One incredibly uncomfortable phone call later David climbed up to Chris' window, a little buzzed still. "You're coming" He said with a definite nod.

"When you're sober you'll regret this" Chris said. "I just know it."

"why would I regret getting you two together" He said.

"Because you probably didn't mention my name was Christina" Chris pointed out.

"But its Chris" he said then closed his eyes "Shit, I didn't."

"But I'm willing to get into suburbia for the weekend, and now you're trapped into taking me" She grinned.

"And Lizzie's parents are out of town!" He cursed. "She probably is gunna try and set you up on a double with one of her friends!"

"Well I'll be happy to watch tv for the weekend. My mom sold ours this week." Chris grinned leaning out the window and kissing David on the cheek. "thanks" She said "I'll bring some dope."

"Um no thanks" He said, Chris raised an eyebrow. "Lizzie doesn't do drugs." He said.

"Does she know you do?"

"No. And I don't want her to know. It's a little weird."

"Good luck man" she laughed kissing his cheek again. "I'll not bring dope, or booze, I assume." She laughed as he nodded "And I'll dress as un-sexy as possible." They both laugh, though Chris could dress like many of the other girls, sexual and provocative. She never has, her wardrobe comprises of her older brother's shirts and her sisters old pants.

"You're a sweetie" David smiles, "you really are" he grins, gently stroking her face, fingers moving across an old scar.

"You're driving me right?

"Of course" David grinned "You and Lizzie will get along just fine."

"Famous Last words David. Famous last words" She grinned pushing him across the window, and laughing. He grinned ducking into his own window, crawling out into the living room. His father looking up at him accusingly.

"You stole it, you little" He bit his lip.

"Stole what?" David asked, not realizing what his father was talking about.

"My stash!" His father stood up, a bottle of beer at his feet.

"No!" David said, hoping that the lingering scent of the pot was off him.

"You little rotten" He grumbled, advancing. "You don't deserve Lizzie. You keep her for what? A good fuck on the weekends?"

"No!" David said, for the first time his father had chosen something he genuinely cared about. Lizzie. He couldn't be dammed to do anything when his father insulted his mother, his intelligence, his sexuality. But, Lizzie, Lizzie deserved to be kept out of all that. She deserved out of this whole complex thing that she didn't even know existed.

"Then why do you go and rendezvous with that girl from upstairs? An innate desire to create a bond with someone whose like you? A need for a girl who doesn't academically stunt you?" David reflected that the most annoying thing about his father was that no matter how trashed or stoned he got. He still did have a doctorate.

"Because she's nice" David responded in stupidity.

"Nice?" He shook his head "She just wants to use you. And once Lizzie finds out, you won't have either of them."

David stood up walking back to the Window, his dad pulled him back. David turned "What?"

"Don't steal my stuff!" His father said punching his son across the face again.

"Fine!" He muttered turning his head, holding his eye and heading to the fridge. "You know, you could have waited until after the weekend."

"You won't tell."

"That's besides the point." He sighed; his father could go on for hours about how battered women were not able to leave their husbands. And the reasons why David's masculinity would not allow him to admit to battering. He had heard all this before it would ever be an issue. But he occasionally did write small memos to see if it was true. He compared the normal ideas on masculinity with how he felt about his own masculinity.

He had come to the idea that he didn't mind that anyone would think him a victim, asides Lizzie. He wanted Lizzie to think him strong. He'd always been the calm rational one in their relationship. Even when they weren't dating he was the one who people came to for rational ideas.

The idea that Lizzie would judge him for it. For something which wasn't his fault. He was only seventeen. And he knew he could leave. But it wouldn't be worth it. If his mom didn't want him then why force himself upon her? He didn't want to be the problem child. So he just stayed.

Friday couldn't come fast enough, David sighed. Preparing to turn back into Gordo and praying that Chris wouldn't do anything stupid. She wasn't dumb. But she'd been known to do some things that weren't the smartest. On Friday morning he grinned meeting her at the bottom of the building. Both had cut class for the day. One of the major perks of changing schools was that this one only had a record. They didn't know that his grades were normally from sitting in class. His teachers now were happy to just get him out of the room.

Chris smiled holding her duffle bag. "Chris, Oh my, you look different" David said, she wasn't wearing her brother's shirt. Instead it looked like one of her sister's.

"Yeah, my sister got a hold of me last night. Said this was how girls in the burbs dressed." Chris laughed. "I find it funny that they try to dress like those of us from the hood. Who have to borrow from our siblings to look like this." She grinned.

"You still take dance lessons?" He asked. "Lizzie really likes to go to clubs, maybe the three of us"

"Yeah that'd be fun. But lets go" She slid into the car, her arms folded uncomfortably over her chest, not used to wearing anything like the tight shirt with out an old flannel shirt of her brother's over it. Her duffle was placed on her lap. She looked David over "What happened?" She asked calmly, motioning to his face.

"Dad found out I stole his stash" he said.

"David, you should go to live with your mom" Chris said softly. "If I had an option you know I'd leave" she said. "You deserve to get out."

"My mom didn't want me."

"Your mother must have known"

"Chris just drop it."

"Fine" That was why the two got along so well. No talking past what either wanted to say. "So, Lizzie's parents are…"

"Sam and Jo" he said carefully "and her little brother is Matt." He looked over at her "But her parents aren't gunna be around. They trust me" He said, emphasizing the word trust. "So please when we meet them don't say anything stupid. Don't do anything stupid"

"David! I'm not five!" Chris said "I can behave properly."

"I know" he sighed turning to her. "And please don't bring up the Gordo/David thing"

"Which do you want to be called?" Chris' voice was short, almost sharp. Her arms crossed against her chest had become more angular then protecting.

"I don't know!" David yelled. "Lizzie's gunna call me Gordo, and so will my mom if we see her!"

"Fine, but you're David to me" Chris said. "And please introduce me as Chris not Christina" She said turning her face away from him.

"Kay" David sighed, leaning back. Perhaps she'd been right. This whole thing seemed a lot easier when he was stoned. He had imagined Chris hanging out with him and Lizzie, the three of them hitting Hillridge and the popular people by storm. A final f u if you will to them. Maybe later Lizzie spending a day with him and Chris in the City. He didn't see Chris being uncomfortable the closer they got to the near by suburb. He didn't imagine that she wouldn't take to the idea like a otter to water.

He touched his cheek lightly. He'd hoped the swelling would go down. One of the major perks about his school was that no one asked. They assumed you got it on one of a million places. One was the truth. They would just choose which one for you. Perhaps making up an excuse as they went along with their own life and problems.

Chris had brought up a good point. Why had his mom left him with his dad. He didn't think, really that his father had hit her. She might have been hypocritical but she wouldn't send him off into the world with an abusive father. His father had never hit him before in his life. His mother had never had bruises.

David gripped the wheel tighter. He heard Chris sigh as they passed one of the near by suburbs. He looked over and for a second saw the girl who she had been. Her blonde hair fell into her dark brown eyes, she looked small in the shirt that wasn't right for her. "Chris?" He said softly, hand moving to her shoulder. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just memories." She said looking back at him and smiling slightly.

He grinned pulling off the free way and going the familiar path of his youth, returning to Hillridge.

Chris smiled over at him, leaning over and kissing his cheek lightly. "This will be fine" She said.

Author's Notes: Yay! I got one review. I'm gunna just continue this as I see it needs to be. Please feel free to Review with critisism. What do you think about Chris? David, Lizzie, David's dad? The story in general? tell me!