Morning could not come sooner to Raven. The night before was awful! She didn't want anybody to know what she was doing now. She didn't want anyone to find out that she couldn't change now; or was it that she had become comfortable in this new role? Whatever the explanation, Raven felt as if she needed to get some air; she decided to go for a walk on the beach to collect her thoughts.

Eddie and Chelsea had stayed with Raven throughout the whole night on her bed. She quietly picked up her purse from the end table and unhooked her cell phone from the charger before opening her door and heading out. She then tiptoed towards the back door and slowly opened it, afraid of the creaking noise. She didn't realize until she was outside that it was only 6 am.

The morning air filled her nose with a cold sting. The fresh smell of the ocean opened her senses and comforted her body as she made her way down the road towards the beach. Raven noticed that Parker's car was not in his driveway, which concerned her. Why was he out this early? Or was he out since last night?

Stop wondering Raven! You said you wouldn't get involved again, she thought as she took off her sandals and dug her toes into the cold sand. She slowly walked across the bridge that led down to the beach itself. She walked down the steps and was welcomed by an almost deserted beach. There were only about 3 other people that she could see. One was surfing, and the other two men were fishing.

Why am I being like this? Raven wondered. I hate what Parker is doing to me but I hate not being with him. Stop it! You need to stop thinking about him! He is an ass to you and you need to stay away from him! She kept arguing with herself on the beach until she felt cold hands grab her shoulders and pull her head back. She felt lips press against hers as she opened her eyes and found herself looking at him…Parker that was.

"Hey baby! I missed you last night…why didn't you stay over?" he asked as he sat down next to her.

Raven tried to scoot away from him and stop staring at his face as he inched closer to her. "I wanted to go home Parker…..that's all." She felt nervous being around him now; she was worried he would make her come back with him now and she wanted to be alone.

"Raven…..is something bothering you baby? You seem awfully tense?"

"No I'm fine Parker! I just want to be able to sit here and collect my thoughts is that a problem? I didn't ask you to come and sit down and spark a conversation!" she couldn't believe that she said it…of course once she did it definitely felt good.

"Why are you acting like such a bitch!" she could tell he was getting angrier by the minute as she watched his face tense up in anger. "Don't fucking talk to me like you're better than me Raven….I swear to God I will…."

"What?" she interrupted him. "You'll hit me? Come on Parker you already have. Or you'll force me into bed! Too late on that! I'M FUCKING TIRED OF BEGIN ABUSED BY YOU. FUCK OFF!"

Parker grabbed her arm and looked like he was about to swing at her when Raven closed her eyes. She then noticed a pair of hands holding onto Parker's upright arm.

"I believe the lady asked you to go." She heard a strange voice say.

Raven looked up to the boy she had previously seen in the water. He was the surfer she was just looking at. He had striking features unlike any of the other boys she had seen so far on this vacation. His long brown hair was streaked back by the salt water and his piercing, almost grayish blue eyes stared down Parker as he got up.

"Get the fuck off me asshole!" Parker said as he got to his feet and got into the surfer's face.

"You honestly don't want to start anything with me. You see those guys fishing over there? There my uncles and they get trigger happy when it comes to using their new gear over there……"

Parker looked over at the men looking back at him as he let go of Raven and pushed the boy off of him.

"I'll talk to you later!" he said as he looked at Raven. Parker swung around and made his way up the beach until he was out of sight.

Once he was gone Raven looked back at the surfer boy and thanked him for helping her.

"It's no problem," he said, "I overheard you guys arguing and knew that it was going to lead to bad news." Raven looked at him up and down. He had a beautiful body, along with a tan complexion and muscles that toned his figure.

"I'm Marshall." He said as he stuck his hand out. Raven reached out and felt their fingers entwine as she replied, "Raven."

"That's an awesome name….like the bird right?" She couldn't help but giggle. She could tell he was trying to be cute with her to brighten her attitude. He giggled back and looked at her with warmth in his eyes that made her melt. She didn't know what to say next so she sat back down and played with the sane on her legs.

Marshall then asked, "Would you like to have some company for a while?" Raven was so flattered that he wanted to spend time with her that she could barely get a yes out. He sat down next to her, so close that she could smell the salt water on his body.

"So…..is that guy your boyfriend or what? I mean he was a little rough with you don't you think?"

Before long, Raven was spilling everything that happened between her and Parker. She told him about when they first met, what had grown between them, and all the horrible events that he forced upon her. Raven felt like she could tell Marshall anything. It was just nice to have someone around her listening, and not yelling or pushing her around.

"No one should ever treat you like that." He replied. "My mother always told me to treat a woman with respect and the love that they deserve."

"Your mother sounds like a smart woman." Raven giggled.

"She was….yeah." Marshall looked down at the sand and dug his hands into the earth. She noticed his eyes dwell with soft tears that swayed in his eyes in what seemed like forever.

"I'm sorry….I didn't mean to impose or anything." She felt horrible.

"No its fine, its just…..my mother was everything to me. I watched her die and I haven't been able to get over that. She really took care of me…..she would have liked you…."

Raven smiled as she moved in closer to him. "Really?"

"Yeah…she would have loved you. I mean you're gorgeous and she always picked out the gorgeous ones from a crowd. Plus, you seem down to earth and true to yourself, and those are qualities that everyone should have."

Raven stopped paying attention to him once he told her she was gorgeous. "You think I'm gorgeous?" she asked, with a flirty exterior.

"Haha….of course you are Raven…doesn't everyone tell you that?" Marshall was doing all the right things to impress her. For once, she wasn't thinking about Parker, but thinking about the next thing to say to Marshall.

"Ummm Marshall?" Raven asked.

"Yeah?"

"I really like you and everything, but……Parker has really hurt me and it's just going to take some time for me to trust anyone again. I don't want to make you wait or anything but I'm not ready to jump back on the relationship bus anytime soon." She felt horrible for saying it, but it had to be said. She needed time.

She needed to heal. She also needed to spend time with Eddie and Chelsea. Something she hadn't been doing for quite a while.

"I don't want to rush you into anything Raven. It's been really great getting to spend this time with you however. I hope you will want to hang out again soon?"

"Of course." She said quickly. "I heard there is a party tonight on the beach here. Maybe I will see you?" she was hoping he would tag along.

"I'm not much of a big party guy, but I will try and stop by after practice tonight." He said as they both got up.

"Ok great. Well if I don't see you then I hope you will call me." Raven said as she grabbed a pen out of her purse and wrote her cell number on his palm. Marshall looked at his hand and smiled. "I'll call!" he said as he lightly kissed her on the cheek.

They both smiled at one another and then he took off back into the water. Raven watched him for a while as he tackled the big waves. She looked down at her cell phone and noticed they had been talking for a little over 2 hours. She waved to Marshall and began to walk back to the house.

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The house was still dark once Raven made her way back up the street. She quietly opened the front door and walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch.

"Hey Rae." Raven nearly jumped out of her chair as she noticed Chelsea sitting in the recliner directly across from her.

"Jesus Chels! You seriously freaked me out!" Raven said as she composed herself and lay back down on the couch.

"Where were you?" Chelsea asked with a worried look on her face.

"I just went for a walk on the beach to think. Then I was talking to this surfer guy Marshall. We just talked….it was really nice." She was already smiling thinking about Marshall. She couldn't believe after all the hurt Parker was putting her through, that she could actually have feelings for another guy. This one must have been the real deal.

"Rae….I think you just need to have some time to think about what you really need. You don't need another boy in your life right now." Chelsea said as she got out of her chair and sat down at Raven's feet on the couch.

"I know Chels! I told him I need some "me" time. Plus….I haven't been a great friend to you and Eddie recently and I thought that…maybe we could hang out or something?" Raven was afraid that Eddie and Chelsea wouldn't want to hang out with her anymore, but she really wanted to spend time with them.

"Yeah Rae…..that would be cool to hang out! We haven't hung together in a while so I'll go wake Eddie up and let's go."

Chelsea ran upstairs to get Eddie out of bed and they were both downstairs in no time. Raven locked the front door and the three friends made their way to the car. Raven hadn't driven in a while so she decided to take the drivers seat for once. Eddie sat in the passenger's seat and Chelsea lounged in the back seat.

"Rae…..you are going to be careful right?" Eddie asked her as she turned on the ignition and backed out of the driveway.

"Of course Eddie! I mean…..this car has to last us at least this trip….Haha!"

Chelsea laughed along with Raven as they saw the worried look on Eddie's face. They knew his car was his baby and they had to take good care of it for him.

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The whole day was amazing. The three friends did some clothes shopping, found a nice café for lunch, and even caught a movie. The day was going great and everyone was having a good time.

"Hey guys….I have an awesome idea." Raven said as she turned around to look at Chelsea in the back seat and to also face Eddie.

"What?" they both replied in unison.

"Let's get tattoo's….I mean they don't card here I heard so let's just get one since were all together."

"I don't know Rae! I haven't ever wanted one….plus……I don't handle pain well." Chelsea looked nervous and concerned at the same time.

"Look Chels" Raven started, "we can all get them done at the same time, that way we can all go through it together."

"I'm totally for it!" Eddie said. "I have always wanted one so why not get one with your best friends?

"Chelsea….?" Raven asked, hoping she would agree.

"Whatever….let's do it!" Chelsea said as she sat up in her seat. "As long as we are getting them together!"

"Hell Yeah!" Raven yelled. "Let's do this shit!"

The tattoo parlor was seriously cleaner than anyone thought it would be. The designs were displayed all along the walls, and there was actually a secretary taking appointments and calls at the front desk. Raven approached the woman and asked if they could all schedule a time to get tattoos.

"You want to get them all at the same time?" she asked.

"Yes." Raven replied.

"Well pick out your design, and then go straight back into the room with Joe in it. Tell him what you want and you're all set!"

"Thanks." Raven said as she informed her friends of the plan. Raven already knew she wanted to get the playboy bunny tattooed on her lower back, and Eddie already knew he would get his grandmothers initials on his arm, who had just recently passed away. Chelsea finally decided on a Chinese symbol of serenity on her back on well.

They all walked into the back room and waited for their big moment.

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"I love yours!" Raven said as she looked at Eddie's arm. "Chels, yours is amazing too! I can't believe we actually did that you guys!" Raven said as she looked in the mirror at her back tattoo. The tattoo artist placed a cloth over the area that was worked on to keep the loose blood from running loose. Just a precaution.

This was something Eddie, Raven, and Chelsea would remember for the rest of their lives.

As they got back in the car Raven asked, "Do you guys want to hit up that beach party tonight?"

"I don't know Rae….do you think Parker will be there?" Eddie asked.

"I don't give a shit about him anymore! I'm over him!" Eddie and Chelsea looked at each other and smiled. They were grateful that Raven was finally over this bad boy fling.

"Sure Rae…..we can crash the party for a while." Eddie said as they started down the road. "Let's just keep the drinking to a minimum tonight ok? I think we all need to take it easy."

"Deal." Chelsea said.

….There was silence from the driver as Eddie asked…."Deal!"

"Deal……."

"Alright then," Chelsea started, "let's get home so we can look hot tonight. I want to be able to show off this new tattoo!"

Raven and Eddie just laughed.

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Raven had finally decided on her new tube top black lace shirt, along with white flowing pants to wear to the party. Eddie was decked out in dark jeans and a leather jacket, and Chelsea sported a green skirt and a whit tank top. All in all, everyone was looking hot.

"Raven you look beautiful!" Chelsea exclaimed!

"Thanks Chels…your looking hot yourself. And Eddie, I love this jacket!" Raven replied.

"Thanks Rae….you look stunning…." He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

After the exchanges were made, they all made their way down to the beach. The party had already started and the drinks were already being passed. Eddie went straight towards the guys he had been hanging with recently, and Chelsea hooked up with Alec once she saw him. Raven was left alone to fend for herself.

She was handed some beer once she walked forward, and noticed Parker had handed it to her.

"No thanks." She said as she walked away.

"Wait Raven…let me talk to you." Parker said as he ran after her.

"I have nothing to say to you…were over…don't you get it?" Raven yelled at him as she kept walking down the beach.

"I don't want to be over. You're the best girlfriend I have ever had."

"What the fuck Parker? You had beaten me, and yelled at me, and treated me like shit! Not to mention I thought you loved me and that's why I gave myself up to you…and then you make sex repulsing towards me…..fuck off!" Raven began to walk forward again as she finished her rant.

"Oh….is that why you spread your legs for me every time we fucked?" Parker said with a laugh.

Raven turned around in disgust and slapped him straight across the face. "Fuck you! Don't you ever come near me again!" Raven began to run forward until Parker grabbed her arm and swung him towards her. She tried to scream but Parker already forced a towel of some sort in her mouth.

She fought him as he slapped her hard against the face. She hit the sand hard and felt the taste of blood in her mouth. "You need to learn to respect me bitch!" he yelled as he kicked her hard in the stomach. Raven cringed with every blow that was dealt to her. He then picked her to her feet and slugged her straight in the face until he could see the blood staining her skin. The beatings went on as he bent down and slugged her once more.

Raven was crying in pain. No one could hear her or would be able to hear her scream. Parker was going crazy this time. This was the worst of it all. Parker got on top of her and ripped her tube top from her body and threw it back. He then began to rip at her pants when she saw Marshall from the corner of her eye, push him off of her.

She watched as Parker and Marshall swung at one another. Marshall took a blow to the face until he managed to punch Parker hard enough to knock him out. He then picked him up and threw him down towards the water. Raven tried to get up but was in too much pain. She could taste and feel the blood all over her body. She was only in her bra and pants when Marshall looked at her.

"Raven are you okay? I'm so sorry I wasn't here in time." Marshall took the towel out of her mouth and noticed the blood that was already on it. Raven breathed in deeply and tried to talk but couldn't. She screamed instead and cried in pain. Marshall held her close as he saw two people come running towards her. He figured out that they were Eddie and Chelsea from what Raven had told him.

"Oh my God! What the hell happened?" Chelsea cried in horror.

"Parker beat her pretty bad. He tried to rape her but I fought him off. She took a huge beating….she needs to go to the hospital."

Eddie went running towards Parker's body before Chelsea and Marshall stopped him. Marshall told him, "If you want to help Raven you need to call an ambulance." Eddie ran off to find service on his phone as Marshall went with him.

Chelsea looked down at Raven. It was a horrible sight. Raven had blood all down her face from her nose, to her cut lips, to a cut eyebrow. She then noticed the bruises around her neck and breasts, and the bruising that was forming over her ribs. She was one big bruised and bloody mess. Chelsea grabbed the towel she brought over and laid it over Raven's shivering body.

"Chel………s…e.e.aa…" Raven cried in pain……

"Raven I'm here and I'm not leaving you. It's going to be okay I promise." Chelsea cried as she tried to believe everything she was telling Raven.

"I'm scared……" Raven cried in more pain as she tried to get up.

"Stay down Rae….an ambulance is coming soon." Chelsea stroked her face and hair and held Raven's hand until the sounds of the ambulance were heard through the bushes.

"There here Rae…..Rae?" Chelsea noticed that Raven's eyes were closed….and she wasn't moving. "Jesus Christ! Raven wake up!"

Raven opened her eyes and saw the EMT's over her body.

"It's going to be okay dear." One EMT said.

"I want Chelsea…" Raven reached her hand out and felt Chelsea grab hers as well. Chelsea would follow Raven in the ambulance all the way to the hospital.

Okay this is a late review but…better late than never right? I hope you like this chapter. This is where everything revs up now! I WANT A LOT OF COMMENTS PEOPLE! I want to know what you thought! Hope everyone had a great holiday and can't wait to read those reviews!

Love you guys!

x Oo xItaLiAn MaMiix oO x