C h a p t e r 1

P o r t l a n d, O r e g o n

Alexa glanced up from her book and shivered, the force from last night's beating and forced rape was bruising her whole fragile body and she had no way of getting out of it. It had been three years since she had left Malibu, California. Alexa Rae Grace was now 19 sad years old. Three years since she had left her wonderful life and boyfriend for a life of literal hell. She had a hidden poster of her three boys under her bed from a close friend, but it just…wasn't good enough for her. From what she had heard, Joe had already moved on and Alexa just shook her head with that thought, she couldn't blame him and she never would be able too. She loved him. Since she had first moved to Oregon, her hair had been cut and now recently…dyed black. She was basically unrecognizable. Not that it mattered anymore anyways; se wouldn't be able to leave this hell hole for the life of her if that….

M a l i b u, C a l i f o r n i a

"We're going up North first." Robby Ray Stewart explained to the clustered group of love struck teenagers. "Then we should be going around until the end of the year." The fake mustache itched badly.

Let's start from the beginning.

Lilly and Oliver broke up. Lilly and Joe hooked up. Oliver and Becca got back together. Miley and Jake were still strong, much to Mr. Stewart's annoyance. Kevin was just getting into a relationship while Nick was still free.

Lilly and Joe had gotten together after Lucas had raped her without any remorse, they had just started spending soooo much time together and what'd ya know? They're a couple now! Almost 2 and a half years to date. Nick didn't even bother listening to Joe rant about how perfect Lilly was because he knew for a fact that he and Alexa hadn't officially broken up, but he took no part in it.

One Week Later-

"You'd better be here when I get home from work you worthless whore." Freddy slurred. He thought Alexa had failed 12th grade, so Alexa had almost six hours to herself almost everyday, which she was beyond grateful for.

"I will. I promise!" Alexa yelped instinctively, running towards the door in a haste.

"You'd better bitch." He spat, his eyes never leaving the TV screen in the living room.

Alexa whimpered and scampered through the door, closing it behind her and letting out a breath before she walked across the near empty street and wound through, ending up at the local store ten minutes later.

She walked through the sliding glass doors and made her way into the refrigerated section, browsing through something to quench her desert dry throat. She smiled and reached for a Red Bull and bumped into someone.

His hat and sunglasses fell to the floor in a clatter.

"I'm sorry." Alexa sighed, wincing when his basket grazed a bruise that was only now turning a purple color.

"No big." He said.

Alexa glanced up and her eyes widened, she could recognize that mop of curls anywhere! And those brown eyes? Priceless.

"Please don't say anything." He pleaded as he picked up his hat, dusting it off anxiously, he looked up and his hat flew to the floor again. His eyes narrowed in curiosity and suspicious.

"Um…yes?" Alexa gulped, hoping that he wouldn't recognize her, but she could already tell it was too late.

His basket fell to the floor with a clatter and he threw his arms around Alexa, drawing her close. "Three long years." He murmured.

"I-I think you have me confused with someone else." Alexa stammered.

"Don't play with me, I know exactly who you are." He stated with a firm look, pulling back. "It might have been three long years, but I'm not as stupid as you think."

Alexa put on the best innocent look she could possibly manage without flinching.

"Alexa Rae…" Nick sighed, shaking his head. "Let me get a good look at you." He took a small step back. "My God. Lex? Are you ok?" He asked, finally taking in her appearance.

"No Nick, I'm not." She breathed

Nick nodded, his eyes closing briefly before he pulled out his iPhone and dialed a number. "Hey, Kev? I need you to pick me up. Or someone…like, now." He turned, tucking his head down and finished the conversation in a hushed tone, hanging up moments later and shoving his phone back into his back pocket. "You're coming with us."

"No, wait…Nick, I c-can't." Alexa choked out.

"No." Nick shook his head. "You slipped through once, you aren't slipping through again."

-----

"So Nick, explain to me why we're bringing this…fine young lady back to the tour bus?" Kevin asked after the two had jumped into the minivan.

"Well Kevin, before I say anything, you see her?" Nick twiddled his thumbs anxiously.

"Yes Nick, I do. How is this relevant?" Kevin nodded uneasily.

"Ok, so now imagine her with brunette hair." Nick instructed. "Then take away the side bangs and grow the hair out. Who does she look like?"

It took Kevin a moment, but when he did get it Kevin's foot slammed against the brakes in the middle of the parking lot. "Holy shit!" He said in amazement, twisting around in his seat. "Alexa?"

She gave a half shrug in response and Kevin just shook his head in amazement. "What happened?"

"Um, Kev? Questions later." Nick said after horns blared angrily from behind. "You've got some ticked people behind us."

"Oh…yeah, sure." Kevin nodded, slowly pressing the gas and exiting the parking lot. "Plan on answering that question, Lex?" He asked gently.

"Not now…not yet." Alexa sighed.