eyes in surprise. "I'm not stupid."

"I'm sure you're not. I'm sorry." I flushed. "I just get caught up in my work sometimes and don't realize I'm supposed to be working with someone. Most people don't mind that they don't have to do anything." The heat in my face was slowly wearing away. Being so fair skinned and a red head, I had the tendency to blush over any little thing. Sometimes I didn't even realize I was doing it, until someone pointed it out.

"Whatever. What do you want me to do?" I silently handed him the second sheet of our work.

"You can do that, if you want?"

"Whatever." Nothing else was said between us as we got to work. By the time the end of the class came I was finished with my half. Damien handed me his own sheet before striding out of the room. I looked down and saw each of the answer spaces were filled with a messy scrawl.

I handed the papers to Mrs. Rothrock on the way out and headed to my last class of the day; independent study.

The class passed by quickly. I finished the book I had been reading at lunch and made my way to my locker when the final bell rang.

With the town being so small you could pretty much walk anywhere. All was at the front doors when I headed outside. "Hey Babe." She said to me. "Have a good weekend, okay?"

"You too." I smiled.

"You'll call me if you need me right?" Ally was always watching out for me. She knew weekends were toughest on me because I had to spend them in the house with my drunken father.

"I'll be fine Ally. Don't worry about me." I slipped my warm wool hat over my head and wrapped my scarf around my neck. The snow was falling pretty heavily onto the already covered ground.

I said goodbye to Allison and started on the short trek home. At the house I slipped out of my clothes, wet from the snow, and into a pair of thin, cotton pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt.

I was lounging on the couch when the front door slammed open and my father came in covered in the stench of strong liquor. I stood up and started making my way to the stairs when I saw he had a group of big men with him.

My father's friends saw me before I could leave, though.

"I didn't know your daughter was so beautiful Malcolm."

"Looks just like her mother." I heard my father mumble.

"How old are you?" The biggest man stepped closer to me.

"Eighteen." I spoke quietly.

"Ah, she's legal boys."

My eyes widened as they came closer to me. "Stay away from me."

"Come on Chrissy." My father spoke to me. "Let them have their fun."

One of the men had his hand wrapped around my forearm, squeezing tightly. "Get off of me." I pulled myself out of his grip shoving him off of me.

I looked to my father helplessly. He wasn't even paying attention as he watched a sitcom on TV. I kept advancing backwards when I felt my body hit the back door.

"Come on sugar. Don't be like that. We'll make it fun. Promise."

I opened the door quickly and ran out straight for the sidewalk where I kept on running. I was shaking in my thin clothes as they did nothing to keep me warm. The snow seeped through my slippers. I was glad I had worn them though instead of going barefoot.

I only stopped running when I knew I was far enough from home. I didn't know where I was when I finally stopped and looked around. I then saw the old Victorian style house that people had always said was haunted. I had always found it comforting. It had been abandoned for as long as I could remember.

I sat down on the clear sidewalk edge in front of it and tucked my head into my knees, the tears flowing freely. My teeth chattered and I knew I should probably be finding some place warmer to go, but I didn't care. My fingers felt frozen and I could no longer feel my feet.

I heard a noise behind me and a quiet "Jesus Christ."

Before I could look back, I blacked out, falling back onto the sidewalk.

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