Thursday morning

Her mother died when she nine. That sucked.

Her dad became abusive and an alcoholic. That sucks.

They were now dirt poor because her father barely worked. That sucked.

All of these add up to one of the lowest points in her life. All of those things made her dream of they day she could ride off into the sunset, and never look at the Welcome to Charming sign again. Tara dreamed of the day she finally left Charming for good.

She never realized how emotionally unstable she was about the abuse, until someone found out about her secret. For the most part, she took it like a champ The abuse made her focus more on her studies and more on getting out on the shit-show of Charming, California. She knew it was wrong, she knew she needed help, she knew it needed to end. But was what she supposed to do? Call CPS and leave her an orphan? She had no family; calling CPS would be an end result of Tara in a foster home. She couldn't rebel and run away, she had no money, no job, no car. She had nothing but the few shirts in her drawers. She was leaving right after graduation and no one could stop her.

The thought of leaving, leaving this life behind, the thought of starting over, it was what got her through the pain. Through all the beatings, the insults, the arguments, the dream of finally leaving Charming, it got her through the bullshit of her life. She was so close, all Tara had to do was hold on for another year, and she'd be free.

Last night, was the lowest point of her life. Up until that day, the day of her mother's death held the trophy for worst day ever. But letting a stranger see her darkest secret, letting him see the ugly truth of her home life, seeing her cry tears of utter sadness, letting him see her at her lowest point; that was her lowest point. She tried so hard to hold everything together, she needed to. Not once since the abuse started had she broken down like that. It made her scared.

She was dreading seeing Jax in school. She knew he try and talk to her, sooth her, reassure her of the promises they both made. She appreciated the kindness, but she wasn't a rookie on this. She knew how to handle herself. She knew ways to avoid the abuse like never being out past curfew, always having dinner on the table for dad, getting straight A's in all of her classes. As long as she portrayed the perfect daughter, the belt stayed in the closet.

She was afraid, of letting someone see her most vulnerable self. Of letting some see all the ugly.

The first period bell rang, and she pretended that nothing had happened the day before.

She sat in her normal seat. Kept her head down as usual. And said nothing to Jax.

He walked in with his swagger walk, and walked right on past her.

For the most part she was grateful, grateful that he didn't treat her any differently. That was the last thing she wanted, special treatment because her daddy beat her.

He hung out with his boys, and she kept her head in a book.

They kept up the status quo, and Tara couldn't have been more soothed at the way he handed it all.

She could tell last night that he was freaked out. She knew there was violence in his family, with the MC club, but she could tell that Jax had no idea what to do. When she looked him in the eyes while making him the promise, she could tell he was just as scared as she was. But most of all, she saw the pity in his eyes. That look of guilt and sadness, that was one she tried to avoid all her life.

She saw it from everyone when her mom died, when her dad became an alcoholic, when they her in the same clothes. She saw it, she recognized it, and she learned to see past it. She hated that look. She didn't want people to pity her, she wanted them to treat her as if she was just another girl.

"Look about last night, Tara—" Jax said, trying to soothe her once they made it to the library.

"Don't worry about it, I'm fine. Really. Thank you for walking me home. I appreciated it."

"It's the least I can do, I'll keep doing it, if that's what you want."

"Thank you, Jax."

"Remember what I said, Tara." Jax said, looking intensly into her eyes.

"Yes, Jax, I promise. I promise." She forced herself to look away, so he wouldn't see the tears forming in her eyes.

She took a moment to collect her thoughts, and then went on as if nothing had happened. "We have our Biology quiz next week, tell me the vocab words and the definitions."

She listened closely as the Prince of Charming recited from memory the chapter nine vocab words. He was trying, he was trying to pass, and she was thrilled when he got them all correct.

"I spoke to Mrs. Hanson about what we were doing and made a sample test for you. It's similar to the one were taking next week. I want you to take it, and then I'll grade it." She watched as Jax nodded in agreeance.

Tara opened her government textbook, to review the chapter, while Jax took his practice test. It was nice, she thought, the two of them, polar opposites of the school food web, sitting together studying. It was nice.

When he was finally done with the quiz, thirty minutes later, Tara grabbed her sharpie and began to look over the sample quiz. He was nervous. She already thought he was stupid, failing a sample quiz would definitely reassure the assumptions she already had of him. He was smart, just not book smart. He was street smart. He already knew that he had a seat at the table in the MC, the older guys all loved his sharpness and his ability to read situations. He just had to show Tara that he wasn't as stupid as she thought.

"Jax, I know what you're thinking. You're not stupid. I never thought you were. I just thought you were smart, you just didn't try. Here's your quiz. I have to go, or else I'll be past my curfew. You did well, a 75 isn't bad Jax. I wrote notes and study tips on the back, look them over and I'll have you do another one tomorrow."

"Thanks, Tara."

She nodded, accepting his gratitude. They both stood up and began to walk out of the library.

They started to walk towards her house in silence.

Right before they reached the corner that ended her walk, she turned to him.

"Thank you, Jax." She offered him a slight smile.

"I've got your back Knowles, I mean it. I meant what I said yesterday."

"I promise." Tara nodded, remembering back to yesterday's events.

She stood on her tippy-toes and kissed him on the cheek.

"I've got your back too, Teller." She turned around and starting walking towards her house.

He had never been kissed on the cheek before. No, he wasn't a virgin, but no girl just kissed him on the cheek. That wasn't even first base. Tara surprised him today. He smiled as she walked away, he was getting past her tough exterior. And little did he know, she was getting past his.