A/N I realized after posting the previous chapter that i never filled in my readers of the timeline as to when this takes place, so i'm now here to clear things up for everyone, ok.

This story takes place about a week after the end of chapter 37 where Paul meets Steph's parents etc, Steph is still at school and Paul is still unemployed. i did this so i could write about those little flashbacks i put into the bonus chapter. Anyway i hope that clears things up and my apologies for any confusion :)

"Finally school is out for summer" Beamed Stacy

"Yeah"

"So are you doing anything over the summer" Asked Stacy

"I haven't thought about it" Said Stephanie watching the other students make there way out of school

"Steph what is up with you?"

"I don't know what your talking about" Said Stephanie pushing a lock of hair behind her ear

"Oh come on the last few weeks you've been totally out of it what's wrong" Asked Stacy looking rather concerned for her friend "is it Paul?"

The moment Stacy mentioned his name she knew something was wrong, her best friends demeanor had changed completely.

"What has he done?" Asked Stacy

"He hasn't done anything"

"Then what's the problem?" Asked Stacy getting rather frustrated at her best friends vagueness

"I don't really want to talk about it..." Said Stephanie "Damn"

"What is it" Said Stacy

"It's just my Dad" Sighed Stephanie she was getting tired of her Dad picking her up from school every single day, he'd even changed his hours at work so there was never a day when he couldn't collect her.

"I take it you don't want to go home then...well just yet" Said Stacy

Stacy didn't need an answer her best friends expression said it all, she looked worn and totally out of it which was totally unlike Stephanie, she was usually so talkative and full of energy

"Tell you what how about you come over to mine for a few hours, we can get some food from the store, rent out a movie have an girls night in whatever you want" Smiled Stacy

"I'd like that" Said Stephanie half smiling she'd do anything to get away from home for awhile

"Great"

"But i better tell Dad where were going first" Said Stephanie making her way towards her fathers car, she tightened her grip around the strap of her bag making her way towards her fathers car.

"Dad is it ok if i go to Stacy's for a couple of hours?"

Vince looked at his daughter he then glanced at her friend Stacy he thought about it for a few moments before answering.

"...Ok though i'll expect you home for dinner though" Said Vince "as a matter of fact perhaps i should"

"Dad i'll be fine come on Stace" Interupted Stephanie making a quick getaway from her father.

Vince smiled at his daughter waiting for her to turn around his expression completely changed, he really wished he'd made her come home instead of letting her go with Stacy. It wasn't that he didn't trust Stacy he did, as a matter of fact he was glad Stephanie was friends with her. What Vince didn't like was the posibility of them meeting up with someone else, one Paul Levesque. Vince was sure Paul was a decent guy but he wasn't the guy for his daughter, Paul was too old for her in his eyes he was 28 and would soon be 29, his daughter was barely 18 and legal. Vince wasn't stupid he knew what they were doing, he just hoped that Paul waited until she was old enough and didn't push her into anything. It had been one of the reasons he had become so protective of her as of late, he didn't want her going near Paul he could only ruin her life. Paul didn't even have a job at the moment, how could he possibly support his daughter or be any good for her? he would ruin her life. Vince opened the car before getting inside, his wife may think he's being unreasonable but he knew he was right. His daughter could do so much better she needed a boy near her age not some 28 year old unemployed former teacher.

Paul sprawled out on his sofa he checked his phone for what seemed to have been the tenth time today. It was killing him not being able to see Stephanie, the last week had been torture for him he desperately needed to talk to her. Without waiting a second longer Paul grabbed the phone and called her again, he prayed she answered this time. The phone was ringing which was a good start Paul tapped his fingers against this knee hoping she wouldn't ignore him yet again. Even if she did need space he was tired of being shut out, he hoped she knew he would be there for her no matter what.

Stephanie and Stacy made there way towards the store, they were about 5 mintutes away. Stephanie seemed to have relaxed a little after leaving school and her father. Stacy was worried about her friend she just wasn't acting as she normally would. Taking a deep breath Stacy was about to question her friend when the phone rang. Stacy watched Stephanie take the phone out of her pocket, she tensed up again sighing.

"Who is it?" Asked Stacy

"...It's Paul"

"Well aren't you going to answer him?...Steph" Asked Stacy

Paul was about to hang up until he heard her answer, he couldn't believe she was actually on the phone right now. He heard her speak a few times, realising he had yet to acknowledge her he quickly spoke.

"Hey" Said Paul

Umm...hi" Said Stephanie feeling nervous she was so relieved to hear his phone she just hoped her Dad didn't find out he'd be more than angry at her

"Look you haven't returned my calls is everything ok?" Asked Paul running his hands through his hair

"Everything is fine why wouldn't it be" Said Stephanie quickly

"Well for the last week or so you've been ignoring me, i'm your boyfriend Steph i have every right to know where you are" Said Paul trying his best not to lose his patience "i'm worried about you Steph"

"...I'm fine" Said Stephanie hating lying to him but she had to for both there sakes

"Are you sure? look i'm here for you i always will be don't shut me out please, i love you" Said Paul softening

"I have to go" Said Stephanie it took everything she had to not tell him she loved him back. Stephanie knew she was hurting him by doing this but she had to she had no other choice.

Paul sighed silently he knew something was wrong, he considered going to her house and seeing her face to face but at the moment he wasn't so sure, something was definitely wrong with her he just wished she's stop lying and let him in. Paul wished she got that he was there for her no matter what was wrong, when he told her he loved her they weren't just words that's how he really felt, it was killing him having to stay away from her.

"I'll talk to you later" Said Stephanie hanging up before he could answer

"Steph wait...damnit" Shouted Paul throwing the phone down

Stacy watched as Stephanie placed her phone back into her pocket, she watched as her friend leaned against the wall covering her eyes. Stacy placed her hand on Stephanie's shoulder.

"Ok what's going on" Asked Stacy

"It's fine"

"It obviously isn't, come on we can go back to my place and talk" Offered Stacy

Stephanie feeling defeated accepted, she quickly wiped the moisture away from her eyes. She was kind of relieved she could talk about it she felt so alone right now, and the only person who could possibly understand was being pushed away. Paul, god she wanted to talk but she was scared to, unsure of how he would react to her lying to him but she had every reason to she was doing it for the both of them.