SARA

Sara leaned against her locker with an audible sigh. The first day back at school hadn't been so bad, but then 'they' hadn't been here yesterday, they had all ditched to buy tickets to the Fluid pain concert. They, being her friends; her friends who upon seeing her back today, fresh out of rehab presented her with a present, said present being a syringe full of smack.

She had shoved it into her backpack and tried to forget about it, but it was all she could think of the last few hours, as she moved from one class and on to the next. She had managed to avoid temptation all afternoon, but now it was time to go home, home to an empty house.

Well not totally empty. There were the guys on guard outside the house. Her father had reassured her it was merely precautionary, like she gave a damn or something. As long as he didn't make her drag around a dead weight, no neck goon, she was okay with it.

She turned around and grabbed her backpack up off the floor, knowing she really had no reason to be there anymore, and not really wanting to draw attention to herself or her goodie bag.

She was walking down the hall when he closed his locker and turned around.

"Hey, Sara. On your way home?"

No duh, was on her lips, but she clamped her mouth shut and nodded.

"Yeah, um, I was."

Suddenly hit with an idea, "Ah I was wondering if you wanted to hang out for a while? I mean we have a home theater and tons of movies..."

She held her breath waiting for him to say no, but instead he smiled.

"Yeah, okay. But don't you have homework? I mean I know you have makeup work, but unless you're really quick you have the same paper due that I have. And Mr. Majeski will be pissed if we're late turning them in."

She had stood staring at him as he motor mouthed. And now she blinked twice before answering, her eyes showing her annoyance. Did the guy only think about school? Did he think of nothing else? She bit back her rude remark, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, and smiled.

"Um, sure we could work on that if you want. I mean why not, you're right I do have a paper due, and old Mr. Majeski will shit bricks if I'm late on top of all the time I have missed."

Sara threw her backpack over her shoulder and followed him out.

She listened as he went on and on about the paper and then tuned him out. She was just relieved he had said yes. She knew the syringe in her backpack would start looking better and better the closer she got to home, but with him there to distract her, she would at least have a fighting chance.

Sara watched as he packed up his books, her panic growing. They had made a good dent in their paper's for Mr. Majeski's class and then watched a movie. But soon after Michael had started yawning.

She turned to him now, an invitation to stay for hot chocolate, or tea, anything to keep him from leaving, on her lips.

"I'd better go."

He yawned again and grabbed his book bag.

"Wait! Um, Michael...Here take this with you. I don't care what you do with it, just get it away from me!"

She was rifling through her backpack looking for the syringe as she spoke. She wrapped her fingers around it and pulled it out. He backed up a little as if in surprise.

"Here, just take it. Throw it away, I don't care."

He was studying her intently.

"Why do you have it if you don't want it?"

Sara looked down at the syringe in her hand.

"I do want it, that's the problem, Michael. But I didn't buy it if that's what you mean. It was a gift...My friends..."

He reached and took it from her hand.

"Well if you ask me they're not very good friends if they want you to shoot this stuff into your veins."

Sara felt her defenses come up.

"Yeah, well I didn't ask you to analyze my choice in friends, I asked you to throw the shit away...You know what? Forget it!" She reached to take it back but his hand was quick, his fingers closing over it.

"I'll take care of it, Sara."

Sara sighed and turned around in an attempt to hide the weakness she was sure was plastered all over her face.

"Good. 'Cause I'm through with it," she said with determination.

She turned back to see him studying her.

"I thought you had to leave?"

He nodded, "Yeah, but I can stay a little longer if you want...I mean if you wanna talk?"

Sara looked at the syringe in his fist, and then into his eyes.

"Yeah, okay. I could make some hot chocolate, or tea?"

Michael smiled. "Sounds good."

MICHAEL

Michael took a sip of his hot chocolate and grimaced when Sara wasn't looking. It was probably the worst tasting cocoa he had ever had. He set it aside and cleared his throat, as he sped through the memorized list of her interests.

"So, are you going to the Fluid pain concert this weekend?"

She looked at him in surprise.

"You like Fluid pain?"

He laughed softly his mind whirring away.

"Sure, what's not to like? Fast, loud, morbid. The three staples of rock."

Sara shook her head, but laughed.

"I guess I'll be going. You?"

Michael nodded. He was sure he would be going now.

"Yeah, I get free tickets sometimes... my brother owns a club."

He figured this little bit of truth was harmless enough. Sara had no idea who his brother was. Lincoln owning a club was as safe a story as any other. Besides he had learned that keeping it simple kept you from tripping up.

"Maybe I'll see you there?" He said it casually hoping she would suggest he come along with her and her friends.

It would make his job of watching her at the concert a great deal easier if he were right there beside her.

Instead she just shrugged.

"You never know."

He looked at his watch. It was almost 11:00 on a school night.

"It's getting pretty late. I should probably go."

Sara nodded.

"Oh, okay. I'll um, I'll walk you to the door. That way the goons out front won't think you're breaking in instead of leaving. I swear their shoe size is bigger then their I Q's."

Michael had to bite his tongue. Not only were the guys out front terrific agents, they were also his friends.

He cleared his throat and turned to her.

"So, I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow?"

Sara leaned against the open door.

"Yeah, considering that you're in all of my classes, I think it's safe to say you'll probably see me."

He just looked at her for second. He had wondered if his being in all of her classes would seem suspicious, but it hadn't been his call.

"I hadn't noticed."

Sara stood looking at him, rubbing her arms against the cool breeze blowing in from the open door.

"Well, goodnight, Sara. And um, thanks for the movie."

"Michael, um wait a second. Would you like to um, hang with me and my friends at the concert this weekend? I mean unless you're already going with someone?"

Michael grinned trying to hide his relief.

"Yeah, I mean no, I'm not going with anyone. I would like that, Sara."

"Great, I'll, um, let you know the details later."

She was still leaning on the door, so when she suddenly stepped forward and hugged him he was taken by surprise.

Her body was warm and firm against him, and the faint scent of her perfume took his breath for a second. He pulled back and stumbled a little.

"Um, I'll, ah, see you tomorrow. In school. Goodnight, Sara."

He turned and jogged quickly down the stairs, his hasty retreat in character with a shy school nerd who had just been hugged by a hot girl, while his insides were those of a twenty four year old male who was too busy for a social life and hadn't been laid in over six months.

He made his way to his car. Once inside he leaned his head back against the seat and took a deep breath. He had gone over all possible scenarios in his head as to how this would play out, but he hadn't even considered she might start to like him.

He took another deep breath and let it out slowly. Was she starting to like him? He rubbed a hand over his face. She definitely was not. She was merely grateful he had taken the syringe full of smack off her hands.

Pretty much convinced he was right, he sat forward and started the car.

As he pulled away he told himself either way it didn't matter, he was a professional and he would behave in a professional manner.

He was half way home when he realized he could still smell her perfume.