Mouth McFadden whistled a happy tune as he made his way to the large beautiful home that set on a perfectly manicured lawn at the very end of Pear Street. He had made that trip so many times before on bicycle and by foot. He still didn't have his own car but that was irrelevant. He'd crawl there if he had to. Anything to see that gorgeous, smiling face.

Entering the home, there was no surprise the door wasn't locked. Who locked their doors in Tree Hill? Still it unnerved him slightly, the thought of her being all alone in that house overnight by herself. And he was pretty sure she had been alone. Her parents always seemed to be off on business or leisure, often leaving the 17 year old high school senior alone. Sometimes Mouth slept over. How he loved those nights. They'd cuddle and giggle in her bed for hours.

He walked up the steps and came to the room two doors to the left. The door was slightly ajar, just the way she liked it. And he could see the figure tucked beneath the covers. It was 6:30 in the morning and she still wasn't awake yet. He knew he was in a class of his own, rising and shining at five everyday while she loved sleeping in to the last minute. Sometimes she even forgot to set her alarm clock the night before but he didn't mind being her personal alarm clock. Sitting on the soft, king sized bed, he stared at her natural beauty in awe for a few seconds before leaning over and kissing the bare shoulder exposed by her sleep tank top.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty."

She stirred before opening her eyes and smiling.

"My prince", she said.

It gave him shivers to hear her refer to him that way. All his life he had felt like a frog.

"Just came to make sure you were awake on time."

She rolled her eyes.

"Is this what you call on time? Please. I'll never understand how you're up every morning at the crack of dawn."

He shrugged.

"It's a nice day outside already. The weather is perfect. I figured we could drop by Karen's Café for breakfast before school. What do you think?"

"Sounds good", she yawned, lying back down and closing her eyes.

He watched her almost drift back into a deep slumber.

"It might sound good but we'll never get there or school for that matter if you don't wake up."

"Do I have to?" Rachel groaned. "Can't we just skip today?"

The offer was tempting, beyond tempting. Just the year before, Mouth McFadden, with his perfect attendance record since fourth grade, would never had dreamed of skipping school. He loved class and his in school broadcasting job. Wild horses couldn't tear him away…but a wild filly could. And she did.

It was shortly after their relationship was declared official. They were no longer "just friends" or in that awkward stage between friends and coupledom. They were exclusive and Mouth had to literally pinch himself every time he walked down the hall with the trophy cheerleader on his arm. Guys like him weren't supposed to get girls like her but fate had thrown their plans for a loop. He had just begun his morning visits to her home and once again her parents were away…

"You're here", she looked up and smiled.

"You're awake", he returned the grin. "I'm surprised. Impressed and surprised."

"Don't get used to it. I couldn't sleep last night. So I decided to get up and get dressed."

"Well, you look great, terrific", he nodded with approval.

Her eyes twinkled.

"Then why don't you take my picture?"

He shrugged and dug out his camera phone, holding it in front of both their cheesing faces.

"Looks good."

"Yeah, your phone always takes good pictures. Remember the first time you took a picture in my room?"

Mouth frowned.

"Is this a boyfriend test or something? I mean, usually I remember everything but…"

"It was the first night you came over to hang out. You thought I wasn't paying attention but I saw you", she teased.

His cheeks burned a bright pink with embarrassment.

"You saw?" he croaked.

"I sure did."

"You must think I'm some sort of weirdo or something. I only did it because I was happy to be there, here. I never thought I'd have the chance again and I wanted something to remember the night by."

"You're a sweetheart but you don't need a phone or picture for that anymore. You're my guy. More than that, you're my best friend. I want you here. I always want you here."

He walked over and kissed her. God her lips tasted good. And they were so soft. He couldn't believe he was kissing her and that she was kissing back. He relaxed as her tongue softly probed the inside of his mouth and before he knew it, they had fallen back onto the bed. Before Rachel, he hadn't gotten off of first base good yet but as the relationship grew, so did the make out sessions. They kissed and touched as he held her in his arms.

"We're gonna be late", he finally whispered.

"I have an idea."

"Uh oh."

"Let's skip."

"School? Rach, we can't."

"Why not? It's no big deal. I mean, you've skipped before, right?"

He shook his head.

"Never."

"You're so cute", she giggled and touched his nose. "Cute and innocent. Too bad my bad influence corrupts you."

"Corrupts me?"

"Yep. Starting today. Today we stay in."

He sighed.

"Rachel, I don't know…"

She silenced him with a kiss. Before he knew it, they were at it again. Finally she pulled away, staring in his eyes and stroking his face.

"Mouth", she whispered.

He blushed, feeling self conscious.

"Why, why are you looking at me that way?"

"Because I like you."

He looked away. He wasn't used to that, especially coming from a popular and beautiful girl.

"Rachel…"

"I mean it, Mouth. I really like you."

"I like you, too", he said softly.

They stared in each other's eyes and kissed again. All the nerves and anxiety quickly went away as he grew more comfortable in his arms. The clothes began to peel off and instead of feeling awkward and unattractive, he suddenly felt like a king.

"I want you", she licked her lips.

He swallowed hard.

"I, um, I…I don't have much experience, Rachel. I, I kind of don't know what to do", he stated, rather ashamed. "I just don't want you to laugh at me. I don't want to disappoint you."

She looked right in his eyes, serious but sincere.

"I don't see anything funny here. You never disappoint me, Mouth. Never. You make me feel safe and alive and beautiful and happy."

He knew she meant it. Somehow deep inside he just felt it. And so they gave into passion. He trembled as he made love for the first time ever, just hoping he was doing it right. But she had no complaints. She was gentle and teaching and it was a wonderful experience. He fell in love that morning. Afterwards he held her and for a moment, a day, the world was right. The world was perfect…

"Rachel, you know what happens when we skip school", he laughed.

"Exactly", she winked.

"You have no idea how bad I want to. Boy, do I want to but I can't. You can't. You have that big English test today, remember?"

Rachel pouted.

"I'd rather forget."

"No, you don't. And you're gonna do great. So how about this? We go to school, see our friends, hang out and have a good day. Tonight I'll come over with your favorite ice cream and we'll watch a movie. Anything you want."

She raised an eyebrow. He did drive a hard bargain.

"Say Anything?" she referred to her all time favorite movie.

"You got it. I'll bring the DVD over."

She smiled. He always knew the right thing to say or do. No, he wasn't the type of guy she normally went for but he was perfect for her. A good friend and an all around good person. He was smart and humble and sweet. And most of all, he genuinely cared for her. Like every young girl, Rachel had always dreamt of a knight in shining armor. In her ugly duckling stage, the boys had paid her no mind. In her dramatic transformation, they had flocked to her like bees to honey but mostly they all wanted one thing. None of them really gave a damn about her. A million may have wanted her but who would actually love her?

It was the worst night of Rachel's life. The night after she had almost been attacked. The physical wounds were still fresh but the bruises did not compare to the ache in her heart. She had felt awful, dirty, like she's never be okay again. So many had reached out to her but only one was let in…

"Hey", he knocked gently.

"Hey", she didn't even look at him.

He shoved his hands in his pockets not quite knowing what to say. He wanted to hug her more than anything. She looked so scared and vulnerable but he didn't want to push. She had been through so much in 24 hours. It had taken him a while to calm down himself. Ever since learning the terrible details, he had wanted to go kill that Pinkerton jock with his bare hands.

"I, I just came to see if you're okay, if you needed anything."

"I'm fine."

"Oh. Um, okay…"

"Look, Mouth, I appreciate you coming over but you didn't have to, alright? I'm fine. It's over now. No big deal."

But it was. A huge deal,

"Rachel, I'm here for you. I'm your friend. I don't want to be pushy but I want you to be okay, really be okay. I'll do whatever to help you get there. If you want to talk or…"

"Talk? About what, Mouth? You want me to tell you how horrible it was? How strong he was? How I couldn't get him off me?"

"I'm sorry."

"Why? It's not your fault."

"It's not yours either."

She laughed bitterly in spite of the situation.

"Whatever. Look, why don't you just get out of here? I'm surprised you even believe me. The one time Rachel Getina, the slut, says no and look what happens. You probably think I got what I deserved."

"No", he answered horrified. "I'd never think that."

"It doesn't matter anyway", she wiped away a tear.

"Maybe not to you but it does to me", he said softly. "I think you're a beautiful, intelligent, sweet girl with a heart of gold underneath all that tough, party girl exterior. I think you're my friend and you're hurting right now and you've been hurting for a long time. And I think that guy was a real jerk and he did a disgusting thing and he should be punished for it."

Rachel looked away.

"I, I can't believe this happened to me", she said to no one in particular.

"I'm sorry it happened and no matter what you think or what anyone says, it wasn't your fault. I know you probably want to be alone right now and I respect that but if you need me, if you want to talk…I'm here."

He turned to leave.

"Mouth…wait", she called out in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Rachel…"

"Stay with me. Please. I, I don't want to talk. I don't know what I want. But I don't want to be alone. Could you…"

Of course he could. And that's exactly what he did. All night. When she woke from a nightmarish and fitful sleep early the next morning, there he was all curled up in a ball on the floor at the foot of the bed. He had been a complete gentleman and a real friend and she loved him for it. That night she knew she found someone she could really trust…

"Deal or no deal?" he grinned.

She rolled her eyes.

"Deal. You win, Mighty Mouth. You always do. School it is", she sighed.

"It won't be so bad", he put an arm around her. "Besides, at least we have something forward to look to afterwards, right?"

Rachel gave him a real smile. The party girl in her used to look forward to getting drunk and hooking up but as of late, a nice night in with her sweet boyfriend curled up watching a DVD had been the perfect way to spend any evening. It felt nice to relax and just be.

"You bet we do", she kissed him on the cheek. "You bet."