When Kim finally left detention it was snowing outside. The snow was slushy and wet and when she stepped on it, it sounded like she was walking on mushy fruit. The snowflakes covered her hair, making it damp and frizzy. She shuddered. A perfect ending to a perfectly fucked up day. She hoped that at least her mother had turned up the heating in the car- Her mother. Kim's stomach fell and she shut her eyes. She didn't let her mother know that she was going to be late. She must have waited for Kim and then gone home.

"Fuck, fuck, fuuuuck," Kim groaned. She looked up to the sky and asked, "Seriously?"

Oh, what a lecture she would get. For getting detention. For making her mom worry. For not answering her phone. Her phone. She started digging through her bag for it when she heard someone say "Watch your step!" and then she slipped. Her body lurched backwards and her legs just went up, sliding across the wet snow, her book bag pulling her down. She let out a shriek, already able to imagine the feeling of cold mush seeping through her jeans. But just before her butt could collide with the wet ground, strong hands grabbed her upper arms, steadying her. She was pulled up, her back pressing against a firm body and suddenly the air around her felt warm.

"I told you to watch your step," Jared said from behind her, still holding her close. "You ok?"

Goosebumps erupted all over her body and her tongue felt thick. Not trusting herself to speak right away, she just nodded.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

He slowly let her out of his grasp and she turned to face him.

"Thank you," she mumbled.

He flashed her a toothy grin. "Then, am I forgiven for today?"

"Not even close."

"Well, that's ok. I'm a patient man. I don't mind waiting for your forgiveness. Or earning it."

"First of all, you're not a man. You're a teenager. Second, uh, Jared, I don't understand this. I don't understand anything that's going on," she said wearily.

"Well, I can explain. Just need some time and I need you to be open-minded. And give me a chance. That's the most important thing."

"A chance to do what? I don't get it. You don't have any obligation to explain anything to me. We've never been close. Your sudden interest is completely... I don't know, surprising at best? Weird? Honestly, it feels like a trap. Like, She's All That scenario."

"Yeah, I don't understand that reference. But it's nothing bad. I promise."

"Seriously? Freddie Prinze Jr?" she tried, but Jared just shrugged. "Look, I wish I could believe you. But I can't. I need to call my mom now," she turned to walk away from him.

"I can give you a ride home. I'm going home too, so it's on my way," he said eagerly.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"So, you're going to wait for your mom for God knows how long, on your own? Kim, ok, I know you don't like me all that much right now, but it's snowing, it's cold, you've had a bad day. Let me at least drive you home, ok? Look, I won't even speak to you. I'll be on my best behavior, I promise."

The offer did seem tempting. Postponing her mom's shouting sounded pretty ok. Still, driving around with Jared after he pretended she didn't exist for the past month seemed unbelievably strange. But her head still hurt and she was still hungry, and cold, and tired and the day was a complete mess anyway. So, she barely even registered when her body took over control from her brain and she started following Jared to his car. "Fine," she sighed like she was doing him a favor. Wow, she really succumbed easily to peer pressure. She wondered what would have happened to her life if she'd had any friends. Would she smoke? Do drugs?

"A penny for your thoughts?"

"I thought you said you wouldn't speak to me?"

"Right," he smiled, then opened the door for her.

"I am able to open the door, you know," she rolled her eyes at him. He just shrugged.

As they drove away from school, he did good on his promise and didn't say a word. Kim stared through the window most of the time and cast occasional glances Jared's way. He looked back at her every time she did, and he smiled, but he didn't say anything. Kim blushed every time he caught her looking. When they were about half way to her house, the silence became so loaded and awkward that Kim blurted out, "Ok, this is super awkward, right? I feel like you're a serial killer driving me to the place where you're going to execute me." He burst out laughing.

"Hey, don't blame me, I was just trying to keep my promise."

"You're absolved. Or at least play some music."

"Can't. Radio's broken. Guess we'll have to talk," he smirked.

"Then talk. You said you want to explain, so, explain."

"Now?" He shifted uncomfortably.

"I can't see why not. It's as good a time as any."
"Right," he knit his eyebrows. "I just think I'll need more time than this drive to explain everything. And I should probably talk to Sam first," he mumbled the last part.

"Sam? What does he have to do with this? And what can be so difficult to explain?" She frowned at him and then froze. Her eyes widened. "You're involved in some kind of criminal activity, aren't you?" she gasped. "Is Sam forcing you to do this? And how come you're telling me this now? Oh, my god, is he trying to muster me in too?"

"Muster you in? Wha- no! We are not criminals! Jesus, Kim. Nobody is trying to hurt you. We aren't doing anything bad. We don't do steroids, we aren't drug dealers, nobody drinks animal blood. If anything, we are trying to help our community." He slowed down and then stopped the car.

"Why are we stopping?" she asked and her voice was an octave higher than usual. Her heart was hammering in her chest.

"Because I'm too distracted to drive," he muttered and bit his thumbnail. She then noticed that his hands were trembling slightly. He was breathing deeply through his nose. Kim slowly reached for the door handle.

"Kim, you can relax. I'm not going to do anything bad to you. I would never do you any harm," he said and pinched the bridge of his nose. "God, I'm fucking this up royally."

"I knew this was a bad idea," she muttered.

"No, it's a good idea, I've just rushed it a little," he put his hands together with a little clap. "Ok, no big deal. Tell you what. You like reading, right? How about this, I'll bring you a book tomorrow that might clear things up a little, how does that sound?"

"A book?" She cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it'll be like an intro. Hopefully," he added distractedly.

"I mean…"
"Please." His eyes were big and pleading, and he didn't look one bit like a serial killer.

"Ok," she sighed, "bring it by tomorrow."

"Great," he smiled at her. "Now let's get you home." He started the car.