“I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self-respect. And it's these things I'd believe in, even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn't all she should be. I love her and it is the beginning of everything.”

~ 

 

Monday morning rolls round and I’m still cringing at my amazingly smooth moves with Mason on Saturday. I think he’s a nice guy, but ever since he arrived, Tegan and her goon squad have been a thousand times worse. I just don’t know if having a friend is worth it. Especially since they seem so interested in him. On the other hand, he’s nice, protective, and let’s not forget, hard on the eyes – my sarcasm astonishes even me sometimes. I push the palms of my hands against my eyes. 7a.m is not the time for this sort of thinking. I kick off my sheets and prepare to face the day. I can hear Monica humming away downstairs, prepping for her morning yoga class, as always. The sound brings me comfort as I pull myself together.

“Erin, if you don’t get moving you’re going to be late!” She hollers up the stairs. I grab my bags. Books. Check. Gym bag. Check. Get up and go. Nope, apparently, that wanted to stay in bed today. Awesome.

“I’m going, I’m going,” I say as I run down the stairs, grabbing an apple as I pass through the kitchen. “I’m never late, remember.”

“Oh, I know, one of the many things I love about you. Now get going before you break your rules,” she chides.

I swipe a chaste kiss on her check before running out of the door.

I make it to class, with minutes to spare having dropped off my stuff in my locker. I love uneventful mornings, even if English class is the start of today. I settle down in my corner, and wait, knowing Mason is going to be here any second. I can’t help it, but I can’t keep still. A mash of anxiety and excitement fill me, and that worries me.

He saunters into the room, some of the guys of the football team call out to him as he leaves them behind, sliding into his chair beside me.

“New friends?” I ask, with a small smile. The football team are Evan’s friends, and by association, Tegan’s. I’ve never been their number one fan, especially since they tend to help Tegan with any heavy lifting she might need.

“Yeah, I caught up with the guys in the park yesterday, after my run. Some of them are actually all right – you know, once you get past their ego and jock thing.”

“Awesome – I’m glad you’re fitting in.”

“Well, little miss outcast, I might just be able to bring you into the light with me,” he teases.

“Maybe I like the darkness.”

“Well, does that mean you don’t want to come and see Jaded Hearts with me?”

“I’m sorry, say what?” I squeal as he pulls two tickets out of his back pocket. “Are these for real?”

“I heard from a good source, these might just be your favorite band, and I had a spare ticket.”

“Are you kidding?” I squeal and jump up and hug him. “This might be the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

I don't even care we’re in class and people are looking. JADED HEARTS TICKETS!

“You’re welcome. I figured it’s the least I could do to repay you. Plus, finding someone else to come to their gig with me isn't an easy task. You’re doing me a favor.” He winks at me as I sit down, trying not to do a happy dance in my chair. “It’s tonight, is that a problem?”

“Hell no! It isn’t. Thank you so much, Mason. Gahhhh!” I hug myself, resisting doing the same to him.

“Nice to see you took the loser on as your charity case, new guy.” One of the jock squad pipes up from across the room.

“What's up butt munch? Jealous I’m taking out the pretty girl? Guess you should’ve asked first.” Mason retorts, but I can’t find it in me to care even a little about everyone else around me. My happy bubble is keeping me nice and warm with fuzzies. Screw everyone else. I’m going to see Jaded Hearts!

The rest of the day blurs by, and not even gym class can ruin my mood. I stand under the showers, humming my favorite Jaded Hearts song to myself when I realize how quiet the room has gone. I rinse out my hair and do another little happy dance, before reaching outside the shower curtain for my towel, when I’m met with nothing but air.

Please god no.

I poke my head out around the curtain, and I see no-one around, but I also don’t see my towel. You have got to be kidding me.

“Hello,” I call out. “Is there anyone else in here?” I’m greeted with nothing but silence. Wonderful.

I double check and make sure no one is around before darting from the stall ninja style, trying to cover myself as much as possible. I get to the main locker room, and still see no-one. Tiptoeing to coach’s office, I knock softly, half hoping no-one is in there. There’s no movement so I open the door and grab a towel from the top of the bin. I don’t even care if it’s wet at this point, I just need to not be naked.

Securing the towel in place, I head to my locker and find it ajar. Seriously, this day can go suck it. I open my locker and see my chucks in the bottom, along with my underwear, my cell, and my necklace, but that's it. Fucking wonderful. That's when I hear a shower turn on. I grasp the towel around me and look around. I could've sworn there was no one else in here.

“Hello?” I call out.

There are footsteps, followed by a door closing. I lean back against my locker and close my eyes. I just have to survive this year and then I can escape this hell hole. One year. I take a deep breath and head towards the now running shower, finding my clothes balled up and shredded in the bottom of the shower. I sink down the wall and land in a mess on the floor. What did I ever do to deserve this?

“Erin, are you okay?” I look up and see Coach Scott looking down at me.

“Sure thing, Coach. Just a mishap with my clothes, I guess,” I tell her. She frowns.

“Come on into my office, Erin and we’ll see what we can do about this, shall we?”

“Thanks, Coach.” I take her offered hand and stand while trying to keep my modesty with the small towel. Picking up my destroyed clothes, I follow her to the office.

“What’s going on here, Erin?” She asks once I’m sat opposite her.

“If I knew, I’d tell you, Coach. As it is, I have no idea,” I say, exasperated.

“I can’t help you if I don’t know the details.”

“I really don’t know, Coach.”

“Fine,” she sighs, disappointment thick in her voice. “I’ll call Monica to come and get you, and get her to bring you some more clothes. Until then, you stay here, okay?”

“Thanks, Coach,” I say as she leaves the room. I drop my head in my hands and fight the urge to cry. I will not let them get to me like this. I’ve never let it get to me before. Though it’s definitely worse now than it’s ever been. The only things I can put it down to are; one, Tegan found out I slept with Evan over summer and is torturing me as a way of ‘reminding me of my place’, or two, Mason. He actually sees me, unlike the rest of the school, and considering he has that whole, mysterious, cheeky yet bad-boy thing going for him, I can only imagine the queen bee and her little minions hate it. God forbid I ever have a friend.

I wait in silence for Monica to arrive, and when she does, she arrives like a hurricane, bursting through the door like I’m about to go up against a firing squad.

“Erin! Are you okay? The coach called and said I needed to bring you clothes?” She says before taking in the fact I’m stood in front of her in nothing more than a towel.

“Oh dear lord, give me strength. What did those sniveling little witches do now?” She asks, her face like thunder.

“Nothing worse than anything else they’ve ever done. Did you bring me some clothes?”

“I’ve had enough of this! These girls can’t treat you this way; I’ve let you handle it for too long. I’m taking this to your principal. Enough is enough, damn it!”

“Monica, please… It’s just going to make it worse.”

“Not if I have my way, it won’t. You need to let me help you with this, kiddo. It’s part of my job as your mom, now go and get dressed, and then I I’ll be making an appointment with Eric.”

“It’s Mr. Hardman here, Mon. No-one calls him Eric inside these walls.”

“Yes, well, maybe he’ll take me seriously then. I expect their parents to be bought in on this.”

“We have no proof it was them, Monica.”

“I don’t need proof. Don’t think I haven't seen your social media pages, Erin. It damn near broke my heart to see that rubbish, and to know you tried to deal with it alone. No more. We’re a team. You know what they say, a single arrow is easily broken, but not a bundle. I’m going to be your bundle.”

“Thank you, Monica,” I sigh, getting up and taking the clothes from before making my way back to my locker to get dressed. I overhear Coach and Monica talking about how school wasn’t like this in their day, well whoopee- do for them.

I slide my phone into my pocket, ignoring the texts from Mason. I’ve got to deal with Monica before I even think of anything else. She had that look, like a dog with a bone, and I need her to drop this. Yes, it fucking sucks, and yes, I would give pretty much anything for it to stop, but running to the principal or telling their parents, isn’t going to. I’m not sure what will, but what I do know is that is just going to make it worse.

“I’ll be fine now, Monica. Sorry to have disturbed your day,” I say, re-entering Coach’s office. She frowns in that way moms do, and while normally I appreciate it, today I just want her to leave it alone.

“Erin, be reasonable. These girls can’t go unpunished,” She says, exasperated.

“You know I can’t leave this unchecked, Erin,” Coach states, nodding at Monica. “That being said, Monica, Erin is right. We have no proof of who did this. All I can do for now is report it to Mr. Hardman, and keep a closer eye on things.”

“Are you being serious? Her property was damaged, and nothing can be done?” Monica throws her hands up in the air. “No wonder these girls think they can get away with anything. They can!”

“Please be reassured, Monica. We don’t tolerate bullying of any form. I’ll personally keep an eye on the girls you told me about. Hopefully, we can find a resolution quickly.”

“Ridiculous. Erin, do you want to come home?” She turns to me and I can see that’s what she wants, but going home will mean they’ve won.

“No, I’m fine. Lunch is nearly over, I’ll head to class and be home after.”

“Hmmm. I don’t like it, but if you’re sure?”

“I promise, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“Telling a mother not to worry – good one, sweetie.”

She rolls her eyes at me, gathering her bag. “Fine, I’ll head home, but you come straight home from school, please.”

She says it like a question, but we both know it isn’t.

“Erm, that’s fine. But I kinda have plans tonight?” I say, hoping she doesn’t ask too many questions.

“Hmmmm, we’ll talk once you’re home,” she hugs me, before kissing me on the cheek and flurries out of the room like a walking, talking twister.

I sigh before heading toward the door. The warning bell rings, signaling the end of lunch.

“You really should speak to someone, Erin. Even if it’s not me. We have ways of helping with this stuff.”

“No offence, Coach, but I’ve been dealing with this, quite literally, forever. No-one has ever helped before. Ignorance is bliss and all that, but regardless, I’ve survived. I’ve got less than a year left, and then I’m out of here. I can survive a bit longer.”

“Maybe so, Erin, but surviving isn’t living. This is your senior year. Living is kind of a requirement,” she smiles a small smile. “Just think about it, but my door is always open.”

“Thanks, Coach. I’ve really got to go now, otherwise I’m going to be late.” She opens her draw and pulls out a pad of paper.

“Here’s a tardy slip. Give it to your next teacher, and you’ll be fine.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather not draw any more attention.”

“Understood. See you soon, Erin.”

“Laters Coach,” I call out behind me before shutting the door. The halls are bustling with everyone getting on with their day, and not one person even notices me. I make my way through the sea of people to my locker. I rest my forehead on it for a second, taking a deep breath before opening it. I take note, and everything that’s meant to be here is. I pull out my bag, and a ton of stuff falls onto the floor. Awesome.

I kneel down and stuff it back in my bag, when I see folded pieces of paper amongst the mess. The bell rings, and I shove it all in my bag before high-tailing it to class. Late is not my style.

I slip into my desk, seconds before Mrs. White strolls in, her head in a book. A math book, oh the intrigue. She potters about at the front of the room before starting to write on the whiteboard. I unpack my bag, and the pieces of paper come out with my books. I look at them, trying not to draw attention to myself.

 

Loser, you need to leave Mason alone. You don’t want him to die, too, do you?

 

If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave Mason alone.

 

Leave him alone freak!

Or else.

 

Surely they aren’t tormenting me this much just because of Mason? I shake my head, no, they’ve always been like this, he’s just another excuse for them to try and make my life hell. I scrunch them up and slide them into my bag just as Mrs. White turns around.

“Senior year isn’t all fun and games. You have the class to try and work out the equation on the board. In silence. Good luck,” she announces before plopping down into her chair and sticking her head back in to her book. If I didn’t know better, I’d accuse her of reading that ‘mommy porn’ all of Monica’s friends are obsessed with – or, erotic romance as Monica insists I call it. I snort-laugh, making everyone turn to look at me; the snickers echo around the room. I feel my blush heat my cheeks. Fuck my life. Just why?!

 

***

 

“Monica, you home?” I call out as I drop my bag by the sofa in the lounge.

“In the kitchen.”

I slip off my chucks and pad into the kitchen, tugging down the sleeves of my sweater, ready to face the lecture I have no doubt is coming my way.

“How was the rest of your day?” She asks, a skeptical look on her face.

“It was okay. Nothing major, just a normal day.” I jump onto the stool at the center island in the kitchen and watch as she finishes prepping the salad.

“About what happened today...”

“Was an escalation – I know, but the fact you came to the school, and Coach was with us, I think might have made them back down. Like I say, nothing happened after you left.” It’s a small lie, but the chances are, those notes were in my locker long before anyone saw her at the school.

“I still don’t like this, Erin. I know you’re almost an adult, but it is just almost. As your guardian, it’s my responsibility to watch out for you. I know I’m not your mom. I’ve tried to be laid back about it all, but I’m at my limit. I can’t watch you go through this and keep respecting your wishes of staying out of it. It’s gotten to the point, it can’t be ignored; something needs to be done.”

“I really wish you wouldn’t. It’s not going to change anything, if anything, it will just make it worse.”

“You don’t know that, and it’s now at the point where your teachers are going to have to acknowledge something is happening. You shouldn’t have to go through this, and I’m so, so sorry you are – have been. I’ve already made an appointment with Mr. Hardman, your coach will be with us. You don’t have to be there, but I really hope you’ll come. School is meant to be one of the greatest times of your life.”

“I understand where you’re coming from, Monica – I do. But I don’t want to react to it; reacting to it will make it worse. These girls are nothing but stupid bitches who have peaked in high school. I have the rest of my life to look forward to. It might not be right, but I’m used to this, and I can get through the next few months. This is them reacting to thinking they’re losing control; they know school is nearly done and then what? They have nothing but this small town and the people in it, but I’ve got more than that. I have the University of Austin; I have pre-med to look forward to. I’m going to be able to help people, I just need to get through this first. I won’t ask you not to meet with Mr. Hardman, I get that you watching me live with this isn’t easy, probably just as hard as letting them think it doesn’t hurt me, but I won’t be going with you. I don’t want to make it official.”

She sighs and wraps me up in a tight hug before kissing my forehead.

“Okay, sweetie; we’ll keep playing it your war, but you have to tell me if it gets too much. Dr Lacey is still available if you want to start up your therapy sessions again.”

I groan at her. I saw Dr Lacey when I was younger and had to deal with the fact I was abandoned. Back then, Charli was still around, so I had my person. It was us against the world, but Dr Lacey helped me a lot. She was nice, plus she always handed out candy.

“Fine, fine; just know you have people to fall back on. Now, what are these plans you eluded to earlier?”

“Well, you know I told you about the new kid?”

“The one you’re helping to tutor?”

“Yeah, him. Wellllll, he has tickets to see Jaded Hearts, and asked me if I wanted to go with him.” I try to say as calmly as I can, as if this isn’t an epic thing.

“Hmmmm… I don’t know, Erin. I don’t know this boy, and by the sounds of it, you don’t really know him either,” she says skeptically.

“He’s super nice; he’s not like the other kids around here. Plus, its JADED HEARTS!!! Pleaseeeeeeee” I plead, and she laughs.

“Okay, okay. Do I get to at least meet this boy before your date?”

“It isn’t a date!” I groan. “And, no.”

“If it’s not a date, I don’t see the harm in me meeting the young man.” She teases me, an evil glint in her eye.

“Oh my god, Monica. No, just no.”

“Hmmm… well if you’re going to be hanging out with him frequently, I’m sure I’ll meet him soon enough.”

“Does that mean I can go?” I ask excitedly.

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“Thank you!” I squeal, jumping up and hugging her. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!!”

“Ha! If I’d known I was going to get that reaction, I’d have dragged it out longer,” she says, sticking her tongue out at me.

“Now sit down and eat something,” she says, taking the lasagna from the oven and putting it on the counter in front of me. I jump down and grab two plates, before joining her at the counter. My phone pings in my pocket, and I’m desperate to look at it; I’ve not read anything since the episode before lunch and I know Mason has text me about tonight.

“Go on, read it. I can see you’re itching to. Just this once, though. No cell phones with dinner,” she says just before hers starts ringing and I laugh.

“Of course,” she mutters, getting up to answer her phone as I read through my messages from Mason.

 

Mason: Hey, you okay? I heard some rumors flying about.

Mason: Erin? I heard Monica was at the school.

Mason: If I don’t hear from you soon, I’m going to swing by.

Me: Now then caveman, no need to swing that club about. I’m fine, I’ll explain everything on the way to the gig.

Mason: Okay, awesome. Want me to pick you up?

Me: Believe me when I say, this is for your own good, but hell, no!

Mason: I’ll try not to be too offended LOL. See you at mine at 6?

Me: Sure, shoot me your address and I’ll be there

 

I put my phone down and smile. It sounds so god damn corny and I hate it, but I love the possibility that I have a friend again. Don’t get me wrong, I have Evan, but well, not really, and Charli is so far away that she doesn’t count right now. Never tell her that, that bitch will cut me. I wolf down the lasagna before waving to Monica and heading upstairs to get ready. The phone call looked serious, but if it’s anything major, I know she’ll tell me.

I strip off and jump in the shower before shimmying into my clothes for tonight. Jaded Hearts ripped tee. Check. Denim cut offs. Check. Knee High chucks with bright blue lace. You’re damn skippy! I blow my hair out but leave it down and straight, remembering to stick an elastic on my wrist along with the many bracelets. I have a glance in the mirror to check I don’t look like a complete dork with my bright white legs out. I do, but I realize I’m too excited to care. I’ve never been to a gig before; it’s real high on my bucket list. I go to the corkboard on my wall, where I’ve got a ton of pictures of different things I want to do before I’m too old to, and on there is a picture of Jaded Hearts, which I tore out from a magazine covering their night at Hyde Park in London. This might not be London, but I am already too excited. I practically bounce out of my room and down the stairs. Monica is sat on the sofa, looking solemn, but she sees me and seems to shake it off.

“Erin, you look amazing!”

“Flying the freak flag high,” I giggle.

“Erin!” she scolds, “we don’t use that word. Quirky, we like quirky.” She winks at me.

“Yes ma’am,” I laugh back at her.

“Now then, you go and have some fun; you deserve it,” she says after hugging me. “Though not too much fun, you hear!”

I laugh as I open the door, and pop my headphones in to my ears. “Love you too, Mon.”

I head across town to the address Mason sent over. I’m listening to some JH to pump myself up – Like I need it. I see my surroundings almost like for the first time. I’ve never really thought about it before, but I guess I live on the ‘money’ side of Rocky Falls. We’ve never really struggled for anything, material wise I mean, it’s just not something I’ve paid attention to. I guess that makes me a little entitled? Or naïve maybe? I contemplate this as I walk the miles to Mason’s. I spot his car first; a black, shiny monster parked on the driveway, of a small bungalow. It looks a little worn, but it also looks loved. The front gardens are tended to perfection, and other than the cracks in the paint, there’s nothing wrong with it. It stands out on its street, the houses around it look tired, and some are more than a little unloved. I open the gate and walk up the pathway to the wraparound porch. The door opens before I reach it.

“Mason, your girlfriend’s here,” a young boy yells, before running into the front yard, followed by three others, all in football jerseys.

“You must be Parker,” I say to him with a smile.

“That’s me. Mason’s inside with Grams.”

“Nice to meet you, Parker.”

“Thanks, I’m going to go now.”

“Parker Knight, you watch your damn manners.” I turn and see who I assume is their Grams, hollering from the front door.

“Sorry, Grams,” he grumbles. “Nice to meet you, too, Erin,” he says before running off to join his friends.

“Come on in dear. Mason’s just sorting out the sink for me. Damn thing has a mind of its own.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Knight.”

“None of that now, Mrs. Knight is my mother-in-law. You call me Grams, everyone else does.”

“Grams give the poor girl a break, she’s hardly in the door. Hey Erin,” Mason says, as he hugs his grams and kisses her cheek. He’s in sweats and topless, and damn hot. That tattoo, I’d seen peeking out of his t-shirt at school before, and that one time when he stripped off to save me from my slushie humiliation, but I couldn’t really pay attention fully then, but no, now it is on full show, and what a work of art it is. A phoenix, rising from the ashes and fire, wings stretched out. My cheeks blush as I realize I’m staring – with a slack jaw. God, this is embarrassing. I look to the floor.

“Boy, go put some clothes on!” Grams swats at him. “You should shower, too, you sweaty ape.”

“Yes, Grams!” He shouts out as he heads off down a corridor. “I won’t be long, Erin.”

“Would like a drink, dear?”

“Yes please.” I feel a little awkward, but there’s something about Grams that makes you feel at home.

“Come on in, I won’t bite,” she says, ushering me into the kitchen with her. “You just take a seat; Mason won’t keep you waiting long. He’s a good boy, really.”

“Thank you.”

“So you’re tutoring my Mason, too? He said that’s how you became friends.”

“I guess you could say that,” I laugh. “But yes, I am tutoring him.”

“You do well in school? You have many plans for after?”

“You could say that. I’m working towards starting my pre-med at UT next fall.”

“Ah, so my Mason is in good hands. Do you have many friends, girl?”

“Erm, I tend to keep to myself. Well, until Mason, obviously.”

“He badgered you until you gave in, didn’t he?” She belts out a laugh.

“Something like that,” I laugh quietly.

“That boy, he’s just like my Enzo, rest his soul. Stubborn as a bull, but once he saw what he wanted, he’d persist until he got his way. That’s how I ended up married to him – best decision I ever made,” she tells me, handing me a glass of sweet tea. “But you don’t let him talk you into anything crazy. You just do you, you hear me girl? You’re far too pretty to let anyone tell you what to do. Smart too. You’re a good girl, I can tell,” she rambles.

“You talking crazy again, Grams?” Mason asks as he swaggers into the room. He’s just wearing jeans and a white tee, but it’s tight enough for his arms to strain against it as he grips the door to the fridge and bends over to grab himself a drink.

“Don’t you sass me, boy. You’ll never be too big to go over my knee.”

“Awh, come on, Grams, you know you love me too much for that. Plus, you love my sass,” he winks at her and kisses her on the cheek. Its sweet to see him like this with her. I know he can be teasing, he’s like it with me, but he shuts himself off from most people, from what I’ve seen.

“You ready?” He asks me.

“Sure,” I smile and stand. “Thank you for the tea, Grams.”

“You’re welcome, dear. Mason, she’s a good girl; you don’t screw this up.”

“Grams,” he groans.

“We’re just friends, Grams. I could use a few good ones,” I smile at her.

“Ummmhmmm.”

“See you later, Grams,” he says, placing his hand on the small of my back and ushering us out of the house to his car.

“Sorry about Grams; she can be a bit full on,” he apologizes as he opens the car door for me.

“Don’t be – she seems great.”

“She’s a crazy old bat, but I wouldn’t change her for the world,” he laughs before closing the door and strolling round to get in. “I set us up a playlist, Jaded’s best hits. That cool with you?”

“Hell yes! I’m so excited, so I’m just going to say sorry now. I’ve never been to a gig before – or done, well much of anything, so thank you.” I trip over the words as they fall out of my mouth.

“Well, time to pop that cherry then! Here’s to firsts.”

 

***

 

Holy shit, this is amazing! I’ve never been so tightly packed in between people before. I feel like a sardine, and it’s amazing! To be in a room full of people, all there for the same reason, feeling the same things you are. The magic is indescribable. I’ve never felt so on fire; screaming lyrics at the top of my voice and losing myself in the music. It’s something new, and I never want to not feel this way again.

“You can’t control what they say,

you can’t control what they do.

Just be who you are,

this time you might break through.

They might not back down,

but you know that they can’t break you.

Just be who you are, just be who you are!!”

The lyrics wash through me, and though I’ve heard them a thousand times, this time it’s different; like they settle inside a piece of my soul, giving me a strength to pull from.

We sing and dance, bounce and thrash, the night away, and before I know it, the encore is done and the lights are up. We walk, wordlessly with the crowd, out of the stadium and back to the car.

“Thank you so much for tonight, Mason. It was incredible.”

“Thank you for coming with me. It wouldn’t have been the same on my own. It was fun being your first gig buddy, too. I forgot how much fun they can be when you get lost in it all.”

He stands so close in front of me it’s like I can breathe him in. The wind picks up and my skin pimples, but I barely feel the cold what with the heat coming from him.

“Erin…” he murmurs my name as he looks down at me, and my head swims as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me in line with him, my curves fitting somehow along his hard edges. I put my arms around him and rest my head on his chest. He feels safe, which considering I’ve not known him long, is weird, but I’ve learnt not to question these things in life. Good people don’t pop up every day. His lips touch mine, and I sigh into him. Holy crap, Mason Knight is kissing me! I find myself reacting to him, my hands running through his hair, pulling him closer to me. I’ve never felt like this before. Ever. His hands move down and grip my waist, pulling me closer to him, and I can’t help the pleasurable groan that escapes me. He slows the kiss, and I pull back, my lips swollen.

“We should get back, huh? Do you want me to drive?” I ask, taking a step back and putting my hand on his chest. The distance helps clear the fog in my head. He puts his hand over the one I have on his chest, the other on my hip.

“I won’t push this, Erin, but there’s something about you; you’re special. I can wait for that. I might not have known you long, but know I’m not going anywhere.” He leans down and kisses me lightly on the lips. I close my eyes as his lips touch mine, so soft, and yet, demanding. He pulls back, his hands still on me. “Let’s get you home.”

 

***

 

He pulls up in front of my house and I stretch out in the hoodie he gave me when I started to get cold on our drive.

“Tiger really is a fitting name for you. Enjoy your cat nap?” He chuckles.

“I did not sleep, I just got reallll comfy,” I protest.

“Your snores said otherwise.”

“I do NOT snore!” I say, horrified. I mean I hope I don’t. Please God, no.

“It’s cute. Kinda like a purr,” he teases.

“Oh, shut up, you bloody brute, I do not!” I say, swatting his arm.

“Violent too, I’ll have to remember to keep those claws in check.”

“Oh my God, I’m going now,” I say, opening the door.

“Night, kitten.”

“Night, asshole,” I say, slamming the door shut. I can hear him laughing as I walk up the front path. I send him the finger, laughing as I open the front door. He’s still laughing as he restarts the car, letting the engine turn until I’m safely inside.

“Fun night?”

“Holy shit!” I squeak, holding my heart.

“I scare you?”  Monica asks with a childish glint.

“Something like that. What are you still doing up? It’s gone one.”

“Couldn’t sleep. Soooo, did you have fun?”

“It was quite possibly the best night of my life. Bar none.” I sigh, dropping down onto the sofa beside her, taking a spoonful of her ice cream.

“I’m glad to hear it. Evan dropped by tonight…” Monica says with disdain. I really don’t get why everyone has such a problem with him, I mean, yes he can be a jerk sometimes, but it’s not like he’s a bad person.

“He didn’t seem happy at all when I said you were out with a boy; who I’m assuming from the cuss words he threw around is called Mason?”

“That’s right, I don’t get his problem with Mason. It’s weird, but anyway, can we reconvene in the morning? I’m shattered.”

“Sure thing, honey. Good night.”

“Night, Mon.”

I make my way up the stairs with a smile on my face, before falling face first on to my bed.