I didn't see Owen for a few days, again. I had no idea where he went. He be there one day, then gone the next. I didn't know what to do. I mean, we weren't anything. We weren't going out, but I like to know when and where he would appear. It was becoming rather annoying.

"Cass!" my mother calls from downstairs.

That's odd. She doesn't call my name often.

"Yes?" I call from my room.

"The phone's for you." she says.

Now that was something I haven't heard before.

I walk downstairs from my room. I walk into the kitchen where my mother holds out threw phone to me. "Who is it?" I ask.

"I think its that boy, he said it was an emergency."

I take the phone and answer, "Hello?"

"Cass, that you?" Owen asks.

"Uh yeah."

"Good. I need to ask a favor." he says.

I become hesitant. He disappears for days and now he needs a favor. "It depends what it is." I say.

"Aw come on. I know your pissed cause I haven't talked to you in a couple days, but this is kind of important." he says.

I sigh. "Fine, what is it?'

"Can you come bail me out of jail?"

"What?! How did you end up in jail?" I shout.

He pauses. "Its involved."

"How involved? Because if I come down there to bail you out it better be for a good reason."

He sighs. "Listen I don't have much time. I only get one phone call, but let's just say a ran into a certain friend of your's today."

It takes all my energy to hold the phone. I cant breathe. My heart races. My vision is blurry. "Owen, please… I cant handle this."

"Cass are you alright?"

I take deep breaths. Assuring myself I am in no danger. "Yes, I just… wasn't expecting that."

"So you'll come bail me out?' he asks.

"How much?" I ask.

"Two hundred and fifty," he says. "Do you have enough?"

"Yes, I'll be there in a minute." I say.

"Thanks Cass, I owe you one." and the line goes dead.

I cant believe it. He fought him. For me?

I hope they didn't harass him for being seen with me. For as long as I've been this way, I've been know as the town psycho. Never sleep, wearing all black, acting as if the world were coming to an end. If only they knew.

***

I take a deep breath before entering the police station. Only now do I realize that he may be here to. I walk in anyway. Knowing that Owen is waiting for me. I walk to the front desk. "I'm here to see Owen…," what is his last name any way?

"Guy charged with assault?" he asks.

I nod.

He leads me back to the holding cells. They aren't as bad as I pictured. "Cass you came!" Owen gushes.

I smile. "Of course. I mean, you did ask me."

He presses his face against the bars. "I know. I just thought I couldn't get that lucky. I hate asking you for money, but I'm a little short." he laughs.

"Its okay. I have some to spare."

***

Ten minutes later. We're walking down the street in the night.

"So, where's your car?" I ask.

He shrugs. "Probably got towed. I'll get it in the morning." he says.

I sigh. "Are you going to tell me why you ended up in jail?" I ask.

He nods. "Can we take a walk in the park?" he asks.

I nod. We walk down the paved pathway through the park passing up the monkey bars, slides, and merry-go-round. Making it to the swings he takes a seat. I sit beside him. We're silent a few minutes. The air is cold, but I ignore it.

"I came to your work to see you," he starts. "but you weren't there that day. I was prepared to wait for you, but… he was there too. I guess he came to see you too. He was pissed that you weren't there. Bragging to his friends about…." Owen trails off.

"Owen it doesn't matter. Its in the past." I say.

He nods. "I know. So I ignored him. Knowing my temper. But then he got to talking about how… he was going to…," Owen closes his eyes. Scared by what he's going to say. "Don't make me say it Cass." he cries.

"Its alright. I know what you're going to say. He told me of his… intentions already."

He turns to me. "How can you say nothing? You could have told me."

I shake my head. "Then what? Have you fight my battles for me? I don't need protected."

I let my head fall, looking at my feet. He takes my face in his hands. "Your stronger then you think Cass. I punched him because… someone should. No one should talk about you like that." He leans his face forward to kiss me.

I turn my head away. "Please, don't."

He looks at me confused. "Why? You push everyone away, but why me? The only one who understands, and is fighting for you. I don't understand Cass."

I sigh. "I don't expect you to."

"Would you tell me everything, if I asked?" he said.

I shook my head. "Would you tell me where you go?" I ask.

He looks at me. His eyes turning blue. "I told you I'm not proud of the things I do. I go away because I don't want you to see me like that, Cass."

"Well, I think I be more open with you if you were open with me." I say.

"I've been more open with you than you have with me."

I nod. "I know. But… it hurts you know. Its been locked up so long. The key's kind of rusty." I joke.

He laughs. "Okay. Do you want to see where I live?" he asks.

I nod. "Sure."

He smiles and kisses me. "There is so much I don't know about you, but, I feel like it doesn't matter."

I nod. "It doesn't. You know more about me than I do. Everything else just complicates things." I say. Leaning forward to kiss him again. "You've taught me to trust again."

sorry its so short. but it was an essential chapter. Review!