I stared out the window mutely, listening to the hammering rain. "How was your flight?" Charlie asked.

"Fine. Mom says hi." He didn't say much after that. I let my thoughts drift to the reasons why I came here.

I didn't regret the decision that brought me to the rainiest place of the U. S. First, it gave me some closure. I didn't have to rush into things with the person I loved. He pushed me into things I didn't want to do, and which often made me keep secrets from Renée. This ended up being too dangerous, especially when I came home at two in the morning covered in blood.

Eventually, she convinced me to go to Forks. Maybe convinced is the right word. I partly went on my own accord. I didn't know how to say goodbye to my only boyfriend, but I was tired of being his pet.

I loved him very much, but I knew he had a…sorted past. He was an illegal immigrant, yet he spoke perfect English. His name was Juan, and I loved him very much.

On my sixteenth birthday he insisted on revealing one of his secrets. I was elated to know more about him, but I soon learned to regret it. He brought me to an M 13 meeting, a dangerous exclusive gang. Of course, since I knew he was in it, I had to become a member too.

Very quickly after that, he made me do things I would never do. I lived in a wealthier neighborhood, and I knew when my neighbors were home or not. Juan would push me into stealing stuff from them, saying "Don't you love me?" or "It's for the greater good".

Other members noticed my usefulness, and the pressure became even greater. Now he felt like he had to stake his territory. One Friday night, he made me a picnic, and we sat in a deserted park. "Juan, why didn't you tell me you were apart of M 13 from the beginning?" I remember him placing his hand on my shoulder. I remember the warmth of his hand.

"I needed rank before I introduced you into it. If I didn't, they would have stolen you in a second. They still will, if we aren't careful." His lips crushed mine that instant. We kissed many times before, but this somehow felt different. More desperate. Right before I understood what he was doing he whispered, "I'll kill anyone who tries to break us apart, even you." I couldn't tell if he was joking, but suddenly, I was on my back, and he ripped off my pants.

Once I go home, I felt dirty, and I hated him. I tried to break up with him several times after that, but I remembered his whispered words. There was no doubt in my mind that he would carry out his threat. I profusely refused to have sex with him again, even if you call it sex the first time. "Bella they will take you from me if we don't do it. Do you want that? Or are you cheating on me?" What could I say to that? Soon I consented, even though I hated myself everyday after that.

"Well, here we are," Charlie mumbled, breaking me out of my reverie. I smiled mechanically. "I bought you a truck," he continued, "off my friend Billy Black. You remember Billy, don't you?"

"Umm, I think so." I followed him into the house, and up the stairs.
"Here's your bedroom. I hope you like it." He left the room.

I curled up on my bed, and fell asleep. I focused on the whiteboard, trying not to gaze at my new friend. Nobody knew anything about him, even though he's been here for a couple of weeks. The only face we knew about him was he was from Honduras. "Oh my god, Bella, he's looking at you," Alison whispered. I looked swiftly, and sure enough his deep brown eyes stared at me. I stared back until the teacher asked him a question. I shifted my focus back to the white board, but my face was warm.

At the end of class, I tried to walk out of the room swiftly, but I caught my toe on the doorway. Warm hands caught me as I fell forward. "Hello, Beautiful."

"Thanks."

"Ready for the Spanish test?" I frowned as I smacked my forehead.

"No, I completely forgot to study last night."

"Oh, come on, Bella, I'm sure you'll still ace it."

"I better," I mumbled.

"Do you want to hang out tonight? We could go to the ice cream parlor, my treat."

"Sure."

"I'll pick you up after school."

He drove silently to the ice cream parlor. "Bella, you've been my best friend since I've arrived here, and I still can't believe it. Everyone here is rich and snobbish." I smiled. "But, I want to ask you something. I'm wondering if you'll be my girlfriend. I've grown so fond of you."

I smiled happily. "Yes." He reached over and squeezed my hand.

One day, I was upset by a bad grade on an English test. "She's out to get me," I complained. He took my arms, and pulled me close to him. He kissed the top of my head.

"Oh, Bella, you'll do better next time. Anyways, it's just one grade. Don't worry about it." He hugged me tighter, and never let go.

I woke up with the ghost of his warm arms around me. I touched my arm and it seemed to disappear. I wiped my face, and sure enough, tears were there. I picked my pillow and hugged it close.

What happened to him? What happened to my old kind boyfriend?