CHAPTER 2

When I woke up I was covered in a blanket similar to my comforter, but I knew it wasn't. It smelled different, amazing, but different. The blanket was pulled over my head. I could hear people talking in another room.

"Well, you picked one with enough angst." Said a male voice just as smooth as Rory's.

"I don't think she is in a stable state from what you've told us." Said a beautifully sweet female.

"That could work to our advantage." Said a female voice slightly more annoyed.

"Elyse," I heard Rory groan "I don't want to lie to her."

"Like you're not already." The girl named Elyse said.

I pushed the blanket off my head. They abruptly stopped talking. I was in what looked like an exceptionally nice living room. All of the walls were white except for a scarlet accent wall. I was lying on a crème colored leather couch, opposite were two matching recliners, and in between them was a toffee colored coffee table. There was a plasma screen television against one of the walls above an exquisite looking fireplace.

Six people walked into the room. I didn't hear there footsteps and was slightly surprised to see them there.

I sat up. My heart was pounding while I tried to remember how I got here and if I even knew these people. My eyes recognized Rory and I was relieved. All of there faces were pale. I felt my breath get stuck in my throat as I looked at them.

"H…how did I get here?" I stammered. The eldest of them let out a soft chuckle. He was definitely handsome, he looked no older than twenty-eight, but I could tell that he was the father. He had light brown hair, slightly long swept back so I could see his face. He wore navy blue slacks and a white button down dress shirt. His eyes were spring foliage green and beautiful but not as beautiful as Rory's.

"Hello Cassie my name is Damien." He held out his hand and I shook it. I was slightly perturbed by the formal gesture; I didn't shake that many people's hands.

"Hello, not to be rude or anything but who are you and where am I?" this made his brows knit.

"I just told you who I was" he had misunderstood what I was asking.

"I meant that more along the lines of did I know any of you."

"Well no," he answered "were Rory's family, and you are in our house.

"Where exactly are we, the last house that Rory had been like forty-five minutes away from me." I must have looked nervous; I could hear it in my voice.

"We live about 3 miles south east of you." That made sense, that was were the big houses were, the really expensive ones (I could tell because of how nice the living room was).

"What time is it?"

"Let's see it is, just past five."

"What?!?" I immediately shot up off of the couch "thank you so much for your hospitality, but I really have to get going, my mother is probably worried." I said this all in one breathe. I hurried to a door that I expected to lead outside but when I opened it, it was just a coat closet.

They were all laughing. It really was pretty to listen to, like a music box. Nonetheless when I turned my face had decided to match the scarlet wall. They only laughed harder. When everyone calmed down Rory spoke.

"Cassie it's alright, I called your mother and asked if you could stay here a while, I told her you had a trying day and would want some company instead of staying in your empty house, or would you rather be there?"

"No, thank you." I could feel the guilt in my stomach but I didn't know why. My mind was suppressing something from me that desperately wanted to know.

"Um, why was today so trying? I know that that may sound stupid but I can't remember." I knew that that sounded stupid, how could I not remember something that was being described as trying.

"First why don't I introduce my family to you?" Damien said. I just nodded. "This is Jillian" he put his hand on a girls shoulder. She was slightly older than me and a ½ inch shorter. She had natural red spunky hair cropped just above her chin. She had dollar bill green eyes, I looked around, they all had green eyes, but none of them shone like Rory's did. Her slight frame seemed out of place with her powerful presents.

"You can call me Jill." she smiled all of her teeth were perfect like in a toothpaste ad. Damien walked to an older looking boy; he was built like the star quarter back of a high school football team. He had extremely dark brown, shaggy hair. He was the type of guy that my friends and I would talk about at sleepovers.

"This is Triston." Damien spoke as he moved to the next girl. "This is Elyse."

I averted my eyes from her smirk. She was about 5'6" slender, with flowing golden hair that looked like she had just modeled for a new beach hair product.

"And of course you know Rory" Damien finished.

I definitely knew Rory.

One of the beautiful women who entered the room at first came back in. I realized that she hadn't been introduced. I felt bad for not seeing her leave the room. She was holding a steaming bowl of what I guessed to be soup.

"This is Melanie, my wife" Damien said as he looked lovingly at the brunette beauty.

"I've brought you some soup" she said. "Oh my, why don't you sit down dear." She said after watching me stumble over my foot and being caught around the waist by Damien.

"Thank you so much" I said starring down at the soup. I didn't know what to do, it was chicken noodle. I was a vegetarian. I couldn't refuse that would be rude. I looked up; everyone was staring at me expectantly.

"Is something wrong dear?" Melanie asked.

"No, of course not" I said looking back down at my soup preparing to take my first bite. From the corner of my eye I could have sworn I saw Damien telling something to Rory but his lips were moving unusually fast I wasn't sure. Rory interrupted just as I had lifted my spoon.

"Melanie what kind of soup is that?"

"Chicken noodle" she answered I was praying he was going where I thought he was with this.

"Cassie is a vegetarian" he announced. I heard a snicker from Elyse and a full out laugh from Triston. I looked up everyone looked awestruck.

"Well I guess I'll go and make something else"

"No, no please, you don't have to." I looked at her pleadingly. "Thank you really, but you don't need to go to the trouble I'm fine."

Melanie smiled and sat on the couch.

"So what happ-"my stomach decided to contest me as I growled mi sentence. Melanie raised her eyebrows.

"You have to eat something, just tell me what you want." She sounded like a parent telling a child they couldn't have dessert until they ate their broccoli.

"Fine, could I just have an apple?"

"Of course" she bustled of into the kitchen. I was becoming agitated that I kept getting distracted from asking my question.

"So what happened today, the last thing I can remember was" I thought back searching my brain for the last thing "getting my things from my locker." Instead of listening Damien checked the clock on the wall.

"Triston, why don't you give Cassie a ride home, it is getting late" Damien advised.

Did he do that on purpose? That was all I could think, no one would answer my question.

"Dad, I can drive her" Rory said. I was taken aback at his calling Damien dad so casually. Dad, it didn't fit Damien was too young.

"No, you can't, you may go with them but I want Triston to drive" Rory looked pouty but I held back the urge to laugh. Melanie came back with a cut up apple in a bag.

"I heard you were going home" she said explaining the bag.

Triston and Rory led me to the correct door out of the house. It was already dark outside. Next to the curb was a nice looking navy blue car. I slipped in the back with Rory as Triston drove.

The car ride was short but the entire time Rory complained that Triston was driving too slowly. Frankly I was glad that Damien had forbade Rory to drive, I thought Triston was going too fast, but Rory obviously disagreed. I don't think he even got his license till mid October.

Triston pulled up next to the curb of my house all of the lights were off. Rory and Triston walked me to the door. I gave Rory a hug. I turned to face Triston and was embraced into a bear hug.

"I…ca…n't" he let go of me, I was gasping for air "breathe" I finished. He was grinning and it was infectious. Rory punched him in the arm.

"I didn't mean to squeeze her that hard, it's not my fault you chose someone so fragile." I laughed.

"I'll talk to you soon Rory called as he and Triston walked down the path to the car. I walked into the house, closed the door and locked it.

"Mom? Are you here?" I knew she wasn't but I felt uneasy so I checked the garage, her car wasn't there.

I wanted to go to sleep. I wasn't tired after sleeping the whole afternoon but I didn't want to have to explain why today was so trying, especially when I myself didn't know. Thank g-d it was Friday.

I snuck under my blanket and smelled it wondering if my blanket could possibly smell as wonderful as his. I closed my eyes, willing myself to fall asleep.

That night I dreamed for the first time in months. It was like my day had rewound.

I was running up the stairs again. My foot slipped just like I knew I would, but when I fell Rory didn't catch me, he wasn't even there.

I had a cut above my eyebrow and it was bleeding, my hands were also scraped. I could feel the pain. I thought in dreams you weren't supposed to feel pain?

Jill was there, so was Triston.

"You can help her Jill, do it now." Triston commanded.

"What if this was meant to happen, what if I'm not helping her?" she asked.

I was in pain, why couldn't she see that? They both continued to argue but the scene was changing, first it became a meadow, then wooden floors, carpet, the marble stairs of their house, it settled on the cold cement in the murky light. With each change of scene came more pain, more cuts and bruises, more blood. Though the scene kept changing their argument never wavered. I looked at Triston and Jill, they were staring back at me, there eyes glowing like Rory's.

Elyse entered the scene. I watched as she took in my crumpled form on the ground, as she blinked and when she reopened her eyes they had the same glowing quality. That was when I understood I should feel uneasy and in danger because of the attribute.

She approached the three of us. "You need to help her" she stated the same as Triston had.

"I don't think I should" Jill replied again. Why shouldn't she? I was in serious pain.

She turned to glare at Triston. "Anyways, if you really believed that I should you would have already made me."

I heard a truly menacing growl from somewhere, I couldn't tell the pain was so disorienting. It wasn't the type of growl from a bear or a dog, it had to be human; but I didn't think anyone human could make such a powerful, frightening noise.

"Jill, now" Rory roared.

"So you really will just leave her then? That is what you'll have to do" I was whimpering in pain I just wish this feeling would go away.

"Yes, this is my fault, now please." Rory was begging

"Fine," Jill said, she sounded pained. She placed her hand on my chest and I felt as if someone had doused me with a bucket of ice water. The pain was gone and I was relieved. "I'm sorry" Jill whispered. I didn't understand her apology; she had taken my pain away.

"Goodbye Cassandra" Rory whispered in my ear, I did understand the apology.

I woke up breathing heavily, I was shivering, and my body was covered in a light sheen of sweat. What a weird dream. It felt real. I could easily remember the sensation of pain. I didn't like sitting in the stuffy room.

I got up and tied my hair into a ponytail. I didn't bother to change out of my sweats and t-shirt. I quickly wrote a letter to my still sleeping mother.

Mom,

I've gone down to the park for a while. I have my cell, call me if you need me.

Love, Cassie

I placed the note on her alarm clock so she would find it. I grabbed my phone and slipped my converse on. It was dark and gloomy outside. The cold gripped my lungs. It felt good though .

I hadn't dreamt in months, and last night I had had the weirdest dream in my entire life. Or maybe it was a nightmare.

I had reached the park. It was empty. That wasn't strange. I came here a lot and it was a rare occurrence when there were people here. There was a small forest next to the park where a creek ran through. I could always hear it.

I sat on the swing, practicing my breathing. But that was boring. I couldn't just sit there unless I wanted my mind to just stop working.

I got up. There was a narrow opening in the trees that looked like it led to a path. I was right. The path was steep and squashy, with twisting roots that were begging to grab my ankle. But I was careful. It didn't take that long to find the creek, the path led right to it.

I didn't want to go home, so I decided to follow the creek by walking on the banks. Everything was wet down here. I decided to start my journey on the other side. So I crossed the creek on some well placed rocks. I could smell the deteriorating trees and wet stones. Occasionally the stretch of stones and sand would end and I would have to cross the creek to a new patch.

At one particularly unlucky moment my foot slid on and algae covered rock while crossing. My ankle turned and I fell on my knees in the flowing water. I stood gingerly testing my weight on my ankle, it was okay. I couldn't see the sky from where I was, but I guessed that I had been here for about 2 hours. I was surprised my mom hadn't called yet.

I headed back out, being extra careful. I was surprised how far I had walked and relieved when I saw the squishy hill side leading back up to the park. I wanted to get home quickly and change out of my soaked and mud covered sweats. I was embarrassed that someone would see me with my pants like this. Luckily there were no cars on the road. Wait that is weird, there should be. I pulled out my phone to check the time. It was 5:09 A.M., it wasn't gloomy outside, and it was just nighttime.

I felt like I had broken some type of rule by being out at nighttime. I felt a chill go down my spine, I had been alone at three in the morning walking through a forest.

I didn't hesitate to start back home, I wanted to get there, fast. My heart was doing double time as I walked back home. But it completely stopped when I heard a footstep.

I turned on my heel. I could have sworn I'd seen a lock of Jill's fiery hair. I was acting paranoid. I stood still, motionless, and without telling I to do so went into a full sprint towards my house. I was starring at my feet, the ground, the cold cement and the darkness of the outside. This was the setting from my dream.

I shook my head in an attempt to clear my mind. It was a mistake, my foot caught a block of uneven pavement. I tumbled to the ground.

The ground was as cold and hard as I had expected. I didn't feel any pain like in my dream. There was a stinging in my palms, it was just some shallow scrapes from throwing my hands in front of me to break my fall. I felt exhausted. I wanted to just lie on the ground go to sleep and wake up in my warm bed.

But at the sound of a familiar musical voice I sat up.

"Cassie! I saw you fall, are you all right?" Her voice sounded more frightened than the situation warranted, but it felt good to know she cared. Her eyes weren't glowing the way they had been in my dream. She looked at me taking in my appearance; my sweaty face, soaked pants, and shaking body from hyperventilation.

She sighed in relief "well at least you're not bleeding."

"Not to be annoying or inconsiderate, but why are you here it's five in the morning."

"I could ask the same of you, couldn't I?" Jill asked.

"When I left the house I didn't realize it was so early." I said purposefully leaving out why I was up so early. "And your reason?"

"I was going for a morning jog" she answered, why did her answer have to be so normal compared to mine, I just had a nightmare where you used some type of magic to heal me then Rory left, I woke up at three in the morning and was so stupid I didn't realize it was still night so I went for a walk alone in the woods. That would definitely make her think I was crazy. "Do you want me to walk you home?" I guess I could use some company to keep me from doing anything else so irresponsible.

"So why were you up so early?" she asked casually as we walked. Her question was pretty expected but I still wished she hadn't asked.

"I had a nightmare."

"What was it ab-"

"I don't remember" I lied before she could finish her question.

"Hmm"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did, but yes." She laughed.

"Will you tell me about your family?"

"Of course," she looked nervous " what do you want to know?"

I searched through my ever growing list of questions quickly "How old are all of you?"

"I'm sixteen, Triston's almost eighteen, Elyse is seventeen, and Rory will be sixteen in October. I don't know exactly how old Damien and Melanie are but I'd guess somewhere in there late twenties." I thought she was done and I was about to ask how they were so young but she answered before the words could leave my lips. "We were all adopted, from families like Rory's"

"Oh," I said lamely, but what was I supposed to say? I went to my next question. "Why did you transfer from your old school?"

"Remember around a moth back there was a murder at a school?" I did remember, the news had refused to say what school and it was all my school was talking about. The murder had been gruesome and right on campus. "That was our school, Damien and Melanie didn't want us going there anymore." I hadn't actually seen the news report about this because the news was always so depressing that I tried to refrain from watching it.

We were in front of my house now.

"Would you like to come in?" I asked remembering my etiquette.

"Thank you but I need to be getting home and you look like you need to shower." I looked down and laughed.

"I guess your right"

"I'll see you soon" she said as she quickly hugged me then took off jogging. I opened the door quietly so I wouldn't wake my mom. It was still considerably early. Quickly and quietly as I could I took the note from my mother's room and crumpled it in my hand.

I went to the bathroom, started the shower, stripped off my dirty clothes, and hopped in. I was glad the water was already hot. I tried to make my shower quick, I still didn't understand what my nightmare meant.

When I was down showering I dressed in some plaid P.J. pants and a white tee. I grabbed my comforter off of my bed and wrapped it around my body. I hobbled into the office sat in the chair and pressed the on button to the computer. I wasn't sure what I was looking for. Once the computer had booted up I clicked the Google shortcut on my desktop. I typed in "meaning of dream" and clicked the search button. There were plenty of links. I clicked on the first one not really bothering to read the description.

It was plain , it had a black background and a bright green alphabet beneath the alphabet there were directions. It told me to click on the first letter of the main point of my dream. The example it gave was bland, if you dreamt about skydiving you would click on the S. the main point of my dream was probably that I was healed. I clicked on the H and the screen became a long list of main points of dreams with descriptions of what they meant underneath. I scrolled down until I found Heal underneath it, it said

To dream you are being healed means that you need to find a way yourself to fix the emotional problems in your life.

Well that was pointless. That definitely was not what my dream had meant. Especially since it was almost re-enacted this morning.

I wondered what time it was, would it be acceptable to call someone right now? No, it was 7:58 AM on a weekend. Maybe I would call Kirsten, she had called me plenty of times in the middle of the night needing to talk, and now I needed to talk and at least it was in the morning.

I reached for the phone, but something was telling me not to call her. I had the same feeling that I had last night, was it guilt? But why should I feel guilty for calling my best friend?

It was like someone had built a dam in my brain that had just cracked and completely fallen apart. The fight yesterday, I slapped Lena , yelled at Kirsten . She thought I had hooked up with her ex, with Rory.

That was why my day was so "trying". Why hadn't someone just told me that yesterday. Were they embarrassed about how I had acted? Were they afraid I would have some type of emotional breakdown?

So I didn't have anyone I really could call. All of my friends hated me. I left the office. I wondered if this was the abyss of my life. I hoped so. I didn't know how I would deal if something worse than this happened.

I had had plans for this weekend with my friends; parties, sleepovers, trips to the mall. But now I had nothing. I knew that if I showed up to any of them I would be shunned and hurt even more.

I collapsed on the sofa, my body ached and I felt terrible (emotionally). I laid there, on the sofa in the living room watching T.V., something I rarely did. Eventually I fell asleep, most likely out of boredom.. I felt lucky that I didn't dream again. I wasn't sure if my mind would continue to work if I had to try and understand and deal with any more. I was pretty sure I would just snap.

"Honey, wake up" my mother was gently prodding me. I groaned and turned over. "Honey , its two thirty in the afternoon, I think you've had enough sleep."

I rolled back to glare at her. Now I would have to find another way to occupy time that didn't involve thinking.

I could see through the windows that the skies were heavily clouded.

"I have to go to a meeting in the city" she told me " I should be back around eight, okay?"

"Fine" I didn't understand why she was asking, what was I going to say, no? My mother was a high-end house designer. She often wasn't at our house, but other peoples. She had an overly large office in the city that I used to go to with her when I was young. I would sit and look through architectural magazines and paint cards and design my perfect room. But as I got older she didn't worry about leaving me at home alone, and I was just happy I didn't have to stay with her in her office all day.

"I love you sweetheart, and please don't just lie on the sofa all day." She said as she walked out the door after kissing my forehead.

Once she was gone I stuck my hand under the sofa cushion to retrieve the remote controller. I turned the T.V. back on which my mom must have turned off. Gilmore Girls was on, not something I really wanted to watch. I used to make fun of Rory for having a girls name but after he made me do some research I found that it really was a boy's name.

I flipped the channels up and down. Usually I loved weekends, but this was different. I had no one to be with. Except for Rory. I wanted to hangout with him but knew it was against my best interest if I wanted any chance of salvaging my relationship with my best friends. The worst part might be that this was a three day weekend, because Monday is a teacher work day. That meant we had no school. Great.

I turned the T.V. off, it wasn't helping me at all. I left my comforter on the sofa as I walked across the cold hardwood floor. I heard my cell phone ring. I didn't move any faster it was probably just my mother, none of my friends would want to talk to me.

I didn't recognize the number flashing on my phone. I pressed talk and the warm smooth voice that sounded like melting chocolate filled my ears.

"Cassie? Finally, I've been calling you all day." Rory sounded relieved.

"Oh" I muttered blankly "I was asleep". If I had known who the number belonged to him, I probably wouldn't have picked up, I loved to talk to him. I just couldn't help feeling that it was his fault that I had lost my friend.

"Really? Jill said she saw you this morning when she was running."

"Yah, she did."

"So I was wondering if we could hang out, I haven't talked to you for awhile."

"You did yesterday."

"Yes, but that wasn't enough time for me to really get caught up on the things going on in your life. So, would you like to hang out?"

"I would but…"

"Great, I'll be at your house in five minutes."

"Let me finish my sentence, I would but my…, wait five minutes, I'm in my P.J.'s."

"So, we'd just be sitting around the house."

"But," I had to think of an excuse quick, I should hang out with him. My mind was telling me, which just made it harder to think. "My mom isn't home." I said grudgingly.

"Then I'll pick you up and bring you to my house."

"I'm in my P.J.'s" I repeated. "Why is it so important to see me?"

"What can I say, I miss you" he said playfully.

" As to your excuse, no one will mind."

" I don't go out in public in my pajamas."

"You did this morning." He stated

" How did you know that?"

"Jill told me." I was worrying just how much Jill had told him.

"I would have to ask my mother, and she's not here." I said in a last feeble attempt at an excuse.

"Then call her"

"Fine I'll call you when I get an answer." I sighed in defeat and hung up the phone. I quickly tapped in the numbers to my mothers work phone.

"Hello, Michelle Sunnel Designs."

"Hi mom"

" Oh, hello sweetie."

"Yes, I have to go now, love you"

"Love you mom, I'll talk to you later." I hung up. I walked to the bathroom to check my appearance, if he was only going to give me five minutes to get ready, I wouldn't call him until I only needed five more minutes.

My hair was in a messy ponytail. My plaid pants lower on my hips than my super low rise jeans. My bra was clearly visible through my too tight white shirt.

The doorbell rang, I started walking to the hall to answer it. It rang again. Whoever it was needed more patience. "Coming" I called slightly agitated.

I swung the door open. Rory was standing outside. He looked smug as he took in my appearance.

"What happened to waiting until I called?"

"I knew your mother would say yes." He said while walking past me into my house.

"And what if she didn't?"

"But she did."

"Well, what if she hadn't?"

"You could have told me when I got here." He replied dryly.

"Well then, she said no"

"No she didn't. You said 'if she hadn't', clearly implying that she did indeed say yes."

How come I never won these arguments? "Humph"

"So, would you like to hang out here, or at my house?"

"I don't care."

"Why don't you come to my house?"

"Fine, just let me change."

"No, its fine, you look fine, you don't need to." He said as he pushed me by my back towards the door. He stopped once we were on the porch and the door was closed. He started to walk down the path towards the car that Triston had driven me home in. I grabbed his arm, it was as cold as the creek I had fallen into this morning and as hard as marble.

His head spun to meet my eyes faster than I could ever move. He didn't look angry or anything, just surprised. His eyes were like a light dimmer. When I had been opening the door they had been glowing dully, but now they were like a newly replaced light bulb.

"I…I…I just have to grab my cell phone." I said instantly releasing his arm and grabbing the door. Once inside I remembered the feeling of uneasiness and danger from my dream. Maybe I should feel nervous? But I couldn't help but feel happy when I saw him, like an over inflated balloon inside of my chest. I knew that was wrong, the situation being as it was.

I ran out the door, and down the path. Rory was sitting in the car as it idled against my curb.

I guess now I would get to see just how fast he drove. I hopped in the car. The heater and radio were on. The radio playing 'I write sins not tragedies'. I liked the song.

"Ready?" he flashed me his perfect smile, I couldn't help but stare at his face. I knew it was rude to stare, and felt bad when Rory dropped his head and smiled. The dimples he had once had weren't there. He looked so much less like a boy and more like a man. It surprised me.

" Is there a reason you are staring at me?"

"You look so much different than I remember." I blurted before I could think about it. It was my turn to look down. I felt the blush on the top of my cheekbones, the guilty feeling of being with Rory even though I know I shouldn't be, but I was feeling something else. I felt like my stomach wasn't there, like I had left it back at my house. I looked out the window and realized it probably had. We were going too fast. I couldn't even make out the distinction of houses and trees. My stomach didn't have time to react by feeling motion sick. The ride took literally sixty seconds.

We were sitting in the car silently in front of his extravagant house.

"You don't like my driving?" he laughed.

"How could you tell?" I asked sarcastically. He flipped down the mirror so I could see my face. It was lighter than the cream couch I had lounged upon yesterday afternoon. He got out and walked around to my door and opened it for me. "So now I can't open my own door?" I looked down sheepishly at the rudeness of my words. "Thanks" I said trying to redeem myself. He closed my door for me.

I stood and admired his house. It was the last on his cul-de-sac of a street , easily the biggest. It was at least three floors. The outside was an eggshell color with dark brown roofing tiles. Around the ground floor of the house was a beautiful veranda.

We walked up the steps to the veranda and through the exquisite double doors that opened into the living room. Cuddled on the couch were Jill and Triston, she was leaning against his chest while he read the newspaper. I felt intrusive when I entered the room and tried to keep my eyes on anything except for them.

They looked up. I saw Jill's eyes brighten, the way some one did when they were happy about something, they brightened figuratively.

"I'm glad you came." She said. Triston just smiled hugely.

Damien and Melanie came out from what I guessed was the kitchen, and I'd saw Elyse look over from a balcony overhead. Why was it such a family affair that I was here?

"What a pleasure it is to have you with us today Cassie." Damien said.

I crossed my arms over my chest and smiled timidly. I was completely embarrassed that the whole family I had just met could see my bra.

"Rory, you let her walk out of the house without a sweatshirt." Melanie scolded.

"I'm fine really."

"That's what you said last night about eating." Triston called to me over his shoulder.

I felt comfortable with his family already, and I was pretty sure they felt the same way about me. I liked how they were so accepting.

"Give her a sweatshirt before you do anything"

"Yes mom" Rory said as he began to lead me upstairs.

It truly was a grand staircase. Marble with a chocolate rug down the middle. About halfway up the first set I slipped but grabbed the railing to catch myself. The second set He stared at me expectantly the entire time. On the first few steps of the second set I slipped but he caught me. He carried me the rest of the way up. Once at the top of the stairs he didn't put me down. We just stood there.

"You and stairs don't go well, do you?"

"Why do you think I live in a one story house?" I remarked. "Can I walk myself please?"

"You didn't seem to have a problem with this yesterday afternoon."

"I was having sort of a mental breakdown yesterday."

I had stayed put once I was on my feet but he had continued walking, down the hall into a room. I walked slowly to the same room, but as I entered I was covered in a heavy, white material. It was pushed down over my head, which popped out of the top, it was a sweatshirt.

"So let's review things, I can't open my own doors, walk up steps from my own energy, or put sweatshirts on myself."

"It is not my fault that you are so incompetent." He said as he strolled to sit against the foot board of his beautiful four poster bed. The walls of his room were white, there was a desk and dresser that matched his bed. Atop the dresser were at least 50 books. The rest of the room was adorned with little trinkets from who knows when and who knows where.

I walked more clumsily to his bed and moved his pillow aside and sat, opposite him leaning against the headboard. We started off with pointless chatter more about his friends and family.

"So what does Damien do for a job?"

"He's a lawyer"

"He doesn't seem like a lawyer."

"There is a way people seem compared to their profession?"

"No, but…"

"Exactly, next question."

That was how it went. I was dancing around the topic but eventually it came up.

"How come you wouldn't tell me what happened yesterday? I remember now. But why didn't you tell me?"

"What do you mean?"

"How come you didn't just tell me about my fight? How I slapped Lena ." I paused and inhaled a jagged breath. "I almost called them before I remembered, you should have just told me."

"Is that what your bad dream was about? You slapped her? Yesterday you fought with your friends, it wasn't that bad. I saw you leave and followed you to the parking lot."

I was completely confused. That wasn't my dream, my nightmare. I didn't make it up, why was he lying to me?

"That isn't what happened" I said looking at him directly in his eyes. He looked angry but I didn't think that it was directed at me. He reached his hands up to rub his temples. I grabbed his wrists with my own hands that looked so small in comparison to his.

"Why are you lying to me?"

Before I knew what was happening his hands were on the sides of my head pressing against the headboard. His lips and nose ran softly up the side of my neck to my lips. When he kissed me I kissed back.

I turned my head so his lips were pressed against my cheek. And whispered pleadingly.

"Please don't" before I slipped off of his bed and out the door. I stumbled klutzily down the stairs till I reached the bottom floor. The entire family, excluding Rory was down stairs.

"Can someone give me a ride home?"

Damien rose after shooting anxious glances to his family. "Of course" He said "I will". I didn't pay any attention to the ride home. I knew that we moved just as fast as we had on the way to that haven house. I didn't care though. I could feel the tears running down my face as I said my thanks and watched the dark car zoom into the distance.