I'm Sorry. I'm Sorry. I'm Sorry!!! Times infinite!!! I love you people and I am sorry that it took me so long to update. So much has happened to me over the past few months that you would never believe, so I am just going to say that I was stuck in a funk and couldn't write for a while. BUT THIS CHAPTER MAKES UP FOR IT ALL.. And I hope I didn't loose to many readers IT will never happen again, I promise.

Kim

Chapter Nine

I raised my fist and banged on the wooden door in front of me. It was white, but chipped in places. Why was I observing the door so closely? I must be nervous for some reason. I mean, it's only been a weekend. But, it feels like ages since I have felt his warm embrace and took in his scent. "Come on.." I moaned and lifted my fist one more time. I would've tapped harder, but I didn't want to look desperate. I started tapping my fingertips on my hips impatiently. Strong hands curled around my fingers and stopped them from moving. I felt hot breath on my ear.

"You would make a good drummer." My favourite voice whispered in my ear. My heart lurched, and I answered casually.

"Oh yeah? If I started a band, do you think you'd play my music on your new awesome radio show?" He chuckled and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Slowly, he turned me around so I was up against his chest.

"Not a chance." He whispered, a smile crawling onto his beautiful lips. I couldn't help but lick mine before pressing them to his. "Welcome back. I thought you were avoiding me there for a bit."

"What do you mean?" I asked as I snuggled into his chest.

"Well you didn't call me yesterday or the day before.." He rubbed my back.

"I was busy! You know I wasn't there to go out partying. Kirsten had me in a sweat all weekend. Besides.." I trailed off as my fingers did some trailing of their own up the back of his sweater. "I'm here now.. And I love you." Owen made a sound in the back of his throat. And pulled me tighter. "You weren't busy just now were you?"

"Busy worrying about you. Come on, get inside, we've got a whole weekend to make up for."

..

My parents weren't as excited to have me back. I mean, I was only gone a weekend. Geez. Did Whitney and I deserve a welcome home party? I think so. All I got out of my mother was a hug, my father a squeeze of the hand. It was better than nothing, and truly it didn't matter. I was only glad to have gotten out of town for a while. Being stuck here had its quirks, but sometimes it felt like a prison.

The time away had given me a bit of a jovial step to my routine. The next day I got out of bed easily and made breakfast for my sisters and I without complaint. Kirstin came downstairs first, glancing out the front windows before taking a seat at the table. "You busy tonight?" She asked as she brought a spoonful of eggs to her mouth and started opening Dad's newspaper. I looked up at her expectantly. "Good. I need you to come to the city with me and help Brian and I unpack. I thought it would be fun. Besides, it's not like you were much help all weekend. I'm glad now that we brought Whitney."

"Sorry." I drawled, a grin on my face to taunt her. "Fine I'll come."

"Bring Owen along with you. It would be nice to really get to know.. This guy you seem to be so fond of."

"He's busy." My smile gone I sat down at the table and picked at my food. Kirstin watched me closely for a moment, then she just shook her head.

"Whatever. It was worth trying though." She said, and I nodded without looking up at her.

My spirits were high as I caught a ride with Clarke to the college. Even she seemed surprised by my happy mood. I asked her questions about her and Rolly the entire drive. At the college we went our separate ways, promising to meet up in the common area for lunch.

My morning classes were boring as usual, but I spent the time in between out in the sun beneath an old tree. It felt nice to completely vacate my mind and let the warmth, like fingertips, soak into my very being. Haha. There's philosophy for you.

I got out of class a bit late, having been kept behind to ask a question about the lecture. I was late on meeting Clarke and I didn't want her to feel as if I had forgotten about her. I was walking through the small hall on the way to the student cafeteria when I saw him. At first I didn't even notice him, or even recognize his face. It took a moment to register. It was his eyes that triggered the memory. I was passing by a small restaurant with tables that opened up into the hall. It was busy, and my mind was focused on getting to Clarke before she left.

"Hi Annabel." A male voice said loud enough for me to here. My head turned instinctively, and there he was. Sitting at one of the tables, a cup of coffee in front of him was Will Cash. Everything else was blurry except for his figure sitting there. I could everything that happened as if were a film in the cinema. My eyes widened, and my head whipped to see in front of me. My heart jumped up into my throat and I felt as if I was going to be sick. It's only me. I did the first thing that came to mind: I said 'hi' back and then walked a little faster. I was too afraid to look back, but I knew he wouldn't have followed me in such a big crowd. WHAT WAS HE DOING BACK HERE!? He still had years left! There was no way he could have gotten out this early, right?

I ran into Clarke a few steps later. Her mouth opened to ask me what was wrong, but I just grabbed her arm - maybe a little too hard, because she let out a sharp yelp- and dragged her in the direction she had come. We turned a corner, and then another, before I would let her stop.

"What has gotten into you?" She asked as she rubbed her arm and scowled at me. I barely heard her, there was a ringing in my ears. I leaned against the wall and slid to the ground. My hands were shaking. Looking back now, I was so young. I had thought then that maybe I had blown it way out of proportion that night. Maybe nothing that bad really happened. I mean, it's not like he took my virginity or anything like that. But now, knowing he was so close. It just made everything so real. It made me realize that I had been trying to push it all away to protect myself, but this was the real deal. No matter how bad it was, Will Cash would always be my version of the monster under the bed or in the closet. He was the reason I was afraid of the dark. He was the reason it took so much out of me to trust another guy. I knew as I kneeled on the ground, Clarke asking me questions and rubbing my back like any good friend would, that this wasn't the last time I would see him. This was NOT a coincidental meeting. He had no reason to be at my college but to wait around in the hopes of seeing me.

This wasn't going to be a happy ending that was for sure.

After a few moments I told Clarke what had happened. While she stuttered and went through her thoughts trying to think of the more important question of all the ones she had up there to ask me, I pulled my cell phone out and called the only person who would protect me. Owen.