Ok, I know this chapter is short, but look on the bright side! TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY! A personal record! Yay! So please R&R!

The carousel music rang in my ears and I couldn't help but feel like a little kid again.

I laughed as Maria mounted a black stallion and nearly fell off.

"It's harder than it look!" she cried out in embarrassment, struggling to keep on the horse.

I shook my head. "Sure, sure."

"It is!"

I laughed again and looked around for my own horse to ride. I saw a white horse a few feet away from Maria's that looked pretty cool, so I made my way towards it. I mounted it easily and looked back at Maria.

"See, it's not that hard!"

She stuck her tongue out at me and I did the same.

"You're such a child, May!"

"Ugh! Don't call me that! You know I hate that name!"

"I know! That's why I used it, duh!"

She grumbled angrily to herself and turned away from me. I turned my attention to the people in line to get on the carousel. Santa Carla had some pretty interesting characters if you ask me, but who am I to judge? I work on a farm, for chrissake!

"So, Cassidy, what do you want to do after this?"

"I don't know, maybe get something to eat?" I turned back around.

"Sounds-" She cut herself off for a moment.

"Hey, Cass?"

"Yeah?" I looked back at Maria to see her eyes wide and fearful.

"Maybe we should get off now," she whispered loud enough for me to hear.

"Why?" I asked, looking around us. Then, my eyes spotted the source of Maria's fear.

"Surf Nazis," I growled. I saw Maria's ex-boyfriend, Grant, in the group along with two others. They were headed straight for us. Maria and Grant had a really bad break up and Maria was always scared that Grant would come back for her.

"Good idea," I said. We were about to get off our horses to leave when suddenly they were upon us. I hadn't realized how close they actually were until now. Maria turned her head away fearfully when Grant approached her.

"Where've you been, May?" Grant asked harshly.

"Yeah, we've missed ya, girl!" laughed one of the other boys.

Maria didn't answer. "Don't ignore me, May!" Grant snarled.

"Leave her alone!" I shouted, dismounting my horse.

Their attention turned to me. Oh, god, what was I thinking? Let's be realistic here, I'm an eighteen year old girl. I can't take on three full grown men on my own! They'll crush me!

"Who's your friend, May?" Grant asked, strolling towards me.

"Cassidy," I hissed venomously.

"I like that name. It's hot," purred one of the boys.

"Congratulations, douche bag. Now if you'll be so kind to move," I growled darkly. These guys were starting to piss me off.

"Oh, I think we have a feisty one boys," Grant growled.

"Grant-" Maria began.

"Shut up, May."

Maria shut her mouth in fear, but I didn't blame her.

"Where're you from, honey?" one guy asked.

"None of your goddamn business!"

One guy reached out and touched my arm. I slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me, asshole!" I hissed.

The guy growled and grabbed my arm. I reacted quickly and nailed him in the stomach. He let go, winded.

"Christ!" he gasped.

"Get her!" Grant howled. He grabbed Maria and she screamed and kicked.

"LET ME GO!"

The other two grabbed my arms and waist and started to drag me towards the edge of the carousel. Everyone on the horses and in the crowd stared fearfully, not daring to help me or Maria. God, where was a fucking cop when you needed one?

"You assholes! Let me go!" I shouted angrily.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my nose and blood trickled down onto my lips. At the same exact time, the guy's hand came across my right eye and I clutched it painfully. What was their fucking problem?

In retaliation, I kicked out and my boot met one guy's nose. I heard it crunch and smiled in satisfaction.

"Take that, jackass!" I shouted.

"BITCH!" Grant roared and let go of Maria.

"Maria, RUN!" I screamed. Maria looked uncertain for a second and then took off running.

Grant turned towards me with a menacing scowl on his face.

"Oh, Cassidy, you've been a bad girl," he growled. Then, he landed a punch to my stomach and I doubled over. I gasped in pain, trying to find my breath. The boys laughed harshly. Why wasn't anyone helping me?

"Grant."

Suddenly, the boys stopped laughing and froze. I looked up slowly and saw the bikers from the video store! David was glaring at Grant and the other guys from David's gang were holding the two boys back.

"What do you want, David?" Grant snarled.

"Is this any way to treat a girl, Grant?" David growled, stepping forward. Grant took a few steps back and looked at me.

"It's her fault, ask her! She brought it on to herself!" Grant protested.

"My fault! You walked up to me!" I shouted from the ground. David smirked and the other boys snickered.

"I believe she speaks the truth, Grant. Maybe you should leave," he said dangerously. Grant took a look around and motioned for his friends.

"Come on, guys. I'll see you around, Cassidy," he said ominously.

"You'd never get that lucky, asshole!" I snarled. He glared at me before walking away with the village idiots following close behind.

I sat there on the ground for a few seconds, trying to regain the breath that had been knocked out of me.

"Are you okay?" I heard David ask. I looked up at him as he reached his hand out. I took it and he pulled me up so I could stand straight. I ran my fingers through my hair.

"I don't know, give me a minute." The other three boys started horsing around with each other, not really paying attention. David was.

I put my fingers to my nose and drew back with a hiss. Blood covered my fingers and dripped onto the floor.

"Damn. I think he broke my nose," I growled.

"Let me see." I felt David's gloved hand turn my face towards him and I blushed bright red. He was touching my face! My face! Isn't that a little too personal for the first in-person meeting? He inspected every inch of my face and soon his eyes met mine for what seemed like the hundredth time that night.

"It's not broken, but you're going to have a black eye in the morning. You should get some ice for it," he growled. He removed his hand and turned back towards his friends.

"Boys, I think it's time we head back." He turned towards me. "Care to join us?"

I looked at him in astonishment. Me go with him?

"Um, n-no I can't. Sorry. I have to get back home and help my dad with-"

"It's Friday night. Besides, I overheard you talking to your friend. You're staying until 11, right?" He asked smugly. He had me trapped.

"Uh…." I changed the subject. "Did any of you see where she went?"

The boys looked up at me and shook their heads.

"Sorry, no," Marko said. Wow, his jacket was really colorful!

I turned back around to look at the people on the boardwalk. There was no sign of her anywhere. That worried me. I sure hope Grant didn't get her.

"So what do you say, Cassidy?" he asked.

"I, uh, I'm really sorry. I can't." Why the hell not! Ugh, I was so pathetic when it came to guys.

He shrugged. "Too bad. Maybe next time."

He nodded at the boys and they stepped off the carousel and walked off into the crowd. David turned towards me.

"We'll see each other again, Cassidy. It was an interesting first meet." Then, he stepped off the carousel as well and disappeared into the crowd.