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CHAPTER 1.

FIGHT...

"Whaddya mean, 'no way'? You hardly know him!" I shout. Mum had said No Way to Rob. How unfair is that? VERY!!! She hardly knew him!

"Exacly! I hardly know him, and he's a . . . he's a . . . .. he's a . . . a . . ."

"A Grit?" I spat out. "So? So? He's human as much as you and me! This isn't fair, mum."

"Ever heard the saying LIFES NOT FAIR?" I hated her then. I really really hated her. I know, I know. I shouldn't diss my parents but in someway or other, they were dissing ME. Oh yeah and ROB just because he's a GRIT. I stalk out of the room and open the front door. They couldn't stop me now. I am eighteen. Or nearly eighteen anyway. I walk out and go to my bike. Um, not the two weeled, pedalled bike. But the one with a motor. Both me and Rob were crazy about them. And for each other - well, on my side, he seemed to be really defensive about something these days - I mounted it and didn't bother to wear a helmet. Come on. I wasn't gonna hurt myself here, was I? A small village of Indiana. Rob was probably going to kill me if he saw me without a helmet. And so was Dad.

I headed straight for Chick's, a fellow motorcyclist and small restaurant owner. It was also the only place where I could get a decent burger and pay less than all the other customers. My father owned two restaurants. Well one now. One of them burned down as an act of vandalism. At the restaurant you can only find Italian food because my parents are Italian. When I got there, Chick welcomed me with a warm smile and asked, his voice gruff, "The usual, Miss.Mastriani?" I nod and seat myself in the usual place at the bar. A man - or maybe guy? hard to say with that angry expression - came in and sat himself on the stool next to mine. We were both dressed the same. Ripped jeans, combat boots, and a leather jacket. Chick asked him what he wanted and the guy/man hissed in a low voice, "Beer." But not in a unfriendly way. Just the voice you use when you are tired with everyone and everything. Chick took out a freezing cold beer from the fridge, took the cap off with his teeth and poured the drink in a big glass. the man/guy said his thanks and sipped slowly. When Chick put the Cheese Burger I so much adored infront of him, I smiled and the guy/man turned towards me like he just noticed me. His expression was odd. It was something between anger and sadness. Nothing compared to the look that Rob often gave me, the one between amusement and disgust that had me wanting him from the first second we met. In detention. Thats what mede my mother so angry. That he was a Grit AND we met in detention. he smiled a me and said in a low voice, "Hey." a friendly voice. I smiled and said hey back, "Um, I'm jess."

"I know. I'm Lucas. Rob told me about you." I was shocked. He knew Rob? The expression must've registered on my face and he must've read it because next thing he said was, "I see Rob didn't tell you about me?" I shook my head. He laughed, a low laugh like he was laughing about some secret joke and wasn't letting anything on, "I knew it. He's embarassed about me. Um, well . . . I'm his second cousin . . . or something like that. I forget, but anyway, I'm family."

"Ahh. I see." But I didn't see at all. That's when I noticed the scar above his right eyebrow, and the purple bruise forming under his eye.

"Fight much?" I asked. His eyebro went up, WAY up.

"Yeah. Um, I do it for a living."

"Riiiiiiight. You FIGHT for a LIVING."

"Yes. Men pay me for beating up certain people of other gangs and blah blah. I get the money and I do what they wnat me to do. Thassal there is ti it, girl. Fight for your keep." Okaaaaay. This guy was freaking me out. I was about to think up some excuse to leave him and my not eaten Cheese Burger, when the door opened and Rob came striding in. He saw me and his shoulders vvisibly relaxed, "There you are. You scared the fright outta me." Only he didn't say fright. He looked at me with that expression of his. The half disgusted, half amused one that made my heart skip a beat everytime he did it. He smiled at Chick and came towards the bar. Thats when he clocked Lucas sitting next to me. "Thought you were going back to New York."

"Thought you'd leave me alone. I just came for a snack before I leave. So chill. I won't be barging into your life Rob." Rob gave a horrible smile at him that made a shiver run down my spine in a really REALLY bad way. He walks towards me and plants a kiss on my chhek, then whispers in my ear, "Come on. Your parents are worried 'bout you."

"Why didn't they come looking for me." I mumbled in reply. But I got up anyway and followed him out. His arm was protectively around my waist as we made our way to his bike, "Hey wait. I came with my bike."

"I'll come and pick it up for you later, OK?" He didn't even look at me as he said it. I stopped in my tracks and pulled him round to face me. My fist banged against his chest and he looked suprised as I yelled at him, "What is WRONG with you, Rob? It's weeks that you don't even look at me when you speak, and weeks since you treated me like a proper girlfriend. I am NOT going to stand this Rob. Tell me what is wrong, and tell me NOW!"

So he told me. And it was better if he hadn't.

I cried all night. And the next day too. And the day after that. How could he? I HATED HIM. I couldn't believe what he said. He was dumping me? Why? What had I done? thought as I cried as I never cried before. A bang sounded at the door, and the muffled voice of my Father ordered me to go downstairs. Immediatley. I shouted back, "Leave me alone! You and mum have ruined it all!! Mum went to tell him didn't she? I hate her!" I slumped back against my bed and wrapped my arms around my knees, drained of tears. the door burst open, and Rob stood there, jangling his keys against his leg. He walked over, grabbed my arms and shook me hard. "What are you doing? Your parents did not tell me to dump you. I did it because . . . because-" he didn't say anything after that. He couldn't say anything, bacuse I had sunk my fist into his stomach and he was crumpled on the floor, trying to breathe properly. His eyes were closed and I was sanding over him. I grabbed his shirt and slammed him against the wall, "Nobody dumps me without a good reason, you got that Wilkins? Nobody. You're lucky I didn't sink my fist into your face." I hissed in his face. His eyes were wide with shock - and maybe pain - and he said slowly, "I did have a good reason, Jess. Your parents don't agree and deep down nor do I. lucas said that you two were getting pretty comfy with eachother so I thought-"

"What HAVE you got in that head of yours Rob? Me and Lucas? I hardly know him! He scary and violent and just looks like he has a horrible mind. OK? And anyway, if I were to two-time you which I would never do, I would never pick someone who is in this town, cuz I know you'll go and beat the pulp outta them." Only I didn't say pulp. He just looked sad and hugged me tight.

"I know you wouldn't but . . . I hit Lucas. Hard. In the face. he told me you two were . . . were." I put a finger on his lips and said, "Don't be ridiculous. I love you too much to go with Lucas."

He smiled, but the smiled didn't quite reach his eyes.

Outside, in the shade of the garden tree, Lucas stood. A gun in his hand, aiming for the girls winodw where he could see the girl and Rob. heads very close together.

he aimed and . . . . . . . .