A/N: Hi everybody! Finally it's Sunday! Thank you for waiting till this day to read this new chapter! I want to thank you a lot for the last reviews! I never thought I could get so many reviews only in one chapter; at least those were a lot for me and I do thank you for that! And I'm so happy to know that you liked last chapter, that's what it seems and I'm really glad! I'll let you know that Teenage Dream is planned to be a long story! This is crazy because when I first decided to start writing a fanfiction, I never thought I could write long stories with several chapters (I remember myself thinking: you're gonna screw it! Do not ever write long stories because it's hard!). Oh yeah, but I did, because I'm stubborn. Anyway, I don't regret; yes, it's hard but it's nice to write like this. And you know what? Yesterday, November 3, it's been 3 months since I started writing Teenage Dream! So... Thank you for sharing these 3 months and thank you for supporting me already 3 months! I guess someday I'll find the way to thank you; I don't know how yet, but for sure I must do something to show you my gratitude. Alright, I have nothing else to say I guess... I'll let you read this new chapter! Until next Saturday! Warm fuzzies!

TEENAGE DREAM

Chapter 15

Kicked out

You were now lying down on the grass, resting your head on Darren's lap with your eyes closed and listening to Darren's amazing voice singing in your ear. You still couldn't believe that you've sung in front of him, but you felt genuinely good when you did so, you let yourself pour out all you were holding onto for so long. Now, he was the cutest person you've ever met and you felt bad to have thought he was a bad person. But now you were feeling more than good for being like this with him in this peaceful night in which no one was bothering or threatening you. And Darren was singing to you a wonderful song which meant a lot to you, so you couldn't help shedding a tear and smile because of that; you were feeling very touched. When he finished singing, you finally opened your eyes to find him looking deeply into your eyes. Those eyes, those big and hazel eyes reminded you of those eyes you've dreamed of sometime long ago; and now you couldn't stop staring at him. You were so close and you were feeling weird but it was a good feeling for sure. He suddenly leaned over and nuzzled his nose with yours; you let him do so because it felt nice; you only shut your eyes again. Then you felt how his sweet and silky lips brushed yours very smoothly. Your heart skipped a beat in thrill, but then you had a flashback that tangled you up. All of a sudden, you remembered everything, all that happened before that night you received a liquor bottle from W and you got drunk. You remembered he was there for you all the time, how caring he was with you, you remembered you were actually friends with him; you remembered all the events that made you happy in middle of your desolation, everything thanks to him. You remembered everything about Darren, the guy who was now in front of you. And you realized why those eyes were so familiar to you, why you felt weird when he nuzzled his nose with yours, why those lips also seemed very familiar to you. Yes, the same thing happened that night when you lost consciousness and your memory; it happened exactly the same. Darren kissed you that night and you could remember it perfectly as though it happened five minutes ago. Darren, the guy you've been in love with since the first time you saw him, was now kissing you for the second time. Why was he doing that? Although you liked this because it was what you've always dreamed of, you knew something wasn't right. You just moved away from the kiss and looked at him frowning and bewildered. All you remembered suddenly made you feel very dizzy.

"I remember everything. I remember you, Darren." You said looking at him still astonished and dizzy while your head started aching. You moved a bit away from him and sat upright on the grass.

"What?" Darren asked now also astonished and wide-eyed. "What are you talking about, Freckles?"

"I remember that night, I remember it all." You answered in a whisper, still taken aback, thinking about all those new memories.

"What night?" Darren asked cautiously, with tremulous voice.

"The night when W sent me that liquor bottle, when we were talking...and then when I... when you... I remember it." You responded, not wanting to tell him that you remembered when he kissed you... more like when you kissed him.

"Do you remember... do you remember everything? All you have forgotten, do you remember it?" Darren asked in a mix of fear and happiness, piercing your eyes with his steady gaze.

"Yes, I do... My head aches." You whispered and grouched, now placing your hands on your head so maybe that way the pain would stop.

"Hey, hey!" Darren whispered getting closer to you and holding your hands, looking deeply into your eyes. "Slow down; don't force yourself to think about all you've forgotten. You remember." He said in a dreamy way and with a twinkle in his eyes.

"W has ambushed you. And my father... your mother... Oh my god." You said worried when you remembered the dispute in the hospital.

"Hey, stop. Do not think about it now." Darren said kindly and he stroked your hair smoothly, trying to reassure you. "Do you... Do you remember what happened that night? Like... do you remember what we did?" Darren asked gingerly and looking fixedly into your eyes. He was evidently afraid you could remember the kiss.

"Yes... yes, I do." You answered, looking away. You had to lie, you didn't want him to feel uncomfortable with you, and you didn't want him to walk away from you because he was feeling ashamed. "Yes, we were talking and then... there's a blank spot in my memory... and then I remember I was feeling tired and just fell asleep. The last thing I remember of that day is being at hospital, when I heard that dispute. That's it all."

"Don't you remember anything else?" Darren asked with taut voice, looking at you frowning.

"No, that's all. Is there something else?" You asked playing fool. Darren looked down still frowning and you could notice... a sad look?

"No, there's nothing else; at least there's nothing important." He answered with gravelly voice, still looking down. He also lied to you, maybe this was the best. "I can't believe you remember, Freckles. You have no idea... I wished you could... I'm so very happy for that, Freckles." Darren said after a while, now looking at you with bright eyes and a wide grin.

"Darren, I'm so sorry; please forgive me." You said with choked voice and teary eyes, looking at the only guy who helped you to keep going all this time, the same guy you treated like crap, in a terrible way he didn't deserve. "Please forgive me, I hurt you and I didn't want..."

"Hey, Freckles." Darren whispered with sweet voice, moving even closer to you and still holding your hands. "I already forgave you, remember?"

"Yes, but I treated you..." You started saying, feeling really guilty. "And I was... I left you alone when I promised to never do it... and you were trying... while I was with..."

"Calm down, Freckles." Darren said reassuringly, caressing your hands with his thumbs. "That was in the past, we cannot be stuck in the past. What matters is that we're fine again, that you are fine. Let bygones be bygones."

"But..."

"No buts, Freckles. I don't know about you, but I forgot what happened in between when you lost your memory." Darren said smiling and shrugging but you were still looking at him with guilt. "Come here." He requested softly, smiling sweetly, and then he pulled you into a warm hug. "Every cloud has a silver lining, so don't feel sad. At the end, we're still together, aren't we?" He whispered in your ear while hugging.

"Yes. Thank you for never give up on me." You whispered in his ear when you hugged him tighter.

"I will never do so. You see, I can't stay away from you." He whispered.

He moved away from the hug to look at you with a sweet smile and you smiled back at him. You slowly rested your head on his shoulder and wrapped your arms around him; Darren apparently got surprised, because his whole body tensed when you did it. At first you thought you've done something wrong, but then he enfolded his arms around you and kissed the top of your head. You stayed in silence for a while; you feeling happy to have remembered him but also feeling worried because your mind was a mess and this was related to W. In the time you've lost your memory, you used to hang out with Brian and his friends and apparently appearances were deceptive. Brian didn't seem to be the bad person he seemed to be, even if he was the main person who abused you. On the other hand, there was Jim and also Dean; the ones who were trying to brainwash you with bad things about Darren. So then... Who were the real people who were on W's side?

"Darren... I know you don't want me to talk about W and all that stuff..." You started saying softly.

"No, don't do that now." He answered while he was rubbing your back.

"But Darren... While I was hanging out with them when I lost my memory... I found out a new thing very important about W; something that I really need to tell you..."

Don't misunderstand me, I was super happy to know that Freckles recovered memory; I was only kinda down due to the fact that she couldn't remember absolutely everything. Yes, it was true that what I wanted the night I kissed her for the first time was her to forget about it, but now it was different. For some reason I had the hope she could remember it, I didn't know why because I knew the best for us was to keep being only friends, because I was still confused, even if my feelings for her were so intense. Maybe the kiss wasn't so important to her, so that was why she couldn't remember it, or maybe it was only because she was drunk; I didn't know. And what about this last kiss? Why hasn't she said anything at all about it? Yes, it was a slight and fleeting kiss, but still. What did I really want? Damn, I was so confused. I couldn't stop thinking about all of this while she was resting her head on my shoulder and wrapping her arms around me. I was so very thoughtful until she talked and said something that left me thinking about something else.

"But Darren... While I was hanging out with them when I lost my memory... I found out a new thing very important about W; something that I really need to tell you..." Freckles whispered.

"We can talk about it later, Freckles. Now you should slow down and just relax." I replied gently, giving her a small kiss on the top of her head.

I was taking advantage to be as close to her as possible. However, I was really intrigued to know what she had to tell me. She moved her head away from my shoulder to look at me; I only got closer and wrapped my arms around her waist as I placed my legs on her sides, pulling her softly closer to me again. Maybe I was acting like a moron, but I really wanted to take advantage to be near her, because I didn't know how long this was going to last. Anyway, she let me do all of that, because she seemed to be deep in thought.

"I can't relax, Darren... Have you heard me?" She asked looking me in disbelief while I pulled her even closer, very softly.

"Yes, I have. You need to tell me something new that you've found about W when you were friends with Brian and all of them." I answered quietly, smiling at her. "And I'm telling you that you should forget about W and all the mean things, at least only for tonight."

"But I can't! This is important!" She exclaimed exasperated, still looking at me in disbelief. I only got closer and rested my forehead against hers.

"And isn't this important to you?" I asked with husky voice, looking deeply into her eyes. Oh man, what was wrong with me? I was making her feel uncomfortable by being like this with her, but I just couldn't avoid it. Was I flirting with her? Yes, obviously. But... Was she noticing this?

"What? Yes, this is important too... But..." She said nervously, turning her face.

"But what?" I asked as I placed my thumb on her chin to make her look at me again.

We were so close... Her big beautiful eyes fixed on mine, but I shifted my gaze to her lips and I leaned... I leaned to get even closer, to reach her lips again. This was a feeling I couldn't contain. But then she pulled me away softly.

"Darren, what is wrong with you?" She asked looking at me puzzled. Fuck, I screwed it.

"Nothing! Nothing..." I responded almost desperate, feeling like a jerk but also feeling down. If I was in love with her, it didn't matter because she wasn't feeling the same for me and I preferred to have her as my friend that not having her at all. "I only want you to forget about W, only for tonight. Imagine as if there was nothing bad happening."

"I can't Darren, because shit is happening..."

"But imagine it! Imagine if it was only the two of us, right now... and nothing bad is happening, we are just two good friends enjoying a normal night together." I said looking deeply into her eyes. She really needed to stop thinking about W all the time or she was going to get sick again.

"Don't you care anymore to find out who W is to end with all of this so then we can do what you ask me to do for real?" She asked looking at me kinda disappointed. But it wasn't disappointment, it was something else.

"Hey, no..." I said placing my hands firmly on her waist. "I do care about finding out who W is. Yes, I do want this to end so then we can do all of this for real. But I don't want you to get sick again because of W."

"I won't get sick..."

"That's what happened. You were really stressed out because of W and among other things; that is why you were in hospital." I answered still holding her, even if we weren't as close as before.

"No, that's ridiculous. My dad told me it was because of school." She said frowning.

"Yeah, of course he would tell you something like that..." I answered ironically, raising an eyebrow. I knew I couldn't mess with her father, but I really couldn't stand that man.

"Hey, slow down, Darren. He is my father; do not talk about him as if he was a terrible person because you don't know him." Freckles said serious and firmly, apparently a bit upset.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to talk about him as if he was a terrible person. But I can't talk about him as if he was the nicest man on earth, not after the way he treated me and the way he tried to keep us apart." I said honestly, I wouldn't lie to her.

"Well, maybe he had his reasons to treat you like that." Freckles whispered looking away and I looked at her in disbelief, now moving my hands away from her. Why would she say something like that? What kind of guy was she thinking I was?

"He called me a depraved, scoundrel and miscreant. Do you think I'm that kind of guy?" I asked now looking at her hurt and frowning, placing my hands on my pockets.

"No! No, Darren. I don't think you're like that. I only said that maybe he had his reasons to treat you like that, because of the ambush and all; he was only trying to protect me." Freckles answered, placing a hand on my arm as I just glanced at her. Man, I couldn't be mad at her not even once. "Maybe if you and my dad met to clear up..."

"Oh no, that's not gonna happen." I refused quickly when I noticed what she was trying to tell me. There was no way to talk to that man; I didn't like him at all. His arrogance made me sick.

"Well, at least you could try it. If it isn't for you or for him, do it for me." Freckles requested softly, looking at me, but I was looking away, puckering my brows.

"Freckles..." I said after a while, now looking into her eyes. "I could do whatever you want; you could ask me to do whatever you want and I'd do it... But not this."

"Why not? Darren, it's not that terrible, he isn't a bad person. He was just angry that time." Freckles replied while looking at me distressed.

"There's a thing you don't know... You see, thanks to your father, now my mom is disappointed in me. My mom and I used to have a really good relationship and now it's all screwed, we barely talk now. And that was since your father treated me like a depraved. Yes, your father maybe isn't a bad person, but you see, he not only hurt me; but he also hurt my mom's feelings. Not to talk about the fact that he still thinks I'm the one who is trying to hurt you, so he doesn't want us to be together." I said, confessing what that meeting in hospital caused.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that." Freckles said anguished, looking down.

"No, don't feel sorry because it's not your fault." I said now feeling bad because I should have known that she was going to feel guilty.

"I wish things could be different. It's kinda sad to know that all the people I love can't fit in." She said sighing anguished and still looking down. "But it's fine, I understand you. He was cruel to you."

Man, I couldn't see her like that. I wouldn't want it either; I'd love to see all the people I loved getting along. Maybe I could try to talk to her father, only for her. Yes, she definitely could make me do whatever she wanted; I'd do everything for her. And I wasn't making this decision because she was pretending to be anguished because of this situation, because she wasn't pretending it. And she was so little and vulnerable... I looked down for a while in silence before I held her hands and looked at her deeply.

"You know, maybe I could try to talk to your father... Who knows what can happen?" I said softly and kindly.

"No, Darren. You don't have to do it. I do understand he hurt you way too much; if anything, my dad should be the one apologizing." Freckles said shaking her head. Gosh, could she be any sweeter?

"I don't think so; I did my part as well. I wasn't the nicest guy to him. Maybe we can do this; maybe after I talk to your father we can stay together again and we won't have the need to make up excuses whenever we want to meet." I said trying to sound positive for her; because I honestly didn't think that her father would want to see me with her.

"You don't have..."

"Hey, look at me." I interrupted, taking her hands with mine, and looking fixedly into her eyes. When she looked up at me, I saw that sad look. "I know I don't have to do it, but I want. When I said I'd to do everything for you, I wasn't lying, you know?"

"You shouldn't say you'd do everything for me; because then I'd feel bad because I don't know if I could do everything for you as I'd want, because I'm not that strong sometimes..."

"Hey, hey. I'm not strong either; I'm weak, you know? We aren't so different. And when I say I'd do everything for you, I'm not expecting anything in return. I'd do it because I really want it." I said looking at her with a warm smile as she was looking at me fixedly.

"Why?"

That was the time when I was in plight. It was time to decide if I was going to tell her that I was in love with her but I was confused and I wasn't so sure to be in love with her and then I'd have to figure out what was going to happen next; or not, or not admitting her my real feelings to keep being her friend. What should I do, man? I couldn't just tell her I was in love with her, because she was going to freak out and it was probable that she'd want to stay apart from me because, evidently, she wasn't feeling the same for me. Damn, damn, damn. I needed to answer something quickly because she was still looking at me, expectant to know the answer.

"Because I love you." I whispered, looking nervously into her eyes. She raised her eyebrows and looked at me in surprise, with her lips slightly parted. Damn, apparently she didn't like my answer. I gulped and ran my fingers through my curls. "Yes, because you're my friend and I love you... like Jen, I'd do everything for Jen too... Yes." I added nervously because now I knew I couldn't tell her I was in love with her. Yes, I chickened out.

"You're a good friend, Darren." She said smiling friendly and then she pulled me into a tight hug.

"Yeah..." I whispered.

And there I was, hugging tightly the girl I was in love with, pretending to be only her friend. I was such a coward, I didn't know how I was going to manage to be with her and pretend all the time that I only loved her as my friend. And that was making me a liar. But... she was Freckles, and I knew that being away from her was going to be harder than being with her and hide my real feelings away. Fuck, if she only could feel the same for me...

You let Darren walk you home; so now the two of you were walking. He still didn't know where your home was, so you were leading him. You were walking in silence and it was kinda uncomfortable; and this time, he didn't hold your hand to walk. Well, maybe that was the normal thing between friends, but you had to admit that you got used to Darren holding your hand. It was weird what you were feeling; after he told you he loved you, your heart skipped a beat. It was him, the guy you always loved secretly, telling you that he loved you. Come on, of course you'd be happy. But then he mentioned he loved you as a friend, like Jen; and well, then you didn't feel so special. Anyway, he loved you and he was an amazing friend; you couldn't ask for more because, after all, you were still that geek and ugly girl. Or at least that was how you were feeling. However, you were now coming back home and Darren convinced you not to talk about that new thing you found out about W, he convinced you to talk about this the next day.

"We'll arrive soon." You finally spoke, breaking the silence. Darren only grinned weakly; he was walking with downcast eyes.

Why was he being so quiet? Generally, he used to talk a lot and it was weird to see him like that. Have you done something wrong? Nonetheless, you kept walking in silence and looking away until you were two blocks away from your home. That was when you took the risk to walk closer to him and hold his hand. He only glanced furtively at you when you did so, but he intertwined his fingers with yours.

"Well, we're here." You announced, smiling joyfully, and Darren looked at your house in amazement.

"Do you live here?" He asked amazed.

"Yes, I do." You responded.

"Whoa! Your house is totally awesome. Man, it's so big and so brand-new! Like... wow." He commented, still looking at your house amazed as you giggled amused.

"Yeah, I know. My mom hired a renowned architect to design it." You said shrugging. "Anyway, I prefer yours. It's cozier."

"You're insane." Darren said while shaking his head and you giggled again. "Well, umm... Do you want me to walk you to the entrance?" He asked awkwardly.

"Yes, sure." You answered, smiling cheerfully.

Darren walked you to the entrance, still holding hands. Everything was going good until your father came out from the house. He seemed to be upset and you noticed how Darren looked at him terrified and then he looked down. Nevertheless, he kept holding your hand.

"Why were you away from home? What were you doing this late at night with this kid?" Your father asked angry, looking at you. Wow, that was scary.

"I'm sorry, dad. I was... I just needed to talk to someone." You answered frightened, your voice sounding wobbly.

You've never seen your father this angry. Maybe this was the way he was looking at Darren that day in hospital. Darren was extremely silent, looking down but still holding your hand. You knew he was scared, so why was he still there? Oh no, no, no. No, he was still there because he promised you to talk to your father for you. No, you couldn't let it happen, not as long as your father was this angry.

"Sure, and you had to go to talk to this depraved boy. Get into the house, this boy and I have to talk." Your father demanded coldly.

"I won't get into the house." You suddenly challenged your father. This was the first time you faced him, only for Darren. And it felt good. Both, Darren and your father looked at you in surprise.

"Freckles, it's better if you get in. I'll be fine, we're gonna talk as I promised." Darren whispered in your ear as he squeezed your hand.

"No, Darren. I'll stay here." You whispered to him. "I won't leave you alone with my father."

"I said get into the house and don't you dare to disobey my orders." Your father said strictly.

"And I said I won't do it and don't you dare to suppress my freedom of expression." You faced your father coldly again. Wow, you were being like a rebel teen. Again, both your father and Darren looked at you astonished.

"What have you done with my daughter, you depraved?" My father asked aggressively looking at Darren. Darren looked at him terrified and gulped.

"Do not call him like that, father." You said coldly and firmly. "He's none of that; he's the only boy in school who cares about me; so I won't allow you to treat him like crap. Respect that."

"Freckles, stop..." Darren whispered in your ear, almost supplicant, concerned when he noticed the way your father was looking at you.

"You're all the time trying to force me to do what you want. When is gonna be the time when you will let me do what I want to do? If I am mistaken, then let me be wrong, I'll learn from my own mistakes." You said distressed looking at your father, ignoring Darren's plea. "But stop managing my life, I'm sick of it, I'm not that perfect daughter you think you have. I'm all the time trying to please you that I forgot to enjoy my own life, my own life is passing by and I'm not living it at all." You said frowning and feeling really anguished while you were realizing all of this. Your father and Darren were looking at you puzzled. "And when for the first time I found someone with whom I can start living my life the way I want..." You exclaimed exasperated and squeezing Darren's hand. "You always find the way to screw it! I don't wanna live your life, because this is my life and I'm the only owner of my life, so I'll make of it it whatever I want, father! Let me be!" You exclaimed exaggeratedly but because you were feeling how all the feelings that were repressed were now coming out.

"You don't know what you're saying; you're just blinded because of this depraved boy." Your father said indifferent and coldly.

"Can't you see it, father? I'm not blinded, I was blinded but now I'm seeing it all; you never wanted me to be truly happy, all this time all you wanted was me to live your life that you thought it was perfect to me. Guess what? That life sucks for me; that kind of life doesn't fit on me." You said upset and no matter how much you wanted to control your feelings, you couldn't. "And this guy next to me? This guy is the only guy who helped me to find my way to be happy for being myself, something that you should have done as my father. So I won't allow you to call him a depraved, because you don't know him, because you judged him the first time you saw him and you never gave him a chance to prove you the amazing kind of person he is. So, who is the victim and who is the perpetrator here?"

You were out of control, you knew you were being very ill-mannered and aggressive, you knew you shouldn't be treating your father this way because it was inappropriate; but you couldn't help it, he needed to understand that he didn't have the right to manage your life as he wanted. And Darren was right, it was a bad idea to have mentioned him if he could talk to your father to solve things. Poor Darren, he knew that something like that could happen and you were so stubborn; and even though he knew this current situation was most likely to happen, he was going to do it for you anyway; he didn't deserve to be treated like that by your father. Darren, next to you, was looking at you astonished but with a twinkle in his eyes, while your father was looking at you in a rage.

"You, Criss... I want you and your ideas away from my daughter. I don't want to see you with her ever again." Your father threatened him furious while Darren was looking at your father scared and not knowing what to say. You noticed how he clung to your hand.

"I'm sorry father, but you won't keep us away. If you really love me and you want to see me happy, then you'll understand that I'm not walking away from him, because he makes me happy." You said while linking your arm with Darren's.

"Is this what you want, kid? To put my daughter against me? To make her think that I'm a bad father?" Your father asked coldly and furiously.

"No...I don't..." Darren started babbling with trembling voice. Gosh, he was really scared.

"Stop it, father! He only came here to talk to you and clear things up. He never tried to put me against you, never. If I'm saying all of this, it's because I finally opened my eyes and I realized how the whole situation actually is. Darren has nothing to do with what I'm saying right now." You said looking at your father coldly. "And the only thing I'm asking you is to give him a chance. I'm asking you to let me be happy and I'm gonna be happy if you accept him as my friend."

"I'd never do it. I know what kind of person this kid here is and I won't let my daughter be hurt by a criminal." Your father said furious and Darren looked down distressed and troubled.

"If you don't do it, then I'm really sorry, father, but I have nothing else to talk to you. I'm really hurt by your decision; I thought you cared about my real happiness." You said looking down, feeling very sad. "I won't walk away from him." You said getting closer to Darren, still looking down. "You can do whatever you want, but I won't allow you to mess in my life anymore. I'm tired of it."

"Is that your decision?" Your father asked severely, looking at you rabidly and you just nodded as a response. "You have fifteen minutes to pack your personal stuff and leave this house. You're not my daughter, now you are a stranger to me and I won't let strangers live at my house."

You looked up to look at your father terrified and puzzled. Has your father thrown you out your house? Was he really demanding it? Darren was also looking at your father agape and astonished, raising his eyebrows. You couldn't help but to shed silent tears of sadness, feeling a deep hollow within you; you just couldn't believe it. Yes, your father was a severe person, but you never thought he could do something like that. Darren noticed you were sobbing, so he squeezed your hand reassuringly but it didn't work to you.

"What?" You asked in disbelief, your voice sounding wheezy as tears wouldn't stop racing down your cheeks.

"You heard me. From now on, you don't belong to this family, hence, this is no longer your house." Your father responded rudely, avoiding your teary eyes. "You have fifteen minutes." His orotund voice echoed in your mind before he turned around. You broke down and dissolved into a puddle of tears.

"Hold on, sir!" Darren finally exclaimed. He seemed to be exasperated. Your father turned his face to leer contemptuously at Darren. "This is my fault..." Darren started saying and you looked at him frowning and confused, with your sight blurred because of the tears. Why was he saying that? This wasn't his fault at all. "I forced her to say all of that; I wanted her to be against you. This isn't her fault, so don't do this to her. I'll walk away from her, but don't kick her out the house."

"What? No, Darren. This is not your..." You started saying because this wasn't like this, and he shouldn't blame himself for the sole purpose of making your father change his mind. You couldn't allow it.

"Freckles, don't say anything, I know what I'm doing. I won't forgive myself if your father does this because of me. This is the best." Darren whispered looking into your eyes distressed.

"No..." You whispered shaking your head and wiping your tears away. No, he couldn't do that.

"Are you admitting that you are the one who made my daughter be this ill-mannered?" Your father questioned, looking at Darren fixedly.

"Yes, sir." Darren answered with low voice, looking down and pursing his lips.

"Are you admitting that you're a bad influence on my daughter?"

"Yes, sir."

"So... Are you admitting that you're a depraved and scoundrel, boy?" Your father asked coldly and you looked at him in disgust, narrowing your eyes and shaking your head with parted lips.

"Yes..." Darren answered anguished, still avoiding you father's withering gaze.

"Good..." Your father stated with an almost malicious smirk.

"No!" You finally broke in anger. "He's none of that! Can't you see that, father? He's only doing this because he cares about me and he doesn't want you to be that rude and heartless father to me! You are the one who is a scoundrel, father!"

"Freckles!" Darren exclaimed in disbelief, nervous.

"No, Darren! I won't let this happen! I won't let him treat you as crap because he cannot deal with the fact that finally I stood up for something in my life that I truly want, so the easiest thing for him to do is to kick me out! Because he always wants to control everything and he can't do it with me any longer. No, no, I won't let him mess with the only real thing I have that is your friendship. Not anymore." You said furious and sorrowful at the same time.

"Don't do that, Freckles..." Darren begged afflicted but you didn't listen to him.

"I'll leave this house because I can no longer call it home." You said coldly, trying to sound determined and strong, but you were dying inside.

"Fifteen minutes." You father said indifferently and rudely. Darren, next to you, looked at him in a rage.

"What kind of father are you? How could you kick your own daughter out the house? How? Do you even have kindness in your heart? Can't you see that you're hurting your own daughter? Don't you understand that she only needs her father to support her? How can you think about yourself before thinking about your daughter?" Darren asked really furious and you held Darren's hand to calm him down.

"You won't tell me what I have to do as her father, Criss." Your father responded archly and then he looked at you in the harshest way possible. "Get out of here; I don't wanna see you when I wake up."

Those were his last words before he got into the house without looking back. When your father disappeared, a single tear slid down from your eyes, followed by another one, and another one, until soon, a steady stream of salty tears flowed their way down your cheeks, releasing the sadness and sorrow that has been held inside of you for all this time. This was the worst thing that someone could have done to you. You were now homeless and now you didn't have a family; you lost it all. You sat on the floor slowly and you started crying in abject misery, rocking your body back and forth with great heaving sobs as your shoulders were shaking with grief. It was as though there was a hole in your heart now and nothing would fill it again. Everybody used to say that the worst thing was the loss of a relative; but the worst thing was actually to lose a relative while they were still alive. What could stop the pain you were feeling now? Darren kneeled next to you and he held you in his arms tightly, rubbing your back and stroking your hair reassuringly but it wasn't working.

"Everything is going to be alright, my little Freckles, everything is going to be alright." Darren whispered sweetly, giving you a warm kiss on the forehead and still holding you in his arms.

You wanted to think that, but you knew that it wasn't going to get better; you knew that it wasn't going to be alright. You knew your father pretty well and you knew he was the most prideful person on earth, you knew he wouldn't forgive you, he wouldn't apologize to you; you knew that he wasn't going to understand you.

"You can stay at my home as long as you want, you're welcome there. You can stay there until everything clears up." Darren whispered again sweetly and you couldn't talk because you couldn't stop crying. "You'll see that things will soon clear up."

You wanted to thank him, but you couldn't; anyway, he understood you somehow. You didn't talk when he helped you to pack your personal stuff, he respected the fact that you couldn't talk. And you couldn't pack your stuff without crying and trembling, so he did it for you in silence while you lay down in your bed for the last time. You noticed how he glanced at you sadly several times, but you didn't have the strength to pretend you were fine. Before leaving your bedroom, you looked at it with sadness and melancholia; you looked at it and you shed more tears. Darren noticed this, so he wrapped his free arm around you as you rested your head on his chest. The worst feeling was when you closed the front door of the house, when you realized that you were in fact kicked out from your own house, when you realized that now you didn't have a place to call home.

"Morning." I greeted with a big yawn when I woke up next day.

It was Saturday morning, around 10 am, the day my family used to wake up late because it was weekend. I was wearing gray sweatpants and a loose white tee of Roger Rabbit, everything as usual. But there was something that wasn't usual: When I entered the kitchen to have the usual breakfast of Saturday morning with my family, I noticed there was not the usual breakfast and my family was looking at me serious. Why were they looking at me that way? Why wasn't there the usual breakfast? The table was full of cupcakes, waffles, French toasts and hot cakes; there were also coffee, cereals with milk and fresh squeezed orange juice. Since when my mom was up to make this kind of breakfast on a Saturday morning? I sat at the table suspiciously because they were still looking at me serious. I tried to break the fraught situation with a lame, very lame joke.

"Were you inspired this morning, mom?" I said laughing like an idiot. She only looked at me severely.

"No, I woke up and I found this..." My mom answered, pointing the table. She and my dad were still looking at me severely while Chuck started eating one of the cupcakes.

"Oh boy! This is delicious!" Chuck exclaimed in pleasure with his mouth full of cupcakes.

"Charles, I'm trying to talk to your brother. Please, behave and do not talk with your mouth full of food." My mom requested strictly and Chuck nodded and kept eating those cupcakes in silence. I needed to taste one now. I grabbed one but my mom stopped me.

"What, mom? I'm hungry!" I snorted bad tempered, knitting my brows.

"I want you to come with me now." My mom demanded roundly.

"Later, mom! Now I want to have breakfast, I'm hungry!" I complained.

"I said now, Everett!" My mom said firmly.

"Oh, man! What the hell have I done now?" I asked in disbelief and grumpy. She seemed to be mad at me and I did nothing this time.

"Someone is in trouble!" Chuck mocked amused while still eating a cupcake and I shot him a withering look.

"Come with me, Everett." My mom repeated firmly.

"Fine, fine!" I huffed in annoyance, hiding a cupcake in my pocket before following my mom to the living room.

"Do you remember what I told you when you messed the living room after you spent hours playing to that thing you have...?" My mom started scolding me when we were already in the living room alone.

"Play Station, mom." I huffed because I remembered perfectly what she told me to do and I never did. "Yes, that I had to clean the living room and you didn't want to see any popcorn on the floor. I know, I know! I just didn't have time to clean it!"

"Have you looked around?" My mom asked and so then I looked around. Everything was clean now and I felt bad, because this was making things worse between me and her.

"You didn't have to clean it! I told you I was going to clean it, mom! I was going to do so today." I said feeling guilty.

"I didn't clean it." She responded serious and I looked at her bewildered; there was no way that my dad or Chuck cleaned that for me. "I found this note today, on the table."

I took the note that my mom was handing me and I looked at it in suspicion, before reading it.

"This is my way to thank you for receiving me in your home. I noticed you were sleeping, so I took advantage to go to the grocery and buy some stuff to make breakfast. And I also took the boldness to clean the living room to show my gratitude. I hope you don't mind, I'll try to make my presence here as unnoticeable as possible. Thank you a lot for everything. Freckles."

Why was she doing this? I didn't want to think that she was thinking this was her duty because I offered her to stay here. She didn't have to do this, it was what any friend would have done. Where was she anyway? She wasn't in the kitchen having breakfast with my family. How would she be feeling today? Last night she was heartbroken and she barely wanted to talk. I looked up at my mom who was looking at me fixedly.

"Would you explain me what is happening, Everett?" My mom requested severely and I didn't know where to start.

"Well...Umm... She's gonna stay here for few days, or weeks, or months, I don't know." I answered awkwardly.

I knew that I should have asked her first if Freckles could stay home until things get better; but I couldn't leave Freckles homeless last night. When I remembered all of what her father told her, I started feeling really upset. That man was a dick.

"What do you mean? I don't remember to have authorized you to do such a thing." My mom pointed out in disbelief and upset.

"I know and I'm sorry mom... But..."

"But nothing, Darren. We both know that her father didn't want you to hang out with her. Do I have to remind you how bad-mannered you were that day in hospital?" She asked severely and I looked down, biting my lower lip.

"Mom, her father kicked her out the house last night. I couldn't just leave her there, homeless." I said anguished, still looking down.

"What did you say?" My mom asked now concerned.

"She and her father had a dispute last night and he was so rude and harsh on her. He said terrible things only because... because she was telling her father that she... well, that she wanted to live her life her own way not the way her father wanted. And well, he kicked her out, it was so heartless." I said anguished and upset when I remembered it. "And I told her she could stay here as long as she wants, until things with her father get better. Mom... she's my friend, I couldn't leave her there alone."

"It's fine. But Darren... Do you have something to do with this dispute?"

"No!" I exclaimed quickly, frowning; but then I looked down and gulped. "Maybe a little."

"Oh for god's sake, Darren! What have you done now?" She sighed as if she was tired of me and that made me feel bad.

"Why do you always think that I'm all the time doing the wrong thing, mom? Why do you always think that I'm the guilty one; the one who is all the time screwing everything up?" I finally asked distressed. It was time to talk to her. "I'm only trying to do the right thing; and yeah, sometimes I make mistakes. But I don't have bad intentions; I was only trying to help her and all I get is to be blamed for everything. And it hurts to see how disappointed in me you are all the time; because I always try to make you feel proud of me, but it seems that you're ashamed of me and it makes me feel terrible, mom. And I just... I just don't know what to do!" I said with tears in my eyes now.

"No, Darren..." My mom whispered sweetly and she hugged me as I snuggled up to her, still sobbing. "You never disappointed me; you make me feel the proudest mother with your kindness and warm heart." She said fondly, stroking my curls while I was still snuggled up to her as if I were a little boy. "I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like that; it's just that I have to scold you sometimes when you make mistakes because that's my duty as your mother; but it isn't because you disappointed me, it's because I'm trying to accompany you in the hard decisions in life, I'm trying to teach you what took me years to understand." She said now kissing my forehead and then she looked at me. "You're always gonna make me feel proud in whatever you decide to do; and if you ever see me altered and distressed it's only because I'm seeing how my little boy is growing up and because I realize you're not a kid, you're a man now and I realize that soon you'll go your own way when you start college and I won't be able to be with my boy all the time as now." My mom said now with choked voice and teary eyes. I couldn't help but to shed more tears, this time those were tears of thrill.

"Mommy, I'd never walk away from you. I'll always be your little boy, even if I'm not a kid anymore." I said feeling very thrilled because I finally knew the reasons why my mom was acting weird around me. "And I'd never forget you; the fact that I'm going to start college doesn't mean that I won't see you often. Yes, I may be away, but I'll come here often, only to see you." I said with choked voice while I was seeing my mom crying. I couldn't stand it, so I just hugged her tightly. "I love you, mom."

"I love you too, my little boy." She said stroking my hair. "And I'm proud of you, son. Remember it always."

I spent almost the entire morning with my mom, telling her what happened between Freckles and her father. She seemed to be very concerned about Freckles and she felt bad for her, she couldn't believe what her father has done. She said that maybe we should go and talk to her father, because maybe he said it all because he was upset in the moment; but I convinced her that it wasn't a good idea considering how arrogant her father was. Of course my mom agreed to accommodate Freckles in our house and she said that Freckles could stay all the time she needed to stay here. I thought that no one could be more warmhearted than my mom, she was amazing. The rest of the morning I called Jen and I told her all that happened, since we met in the Golden Gate Bridge until her father kicked her out. She was really worried and said she was going to try to come over here in the afternoon to see how Freckles was doing after this all. So now it was noon and we were about to have lunch, but Freckles wasn't here yet. Where could she be? I was kinda worried, because she didn't even reply my text messages and when I called her, her phone was off.

"I don't know where she could be. I've been calling her and she wouldn't pick up the call." I said concerned while my mom was cooking and my dad was reading the newspaper.

"Maybe she needed to go for a walk, son." My dad said quietly.

"Yeah... I don't know..." I said still worried. She would let me know if she was doing so. I was worried because of W. What if W has done something to her? "I'll look for her."

"But Darren, lunch is almost ready!" My mom said while I was grabbing my hoodie.

"I know, mom! I'll try to be fast. I need to know where she is!" I exclaimed and I left home before my mom could stop me.

Now that I was outside, I had no idea where to start to find her. At first I thought about Marin Headlands, but then I thought that it was a remote possibility considering that she knew that W knew about that place and she surely wanted to be alone right now. Then I thought about the Golden Gate Bridge, but she surely wasn't there because it was Saturday and it was full of cyclists. Where the hell could she be? I thought about another place she liked, but I couldn't remember. Good, and now? I tried to call her again, but her phone was still off.

"Think, Darren, think! Where would she go if she wants to be alone?" I thought loudly. "It's San Francisco, Saturday, and she is surely in an empty place..." I tried to think harder. "She likes flowers...Could she be in the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park? Maybe she's there."

I started walking over there, even if I didn't think she was there; but I didn't know where else I could find her. When I was on my way, I passed by a square near my house and I stopped abruptly. There she was, sitting on the grass against a tree, alone. I started walking to her but when I was getting closer, something stopped me. She wasn't alone, she was talking to someone I couldn't see. I didn't know why but I hid behind a tree near her to see with whom she was talking. There was no one. Was she talking to herself? I got even closer, still hiding behind trees to hear what she was talking about. Then I was the close enough to realize she wasn't talking, she was singing.

"The love between the two of us was dying, and it got so bad I knew I had to leave..." She was singing with her sweet voice but still out of tune. Anyway, I loved it.

I was about to walk to her because I knew what kind of song that was and she was singing it because of her father. Obviously, she was still feeling really sorrowful. But then, something stopped me and I hid behind the tree again, quickly.

"Here it is; two sodas for us." I heard a man's voice.

Was that Chuck? What the fuck was Chuck doing with her? I spied them. Freckles smiled at him brightly and then Chuck sat next to her. Hey, they were really close. Why was Chuck doing that? Why was Chuck close to her? Could Chuck be flirting with her? Man, I felt so fucking jealous, of my very own brother! What I wanted to do was to walk towards them and take Freckles with me; but what I did was to be there, hiding behind the tree and looking at them on the sly. Chuck wouldn't flirt with her; no, he wouldn't do something like that to me. But then I thought that no one knew that I was in love with Freckles, no one except Jen; so he was free to flirt with her, because Chuck thought she was only my friend. This couldn't be happening; my own brother couldn't flirt with the girl I was secretly in love.

"Why, Chuck?" I asked to myself, feeling jealous and anguished.

"Darren?" I heard another voice asking loudly. "What are you doing there, hiding behind a tree?"

Oh damn shit! That was so inopportune! I felt how I started blushing hard when Chuck and Freckles turned around when they heard that voice. Yes, obviously they saw me there, hiding behind the tree like the biggest asshole. I really needed to disappear.

"Eat me, earth!" I exclaimed in a whisper, feeling completely ashamed. "I'm not hiding, mom."

"Oh look, Darren! You've found your friend. See? She's over there with Chuck!" My mom exclaimed loudly again, pointing them. Oh dammit, I needed to stop her. This was so embarrassing.

"I know, mom, I know." I said moody, trying to get away from there. Chuck and Freckles now stood up.

"Have you been spying them, Darren?" My mom asked. Why the hell did she have to say all those things that were making things worse? Mothers and their lack of common sense.

"No, mom!" I exclaimed even more irritated.

"So why were you hiding behind the tree?"

"I... I wasn't hiding, for fuck's sake!" I exclaimed altered, blushing so hard.

"Hi, little bro. Seems that you've eaten a chili." Chuck mocked, making fun of me.

"Shut up." I responded harshly and grumpily, still blushing, though.

"Whoa! Why so serious?" Chuck mocked again amused.

I wasn't in mood to answer him, so I just looked away. I really didn't want to see Freckles' face. What would she be thinking? She totally found out that I was spying her. She was surely thinking that I was a stalker or a jerk. Man, she couldn't find the reason why I was spying her; she couldn't realize that I was feeling kinda jealous. Shit, why did I have to spy her? Anyway, why was my mom there? If it hand't been because of her, Freckles would have never noticed I was there. I was the most unlucky guy on earth.

"Stop, boys." My mom said firmly when she noticed how furious I was looking at Chuck. "Lunch is ready, so better if you hurry up."

"What's for lunch?" Chuck asked walking to my mom and I just stood there where I was.

"Lasagna." She answered.

"Oh my God! Lasagna is my favorite food!" Freckles suddenly exclaimed excited and everybody looked at her.

"Well, there's another thing we share." Chuck said smiling at Freckles and she smiled back at him. Man, I needed to stop feeling jealous; but I really thought Chuck was flirting with her. "It's fantastic, mom."

My mom smiled cheerfully and then she started walking home, followed by Chuck and Freckles. I only stood there because I was feeling very embarrassed to walk with them. I observed them while they were walking and laughing joyfully. Freckles seemed to be happy, very different from last night. And she looked happier when she was with Chuck than when she was with me. Could she like my brother? What if she was also flirting with my bother? What if she preferred him over me? Maybe that was why Freckles never mentioned the times I kissed her, because she wasn't interested in me. Well, it made me feel very anguished. I knew I should be glad because she was smiling and she seemed to be happy, but I couldn't. Was I that selfish?

"Hey, Darren! Aren't you coming?" I heard Freckles' voice yelling in the distance and I jumped because I wasn't expecting that.

"In a minute." I yelled still from the tree and I looked down because I couldn't stop feeling ashamed.

"Are you alright?" I heard Freckles' voice again, this time next to me. When did she get close to me? I didn't notice it.

"Yes, I'm fine." I answered looking away. I couldn't look into her eyes, I didn't know why. What before seemed to be an easy thing to do, now it was very hard. Perhaps because now I had a secret to hide: my feelings for her. "And you? How are you feeling today?"

"I'm much better today, thanks." She answered with a kind grin.

"I tried to call you all day long, but you wouldn't pick up." I said still looking away. "I was worried, you know..."

"I'm so sorry; I just wanted to be alone. You know... I needed to think. I'm sorry, it won't happen again." She said apologetically.

"Yeah, it's fine." I answered weakly, now looking at my shoes. I needed to focus my sight in another point that wasn't her eyes. "But you weren't alone... you were talking to Chuck..." What was wrong with me? Why did I seem to be reproaching her something? Not that she had to explain me whatever she was doing because we weren't anything but friends.

"So you're admitting that you were spying us." She said kinda amused and I got nervous and I felt how I started blushing again.

"No, I wasn't... No." I answered nervously and she chuckled softly.

"That's fine, you know?" She said amused and then I couldn't help looking at her. She was smiling widely and her eyes were very bright. Maybe she wasn't the prettiest girl, but she was so fucking pretty to me and more when her eyes were so bright like that.

"Yeah... well, it wasn't my intention. I was just looking for you and when I started walking towards you..." I started explaining, babbling like a retarded.

"You don't have to explain me, Dare." She said smiling sweetly.

"I love it, when you call me Dare. I don't know, I just love it." I said without realizing I was saying it loudly. Oh geez, today I was acting like a dumb.

"Well, then I found a new way to call you." She said giggling lively. "Come on, let's go have lunch." She said intertwining her arm with mine. Oh yeah, this was feeling better. I loved to walk with Freckles like this. If only I could be with her like this always... Dang! I needed to stop thinking about things like these.

"So..." I said while we were walking like this through the desert neighborhood, going home. "It seems you're getting along with my bro."

"Oh yes!" She exclaimed cheerfully. "He's awesome! I'm really glad to have known him a bit more. We share a lot of things, it's amazing! He made me feel very comfortable and I don't know... He is very kind."

"Oh, I see..."

I felt that demon again called jealousy for her and my brother. I couldn't stand that feeling and I couldn't avoid being needlessly unkind with her now. She wasn't the one to blame, but what could I do? It wasn't as if I chose to feel like this. I couldn't believe I was feeling jealousy for them. I only wanted her to be with me, I wanted her to be mine. How could I be such a selfish guy? I needed to tell her all my real feelings, but I knew that I was never going to do so because she made it clear that she wanted to be only my friend, otherwise she would have mentioned the kiss or something. While we were still walking, I glanced at her on the sly...

"Oh Freckles, if you only knew how I'm feeling about you... Why don't you want the way I feel for you?" I asked in my mind.