Authors Note: So much for trying to make the chapters longer. Oh will, it's alright, right? hint - REVIEWS ANYONE?


Chapter 4 – Second Opinion

For the first time in a long time, Elena actually enjoyed her weekend. She could go out freely without having to worry about Claudia and her little gang. She knew that if she tried anything, Reno would deal with it.

Taking advantage of this, she decided to go to the mall. She didn't have any money, but window shopping was something she liked doing. She didn't expect the first person to see her to be Claudia, standing right next to the door. Luckily, she didn't see Elena sneak past right under her nose. She kept her head down and carried on until she was definitely out of Claudia's sight. Not looking where she was going, she walked right into someone.

"Sor.." she began to say. She looked up at the flaming red hair.

"Reno!" she cried, startled.

"That was some pretty good sneaking around." He said, casually.

"I…thanks. You saw…?"

"That Claudia chick, yeah." He scowled. "God, she makes me wanna hurl." He cringed.

"You know I think we have quite a lot in common." Elena laughed. "See ya."

As Elena sat out again in the sun, she heard a familiar voice from outside her garden. She saw the tell-tale red hair from over the fence and smiled to herself. She listened to what he was saying on his cell phone.

"Yeah, I'm here now. Ok, yeah, fuck, you've already said that twice, I know. Right, I'll do it now." Elena jumped as a scrunched up piece of paper hit her on the shoulder. "Yeah, done. No I'm not lying. You're obviously and idiot then. Yeah, I will be able to coz I have done it. Yeah I will then. Yeah? Whatever."

Elena's heart sank as she saw him walk straight past. She had been hoping he would come and see her. Then she remembered the piece of paper. Heart racing, she picked it up and un-screwed it :

"'Lena, meet me at the Memorial Park as soon as it gets dark. Don't let me down. It's important. Come alone. Reno x x"

What could it be? Reno was definitely up to something. Should she go? Yes, she had grown to trust Reno enough. She could look after herself, after all. The sun was setting, and it took at least half an hour to walk to the Memorial Park. She unlocked the back gate, leaving no trace that she had gone.

By the time she had got there, it was pitch black. There was no sight of Reno. She sat nervously on the bench, shivering slightly. After about 10 minutes, she heard a voice from the darkness.

"One thing you should always remember if you're gonna get involved. I'm always fashionably late." Reno's figure came into focus.

"Involved?" Elena questioned. He motioned towards a black car that stood outside the park gates. He walked towards it. Elena followed, puzzled. Reno got into the drivers seat and started the engine.

"Come on then." He said, pointing to the passengers seat. She got in.

"How can you drive? You can't be any more than 16." Elena asked.

"'Course I'm older than that. I didn't really come to your school as a student. I came for you." He was smirking slightly. Elena suddenly became very scared. Was she doing the right thing? And now, nobody knew where she was if anything bad was to happen. After all, she hardly knew Reno. She was pushed back into her seat when Reno drove off abruptly.

"You wanna slow down?" she said, willing herself not to be sick. His driving was dreadful.

"Nah, not really, 'Lena. Making great time here." He looked at her. "Don't look so worried. Trust me, I ain't a rapist, I would say I'm not a murderer, but I guess I am of sorts…"

"If that's supposed to make me feel better, it hasn't worked very well." Elena said, although deep down it had made her feel slightly less uneasy.