A/N: Sorry I took so long updating. I ran into some bad writer's block, please forgive me. Thank you so much for all the reviews! You guys are totally awesome! Well enough blabbing I'm sure you want to read the story. Please R & R! Thanks!

Chapter 6: Band-Aids Heal All Wounds

Erin walked into her house 5 minutes till 9. She was concerned about Jay considering what happened earlier. Donny had left him and his mom, moving on with his life and leaving Jay's in pieces. Jay actually enjoyed having Donny around; he was like a father to him to see him walk out, just crushed him. She wasn't sure where he went and knew she had to get back to her house at 8 but she decided to search around for him. She had no luck in finding him so she just went home to face Neema.

She looked around to find an empty house. "Okay," she said to herself and shut the door behind her. She headed to her room and walked in. She gently placed her new skateboard against the wall. She plopped down on her bed and sighed loudly. She was waiting for Neema to come bursting into her room yelling at her, but there was nothing but silence. "This is stupid," she said to herself. She rolled off the bed and went to her closet. She pulled out a red dress with scattered white flowers. It was cut pretty low in the front, showing a little bit of cleavage, and it had small sleeves. She went to the bathroom to freshen up and change into the dress.

She walked back into her room and grabbed some red wedge sandals with laces. She wrapped the lace around her ankle and tied the ends into a bow, she did the same for her other sandal. She grabbed some gold bangles and slipped them on. She put on the locket her mother gave her when she 6. She stared at the locket in the mirror and thought about her mother. Every detail about her mother just came into clear view: her auburn hair, dark brown eyes, and long thin arms. She missed her so much. She closed her eyes and just shook the memory out of her mind. She brushed her fingers through her hair and then headed out of her room. Charlie walked in the door just before Erin could make it out. "Where are you going," he asked and put the keys down on the table.

"To Tony's, he is having a party for the team," she shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn't used to going to these parties dressed up but she had her reasons for this particular night.

"You look nice," he said as he noticed his sister was actually out of her usually uniform: jeans and a t-shirt.

"Thanks. Can I go now," she asked reaching for the door.

"Just be careful," he said. Erin grinned at him and hugged him quickly. "Did you put perfume on," he arched an eyebrow.

"I am a girl you know," she smirked and walked out the door. Charlie rolled his eyes and watched her walk to Tony's house until he couldn't see her anymore from the porch. He walked inside and shut the door. He went to the kitchen to make something to eat for himself since Neema was no where in sight and he knew she wasn't coming home until early the next morning.

Erin stopped in front of the house before Tony's. She took a deep breath and looked down at her dress. The guys weren't used to seeing her in a dress, or this dressed up for that matter. She kind of wanted to flaunt in front of Red Dog what he lost. She began to bite her nails and could feel her stomach turn out of nervousness. She took a step forward to see the guys sitting on the porch just hanging out. They had the music soft but it was still loud enough to hear. She looked down at her dress and shook her head. "This is not me," she said to herself and turned back in the direction of her house. She continued walking back to her house. "This is so stupid," she said to herself as she looked up at her front porch to see Jay sitting on the top step. "Jay," she walked over to him and sat down.

"Whoa don't you look different," he smirked since he noticed the dress she was wearing. Erin quickly covered her cleavage up by crossing her arms. He let out a small laugh.

"Quit making me feel uncomfortable," she looked down. "I look like a dumb bimbo," she shook her head.

"No you actually look...beautiful," he looked at her. She glanced at him and smiled not believing him. "Minus the band-aids you have on your knees," he pressed the bandages lightly. Erin shoved his hand away.

"Okay whatever," she stretched her legs out on the other steps and placed her hands on each side of her. "So how are you holding up," she asked and turned her head to face him. Jay made a face and shrugged. "That well eh?"

"Well I'm still breathing so I guess I'm fine," he gave her a half grin and looked at her. "Were you trying to get Red Dog back," he asked referring to her outfit. She shook her head quickly.

"I was trying to make him feel like shit, but in the end I felt like shit," she sighed. "I tried to be...well...I don't know. I really do love him, but I mean you see all the other girls who hang around him. They are like supermodel clones! Blonde hair, big breast, and perfect body. How the hell am I suppose to compete with that," she said out of frustration. She didn't want to lose Red Dog, but she feared that one day she would.

"Well if he falls for that then...he doesn't deserve you," Jay said in a casual tone. He wanted to tell Erin that he loved her, but Red Dog was just too big of an obstacle. He had to weasel his way in some how.

"And that's coming from someone who loves those type of girls," Erin joked and smiled. She perched up her knees and rested her elbows on them. "I mean think about Jay, if you had to choose between me and the perfect girl who would you choose," she asked.

"How perfect are we talking," he smirked. Erin pushed him playfully.

"Your ideal girl. What's your ideal girl," she asked. Jay sighed and looked up at the moon.

"Well," he looked at her. "She's smart, cause as you know I don't go to school that often. She has to be funny and random like she likes to do stupid shit. And she has to skateboard like hardcore and surfs. As far as body goes, I guess I could settle for someone like you," he winked at her and stuck his tongue out at her. Erin laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Asshole," she said and saw the blue beat up Cadillac pull into the driveway. The headlights went dim and the engine turned off. "Shit," she said under her breath. Duncan was the first one out of the car followed by Neema. She was drunk, her lipstick looked smeared and her clothes weren't exactly put on straight. Duncan walked over to Erin and looked down at her.

"Guess I was more than a fuck buddy," he smirked and noticed her dress. "You look pretty," he pressed his cigarette against his lips. Erin looked down. Jay noticed Erin looked kind of frightened by this guy. Duncan went up the stairs and into the house. Neema stumbled over to Erin.

"Get in the house," she yelled at Erin.

"But-" Erin began to say. Neema didn't need any of Erin's lip and just hit the back of her head.

"Now," she screamed. Jay stood up as did Erin. "Your boyfriend has to go," she slurred as she made her way to the front door. Duncan was already sitting on the couch watching television. Erin turned to Jay and smiled.

"I better go. It's okay Charlie is here anyway," she shrugged acting like it was no big deal. Jay nodded and kissed her lightly. He could feel Duncan's icy stare through the window. Erin kissed him back and pulled away. "Bye," she said and went inside. Jay watched her walk into her house. He wanted to stay and make sure everything was okay, but if Charlie was there he wouldn't let anything happen to Erin. Jay grabbed his skateboard and headed towards Tony's house.

"I'm going to go to bed," Erin said to Neema. Neema was already slouching on the couch half asleep. Duncan looked at Erin. "Just tell her," she said since Neema didn't respond.

"Come here," Duncan patted the seat next to him. Erin just stood there, out of all Neema's boyfriends she feared Duncan. For some reason the vibes he sent off just scared her. Duncan nodded and walked over to her. Erin took a step back from him. "I'm not going to hurt you, kid. I just want to talk," he smiled.

"Well we can talk from here," Erin took a step back. "My friends and I always talk with this much distance," she smiled at him. Duncan took a couple of steps forward until Erin was pinned against the wall. "Invading my personal space," she said trying to push him back.

"You're really pretty," Duncan whispered and kissed her neck. Erin tried to push him off her; she could smell the liquor and tobacco on his breath.

"Get the hell away," Erin shrieked. Duncan ran his hand up her dress. "Charlie," she screamed. He was taking a shower but heard his sister calling him. He hurriedly jumped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist.

"Shut up bitch," Duncan told her and smacked her across the face cutting her cheek with his gold ring. He moved his lips toward Erin's.

"Charlie," she yelled again starting to cry. Charlie ran over to them and threw Duncan off her making him fall to floor. Erin wrapped her arms around her brother and cried harder.

"Don't fuckin touch her ever again," Charlie glared at Duncan and walked Erin to his bedroom. He tried to sit her on the bed but she didn't want to let him go. "Erin, everything is going to be okay," he reassured her. Erin unlinked her arms from around his neck and sat on his bed. "I have enough money to get an apartment. Vince says he will even give me a raise to help me pay the rent. We are getting out of here. I promise. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, not again," he kissed her forehead. Erin nodded and buried her face in her hands. Charlie sat down next to her and rubbed her back softly. "It's okay," he whispered to her.