Jackson's POV:

"Jackson dear, are you going to be back in time for dinner?"

I looked over at Sarah, my foster mom and noticed her look of concern.

I threw a smile and nodded. "I'll be here by 7."

She looked more visibly relaxed and nodded.

"Alright..."

I walked to the door and heard Sarah call me once more.

"Yea Sarah?"

"Please stay in the area, I know you're having a tough time since the incident... but - "

I tensed up at the thought and did not want to hear anymore. I interrupted her with a goodbye and closed the door.

I put on my headphones and blasted Eminem's song 25 To Life. I started jogging and thought back in the incident Sarah was referring.

Flashback:

"Well, well, well! Look who finally decides to show his ass up here! About time you visit us Jackson!" I got a few clamps on the back from Tony, one of the leaders in my old area.

"Yeah Tony, it almost seems like Jackson here thinks he is suddenly better than us." Rick, one of the Tony's best buds spoke to him. His eyes never leaving mine.

"That's not true, man." Everyone started circling around me but Josh.

Josh and I always got along better; we never went as far as Tony, Rick and the other guys.

"Why is there a sudden need to worry about me? I'm still the same guy." I spoke up trying to not let my frustration show.

"Guys, just lay off. If he's going to make something out of his life let him." I looked over at Josh thankfully, for coming into the conversation.

"Aw, do Jackson and Josh have something going on together?"

I watched on as Josh pushed Rick after he said that comment and clenched my jaw when Tony started to move towards him.

"Tony, man calm down…" Josh was starting to look nervous.

I took in a sharp breath when I saw Tony pull out a knife.

I started raising my voice when I saw him approaching Josh. "TONY! What the hell are you doing?"

Rick quickly grabbed onto me and I watched as Tony drew the knife into Josh's stomach. I shouted in anger and pushed Rick off of me and ran to Josh's side.

I could hear Tony, Rick and the rest of the guys running away as I dialed 911 on his phone.

"Jackson... you should leave..." I noticed him dozing off in between breaths.

I heard the sirens and clutched onto him tighter feeling tears brim on my eyes.

"I'm not leaving you, man." I saw him smile once more and go limp in my arms.

End Of Flashback

Josh has remained in a coma and I'm the main suspect since Tony and them are missing and I don't have any proof to back me up. Now the police are keeping an eye on me. They're not even letting me see my mom.

I ran into Sunnyside Park and sat down on a picnic table. I let out a deep breath and looked around.

I noticed a petite Asian girl sitting near the lake with what looked to be a sketchpad. I squinted slightly and felt a wave of recollection when I noticed it was Melissa.

I remembered how eager and defensive she acted when it came to me. I watched her carefully and noticed her eyes going back and forth from her paper to the lake. She looked so in peace... I've only had a handful of conversations with her, but I could tell she was the type who tries too hard to please everyone.

I am curious as to why she keeps on trying to talk to me... girls like her were never connected to people like me.

I haven't been in school for the past few days due to the incident. I would be lying if I said I didn't think about her at least once. She seems more... genuine out of the bunch.

I don't know why she seems so eager to know me. Then again she was always acting... protective of me... I guess that's how you could put it. I saw her get up and noticed her hair move against the wind. She was wearing a cream off the shoulder shirt, Jean capris, and tennis shoes. She guarded her book protectively against her chest and started walking down the path.

I got up swiftly and started walking in her path, to make sure nothing happens to her. It was a quarter to 7 and the sun was setting, the area here is much safer than my old spot but it was still reassuring to make sure she makes it safely.

I kept a good distance from her and took in all the fancy homes here. Sarah's home was a nice house and I was blown away by it. But damn, these homes made hers look like she was living in a hut.

"Jackson?"

I stopped looking at the houses and saw Melissa standing a few feet in front of me, shocked and confused.

Melissa's POV:

I was walking down the street clutching on my private sketchpad. From the moment I left Sunnyside Park I felt as if I was being watched. I felt my breathing quicken when I noticed a hooded figure walking a few feet behind me. I turned around quickly and was confused and relieved when I saw it was only Jackson.

"Jackson?"

His eyes darted from the homes and looked at me awkwardly.

"Hey Melissa…" He spoke so tightly.

"Um… hi! I didn't know you lived in the area!"

I was surprised to see a bit of blush form on his cheeks.

"Well actually I live in Westwood…"

I wrinkled my brows this street is Lakewood…

"But Westwood is on the other end of the block…" I spoke confused.

"Yeah… I was jogging and taking a breather at Sunnyside Park and saw you leaving and wanted to make sure you made it home safely."

I looked down trying to contain the grin begging to draw on my face. I eyed him slowly and spoke up.

"Thank you for that. I only live 4 houses down from here." I watched him look down the street and hold a neutral expression.

"Well, I've come this far maybe I should just…"

I smiled as I could tell he was starting to get a bit nervous so I jumped in.

"Jackson… would it be a bother for you to walk the rest with me?"

Panic grew as I realized he might have meant he should just go home from his statement that I interrupted. Oh god, I got the signal wrong didn't I?

"Unless you need to get home, it's no big deal if you can't I mean the streets are empty so – "

"Mel, it's alright. I'll walk you."

I inwardly cheered when he called me "Mel".

He and I started walking again and I spoke up carefully.

"So, I haven't seen you around these past few days. Everything alright?" I've heard a few rumours… but chose to ignore them.

I noticed his eyes turn grey and felt like hitting my forehead, as it was apparent I went too far with my curiosity.

I decided to speak up again to level things. "You don't have to tell me anything."

"It's alright… I'm in trouble Melissa. I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty bad. And you wanna know what the worst part is?"

I looked into his eyes and nodded.

"I'm gonna get my wrists slapped for something I didn't do. And the only way to prove my… innocence is hanging on by a thread."

I swallowed harshly realizing that whatever it was, it had to be really serious.

"Do you wanna talk about it more?"

He looked around and shook his head. "Nah. It's getting late… is this your house?"

I looked over to my left and blushed and laughed slightly.

"Um… we sorta walked past my house." I felt embarrassed and saw him smirk slightly.

"Well then lead the way." He turned around and moved his hand in a theatrical way.

I smiled seeing a lighter side of him. We walked quietly and I made sure to not pass my house again.

I slowed my tracks when I saw my grey stoned house.

I heard him let out a whistle. "Nice place."

I blushed and shrugged my shoulders unsure of what to do. "My parents work hard."

I turned to my home and looked at him once more. "So will I see you tomorrow?"

He sighed and did a half smile. "I'll be around."

I flashed him a grin. "Cool… well… goodnight."

"Goodnight Melissa." I smiled once more and walked in a slight daze at how suave he sounded when he said "Goodnight Melissa."

I can't wait for what tomorrow will bring.

Hope you like this chapter! I'm planning on adding pictures on my profile on stuff that matches what I envision for their houses, clothing, etc. Leave me a review!