-Just before Zeke's party-

Alex and I had just finished decorating the Sub Shop, or rather I decorated and Alex read a magazine. In 30 minutes guests would be arriving.

"Alright, looks good. Looks go get changed" Alex said, standing and making her way towards the stairs.

I nodded and turned to look out the windows to see if anyone had come early. I saw Daren standing across the street watching, he seemed to do that a lot. Some people might have found this creepy, but I liked it, because he took the time to be there for me. And he spent time watching me, protecting me. He smiled when our eyes met and nodded his head backwards, beckoning me to come outside. I moved my arm in front of my body so Alex wouldn't see and gestured towards the back of the shop and mouthed "meet me behind the shop." Daren nodded and started to make his way in that direction.

"Harper, are you coming?" Alex called from the top stair.

"Yup! I'm just going to check on something then I'll be up, start without me."

"Whatever." And Alex disappeared upstairs.

I went through the kitchen and out the back service door. Daren was already there, and I was instantly in his arms. "I missed you." He whispered to me causing me to blush.

"I missed you too." He held me for what only seemed like a few minutes when my watch beeped. It was 6:30, guests would be arriving soon if they weren't already here. I was surprised a half an hour had gone by with me realizing it. "I have to go." I said as I started to pull away.

"No!" Daren pulled me back in and held me tighter. "I'm not ready for you to leave yet."

"I have to, it's a surprise welcome back party for my boy friend."

There was a deep rumble that seemed to come from Daren's chest. "I'm your boy friend." He stated.

My watch beeped again 6:40, where was time going?

"Daren, you know this is complicated, why don't you just come to the party."

"I don't do parties, and besides then I would have to see you in the arms of another men, and that will not do, you're mine." He tightened his grip even further, hurting me.

Beep beep – 6:50

"Daren stop, you're scaring me."

He loosened his grip and looked at me. "I just want to protect you."

"I know."

"So stay with me and forget about the party." He pleaded

Beep beep 7:00

I knew I couldn't go into the shop now, because Zeke would be arriving any second and I didn't want to ruin the surprise. "Okay, I'll stay, but just for a few more minutes." I planned to walk back it and make a special entrance, or slip in depending on how distracted Zeke was.

Daren smiled and placed two fingers under my chin and lift it up so our eyes met. "I like a few more minutes." He then tilted his head ever so slightly and leaned in for a kiss. I met him half way, surprising myself. The kiss became deeper and more passionate, Daren's hands began to wonder up and down my back until he went under my shirt. His warm hands ran up my back and down my spine, he was stop for a brief second on my bra straps and then keep going.

I heard a door open behind us, bright light and party music flooded the back ally. "Yah I think she's back here Zeke… HARPER!"

I broke apart from Daren suddenly and pushed his arms off my body. I saw Alex and Zeke standing in the open door way in shock.

"Alex, Zeke, I-I… I can explain." I pleaded

"Don't bother!" Zeke shouted "I can't believe you, I wasn't even gone that long, we're done." This last part was said in such a high pitched tone that I knew he was holding in tears. He turned and slammed the door behind him leaving Alex standing outside.

"Alex…" I started.

"Harper you leave."

"Can't we talk about this?" I tried but she wouldn't hear it

"No, we can't. I don't even know you anymore."

"Yes you do, we grew up together, we're…. best friends."

"We were never best friends, get out of my back ally, I don't want to see you." Alex said with such hate in her voice that it hurt.

"Alex, please?"

"I'll call the cops if you don't leave."

I turned to look at Daren but he was already gone, I walked away towards the street to go home. Just before Alex was out of view I turned back to look at her. She pulled her phone out and pushed one of the keys. I understood and walked away, never looking back again.

I wasn't sorry for what I had done, that was the strange thing. I thought I would feel guilty for basically in a sense cheating on my boy friend, but I didn't. Instead there was a strange sense of relief knowing Daren and I didn't have to hide our budding relationship anymore.

I got home and let myself into my parent's apartment. It was dark and empty, they were never home and never told me where they were going and when they would be back. It didn't bother me, I was used to it. I flipped on the lights and went to put my purse on the hook, when there was a knock on the door. Puzzled I looked out the peep hole to see Daren standing there, quickly I opened the door and he stepped inside.

"How did you know where I lived?" I asked, closing the door behind him

"I followed you home, I wanted to make sure you were safe." He set down on the couch and motioned for me to sit next to him. Once I was there he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him. "I'm sorry I kissed you." He said, not looking at me.

"What? No, don't be sorry," I paused, looking at him, it pained me that he wasn't looking at me. Was something wrong with me? Was I not a good kisser? Suddenly I was extremely insecure and I yearned for nothing but his approval. "I kissed you back."

"But now you 'boy friend' and that girl Alex want nothing to do with you." He said, turning his head to face me again. My heart warmed at the sight of this and I felt a smile spread across my face.

"Alex will get over it, and Zeke…"

"He never deserved you." Daren interrupted "And neither does Alex, she was just using you anyway. All you need is me." His sudden tone caused my heart to ping in fear for a second but I dismissed the feeling as nothing. He then suddenly leaned in and kissed me, I kissed him back as his hands started to wonder under my shirt again, this time in the fort. He went up to my breast, and I pulled away for him.

"No," I said, catching my breath "not yet."

Daren frowned and grabbed my wrist, squeezing hard. "Why not? No one is here." He said, leaning in close to my face, I could see the fire in his eyes.

"Because I not ready." I said, glancing down at my hand which wasn't getting enough blood and turning pale.

Daren saw this and threw my arm down, letting go. He stood and walked a few paces away before turning. "don't you trust me?"

I stood and walked over to him. "Of course I do, I'm just not ready, this is a big step."

"Damnit Harper!" Daren yelled and reached back and hit me in the face with such force I fell over.

"D—Daren, why?" I pleaded, tears building. I could already feel that part of my face turning red and swelling slightly.

He knelt down to my level, "Are you crying?" He grabbed my shoulders and violently shook me. "Are you seriously crying?" I looked at him and he punched me, over and over. "Stop crying, stop crying, stop crying…."

Finally he stopped his sudden assault and sat down across from where I lay, bleeding slightly, on the floor. I dared to look at him again, the hardness was gone in his face, and he sat looking at me with compassion again. "I'm not crying." I whispered so softly I barely heard it myself.

"I know." He said softly he came closer and lifted me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me. "I'm sorry Harper."

"Why?" I asked.

"I want to make you stronger," He continued "I would never hurt you, I love you." He gently kissed my forehead.

I smiled and my heart warmed. "I love you too."

"I'm going to go, take care of yourself." Daren stood and walked towards the door, he flipped the light off and left. Leaving me alone on the floor, in the darkness.