AN: Thank you to everyone! Reading/reviewing/following/favorite this story. I really does mean a lot to me. I hope everyone enjoys chapter 3. I am off the next 5 days so no updates until late next week. To the guest who guessed the source of my inspiration – you are correct though this story will not follow 100%.

Bo POV

I heard Lauren pull out of the lot and slowly disappear down the road as she went home for the evening. A part of me wanted to follow her just to make sure she made it safely but I was afraid to offer. I didn't want her to think that I thought she couldn't take care of herself.

The day had finally caught up with me as I changed into shorts and an old t-shirt for bed. I was tired and tomorrow would be another long day. I desperately needed a shower but there was no way I would go home tonight. By this time Jack would be blind drunk and I didn't want to be around if he fell into a rage. My brother would probably have his friends over as well and the thought of being leered at made me sick.

I wasn't going to dwell on my home life. I had just spent the majority of my afternoon and evening with Lauren. There wasn't anything that could bring me down in this moment. When she showed up here this afternoon I was pleasantly surprised and nervous beyond belief. When we spoke on the street today I figured she was thankful for my help and was just being gracious. I never would have imagined she would show up here just to spend time with me. Before now I was content with admiring her from afar. I had been doing it for years. Now that we spent some time together I didn't think I could stay away. She was everything I thought she would be and more. Lauren didn't mind getting her hands dirty and I liked that. She trusted me to drive her car and take her out to my favorite spot.

I shared a bit more than I meant to about my family but she didn't seem put off by it. She didn't judge me or look at me any differently. I didn't realize how nice it was to be able to let some of that out. Maybe I could be someone that Lauren would be interested in. If only I could find my confidence. I would need to work on that. I had isolated myself for so long I forgot what it was like to really be myself. Karl and Roger didn't count. I wanted Lauren to know me and I needed to rid myself of the fear I felt that she would run away if I showed her the real me. I felt myself drifting off. Thoughts of Lauren carrying me to sleep.

I woke up the next morning later than I intended. I got dressed quickly and rode home to shower and change. I also wanted to see if I could get my hands on the mail. Maybe there was something from one of the colleges I applied to. At this point anything would be better than nothing. It was making me crazy. I stopped my bike at the end of the drive. I didn't want the roar of the engine to wake up anyone in the house. I checked the mailbox but it was empty. I expected as much. Jack must have picked up yesterday's mail already and it was too early for postal delivery today.

I made my way to the side of the house and climbed in through my bedroom window. I listened for a moment but the house was quiet much to my relief. I quickly showered and changed into fresh clothes. I left my bedroom to go in search of the mail. It usually sat on the kitchen table in a messy pile of overdue bills and junk mail.

I quickly sifted through the stack but found nothing much to my disappointment, though I wasn't surprised. I heard footsteps behind me and I flinched at the sound of my father's voice, "What the hell are you doin girl?"

I turned quickly to see him staggering into the kitchen. His voice was raspy from sleep, eyes red and hair disheveled. He looked like a complete mess per usual.

"Checking the mail. I'm waiting for something." I held the edge of the table so tightly it was painful.

My father laughed as he leaned his heavy frame against the wall. "What could ya possibly be waitin for?"

"Nothing important. It doesn't matter."

He smirked at me and crossed his arms across his chest, "You couldn't possibly be lookin for all those college letters that've been showing up here over the past month."

My stomach dropped and I felt my heart start to race in my chest. I pushed off the table taking a step towards him my fists clenched. What did he do with my letters? I was completely caught off guard.

"You messed with my mail? Where are those letters?" I was livid. My anger was overshadowing my fear.

Jack pushed off the wall as he moved into my personal space. I saw the subtle shift in his eyes. Something low and dangerous. Something I knew all too well.

I quickly took a step back banging the back of my legs into the edge of the table.

"You're nothin but a coward and if you think you're runnin off to college then your mistaken. I tossed those college letter in the garbage where they belonged."

I took a deep breath to quell my anger before I responded, "I'll be eighteen in November. You will have no authority over me then."

"Where do you think you're gonna get the money to pay for it? It won't be from me girl. I can promise you that."

I tried to shift around him so I could walk back into the living room and leave but he grabbed my arm halting my steps.

"Where the hell do you think your goin?"

Jack had a death grip on my arm and I knew he would leave a bruise. I just needed to get out of the house and away from him. My anger was peaking to the point that I was afraid I would lash out at him.

"Please let me go." I requested in the calmest voice I could muster.

He let me go and I hurried into the living room grabbing my jacket off the couch where I tossed it earlier and walked out the front door slamming it behind me.

As I rode back to the shop I felt the tears forming in my eyes. I wanted to scream and cry and lash out at the world. If I hadn't woken up so late then I never would have ran into him. The only good thing to come from it was the fact that I know knew why I wasn't receiving any correspondence back from the places I applied. I would have to ask Lauren her thoughts on what I should do next. I was at a loss.

As I parked my bike back at the shop I saw Karl and Roger opening up and getting ready for the day. I was starving and knew I had the pizza from the night before.

I threw a couple of slices into the microwave when Karl came into the room.

"You want any?" I offered considering he was the one that paid for it.

He gave me a warm smile as he poured himself a cup of coffee, "No. I already ate but I found something that might interest you."

I took a bite of pizza and motioned for him to continue. "I know you have been looking for a second job. Last night I saw Mrs. Greenberg and she mentioned she was looking for someone to clean out their garage and shed, paint, hang new shelving and some other odds and ends. I told her I would bring it up with you and if you were interested you would go by there this afternoon."

I thought for a moment, "Mrs. Greenberg…..you mean Ciara's mother? Fuck Karl! How am I supposed to impress Lauren if I am the hired help for her best friend?"

Karl put his mug down and turned to face me fully. "Language Ysabeau!" He admonished before continuing, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. It is work I know you can do for fair pay. If Lauren rejects you because you are working for her friend's mother then she is not worth it."

I knew he was right and I was ashamed at my initial reaction. Karl was more of a parent to me than the ones I had. He and Roger sort of took me under their wing and had been helping me out ever since. We made up an awkward weird sort of family that I secretly loved.

I leaned forward and gave him a hug, "What I should have said was thank you. When I am finished with work here I will go by there and speak with her. Your right by the way. If Lauren was like that she wouldn't be worth it but she isn't. She is so much more than I ever knew."

He patted me on the arm when I pulled away, "So I take it your little get together went well last night?"

"It did."

"Does that mean you're going to stop treating yourself like the town pariah and go after this girl? Make yourself happy instead of hiding away here in the shop and where ever else it is you go to be alone?"

I looked at him and smirked saying, "Yes. That's what it means."

I left Karl in the office as I went to start on the service orders that were piling up from yesterday. I didn't tell him about my altercation with Jack or what he did to my college letters. He always swore he would march over there one day and kick my father's ass. I knew this was something that would push Karl to do just that and I feared the consequences that would come from such action.

Three oil changes, a tire rotation and a fan belt replacement later I was ready to head over to speak with Mrs. Greenberg.

As I approached the front door I looked down at myself and realized I had grease stains on my jeans and t-shirt. I cursed myself for not thinking to change clothes as this was not the impression I wanted make. Showing up dirty didn't seem like the smart thing to do. It was too late now. I needed the extra money for new clothes to replace some of the items of mine that were falling apart. I also hoped for some spending money in case Lauren wanted to hang out again or I grew up and finally asked her out.

I rang the doorbell and Mrs. Greenberg answered the door moments later. She had on an off white sundress with sandals and a cocktail in her hand. Not that it was my business but I thought it was a little early to be drinking.

I cleared my throat and introduced myself, "Mrs. Greenberg? I'm Bo. Karl mentioned you had some work that needed to be done?"

She looked me up and down before saying, "Yes that's right. Follow me."

She stepped out on to the front porch closing the door behind her. I followed her as we walked over to a garage that was not attached to the house that split off from the main drive and set a little further back than the house.

She opened the garage door with a wireless remote that I didn't notice she was holding.

"I want everything in here gone. It is all junk and needs to go. Once that's done I want the inside and outside painted and then some shelving hung up on all three walls. I already have the paint and shelving picked out. If I am happy with the garage then we can talk about the shed out back."

I nodded, "Understood."

I turned at the sound of a car pulling up into the driveway. My breath caught when I realized it was Lauren. I watched her get out of the car and I couldn't stop the goofy grin that broke out at the sight of her. She looked over at me and I could see the surprise that graced her features. I assumed she was here to pick up or visit with Ciara.

I was snapped out of my trance when Mrs. Greenberg raised her voice, "Excuse me. Are you listening?"

I turned back to her quickly as I realized I was there for work and not to drool over Lauren.

"Yes I'm listening. So you're sure there isn't anything in here that you want to keep?" I asked as I vaguely recalled what she said when I lost all focus.

"I don't want any of it. Are you interested in the work?"

"I am."

"When can you start?"

I glanced back over to the house before answering, "Tomorrow."

Mrs. Greenberg smiled, "Good. I want this done quickly. We can work out the pay tomorrow. Don't start before eight or work past six," she handed me the wireless remote, "use this as you come and go."

I hit the button on the remote to close the garage door and followed my new employer back to the house.

I wanted to come inside so I could see Lauren and maybe talk to her but Mrs. Greenberg shut me down.

"That will be all Bo. I will see you tomorrow." She dismissed as she shut the front door and left me standing alone on the porch.

I jogged over to my bike and dug out an old service order and a pen.

I wrote Lauren a note and left it tucked under her windshield wiper:

Lauren,

I'll be at the shop if you want to stop by later if you're not busy.

Bo

When I got back Karl rushed over to me with an expectant look on his face.

I smiled and shook my head at him, "I took the work. I start tomorrow but I won't let it get in the way of working the incoming service orders here at the shop."

"I know that Bo. I have a few things for you," he dug around in his pocket and handed me a set of keys, "use the truck we keep in the back to haul the junk from the garage."

I was in awe of his continuing generosity. I stared at the keys for a moment then looked back up at him, "Thank you. I was wondering how I was going move all that stuff. I will take care of it I promise."

He laughed as he pulled an envelope from his back pocket, "I know you will. I also wanted to give you this."

He watched me intently as I took the envelop he held out for me. I opened it and looked inside finding a stack of twenty dollar bills. I was confused and I knew he could see it all over my face. I didn't understand what this was. I didn't work enough around the shop to earn this cash.

"What is this?" I asked gesturing to the money.

"Buy yourself some new clothes. I know you're recycling through only a handful of jeans and t-shirts. What you're not spending on that car over there goes into your savings. I didn't want you to dip into that. I know it isn't much but hopefully it will help."

For the second time today I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. This is what I imaged a normal family would be like.

I stepped back and laughed nervously. I rarely hugged Karl or Roger yet today I did it twice. "I don't know what to say. I mean thank you but you….I don't get it."

He sighed as he placed his hands in his pockets, "You're welcome. I know it's sometimes hard for you to understand an act of kindness being done just for the sake of it but that's all it is. Roger and I wanted to do it because we care about you Bo. You're like an adoptive daughter to us."

I shoved the envelope into my back pocket, "I will go get some new stuff this weekend. You weren't lying about my need for some new clothes. You guys have any pending service orders?"

"Over there. Knock yourself out. I gotta get back to it."

I walked over to the counter and sifted through the stack of orders. I pulled out a few and went to work. It was mostly easy maintenance stuff that was required. Balancing tires, changing air filters, checking brakes.

I finished all the orders that didn't require any actual repair. I was starting to get hungry and when I looked at the clock I saw it was about half past five. I hadn't eaten since this morning and I knew I needed to take better care of myself.

I was in the back washing my hands when I heard Roger greet someone up front. I froze when I heard Lauren's voice. So many things hit me at once. Excitement, anxiety, fear, desire. I quickly dried my hands and ran to the front.

When Lauren saw me she flashed me the most gorgeous smile. It made me weak in the knees. What an affect this girl had on me.

I returned the smile as I grabbed her hand and led her outside the shop.

"You got my note?" I inquired as I let her go and instantly missed her touch.

She smirked at me, "I did. I hope you didn't need that form. No plain old paper available?"

"Hey it served its purpose. You up to hanging out for a while?"

"I am. What do you have in mind?" She asked.

I thought for a moment trying to figure out what normal teenagers do for fun. I was at a loss. I decided to forget normal fun and just come up with the first thing I could think of.

"Last night you said you wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle. No time like the present." I could see the excitement in her eyes and I was pleased that the idea seemed to be a success.

"Follow me in your car." I said as I threw on my helmet and started my bike.

I waited as Lauren got into her car and pulled up behind my bike. I took off and rounded the fence that marked the 'parking lot' for the auto shop and rode out into the middle of the field that was littered with dirt and grass.

I shut off my bike and took off my helmet as Lauren approached from where she parked her car.

She looked away from me and blushed, "I'm nervous." She admitted and I wanted to reach out to her in reassurance but held back.

Instead I shifted into teacher mode. I pulled my jacket off and handed it to her.

"Put this on." I said handing it over.

She took it from me putting her arms through the sleeves while adjusting the collar. I was about to grab the helmet when she stopped me. I looked at her questioningly as she gently held my arm pushing up my shirt sleeve.

"Bo what happened?" Her voice was full of concern and hesitation.

I tried to change the subject, "It's nothing. We need to get you ready."

She wasn't having any of it. The look on her face told she was expecting an answer. Her concern was heartwarming. It was genuine and directed solely at me.

I closed my eyes and let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding and answered her truthfully, "I had a confrontation with Jack this morning when I went home. I found out that he was the reason I hadn't received anything from the colleges I applied to. He has been taking any correspondence and throwing it away. I was upset. He got angry and grabbed my arm. The bruise will heal Lauren. I'm more concerned about what I may have missed in those letters. I don't know what colleges responded or what they said. I know you already offered to help me and your plate is so full already. It will be even more so when school starts but I was wondering if maybe you could help me figure out my next step."

I opened my eyes and chanced a look in to her hazel brown eyes. I didn't see the pity I was expecting. I saw determination.

"Absolutely I will help you. We can contact the universities you applied to and check the status of your applications. Then we can determine what to do from there." Her tone told me that this was not open for debate. That this was our plan and we were sticking to it.

I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. This girl was truly amazing. I just needed to get her to see the same in me.

I didn't want to dwell on the bad stuff. I wanted to have fun. I handed the helmet to Lauren and nodded for her to put it on.

Once she had it in place I helped her fasten the straps and told her to get on the bike. She swung her right leg over and got on like an old pro.

"Now start it up. It is manual start. You have to kick start it."

She looked to the right and placed her foot on the lever while lifting her body up then kicking down with the force of her weight behind it.

The engine roared as she has successfully started the bike. I knew I had a huge grin on my face. I was proud of her. It took some people several tries before they could kick start a motorcycle.

She looked over at me with a happy elated grin on her face waiting for my next instruction.

"It is in neutral right now. If you pull the throttle the engine will rev but you won't move. The clutch is on the left, front brake on the right, rear break by your right foot and the gear shift at your left foot." I said as I pointed out each part of the bike.

She nodded in understanding so I kept going, "This bike has five gears. To get into first gear you pull the clutch in and use your left foot 'click" the gear shift down. Gears two through five use the toe of your left foot to 'click" the gear shift up. Every time you change gears you pull the clutch in while you let off the throttle. You'll be able to feel and hear when you need to shift gears but for today let's just get into the first two gears. To start moving ease off the clutch while pulling back the throttle slowly. When you brake, pull in the clutch while you let off the throttle."

I backed up and waited for Lauren. On her first attempt she stalled. She looked disappointed but restarted the bike with renewed determination. I could see the concentration etched across her features as she tried again.

This time she started to move and I could hear her yell in excitement. I watched as she started to speed up slowly and I heard the engine when she shifted to second gear. She add speed and I heard her shift up another gear. I didn't want her to go any faster on her first time out but there was no way I could catch up to her.

She started to turn the bike wide so she could come around and head back in my direction. She was headed back my way when she tried slowing down using the brakes while down shifting. Her expression changed from excitement to fear as she passed by me trying to slow down until she finally put her foot out and fell to the side brining the bike with her.

Panic burst through my chest as I took off running to her. The bike was heavy and I knew she could have easily hurt herself.

By the time I got to her she had climbed out from under the bike. Without warning she squealed and threw her arms around me. I was caught off guard and it took me a moment to return the embrace. I loved the way she felt in my arms. How her warmth seeped into my body stealing my breath. I closed my eyes as the smell of jasmine and vanilla invaded my senses.

She let me go and it took me a moment to recover. I helped her take the helmet off and once she was free of it she started rambling a mile a minute, "That was so fun. I felt so free like I didn't have a worry in the world. No wonder you love riding this bike. I only stalled once and I got up to third gear. I know I wrecked. I got overwhelmed trying to brake and down shift at the same time but I know I can get better at that with practice. We have to do this again soon. I have to learn how to do this…."

She stopped talking when she realized I was laughing. She gave me a look and I caught my breath before I said, "You did great Lauren. Better than me my first time out. We can keep at it and I know you'll get it down in no time. I am so happy you had fun. I'm just glad you didn't get hurt."

She shook her head, "No I'm fine but we better pick up your bike."

I had forgotten all about it. Lauren sat down as I pushed my bike up and kicked the stand out so it would remain upright.

Lauren motioned for me to sit next to her. I put the helmet down on the seat and joined her.

"Are you the one that's going to be working for Ciara's mom on the garage and shed?"

"Yeah I start tomorrow. It shouldn't take me too long. It'll give me enough time to look for more work after I'm done there."

She bumped me with her shoulder and I looked over at her. I could tell she wanted to ask me something but seemed embarrassed.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I was curious about something. I'm sorry but I feel like I should already know the answer but I don't. Your name. Is it short for something?"

I didn't understand why she was sorry, "Why are you sorry? Bo is short for Ysabeau. Why would you think you should know that?"

She smiled softly, "That's a beautiful name. We have been going to the same school for three years. The yearbook would have your full name. I just feel I should have known."

I never thought of that but it didn't bother me. She was being too hard on herself. I wanted to lighten the mood, "Did you have fun with Ciara?"

She shrugged, "Yeah. We watched a movie. Nothing exciting."

We sat in silence for a while watching the sky darken as the sun set behind us.

I found Lauren's curiosity endearing as she asked another question trying to seek out answers, "Where did you learn so much about star gazing and constellations. You're not in the astronomy club at school but you really know your stuff."

How was I supposed to tell her I taught myself because I knew it was something she was interested in? I didn't think it was creepy at the time but now that I thought about it I was worried about her reaction to such a thing. One thing I knew without a doubt was that I always wanted to be honest with her.

I could feel the heat on my cheeks as I knew I was blushing. She was watching me waiting for an answer. I drew in a breath letting out the partial truth, "I taught myself."

Her eyes grew wide as she exclaimed, "That is amazing. It can be difficult to learn. I didn't know you were so interested in astronomy. Why aren't you apart of the club at school?"

I looked at my fidgeting hands and replied, "I learned because I knew it was something you were interested in."

I closed my eyes not wanting to see the look on her face. I felt her movement next to me. I assumed she was getting up to leave. That I had scared her away but I was wrong.

I sighed when I felt her kiss my cheek and grab my hand. When she let go and moved away I missed her instantly. I could feel where her lips touched my skin. I dared a glance at her and she had the most tender smile on her face.

She pushed herself up into a crouching position and said, "Come on. I'm hungry. Let's go eat."

I had forgotten all about my hunger until now. I stood up and walked over to my bike as she went to her car. I stopped and reversed direction causing Lauren to halt her movements.

She was leaning against her open car door when I walked up next to her placing my hand at the small of her back returning the kiss to her cheek.