Author's Note: I really can't stop writing this one! (Did you notice!) Anyway keep the reviews coming! I appreciate it!

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Chapter 7: Need

Eva smiled, slipping into a girls bathroom in the arts building, sliding out of her uniform and folding it neatly into a duffle bag, where she pulled out an old pain stained pair of jeans and a tee shirt. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and then off her face with a cloth headband. She was starting with oils on the canvas she had sketched out already today and she was really looking forward to it. Since ending it with Mikey, painting was one of the only things that made her happy. Considering the fact that she'd ended it to possibly maybe be with David, who'd avoided her since that night at the piano she felt really young and really stupid. She walked to the small studio she'd been working in and set up her easel and took out her Ipod and put her ear phones in. She pressed play and mixed her colors and started outlining the shapes she'd sketched on the canvas. It was the view from the window of the spare bedroom in her Aunt and Uncle's house in New York, where she'd slept that summer. She carefully shaded the shadows as she remembered them. She did feel good now, safe and alive.

David frowned trying to compose again. He ended by banging the keys and closing the piano. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to go to a quiet place, that's what Patrick always said to do. The place where there was only music. As he found that place, he saw that it was occupied, by the memory from a month before of Eva sitting next to him and giggling, and then that kiss. He sighed and looked at the clock. It was late, which meant that she was probably here. Maybe if he saw her, and apologized or talked it out, he could finally focus. He walked upstairs and down the hallway peeking in each of the small studios. He finally saw her but he didn't want to disturb her. He was amazed, watching her. It was like music, the way she painted, sometimes long strokes; other times quick dots of color. She turned and saw him and squeaked jumping a mile and dropping her brush.

"Hi," he smiled. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She took out her earphones.

"No worries," she said. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"Yeah," he said. "I know." He said. "I wanted to apologize."

"For what?" She said.

"For that night," he said. "You know when I kissed you." She looked at him. "I'm not sorry for kissing you, but more for the fallout."

"I figured," she said. "Although, I got this weird feeling you were avoiding me." He looked at her. "Was I right?"

"Yeah," he laughed. She nodded. "That's really good." He pointed to her painting.

"Yeah," she smiled, "it is." He laughed and propped himself up on a counter.

"What were you listening to?" He asked. She blushed. "Is it embarrassing?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "Especially because you're super talented musician guy." He laughed.

"So if I tell you that I have a poster of those dogs playing poker in my room in Chicago," he smiled, "will you tell me? Because that's really embarrassing for me, what with you being super talented artist girl." She giggled and handed over her I-Pod. "Painting Playlist, Journey, Neil Diamond, Rush," he looked at her. "This is like the Guilty Pleasure hall of fame!"

"I find them soothing," she took it back. "Plus even super snobby music people love 'Sweet Caroline.'" He laughed.

"It's a good song," he smiled. "So you and Mike, that's not happening anymore?"

"No," she said. "No it's not."

"Are you upset about it?" He said.

"I was," she said. "But, if I'm realistic, it wouldn't have worked. I mean aside from all the stuff with my parents and my Aunt and Uncle, we just don't have that much in common." He looked at her. "I miss him though, just having him around, you know?"

"Yeah," he said. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to work." She nodded and he started to leave.

"David," she said and he turned and she ran over and kissed him. He softly pulled her close to him, resting his hands on her waist. She whimpered and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Oh God Eva," he whispered, their foreheads still touching, "I think I need you." They kissed again, pressing close. Her heart knew in that moment, even if the rest of her needed to catch up a little, that she needed him too.

"Are you sure about this?" Eva said. David looked at her. "I mean, I could talk to them."

"Eva," he said. "This is important to you, I want to do this right. If these are the rules, these are the rules." She slid her hand into his and he squeezed it before they walked in the back door.

"Evie," Cassie said. "Honey, I didn't know you were coming home today, I would have picked you up. Did you take the bus?"

"Um, no, David drove me," she said. Cassie nodded.

"Hi David," she smiled.

"Hi Mrs. Riley," he said. "It's good to see you."

"You too," she said. "How's your Mom? I've been meaning to call her."

"She's good," he said. "They bought a new house a few months ago."

"She told me," Cassie nodded. "Maybe we'll go down to visit some weekend."

"She'd like that," David said.

"Mommy," Eva said. "Is Daddy home?"

"Oh, no sweetheart, he's in court today," she said. "Why?"

"Oh, I um, just wanted to talk to him is all," Eva shrugged. "Well, you too, both of you," she said.

"Well, I'm right here," Cassie smiled. "Let's talk." Eva sighed. "Baby, what's going on?"

"David and I want to start dating," Eva said. Cassie sat down at the kitchen table. David swallowed and looked at her.

"Well," Cassie said. "This is unexpected."

"Mrs. Riley, I know that you guys just went through this with Mike, and I get that you have reservations about how much older than Eva I am," he said, "but I really really like her and," Eva looked at him and shook her head and he stopped.

"Mom," Eva sat down. "Please? You trust me, don't you? And the rule is just that I have to talk to you and Daddy about it." Cassie looked at her and then at David.

"I'll talk to your father," Cassie said. Eva smiled and hugged her. "I suggest you two not be anywhere near the house when I do it."

"Thank you Mommy!" Eva said. Cassie nodded.

"Sweetheart," Cassie said. "Can I have a minute with David?" Eva looked at him concerned.

"It's OK Eva," David said. Eva nodded and kissed him softly and walked upstairs. Cassie looked at him. "Mrs. Riley, I really appreciate this."

"David," she said. "I've known you for a very long time, and I know your mother. If my daughter is even slightly upset by you, I mean even unreasonable her being crazy kind of upset, you will feel the wrath of God. Do you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am," he nodded. "But I still appreciate it."

"No," Rick said that night. Cassie looked at him. "Cass, he's almost eighteen!"

"I know," Cassie said. "I wish she liked boys her own age too, but she likes him. David's a nice boy." Rick looked at her. "He is, and we know his family. Actually being with someone like him as her first real boyfriend isn't terrible. A boy her own age would probably be much more careless with her feelings." Rick looked at her.

"You told her it was OK?" He said. She nodded. "He actually came with her?"

"That's kind of what pushed it over the edge for me." Cassie nodded. "I mean only someone who really cared about her would have done that." Rick looked at her.

"Didn't she like Mikey Gaffney a month ago?" He sighed. "Maybe this will pass just as fast."

"It seemed pretty real Rick," she said. "Look, the reason why we decided to institute the rules was because we,"

"Didn't want her running around unsupervised the way we did in high school," he sighed, "I know all of this."

"So," she said and kissed him. "We know where she is and who she's with, which again, was the point." She kissed him again. "I don't think anyone expects you to like it that your daughter is dating Ricky."

Eva and David sat on his dorm bed, kissing softly. He pulled back after a minute.

"What's wrong?" She asked. "Did I do something wrong?" He looked at her and sighed.

"No, baby," he said, "You were great." She blinked.

"So what's wrong?" She asked and kissed him again. She inched closer and ran his collar between her fingers.

"Eva," he pushed her away gently. She sighed. "Look, I just, I think we should go slow."

"David, we're just kissing," she laughed. "You can touch me, I won't break."

"I just don't want to push you," he said. She smiled.

"You're sweet," she said. "But I'm a smart girl," she whispered, "I'll tell you when to stop." He nodded and she kissed him again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and she lay down. He tangled his hands into her hair and kissed down her neck. Her skin was unbelievably soft. He started wondering how soft she was in other places. His hand slid down onto her thigh. "David," she whispered.

"Stop right?" He said. She nodded. He sat up and exhaled. "Sorry," he said. "That part's going to be hard."

"I trust you," she whispered and kissed him. "I'll go if that'll make it easier." He smiled.

"Don't go yet," he whispered. They kissed some more and then jumped apart when the door opened and Mikey walked in.

"Um hi," he said. "Evie, right, I'll go."

"No that's OK," she said and stood up, "I was just leaving anyway." She rushed out.

"Oh, so it's at the point where she can't even be in the same room as me," Mikey nodded and flopped on his bed.

"She just doesn't know what to do," David said. "Once the weirdness settles in," Mikey nodded. "For record I'm sorry. I know I said."

"It's OK," Mikey shrugged. "I know you didn't mean to. Did you talk to Cassie and Rick?"

"Cassie," David said. "She threatened me." Mikey laughed. "I'm taking her out this weekend."

"Wait, they said yes?" Mikey said. David nodded. Mikey frowned, he hadn't expected them to say yes. He'd expected once they said no for the whole thing to flame out, the way he and Eva had. This was going to be harder to deal with.

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