The dinner was a bit awkward for me. No one sat at the head of the table, mom had me set the table three spots on one side and three on the other, and made sure I sat right across from the Baker's son Will.

I had to spend my entire diner trying to eat, keep up with conversation, and avoiding eye contact with Will. Which was extremely difficult when I was constantly being pulled into conversation with him, thanks to my mother, and Norma.

I felt a bit guilty after a while of being so short with him, because despite how I felt, he hasn't been anything but gentlemanly tonight. He has only asked me the normal get to know you questions one would expect during a Friday night dinner between two families, and besides the kiss to the back of my hand he hasn't tried to touch me again tonight.

Keeping that in mind I started to be a bit more welcoming with my answers to him, and started asking questions back, to keep from seeming rude. It worked I think, mom gripped my hand under the table at one point and gave it a nice squeeze. It was something we formed a few years back as a non-verbal "you're doing well".

That meant I shouldn't be getting my ear nagged off for being mean to our guests, which is always a plus these days. I tried to seem as interested in the conversation as possible, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

Will was an alright guy it seemed, but nothing that I found that interesting. He was on the football team and planned to play on the baseball team once the season comes around. He was studying law under his father and planned to follow in his father's footsteps once he goes off to college. He has lived in Castle Rock all his life and he had the same friends since Kindergarten. His best friends being a Randy, Steven, both of whom I don't know.

It seemed like nice normal small town stuff, which is great and all but makes for a really boring life. I stayed polite though, nodding and occasionally looking up from my food to make eye contact to show that I was still listening.

Luckily through most of dinner, that was all I had to do. No one really asked me any deep questions, and besides the first 15 minutes where Will was trying to make conversation, I wasn't asked any questions at all. Will was perfectly happy talking about himself and his many achievements and his future plans.

This guy seemed to have his whole life planned out. Where he'd go to college, how long he'd be there, what classes he'd take, when he'd graduate, when he will marry, how many kids he'd have (all boys too), and even when he'd retire, with an estimated amount of money he'd retire with, and then pass on to his kids.

It is great to have a plan, but this man was going to be sorely disappointed if he thinks life will work out like that. How boring would life be if it did go exactly how you wanted? There would be no wonder, no surprises; It just isn't living if you can't be thrown through loops, if you ask me.

I don't think the Baker's would appreciate my thoughts on what classifies as truly living though, nor would mom and Tom, so instead I just smiled and nodded, as he went on and on about his 60-year plan. It did make me think though, what I may want 20 or 40 years from now.

I guess I'd want a house just big enough to fit our little family. Maybe a couple kids, since growing up as an only child felt pretty lonely a lot of the time. I'd want a kind husband, one that really made me feel loved, and brought up excitement in me most days, even during a mundane life.

I briefly imagined Ace as my future husband, but my face immediately started to heat up, so I took a quick cool drink of my water and batted the thoughts away quickly. Stop thinking of Ace in such a way, when you aren't supposed to be liking him like that. I mean come on, here is a handsome guy right Infront of me, who seems to have his life together, and I can barely give him a few minutes of my time.

Granted he wasn't necessarily my type, and we don't share much in common at all, especially when it comes to plans on how to live our lives. By that I mean he needs structure and order and everything perfect, and I just want to live a fun fulfilling life with someone I really care for. But I can at least try to appreciate the handsome face Infront of me instead of entertaining such silly fantasies.

I don't think Ace would ever care to settle down, and actually have a family anyway. He certainly makes it seem like all he cares about is his car, the fun he can have, and his gang.

I wonder if Ace ever did think about his future, where he'd like to be after high school and all. I mean he couldn't think he could live exactly how he is now for the rest of his life could he?

I shook my head slightly and tried to focus on the here and now. I couldn't be stuck in my own thoughts for too long, otherwise I was bound to miss something important, and lord forbid I make a face thinking of Ace, and everyone at this table sees it.

Luckily for me, we were all finishing up our dinner, and it was soon time to bid the guests goodbye. I had to make an effort not to seem too excited, for soon I could get out of this ridiculous dress.

Mom had me stand in front of her by the door, her hands placed on my shoulders. She squeezed them one and whispered in my ear low enough for no one else to hear.

"Smile dear."

How she knew I wasn't already smiling at the Baker's I will never know, but I did as she said and plastered on a fake smile for the stiffs.

"See you in school Monday Robin." Will said, with what I was sure was meant to be heart melting suave, but just did not bring that effect to me.

"Yeah, see ya then." I replied, not really believing him anyway. He apparently had a few classes or something with me already and hasn't bothered to talk to me before. Why would this change anything?

After the door finally shut, I felt like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. I moved from my mom's grasp and made my way to the kitchen to start on the dishes.

Mom entered the kitchen bringing in some of the leftover food to place in the fridge for later.

"I thought that went really well." Mom said putting some clear wrap over one of the bowls she brought in. Tom who was currently standing beside her, nodded and hummed in agreement.

"So Hun, what did you think of Will?" Mom asked.

I looked over my shoulder a bit confused, before going back to my task.

"I don't know. He's nice I guess." I said, unsure of what she expected of me. I only really heard him blab about his sports and his future endeavors, I can't tell much from a person from that.

"Well, I think he's perfect for you."

I turned around looking at her with a raised eyebrow, as I wiped my hands on a dish towel.

"What do you mean?" I asked, I had a funny feeling about it, like it was a set up, but I wanted to make sure.

"I think Will is perfect for you, He comes from a nice family, He has lifelong goals."

"Mom, I don't think that's a good idea." I said, hoping she might just let it go.

"Why not? He is wonderful, and His parents agree that you two would be perfect together."

Now that was a shock, his parents were in on this charade as well?

"Mom you act like we are betrothed or something." I said turning around and drying the dishes that I just washed with a nervous laugh to defuse the tension. However, it only got more weird when my mom didn't give an answer to that.

I turned around again drying a dish to see her and Tom were sharing a look that pretty much confirmed my concern. A large bubble of fear and anger started to stir up in my chest.

"No! absolutely not! Mom this isn't the medieval times where girls are married off to the highest bidder! I don't know anything about Will!"

Mom's face started to heat up, as her anger started to gain momentum as well.

"It's not like we expect you guys to be married right out of high school, Will plans to go to college and become successful first as a lawyer."

I couldn't understand her at all, was she really thinking after one stupid dinner together Will and I would just fall in love and make a future together, just like that?

"I don't want to be with Will mom! We aren't compatible, I don't want my entire life planned out to the time of my death. I could never love a man like that!" I cried out, wrapping my arms around myself tightly.

Mom came rushing up to me her heels clacking all the way, as she got right up in my face.

"Now you listen to me Robin, we already have an agreement with the Bakers. You are going to Homecoming with Will to start it off. Your whole life is planned out and perfect, you just got to follow along. If you, don't, you will be out on the streets faster than you can say, 'I'm sorry'." She spoke in a threatening manner, her hands resting on my shoulders and squeezing them almost painfully.

Looking into her eyes I couldn't believe what she was saying, who even was this woman in front of me? She vaguely looked like my mom, but besides that she was practically unrecognizable. My mom would never want me to stick to a guy just for his money, and ride through life on a breeze.

"No, I will not! -"

I had more to say until a strong stinging smack came across my cheek, nearly knocking me to the floor. The plate in my hand was now shattered against the floor, something I didn't even hear, in my shock. I kept a strong grip on the edge of the sink, to keep myself from hitting the ground by the sheer force, and tt took me a few seconds to really understood what happened.

I lifted my hand to my cheek, now feeling the full pain of the impact, and feeling all the heat rush to my undoubtedly red cheek. I looked over at the woman I called my mother for almost 18 years, seeing a practical stranger in her place, her eyes wide and almost bloodshot, her face red with anger, and her body shaking.

I wasn't going to stick around long enough to see what else she would do, so I took this opportune time to book it out of the kitchen and straight to the front door. I heard my mom's scream out my name once the cool night air met my warmed face, before slamming the front door shut. I tried running down the sidewalk to get further away from that house, and from my mom, but I kept tripping in the heels and twisting my ankles.

Tired of the pain in my feet and ankles I finally lifted my feet one at a time to rip the stupid red heals off, and just speed walk down the sidewalk instead. My mind was going a million miles a minute, unable to stick to one part of my night for too long.

I couldn't believe I didn't see that mom was trying to set me up with that boring jock throughout the entire dinner. I couldn't believe she and Tom were trying to pretty much marry me off to Will, without my consent at all. It wasn't like we lived in the 1800s, and it wasn't like I was royalty.

There is no need for me to be married off before my life even begins, to some strange guy. What were they even getting out of the deal? Probably just the association with such a prestigious family is what they are wanting.

I was trying to avoid thinking of the smack to my face, but the memory of her face the second before her hand made contact with my cheek kept flashing back. I felt utterly betrayed and lost right about now. I never would have thought my mom would lay hands on me in a million years, no matter how much she changed.

She knew what it was like being on the other end of that hand, I never thought she would be okay with being the monster attached to it. I guess money really does change literally everything.

I tried to push the thoughts back out, trying to focus on literally anything but what just transpired. The moon was full tonight, and was rather calming. There was leaves rustling across the paved road, and the breeze felt nice against my face; but the rest of my body was growing increasing colder by the minute.

I wrapped my arms tighter around myself, wishing now that I at least thought to grab a jacket off the coat rack before exiting the door.

I was out of it for I don't know how long, until I heard a whistle coming from somewhere close.

(Warning, small bit of a pushy drunk)

I looked up to see a man, a little taller than, me, with a beer gut and a cigarette lit between his fingers. He was leaning against the brick wall of what I soon found out was Irby's bar when I looked up at the sign. It was dark out, and the closest streetlight was dim, so I couldn't make out any details of the guy.

"Hey baby, you lonely tonight?"

I ignored him, he sounded drunk off his ass, slurring his words horribly, and his voice was unpleasantly gravelly. He was Just one of the many drunks in this town. I tried to make my way right past him, but he took a step off the wall to stand right in front of me. Personal space was not a concern of his, as I could smell the strong foul stench of alcohol on his breath.

"You're real pretty. I can show you a great time." I threw up a little in my mouth, a combination of the smell, and utter disgust.

"I'm 17, leave me alone." I said, taking a sidestep to get around him.

"What no one knows, doesn't matter." He countered, grabbing an arm and pulling me in. If ever there was a night, I wish the ground could just swallow me up, it would be tonight. I struggled to get out of his grip, but shockingly for a man of his stature, his grip was strong, and it wasn't as easy as I thought.

"Let go of me!" I yelled, putting a hand in his face and shoving back, effectively hurting his nose but not freeing me from his grip.

"You teasing whore." I was about to lift my leg up to kick him straight in the groin, but someone got to him first.

(Warning over)

"What do you think you're doing Rodney?" A familiar voice called out before the man was yanked away from me and sprawled out on the cement. My head was spinning still after being on such high alert, and though I wanted run away I couldn't move.

The man on the ground still obviously drunk struggled to get back up to his feet, cussing and slurring all the way back up. Once he got up to a staggering position he tried to turn and face his assailant.

I looked up towards the man who knocked him down, a little shocked to see it was indeed Ace who came out of the bar.

"Who do you think you are." The man said looking ready to square up, until he looked up at Ace's face and immediately shrunk back. I am assuming he had run ins with Ace before, that didn't turn out well for him.

"Stay down fucker." Ace's voice was cold and calculating, as he lifted his foot to kick the waste of space back down to the ground. This time the guy listened and didn't have a single peep escape his lips.

Ace moved towards me, I kept my head down mostly, looking up at him just enough to be able to see him approach. I felt vulnerable right now, and I wasn't sure how to react to him. He didn't deserve my fear, but I was just struck by the most least likely person just a few minutes ago, and then grabbed by some bum on the corner.

He stood a few feet in front of me, tucking his hands in the pockets of the worn jean jacket he had on. I could see his eyes do a quick once over of my attire, before putting a hand on my shoulder gently.

"Come on, my car is right around back."

He started to turn me to face where his car would be.

"I don't want to go home Ace."

There was a short silence while we walked down the ally.

"Then I won't take you home, but you aren't walking this late at night alone."

He was right, it wasn't smart to be walking out alone so late, but I couldn't stay in that house another second. He opened the passenger door for me like he did down at the lake, and it made a small chuckle escape me. How can someone seen as a hood, and no good, be such a gentleman at the same time.

I got in, and he shut the door softly behind me before moving over and getting in through the driver side. He started the car, and as soon as the headlights turned on, he was driving away from the bar and back out to the outskirts of this small town.

I watched the trees and long grasses as we drove by them, the moon being the only source of light that lit them up now that we were out of the main streets. I looked over at Ace, the moon shining on him, highlighting all his best features. It was really no fair how handsome this guy was.

He was looking straight ahead; it seems he has a specific spot he planned on going. My thoughts were confirmed when he finally pulled off the road to some grassy area that I didn't recognize, but it was kind of up on a hill, and Where Ace parked, it looked over the river that he mentioned was nearby earlier.

"Where are we?" I asked listening to the water running past us below the hill.

"Just a spot I found a while back." He answered coolly. I found it cute that he had his own secret place he went to hid out and think. I of course wasn't going to tell that to his face though. I wrapped my arms around myself looking out towards the sky, trying to keep my mind off everything for now, and also will out the cold.

I didn't know how obvious I was being until I felt a jean like fabric touch my arm and heard Ace's voice break my thoughts.

"Here."

I looked over to see he had his jacket in his hands lifted out towards me. I blushed and for a second. I thought of turning it down, but I was freezing, and I really wanted the extra warmth.

"Thank You." I whispered, too tired, and too cold to possibly be embarrassed about the situation. I grabbed the material in my hands and started to put my arms through the sleeves. The jacket was a bit big on me, which was great for huddling in. It also was still warm from his body heat just moments before, so I did not even wait for it to do its job. It kept the cold out nicely.

"Did that piece of shit do that to you?"

I looked over to Ace to see he was pointing to my cheek now, his eyes narrowing and his other hand balling up into a fist as he spoke. I forgot about it up until he mentioned it and now the stinging dull pain started to come back to me. I raised a hand to my face, touching the tender skin, sure that it will bruise up by tomorrow.

"No, this was my mom." I answered quietly, lifting the collar of his jacket to duck my head a little, to hide it as best I can from his view. I felt ashamed that he even had to see that, but I had a feeling that seeing the bruises inflicted by a parent was something he saw often.

"What happened?" He asked, grabbing a cigarette from somewhere behind his ear, and fishing out a lighter from his pocket. I stayed silent for a few seconds, not sure how I was to explain it all, but I did find myself wanting to tell Ace everything, so I tried my best.

"I thought it was just a stupid dinner with Tom's coworker." I started, looking angrily down at my lap.

"It turns out it was some set up to get me and their son Will together."

"Will Baker?" He asked, throwing his head over to face me. I nodded in confirmation.

"Yeah, you know him?"

"The guy's just another asshole from up the hill." Ace responded. I had a feeling there was a bit more to it besides what he mentioned, maybe they got in a fight before or something.

"Well, I am expected to marry him. They even threatened to disown me, kick me out if I didn't go to Homecoming with him. They planned everything out." I said defeatedly. The tears starting to whelp up without my permission.

"I tried to refuse, and she hit me."

I rubbed my sore cheek once more, knowing it wouldn't do any good to get rid of the pain, but it was out of habit at this point.

"First time you ever been hit?" Ace asked. I stared at knees peeking out from the skirt of my red dress, as I thought back to Douglas. I shook my head slowly.

"No, just the first time my mom was the one doing it."

The tears started fall now as the betrayal reared its ugly head back up.

"My stepdad, before Tom. He use to beat us, really bad. Hitting, smacking, kicking, sometimes he'd just wrap his hands around our throats till we all but passed out." I explained thinking back to all those times I made him angry. The time I didn't shut the front door gently enough, the time I put the dog's food dish in the kitchen instead of the porch. The time I came home from school late, after working on a project with my partners.

All times most would agree weren't worth a punishment, but not to Douglas.

"This isn't near as bad as those times. I just thought that since she knew what it was like being on the other end of that hand, that she'd never do the same to anyone else, especially me." I felt my lips quiver uncontrollably, and my vision was now blurred the tears.

"I was wrong." I confessed, my voice cracking. I tried to control my crying; I wasn't going to bawl here, not in front of Ace. Tears are one thing but to shake and have your voice sound so nasally and uncontrollable was another. I was stronger than that, I told myself.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, me trying hard to keep my tears under wraps, and Ace, I wasn't entirely sure. I'm sure he felt completely uncomfortable and just wished he left me to wander the town now. At least that was what I thought, until one of my hands were enveloped in a warm hold. I looked down between soft sniffles to see that Ace was holding my hand and give it a couple short squeezes.

I gave a small smile to myself, knowing that this must be his way of trying to comfort me. Weirdly enough, it was even working, just knowing he was making an effort really helped to calm me down. My sniffles grew further and further apart, and my tears slowed and soon stopped flowing all together.

After a few more minutes we were just sitting there calmly, keeping our fingers entwined, and listening to the wind blow through the grasses and leaves near us.

"You know what I think?" Ace broke the silence.

I slowly turned my head towards him leaning back in my seat, but not letting go of his hand.

"W-what?"

"I think, you should just go to homecoming with the asshole."

I wanted to protest, but Ace lifted his other hand up.

"Just hear me out. This is your last year of high school, that means you only need to appeal to your parents for the 8 months till graduation. If you can manage going to a few dances with the jerk, and make it through a few boring conversations, you won't risk being kicked out before then." He started almost sounding like he was trying to convince himself as well, but I chalked it up to hopeful thinking.

"Then once graduation comes, you'll be an adult, and they can't keep controlling your life. Besides, your smart; I bet you can get a few scholarships, go to college, and have everything figured out." Ace finished, sounding the most sincere that I have ever heard him.

I thought about what he said, and as much as I hated the idea of having to date someone against my will, Ace made a lot of sense. They can give me an ultimatum now for dating, but once I am an adult, they can't force me to marry anyone. And I can find a way to be able to move out, I am resourceful when I need to be.

I sighed resting my cheek against the back of our seats.

"You're right, even if I hate the idea of it." I mumbled. scrunching up my nose in frustration.

"Why does life have to suck so damn much." I huffed.

He laughed from his seat, leaning back now as well.

"Well besides the bruising on your face, many would say you have it pretty good."

I hated to hear that, but I knew he was right. Many might still kill to be in my shoes, being taken in by some rich man, and married off to a will-be successful lawyer, never having to worry about anything future-wise.

"I know this is the most well-off I have ever been. Probably the safest I have ever been too." I said, mostly to myself, looking up towards the dark sky. seeing all the little glittering lights, lightyears away.

"But then why do I feel the most empty?" I didn't mean to say that part out loud. I knew my problems probably seem so miniscule compared to someone like Ace. I heard the rumors about his father, and the kind of household he was raised in. I know what people say about him and what they think of him. He certainly has it much worse off than I do right now.

"Is it so bad to just want more out of life?" I asked, looking over at Ace.

He was looking up at the sky, and I watched as he brought a cigarette to his lips and blowing out a puff of smoke a few seconds later as he shook his head.

"No, it's not." He answered, then gave a short pause.

"I want to get out of this town." He continued. I stayed quiet, watching his profile as he stared up at the sky, a slight frown marring his face.

"I want to get a diploma, so I have a small chance of getting away from here. Somewhere where they haven't heard of the Jackson Merrill, and his stupid, useless, good for nuthin' son."

I watched in silence has he took another angry puff from his cigarette.

"I don't think you're any of those things Ace." I said sincerely.

He looked over to me, and I watched has his eyebrows softened, and his frown disappeared. He seemed to be searching my face, with an expression I could not read, but it seemed pleasant at least.

"You're too good."

Too good for what I wasn't sure, but I knew it was meant as a compliment, so I didn't argue the sentiment. I then thought about what I planned before, while in class with him earlier.

"Ace would you like to go to the library with me monday? During Homeroom?"

He looked at me oddly, and I started to chuckle at his expression.

"I know it seems random but, you mentioned you want your diploma, and I was thinking in Literature, maybe you just needed a book that you find interesting. I thought maybe I can help you find something." I explained. I was hoping, practically pleading inside my head that he'd say yes, and he'd let me help him.

He looked like he was about to decline my offer, but he didn't, he just stared back at me for a few seconds, looking as if he was about to say something but hasn't gotten it out yet.

"Please?" I tried my luck with the "magic word", to my surprise it did actually work. It wasn't but a few seconds before Ace gave way with a big sigh, before nodding.

"Alright fine. Not promising you will find one though." He said looking back up towards the sky, avoiding my ever-growing smile. I tightened my grip on his hand to give it a reassuring squeeze.

"Thanks Ace, that's all I ask."

He sighed again and looked over at me for a split second before looking back up.

"That's unfair you know; you can't be using your eyes against people like that." He said, almost nonchalant. I felt a small amount of warmth go to my cheeks, as I smiled at him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I insisted. He threw me an unbelieving look.

"Yeah right, you know exactly what you're doing with those eyes. You can get a man to agree to anything when you look at him like that."

I laughed and swatted him lightly with my free hand not wanting to let go of his just yet. He wouldn't have to worry about me getting whatever I want from men with "Those eyes", I knew the look I was giving him was nothing I'd share with anyone else.

I was sure of it, because now I was positive that it wasn't just a silly crush. Nope, it was definitely deeper than that.

I cared for Ace Merrill, maybe it wasn't love just yet, but given time, it could grow.