"Get the fuck out, Isabelle! I am so fucking done cleaning up after you! You're not my fucking child!" Smash. Another hole in the wall. This wasn't new, Isabelle's step father was a maniac.

"Iz, go. I'll text you when you can come back. Go." her mom said, pushing Isabelle out the door. All she had was her phone and the clothes on her back. Holding back tears, she ran down the steps and out into the night.

He goes by Rick, her step father. Time after time, fight after fight, Isabelle's mother always chose his side, afraid for herself, and not for her only daughter's safety. All she did this time was take an empty water glass from her room, setting it by the sink and intending to wash it after she made herself a sandwich.

All it takes is a small spark like that to ignite an evil flame.

Shoving her hands into her sweater pockets, Isabelle walked up the sidewalk and aimlessly walked the streets. She was so used to being on the short end of the stick. As she walked, her mind played back the night over a week ago where Sweet Pea had kissed her. He hadn't tried to gain further contact with her since that night. Toni had, though. She had told Isabelle how giddy Sweet Pea was the next day.

As she walked alone, the only light came from the moon and street lights. The Southside is not the safest place to be at night, and there was no guarantee as to how soon her mother could calm down Rick.

Isabelle pulled her phone out of her pocket and hastily texted Sweet Pea.

'I need you, meet me at the Quarry, please?'

Within seconds came a response.

'Be right there.'

When Isabelle got to the Quarry, Sweet Pea was already there, seated atop the stones by the waters edge. Isabelle guessed that he could tell something was up, because he immediately asked so.

"What happened?" he indicated for her to sit beside him.

"Rick. Who else?" Isabelle responded. Sweet Pea had saved Isabelle from Rick situations many a night. He was constantly begged by her not to do anything about it, not get caught up in it, and he obeyed. She took her place by the boy who used to hold her night after night.

It took him a moment, but Sweet Pea eventually responded by slipping off his leather Serpent jacket and wrapping it around Isabelle, followed by his arms. She was once again in her safe place and allowed her tears to flow freely into his chest. He gently patted down her hair and held her against him, his grip tight as her body shook with gentle sobs.

After she came down from her emptying of emotions, Isabelle wiped her eyes on her sleeves and pulled back.

"That cry was more than just about tonight, wasn't it? More than just Rick is bothering you. I haven't seen you cry like that since your cat passed away."

Sweet Pea asked. Damn he knew her well.

"I'm alone, I'm all alone, Pea. I have no friends, my own mom can't be around me without throwing me out of the house. I don't know why i'm telling you this." she shoved her head into her hands, suddenly embarrassed.

"Iz, shut up. I still really care about you. I'm always here for you. You're not alone. You have me." Sweet Pea told her, in a pleading tone, rubbing circles around her back. "Come stay at my place tonight. I'll take care of you."

Isabelle looked up and met his eyes, which were still dark in the moonlight. He seemed genuine, but she was still confused. "Why? I mean, we're broken up. Why do you want to help me?"

"You know why, I've been where you've been and if you were in my life at that time, you would have done the same for me." Sweet Pea stood, and held out a hand to her.

Isabelle took his hand a moment after contemplating. In silence, the two climbed onto his motorcycle and he took her back to Sunnyvale Trailer Park.

Sweet Pea lived alone in his small trailer, and Isabelle practically lived there last summer, back when negotiating was impossible with Rick. For a summer night, all was quiet in the small area aside from a couple of people hanging around bonfires.

Sweet Pea pulled up next to his home and the two climbed off, their hands interlaced as Isabelle took a glimpse into her past.

Last summer, the two of them sipping their beers on the front porch. Now, it was Sweet Pea saving her from a night in the streets and inviting her inside. They entered, and the set up of the trailer had barely changed at all.

"It's clean." Isabelle remarked, and Sweet Pea chuckled.

"I get bored." he replied, placing his hand on the small of her back and guiding her into his room. "You can have my bed, I'll take the couch."

"Don't be stupid, Pea. Stay in here with me." Isabelle smiled, pulling him in behind her. She didn't feel like being alone tonight.

Isabelle looked around at the room, painted a light grey with dark brown curtains and in the corner his bed, which was covered with a black and grey striped duvet. Sweet Pea's room always had such a comforting and inviting feel, though she felt like a stranger amongst its midst.

While off in her day dreams, Sweet Pea had pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of old sweatpants for her to sleep in. "They'll obviously be a bit big, but i can tighten the drawstring for you." He turned to his closet to hang up his Serpent jacket, and Isabelle used that moment to switch out her hoodie for his shirt, which fell to her knees. Sweet Pea turned just as her shorts hit her ankles and he blushed, turning again.

"Sorry, I didn't know."

"It's not like you haven't seen my knees before, Pea. It's fine." Isabelle laughed, and set the sweatpants back in the dresser and climbed into his warm and comfortable bed. She turned and faced the wall so Sweet Pea could do the same, the two of them in silence until she felt the mattress shift beside her, and she turned to face him. The two lay facing each other, and Isabelle allowed herself to stare, tracing the outline of Sweet Pea's features in the dark, the only light coming from a streetlight that was outside his window, illuminating her face.

"You're so beautiful, Isabelle." her name rolled off the tip of Sweet Pea's tongue as smooth as ever.

"You're so handsome." she replied, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

The two of them knew what was coming, and within the moment Sweet Pea was closer, his lips hovering over Isabelle's. "Can I kiss you?"

Isabelle ignored the question and pressed her lips to his soft ones, her mouth moving gently and slowly. Sweet Pea returned the simple movements, and his hand came to rest at the back of her neck, holding her to him.

Soon, they pulled away, but they were closed together than before.

"I'm sorry I let you down, Isabelle. I left you alone. I knew that was your worst fear." Sweet Pea said softly, moving his hand to rest atop her side.

"It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. I did it to myself, Sweet Pea. You don't have to take care of me." Isabelle murmured back, clutching both hands to her chest.

Sweet Pea sighed, and she knew he still felt guilty. He raised his hand and ran in through her icy blonde hair, playing with the locks in between his long fingers. He said no more, nor did Isabelle. She soon turned to face the wall, and Sweet Pea took this as an opportunity to fold himself around her, one arm under Isabelle's pillow, another draped over her waist.

For the first time in a long time, she felt safe.