Author's Note: Hey, I'm glad you're all enjoying this story. It's becoming kind of tough to write because of all the issues I deal with, and the many story lines I've gotten myself into. Don't worry, I'm not losing interest in the story (it's actually one of my favorites to write!) Anyways, this is just to let you all know that if it takes me longer to update, it's not because I've stopped writing it, it's because I'm trying to figure it out! LOL!

"Hey, Jules," Auggie said, walking into the classroom to have his tutoring session that lunch hour.

"Hey, Aug," she replied. She looked rather uncomfortable.

"What's up?" Auggie questioned.

"It's… it's just that… what happened yesterday?" she finally just said. Auggie looked a little confused.

"Well, uh, we kissed," he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She rolled her eyes.

"I know we did. What I want to know is rather, why it happened. I'm not usually that … quick in a relationship."

"Well, it happened cause I like you, Jules. You're chill and all. Uh, sorry if I was a little too forward with the kiss. It just… felt right, you know?" he tried to explain.

"It did feel right. And thank you," she added.

"For what?"

"For not leaving the second you saw my cuts," she said, becoming uncomfortable once more. "I didn't cut again!" she said proudly.

"That's great, Jules. But why'd you cut in the first place?" he asked curiously. He thought this girl had it all.

"It's a way for me to deal."

"With what?"

"Pain," she said, shrugging.

"What's hurtin you?"

"Too much to shake a fist at," she said simply. "Alright, as for the actual tutoring session…" and thus they began working on Auggie's reading and writing skills.

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"Mom?"

"Oh my god! Jess! I was so worried! Where were you last night?" Alice practically screamed.

"Mom! Calm down! I'm fin! I'm staying at a friend's house for a while. She just went through a very bad break-up," Jess tried to explain.

"Break-up? You're thirteen!" her mother exploded, exasperated.

"Well, she's a romantic and completely fell for him."

"Alright, well, do you need anything?" her mom asked, trying not to voice how ridiculous this all sounded.

"No, it's alright, I picked up anything I'd need right after school."

"Fine, well, let me know when to expect you home," Alice sighed.

"Okay, bye mom," Jess said and hung up the phone. "It worked!" she told Daisy.

"Perfect!"

It was 6 o'clock on a Thursday afternoon, at the beginning of November. Daisy had just finalized plans with Jess about things she'd need to know for the house and things like that. Her parents had not yet touched alcohol when she told them Jess was staying over, so it had gone by relatively smoothly. Jess went off to do some homework and Daisy thought back on that afternoon.

Of course, she'd found out about the rumors. They were everywhere! She knew immediately who'd started them. I mean, who else is insensitive enough to do something like that, she thought. And I'm the only other person who knows, and I know I didn't tell. Duh!

She remembered the encounter she'd had with Scott.

"Congratulations," she'd said unfeelingly.

"There's nothing I like more than to be congratulated, but I find the pleasure immeasurably increased by knowing what for," he replied mockingly. Daisy's eyes flashed, but didn't say anything that would show her emotions.

"Well, this is your second time," she pointed out.

"Second time at what?" Scott asked confusedly.

"At sending Shelby back to the streets," Daisy said very pointedly, shrugged, then left Scott alone to think.

"Damn," he said in a hushed voice, but it was very frustrated all the same.

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"Why did I say that?" he yelled at himself as he drove around the city, blowing off steam. He punched the radio to get rid of some of his frustration. The radio turned on and "Can't Stop" by Jacksoul started playing.

I know you're somewhere inside of the city

Drunk and holding someone else...

Feels like my senses are set to explode

The thought of Shelby being with someone else bothered him… and he didn't know why.

Feels like we're soldiers

Constantly marching forward

Forcing onward...

Feels like sometimes I just don't wanna go

Baby let me know

Have you ever loved something so bad?

Like I can't stop loving you babe

It's so pitch black in this place

And I start scaring myself...

I start to question my own mental health

Can anybody feel me at all?

I can't stop loving you, baby

In this world so tired and jaded.

Can anybody feel me at all?

I can't stop loving you, baby

In this world so tired and jaded.

Can anybody feel me at all?

That was it! He really did love her! He slapped himself on the forehead at the thought.

Feels like were soldiers

Constantly marching forward

Forcing onward...

Feels like sometimes I just don't wanna go

Baby let me know

Have you ever loved something so bad?

Like I can't stop loving you girl

It's so pitch black in this world

And I start scaring myself...

I start to question my own mental health

Can anybody feel me at all?

I can't stop loving you, baby

In this world so tired and jaded.

Can anybody feel me at all?

But he wouldn't let anyone know that… not yet at least. He still was somewhat iffy on the idea of loving a whore, as he put it.

The song had, however, somewhat calmed him down. Suddenly the music was cut as his sights fell on what he'd been looking for: Shelby.

He stopped the car and watched her from across the street, figuring out what he was going to say. She was sitting on a bench, deep in thought.

He wanted to leave, in his mind, but his body simply refused.

This scene got even more complicated as a car stopped in front of her. Her face glazed over and a fake smile appeared on her lips. He knew what was being asked of her and hated it when she nodded. That's when he acted.

He got out of the car and ran up to the driver's window, before Shelby could get in. He banged on the window, hard.

"Fuck off!" he yelled. He looked dangerous with his eyes glinting and the muscles in his face taut. The driver was middle aged and probably married. He drove off, afraid of being found out.

This whole scene had unfolded so quickly and it was so dark out, that Shelby didn't know who'd scared off her trick. She was about to run away, but--

"Shelby," he said, his voice softer now. She turned around.

"What are you doing here?" she asked uncomfortably, after a surprised silence.

"Blowing off steam," he said with a shrug.

"Well, then go the fuck away! I need some money! I need to get back to work!" she yelled. He looked taken aback. Time to come clean, he thought.

"Actually, Shel, I came looking for you."

"Why?" she asked bluntly.

"Look, I'm human. I'm not gonna just let you sell yourself," he said quickly. "I do care about you."

"Really? So is that why you told the whole student body about what I do when I'm forced to run?"

"You're never forced to!" he exclaimed.

"Really?" she huffed disbelievingly. "So, what? You think I do this because I want to? Because I get a kick out of it?" she asked harshly.

"No…I… uh… don't know," he hesitated.

"I thought that much," she replied almost unfeelingly, avoiding his gaze all the same. Inwardly, she was glad that he'd stopped her, and she wanted him to fight for her.

"Shel, get in the car," he said, rolling his eyes at the simplicity of this request.

"Why? Honestly, Scott… I'd almost rather stay on the streets than be in a house with someone who betrayed me."

"Fine. You can either come with me, or stay here and play your game."

"You really don't get it, but I did say 'almost,'" she replied, and got in.

"I thought so," he said, getting in as well. After a while of driving, the silence got unbearable. He wanted to say so many things… he needed to say so many things. But for now, only one thing would do. "Shelby, I'm sorry," he said sincerely.

"I know." It wasn't said in a way that she accepted his apology, it was said knowingly. Another silence settled, this one more tense and heavy than the last.

When they finally arrived, having spent the whole remainder of the drive in silence, Scott was relieved. He'd tried constantly to come up with something to say, but could only think of apologizing. He knew, however, that he'd get the same cold shoulder.

"You can have my bed. I'll take the couch," he said, shrugging.

"Nah, I'll take the couch," Shelby replied decisively. She was determined not to have to owe him anything.

"No. You are still a guest. The very least I can do is give you my bed," Scott said. An idea suddenly came to Shelby's mind.

"Scott…" she started uncomfortably. "What if Elaine…?" Scott nodded.

"I dunno. I'll figure something out. You shouldn't have to deal with all my baggage… you have enough as it is," he said, trying to get on her good side this whole time. She nodded, and started walking away.

"No, look, I know what it's like to deal with that crap. I'll sleep with you… as in I'll sleep in the same bed. Just give me my space."

"Does this mean you've forgiven me?" he asked as they walked up to his room.

"No, this means I understand what you're going through. But what you did to me… it cut deep."

"I know," he sighed. "I'm really sorry, Shel."

"I know you are," she replied sadly. She almost wanted to forgive him just to get rid of the whole deal, but that was such a bad blow that she just couldn't that easily. "Oh, by the way, Scott?" she said as they lay down on the bed, at their respective ends.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for coming to get me." He smiled for the first time that day.

"You're welcome. Okay, now it's time for sleep. We have to figure a lot out tomorrow."

"Yeah. Well, this is gonna be just great," she replied sarcastically. She then rolled over and fell asleep. Thought she didn't show it, she was thankful that she was in Scott's bed and not some random guy's. She was also thankful that she was now in a position where she didn't have to solicit to be able to afford a bed.