~Gwen's POV~

{At home}

I looked up at the man I so proudly call my father towering over me. Note the sarcasm. His enormous height of 6'8" towered heavily over my poor 5'4" height. I never quite understood how Trent and Heather were only an inch or two taller than me, with this ogre of a father.

"Well, well, if it isn't the little runt," he sneered at me, "You're late! I told you to be here 3 minutes ago!" I could tell by the stench of his breath he was well drunk. I stood as tall as I could staring back at him. If I so much as move he will make his advance, unless he's in a bad mood. Shit! He's not so happy today… I thought to myself as his hand raked my face. The callouses on his hands were so rough and thick they drew blood. This is not my first slap from these hands, so I kept an emotionless face as the stinging in my cheek dulled.

This actually seemed to anger him more as he grabbed me by my neck and threw me into the wall. He threw me hard enough to break a hole in the wall. I slid to the floor, never breaking eye contact with this monster. I saw the flame in his eyes and I knew what was going to happen next. I stayed on the floor as he unbuckled his belt.

He flexed the belt and whipped it at me, the metal feeling cool against my skin. I barely felt anything, I felt numb. I stared at him, until eventually, I shut my eyes. He seemed content with this reaction as I gasped quietly as the pain crept over me.

After he barged out the door, I stood and collected myself, adding some makeup to my new injuries.

~Duncan's POV~

I watched as Gwen ran off from the tree. I was wondering why she had to leave. Did I scare her off? I thought, hoping this was not true. I hope to see her back at school as I headed back over. I walked in each of my classes, hoping to find her, without luck. I think she's at the diner, she sometimes has to leave school randomly to start her shift.

As soon as the final bell rings, I head to my bike and find my best friend Geoff and his girlfriend Bridgette. I also notice my ex and her clique. They think their popular, but they aren't all that. They're actually very bitchy.

Bridgette, Geoff, and I decide to head to the diner and maybe check on what's going on with Gwen. Yes, I told Bridgette she had to leave again and she said she needed to get the keys to Gwen's car so she could bring it back. I got on my black bike as Geoff and Bridgette hopped in his pick-up. My bike has light blue detailing.

I park at the diner and climb off. We all walk in together and sit in our usual booth near the back. I felt kind of like a third wheel with Bridgette and Geoff doing their own "couple stuff". Soon enough, Gwen skated over to take our order.

"Hey there, strangers, don't scratch my baby." Gwen commanded looking at Bridgette while tossing her keys. Bridgette saluted her and walked out to retrieve her beloved car. Gwen actually loves my bike, but she needs her car. "Anyways, whatcha gunna have?" she asked, ready to write with a smile on her face.

"I'll have a chili cheese dog with fries and a coke," Patrick said.

"And I'll get the burger with fries, extra ketchup, a chocolate shake and a water." I said, winking at her to let her know the water's for her. She has to pay to even get water here, which is not cheap, so I often buy her one when I come to eat, and she drinks as she passes my table, which she does a lot.

"Alrighty, I'll be back with that shortly," she winked and mouthed a thanks to me as she headed into the kitchen. I watched as her hair swayed, mimicking her hips as her long legs carried her away. It took me a moment to realize Geoff had been attempting to gain my attention for a couple minutes until I finally snapped back.

"Huh?" I asked him, a little embarrassed and unable to think.

"Dude, I have been trying to get your attention for like, 5 minutes! You got it bad," Geoff said, chuckling softly. I felt heat rising to my face, but willed it away. I would not blush now!

"No, I uh, just… um-" I attempted to think of something but was cut off by the sound of a certain goth's skates. I turn to greet her with a smile.

"Alright, one water, milk shake, a coke, and a lemonade! Your food should be out shortly." She began to turn but Geoff stopped her.

"We didn't get a lemonade," he stated. Gwen slightly laughed looking down. Just then, I noticed a dark bruise on the back of her neck as her hair parted. I examined it from my seat, wondering how she could've gotten it. I realized I zoned out and Bridgette had returned.

"Thank you!" She said cheerfully as she sat down sipping her lemonade.

"Hey, Gwen, what's that bruise on your neck from?" I asked, earning an odd look from Bridgette and a confused look from Geoff. Gwen seemed shocked at first and swiped her hand over the spot. A look of relief hit her almost as quickly as the shock.

"Oh, that's from falling from the tree today. I think I hit a root or a rock or something. Nothing major." She replied calmly, "Be back with your orders!" She smiled and turned. I watched her go again, a little concerned. I didn't notice the bruise earlier, and I don't think she hit her neck on anything. She would've reacted as if she hurt herself. I was deep in thought when I noticed Geoff and Bridgette watching me. I turned and faced them.

"So, what tree did she fall from? When?" asked a confused Geoff. I shook my head laughing, but replied.

"Just a place during lunch," I said, sipping my milkshake. Bridgette and Geoff started a separate conversation, so I just went on my phone for the time being. I was looking through pictures from the summer when I noticed a few of Gwen and I at the beach. I remember this…

Flashback!

"I'm bored!" Geoff told me. It was probably one of the hottest days of the summer and we were at my house, super bored. "Call up the girls and see if they wanna go to the beach!" He jumped at me excitedly and ran upstairs. I'm guessing to find his shorts. I dialed Gwen's number and hit call. RING! RING! RING!

"Hello?"

"Hey! Watcha doin?"

"Oh you know, robbing a bank. I am actually trying to outrun the cops right now."

"Aw, that sucks. I was hoping you weren't busy! I need you and Bridge to get here quick! In bikinis! It's an emergency!"

"What kind of emergency requires us to show up in bikinis?"

"A beach one… Now hurry!"

I hung up and went to find my shorts.

-TIME LAPSE-

We just got to the beach and laid out our towels. Geoff and Bridgette went for a walk, so Gwen and I stayed behind. I watched them walk off then looked back at Gwen just pulling off her over clothes. I can say one thing, I will not recover from that sight, ever.

"Race yah!" She shouted and took off. I pulled of my shirt and chased her. While she is very fast, I am a little faster. I caught up to her and wrapped my arms around her waist. We laughed as I swung her into the air and over my shoulder. She screamed for me to put her down, pounding my back. I held her legs and walked into the water. She stopped fighting me and just laid on my shoulder. I lifted her back over, looked in her eyes, and dropped her into the water.

Only problem, she pulled me under with her. I opened my eyes under the water and saw her hair, looking all fluffy. I came back up for breath and got mesmerized by her rise. I was pulled out by a loud yell and water in my face. She was attempting to run from me, and we began a splash war.

End!

I smiled at the memory and took another sip of my milkshake.

Okay, I'm ending this here. Well, yeah, hope you enjoyed!