I let out an annoyed grunt and jammed my fist into his rib cage, causing him to recoil enough for me to shove myself away from him. I glared at him but he just smiled back.

"Really, Juno? We both know hitting is just a form of flirting."

I rolled my eyes. Eric really thought so highly of himself it was nauseating. I picked up my waste basket and headed back for my apartment. Of course, Eric blocked me.

"Aw, come on Juno baby, why you in such a hurry? It's a summer night! We could just head back to my place."

"Don't call me baby."

"Aw, why not babe?"

"Don't call me anything! Now fuck off!"

With that I dug my elbow into his side and pushed past him. My victory was short lived, because he managed to grab my wrist and spin me back around. I had put up with just about enough of this moron. I yanked my hand away from him, but achieved nothing for my efforts, and only sent a sharp pain through my arm by doing so.

All my scuffles with the tall man had taken their toll on my body. My muscles were sore and my bones felt heavy like lead in my body, but yet at the same time brittle as a sheet of glass. Not to mention Eric was a decently strong guy. He was on the wrestling team, so naturally he was physically fit and in good all-around shape. If I remembered correctly, he also took martial arts.

He smiled stupidly at me and twisted my hand up and behind my back, pulling me against him again. I squeaked in pain as he stretched my arm back a tiny bit further than it was meant to go, my weak body fighting back as much as it could.

"You're so cute when you cry, Juno."

I squinted at him, not understandings until by doing so I realized my eyes were blurred and tear. My cheeks flushed hot both from embarrassment and anger. Then, before I could do anything else, he kissed me. Yeah. Just like that. The jackass. I wriggled and pulled my face away from his, but all he did was set his head against my shoulder and kiss my neck.

My arm began to cramp up from being stretched too tight, sending a fresh stream of tears to my eyes. I really did not want to cry in front of Eric. I didn't like to cry in front of anyone, not even my dad. Eric was just the worst possible person to break into tears in front of.

I felt his hand move lower down my body and snapped. I had put up with enough of this. I knew Eric's story; the abusive dad, the foster families. I could relate with him to some level, maybe that was why I felt sorry for him. But just because I pitied him didn't mean I had to put up with him. I really didn't want to hit him, but I wasn't going to let him treat me like his sex toy either.

I dropped my waste basket and swung around with my free hand, clenching my hand tight around his elbow and digging my thumb nail into the soft flesh where the joint bends. He grimaced a bit and let my other arm go. I took my chance and punched him in the stomach. He must have been expecting that, because his torso was tensed and my punch didn't affect him. Acting on instinct and adrenaline, I leaned down and grabbed my waste basket, swinging around and slamming it into the side of his head. He dodged it, but I was still able to force him to back away a few steps.

That was all I needed, and I ran.

Behind me I could hear Eric laughing his stupid, cocky laugh.

I stumbled into the apartment, heading straight for the kitchen to fill a glass of water.

"Hey, where did you go?"

I held up my empty waste basket, still gulping down the cold water.

"Oh, well what took you so long? The dumpster isn't that far."

I froze for a minute, the gears in my head turning.

"Oh yeah, well that one was full, so I had to go around the building to the other one."

"Oh," My dad didn't sound convinced. "Okay then… dinner's ready, go get a plate."

"Okay, let me just go put this back."

I went upstairs and set my waste basket down, checking myself in the mirror. I blinked then leaned forward and made sure I wasn't just seeing things. I grumbled in frustration.

"Great… nice going Eric. A hickey."

I pulled on a thin sweatshirt that covered the base of my neck enough to hide a bit of the pink mark from view. Wow, no wonder my dad hadn't believed me.

But, as much as I hated Eric. I didn't want to unleash my dad on him. My dad was extremely overprotective of me already. If he found out Eric was trying to fuck around with me, my dad would probably beat him to within an inch of death. I know – he's done it before.

Eric may be in good shape and taking karate or whatever he does. But I've seen him get into fights. He loses his cool when he goes up against another guy and always ends up in the dirt. There I go, pitying him again. Damn me and my understanding nature.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Next one should be coming up soon! :) Thanks to all of you for your awesome reviews! It's been so encouraging!

Here, now I have cookie-brownies! :D Half cookie; half brownie - all deliciousness :) Yaaaay *hands you a cookie-brownie*