Just for the record: do not, I repeat, DO NOT mess with the radio while you're driving. It almost always ends in car accidents. Hence my lengthy absence. I was driving with my mother to a family get together last week and a Nirvana CD got stuck in the radio. I tried to get it out and it resulted in me swerving off the road, flipping three times, and landing on a tree. Guess who feels like a jackass? I totaled the car and spent two days in the hospital. It was stupid and reckless and now I'm paying for it, (literally, hooray for crappy insurance company).

Now that I'm finally feeling better, I decided to update. Here's a little slice of Castle Rock to quench your thirst for the guys we all love. Enjoy.

I felt his hands sweep across my cheeks and neck. Pressing against his palm, my eyes flickered behind the closed lids. Christopher kissed my left cheek, slowly trailing down to the side of my neck, and stopped to briefly nibble on the flesh. I shivered under his touch, my back arching as I caught my breath. Chambers smiled against my skin. My eyes fluttered open as he pulled back. Propping himself up, the blonde boy hovered over me. "When will your parents be back?"

My eyebrows raised, "Having naughty thoughts, there, Chambers?"

"Maybe," he smirked, leaning down to press another quick kiss to my lips. I shifted the pillow under my head, curling my arm below it, "I'm not sure. Why?"

"Like you said, naughty thoughts," his smirk widened as he laid down beside me on the bed, pulling me closer. Our lips connected once more in a passionate and heated embrace; I forgot how could it felt to have him kiss me like that and I was thankful his lips had fully healed. As I slid my body onto his, I was careful of where my knees pressed. Our bodies tangled together and I tore my mouth from his. Grinning at him, I sensuously kissed his nose…then his forehead…then his temple. As I did so I felt Chris's un-casted hand slip up to my waist. His fingertips brushed the skin under my shirt. He pressed his lips to my collarbone.

Teasingly, I pulled back and swatted at his hand. Chris mocked a groan and held back a wolfish grin. I reached down and ran my hand down the side of his neck, over his chest, and stopped at his belly button, as that's where my waist was, my body now straddling him. Christopher raised his eyebrows suggestively. Though I have never considered myself promiscuous or sexy, when I'm with Chris these things just sort of happen. We move out of instinct, letting our growing, hormonal bodies do the talking. Scooting back, I grabbed his wrists and pulled him up, so we were sitting straight, facing each other with me resting in his lap. I clung to his shirt as he curled his arm around my neck, drawing me into him.

Then, his arms slightly raised and I lifted the thin, dark material up. My fingers traveled with it, grazing his flat stomach and chest, then over his head the shirt went. It was dropped, left abandoned on my floor as our lips rejoined once more. My lips found his skin. All of it. I kissed his neck, his face, his shoulders, his pecks; and, giving a firm but gentle shove causing him to fall back into the pillows, his stomach. I could feel Chris writhing against my touch. I could hear his heightened breathing, the shaky breaths that escaped him. Leaving a trail, I kissed back up to his lips. Since I was now just laying on top of him, Chris interlocked our legs and, very strategically, rolled over.

We kept kissing and though my shirt was still on, it was lifted so high it might as well have joined Chris's. Lips against lips, skin against skin, body against body; we were. In that moment, on a rather uneventful Sunday afternoon, I found myself tangled in the sheets of bed hanging onto reality by a shred. As we continued swiftly with our affections, I realized I didn't want to stop. I mentally contemplated if I was ready or not for that next step while still frantically kissing him.

Suddenly, Chris pulled away, his forehead resting against mine. We were both sweaty now, and panting heavily. Chris shut his eyes tight, his body still laying atop mine, his breathing was jagged, his hands still tangled in my hair. "God, Danni," he moaned. "How do you do that to me?"

Though it was a rhetorical question, I answered by pressed my nose against his cheek, breathing out, "Right back atcha."

Chris leaned up a bit more, so we were better able to look at each other. He ran fingers from the back of my skull to my cheeks, grazing my lips with is fingertips. "You are so beautiful," he said casually, absentmindedly as if it were the most normal of proclamations. I blushed at his words and bit my lip. Chris gingerly brushed his lips against my forehead, my eyes, my nose, my cheeks, my lips, my chin. He ended at my neck, where he buried his face in the crook and pressed a few kisses there.

I ran my fingers through his hair. They trailed down his neck then over his shoulder blades. The gentle touch set goose bumps on his skin. "Do you know what I love about you?" I asked softly. Chris mumbled a muffled, "Hmmm?" against my neck. Grinning, I continued to just let my fingers trace his skin. "Well, the fact that you stop us in the middle of…well, whatever you want to call that, to say things to my like 'you're beautiful'."

"You are," he spoke; as if to prove his point, he placed another kiss on my skin.

"Well thank you, but most guys would have just barreled on," I blushed. Chris pulled back. Lifting a hand, he cupped my cheek, pulling my face towards his, "I thought we'd already established that I'm not like most guys."

"You're right…you are so much better," I peck his lips. Gazing up at him, I stroked a thumb across his cheeks, "Thank you for that…most guys are either boring or jerks and you're neither. You're amazing, Christopher."

"I love you, Danni," Chambers smiled. Sweetly, he pulled my mouth to his for another kiss. We stopped then, Chris clarifying that if we progressed he wasn't sure that mentally or physically he'd be able to stop himself from going full force. We hunted down his discarded shirt and I turned on my radio. As the soothing sound of The Temptations filled my room, we cuddled together on the bed, talking about ours plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving break (I wanted Chris to Thanksgiving dinner here, with my family).

We'd been discussing this for three days and now that I'd spoke of it again, Chris seemed reluctant, "Why am I going again?"

"Because I'm wonderful and you love me and I'll be miserable if you don't come," I murmured against Christopher's neck. Reclined back against his chest, I felt his arms tighten on my waist. Our fingers were linked, our bodies meshed together. Just relaxing in my room, it was a peaceful and ideal way to pass the rest afternoon. Softly, Chambers drawled, "So? That's beside the point."

Laughing, I smacked his leg gently. "Wet-end. You're coming, I don't care if you don't want to. It's a month away; you have time to prepare."

"Thanksgiving is three weeks away, Danni," he corrected.

"Three weeks and five days. A month."

"Dan-"

"Why don't you want to come?" I shifted in his lap. Face to face, my back now arched against the wall. I peered at him, speaking tenderly, trying not to offend him. "I mean, can you honestly tell me you'd rather spend the holiday with your family?" Under my gaze, Chris faltered. His cool, collected demeanor cracked and a slight whine echoed through his throat, "It's not that I don't love your family, Danni. I just don't think Thanksgiving with them is a good idea."

"Why not?" I pushed. "You'll know everyone there."

Christopher's head slumped against the wall, his eye lids fluttering shut. I bit my lip in frustration. In the back of my mind I wanted to smack him; lightly of course, but smack him none the less. I've spent the last three days trying to convince him to have Thanksgiving dinner with my family and myself after he confessed his loathing for the holiday Chambers family get-togethers. And for three days he has refused. I just don't understand. Silence hung over the room like a thick blanket of awkwardness. "It just, won't be a good idea," he finally spoke.

"I don't understand-"

"I'm sorry. Just…no…I mean…" Chris fumbled over an excuse. Pathetically, he huffed and his bottom lip jetted out in a small pout. Shifting, I slipped from his lap, "Don't worry about it. We can talk about it later."

"Danni-"

"Its okay, Chris. I'll give you the false hope of having a choice in the matter for a little bit longer," I smiled weakly. Turning from him, I began to gather my things for school tomorrow. I fluttered around the room, grabbing this thing and that until there was nothing left to distract me from Chris. Biting my lip softly, I leaned against my dresser, facing him. I racked my brain and finally mumbled, "Want to head down to the tree house? See of the guys wanna do something?"

Chambers parted his lips, his brow furrowing. He was silent for a moment before he nodded, "Sure." He appeared displeased and I assumed he was trying to avoid another 'fight', but you couldn't really call it a fight. More like a conversational disagreement.

"We don't have to," I argued. "I just feel kind of bad. Here lately I've been hogging you all to myself. I bet Gordie misses his best friend."

"Danni, we saw Gordo and Vern last night," he reminded me, standing from my bed. "Besides, I like you having me all to yourself."

The blonde boy was smirking at me and I couldn't helped but laugh, simultaneously rolling my eyes. "You are such a dork."

"But you love it," he took my hand. "Come on. Race ya to the door."

When Chris and I got to the rickety old hangout, Vern sat all alone reading a magazine. He helped me up so as not to allow me to rip my dress. I took a seat in the hammock, pushing away stray trash and comics. I crossed my ankles and swung slightly. Reclining, I studied the wooden ceiling. Several nails were sticking into the splintered planks randomly. I mentally imagined Denny and his friends slaving away for days to finish it. However, I couldn't remember it if I had tried; I was, after all, only three when it was built. Shifting, I peered at Vern and Chambers as they lit their cigarettes. "What could you have possibly been doing up here all by your lonesome, Vern-o? Any particular afternoon activity to keep the mind…and possibly the hands, busy?"

I raised my eyebrows suggestively, an insignificant smirk on my lips. Chris broke out with laughter, taking a long drag, and grinning. The youngest Tessio boy simply frowned, "I don't get it."

More laughter rose from Christopher and I quietly joined in. Picking up a bottom top that lay abandoned beneath the hammock, I chunked it at him, "That's okay."

Instead of ducking, Vern furrowed his brow and got smacked in the forehead. "Ouch, Danni! What was that for?"

"Nothing particular," I shrugged. "Where're Teddy and Gordo?"

"How am I suppose to know?" he snapped sourly, shifting on the crate. His childish response caused Chris and I to share knowing grins. Vern, though kind and fun to be around, just wasn't all that mature at times. Well, most of the time. "I'm bored," he huffed crossing his arms, the smoke from his cig swirling around his head. The puffy halo hung in the air momentarily. "You guys wanna go see a movie?"

As Chris and Vern snow balled into a conversation over the new King Kong movie playing at the Daily-Double, I halted. My breath hitched and I slowly slipped into the past. "You guys wanna go see a dead body?" Vern's words echoed in my head. Though it had been months since that fateful weekend in Harlow, I remember my return from California like it was yesterday. Ever since our little adventure, I've been having these flash backs. The simplest phrases or sight sets them off; one little thing and I'm in memory land. Sometimes they last mere minutes but once I had a flashback to the 'all time train dodge' for almost an hour.

Images of Teddy shaking his butt at Chopper, of Chris and Gordie walking side-by-side down the train tracks drenched in sweat but grinning like they had no cares in the world, Vern shrieking as he dropped his food into the burning fire….they came rapidly. Picture after picture. Occasionally, I'd hear someone speaking.

"Hey, at least we now know when the next train was due."

"You worry too much, Chambers. You'll have gray hair before you graduate."

"Yeah, by the time we get there the kid won't even be dead anymore!"

"I'm sorry Vern. A more experienced shopper could have gotten more for your seven cents."

"Oh my god! Ha ha! You flinched! Two for flinching!…but you flinched."

Everything was blurring. I was losing myself in my memories. I could feel the heat again. The sweat and water that had caked onto my skin. I could hear the low chatter of my friends, the chirping of the birds above, and the creaking of the crickets below. I could see the sun setting behind us as we walked along the trestle. For a moment I was there. I was really there.

"Danni?" I heard Christopher's soft whisper. I felt his warm hands on my cheek, my arm. "Danni…are you alright?"

"What?" I snapped back. The reality of where I was fell on me like a ton of bricks. I gasped for air. Blinking repeatedly, I mentally shook myself. Chambers was knelt in front of the hammock. Concern was clear on his face, worry in his eyes. Behind him, Vern stood, confused. Widening his eyes, Vern-o asked, "What's wrong with her? Is she sick or something?"

"She's fine, Vern," Chris declared. It took nearly ten minutes to assure Vern that I was okay. One doing so, we started a game of black jack realizing we had no money for the movies. (Though Vern suggested we could just sneak in through the hole in the fence behind the screen. Chris quickly shot that idea down.)

Despite Christopher's clarification that I was alright, I noticed he didn't believe it himself. For the duration of the game I kept catching him glancing at me every few seconds. Not to mention the fact that he moved his seat closer to the hammock; so close that I could smell the nicotine clinging to his clothing. His concerned presence was slightly overwhelming and just as I was about to say something to him, Marty DeSpain and Billy Greer showed up. Vern welcomed them into the hangout and soon, the entire place filled with cigarette smoke. The thick, mucky air was making it difficult for me to breathe. Trying to think of an excuse to leave, I asked Billy what time it was.

"Ten 'til four," he replied, staring into the lens of his wristband-watch. Shifting in the hammock, I shot Chris a tight-lipped smile, "I gotta go."

"So soon?" Marty quipped. Glaring at him, I mumbled, "Yeah, you're devastated, I know."

"Tragically," the youngest DeSpain boy snorted. It was Chris's turn to retort with a quick, 'Shut up, Marty'. Marty smirked at Christopher's slightly angered expression. The brunette boy took a particularly long drag on his cig and smiled, "Problem, Chambers?"

"I don't know, DeSpain, is there?" my best friend sat up straighter. The cigarette sticking out the corner of his mouth, along with the still faint bruising around his eye, gave Chris an air of dangerousness. Beside me on the hammock, Billy Greer squirmed from the steadily growing tension in the small space, "Knock it off, Marty."

"Knock what off?" Marty gaze landed on me. A sneer was slowly forming on my lips. Standing, I nodded to Vern to open the trap-door. I slipped out of the tree house quickly, and climbed down the ladder. Chris, who had followed, caught my arm, "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine," I pecked his lips. "Promise. It's just getting a little crowded up there."

"We can make the dipshit DeSpain leave."

"No, don't. It's okay. I need to get home, anyway. I told momma I'd help her with the laundry. She said its about time I continue my learning on household chores," giving a dry laugh, my insides ached. It felt bad lying to Chris. But I didn't favor Marty's company and I just really wanted to get away from guys for a little while. Don't get me wrong, I love Christopher. Gordie, Teddy, and Vern too. However, sometimes, I need females for company. Seeing as how I wasn't great friends with any of the girls in Castle Rock, I figured simply getting away from the boys for a while would suffice.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Laundry. Its so boss," I forced a grin. Slowly, Chris nodded, "Okay…if you're sure."

"Chris?"

"Yeah?"

"You worry too much."

Chris smiled, his eyes suddenly gleaming, "Now where have I heard that before?"

I gave a shrugged as he pulled me in for another kiss. Resting my forehead on his, I spoke softly, "I'll see you later."

"Not if I see you first," with a final graze of our lips, he dropped my frame and silently watched as I marched across the field of dead grass and weeds. Climbing down the steep slope and onto the dirt road, I contemplated what I should do for the rest of my evening. I could actually go home but I wouldn't have anything to do there. I could go walk around the shops on Main Street but I have no money. I could-

But suddenly my train of though halted. Parking not three blocks down Ace Merrill was lazily strutting my way. A half empty beer bottle in his clutch, he wore a glare and slumped his shoulders. My eyes widened; instinctively, they began to dart around for a quick escaped. Unfortunately the only one was a road to my right. But something told me if I shot across the road, the king Cobra would see me.

Why didn't I get one of them to walk me home? I whined mentally. Biting my lip, I took my chances, praying to the God of odds that I would win this bluff. Swiftly, I began to cross the road. The skirt of my dress swished around my ankles and not three steps into my run, did I hear an 'All be damned,' and a glass bottle breaking. I glanced to my left and sure enough, Ace had dropped his beer and was jogging my way.

"Shit!" I spat and picked up the pace. Running down the road, I could hear his heavy footsteps trailing me. My chest began to clench, my breaths coming quick as I tried to speed up even more. My legs began to tire soon. I could feel my limbs working against me, together. They wanted to stop and rest. But that would mean a beating, and even more pain. So I pressed on.

Ace was shouting after me; telling me to stop, and he just wanted to talk, he wasn't going to hurt me, he swore. I may be a lot of things but stupid isn't one of them. Well, on most days. Finally, I was making it into town. I could see the general store five blocks ahead. If I could just make it t-

"Ahh!" my body lurched to a halt, Ace's stone grip on my waist. I began to thrash against him, writhing and squirming my way out. His chest was pressed firmly against my back and I could feel his breath against my neck, "Stop fighting, you little bitch. I said I wasn't gonna hurtcha."

"Yeah," I bit back. "I'll believe that when hell freezes over."

His deep, short chuckles shook his body, therefore mine as well. I fought against him still, crying out for help. Ace was quick to clamp his hand over my mouth. I've read that in situations like this girls begin to cry and sob fearing what was about to come. Personally, I think they're pussies. Don't cry about what might happen, fight to stop it. So fight I did.

Stepping forward, I pulled Ace with me and stomped hard on his left foot. I heard a small yelp of pain and his grip slackened slightly. Pulling my arm forward, I brought my elbow back swiftly, into the right side of his stomach. Merrill gasped for air, dropping his arms to clutch his aching stomach. I didn't stop to gloat but shot off.

I didn't make it another block before he caught me again. This time he was rougher and was no longer smiling. He gripped the elbow that had just met his stomach and forcefully shoved me against the back, brick wall of the Castle Rock Medical Clinic. I winced at the harsh connect of bricks to back. I withheld a whine of pain and glared at the six-foot-tall bully. "What do you want?"

Ace grinned a crooked smile, "Well I wanted you to tell that little faggot, Lachance, that we're waiting. Just a little friendly warning, that's all. But now…now I think I'll have a little fun."

Oh, shit.