My job at Christian's turned out to be less glamorous than I'd originally anticipated. I had to wrap and package the dog tags, then type and print off the labels and stick them on. I also had to fetch him drinks and/or snacks, which he claimed a real assistant would definitely have to do. I found it all very funny to be honest. I knew for a fact Christian was going to be successful when he was older. At the end of the day, when he gave me $40 for sticking some labels on and getting him a lemonade, I could hardly complain. I bought my new bag the next weekend and still had some leftover.

By the time June rolled around, I'd saved quite a bit. It helped so much, and I was so grateful to Christian. How did I get so lucky?

It was a few days before Christian's birthday when I got a call from Grace. It was a weekend and I was busy poring over English homework.

"Oh hi Grace," I said, surprised. She'd never called before. And then a horrible feeling came over in my stomach as the realisation of that sank in. Was Christian okay? Was she calling to tell me he was hurt?

"Is Christian okay?" I asked breathlessly.

"Oh yes. He's okay," Grace said quickly. "I'm sorry for startling you Ana."

I let out a long breath.

"He's well, physically," she continued, "but he's...not responding to anyone here at home. He's gone to the treehouse and locked himself in. Said he doesn't want to talk to anyone. I was wondering if you could come over and try, see what's going on" she said anxiously.

I slid my shoes on immediately and ran down the stairs. What? This was unlike him. I hoped nothing too bad had happened. Maybe he'd got into a fight or something...

"I'm on my way," I said and hung up.

I told my dad Christian needed me and so he drove me over, thankfully with no objections. As soon as I got there, I bypassed Grace with a small wave and headed outside. Climbing the treehouse, I tentatively knocked on the door.

"I said go away," Christian spat angrily.

"It's me," I said softly.

A pause.

"Ana?" His voice was a lot gentler.

"Yeah. Can I come in?"

He unlocked the door instantly and I squeezed inside, practically sitting on his lap. We were both a lot bigger than we used to be, and the treehouse barely contained us. He shut the door again.

I scanned him over and he looked okay. He was wearing a t-shirt, his hair its usual beautiful mess. I leaned in and kissed his cheek, loving the soft feel of his perfect skin underneath my lips. Acne and hormonal teenage spots seemed to have bypassed Christian altogether. His skin was just as smooth as it had always been. At the same time, I ran my fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes at my touch.

"What's going on?" I asked after a few quiet seconds.

He didn't open his eyes and I didn't press. I knew that Christian needed time to process his thoughts before answering. I never pushed. I continued playing with his hair. I knew how much he loved that.

"My mom asked me if I'd do a favour for her friend," he started, eyes still closed. I listened intently.

"Elliot was supposed to do it, but he refused. Said he was busy studying. My mom's friend, Elena," he said the name with distaste. "Her husbands never home. She needed someone to help with the garden. Mom said I'd be payed quite a lot and I thought why not? I'm saving as much money as possible for a bigger business when I'm older."

I stayed quiet, wondering how this could have gotten him in such a state, but he continued.

"I went over this morning to mow the lawn. She bought me over a drink and then kept touching my shoulder telling me how big and strong I've gotten. How much of a man I am now."

I tensed, not liking where this was going...

"She asked me to come inside to take a look at something broken, but she led me to a room filled with whips and stuff. Said that she could teach me how to be a proper man."

"What?" I gasped, breaking my silence and interrupting. "She wanted to beat you?"

He opened his eyes then, looking at me warily.

"No. Yes. But… I don't know. Not in that way."

I was confused.

He sighed and reached a hand up to wipe over his face.

"She offered to pay me to be her toy boy," he said. "She said she wanted to have sex with me and teach me everything I could ever want to know."

He averted his eyes, not wanting to see my reaction. I didn't blame him. I was appalled. Speechless. I didn't even know what to say.

"You're a kid," I finally choked out.

"I know," he laughed humourlessly. "She told me I'd be sixteen next year. One year doesn't make a difference she said."

I couldn't even find the words.

"I ran out," he said. "Ran all the way home and up here. I don't know what to do."

My voice seemed to be coming back in pieces as I realised he needed me.

"You have to tell your parents," I said at once. "Let them know. This is serious Christian. What she did was illegal. Offering to pay a kid for sex...she should be arrested."

He didn't answer. Why wasn't he saying anything? A thought so preposterous suddenly settled in my belly.

"You don't want to...have sex with her?" I asked in a small voice, letting my stupid teenage insecurities rear their ugly head.

"What?" He asked, outraged. "Fuck Ana. Why the fuck would I want to fuck her?"

Relieved, I breathed again. I wondered how many times he could say fuck in one sentence.

"I can't believe you'd even ask that," he said angrily, shooting daggers at me.

"I'm sorry," I said hastily, stroking his arm. "I didn't mean..." I trailed off.

He was still glaring at me.

"I know you don't want to have sex with her," I tried again.

"No I fucking don't," he spat out. "Old hag. As if."

I bit my lip and he stared at me.

"Stop doing that," he said, annoyed.

"What?" I asked, bewildered.

"Biting your god damn lip."

"Why?" What did me biting my lip have to do with anything?

"Because I can't concentrate on anything when you do it. It makes me want to take off all your clothes and touch you. Make me see how hard I can really make you bite your lip."

His words, and the close proximity of our bodies pressed tightly together, had me flushing from head to toe. It brought me back to Brody's party last year when we were both buzzed and talking about fingering and such. We hadn't had that conversation since, and our physical relationship still hadn't progressed beyond heavy kissing and Christian touching my boobs over my clothes.

I shook my head, now was not the time to be thinking about this.

"You need to tell your parents," I said again, forcing all images of Christian and I naked out of my head.

He closed his eyes again.

"They're just gonna ask loads of questions. Everything's gonna get messy," he said.

"So?" I questioned. "She did this Christian. Not you. It's her mess to deal with. You have every right to report it. I'm not going to let her get away with this. We look after each-other remember?"

He sighed and nodded.

"I'll be there with you," I said softly, knowing how hard this would be for him.

He took my hand and brought it to his lips in silent answer.

"Can we get out of this treehouse now?" I asked.

He laughed softly and we both climbed out.

The next few days were indeed messy. Grace cried when Christian told him what had happened. Carrick took action and called the police. Since an actual crime hadn't been committed, not much could be done, but they did take out a restraining order against her. Grace lost her controlled demeanour and called Elena a whole bunch of awful names.

When Christian's birthday rolled around the following Saturday, I was determined to make it a stress-free, peaceful day. I had it all planned.

At home, I'd baked a chocolate cake with raspberry jelly which was Christian's favourite. I wrote happy birthday I love you in white icing, which was a bit wobbly. All in all, I was pleased with the taste as I took a swipe and tasted it. Carefully wrapping it in a box and placing it in my bag, along with some beers I'd managed to get from Kate, I set off for his house.

"What's all this?" He asked with a smile when I turned up looking like I was ready for an adventure.

I was wearing denim shorts and a tank top. Underneath was Christian's real present. Whilst shopping with Kate, I'd slipped into Victoria's Secret and purchased a new bra & panty set. It was blush pink, very girly, and a satin push up with a light layer of lace around the cups. I'd deliberately bought a smaller size so that my boobs looked extra good and tight. Today was the day I was finally going to let Christian look at them for real.

Ever since middle school, it had been apparent Christian was a boob man. From the very first day girls at school had started growing boobs, he'd been looking. And ever since I'd grew mine, he couldn't keep his eyes off them. He'd touched them over my clothes a few times during the past year, but nothing more than that. I knew he'd appreciate the chance to see them today.

"We're going for a picnic," I declared, brushing past him on my way inside. "Come on, hurry up."

He towered over me, coming closer with a huge grin plastered on his gorgeous face.

"Aren't you going to wish me a happy birthday first?" He asked, looking down at me.

I watched as his eyes raked over my outfit. I felt warm all over.

"I will. When we're alone," I said.

He smirked and quickly left to get ready, eager to see what I had in store.

The place we were going wasn't far from Christian's house. He lived in an open grassy area and there were some pretty woods that were just past his back yard. We made camp by an old brook and bank underneath a tree. It was a super-hot day. We sat on Christian's old blanket I'd told him to bring, and I bought out the beers and birthday cake that had slightly melted in the heat. He chuckled when he saw it and pulled me in for a kiss.

"Thanks Ana, really," he said, taking the knife and cutting us two slices.

It was so good.

"This is amazing," he murmured, his mouth stuffed. "I'm gonna be asking you to bake for me all the time now."

I smiled at the praise and told him I'd bake him cookies next if he was good. After we'd finished most of it, we had a beer each.

"You look sexy like that," he commented, his eyes lazy as he lay down, propping himself up on one elbow and surveying me with keen interest.

"Like what?" I asked, feeling flustered at his gaze.

"Drinking a beer. In those shorts."

My face grew warm as I took another sip. He was staring at me with intense scrutiny and I decided that now would be the perfect time to initiate things. I placed my beer down and he raised a brow at me. His hair fell into his eye and he looked...unbelievable. I fancied him so much. Each time I looked at him, it was like the first. I couldn't believe this was my boyfriend.

"It's time for your present," I said, willing my voice to sound confident and strong.

"Hmm? Where is it then?" He asked smirking.

Before I could chicken out, I reached down to grasp the hem of my tank top and pulled it over my head quickly. I shook out my hair, placing it behind my shoulders and his smirk vanished. He sat up, moving closer.

"We're not...uh...are you...are we..." Christian rambling might just be the cutest thing ever.

I moved closer still and shushed him with a finger. "No. I just know how much you like my boobs."

"I do," he interceded, looking down at them.

"And I thought you might want to see them."

"Fuck yes," he said, reaching out a hand to pull me forward for a kiss.

I giggled at his enthusiastic reaction.

"This is so hot," he said, fingering the lace around the cup. I shivered from his touch.

"I got it for you," I whispered against his lips.

He closed his eyes and let out a little groan. I crawled into his lap and his kisses left my lips to start on my neck.

I arched, giving him the access he needed. He rained those kisses all over me, causing those familiar sensations to stir in the hollow of my stomach. When he bought his lips down to my boobs and looked up at me in silent questioning, I nodded. He reached around, fumbling with the clasp. In the end, I had to help him.

"I'll get better," he flushed, looking up at me with adoring eyes.

How could he be so cute and so sexy? Like, how was it even possible?

I leaned forward and kissed him, loving the feel of his tongue against mine. He tasted like chocolate and beer. I felt his hands pull the fabric away from my chest and my heart hammered as he pulled back to observe. I felt heat creep up all over me as he drank me in and a thousand thoughts of insecurities fluttered through me. Were they okay? Too small? Too big? Were they the same size? Shit, how could I have not checked they were the same size?

But then Christian was pulling me closer, telling me I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, and the worries left my head. From the way he was staring, I knew that he not only liked them, he positively loved them.

"Can I?" His hand hovered over and I nodded, smitten by his hesitancy.

"Of course," I whispered against his lips.

When he touched them, I melted. His fingers hesitantly traced around the edge, but then he gradually found confidence and massaged them gently. It felt really good.

"God, I love boobs," he whispered, and I giggled, pinning him down and kissing him once more.