It was the dead of night, which was the only time I was able to smoke outside of my house. My mom would literally slap the shit out of me if she saw me out here, but I hadn't been caught yet.

I lit my cigarette taking a long drag and leaning my head against the side of my house. The brick felt cool against the back of my neck. I always found it funny how during summer the outdoors was actually cooler than inside of my fucking house. My shirt was sticking to my back and chest, but with the cool air it felt amazing.

I pushed my hair back, reminding myself that I really needed to cut my hair.

"It's nice out, right?"

I jumped at her voice, why I don't really know why. Her voice was usually soothing to me, the sweet calming quality usually putting me at ease.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered, narrowing my eyes to find her figure in the darkness.

At night, it was completely dark where I lived in the Seam. We didn't have streetlamps on at two in the morning, couldn't afford it.

"I thought you'd be happier to see me."

I took another drag and extended my hand to throw it out even thought I'd taken barely two drags from it. I was suddenly embarrassed at what I looked like. Here I was smoking a cigarette in the dead of night, in complete darkness. My shirt was sticking to my skin and I had huge visible stains, not to mention the pair of gym shorts I was wearing. I looked like shit and she looked so fucking pretty. I felt like scum compared to her. She touched my forearm.

"You don't have to throw it out. I don't mind."

I brought it back up to my mouth, inhaling and breathing out the smoke. "Your dad wouldn't like you being here."

She smiled, and I could make it out now that my eyes had adjusted to the darkness.

"That's why he doesn't know that I'm here." The side of her turned upwards. It was cute, I couldn't think of a time when she had ever smirked in my presence ever.

I took another drag. "What are you even doing here?"

"I didn't want you to think that I agreed with my father about you."

My eyebrows furrowed at her. "But why does it even matter to you?" She shrugged, one of her arms folding against her chest, holding her bicep. "You can't pretend like you don't know what I've done to other girls. Your father's right I probably will hurt you."

She took a step toward me, coming out to grab my hand. "I don't think you'll hurt me," she said, her neck craning up to look me in the eyes.

"I don't want to," I said, throwing the cigarette off into the distance, so I could come up to touch her cheek.

"Then don't."

"But what if I do?" I felt my voice breaking. She was so fucking good and I wasn't. I was bad and I couldn't stand if I hurt her, just the thought of her getting punished for just talking to me was enough for me to want to stay away. I couldn't say that I would stay away, but it would make me want to, for her.

"I'm willing to take the risk," she murmured as she pressed her hands to my chest and leaned up to kiss me. Her lips were so soft and so warm against mine. I stroked her cheek with my thumb, loving the feeling of her smooth skin.

She pulled away, pecking my softly before rocking back on the balls of her feet.

"I like you," she said, avoiding my eyes. I noticed her cheeks turn a deep red. I smiled leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. "I like you too," I murmured against her skin.

She grinned. "I'll have to convince my dad that you're not what everyone says you are."

"But I am, Madge. All of that's true."

She brought her hand down to hold mine. "But you're not going to be like that with me, right?"

I shook my head, "No. Never. You're special."

She nodded. "As long as you keep that up, then I think we can get my dad on our side. My mom already is."

"Your mom?"

She blushed again, "I've told her about you."

"Do you think she'd like me?" I murmured, nervous. I'd never met a girl's parents before, never stayed around long enough to need to.

"Of course. You're not as bad as you make yourself out to seem, Gale Hawthorne. You're good."

I wasn't exactly convinced, but if she had that much faith in me, it only seemed fair that I made the effort to be a better man for her.