Chapter 5

A/N I don't think I've put an authors note on this story like I usually do, but since I haven't: REVIEW. I know, like two people read this, so I should have AT LEAST two reviews! Come on!

I sat up in my bed, screaming at the top of my lungs. I started to cry. Nothing has changed, and it's been two months.

I had seen Emmett a few more times, mostly at the gym, and the other guys there learned to just leave me alone. I think Emmett may have subtley threatened them, which I tried to pretend didn't make me feel all fluttery. I must admit, Emmett was really good. He didn't pester me, saying, "We could heal together."

Not kidding. Some guy at my school actually said that. I almost feel bad for him now…

Almost.

Royce and his friends that I identified were due to appear in court in three weeks. When I identified them, many of them said that I was emotionally traumatized, and who says I wasn't so scared that I don't remember what I saw that night?

I nearly punched him out. I should have. Does he think I can forget what happened? I re-live it every effing night! If I could burn that night from my memory, it would take less than the time it takes for my heart to beat to say yes. I want nothing more than to forget it. It's all I see, and tons of people think I'm a freak because I'm so jumpy. A guy tapped me on the shoulder once, and I twisted around, twisted his arm, yanked it down, and had him on the ground in three seconds. This could be because he wasn't prepared for my sudden and uncalled for attack, but I like to think I could take him on if I had to. The self-defense class and Tai-kwon-do class were both going so well, I started Karate and Ju-jitsu. I was getting really good at all four, which made me happy. I felt more secure knowing I could probably defend myself in a fight.

But "Probably" wasn't good enough. I considered kickboxing.

I trained hard, and long. I would never, ever, be violated and attacked like that again.

One day, while I was jogging in the park, I saw Emmett with his dog, Dixie. Big German Shepard, and real sweet. I had never met her before. I stopped to say hi to the dog, as my exuse to see Emmett.

I still wasn't even close to comfortable around boys, needless to say. Even the nicest of boys at school who asked me out I was cold and hostile and reserved from. They only wanted to go out with me cause I was pretty, and nobody could get me.

I petted the dog, and looked up at Emmett. He was wearing a green muscle shirt (jerk. I couldn't tear my eyes away) and camoflauge shorts with four pockets. Again I was stunned, as I always was, by the strange look of the innocent on his face. Which was ridulous, of course. He was a seventeen year-old boy, who occasionally had a beer with his friends, went to the gym, and, if the rumors were correct, has gambled at a casino. (Don't ask me how he got in, but it might have had something to do with the fact that he could pull off calling himself twenty-two.) Along with his huge arms about the size of my younger sister. His expression as he looked at me was worried, but then turned to a teasing smile, as usual. "So. Got tired of the guys at the gym?" He asked me.

"Don't remind me." I said, well, in truth it sounded more like a growl, but then I found I was holding back a smile, which was strange. I never smiled anymore. I was kind of considering giving Emmett a chance. You know, if he asked me out. Which had never happened.

Why me? I could have any guy in the school, and the one I want has never asked me out. I mean, he's flirted with me before, but only when he just thought I was pretty. Maybe it was time to take matters into my own hands… No. Not yet. But a plan was forming in my head, which I could pull off easily when I wanted to. However, I could try a little test to see if it would work. I used to pull this stuff all the time, before that night. I was, after all, the prettiest girl for miles around.

I looked up at him and batted my big blue eyes delicately, careful not to over-do it. I stood up and looked him in the eye, a small smile playing on my lips. I stood a bit closer to him than before, grateful that I had a shower not two hours ago, and my gold hair still smelled like vanilla and cinnamon. I saw him gulp a little.

I turned around, said, "Later Emmett." softly, and walked away before I did anything I would regret, like, for instance, kissing him, which I was so not comfortable with yet. But, part of me, that part that had shattered that night, the side that liked to flirt a little, have a little fun, cause a little trouble, well… Being near Emmett made me feel like that part was coming back.

But as I walked away, I turned around and winked flirtatiously.

I walked home and suppressed my laughter as I heard him walk into a tree.