Disclaimer: I don't own twilight

Ashley nudged Shailene hard and Shailene blushed deeper. "I'm Shailene." She took a side glance at Ashley, it sounded more like a question. Andrew smiled widely, glad to learn the

beautiful girl's name. "how old are you, anyway?" Ashley piped up happily. Shailene could already see the cogs turning in Ashley's head. She wanted to play match-maker. Andrew replied.

"I'm 16. How old are you, Shailene?" Shailene opened her mouth to reply but Ashley answered for her. "She just turned 13. What exactly are your intentions with Shailene?" Andrew bit

his lip and chuckled awkwardly. "um, I don't know?" he looked at Shailene for help but saw that she was just as at a loss. "ok, well you know what just came out? The haunting of Molly

Hartley. Why don't you two see it?" Shailene protested in a whisper to Ashley. "I hate scary movies! They scare me!" Ashley only gave her an exasperated look in reply and whispered as if

it were obvious. "duh!" then she addressed Andrew. "tonight at 7, cinemagic. She'll be there." Andrew stood awkwardly. He got the hint to leave and said. "I guess I'll see you then?"

Andrew asked innocently. Shailene nodded and spoke for herself. "um, yeah. See you then." The second Andrew was out of ear shot, Ashley began squealing, which Shailene was sure

Andrew could hear. "you scored a 16 year old! He can drive!!!" Shailene rolled her eyes. "I'm sure he's just a friend. Besides, look what you've done. Drew and all of his friends are going

to be there. I'll get beat up!" Ashley smiled. "not with Andrew there." Shailene frowned. "you're evil." Ashley shrugged and said. "I have to finish trying on my outfits. Then we'll go to your

place and get you ready." Shailene protested. "we have hours!" Ashley paused. "you're right. one second, let me finish up." As Ashley retreated into the dressing room, Shailene took the

opportunity to escape. She ran from Dots and turned down the road. She loved Ashley like a sister, but sometimes she was overbearing. Shaley kept walking until she got to the park, but

she froze in her tracks when she saw Dean, Drew's best friend. "aw crap." Shaley breathed as she backed up. Dean smiled and ran for her. She turned towards the woods, knowing she

could out run him in here, this was her home field. She was drastically wrong. "ha!" Dean yelled as he jumped on her back. She fell to the ground with a grunt. Dean got off of her and she

tried to get up. He kicked her in the side so hard that she rolled onto her back. "stop!" she cried in pain. He grabbed her Pony tail and pulled it back until her head slammed into a tree.

"freak!" he finally concluded after kicking Shaley several more times. Then he ran off. Shaley grunted and grabbed her cell phone. She dialed her mom's number. "hello?" her mom

answered. Shaley groaned. "mom, I got beat up . . . again." She added as she sat up painfully. Her mom's voice was concerned and angry. "where are you?" Shaley replied unsurely. "I

ran into the woods. Somewhere by the park . . ." her mom sighed. "I'll try and get home early. Can you make it home?" Shailene nodded. "yeah." as her mom began to say her goodbye,

Shaley remembered. "hey, ma? I know this is a bad time, but can I go to a movie with Ashley tonight?" her mother would never agree if she knew it was with an older boy. "um . . . ok,

sure. I'll be home at 4. Stay out of trouble." Shaley nodded and hung up. She groaned and got to her feet. Her side burned with pain and her head was throbbing. "damn Dean." She

muttered repeatedly as she stumbled out of the woods. She ran past the park and pushed her way through the crowd and to her house.

Shailene winced as her mother put ice on her black eye. "Shailene, Shailene, Shailene, what am I going to do with you?" Shaley shrugged. "I don't do anything. they just beat me up! I

don't even know why . . . I wish dad didn't leave, he could have taught me how to fight." Her mother's lips pressed into a thin line. "your father was an amazing fighter," she chuckled and

added in a longing voice. "he had a short temper, but he was very loving. He cared very deeply about me. Then when I got hurt, he hurt me, on my back . . . we were still ok. We really

loved each other. But . . . I don't know . . . he just didn't want to stay, I guess." Her mother knew the last part was a lie, but it was for Shailene's protection. Shaley admitted. "I wish he

didn't leave us. I really want a dad." She stopped and tears began to well up in her dark eyes. "but I hate him. I hate him." She hugged her mother tightly and her mom stroked her hair.

"why do you hate him, Shaley?" Shaley croaked. "because he took away my chance to have a dad. He left us. And now I can't have a dad." Her mother pulled away and sighed. "Shaley,

why don't you take a shower and start getting ready for the movies. It's already 5, and it takes a half hour to get there." Shailene nodded and obeyed her mom. Trinity held her head in

her hands in defeat. She breathed. "no matter what I do, I'm wrong. Damn it, Paul." She stood up and hesitantly looked at the phone. All it would take is one phone call. She took a deep

breath and dialed Emily Ulley's number. "hello?" Emily's kind voice rang through the phone. Trinity took a deep breath. "hi Emily." Emily gasped. "Trinity? Trinity Parker? Is that you?" Trinity

smiled slightly. "it's me, Emily. How are you?" Emily gushed. "oh! I missed you so much! You've missed so much! I have a son, now! And so does Quil, and Embry, and Jared and Jake! Paul

is such a mess! Why did you leave?" Trinity didn't want to give Shailene away yet, so she changed the subject. "where is Paul?" Emily sighed. "he's in California. He's been looking for you

ever since you left. He searched every corner of Washington, and most of Nevada and Oregon. He didn't think you'd go to California. Can I call him!?" Trinity nodded. "you can call him. I'm

in Napa." Emily promised. "I will call him right now. It's so nice to talk to you. I'll call you later." Trinity giggled. "I missed you too. Bye Emily." They hung up. Shailene came out in only a

towel. "who was that, ma?" Trinity shook her head and smiled a secret smile. "go get dressed, then you can head to the movies early. I know how you and Ashley like to hang out before

the movie." To be honest, Trinity didn't want Paul to meet Shailene, so she wanted Shaley to leave early. Shailene ran the brush through her long chestnut hair and began to blow dry it

straight. She as she finished blow drying her hair she changed into some jeans and a long sleeve fleece shirt. As she was putting away the straight iron, she heard voices. A deep voice.

"Ma?" she called out. "who's here?" there was a short silence, then a simple answer in a dry voice. "your father."

oooh, cliff hanger. Not much of a surprise though. What do you think?