Just as I thought, when I got home later that day, my mother was furious. Grounded for two weeks but she and I both knew it wouldn't go down like that. No dinner tonight either. Not because she is stuck in past disciplines but because she hates me. Here was proof. I went down the wall to my room and slammed the door shut. "Don't do that!" My mom yelled from the living room.

"Shut up!" I screamed walking over to my stereo and putting my iPod in the holder. Going to the menu, I pressed 'Shuffle' and The Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson popped up. I turned the volume dial up- not loud enough to make up go deaf but loud enough to piss her off even more. I couldn't help it. If she was going to be a bitch, I'd be one right back. I grabbed my phone- which she failed to take away- and texted Raven.

Got grounded.

A few minuets later. That sucks. Sorry.

It's cool. I'm going to Hastey's to get something to eat. Wanna come?

Sorry. Got a date with Alexander. I sighed and punched the buttons quickly.

Kay. Have fun. And I snapped the phone closed. I threw it on the bed and walked across the room to my whine window. I hated take a phone with me. It was just dead weight. I unhooked the latch and threw the window open. I leaped out and landed softly on the grass outside. I looked around making sure there were no cops to take me right back inside, and I ran to left towards Hastey's.

The square was a lot farther away from my house than I thought it was. I was only halfway there and it was already eight thirty and I was starved. So far, I hadn't been caught by any cops. It wasn't exactly breaking curfew to be out before ten but I had a feeling that they would take me back anyways.

Groaning I turned and sat on a nearby bench. I was so tired. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Oh how I wished my father was alice. Why did he have to go? He was the only one who understood me. Now, in a sudden flash of a bullet, he left me all alone.

"Well, look what we have here." I snapped my eyes open to stare into one emerald and one ice blue. I shot up so fast that I thought I would slam heads with him. Thankfully, he had fast reflexes. "Oh my. Did I scare you?" Jagger had a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"Uh duh. Why are you here?" I asked trying to slow down my fast heart beat.

He stood up straighter and pointed off into the distance. "I was driving home when I saw a little girl sitting all alone."

"Little?" I repeated a little annoyed. "How pompous. You can't be much older than me." I looked him over. "Nineteen?" Twenty-one?" Nothing. "Oh come on! You can't be older than twenty-five."

Finally he said, "I am old with knowledge."

I rolled my eyes and turned my back to him. "That's stupid." We stood in silence for a few moments until he grabbed my shoulder. I froze. Then slowly, I turned back around to face him.

"Where are you headed?" his voice turned silky smooth, almost like Alexander's but it was nowhere near as sincere.

"Hastey's." I admitted suddenly not able to control my own mouth.

"Hungry are you?" I nodded slowly. He grinned wickedly and licked his lips. "So am I."

His eyes were totally hypnotic and when I stared into them, I did whatever he wanted like if he wanted me to say something, or do something. I noticed it rather quickly. Strange. Maybe he was a gothic magician or something. So that's how I found myself in his car. Well- actually it was hearse and I really loved it. How many people can say that they drive a hearse?
Cool!

We drove for a good ten minuets but we didn't end up at Hastey's. It was some other restaurant just outside the square. It was a small place called Quizco's. I hadn't ever seen it when we first arrived so I didn't know what to expect.

Jagger led me inside and a cool breeze washed over me once I stepped inside. The place had a calm, romantic feel to it. The walls were blood red and the floor was a dark golden. I watched as Jagger caught the eye of a waiter. The man rushed over and handed us two menus, then led us to our table. It was behind a wall separating the booths from the tables. I sat on one side, and Jagger sat on the other.

The waiter took our drinks and quickly left. As I glanced over the menu I noticed most of the dishes were Italian cuisine. "You like Italian?" I asked glancing over at him.

He didn't even look up from his menu. "No. But I figured you did." I froze. How did he guess. I loved Italian food because of my dad.

"What don't you like about it?" I asked looking away.

He looked up at me slightly. "I'm deathly allergic to garlic."

I paused as I comprehend what he said. "What the hell? You're deathly allergic to something that practically comes in every dish here?"

"Calm down." He said smirking. "It's cute that you worry for me, but I took my shot. I'll be okay as long as I don't inhale it or eat it." My face flushed furiously and I used the menu to cover my beat red face.

Soon the waiter came back to give us our drinks and took our orders. I made sure I ordered something that didn't contain garlic.

"So." He said, smirking at me. "What were you doing wondering the streets at night?"

"You always ask the questions."I smiled at him. "So now it's my turn."

He leaned back in the chair. "Fine."

"Where are you from?"

"Romania."

"Ah. Well bună."I placed my hands on the table and smirked at him.

He eyed me for a moment then grinned. "So you speak Romanian?"

I nodded. "And fourteen others."

He leaned forward on his hands. "Interesting. How's so?" Just then the waiter brought out our food and set the steaming dishes in front of us. But even as he did so Jagger's gaze never strayed from my own.

"I use to live in New York City and my dad worked for the mob, so he had to know many languages. And he taught them to me. Said I needed know what people were saying, maybe it could save my life one day."

"Smart man." He commented and I nodded in agreement. Then we fell into a comfortable silence as we ate our food. I noticed out the corner of my eye that Jagger mostly just picked at his food while I devoured mine. If it weren't for school lunched I probably wouldn't get fed at all, so this gesture of kindness made my impression of him go up.

As if it could any more than it already was though...

Later that night Jagger dropped me off at my house around ten thirty and surprisingly my mom didn't come into my room and yell at me even though I was sure she knew I had been out. I guess she finally realized how futile it was to try and keep me locked up. I'd always find a way out.

Smiling happily, I walked over and collapsed on my bed, but heard a crunching noise as soon as I hit the sheets. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a folded note. Opening it, there was curvy handwriting that I could barely make out. I squinted my eyes and read:

Meet me at the Crypt tomorrow night at eight.
-Jagger M.

I grinned happily and set the note on my desk, knowing I wouldn't miss seeing Jagger again for the world. Something about him drew me in. His alluring presence, his wicked smirk, and most importantly, those hypnotic eyes. I would definitely see him again and I had a feeling that he knew that too.