AN: Welcome back guys! So first of all, thanks for the mayor support I received in response to the first chapter. My guess is that you guys have to be very desperate for some new SOA fanfics, because I've honestly never gotten so many follows/favorites in response to a first chapter on any of my other stories. Anyways, I further want to say sorry for the '?.' in the summary. For some reason, when I only type questionmarks in the summary, FanFiction removes them again. If anyone knows how to fix this issue, do let me know. Also, big thank you to decadenceofmysoul and Emmettluver2010 for their reviews on the first chappie. Note for this chapter: it's going to center around a pretty ugly theme so this is a warning that this chapter hints at sexual assault (nothing described explicitly). Anyway, enjoy guys!

Chapter 2.

When we'd come to a stop in front of my uncle's house, I had handed my helmet back to Jax and looked down at my feet awkwardly. 'I just wanted to say… thank you for today.'

He had of course waved it off and had then proceeded to give me his phone number. "If you ever need me, don't hesitate to call, okay?" I had nodded and fled into the house. The dying sound of his motorcycle could be heard even after I had passed a sleeping uncle Piermont on the couch and had gone up to my new room.

That night was almost a year ago and with that, it marked almost an entire year survived in Charming. Much had changed ever since and, at the same time, nothing had. Uncle Piermont – or just Piney, as he had insisted I call him – and I had managed to figure out a comfortable routine in which we both stayed out of each other's way as much as possible. He paid for my clothes, any school items I needed and even gave me a weekly allowance. In turn, I made sure there was food on the days that he was at home, kept the refrigerator stocked and did not pry into anything involving the club. It was almost like living with my Mom, except Piney and I did not watch chick flicks together. Apart from running our household, I wrestled my way through one year worth of homework and tests, barely passing the grade.

Although I was no longer considered the new kid at school, I was still as much an outsider as I had been the first day I walked into the classroom. I had never been popular at my old school, but people here seemed to detest me and that hurt... Or well, it did. I guess there was some wisdom in what Jax had told me that very first night in Charming after all: "Eventually, it gets better." Only now I realized that maybe that's not because situations change; you simply get used to them.

All in all, I kept myself busy enough not to realize the sad reality that was my life and it worked quite well. I was content.

And Jax' number had remained unused on my phone.

When I entered school that morning, I was surprised to see brightly colored banners and posters lining the walls. Taking a closer look, I noticed in surprise that Christmas was already coming up, the Christmas school dance with it. I wanted to be surprised that I had completely missed out on the announcement of the event, but then again no one ever talked to me. Sighing, I pushed the loneliness away, making my way to my first class, Biology, where I sat alone in the last row as usual. In front of me, I could hear people whispering about the dance, partners and, of course, about me. Although I wanted to shift the blame of my general.. unpopularity on my association with Sons of Anarchy – or rather my family's association – I had been forced early on to accept that it was not just that. Of course they disliked me for being, as they put it, a white trash biker girl. But they bullied me because I was shy and silent, because I had no parents and therefore was an easy target. Then again, I was used to it.

I spent most of my morning classes in this fashion, sometimes switching between seats on the last row, but always alone, always avoided. You can therefore imagine my surprise when I felt a tap on my shoulder as I was about to leave my last class before lunch and turned around to find Nate Larson, football player and general heartthrob of the school, standing before me.

'Hey Eliza.'

'Hi?' I said, my voice soft as my eyes darted around the classroom. No one. He was really talking to me.

'Look, I know the Christmas dance is already in a couple of days and all, but I was thinking; maybe you want to go with me?'

For a moment, I did not know what to say. Hell, I didn't even know how to speak anymore. Nate Larson, most handsome and popular guy the school, wanted to go to the dance... with me?

'Ehm… Eliza?'

'Right, yes. I'd love to.'

His smile was dazzling 'Great, let's meet outside the gym at eight, okay?'

The last few days before Friday passed by in a haze and I could not help but feel giddy. For once, I felt like a teenager and it was so... normal. It was great. I had informed Piney on Thursday that I was going to the dance and he seemed almost relieved. He was probably happy to have the house to himself for once. What I did not tell him about, however, was that I actually had a date. I had felt guilty over lying, but decided it was probably for the best. It did not concern him and besides, he probably did not really care either.

That Friday I was home at half past four, had showered at four and was completely dressed and ready at seven. I did not dare to go downstairs and watch some TV, if only because I did not want to subject myself to Piney's inscrutable looks and therefore remained in my room until it was time to go. Half of me was glad that Nate hadn't offered to pick me up (and come face to face with my uncle), half of me hated walking the entire distance (because my pumps were absolutely killing me). Nonetheless, I eventually arrived, the only evidence of my long journey the annoyed look on my face.

And that's when I saw him.

He was dressed in a black tuxedo, his blond hair slicked back to reveal handsome features and beautiful brown eyes. I quickly made my way up to him, unable to suppress the smile on my face.

'Hello!'

'Why, hello,' he looked me up and down 'You look beautiful.'

My cheeks flared red at the compliment and I looked down at my feet. No one had ever told me I was beautiful – well except if you counted that pervert my first time in the clubhouse. 'You look great as well.'

'Well, shall we?' He took my arm and guided me inside with all the poise of a true gentleman. When we entered the gym, which for this occasion had been turned into a dance room, I felt all eyes trained on us but for once I did not mind. This time people were not making fun of me.

The night passed like a dream. Nate got me punch, spun me around on the dancefloor and for all the world, I felt like a princess. During a particularly slow number, I allowed him to pull me close and I leaned my head against his chest. A sigh of contentment left my lips and I found myself wishing that it could always be like this.

But soon, the night came to an end, the lights came one and the bell burst. Slowly, we followed the other students outside, his hand holding my smaller one as he carefully pulled me through the crowd.

Outside, he pulled me to the side where we could have some privacy and suddenly, before I even had time to consider what was going on, his lips found mine. It took me a moment, but then I kissed him back.

We stood like this for a while, until at last I broke away, cheeks flushed and panting for air.

'You really are quite something, Eliza,' he said, nuzzling my neck and placing a feather light kiss there. 'Not at all what everyone makes you out to be.' Another kiss, now just below my ear. 'I bet you're not as boring as the other girls, not as much of a prude.' His hands were now roaming the bodice of my dress, gripping my hips at times and brushing against my breasts.

His touches made me uncomfortable, but I dared not object. Here was the one guy in all the school that cared for me, looked at me with anything other than disgust and I would scare him off. I was not boring.

His lips found their way back to mine and he pushed himself closer to me, my body now sandwiched between the outside wall of the gym and his warm body. I could feel every muscle, every curve and became uncomfortably aware of something hard pushing against my inner thigh. 'Let's make this a night to never forget,' he whispered slowly, pushing my legs apart with his knee as his hands continued to roam my body, now openly groping my breasts, and his mouth sucked on my neck.

When his left hand hiked up my dress, brushing a little too closely to my private regions, I broke away from him. 'No, wait. I don't… I don't want this.'

'Come on, Eliza, don't be such a prude. I promise to be gentle,' he added the last in laughter, his hands already finding their way back to my body.

'No, stop,' I said again, this time more resolute, and stepped away from his embrace 'I am not ready for this. I am sorry.'

He stood still for a moment, then he straightened himself up and it only now dawned on me just how much taller he was than me.

Instinctively, I took another step back.

'I see. Little Eliza doesn't want to play.'

I realized the situation I was in. The other students had long gone home, there was no one around to help me and Nate was a lot bigger and stronger than I was. I did not trust myself to speak and so I simply shook my head.

'But it's not very nice of you to get me all excited and then leave me hanging like that.'

'I'm sorry, I'm just...-'

'Not ready, yes you said that already. But maybe there's another way to... help me.' His eyes glinted in the moonlight and I noticed how his hand moved down to the zipper of his pants.

'No, Nate, I...-'

'Quid pro quo, little Eliza. I promise it will all be over soon.'

Nate had left long ago.

I did not know how long I had been sitting there, my dress dirty from kneeling in the dirt and the disgusting taste of him still lingering in my mouth. I had vomited two times already, the remainders of my dinner covering the ground not far from where I sat, but still I tasted him, still I felt his hands on my body.

I could not stay here, I knew that. As tiny a town as Charming was, being out at night still wasn't a very smart thing to do for a girl. Nate might not have raped me, but if I remained here it was only a matter of time before someone would take care of that. I shivered, a fresh round of tears welling up in my eyes.

I could not call Piney, could not face him after what had happened and pretend I was fine. I could not stand to be subjected to another of his inscrutable looks, knowing how worthless he must think me. And so, I did the only thing that I could think of.

'Hello?'

'Jax,' I managed to utter through the sobs.

'Who's this?'

'It's Eliza.'

I heard a woman's voice in the background, but he quickly shushed her. 'Are you okay?'

'Can you come pick me up?'

'Of course. Where are you? Are you all right?'

'I'm at the school gym. Please just come get me.'

'I'll be right there.'

As he'd promised, it was mere minutes before the sound of a motorcycle filled the cold night and I pushed myself off of the dirty ground. I wiped my hands on the skirt of my dress, knowing it was far beyond salvaging anyway and slowly stumbled my way towards the street.

Soon, a motorcycle turned the corner and I let out a sigh of relief. I was safe. 'Thank you for coming. I am really sorry for bothering you but there was no one else I could call and I just, I didn't know what to do and…' A fresh wave of tears poured down my cheeks and I wrapped my arms protectively around myself, as if that would somehow stop me from breaking down. 'I am so sorry.'

'What happened?' His eyes swept over my body, taking in the dirt on my dress, on my knees, my hair and makeup a mess. 'Who did this to you?'

'Please just take me away from here.'

His jaw set and I knew he wanted to argue, press for the identity of the perpetrator, but was glad that he didn't. 'Fine, I'll bring you home.'

My heart halted and I reached for his arm. 'No!' Then, softer, I added: 'I can't go home like this. Piney can't see me like this. Please, Jax.'

Eventually he relented and he silently handed me the spare motor helmet.

With shaking knees I climbed on the back and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. I lay my head against his back, closed my wet eyes, and then we were off.

I did not open my eyes until we slowed down and then, to my surprise, saw that we were back at the Sons' clubhouse. Jax helped me off and then pulled me towards the door. As we crossed the main room, I kept my eyes trained on my feet, the state of my pastel pink pumps hardly affecting me. They might be ruined – but I was broken.

Soon, I found myself back in the room Jax had brought me to all that time ago. He rummaged around in one of the drawers, then handed me a pile of clothing which I numbly accepted. My mind did not catch up until he spoke again.

'Go get a shower, it will help.'

I doubted it would, but nonetheless nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. I stripped out of my dress and kicked the offending piece of clothing into a corner. Then, freeing my hair, I stepped into the shower cabin and turned on the hot water. For what felt like an eternity, I simply stood there; miserable, shaking, not even registering the scalding hot water that turned my skin red.

There, standing in the safety of the Sons' clubhouse, in the shower, I still felt him. I threw up again.

As I straightened up, I grabbed one of the soap bottles and started scrubbing vigorously to get his filth of my body. But no matter how hard I scrubbed, it was useless. He had already passed through my skin, like a virus spreading through my body and tainting me from the inside out.

With my skin scrubbed raw, I finally turned off the water and got out. I toweled off, then found the pile of clothing Jax had sat out for me, which turned out to be another one of his white shirts and a baggy sweatpants. The oversized items covered me from head to toe, for which I was glad. Slowly, I made my way back into the bedroom. 'Thank you.'

I realized he must have heard my vomiting, must see how the skin on my arm was red and even scraped away at some places, but he said nothing.

I trailed my way to the bed and sat beside him, pulling my knees up to my face and dropping my head against them. Tears were already burning behind my eyelids again and I hated Nate. I hated myself for being so weak.

'Eliza… what happened?'

I shook my head 'I don't... it was my own fault. I should have never gone to that stupid dance, should have just…'

'Hey,' he said, touching my shoulder softly 'What happened is not your fault, okay? Whoever did this is a fucking idiot and I will kill him personally whether you want it or not.'

'Please don't, I just…' I closed my eyes again, allowing myself to slump against him 'I just don't want to be alone. I can't stand to be alone right now.' I softly started crying again and he wrapped an arm around me protectively, pulling me closer.

Sobs wrecked my body until far into the morning. He did not say anything, did not complain. Instead, he held me until at last the sobs lessened, the tears resided and, exhausted, I fell asleep.

AN: Like? Hate? Any thoughts? Let me know in a review!