Chapter 4

"Kristina!" Ethan called after her, jumping up from the couch and heading towards her room. The door slammed in his face, and he stopped, debating whether to go in or not. "Kristina," he said again, knocking on the door.

"I'm sorry! Just leave me alone," she cried, causing Ethan's heart to sink. He didn't like hearing her crying, or knowing she was upset about something.

"Krissy, please. We need to talk…"

"I get it! I'm too young and I shouldn't have kissed you! I'm just the little immature bratty screw-up!" Her words were like daggers through his heart.

"Please open the door…" Ethan pleaded with her. The door opened slowly and his heart sank even more, seeing her saddened eyes with makeup smearing down her cheeks. "Thank you," he whispered.

"I'm sorry, okay? Please don't let this ruin our friendship we've built the last few weeks. I really like having you around. I don't know what I'd do without you right now. You're the only person who isn't treating me like a piece of glass," she cried.

"Krissy, you have nothing to be sorry for. I kissed you. I'm sorry I did that," Ethan explained. Her face dropped when he said he was sorry.

"I'm really tired, I think I'm just going to take a nap. Feel free to leave. I'm sure you can find something more exciting to do then babysit me." She went to close the door but he stopped it with his arm.

"Lets watch a movie. I'll let you pick…." He told her, hoping he'd be able to cheer her up. He hated seeing her so upset.

"Ethan, you do realize that you don't owe me anything. Just because you found me that night doesn't mean you have to keep watching over me." Her words were cold, and filled with hurt.

"I want to be here," he paused, his heart beating fast again. "I don't know what it is, but when I'm not around you I want to be. This isn't about just protecting you… I can't explain it."

"I think that you feel obligated to me because you're the only one who knows the truth and I can't live with that," she told him, leaning against the doorframe.

"That's not how it is Love. I sincerely want to be here, and I will continue to be here. Even if it means me sitting in the living room while you're in here. I'm not leaving," he said with a small smirk. This brought a smile to her face. "That's more like it, now go pick out a movie… I'll make us some popcorn."

---

Today was Kristina's first day back at school, and Ethan's stomach was in a knot. He knew he couldn't follow her every move for the rest of her life, but he feared she might come face to face with Keifer. They had talked about what she needed to do if it happened, but he was worried she might not have the strength once she came eye to eye with her attacker.

He had woken up early, hoping she would text him before school but it was already four, and he had gotten nothing. He looked down at his phone anxiously.

"Hey!" Lulu said, walking towards the bar at the Haunted Star.

"Hi Love," he replied, getting a glass from under the bar and quickly filling it with her favorite drink. She smiled, sitting at the bar.

"Surprised to see you here. Tracy told me you've been requesting to only work the late shift the past few weeks," she said.

"I've been really busy," he explained, taking a sip of his own drink. Lulu nodded, running her finger along the edge of her glass.

"Babysitting Kristina?" It wasn't really a question, but she still raised her eyebrow at him.

"I'm not babysitting her… we just enjoy spending time together," he replied. He didn't like being labeled as a babysitter, even though Sonny insisted on paying him for his "services." He hadn't spent a penny of the money, and didn't plan to either.

"I feel like… this is just bad news. Sonny can't possibly think it's a good idea that you hang out with his daughter when he knows she has… or had a crush on you. This is all a recipe for disaster and I think you know it." Lulu eyed him carefully as he signed, leaning forward on the bar.

"I like Krissy, but not how you're twisting it. I'm not a cradle robber. I'd never go after her like that," Ethan stated, having a hard time believing his own words. Lulu frowned, finishing her drink and passing him the glass.

"I just hope you know what you're doing. You might think that Sonny is on your side now, but one wrong move and that will be gone. He tried to kill his own son, what would stop him from taking you out?" Ethan watched as Lulu walked out, and wondered if she was right. He had kissed Kristina the other day, and every time he was around her that's all he wanted to do. His feelings towards her were beginning to change, but he just wanted to protect her. Nothing more. Right?

His thoughts were broke by his ringing cell phone. "Hello?" he answered, cleaning up the bar.

"Ethan? It's Molly." His heart dropped, panic setting in quickly. Molly had never called him before, and he was certain her first time wouldn't be to talk about the weather.

"What's wrong Molly?" he asked, already on his way out of the Haunted Star.

"I don't know if something is really wrong, but Kristina came home really upset. And she locked herself in her bedroom. She wont come out, and I made her a snack… I just don't know what's wrong with her. Maybe she's sick? I'm sorry to be bothering you, I just know you and my sister are really good friends, maybe you could cheer her up?" Molly was so innocent and it really warmed Ethan's heart the way she cared about her older sister.

"You did the right thing calling. I'm on my way now." Ethan hung up and get in his car, speeding out of the parking lot.

---

His heart was in complete panic the entire way to the Davis household. He swore to himself if Keifer had hurt her again, he'd kill him. Keifer was only alive because of Krisitina's pleads for him not to be killed. Ethan practically ran up to the front door and knocked hard, matching his thumbing heart beat. Molly opened the door and smiled, stepping aside for him to come in.

"She's still in her room," Molly told him. Ethan headed towards her room and stopped at the door, listening at the doorway first. He could hear her crying, and he knocked sofly.

"Krissy," Ethan spoke loudly through the door. "Love, come open the door." He listened for movement in the room, but heard none. "Krissy! Come on! Open the door!"

"Is she okay?" Molly asked, coming around the corner. Her eyes were wet with un-fallen tears.

"Molly, why don't you go and watch some T.V. okay? Kristina is fine, okay. I promise," he whispered, kneeling down to Molly's level. She frowned, glancing at Kristina's door.

"Should I call my mom? Or Sonny?" Ethan shook his head no.

"No, no. It's going to be okay, okay? Just got watch some T.V. and we'll be down soon." Molly turned around and headed back towards the living room. Ethan pounded his fist against the door again. "Kristina, if you don't open the door, I'm going to break it down!"